The Sea Folk's Lives and Two Lords

In the Sea Folk's territory.

At its capital.

A tower stood there, built from a gigantic, tapering spiral shell.

At the top was an open platform.

It looked as though the pointed tip of the shell had been sliced halfway off.

Kevin and the others were brought there. From the platform, they could take in the entire surrounding landscape at a glance.

They had looked around throughout the journey.

After all, this was a civilization built by sapient life. Everything was new to them.

"By human custom, I should have gone to your territory myself to discuss this trade with you."

"But for the safety of my people, I cannot leave my home at will, so I had to invite you here. Fortunately, we are not far apart. In human terms, I suppose we are neighbors."

He chuckled twice as he spoke.

When the Lord before them, who looked like a Dragon Turtle, laughed, his natural way of speaking came through.

It sounded like a string of bubbles popping.

What a strange laugh.

But that was probably how he naturally expressed happiness.

Then he gave a brief introduction.

"You may call me by my appearance. That is how we address one another within my people as well, so you can call me Dragon Turtle."

He really did look the part. His features bore traces of a dragon, but overall, he resembled a turtle.

Kevin and the others introduced themselves too.

Then they got straight to the conversation.

"I'm still curious. What ability let you learn so much about humans so easily?"

Kevin asked without beating around the bush.

Perhaps they had spent too long on the Dark Continent to bother with niceties.

Its sapient inhabitants tended to be direct, even those with civilizations of their own.

"This."

Dragon Turtle made