"Father, Mother, Big Brother, Big Sister, stop worrying! I'm really fine. Look!"
Little Fish spoke with an easy smile, even spinning around a few times to show that she was completely unharmed.
Everyone looked closely. Just as Little Fish had said, she looked radiant and full of energy, not at all like someone who had been in danger.
At the sight, Little Fish's father flew into a towering rage. He grabbed the Crab Soldier who had come to report the news and thundered:
"You wretched fool! Didn't you say Little Fish was at death's door?!
Look at her! She's standing here perfectly fine, and you dared give me a false report!"
The Crab Soldier trembled in fright and stammered out an explanation:
"Y-Your Great King, I... I really didn't give a false report!
I... I saw the little princess in such terrible stomach pain that she was nearly dying! It was an emergency, so I hurried over to report it!"
But no one believed the Crab Soldier. Their gazes were sharp as knives, fixed on him as though they meant to devour him alive.
The Crab Soldier's legs went weak and could no longer support him. With a thud, he fell to his knees, his face filled with terror, nearly in tears.
"Great King, please judge fairly! Your subordinate truly gave no false report. Crab Six can vouch for me!"
The Crab Soldier standing at the outermost edge of the crowd shuddered upon hearing Little Fish's words.
Then, without hesitation, he dropped to both knees and lowered his head as though some priceless treasure lay on the ground, saying shakily:
"Great King, he's telling the truth. The situation really was critical just now, but fortunately, everything is fine now."
Little Fish's father was the current chief of the Carp