Chapter 124

Chapter 124: The Neptune Family

Fishman Island is not a piece of land enclosed within a bubble; it's an island with about half its area being underwater and the other half being the actual land.

As the boat enters through the front entrance, it sails over this underwater area and docks at the pier.

Standing beside Queen Otohime, the crowd looks in astonishment at this island located thousands of meters under the sea.

As Adrian and his group approach the shore, they even see two fishmen casting nets by the shore, fishing. "Fishmen also fish?" Adrian asks.

Queen Otohime nods, saying, "Yes, only merfolk abstain from eating fish. Fishmen have similar dietary habits to humans; they consume both fish and meat."

As they speak, the boat gets closer to the shore, and the fishermen and passersby notice the familiar ship.

For many residents of Fishman Island, it has been a long and arduous week, and they are finally relieved that their beloved Queen Otohime has returned safely.

"Lady Otohime!"

"It's so wonderful to have you back safely!"

"Seriously, you had us so worried!"

Countless people rush to spread the news, welcoming her along the way. Cheers fill the air, and those who are emotionally moved wipe away tears.

Perhaps many people dislike listening to Queen Otohime's speeches, and they may not want to help her sign the papers for relocation, but they truly cherish this kind and caring queen.

With a smile, Queen Otohime waves to the people on the shore. At the same time, Adrian and his group also catch their attention.

"Are those humans?"

"No, there's a fishman and a small animal too."

"What's going on? Has the princess been abducted by humans?"

Queen Otohime introduces in time, "These are the people who defeated the sea kings on my way back and saved my life. They are the guests I invited to Fishman Island, different from those pirates—kind-hearted humans!"

As her words fall, all eyes turn towards Adrian, Artoria, and Rui Mengmeng. Sharkler has been mistaken for a fishman, and Tom is simply seen as a small animal, so it's not surprising.

Unlike Artoria's calm demeanor, Adrian and Rui Mengmeng feel a bit uneasy being surrounded by so many people.

The biggest scene they've probably experienced was introducing themselves on stage in a class of dozens of people, and they never even got a chance to speak during the Monday flag-raising ceremony. Feeling nervous in this situation is completely normal.

Adrian's gaze sweeps over the faces filled with suspicion and caution, and he consoles Rui Mengmeng in a low voice, "Rui Mengmeng, don't be nervous. Just imagine they're all vegetables."

Rui Mengmeng swallows and retorts, "Boss, when you say that, don't let your legs shake."

Adrian uses a tactical retort, "Come on, I didn't shake in front of a 200-meter sea king. Would I shake in front of a few hundred people?"

Rui Mengmeng's expression becomes a bit more natural, "Is there a chance it's because the sea king didn't make eye contact with you back then?"

Adrian: "..." Why did he blurt out such a revealing truth? Well, there's also the possibility that I wasn't shaking because I was holding onto Tom at that time.

"Hehe..." Queen Otohime is amused by their private conversation. "It's okay, everyone here is kind-hearted. Just greet them casually, as if they were like Tom."

The crowd turns their heads and sees Tom standing on the railing, waving and blowing kisses. They probably think the cheers earlier were welcoming him as well?

Adrian and Rui Mengmeng are amused by Tom's tension-relieving antics and immediately stop feeling nervous, waving their hands alongside Queen Otohime.

Then... there's a bit of an awkward silence. Due to their preconceived notions, the cheers aren't present anymore. However, upon hearing Queen Otohime's explanation that these are her saviors and kind-hearted human guests, their gazes soften.

At this moment, a peculiar ship floats through the air. It's a ship pierced by a massive eel, suspended in the air by large bubbles, with the words "Ryugu Palace" written on the hull.

"A flying ship? No, is it floating with bubbles like Sabaody?" Artoria asks.

"Yes, Fishman Island also has a bubble culture similar to Sabaody," Queen Otohime explains. "It's not only used on ships but also by merfolk to move around on land."

People subconsciously look at Queen Otohime and then realize she's over thirty years old now, her tail has turned into legs; she doesn't need bubbles to walk.

The fishmen and merfolk on the shore recognize the ship as the Ryugu Palace and make way.

"Mother!" Four children taller than Queen Otohime "swim" down from the ship. They come over and hug her, laughing and wiping their tears on her.

King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom, however, doesn't follow his children but is held back by his ministers on the ship's edge, reminding him to maintain his kingly dignity. King Neptune holds his trident, looking displeased.

Queen Otohime pats her children's heads with a smile and introduces them to Adrian's group, "These are my children—Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, Manboshi, and Shirahoshi."

The eldest, Fukaboshi, is a shark merman, 12 years old.

The second, Ryuboshi, is an oarfish merman, 11 years old.

The third, Manboshi, is a opah merman, 8 years old.

The little princess, Shirahoshi, is the current Sea King of their generation, a giant smelt-whitting mermaid. Although she's only 6 years old, she's the biggest of the four in terms of size.

Seeing this diverse family, the onlookers can't help but have a bit of doubt: Are they all biologically related?

Queen Otohime seems to sense their doubts and explains, "Fishmen and merfolk share common ancestral genetic memories. Our appearances at birth depend on the genes of our ancestral fish species from many generations ago, so it's not strange to have children who look completely different from their parents."

"They say you can't read minds!" The crowd mentally notes down this piece of knowledge.

The composed Fukaboshi bows and says, "Welcome to Fishman Island. Thank you for saving our mother."

His younger siblings also bow, expressing their gratitude.

Shirahoshi seems a bit nervous, moving slower than her siblings, as if she's about to burst into tears.

She proves that even at three meters tall, she can be incredibly cute.

Adrian and his group try to downplay the situation, saying they don't need to be so formal, but the children don't care whether it's a coincidence or not; they see them as their mother's saviors.

After introductions on both sides, Queen Otohime takes out a paper and raises it above her head for everyone to see. She announces loudly, "Everyone, I've received a personal letter from the world

nobles. This letter could change the fate of Fishman Island. Please gather at the Gyoncorde Plaza tomorrow, where I will explain everything. And then... the path Fishman Island should take will be decided by all of you!"

The onlookers start discussing among themselves. In truth, when Queen Otohime returned safely, their hearts were already moved. She has already done so much for them; they will carefully consider the choices ahead.

Following Queen Otohime to the side of the Ryugu Palace, Sharkler exclaims, "Such a huge size. It seems even taller than my shark giant."

Neptune initially speaks with Queen Otohime before turning his majestic gaze towards Adrian's group. "Humans, thank you for saving my wife. For this, I will invite you to Ryugu Palace to be our guests."

His words sound solemn, and the phrasing is a bit stiff. It seems he might not be the most approachable person.

As Adrian contemplates how to respond politely, the minister to Neptune's left, a seahorse merman, speaks up, "Your Majesty, how can you welcome the saviors of our queen with such a stiff tone? These are important guests. Did you not pay attention to the etiquette we taught you? Honestly, as a king, you must..."

"Sorry, I'll be more careful next time..." Neptune holds his trident and bows his head, getting scolded like an erring elementary school student.

Adrian's group exchange glances. This king's aura just crumbled...

Queen Otohime seems used to this situation, smiling as she explains to Adrian's group, "Neptune used to be known as the Knight of the Sea, skilled in battles, but he was never very careful with etiquette. Please don't take offense."