As the ship was completely sunk into the ocean, the first thing I saw was a group of fish.
The group of fish that looked like goblin, passed through while avoiding the bubble wrap around the Pisces.
Looking up at the top, I could see the light from the surface slowly faded away.
“… for the time being, we seem to be fine” (Felnote)
“Yes, we can breathe. For now, we should confirm her intention first” (Arge)
“Arge-san, Felnote-san, what is this!?” (Kuzuha)
The other two’s condition must become better after I cast the healing wind magic, that’s why Kuzuha-chan who have taken care of them can afford to come out of the cabin.
“Kuzuha-chan … Uhm … a little problem has occurred” (Arge)
“Yes, I can tell by looking … but is everything okay?” (Kuzuha)
“This is the work of a girl calling herself a Ocean Demon, … for some reason she wanted us to come visit” (Arge)
“…Ocean demon? Their ancestors were creatures living in the ocean like octopuses, squids, etc.
One of their race is mermaid. They are also beastkin like us but they are a diverse tribe that live under the ocean”
And while Kuzha explains, the Pisces is dragged into the ocean floor.
I don’t know how she is doing this, but for now, it’s more important to grasp the situation.
Looking back at the scenery from the edge of the ship again, the view that spreads is the blue landscape.
The landscape itself in the sea is transparent, but the ocean current is intense.
Pisces isn’t affected since it was wrapped in foam, but it seems to be quite severe in terms of the environment. At least I don’t think I would like to go outside of the foam.
“… we also have to explain to Zeno-kun and others as well, even there are many things that we don’t understand either” (Felnote)
“Well, because only I can speak with Richelle-san, I’ll explain to her later, their seasick should be cured with my magic just a while ago—“ (Arge)
“—What happened!?” (Zeno)
“Oh, speaking of devil” (Arge)
Zeno-kun came along with Richelle-san.
Just a good timing, I can explain the situation easily, and I can also communicate with Neguseo through blood contract’s telepath.
Richelle-san understood the circumstances just by looking, and she spoke.
“Ocean Demon … I heard that they are living under the ocean arround Demon Continent. And there wa a Sea Queen that oversee the ocean” (Richelle)
“Queen of the Ocean Demon?” (Arge)
“Yes. But she must have a reason to catch us alive rather than sinking the ship without question.
… This place is ceratainly close to the demon continent, at least it’s a good news” (Richelle)
Richelle-san says so as she smiles.
It is a smile like usual, but even as insensitive as I am, I still find it akward to smile at time like this.
However, the purpose of this journey is taking her back to her hometown. It can’t be help that she somewhat happy that she comes closer to her homeland.
But then maybe she just grasp the situation somehow. Richelle-san shakes her golden hair and lowers hers head. She must feel regret.
“Maybe the Queen just wants to have an important talk with Arge-sama. So you don’t really need to worry. For now we should talking with the Queen first” (Richelle)
“… Well … I don’t know what her purpose, but let’s get it done and return quickly” (Arge)
“… Look like we about to reach the bottom of the ocean” (Felnote)
As Felnote-san say so words, everyone gazes at the bottom of the sea.
…town?
The landscape we saw at the bottom of the ocean.
A flock of regularly arranged roofs on an organized stone road.
Algae are clearly and intentionally planted on the ends of the road, and the landscape is directed by flickering in a swaying manner.
Many of the people going and leaving have scales throughout the body and lower body like squid. Perhaps they are ocean demons.
Unlike the ground, in the ocean, people both walking along the road and swimming in the water. And what come to our eyes is indeed a town, and it is clearly well maintained and established.
Zeno-kun stays next to me, opens his mouth wide with eyes like seeing unbelievable things.
“Townscape … In such a deep sea …” (Zeno)
“I heard that there is a queen of the ocean demon that really good with magic, but to think she can make a town like this…” (Kuzuha)
“Anyway, the end has come into view” (Felnote)
The fact that we can see the cityscape means that this is the bottom of the ocean.
As evidence, the Pisces has begun to slow down the descent speed.
“How that, customers, what do you think about this city of mine?” (Queen)
Unexpectedly, we was called from behind.
We were entranced looking at the state of the town, I didn’t notice her approaching and it seems that everyone was the same, all of us turn around in a panic.
From what she said, it was as if she was there from the beginning.
A girl with blue skin stood before the steering wheel.
This girl’s face looks a little older than me. And even she has blue skin but she has 2 legs, she looks almost the same as a human being, she has Purple Wavy hair and golden eyes.
The girl swam around and touched the ship. Her legs wave like fish fin, and she swam at the edge. As she laughed, she exposed a sharp pointed fang like a shark and nodded many times.
“Ho ho ho, this is interesting, this is the first time I see a ship in unbroken state” (Queen)
“You are … Uhm, the one talking to us earlier” (Arge)
An familiar voice that seems to have fun. It definitely belonged to the Queen of the Ocean Demon race who invited us to the bottom of the sea.
However this girl is too small to be named the Queen, she only has modest breasts suited to her body.
“Yeah, I’m Kutira! The Queen who oversee this undersea city! Welcome customer, you can relax—” (Kutira)
*Bumped* SFX
As she busy talking while swimming, the back of her head hits the steering wheel.
Maybe because she is in the bubble right now, The blowing sound heavily.
“She bumped her head…” (Felnote)
“She really bumped her head …” (Kuzuha)
“Yes, she certainly bumped her head …” (Zeno)
“… Uhm, Arge-sama, do you think she is okay?” (Richelle)
“Uhm … are you okay?” (Arge)
It was pretty heavy sound, and she remained in the bumped state, so I couldn’t tell if she was ok.
“Fu e…” (Queen)
A faint, breath-taking word leaked out. There was some tear floating on her golden eyes, she turned the palm of her hand to us.
“This time isn’t count” (Kutira)
“Huh?” (Arge)
“This time isn’t count, customers didn’t see anything, right?” (Kutira)
“… Well, then, please do it again” (Arge)
As I say so, the girl nods.
She steps one step forward and checks the distance with the steering wheel behind several times. Also check her appearance, arranges the hair with her hand, and wipes off the tears in her eyes.
She cleared her throat, and she talked again.
“Fu wa wa wa!
You have done well, coming to our ocean floor city, customers
I’m a Queen of the Ocean Demon, Kutira. Allow me will welcome you!” (Kutira)
“Ahaha … thank you” (Arge)
Even I don’t understand well but it was too late to fix her entrance now.