Chapter 78
Nyran approached as Maki and Chiharu stared at the sea .
“Maki . Chiharu . ”
“Nyran . You guys . ”
“Would you mind telling us what happened?”
“Hmm . Sure . Can it be here?”
“No, we should go to the castle for now . My father will be there . I would prefer to introduce you in an official manner . ”
Father! The king! The two of them became a little excited . And so they were quietly led back to the carriage and then headed for the castle .
At first, there was some argument over whether they should rest or get changed first, but it was decided that the talks could not wait . And so they were led to King Kilian’s study . It was much larger than Arthur’s and was more like a small conference room .
“Now, people of the hunting party that is headed to the elf lands, and Saintesses . Welcome to Lowland . I am Kilian, the king of this country . ”
He introduced himself for the benefit of Maki and Chiharu .
“I’m Maki . ”
“I’m Chiharu . ”
They introduced themselves simply .
“And this is my heir, Zolan . And this is Aaron, who has returned temporarily from the elf lands . ”
Two of Nyran’s brothers were present . And just like Nyran, they had flaxen hair and hazel eyes . And while they differed in age, there was a strong resemblance in the family . Zolan’s hair was combed back, while Aaron had long, slightly curled hair . So it was easy enough to tell them apart . Both of them bowed while looking at the group curiously .
“So, under normal circumstances, a visit from the Saintesses would be a most wonderful thing . However, there are some matters that concern me . ”
Kilian began . Just a moment ago he was calling them plain . Though Nyran with amusement .
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“Would you please tell me why the merfolk were gathered at the beach? While they said they had no business in Lowland, they were seen by many people . And they are now restless because of it . ”
Maki and Chiharu glanced at each other before saying,
“They came here because they knew we were coming . That is all . ”
Maki said this and then fell silent .
“I doubt so many merfolk would gather here just to see the Saintesses . Besides, they were talking for way too long . ”
Kilian said calmly . Maki was wondering how she could prevent Lowland from getting involved . She then pointed to Nyran and said,
“They do, though . Just ask Nyran . ”
Kilian looked to Nyran .
“That’s true . I’ve seen it get much worse on the merfolk island . ”
He said with a nod .
“Hmm . But how did they know that the Saintesses were coming? Why didn’t they go to Midland? There are still questions left unanswered . ”
Kilian looked at Maki . Maki looked straight back at him . Hmm . She clearly wasn’t the type who was weak and would escape .
“Alright, then we should talk about tomorrow’s plans . ”
“About that…”
While it might have been rude, Make interrupted him . Just the truth . Plainly . Everyone looked at her with surprise .
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“Things have changed . We won’t go to the elf lands tomorrow . We’re going to head inland . ”
Silence fell over the room . Edwy was the first to recover .
“What? What are you talking about? Maki and Chiharu . Aren’t you two going with Grudo as part of the magic stone research team?”
He said it slowly, as if he were telling the others about their purpose .
“That was the plan . But we now have a new mission as part of the magic stone research team . ”
Maki said stiffly .
“Mission? That’s a strange way to put it . Maki and Chiharu . What did the merman tell you?”
Aeris asked quietly . Maki glanced at Chiharu again .
“He said that their chief went inland and has not returned . ”
She answered . Kilian was the one to react .
“What! Why did he even go to a place where there is no sea!”
“He went to the Mirror Lake . ”
“The Mirror Lake! Well, that place is connected to the sea . However…”
Kilian put a hand to his jaw and tilted his head .
“Merfolk do as they please . Sometimes they just go somewhere and don’t come back . ”
“Yes, and so it should be of great concern if even they are worried . That is what I thought . ”
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Maki said .
“There are many boats on the lake and also guards . The merfolk are not able to search the place by themselves . ”
She continued . The others were so surprised by all of this, that they didn’t know how to reply . Finally, the first prince, Zolan, looked at Maki and said,
“You say you are going to go inland . Well, how do you intend on doing that?”
“We will ask the birdfolk to take us partway . Then we will ride a carriage . ”
“So reckless . That is the kind of thing a spoiled princess would say . ”
Zolan spat . Maki didn’t disagree with him . They should go to the elf lands tomorrow . Kaider and Nyran had waited for so long . And the elves wanted them to hurry . Of course, no one would appreciate this sudden change in plans .
On the other hand, the Midland party knew that Maki and Chiharu weren’t ‘spoiled princesses . ’ But they also knew that it was reckless . They seemed conflicted .
However, there was no need to reply to everything . In the first place, whether the Saintesses went to the elf lands or not, it had nothing to do with Lowland . Maki glanced at Zolan, who was narrowing his eyebrows, and then she turned to the Midland group .
“I’m sorry that this is so sudden . But he saved Chiharu’s life . And they want us to search for information they can’t get in the water . ”
Maki said apologetically . And then Nyran and Kaider said,
“Maki . It really is reckless . ”
“For your own safety, I cannot permit it . ”
That was their answer .
“Yes, it is reckless . However…”
Chiharu said in a quiet voice .
“Amia saved me when I was drowning . I don’t think I could do anything in the elf territories if I knew he was still lost . ”
“Then we should return to Midland and ask for father’s help . Maki and Chiharu . You two don’t know anything about this world yet . You won’t be able to find anything . ”
Edwy said as if pleading . Chiharu shook her head .
“They wanted the Saintesses to do it . ”
“I will go with you . ”
Aeris declared .
“No . You stick out too much, Aeris . ”
“However, I do not want to worry about you being so far away again . ”
“Aeris, we’re not going to disappear . And we know where we are going . ”
Chiharu said to him .
“You all have to go to the elf lands . It’s your job . Nothing should get in your way . But…”
She said as she raised her head a little . Then she continued in a clear voice,
“If you would like to guard the Saintesses from the shadows, I won’t stop you . ”
“What arrogance…”
Zolan muttered . While everyone was speechless, one voice could be heard laughing .
“I like them . They know they lack strength, and so they are prepared to rely on others . I will go . ”
It was the fourth prince .