Ririko decided to bring a large burlap sack and enough food and water this time.
Those Water Cockroaches no longer dared to stop her. She could spend three days underground and pack up all those jewels to bring home.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt the plan would work.
While she was working out the sack's dimensions and capacity, a soft tapping came from the floor-to-ceiling window.
Thinking it was Bruce, she threw back the covers, got out of bed, and went over to draw the curtains, only to find Arthur standing outside with a rugged, utterly harmless smile.
For once, he wasn't dripping wet. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a T-shirt and jacket, as though he had carefully prepared before coming.
Ririko opened the window and tilted her face up to him.
"Did you give your brother a good beating? He made me lose so many jewels. I still want to turn him into sashimi."
Arthur looked at her indignant expression and said calmly:
"He's already returned to Atlantis. The Trench Tribe Leader has sealed the Center of the Earth Sea with magic. Orm won't be allowed to set foot in Trench territory ever again."
Hearing that, Ririko felt as though a heavy stone had dragged her heart down.
With the Center of the Earth Sea sealed, didn't that mean she had no chance to go treasure hunting there again either?
Had Arthur already seen through her plans to return and come specifically to tell her this?
Seeing the corners of her mouth droop, Arthur dug something out of his pants pocket, then opened his rough palm in front of her.
"I found these in the Center of the Earth Sea and brought them here especially for you."
Ririko looked down. In