"I saw you... resisting the demons."
The Male Naga's explanation put Annan somewhat at ease. For a moment, he had thought the Naga was being friendly because he wanted something else...
"That's right... We're fighting the demons," Annan said, following the Naga's lead. "Do the Sea Folk have a grudge against them?"
"We... observe... and judge."
That was not the answer Annan wanted. Whether he was trying to escape or recruit an ally against Nanako, he needed more. "The demons are our common enemy."
"Yours. Not ours," the Naga said grimly.
Annan shook his head. "Have you ever been to the Abyss? I know it well. There's Magma everywhere, the air reeks of poisonous sulfur, and demons hate seawater. They hate all living things."
"That is a Human matter."
"A net is being cast. Whether you're a shark or a sea turtle, you'll be caught in it," Annan said, choosing a comparison the Sea Folk would understand.
The Naga could believe Annan meant the Sea Folk no harm, but he would not agree to an alliance on the strength of one speech. He turned his head and muttered something, and a Fishman caught a blind fish from the Underground River.
The sight of the underground fish offered to him as food made Annan's forehead throb. He remembered being knocked unconscious. "How long was I out?"
"Not long."
Annan breathed a sigh of relief. There was still time. "Then at least let me leave so I can warn everyone about the full-scale demon invasion..."
"You may leave. You are free."
The Naga leaned closer, smelling of fish. He untied the fish sinew binding Annan and even returned his Magic Ring.
Annan glanced through its storage space. Everything was there except the Blood Pearls.
"Those were gifts from a Sea Siren..."
"All