"Cough, cough... Where am I?"
Amid the hoarse coughing, water slapped and splashed inside the huge fish tank. The sound immediately woke Duo Dao Le San Wu Dou, who had been dozing beside it. Still wearing his armor, he sprang to his feet and looked toward the area currently under his watch.
The mermaid in the tank had opened her eyes and was gazing around in confusion.
The little mermaid had rather pretty eyes. Her irises were an unusual mix of three colors: a deep blue like the sea and a pale green like a gemstone.
They said it was a characteristic of the merfolk.
To live and hunt more effectively beneath the sea, their eyes—and their bodies—had evolved to adapt to the underwater environment.
The merfolk's language was descended from that of the ancient nation of Callum. Fortunately, San Wu Dou's adventure assistant dutifully translated for him, allowing him to understand the mermaid's question. Looking helpless, the shield-bearer stepped forward and helped the bewildered but wary mermaid up to the water's surface. He replied:
"This is the Transian Embassy in Chardo Port. You're safe here."
"Wait! You... your face. I remember you! You're the one who trapped me with your evil fishing line and knocked me out with brute force!"
After taking a good look at him, the little mermaid immediately pulled her hand away and retreated to the bottom of the tank, curling up warily. She folded her arms and glared at San Wu Dou through the glass.
She was clearly more comfortable in the water than out of it. Her black hair drifted around her, and her puffed-out cheeks showed just how displeased she was. This only made San Wu Dou feel more hopeless about his future. Was his life in Transia really going to be that