Helping Each Other

The giant whale was surrounded by bubbles that kept it afloat. It swayed its enormous tail as it glided through the Sea of Clouds.

With Gion's help, Gawain stood steadily, but the whale's wet, slippery surface made Mjosgard rather uncomfortable on his own.

The whale accelerated slightly, and Mjosgard shuddered along with it. He looked around, and—whoa!

There was nothing but bottomless sky!

So he trembled as he tried to crouch down.

Beside him, the massive Neptune saw Mjosgard's slight embarrassment and stretched out a huge hand, grabbing Mjosgard directly by the waist.

"Saint Mjosgard, the giant whale is slippery. Bear with it."

After saying that, Neptune placed Mjosgard beside himself, then turned his fish tail and wrapped Mjosgard up with it.

Mjosgard did not feel ashamed. On the contrary, once he had found his footing, he began to admire the world before him with rapt attention.

Clouds drifted through the air, constantly sweeping past them, while in the distance, small islands rose and fell inside one enormous bubble after another.

Looking from afar, Mjosgard noticed quite a few people on those islands staring in their direction.

Neptune noticed those gazes as well and explained softly.

"Two days ago, the attendants of the two Celestial Dragons sent word to Fish-Man Island that you would be coming.

So my people are very curious about your arrival.

If nothing unexpected happens, this should be the first time they have seen Celestial Dragons with their own eyes."

"That can't be right, can it?"

Mjosgard shook his head.

"Five years ago, I stayed on this island. Queen Otohime saved my life and warmly received me. You were there too, Neptune. Have you forgotten?"

"Uh..."

Neptune pursed his lips. That had indeed happened, but he did not want to remember it.

Neptune shook his head regretfully.

"I'm sorry, Saint Mjosgard. Because of Otohime, I never want to recall that time."

"Ah..."

Mjosgard could not help but sigh. Lady Otohime was the shared regret in both men's hearts.

Seeing the mood grow somewhat somber, Gawain lightly clapped his hands.

"Pull yourselves together, Neptune, Mjosgard.

The dead are gone, and the past is past. What you need is not to live in pain and regret. Queen Otohime was such a kind person; she would not want to see you become like this.

Rather than wasting time feeling sad here, Mjosgard, why not discuss our plans with Neptune?"

"Plans?"

Neptune perked up. He turned to Gawain and asked softly.

"Saint Gawain, have you come to Fish-Man Island with plans beyond returning my people?

Or rather, am I suited to hear those plans?"

"What are you thinking?"

Gawain raised his right hand with mild annoyance and patted Neptune's enormous waist. Neptune was a Coelacanth Fish-Man, and his scales were particularly rough. Gawain's hand felt scraped after only a light pat.

Still, Gawain continued to pat him as he spoke gently.

"Our plans are not meant to bring any harm to your kingdom.

On the contrary, we intend to do something for the Ryugu Kingdom and for the late Queen Otohime!"

At that, Gawain pointed at Mjosgard.

"Five years ago, after Queen Otohime died, Mjosgard sank into grief. I am his friend, so I have always worried about him because of it.

Until a few days ago, when I resolved to cure Mjosgard's heartache. So Mjosgard and I talked through the night.

Do you know, King Neptune? Mjosgard's heartache is nothing else. The reason he has been despondent for so long is simply because Queen Otohime's murderer remains at large!

So..."

As Gawain spoke, his furrowed brow made Neptune clench his fists.

"Say no more!"

Neptune interrupted Gawain, shaking his head in pain.

"Although it was never announced publicly, on Fish-Man Island, every one of us knows who killed Otohime!

Less than a week after Otohime was assassinated, my subject Hody Jones captured the true culprit behind her murder.

The murderer... was one of you humans!"

After those words, King Neptune sadly turned back toward the Sea of Clouds before him.

"I welcome your arrival, Saint Gawain, and Saint Mjosgard.

Although Otohime's death was caused by humans, I will not spread that hatred to you.

I will not take it out on you. You... are not ordinary Celestial Dragons. Ever since I watched Saint Mjosgard accept that kneeling apology, I have no longer held any special prejudice toward you!

In any case, that murderer was executed by me long ago, and I do not wish to recall this painful memory.

Setting Otohime aside, I know very well that Fish-Man Island needs peace. I will not lead my people to deepen their conflict with humans.

On the contrary, all these years, I have worked hard to guide my people, hoping they would accept a life alongside humans and continue longing for the sunlight above the sea!"

After speaking, Neptune looked up. Amid the overlapping clouds, he could vaguely see Queen Otohime's figure.

She was the mother of his children, his beloved, and the past hope of the Fish-Man race.

Neptune clenched both fists, gazed up at the sky, and said solemnly,

"Peace was Otohime's dream. Letting Fish-Men see true sunlight, forests, flowers, and grass—that was also her ambition.

She was my beloved, and I will do everything in my power to protect her ideals.

Saint Gawain, Saint Mjosgard, there are some things I had intended to bring up only after entertaining you, however presumptuous that might have been.

But after seeing you with my own eyes, I want to lay out the hopes in my heart right now.

Back then, the contract for the Fish-Man Kingdom to lease land from the surface was burned to ashes by the villain who killed Otohime. Those people could burn the words on paper, but they could not burn away the dreams in the hearts of Fish-Men who longed for the surface.

If... I mean, if you could help me communicate with the World Government and the Five Elders...

Do you think the Five Elders might still approve our proposal to go up to the surface?"

After speaking, Neptune lowered his head and waited hopefully for Gawain's answer.

But while he waited, before Gawain could even speak,

Mjosgard beside him had already gone blank.

He stood there in confusion, muttering absentmindedly,

"Otohime's vengeance... has already been taken? The murderer was found long ago...

I... sob, sob... I'm truly useless. I wanted so badly to do something for her, but I couldn't even..."

"Cough, cough!"

Gawain slapped Mjosgard on the back. The pain brought Mjosgard back to his senses somewhat.

"Mjosgard, wipe away those tears. The late Queen Otohime needs you to make up for her past regrets, not to stand here weeping!"

After scolding Mjosgard, Gawain looked at Neptune and spoke thoughtfully.

"Mjosgard and I are naturally willing to help you communicate with the Five Elders. Though we have only just met, because of Queen Otohime, we have long since been friends, Neptune."

Hearing that, Neptune brightened slightly. His gaze moved repeatedly between Mjosgard and Gawain, and he let out a breath of relief.

But before he could be happy, he heard Gawain continue.

"However, even with Mjosgard and me, the Five Elders may not approve that resolution from five years ago again."

"Ah, how could that be? Wh... why?"

Neptune's expression fell. He bent down and carefully leaned closer to Gawain.

Before Gawain could explain, Neptune began imagining an explanation for him.

"Was it the accident five years ago that displeased the Five Elders?

Yes, I had already considered it. Five years ago, we had obtained their permission. At that time, we should have gradually moved to the surface to live!

But after Otohime's death and the burning of the contract, from the Five Elders' perspective, it was us Fish-Men who unilaterally broke our former agreement!"

After speaking, Neptune shook his head regretfully and straightened up dejectedly.

"I understand, Saint Gawain. I will not make things difficult for you anymore.

We are friends. I will not use my hopes to morally pressure you into providing me with..."

"What are you talking about?"

Gawain patted Neptune's shoulder again.

Difficult did not mean impossible, my friend.

There is still room for discussion!

But before that, Mjosgard and I have something else to do.

We must thoroughly investigate the cause of Queen Otohime's death!"

"But I already told you, the murderer was..."

"You mean the murderer was a human caught by that subject of yours—what was his name, Hody Jones? Is that right, Neptune?

But in my view, the person who carried out the murder was merely a tool!

Otherwise, why did the murderer not strike sooner or later, but wait until Otohime had obtained the authorization allowing Fish-Men to relocate to the surface?

This was not a sudden assassination. There must have been a conspiracy and a true mastermind behind it."

After saying that, Gawain gave Neptune a deep smile.

"Before we discuss helping you communicate with the Five Elders, I need you to help me, Mjosgard, and yourself uncover the complete truth behind Queen Otohime's death!

We will help each other with this matter, and when it comes time to submit the relocation proposal to the Five Elders, we will help each other then as well.

So, Neptune, my friend, have your kingdom move for you and me.

We will uncover the truth!"

We've already reached seventy-seventh place on the overall new-book rankings. The top fifty is within sight!