Otohime

The door was gently pushed open.

"It seems you've recovered your spirits."

Otohime entered, and a maid placed a bowl of medicine by the bedside.

Saint Mjosgard turned to look out the window.

"Women! Why haven't you sent me back to the Holy Land yet?"

Otohime glanced at the bandage on his shoulder.

Does the wound still hurt?

"I'm asking you a question!"

"Take your medicine first."

"You!"

Saint Mjosgard was so angry that her face turned red.

He was always waited on hand and foot in the Holy Land; when had anyone ever dared to ignore him like this?

What's even more infuriating is that this woman is a mermaid!

"Don't you know who you're saving?"

Otohime looked at him and nodded calmly.

"I know. You are Donquixote, Saint Mjosgard."

"But right now, you're just a wounded soldier from the Ryugu Palace."

Saint Mjosgard opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

Saint Mjosgard stared at her for a long time before finally managing to utter, "Don't you all hate me?"

Otohime remained silent for a few seconds.

"Hatred."

"You captured so many Fish-Men, causing countless families to wait in vain for their loved ones to return."

Saint Mjosgard frowned.

"Since you knew that, why did you still save me?!"

"Because I don't want to see a wounded person die in front of me."

Otohime looked at him.

"But saving you doesn't mean Fish-Man Island forgives you. Your debts won't be wiped clean just because we saved you this time."

"Let's focus on healing your injury first."

Saint Mjosgard scoffed and turned his face away.

"Ridiculous! You Fish-Men have no idea about the power of the Celestial Dragons!"

Otohime did not argue, but simply pushed the medicine bowl toward him.

It tastes even worse when it's cold.

After saying that, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Saint Mjosgard stared at the bowl of medicine for a long time, but still didn't reach out to touch it.

In another palace of the Ryugu Palace, Otohime sat alone by the window, her gaze fixed on the distant courtyard.

Shirahoshi was lying on the edge of the pool, poking at the water with a finger, watching several small fish swim around her fingertip, and occasionally laughing.

Otohime gazed at the Shirahoshi in the courtyard. The little girl was still playing with the small fish by the pond, completely unaware of what had happened at the Port that day.

"What's wrong, Otohime?"

Neptune walked over to her.

"I'm a little worried about Shirahoshi. She was frightened by the gunshot that day and cried, which attracted three Sea Kings."

She didn't even know those giant beasts came because of her.

Neptune followed her gaze.

"I'm also worried about what happened that day."

"Shirahoshi is still so young. What if the same thing happens on the island again and the residents get hurt?"

Otohime remained silent for a while before instructing her maid to fetch her three sons.

Before long, the three brothers, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, Manboshi, ran into the room.

"Mother, you've been looking for us?"

Otohime looked at her three sons with a serious expression.

There's something I want you to remember.

Otohime told her three sons what had happened at the Port.

After listening, Fukaboshi remained silent for a long time.

"Can Shirahoshi summon Sea Kings?"

He looked at Otohime: "But does your sister know that herself?"

That's precisely why I'm worried.

Otohime grasped Fukaboshi's hand.

"Shirahoshi is still young; she doesn't know what her power means, nor how to control it."

"Therefore, the three of you must protect her well."

Fukaboshi nodded earnestly. "I will take good care of my sister. No matter what happens in the future, the three of us will be with her."

Ryuboshi immediately clenched his fist. "That's right! Anyone who dares to bully Shirahoshi, I'll beat them up!"

"I... I'll protect my sister too!" (Manboshi)

At the same time.

A pirate ship was quietly sailing through the underwater channel surrounding Fish-Man Island.

The intelligence report stated that three Sea Kings had appeared at the Fish-Man Island Port and were simultaneously swimming towards the young mermaid princess.

Vander Deiken IX stared at the line of text, then pulled out an old record passed down from his ancestors.

On the yellowed pages lies a legend that has been passed down for hundreds of years—

The Little Mermaid is able to command Sea Kings and possesses the power to destroy the world.

Vander Deiken IX clenched the paper tightly.

"It's finally here!"

"The legendary mermaid princess! I must find her!"

A few days later, in a guest room in the Ryugu Palace.

Saint Mjosgard's injuries had mostly healed, and his two accompanying guards had prepared a ship for their return journey.

"My Lord, we are ready to depart at any time."

Saint Mjosgard nodded and was about to get up when a voice came from outside the door.

"Saint Mjosgard."

Otohime walked in.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it now?"

Saint Mjosgard said impatiently, "Haven't you always wanted to send me back to the Holy Land?"

I want to go back to the Holy Land with you.

Saint Mjosgard suddenly turned his head.

"You're going to the Holy Land?!"

"Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to formally request the World Government that the residents of Fish-Man Island relocate to the mainland."

The Saint Mjosgard heard a huge joke.

"That's the residence of the Celestial Dragons! How dare you, a Fish-Man, bring that up?"

"It is precisely because I know this that I should go."

Otohime looked at him, her eyes clear and resolute.

"I want the people of the Holy Land to know that Fish-Man Island is not what they imagine it to be."

"I also want to fight for an opportunity so that Fish-Men can live on land with dignity."

"Are you crazy?"

Saint Mjosgard frowned. "The people there won't be polite to you just because you're a princess!"

At that moment, Jinbe also entered, his expression grave.

"Queen Otohime, please consider this matter carefully."

"The Holy Land is not like Fish-Man Island. You must bring sufficient guards with you this time."

"The matter of the guards is now in your hands."

Otohime smiled.

I know I won't be welcome there.

"But someone has to take the first step and let them know that Fish-Man Island doesn't want war, but rather to live peacefully with humans."

Jinbe fell silent.

In the Sun Pirates on the open sea, Fisher Tiger remained silent for a long time after receiving Jinbe Den Den Mushi.

"The princess is as bold as ever."

"Boss Fisher Tiger, what do you think about this matter...?"

"Since it's the princess's decision, we'll support her."

Fisher Tiger said in a deep voice, "However, Jinbe, the guards must be properly arranged. We absolutely cannot allow anything to happen to the Queen in a place like the Holy Land."

"I see."

The following day, in Holy Land Mary Geoise.

A ship flying the Celestial Dragons' flag slowly approached the shore.

Saint Mjosgard was the first to descend the gangway, followed by Otohime.

As soon as they stepped onto the dock, several Celestial Dragons nearby stopped in their tracks.

"Fish-Man?"

"Musegard, how did you bring something like this to the Holy Land?"

One of the Celestial Dragons even covered his nose and walked right past Otohime.

"It smells awful."

When Otohime heard those words, the smile on her face faded slightly, but she did not stop walking.

Saint Mjosgard frowned.

"Ignore them."

"I'm fine, let's go."

Saint Mjosgard glanced back at the Celestial Dragons who were still discussing, and surprisingly did not join in.

Over the next few days, Otohime began visiting several Celestial Dragons families in the Holy Land.

Saint Mjosgard would occasionally accompany her there.

Each time she visited, Otohime would bring petitions from the residents of Fish-Man Island.

Some people dismissed the guests after hearing only a few words, while others refused to even accept the documents she offered.

But the next day, Otohime still appeared on time in front of another residence.

That day, she had just finished a visit when she encountered a Celestial Dragons in the courtyard.

"Musegard, the Fish-Man you brought back is quite good-looking."

A Celestial Dragons looked Otohime up and down, speaking in a flippant tone.

"How much? How about you sell it to me?"

Saint Mjosgard initially intended to pretend he hadn't heard, but upon hearing the other party ask the price, he stopped and turned to glance at Otohime.

She is not a slave.

He turned to look at the Celestial Dragons.

"She is the queen of Fish-Man Island."

The Celestial Dragons paused for a moment, then laughed disdainfully, "Princess? Fish-Man dares to call himself a princess?"

"Think what you want."

The man from the Saint Mjosgard waved his hand.

Stop getting in my way.

After everyone left, Otohime whispered, "Thank you."

"I simply don't want my guests to be taken away by others so easily!"

Saint Mjosgard waved his hand impatiently.

Don't flatter yourself!

Otohime didn't say anything more, she just smiled and nodded.

At night, Otohime was still organizing the petition materials from the residents of Fish-Man Island.

Saint Mjosgard walked in, holding a wine glass, and glanced at the thick stack of documents on the table.

"Aren't you tired of looking at this stuff every day?"

"I'm used to it."

Otohime raised her head, her smile gentle.

"This is the wish of many people on Fish-Man Island."

Saint Mjosgard picked up a document at random.

The reasons given by different residents are listed above.

Some people hope that their relatives who went to sea will no longer have to live in fear and can return home safely.

Some people simply hope that their children, when they grow up, will not be treated as slaves because of their race.

He casually flipped through a few pages, the paper rustling softly.

"Do you really think humans will accept Fish-Man?"

Otohime looked at him.

"I have no idea."

Otohime arranged the petitions on the table.

"It might take ten years, it might take decades, or I might never see the result in my lifetime."

"But as long as there are still people willing to believe in this, I will continue to fight for it."

Saint Mjosgard looked at the thick stack of documents on the table without saying a word.

After a long while, he suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid that I might change my mind someday?"

Otohime stopped what she was doing.

"Of course I'm afraid."

Saint Mjosgard raised his head.

"Then you still dare to show these things to me?"

Because I have to believe that someone is willing to change.

Otohime looked at him.

"I showed you these petitions not to make you pity Fish-Man Island."

"I just want you to see what they're really going through."

Saint Mjosgard looked down at the petition in his hand.

One of the pages reads that the father of a Fish-Man child went to sea and never returned.

Next to it, a sentence was written crookedly: I hope Dad can come back.

He stared at that line of text for a few seconds, then turned the page.

How many people are you planning to show these things to?

"We'll deliver to as many people as we can."

Otohime neatly arranged the petitions on the table.

"As long as there are still people willing to watch, I will continue to fight for it."

A week later, Otohime prepared to return to Fish-Man Island.

Before she left, Saint Mjosgard called out to her.

Hey, woman!

Otohime turned around.

"What's wrong?"

Saint Mjosgard picked up a document from the table and handed it to Otohime.

"Take it."

Otohime took the document and read it carefully.

This is a formal letter of recommendation, bearing the handwritten signature of Saint Mjosgard, clearly expressing support for the Fish-Man Island residents' desire to relocate to the mainland.

"This is..."

"Letter of recommendation."

Saint Mjosgard turned her face away.

"I've spoken to a few friends. They might not support you, but at least they won't reject the proposal outright because of this."

"Thank you, Saint Mjosgard."

"Snort!"

The Saint Mjosgard crossed her arms.

"I simply feel that your proposal isn't entirely without merit. However, don't assume that having this letter of recommendation guarantees your success."

"Those guys in the Holy Land aren't so easy to talk to."

Otohime smiled.

"Then I'll visit a few more people."

"What a troublesome woman..."

Otohime carefully put away the letter of recommendation and bowed respectfully to him.

Thank you so much this time.

Saint Mjosgard did not respond, but simply turned his face to the other side.

After Otohime left, Saint Mjosgard picked up the petition materials on the table again.

He turned to the first page and read the contents again.

Saint Mjosgard beats up Saint Charlos