Otohime continued on the other end of the line:
"Shyarly asked me to tell you that there is only one choice!
Don't be afraid of losing.
If you win, there may still be a chance."
Randall's heart jolted at her words.
That didn't sound like good news at all.
Only one choice?
So when exactly would he have to make that choice?
And don't be afraid of losing?
What the hell would he lose?
At that thought, Randall hurriedly asked:
"Queen Otohime, did Madame Shyarly say anything else?"
"Vice Admiral Randall, that was all Shyarly told me. She asked me to pass it on to you."
Queen Otohime's voice was as gentle and pleasant as ever.
But listening to her only made Randall increasingly agitated.
He felt utterly unsettled.
Damn it, if you're going to say something, say the whole thing!
Wasn't stopping halfway just leaving him hanging?
"...All right. Thank you, Queen Otohime."
Randall hung up with his brows tightly furrowed.
Meanwhile, at the Mermaid Cafe.
Shyarly reclined comfortably on her side on the sofa, holding her pipe with elegant poise.
Pale purple smoke drifted from her red lips from time to time.
The moment Queen Otohime relayed those words to Randall, Shyarly sensed something.
She suddenly took a deep drag, then exhaled a thick cloud of smoke that enveloped the small space around her.
Then she put down her pipe, rose to fetch her crystal ball, and lay back on the sofa.
Complex emotions filled her eyes. She felt a wistful sense of loss, yet also profound satisfaction.
"So be it. Even if I can't see that beautiful sight with my own eyes, knowing it will eventually come is enough to leave me without regrets."
Shyarly murmured, then closed her eyes.
Half an hour later, someone knocked on