Chapter 71
So, because of Nika and Lillian, they think we’re invading the Sea God’s Territory?
Well, considering how Nika and Lillian appear on other floors, they could indeed look like calamities.
Alright, I completely understand now.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. We’re not here to invade.”
“Th-Then what is it?!”
“It’s a conquest.”
“…What?”
I’ve always wanted to say that at least once.
I don’t actually intend to conquer them, but when would I get another chance like this?
Besides, I do have something to return to them.
“If you obediently hand over the Sea God’s Treasure, no bloodshed will occur!”
“Urgh… So, our treasure was your goal all along! But it’s too late. Our treasure has already been stolen!”
As he says this, his expression looks like he’s about to burst into tears, making me feel like an actual villain.
Still, once you’ve taken on a role, it’s proper to commit to it fully.
I pulled out the ‘Sea God’s Treasure,’ which I received as a reward for clearing the 10th floor (EP.16), from my inventory. A trembling voice followed.
“T-That is….”
“Ah, this? The treasure you’ve been desperately searching for!”
“How do you have it?! We’ve searched for it for centuries and couldn’t find it!”
“That’s not important! If you want your treasure back, hand over your princess!”
Of course, they probably don’t have a princess. Then I’d just say, “Well, that’s unfortunate, but I’ll return the treasure if you let us advance to the next floor,” and negotiate from there.
Perfect plan, right?
But life never goes as planned.
Their faces immediately contorted as if they were about to cry, shouting that such a thing was unacceptable. Wait… Is there really a princess?!
“Urgh… Our precious princess….”
“No way! Not the princess! Absolutely not!”
“We’d rather give up the treasure….”
Wait, there is a princess? This makes me seem like an absolute jerk!
“Wow… Bro, you’re such trash.”
“Master….”
“Ahem, I shall say nothing.”
My little sister, Lillian, and even the Heavenly Demon were all staring at me with eyes that screamed, ‘You’re the worst.’
“No, you’ve got it all wrong!”
“You’re acting like total scum. Yep, definitely my master.”
“Darami, stay out of this.”
How do I even begin to clean up this mess?
“We’ll protect the princess with our lives!”
“We won’t forsake our pride!”
“For the Sea God’s Race!”
Spears pointed in our direction, the situation seemed ready to explode at any moment.
“Stop!”
A soft, elegant voice rang out, and a woman began approaching us. Soldiers quickly moved to block her path.
“No, Princess! These are heinous villains!”
“They’ve come to take your life for the treasure!”
I never aimed for her life, though…?
“Stand down. This is something I must handle myself.”
At her words, the soldiers reluctantly stepped aside, revealing the princess of the Sea God’s Race. She wasn’t the graceful mermaid one might imagine.
She looked like… a warrior who could outfight anyone. No, scratch that—she looked more barbaric than the Barbarian Tribe itself.
Honestly, I might lose even if I fought her seriously. Should I just hand over the treasure and try to make peace?
“I heard I am the one you’re after. If it’s just me, will you return the treasure?”
Her melodious voice, like pearls rolling across a tray, sharply contrasted with her muscular physique as she slowly approached me. Her presence screamed, Hand it over or die.
“…Here is the Sea God’s Treasure!”
I handed the treasure to the princess as she reached me. She took it with both hands and passed it to the soldiers nearby.
“Princess….”
“This is a fair trade.”
After saying this, she turned to look at me, and a notification popped up.
【Do you wish to make the Sea God’s Princess your servant?】
YES / NO
“Decline!”
【You have declined to make the princess your servant.】
“Why…?”
The princess looked flustered when I declined to make her a servant.
“I’m not here for the princess.”
“T-Then… could it be… you’re after my body?”
“…Not that either.”
I wondered where to start explaining to resolve this misunderstanding, but at this rate, I’d just end up giving back the treasure and walking away with nothing.
Come on, brain, think! Just work for one day out of 365—just one!
That’s when inspiration struck me.
“Do you think I returned the Sea God’s Treasure without a reason?”
As I stared off into the distance dramatically, the princess fell silent, lost in thought, before suddenly looking as if she had realized something.
Yes, that’s it.
I don’t know, but you do.
“So that’s what it is… You were testing us, weren’t you? Oh noble one, who came to return our precious treasure!”
The princess suddenly changed her tone and dropped to one knee.
The soldiers guarding her looked confused for a moment, but quickly grasped the situation and followed suit, kneeling before us.
“A lesson to ensure we never repeat the same mistake… We understand your message well.”
“That’s all I wanted.”
I had no clue what they were talking about, but since they seemed to understand, all’s well that ends well.
“It would be ungrateful not to offer something in return for the treasure you’ve returned.”
“Declining multiple times would be an insult to the Sea God’s Race, so I’ll gladly accept.”
“Then please allow us to invite you to our palace.”
The princess beamed as she invited us to follow her, the same group that had been eyeing us with suspicion now looking at us with awe.
Honestly, I just want to move on to the next floor.
__
The princess led us to a palace that resembled a grand undersea castle.
She suggested we discuss matters over a meal, but I couldn’t figure out where things were headed.
Is this the price of acting without a plan?
I resolved that even if brute force was necessary next time, I wouldn’t take the lead.
“We’ve prepared dishes that are traditional to the Sea God’s Race.”
An array of food was set before us, but the visual was horrifying.
So horrifying, in fact, that even Lillian and the Heavenly Demon, who usually ate anything, averted their eyes.
“Do the dishes not suit your taste?”
The princess, her eyes growing misty, looked at me and spoke in a tone that sounded like, ‘Eat it, or I’ll snap you in half.’
Forcing a smile, I picked up my fork and reached for what looked like a clam, only for it to move.
“To preserve freshness, we of the Sea God’s Race consume our food alive.”
I had suspected the dishes were twitching, but now it was confirmed.
“I regret that I’ve already eaten, so I’ll graciously accept your hospitality in spirit.”
“Oh, how unfortunate. If you visit again, I’ll prepare the finest feast using the most exquisite ingredients our race has to offer.”
‘Just take the spirit of my gratitude.’
Finally freed from the meal, we were led to a chamber containing treasures they were willing to offer as a reward.
Was this the moment we could leave?
“These are treasures we’ve collected while ruling over floors 55 to 58. While they may pale compared to the treasure you returned, we hope you’ll accept one.”
“I’ll gladly accept.”
The princess led us deeper into the palace. The further we descended, the more it felt like we were diving underwater.
My ears felt clogged, the air smelled of the ocean, and there was a salty taste in my mouth.
“Since the treasury is located underwater, it might feel a bit uncomfortable.”
Was it necessary to point that out so late?
After walking through a long corridor, we arrived at a massive wall.
The princess removed an earring and held it against the wall. With a mystical glow, an entrance appeared.
“Please, come inside.”
As we entered, I was awestruck by the sheer amount of gold piled high.
If I sold this, how much would it fetch?
Mountains of gold coins, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, and countless other rare gems surrounded us. Further in, glass cases displayed various weapons and artifacts, each looking more expensive than the last.
“You may choose whichever treasure you like.”
Now came the real problem.
There were six of us: me, my sister, Lillian, the Heavenly Demon, Nika, and Darami. How many would they let us take?
The quantity could influence our relationship with the Sea God’s Race.
“Unfortunately, we can only offer one gift to our savior, so please choose wisely.”
My trust in the princess plummeted.
“We’ll return in one shijin (two hours).”
With that, she bowed and left, closing the door behind her, leaving us alone in the treasury.
Gathering everyone together, I clapped my hands.
“Alright, let’s commence the First Treasure Selection Meeting.”
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