Chapter 156.2

Chapter 156.2

Once the man called Law says that while waving his hand towards the two remaining comrades of his, he draws what seems to be a broad sword from his waist .

"Come, long-eared elf!" (Law)

Shana squints without her calm expression falling apart .

"It won't go as before!" (Shana)

She takes a forward-bent posture and shouts loudly, as if raising her spirit, making her pretty blonde hair flutter in the wind, and then dashes towards Law .

As she gets closer, she thrusts her rapier at the opposite party .

However, Law slightly lifts the upper part of his broad sword and parries the strike with ease .

Even Shana's second follow-up thrust is easily repelled by Law with him having the point of his sword draw an 8 .

I guess this makes it obvious that his swordsmanship is above Shana's .

As if emphasizing his split chin, Law pushed his face out towards Shana .

"Kakakaka, what's wrong, elven woman!?" (Law)

Apparently feeling shaken by his successive deflects, Shana twists her beautiful face .

"Kuu..." (Shana)

She wields her rapier rapidly, evidently becoming impatient .

"Next is my turn to attack . " (Law)

Law freely and quickly displays his skillful movements of changing around the sword between his hands .

I don't know whether it's a unique swordsmanship for armored soldiers, but Shana is bewildered by the quirky actions .

She ends up thrusting at empty air with her rapier...

Law shortens the distance to Shana in one go and deliberately cuts the skin of Shana's left arm shallowly with the sword in his left hand .

"Kyaa, ouc—"

Using the gap of Shana's flinching, Law hits her arm that holds the weapon with his right hand, causing the rapier to fall to the ground .

Even after having dropped her sole weapon, Shana's expression doesn't change, maintaining her composure .

Rather, her look has become even sharper .

Does she have some secret trump card?

Eh? Her mouth?

The instant Shana opened her mouth, the blue gem at her throat shines with a brilliant light .

Immediately following that, it feels as if the air is trembling and the ground is shaking due to an impact .

A shock wave reverberates in the alley, as though causing some kind of resonance .

Including Law, the shock wave directly hits the men around her .

Law goes down on his knees by the blow, blood spilling out of his ears .

The other men also collapsed, obviously having fainted, and twitched .

『Your Excellency, are you alright?』 (Helme)

Helme appears in my sight while plugging her ears .

『Yeah, it's no problem . 』 (Shuuya)

『That magic gem at her necklace contained quite a lot of mana . Still, a sound-based attack is quite rare . 』 (Helme)

A sound-based "shock wave" attack, huh? With this, the ears are...

The intense shock wave reached even us who are watching from a distance .

Viine plugs both her ears hurriedly .

Even RolloBlack Panther has dented in her ears and is hiding behind me .

However, judging from the state of Law and his men, the attack seems to have a certain extent of directionality .

"It could be even heard over here? Law! Are you okay? I have paid you a lot of money, so don't get done in like this, okay?"

The male troubadour, who's also covering his ears, says with a flustered expression .

"...Yeah, yeah, shit, my ears are fucked . Well, I guess it will be fine as I can still hear a little bit . However, don't attack me with such fuckin' weird magic . I didn't intend to kill you at first, but I've changed my mind now . " (Law)

"Don't tell me... it didn't work?" (Shana)

Law blabbered and shook his head while standing up .

Swiftly manipulating his mana and charging it into his feet, he draws closer to the surprised Shana in an instant... and delivers a strong kick to her belly .

Shana crashes into the wall behind her, screaming with a high-pitched voice .

Smiling vulgarly while walking over slowly, Law approaches Shana .

She doesn't move, though, as she has apparently fainted .

I guess I have observed enough . Time to save her now .

"...What!? Damn, she has friggin' transformed!?" (Law)

Eh? What's up with that? It's understandable for him to be surprised, however .

I don't know whether she lost her magic control after fainting, but suddenly, her lower body half turns into that of a fish tail while being wrapped up in a cocoon of water; yeah, she has become a mermaid .

As expected, remaining a spectator stops at this point .

"You lot, that's how far you go!"

I declare with a slightly strengthened tone, aiming to intimidate the rogues .

Once Law heard my voice, he turns around while acting as if he's shaking his head and looks at me .

"...Tsk, reinforcements? What strange guys! Hey, Aylan the Troubadour, was it? That money is only for killing the woman, right? If you don't fork out more, I won't deal with that man and his companion, okay?" (Law)

Upon Law's protest, Aylan reveals a panicked expression .

"What? G-Got it! I'll give you everything I own . Therefore, even if it's just her, finish off the woman!" (Aylan)

Law glares at us with a feeling of it being inevitable .

Slightly later, he moves his line of sight and stares at the woman who has turned into a mermaid .

"My work increased unnecessarily . I had planned to enjoy tormenting the woman, but a mermaid, eh? She will certainly turn into big money if I secure her here..." (Law)

"That woman might be a mermaid, but the promise was to kill her..." (Aylan)

Aylan warns Law with a low voice, trying to keep him in check .

"Tsk, roooger . " (Law)

I ignore their back and forth, swiftly move with Magic Combat Step, pass Law, and approach the location of Shana, the former elf and now mermaid whose water cocoon has melted away .

"...Master?" (Viine)

"Viine, you catch that troubadour and the remaining man so that they can't get away . " (Shuuya)

"Yes!" (Viine)

Viine quickly immobilizes the troubadour at my behest .

Once I turn my eyes back to Shana, I see Rollo already standing there .

She has brought her nose close to Shana's lower body part, the fishy part .

First, she sniffs its scent and licks its scales, then she hits the scales with one paw and starts with cat punches next .

"Rollo, that's no food, got it? Make sure to protect her well . " (Shuuya)

"Nya . "

Rollo raises her tail and purrs as if saying 『Roger, nya』 .

Alright, I will get rid of that guy, eh?

I swivel to face Law, the ringleader .

"Now then, you should curse the gods that you were found by me, Cleft Chin . " (Shuuya)

I instantaneously summon the Magic Halberd into my right hand . Then, I rush at him in a forward-bent posture .

Law reacts by jabbing out his sword, but he's too slow to launch an effective strike .

After holding the Magic Halberd, which I drew an arc with, at a low angle, I repel Law's sword thrust by raising the Halberd a bit . Next, I change the angle of the lifted Magic Halberd towards diagonally lower right and swing it down without a break .

My target is Law's leg, the inner thigh to be precise .

The red axe blade digs into Law's inner thigh, severing his leg sideways with a crooked sound .

"Eh? Gyaaaa! My leg, my leg iiiss..." (Law)

Just like that, Law falls down, as if breaking apart .

While screaming and making his protruding chin point upward, the whites of his eyes show, and he loses consciousness .

After finishing Law, the fainted men and the troubadour in the back have been gathered in one place by Viine .

I run up to the troubadour when I see the matter diffused .

"P-Please . If it's money, I'll pay... can't you turn a blind eye on me?" (Aylan)

Aylan quivers like a frightened dog, begging for my forgiveness .

"That's what he says, but what do you think?" (Shuuya)

I tried asking Viine, seeking her opinion .

"I think it's fine to execute him . " (Viine)

That's also what I thought .

"Hiii, I'll hand over all of my belongings to you... please, at least my life..." (Aylan)

Aylan is scared, revealing an uneasy expression upon Viine's words .

"...I guess I'll spare you because you're begging for your life, but I'll receive that instrument, alright? Also, never come close to this city ever again . If I see you here one more time, I'll kill you, without listening to any of your nonsense . Disappear to some far away place, got it? Leave all your belongings here . Come on! Take off your clothes right away . " (Shuuya)

"Y-Yes!" (Aylan)

Even as his voice is trembling, Aylan becomes naked at once and escapes from the alley .

The remaining men, who are likely Law's comrades, are still unconscious, huh?

For starters, I will strip them off all their possessions, too .

"What a gentle judgment . " (Viine)

『I agree with Viine . You should have stabbed their butts . 』 (Helme)

I know that Helme is an S, so I ignore her .

"...It's just on a whim . Viine, collect only the money . " (Shuuya)

"Yes . " (Shuuya)

Taking only their riches from the fainted men without killing them, we leave them then and there .

Now, what should I do about that former elf, the mermaid Shana?

She's still unconscious, lying there without any defense .

It's just the time to go back home, so I guess I will take her there with me . I don't want her to be targeted by some other group of vile fellows .

Picking Shana up, I give her a princess carry .

She's light, barely having any weight .

"Viine, since we can't leave Shana out here like that, I plan to carry her to our home . " (Shuuya)

"Okay . But a mermaid is sure rare . " (Viine)

"So they are unusual, as expected . " (Shuuya)

"Yes, of course . Though it looks as if they aren't as uncommon in the eastern [Sarmalia] . " (Viine)

[Sarmalia Kingdom], Yui's home country, huh?

It's a country at the western edge of the South Mahaheim area, facing an ocean called Lodelia Ocean .

The [Leften Kingdom] is at its lower right and [Oseberia Kingdom] on its right side, right?

"...Hee . Ah, Viine, pick up the instrument lying over there and take it with you . " (Shuuya)

"Yes!" (Viine)

Viine picks up the guitar-like lute of the previous singer of the inn and comes back .

"Well then, let's hurry home . " (Shuuya)

I start walking while carrying Shana in my arms .

I hide the fish part a bit, but well, even if it's found out, people will probably think that I'm going to eat fish tonight .

"Nya . "

At that point, Rollo jumps on my shoulder, peeking at the sleeping face of Shana from above .

Seemingly interested, Rollo stretches out a forepaw and plays around with Shana's wet blonde hair .

I advance through the alley while warmly watching over her cute behavior .

And then, at the moment we leave the alley, entering the main street close to my house...

A commotion takes place in the middle of the street .

Once I try to catch a view, wondering what it might be...

The nude corpse of the escaped Aylan is lying there for everyone to see .

Whoa, for real?

Once I approach and check the corpse, the traces of a carriage are distinctly left behind on the corpse .

"For him to have such a fate even though I let him go . " (Shuuya)

...A person's life is as fleeting as morning dew .

"..."

Viine's expression remained unchanged, however .

She looks at the body as if watching garbage or trash, not minding it in the least .

Scary... n-now then, time to forget the unpleasant things and go back home .

We go back by walking along the main street .

Once we enter the Martial Arts District's area, the appearance of the traveling people changes a bit, marking the start of a gung-ho atmosphere .

Every single one of them is clad in a dangerous aura...

There are various races, but it's only fellows apparently possessing swordsman, lancer, axe user, shield bearer, and adjoining combat occupations .

As I'm noticing others, I also garner the attention of everyone since I am carrying a pretty woman in my arms .

While being flooded by their inquisitive stares, I finally reach home .

For the time being, I hide her face .

The front gate was opened by Viine .

Once we step in, the tiger beastman and the tiny beastman, who were sweeping the courtyard, run up to us .

""Welcome back!""

"Aye . No need to be so formal . " (Shuuya)

"Yes!"

"Okay . "

They turn their eyes on the sleeping Shana and have a curious expression floating on their faces, but they don't ask anything in particular, keeping themselves in their boundaries .

Well, I guess that's only natural .

I enter the main building together with Viine and Shana in my arms .

Now then, we've indeed come back, but...

I wonder whether it would be better to place Shana-san close to water rather than putting her normally into a bed .

Let's try asking Viine just in case .

"Viine, about Shana-san, is a place with water better for her?" (Shuuya)

"Yes . I think that's preferable . " (Viine)

Viine is still holding the musical instrument in her hands .

Alright, I immediately head to the bath in the tower on the second floor .

Using life magic while holding Shana-san, I fill the bathtub with hot water .

When a bit of water has accumulated, I stop the life magic and gently lower Shana-san on the floor tiles .

Next, it takes the strange shape of me undressing her leather clothes, as well as her underwear .

It ends up turning into a somewhat lewd atmosphere .

Her waist is slender, but it can't be helped that my eyes are drawn to her big boobs .

With her being naked above the waist, I place her fishy lower half into the bathtub, moistening it .

For some reason, Rollo enters together with her . She is licking the ends of her scales for dear life, but...

Once she does, Shana-san wakes up .

"Hea... au, that tickles . This place... ah..." (Shana)

"Yo, you woke up? You are Shana-san, who sang in [Lodging Moon of the Labyrinth], aren't you? My name is Shuuya Kagari, an adventurer . "

Shana-san blinks her pretty, green eyes in surprise, seemingly confused at the sudden reversal of her situation .

She brushes her wet, golden, long hair behind her ears and examines the vicinity .

And then, she checks her own appearance .

"Eh? I returned to being a mermaid... kyaa? Kyaaaa, hentai!" (Shana)

Shana-san shouts loudly .

"No, I'm not really a hentai, am I?" (Shuuya)

Viine swiftly replies to my question,

"Yes, you're no hentai... but Rebecca said that you're too much of a lecher . " (Viine)

She says calmly, but her cheeks turn red as a peach .

I unintentionally blink in surprise at her comment .

I am indeed a hentai, so that's fine, but you know, the nuance of a lecher somehow bothers me .

"...Well, either way is fine . So, Shana-san, you were saved by us after fainting from Law's attack . " (Shuuya)

"Eh? T-Thank you very much... but, do you plan to eat me?" (Shana)

Mmh? Eat her?

"Why?" (Shuuya)

"Eh!? You're not going to eat me? This mermaid me? Your body will be rejuvenated, no?" (Shana)

Oh, I remember . I heard about it from a waitress while simply drinking booze in [Hekatrail] . Back then, I considered it to be a disgusting story, nothing more .

"...We won't eat you . " (Shuuya)

After all, I'm immortal as a new vampire species, so I don't need to feel revitalized .

Let's shift the talk to Viine, who's also a woman .

"Viine, do you know something about mermaids? Shana-san is scared that she will be eaten or something of the sort, but what's that about...?" (Shuuya)

"Yes . I'll explain . It seems that there's a long tradition of hunting mermaids on the surface . Even in the underground world, which I know well, there are huge underground lakes . Therefore, there are also areas where disputes over the underground lake's territory take place between mermaids, gnomes, and dark elves . I was told that one will be able to obtain a recommendation to a Sorcery Noble if they catch a mermaid . Although the effects are weak, they seem to be raw materials for various, precious secret medicines . The story about the rejuvenation appears to be true, as well . " (Viine)

Viine explains with a stabbing look, and my plan completely backfired .

Shana's body twitches in fear at each sentence of Viine, and she touches the necklace at her throat .

『Your Excellency, shall I turn her into a fish butt specimen by turning her into ice?』 (Helme)

『No, no need . 』 (Shuuya)

Seemingly getting irritated by Shana's behavior, Helme appears in my visual field with puffed-up cheeks .

For some reason, she's turning the syringe in her hands in Shana's direction .

『It will be fine, so just watch from the side . 』 (Shuuya)

『Y-Yes . 』 (Helme)

Helme looks crestfallen and vanishes while twirling around .

"...Can I have you stop with that shock wave-like attack? We won't do anything to you; I assure you . " (Shuuya)

"...Really?" (Shana)

Shana glares at us .

"Yes . The one who made that drawn-out speech just now is my servant Viine . As long as I don't order her, she won't eat you or even touch a strand of your hair . " (Shuuya)

"I-Is that so? Ah, you have actually thrown me off guard... you're planning to sell me somewhere, right? If it's me, you might easily get more than 30 platinum coins... but, I'll still honestly thank you for having saved my life . Thank you . " (Shana)

"Umm, can you not get on with the story by yourself? I don't have any intention to sell you, either . In the first place, why did a mermaid come to a human city?" (Shuuya)

Once I say that, Shana lifts her head, says "It's this!" and for an instant, emphasizes the necklace at her neck while making her boobs wobble .

"...! Hauu, aah . I'm nude... Where are you looking! ...Kyaaaaaa, hentai!" (Shana)

At once, she hides her drooping berries, which are jiggling around, with both arms and makes her fishy lower half wriggle .

The water in the tub stirred and spilled to the outside by her sudden actions .

She showed her chest on her own accord, didn't she? Is her head still alright?

A warm, gentle, and natural airhead sure is cute, but you know...

It's different from my first impression of her .

"...It's fine already, so please return the image of the soothing, beautiful songstress to me..." (Shuuya)

Even while being startled by the wavy water, Rollo swims with splashing sounds .

I continued the talk by complaining a bit .

"You were naked since a while ago, right...?" (Shuuya)

"Haha, that's right, isn't it? Ah, black cat-chan, are you okay?" (Shana)

Once Shana notices Rollo playing around in her bathtub, she extends her hand, trying to touch Rollo's head, but she pulls back again, hides her breast, and glares at me .

There's nothing I can retort towards her anymore .

Well, I'm the minister of boob art, so I appreciate big boobs as a work of art . A genuine natural masterpiece .

"So, I guess the gem at your neck is special, Shana?" (Shuuya)

Turning my lecherous gaze from her boobs to her neck, I talk to Shana .