Chapter 486 – The Mermaid Queen

We proceeded along the main street of Aianos where blue light showered down. Passing through the square lined with pillars, we approached the building called the palace.

Were they Mermaids like Rovisa, or perhaps Sirens? The figures of the Mermaid residents. There were also those who resembled Weltes.

Fishfolk who were even more fish-like than Weltes. These are the Fishfolk of common imagination. Though fewer in number, there also seemed to be turtle beastfolk. So the Mermaid Queen indeed governs other races as well.

The monster that’s half horse and half fish… I think it was called Hippocampus. Those appearing in rivers and lakes seem to be a different species called Kelpie.

The Hippocampus appeared to be used as mounts, and I could see Fishfolk knights patrolling the upper parts of the city riding them. Some were even astride dolphins and orcas.

“Aianos… with surface dwellers…”

“People from the surface.”

Just as we were finding Aianos fascinating to observe, they seemed equally intrigued by us. Passersby watching us from along the streets and from homes. When our eyes met, some would quietly greet us while others would pull back with surprised expressions… their reactions were quite varied.

If I had revealed my shark-man form, I might have frightened them. Keeping it hidden was probably the right choice.

And… from somewhere, singing could also be heard.

“It seems there are Sirens here as well.”

“So it appears.”

I nodded at the Duke’s words.

“The construction of the homes is quite different too.”

“That’s right. Since they can enter and exit from above by swimming, it’s only natural they’d make entrances there, wouldn’t you say?”

Princess Elham nodded with admiration at Princess Stephania’s murmured words.

As the two said… the construction seemed to allow residents to enter and exit from what would be the rooftop or second floor equivalent.

There appeared to be something like a market as well. Hmm. I can understand their diet. Fish, shellfish, shrimp, squid, octopus. Seaweed and so on. They definitely seem to be eating the bounty of the sea. Textiles woven from water spider silk were also displayed in the market.

I was enjoying the fascinating tour of the city… but eventually, we arrived at the palace. This too was constructed from the same stone material used throughout the city, but with various complex patterns and decorations applied to the surface, showing considerable craftsmanship.

Passing through the outer wall, stonework arranged in arches continued to the main entrance. Guard posts for soldiers were positioned on both sides.

Though it had the magnificent, open construction of a temple… the entire palace seemed to be covered by a barrier. The defenses against intrusion from places other than the entrance were surprisingly, or rather, considerably robust.

“This way.”

Guided by Rovisa through the entrance, we found ourselves in a large hall.

A giant pearl-like sphere was embedded in the ceiling, brightly illuminating the entire great hall. Where the pearl’s light didn’t reach, glowing corals like those seen outside were placed. They might be the equivalent of torches or candlesticks on land.

“Welcome to our city. Thank you for saving Rovisa and the others from their predicament.”

The one who greeted us and bowed was a Mermaid court lady.

First… I should hand over the shark-man to the soldiers. For the transfer of custody.

“Is it acceptable as the handover of a criminal? He’s a Sea King’s Familiar. If he proves too much to handle, we can take responsibility for him.”

Saying this, I entrusted the shark-man to the palace soldiers.

“We will take custody. Her Majesty the Queen wishes to hear from the Sea King’s Familiar as well… but is this restraint secure?”

“I’ve sealed his strength with a Sealing Technique and immobilized him, so I believe it’s impossible for him to escape on his own… Should we bring him before the Queen?”

“Yes. If we can speak with him, she wishes to exchange words directly.”

…I see. So it seemed the soldier who took custody of the shark-man would also accompany us to the Queen.

“Lady Rovisa, Lord Weltes, we’re relieved you’re both safe. Now, please come this way. Her Majesty the Queen is waiting.”

Following the court lady’s guidance, we proceeded through spacious corridors. Rovisa asked the lady leading the way.

“Were the others safe?”

“There were injuries, but no fatalities. Thanks to you two skillfully drawing attention, they managed to escape safely.”

“That’s a relief…”

Rovisa patted her chest in relief, and Weltes quietly closed his eyes.

…Weltes and the others seemed to have experience fighting the shark-man, but they said their weapons couldn’t penetrate his hide.

From the story and situation, I gather… they were in a larger group when the shark-man launched a surprise attack, and when it seemed casualties would mount, Rovisa drew attention to herself so the others could escape, something like that?

Weltes avoided combat injuries, so he continued as Rovisa’s escort. The shark-man took the bait and pursued Rovisa because she appeared to be an important figure. Rovisa had been fleeing in a completely different direction from where Aianos was located.

Certainly… better than total annihilation. If someone escaped and could report to Aianos, future measures could be taken, and Rovisa… even if captured, might buy time by lying.

“Lady Rovisa, does she hold an important position then?”

“Lady Rovisa is one of the Water Guardians.”

When I asked about something that had been on my mind, Weltes answered. Until now, I had deliberately refrained from asking, thinking there might be sensitive aspects if she were an important figure.

Perhaps because we’d reached the palace, he answered quite readily.

“Water Guardians, you say…?”

“It’s the work of keeping the water clean in the places where we live.”

“Is that… including from intangible things with negative properties, like Miasma or Evil Energy?”

“That’s right. From physical things like sand, paint, or poison… to intangible ones. It would be correct to understand it as protection from everything that would cloud the water.”

When Claudia asked, Rovisa nodded. Marl also nodded quietly.

…Then, can they use Magic? Or considering the nature, perhaps through prayers or similar means? It might be best to think of it as work similar to that of Clerics or Shrine Maidens on land.

“Water Guardians are also candidates for future queens. It’s undoubtedly an important position for us.”

“So that means, the queenship isn’t necessarily by blood relation…”

“It’s not limited to blood relations. Through normal procedures, Water Guardians with outstanding abilities are gathered, and from among them, the one chosen by Her Majesty the Queen becomes the next queen.”

…I see. So that’s why the Mermaid Queen governs other races too. Because they bear the sole responsibility for maintaining the environment, they’ve earned respect from other species as well.

For marine life, water quality is probably a more critical issue than air pollution. That their knowledge about monster aggression and such is more widespread than on land is likely for that reason too.

They seem to have various cultural differences from the surface… well, it’s easier to understand if I think of it as work similar to that of the kings of Verdgar or Silvatoria.

“Her Majesty the Queen awaits beyond this door.”

Hmm. An ornately decorated door. There are guards too, but it doesn’t feel exactly like an antechamber or audience hall.

“I’ve brought the guests.”

After having our weapons taken into custody, the court lady called out beyond the door, and a response came from within.

“Bring the guests here.”

The court lady opened the door, and we entered the room.

It was—a room decorated with curtains and carpets woven from water spider silk. The textiles featured delicate decorations… giving quite a splendid impression.

The queen’s chambers, or perhaps a reception room? With the cultural differences, it’s somewhat hard to tell.

And at the far end of the room, a giant pearl-like throne was installed. There—was a Mermaid with milky white long hair.

Slanted blue eyes that conveyed strength of will. A dress woven from water spider silk and a brilliant crown. Her tail fin and scales reflected light in complex ways, shimmering blue or purple depending on the angle.

The Mermaid Queen. While her hair color and such were mystical, combined with her confident expression, she gave more the impression of an empress than a queen.

In human terms, she’d be around mid-twenties? Since Mermaids are an ageless race, appearance and age don’t necessarily match…

“Welcome to Aianos. I am Eldorene. First… let me express my gratitude for saving Rovisa and Weltes.”

The Queen rose from where she had been seated.

“Ah, let me say first that there’s no need to be overly formal. I speak with this dignified manner because of my position governing the many peoples of the sea, but originally I was merely one Water Guardian. As long as you maintain proper decorum for the sake of setting an example to others, that will suffice.”

Queen Eldorene smiled as she said this. I see. While she gives an imperial impression, her true personality seems bold and hearty… though the dignity doesn’t seem entirely acquired. Well… first, introductions, I suppose.