Murphy had gotten his fill of the drama surrounding Sanwudou, but as they left the Great Reef Dragon Palace, Adele noticed that her master didn't look happy. The Shadow Intelligence Officer didn't even need to guess why Murphy was upset.
So, as they rode a sightseeing sea turtle to the surface, she asked softly:
"Are you planning to stand up for Sanwudou?"
"Of course. After all, our dev team is practically the players' 'family backers,' right? If we don't help with something like this, are we really going to make the players pool their own money for the bride price? That'd be too sad."
Murphy reclined in a relaxed pose on the seat mounted atop the sightseeing turtle's back. Adele obediently let her master rest his head on her lap and reached out to massage his shoulders. Then she heard him say gently:
"Although I agree that Lady Bichouka's concerns aren't baseless, and as an outsider I really shouldn't interfere in a matter as important to Katerina's life as this, you have to admit, Lady Bichouka's attitude really rubbed me the wrong way. Who breaks up a couple that bluntly?
There wasn't a shred of finesse!
Most importantly, I listened to the whole thing, and never once heard the classic line I was waiting for: 'Here's five million. Stay away from my daughter'!
I wasn't enjoying the drama, so who's going to make up for the fun I missed?"
"But this isn't simply a matter of taking sides, Master."
Adele reminded him:
"If we can't resolve the problem of players' physical existence in the material world, then Lady Bichouka's reason for rejecting him is unassailable. Not every being can enjoy the beautiful, youthful romance that Amber and Niu Niu have.
"What's more, merfolk take family ties quite seriously.
"If the