Mermaid Princess's Skin Armor (1)
"Your adventurer license has been restored. From now on, you can adventure proudly as a member of the Thunderfield Guild. Congratulations."
"Is Olivia inside?"
"She's been out on regional duties since Wednesday. She asked me to give this to you before you left."
The guild receptionist handed over a letter. I took it and unfolded it.
— Warp mage, underwater breather secured.
From your request, it seems you haven't forgotten Queen Isabella's commission. If you're taking that job, time-limited underwater breathing magic won't cut it for deep-sea activities.
I recommend the ancient legendary armor passed down through the ages: Mermaid Princess's Skin.
Please don't push yourself too hard.
— Olivia
Mermaid Princess's Skin armor.
Long ago, when a certain kingdom existed on this continent, a prince used the body of a mermaid princess who had once loved him and taken her own life to craft the ultimate diving armor that allowed breathing underwater. They say wearing it lets you swim faster than a fish.
Thanks to its superior underwater performance, everyone covets it, but no one has claimed it to this day.
Because of its guardians.
The retainers who, by the prince's ancient command, have protected the armor from that era to the present. Once human, they now linger as powerful specters.
"That's the place I was thinking of checking out anyway."
No need to hesitate. I set my destination right then and there.
Guild master Olivia hadn't secured an underwater breather, but she had lined up a warp mage.
With the academy on break for the weekend, I only had Saturday and Sunday. Accomplishing anything major in just those two days was physically impossible.
Most places were too far away.
That's why I'd chosen a warp mage to cut down on travel time.
"What's the maximum distance you can warp?"
"I can do... up to 170 kilometers. I heard you wanted 200, but the guild master said it was fine and assigned me."
"Ah, got it."
Guess the guild had trouble finding a 200-km warper. The one walking beside me now was a married woman in her late thirties. First impressions: quiet and composed.
Her husband had died as a mercenary, leaving her with two kids, or so she'd said.
Anyway, warp mages specialized solely in warping, unlike general mages. They devoted their lives to it, abandoning all other magic to send clients as far as possible.
The farther the distance, the bigger the payout. This woman could handle 170 km max, putting her in the top 20% of warpers—solid mid-tier skill. She'd make decent money.
"I got scammed and racked up debt. I'm struggling to pay it off. Plus, there are so many warpers who can do 170 km these days; pay's gone to shit."
As if to prove her words, she had dark circles under her eyes, her frame gaunt to the point of emaciation. Her expression was shadowed, making her seem gloomy and somber at first glance.
"Must be a far cry from two years ago."
"Yeah, pretty much. But I heard you had... health issues, Mr. Naru? Looks like you're better now?"
"Yeah, all healed. Let's do it here."
"Open the portal right here?"
"Yes."
"Naidara Forest, right?"
"That's the one."
"Opening it now."
The warp mage named Sophia gripped her staff and began chanting. A magic circle formed at our feet, spinning rapidly. Her hair whipped around, eyes rolling back.
Waiting made me a bit nervous. I still hadn't gotten used to warping.
A blue portal materialized in the air, expanding until it was big enough for people to pass through. Her floating hair settled, and Sophia's demeanor calmed.
"Step in."
"Let's go."
I stepped through the portal with her.
"What are we gonna do! Come on, think of something quick!"
At the Laphone estate, Ashley clutched her chest in frustration in the living room.
"We have to hurry before he gets a girlfriend!"
"Calm down."
Michelle, seated on the sofa, narrowed her eyes at the wall.
"During the divorce cooling-off period, he can't just meet anyone willy-nilly. He's still legally married to you. Hooking up with someone else now would be spitting in his own face—everyone would talk, and he knows it."
"True... Back when we lived together, Naru never showed much interest in other women. He's not the type to jump into a relationship right away... but you never know, right?"
Serena, in the room with them, clapped her hands.
"Mom! Sis! Can't we just cancel the mutual divorce? Go to the court and say we don't want it anymore!"
Ashley's friend Roberini speared a piece of apple with her fork and smirked.
"Idiot, Naru has to agree too. Ashley can't do it alone."
"Who needs his agreement?"
Michelle curled her lips slyly.
"In this day and age, who cares about agreement?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
"What do you mean?"
"The world runs on money and power, dear."
Michelle rose gracefully, clapping her hands with poise.
"Serena, that's my girl. Brilliant idea."
She couldn't stomach the idea of humbling herself before Naru out of pride. After all, she'd spent years ignoring and scorning him. Bowing to him now was out of the question.
But she wanted to hold onto this promising young man for the future.
Even if the marriage was annulled via court in a year, Ashley would be a divorced woman who'd lost her virginity. No amount of hymen restoration or spin could change how the world would undervalue her.
Without erasing people's memories, pretending it never happened was impossible.
Ashley would struggle to find a young, capable man going forward. Forget anyone better than Naru with a hero's power—it was hopeless. She'd likely end up with far lesser options: an old rich geezer or a noble scraping by to save face.
Even remarrying would label her a second wife, locking her out of the top-tier marriage market in high society.
That's why they needed to keep Naru.
He might soon be rated on par with elite noble heirs in the marriage market. Letting go of what she already had would be foolish.
Michelle sprang into action immediately.
A few hours later, at a fancy restaurant in the bustling district. Michelle met with Ashley and the deputy high priest handling Naru and Ashley's mutual divorce.
"Our girl deeply regrets her actions. We're earnestly begging you to dismiss the case this once out of mercy."
The table overflowed with lavish delicacies from land and sea.
The elderly white-haired deputy priest smacked his lips, savoring the feast.
"Even nobles can't divorce lightly. Unions between man and woman are ordained by heaven. And heaven's ordinance means no mere human can sever what the gods have joined."
He sucked the sauce off his fingers and stared straight ahead.
Ashley sat sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please forgive me... sob sob. I won't leave my husband again. Sob... We were so immature. I'm truly sorry. We'll live well together. Sob sob...!"
The deputy priest smiled warmly.
"Do you know how many noble couples divorce a year? On average, just two across the whole kingdom. That's how much people see it as a sin. I'll make this one go away as a special exception, so grit your teeth and make it work."
"Yes... Your Honor... I've repented deeply from this. I guess I really do love my husband. I can't live without him. Sob sob..."
"That said, Sir Naru should've thought to keep the marriage with a concubine or something if he disliked his wife. Tsk, young men these days have no patience."
After the meal, as they exited, three horses brought by Laphone servants staggered under massive loads of gifts.
"Hoho, what's with all this? I'll take it as a donation to our temple."
"It's an offering to the gods—use it well."
"But you've got Sir Naru's agreement, right?"
"We'll convince him—just don't worry."
"Very well, then. I'll head to the court and close out the mutual divorce based on my mediation and your reconciliation."
"Our daughter is so lucky to have met such a gracious man. Thank you so much."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you. I'll live well with my husband. Sob sob."
"Don't even think of divorce again. Obey him, serve him well. Never nag or scold—that's what drives husbands out."
"Yes... sniff."
After the deputy priest left, Ashley blew her nose into a handkerchief and grinned like she hadn't just been crying.
"Thanks, Mom."
"What did I tell you? Money and power solve everything. That deputy priest, though—makes me wanna puke just thinking about him. If he weren't one..."
The next morning, a letter arrived at the Laphone estate—from the deputy priest.