"This place is some distance from both Iskape and the Stat Continent, and it isn't on any shipping or airship routes between the two continents."
"Besides, there's relatively little Corruption here."
"Then can we settle here?"
Dozens of Mermaids chattered among themselves, each face full of hope for the future.
Coral smiled at the people before her, feeling deeply relieved. Who could have imagined five years ago that the Mermaid Race would be able to live so freely?
"Coral, Hailan, come here for a moment."
Just then, Floco's voice sounded in the ears of the two Mermaid leaders. He had been gone for several days.
Coral and Hailan exchanged glances, their eyes bright with joy.
"Lord Floco, you're back?" Coral's tail had mostly healed, but the injury had taken a toll on her talent. She was now no different from an ordinary Mermaid.
However, she had become the brains of the Mermaid Race. Whenever Floco was away, even Hailan followed her without question.
"Lord Floco, are there still Wizards hunting us out there?" Hailan asked. If there were, he would gladly fight alongside Floco.
"The Judgment Court doesn't have the time to hunt you down for now," Floco said. "But you must keep your people in check and make sure they don't go out. The Black Tide has only just passed, so now's the time to recover and grow your numbers. There are only a few dozen of you left. That's far too few."
Coral and Hailan both blushed slightly, but they understood that with their people's survival at stake, this was no time to be shy.
"I'll also be going around to look for any Mermaids who've been left behind. You won't be secure until your numbers reach at least three hundred."
Hailan and Coral both gave solemn nods.