Merfolk Set Out

"Don't joke around!"

Gawain said heavily, shaking his head at once.

Saint Mjosgard immediately felt as though the sky had collapsed. He had never expected Gawain to refuse.

For a moment, he did not even know how he could continue facing those pitiful little merfolk!

But just as he was about to kneel again, Gawain smiled and waved his hand, continuing.

"Patriarch Mjosgard, I am not the kind of man who would use the safety of a few dozen merfolk to trade for so-called wealth.

I will absolutely not accept this money, but I will definitely join you in safely escorting these merfolk to the Ryugu Kingdom, ten thousand meters beneath the sea!"

With that, Gawain patted Mjosgard on the shoulder. After Mjosgard let out a long breath, Gawain turned toward the tense merfolk around them and broke into a smile.

"Girls."

He spoke with incomparable gentleness.

"You can all rest easy now. Pack your belongings, and make proper arrangements for your deceased friend's body as well.

Once you are ready, Mjosgard and I will take you home!"

"Home...?"

"Do we still have a home?"

"That's wonderful! We can go home! I believe in Saint Gawain!"

"Lord Gawain is so gentle!"

"Quick, make arrangements for Lan Ling's body!"

"Get ready to go home, get ready to go home!"

"But now I suddenly don't want to leave. How are we supposed to repay Lord Gawain?"

"Lord Gawain, does your residence happen to need a little merfolk girl who can blow bubbles?"

These innocent, carefree little darlings burst into laughter and cheers, brushing against one another and hugging each other amid their air bubbles.

Watching such a warm scene, Gawain smiled deeply. Fish-Man Island really was a wonderful place.

It had Shichibukai Jinbe and Poseidon, one of the Ancient Weapons. What a treasure trove of a place!

To Gawain, kindness had never been the only consideration. But if kindness could bring even greater benefits, why not?

So he turned toward Mjosgard and said with a light smile.

"Senior, you should start preparing as well. It is a journey, after all. You always need to bring a few things, right?"

"O-of course~~~!"

Unlike the merfolk—or perhaps even more severely than them—

Mjosgard began trembling as he cried!

He sobbed loudly, pulled free from Gawain's hand, and knelt on the ground once more.

"Patriarch Gawain!"

Mjosgard cried out to Gawain.

"Your appearance is like a breeze rising beneath the scorching sun. I do not even know how to describe it.

"I... I simply do not know how to repay you!

From this day onward, aside from Queen Otohime, you will be the second person I respect most!

Please, you must not refuse my donation. If you still refuse, I can only take it as an insult to me!

In my hands, this money can only save them for a time!

But once this wealth is in your hands, it will surely bring even more help to those pitiful merfolk!

Gawain, promise me that you will accept all of my future Heavenly Tribute shares!

Take my share and accomplish what I cannot. More than that, bring an end to the regret I have carried for so long!"

"I..."

Gawain sighed softly. He had never said he did not want the money.

He had only said that he would not trade the merfolk's safety for it, right?

In Gawain's original plan, he had intended to wait until the merfolk were truly rescued before getting money from Mjosgard under the banner of cooperating to save them.

He was not some simple-minded saint!

Having resolved to bring new development to the world, he needed vast sums of money to establish and expand his future forces. Whether recruiting subordinates or carrying out research and development, his weekly share of 2.8 billion Beli in Heavenly Tribute would never be enough!

Still...

Mjosgard's request now saved Gawain some time and breath.

Seeing Mjosgard put on an expression that said he would not get up unless Gawain accepted the money—

Gawain could only keep nodding as he helped the Celestial Dragon, who regarded wealth as dirt, back to his feet.

As he supported him, an idea suddenly flashed through Gawain's mind.

Celestial Dragons might each have their own vile traits. Some lusted after women, some enjoyed keeping slaves like livestock, and most of them even liked slaughtering innocents. There were hardly any good people among them.

But every last one of them truly did not care about money, because having received Heavenly Tribute shares since childhood, they genuinely had no concept of wealth.

Across from him, seeing Gawain nod in agreement, Mjosgard finally wiped away his tears and sat down on the sofa.

Yet the instant he sat down, he abruptly leaped back up.

"No, I cannot sit here like this. What did you just say?

Right, right, right—you said I could start preparing to depart!

This is truly the best news I have heard in five years. To send Queen Otohime's people back to their homeland... I have waited far too long for this dream!

I will prepare right now, right now!"

As he spoke, Mjosgard immediately wanted to head outside. But when he saw the merfolk in the room, still jumping about in excitement—

Even he could only roll his eyes helplessly.

Composing himself, Mjosgard clapped his hands sharply and shouted.

"Alright, girls, stop freely venting your excitement here!

You are only three days away from your homeland, separated by merely one island!

Find the gifts I have given you over the years and bring them with you.

Once you are all ready, Patriarch Gawain and I will take you home!!!"

"Woooah!" ×46.

For a time, all the merfolk sprang into action. Seeing the room become increasingly busy, Gawain rose from the sofa as well.

As he passed by the merfolk, who continuously showered him with admiration, Gawain made his way to Mjosgard's side.

"Today really has been extraordinary!"

he said.

"Though there are some regrets, seeing this scene now has lightened my heart considerably."

"Yes, Gawain, you truly understand how I feel.

The feeling of fulfilling someone else's dream while also fulfilling your own is simply wonderful!"

"Indeed."

Gawain nodded.

"It truly is a wonderful feeling. But time will not allow us to delay. I will go give my subordinates a few instructions, then leave a message for my head maid so she can manage the Gawain Family residence.

After that, I will wait for you in the hall."

"Mm, do not worry, Gawain. We will finish packing very soon!"

As Mjosgard answered, he smiled and pointed to the merfolk around them, who were packing their things with smiles on their faces.

Faced with those eager expressions, Gawain smiled as well before leaving the secret chamber.

Following the path he had taken in, Gawain reached its end and returned to the main hall. Mjosgard's servants worked quickly; the hall, which had been in ruins only moments ago, had now been restored.

He went to the entrance, summoned his guards, and gave them a few simple instructions.

He told some of them to accompany him out of Mary Geoise, while the rest were to return to his residence and inform Brooke that he was about to set sail.

After giving his instructions, Gawain returned to the sofa in the hall to rest quietly, sampling the various foods and drinks brought by Mjosgard's servants.

Meanwhile, his subordinates raced back toward the Gawain Family at a far greater speed than before, using Soru and Geppo all the way.

The wait did not last long. About fifty minutes later, Gawain heard a chorus of sweet female voices drifting from the corridor.

The voices drew closer and closer, until red-tailed Tris was the first to push open the doors to the hall.

The moment she saw Gawain, Tris could no longer contain her excitement. She said to him happily,

"My lord, we are all ready. Lord Mjosgard wishes to ask whether we should depart through the Donquixote Family's side gate."

"It seems Mjosgard is still worried about the atmosphere in Mary Geoise."

Hearing that, Gawain muttered to himself before waving his right hand at Tris.

"Tell Patriarch Mjosgard that he need not worry. With me here, the atmosphere in Mary Geoise is not so bad that it warrants his concern!"

"Alright!"

Tris's eyes lit up, and her entire body began swaying her tail. The wind stirred up by her beautiful tail carried along the Floating Bubbles around her waist as she swiftly darted ahead.

And so, several minutes later, forty-six vivid and stunningly beautiful merfolk girls emerged from the gates of Mjosgard Castle.

At that very instant, the Celestial Dragons resting in nearby family castles—as well as their slaves—spotted the merfolk!

For a time, wolfish howls rang out continuously from the nearby castles, echoing without end.