Chapter 3-19 : The Pick-Up Is Here! (part 2)
「So, care to explain why the hell you fish people are attacking our ships lately?」(Captain)
「Before I answer, you should explain why the hell you land people are poisoning our sea lately!」(Roan)
「Poisoning your sea? The heck are you talking about?」(Captain)
「Don’t play dumb! You humans always care little about us mermaids!」(Roan)
Saying that, Roan grabbed the captain’s collar.
The captain didn’t stay still. He grabbed Roan’s arm and squeezed it while looking at him intimidatingly.
「What? If you want a fight, I’ll give you one.」(Captain)
「Bring it oー」(Roan)
ーSMACK!
「Ouch!」(Roan)
Roan was about to fight the captain, but Granny suddenly smacked his head from behind.
「What the hell are you doing, you dried sardine old hag!」(Roan)
ーSMACK!
「Ouuuchh!」(Roan)
Being insulted, Granny hit Roan’s head once again.
He then crouched on the ground and groaned in pain. The sight kinda gave me déjà vu.
「I’m sorry for his rudeness. Please forgive this idiot.」(Village Chief)
While Roan was suffering from Granny’s heavy fist, the village chief stepped forward and talked to the captain.
「You are… The village chief.」(Captain)
「I am indeed. Please allow me to explain why we are attacking human ships.」(Village Chief)
「You look like a reasonable man to talk with. I’m listening.」(Captain)
Unlike Roan, who was consumed by anger, the village chief explained to the captain calmly. He told him how the sea was polluted with poison and how so many people got sick because of that.
The captain listened to him with a doubtful expression.
「That’s hard to believe… Some people have been polluting the sea, you say? You’re not making it up, are you?」(Captain)
「Why would I do that?」(Village Chief)
「I don’t know, but I don’t see any sick people here, meaning that you’re lying.」(Captain)
「I’m not. We were sick at first, but we were cured thanks to this girl, Kako.」(Village Chief)
「What?」(Captain)
The captain glanced at me, looking puzzled.
Now that my name has been mentioned, I had no choice but to get involved in this conversation.
Well, I don’t want it to get complicated, so I guess I’ll do it.
「Sir, what the chief said was true. These people had suffered from the poisoned sea. I managed to save them because, umm… I’m a merchant, and, uhh, I happened to bring some high-quality potions with me.」(Kako)
Of course, I didn’t tell him about the involvement of my Synthesis Ability.
The captain was doubtful toward the chief at first, but after I, a human child, confirmed the chief’s words, he started to believe him.
「I see… So the sea has really been polluted.」(Captain)
「Haven’t you noticed something strange going on with the people in the city lately, Sir?」(Kako)
「Now that you mention it, I heard some people got sick after eating fish from the sea.」(Captain)
「That’s most likely because of that poison.」(Kako)
「Hmm… Now I see why these people hold a grudge against humans, butー」(Captain)
The captain returned his gaze toward the mermaids and glared at them.
「ーyou can’t just attack ships blindly. I don’t know who the hell the assholes who polluted the sea, but it’s not us. The sea is important for us, especially the people who work at sea like me. There’s no way we harm it.」(Captain)
「Hmph. After we met Kako, we learned that not all humans were bad people. We are aware of that, but we won’t stop. Dammit, my head…」(Roan)
Roan slowly got up while holding his head and replied to the captain.
「Roan, what do you mean you won’t stop? I told you to stop!」(Chief Village)
「No, Chief, you’re too soft. We can’t show our weakness to humans. And you. You hear me. We mermaid warriors won’t stop attacking human ships that get near our island!」(Roan)
「That’ll be a huge problem. Some foreign ships from other countries sometimes pass through this area to get to the harbor.」(Captain)
「Like I care. We can’t confirm if they’re the sea polluters’ ships or not. Attacking them is faster.」(Roan)
「That’s outrageous!」(Captain)
I agree with the captain, but at the same time, I can understand why Roan is doing it.
After spending a few days in the mermaid village, I knew how much Roan cared about his people. He doesn’t want to see them suffer again.
Roan said the mermaid warriors would keep attacking ships, but I knew they had no intention of killing people. They attacked ships merely to give them a warning.
Him saving me from the sea was the proof that he didn’t want to kill humans.
「It’s you humans who started it! We won’t stop until you solve this problem!」(Roan)
「…..」(Captain)
Being yelled at by Roan, the captain could only glare at him silently. He seemed to be thinking about what Roan had just said.
「Roan, that’s enough! You’ve crossed the line!」(Village Chief)
「No, hold on, Village Chief. This young man is right. He may be an idiot, but what he said makes sense. If it was us humans to be blamed, then we’re the ones who should solve this problem. For now, I will report this matter to my superiors as soon as we reach the city and see if we can catch these irresponsible people.」(Captain)
「I won’t forgive you for calling me an idiot, but that’s a wise decision.」(Roan)
「We mermaids are counting on you humans.」(Village Chief)
The captain nodded at the village chief and looked at me.
「Well then, girl, are you ready to go home?」(Captain)
He has finished his business with the mermaids. There’s nothing he can do here, so I guess it’s up to his superiors. I hope they will solve this problem quickly.
「I’m ready.」(Kako)
When I replied to the captain with a nod, the kids approached me. They looked a bit sad.
「Kako, are you leaving?」(Torque)
「We’re going to miss you.」(Ratz)
「Kako onee-chan…」(Tina)
I smiled and patted their heads.
「I have to go back to my human friends, but I will come visit and play with you guys again.」(Kako)
「It’s a promise alright?」(Torque)
「Don’t ever forget.」(Ratz)
「We’ll be waiting for you, Kako onee-chan!」(Tina)
「Un!」(Kako)
After saying my goodbye to the kids, I turned to Roan, the village chief, and Granny.
「Everyone, I’m going now.」(Kako)
「Ou. Take care.」(Roan)
「It’s a pleasure to meet a talented youngster like you, Kako.」(Granny)
「Once again, thank you for saving my people. You’re always welcome here.」(Village Chief)
「Thank you for everything, everyone.」(Kako)
I bowed at the mermaids and turned around, walking toward the pier with Nyat, Thea, and the captain.
I boarded the ship and looked at the mermaids for the last time. They were waving at me, so I waved back at them. At the same time, our ship started to sail.
A lot happened on the mermaid island. I think I’m going to miss these people.
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