''...''

''...''

Holy shit.

What the hell are those pay-to-win effects??

Of course, I'm talking about the Mermaid Queen's illusive appearance. Currently, we're following her to the guest room for some talk, and for that, I am having a chance to really look at her from behind. I mean, back when we met her at the Empire, she didn't seem this glamorous...

Her half-revealing, half-conservative outfit seems to have been made by taking out a piece of that certain dazzling ocean in everyone's dream—with waves and glitters flowing across the surface of the material. Most of all, there is this smooth current that flows throughout the dress, further enhancing the eye candy that is her hourglass figure.

As for her hair, it has pretty much the same effect, albeit a bit more subtle. Combined with numerous rainbow bubbles and more cosmetic decorations around her body, she really does look like a mythical mermaid—without the tail.

I'm not quite sure where the tail is, either.

In any case, it's quite an embarrassing situation. Imagine your company's important partner being caught trying to disguise as one of your employees—with her whole family, no less. I might have played around too much this time.

But now, I can talk to the crux of the problem, so it's fine, I suppose.

Eventually, we reach a rather grand room at the end of the hallway. After settling down, the Mermaid Queen herself brings us tea, and before I can ask her about the lockdown—

''My... I don't think I've seen these cuties before. Whose children are they? Your parents, perhaps~?''

Faced with Mermaid Queen's intense gaze, Elysia and Stella instinctively hang to Emy and my side, attempting to hide but only enhancing their cuteness.

''Of course, these angels are my children!'' I proudly exclaim.

''???''

Immediately, a flood of question marks appears on her face. She turns to my daughters, and then me, and then Emy.

''But... How??''

''Heh. Magic, of course.''

A bit flabbergasted, Mermaid Queen shakes her head a few times before regaining her composure.

"So, what are you doing here, may I ask?" She utters as she stares directly into my eyes. ''Rather... How did you get here in the first place...?''

Fortunately, she is still that same bubbly and easy-going woman I remember. If this were anyone else, they would've pressed us for the trespassing since a while ago.

''I was guided here by a fish when swimming in the ocean.'' I reply seriously.

''...My. Do you expect me to believe that~?''

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

''Yes.''

''...''

''...''

''Ahem... If you insist.'' Mermaid Queen lets out a sigh. ''How about my first question, dear?''

Okay, I think I can be honest here.

Propping up my hands on the table to appear even more serious, I narrow my eyes slightly.

''Truth be told, I am here to investigate the reason why Atlas has been cutting down communication with the alliance.'' I say. ''Is there a specific reason for that?''

''....''

No change in expression, yet she is reluctant to speak. How peculiar.

''Mermaid Queen. I am sitting here, representing the whole world's will.'' I press further. ''I merely want to know the reason. As long as it doesn't affect our joint cause, I won't pry.''

''Fufu... As expected. A Saint is a Saint.'' She giggles. ''You seem much more proper this way, although I can't say I dislike the usual you.''

''Please answer my question.''

''Of course...''

At this point, the tension I feel suddenly pikes. I am not sure of the reason, yet I know this will not be as simple as I might have thought. If it's something she is reluctant to disclose...

''...Saint, do you know?''

''What?''

''I... Have always been a fan of fiction.'' Mermaid Queen says with distant eyes. ''Unlike reality, it can be anything we want it to be. Solace, excitement, pleasure, challenge, thrill, dread...''

Crap. She has begun her villain's monologue.

Is this the pattern where when she inevitably reveals a super evil plan, I'll be stabbed to death by surprise?

''—so I thought about it.''

Ah, okay. Please continue. I wanna hear the reason, at least.

''What if... What if I create a device that could manifest our fiction?'' Mermaid Queen's eyes gleam for a moment as she speaks. ''If I could make a virtual world where everybody could be themselves, where they had the freedom to act their wildest dreams... Wouldn't that be wonderful?''

''...Is this the 'big project' that you mentioned several times before in interviews?''

''So you've done your research.''

''But that doesn't explain the reason for the lockdown.''

''You are right, but I have not done talking yet... Recently, there have been people from the outside trying to hijack our plan. Their aim is to use the final product for personal gain and pleasure, which I will not tolerate.''

''What? Where are they coming from?''

''From beyond our city's wall, dear Saint~. Upon gazing into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you. Their intent is malicious, that much I know. Sometimes, one needs a good look at themselves and the surroundings to realize everything properly.''

...What the hell is she yapping about?

In any case, even though her sentence is delivered in a casual manner, I can't help but feel something strange about it. How can I say... It's kinda unnerving.

''As for why I didn't contact the alliance, this mistake is purely on our side.'' Mermaid Queen continues. ''So, please come back and—''

zzzzt—! zzzzt—!

Oh, my phone's ringing. It's Anna... Is there something urgent?

With my mind a bit chaotic, I hurriedly pick up the call.

''Hello?''

[Sylvia, where are you?!]

''In the castle, why?''

[Who are you with??]

''...Emy, my daughters, and the Mermaid Queen. I've been able to meet her—''

[Get out right now!]

''What?''

[It's dangerous—]

THUD—!

''Oh.''

All of a sudden, my vision is shaken violently as everything goes static. When I finally calm my eyes down, I notice something poking out of my left breast.

It's... A blade.

A ripping purple blade coated in a strange layer of mana has pierced my chest, rendering my whole body stunned. Rapidly, the surroundings begin to fade away as my consciousness slips, and the last thing I remember is the silhouette of Emy and my daughters trying to save me, coupled with the Mermaid Queen's insidious smirk.

Ah, I swear... I wanna eat fish after this.

----------------------------------------

chirp—! chirp—!

''Ugh...!''

Slowly lifting my heavy eyelids, I am once again greeted with the blinding sunlight. Behind where I'm lying down is a flourishing forest, and in front of me is a vast plain. What a beautiful scene... Wait.

'Once again'?

What was I... Right. I just started my trip to Atlas, where the sun can't reach, and... And I had two children with Emy!

''Yes...!''

Oh, and I also got stabbed. My heart probably got decimated by that blade. Where am I, though? Heaven?

No, I don't think Heaven would take someone like me. I think hell would fit me more. I can be a succubus, for example. Yeah, and then I can go around and sleep with beautiful girls...

''...''

Okay, let's face reality.

Where the fuck am I??