I clearly fell from a cliff, yet felt no pain. My lungs filled with humid air as if I’d entered a warm hot spring. Perhaps this was still a dream? Wanting to enjoy this hazy feeling a bit longer, I lazily shifted my body. At that moment, something touched my thigh. As I awakened from deep sleep, the sensation became increasingly vivid.

[Am I being… taken?]

Someone was touching my body. Multiple hands were simultaneously caressing my skin. Belatedly realizing this wasn’t a dream, I snapped my eyes open. Looking down at myself, I found I was lying on a platform, n*ked except for a thin scrap of cloth covering me.

“Wh… what…?”

Three unidentifiable figures were applying moist oil to every corner of my body. When I twitched my legs, unable to bear the tickling sensation, one with long hair turned toward me.

[Oh, you’re awake.]

Completely black eyes without any whites stared intently at me. Not human. Startled, I abruptly raised my upper body, causing the thin cloth covering me to drop. Hurriedly retrieving it to cover my lower half, I glared at those surrounding me.

“Who… who are you…?”

[Hahaha, look how frightened he is.]

[Quite cute, actually.]

Fins protruding between slender strands of hair. Gills slashed long across their necks like wounds. Their pale skin, untouched by sunlight, was sparsely dotted with pearl-like scales. Though their upper bodies resembled humans, they were magical creatures with fish-like lower bodies instead of two legs.

—NO. 74 Siren connection confirmed.

“…Sirens?”

When I unconsciously echoed the system’s voice, the three sirens giggled.

[What? You knew all along~]

Trying to hide my bewilderment, I looked around. Walls intricately woven with dead, whitened coral caught my eye. The entirely white scene from pillars to ceiling reminded me of Athens’ Parthenon temple.

“…Where exactly is this…?”

A siren who heard my muttering answered.

[The sacred palace of Lord Oceanos. Beautiful, isn’t it?]

[It’s the only space in the vast sea not made of water.]

So I’d been captured by sirens and brought into Oceanos’s domain. The worst possible situation. First, I tried calling Agnus as a precaution, but the faint shadow showed no response. My last hope, the earring, was the same.

Checking my wrist with dread, I saw the withered Phyllis stem. Like in the prayer room of Reton Temple, I couldn’t use magical power. The sirens, noticing my realization, spoke in unison.

[Surprised you can’t use magic? But that’s only natural.]

[This place is filled with Lord Oceanos’s pure magical power. That’s why we who live in water, and you who live on land, can both breathe here. Impressive, isn’t it?]

[Unless you’re stronger than him, you can’t use magic.]

Every means of protection was blocked—I couldn’t summon Agnus to protect me, nor contact Asrein. Backed into a corner, my only option was to plead with the sirens.

“Please send me back to land.”

[Well~ Whether to send you back will be His Majesty’s choice.]

[For now, we plan to dress you up nicely and present you to His Majesty.]

[If His Majesty shows no interest in you, you’ll become ours.]

Their innocent laughter had never sounded so chilling. The excited sirens circled me, examining every inch of my body. A siren with obsidian-like shells on her cheeks poked around my eyes with her long nails.

[I’ll take the eyes! I’ve been needing new decorations.]

[Then what should I take?]

I felt like merchandise on display, but couldn’t show my displeasure. Their nails caressing my skin and teeth gleaming between their lips looked threatening. They could easily subdue one unarmed person like me.

[Even the skeleton would be pretty after everything rots away.]

[Dione, aren’t you being too greedy?]

Despite such savage talk, I remained deliberately calm. The sirens engaged in heated discussion about me while I was still very much alive. Thinking I might become one of their collectibles, I searched for an escape route.

Just then, the door swung open and another siren entered.

[Styx, Dione, Callirrhoe. How are the preparations coming along?]

Turtle claws and barnacles attached above tightly closed eyes made it look like they were wearing an eye patch. The sirens immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the newcomer.

[Oh! …Lord Neilos.]

Seeing the playful sirens showing such respect, this one must hold a high position. Neilos sternly tapped the floor with a stone staff.

[Lord Oceanos is waiting. Enough with the games—finish dressing this human quickly.]

[Yes! We’ll be right out.]

Satisfied with their prompt response, Neilos turned and left without further comment. As soon as he disappeared, the sirens brought clothes for me to wear.

[Come on, get up. You need to make a good impression on His Majesty.]

But instead of the shirt and pants I’d arrived in, there were only garments made of soft silk. No, they barely qualified as clothes with so many holes.

“What about the clothes I was wearing?”

[His Majesty dislikes anything that isn’t beautiful. And your clothes were unbearably crude.]

“Am I really supposed to wear this?”

[What? Don’t like it? Would you rather go in n*ked?]

“…No, I’ll gratefully wear it.”

Thanks to the sirens’ help with dressing, I quickly escaped my n*ked state. But this was hardly better than being n*de.

The sleeveless top was cut deeply to the solar plexus, and so loose that my ribs showed when I raised my arms. The wrap-style bottom fortunately had enough length to cover my ankles. However, the seams parted with each step, revealing my right leg from thigh down. Decorated with pearl-colored shells throughout, it resembled Greek women’s attire.

“I don’t even have a chest… doesn’t this look awkward?”

I asked while gripping the constantly parting seams. Despite my obvious discomfort, the sirens paid no attention. Instead, they excitedly added metal necklaces and bracelets, then smiled with satisfaction.

[Now you look presentable.]

Are they serious…? I secretly questioned the sirens’ aesthetic sense.

Afterward, they led me out, stiff as a board. Though they didn’t tell me our destination, I could guess. The door inlaid with mother-of-pearl, the siren soldiers guarding it, and the solemn atmosphere brushing against my skin.

[Your Majesty, we’ve brought the human as ordered.]

Oceanos was beyond this door. I wasn’t the only one tense. Styx, all playfulness gone, lowered his voice and said:

[Inside are many retainers who’ve come to see you. If you want to live, mind your manners.]

“What manners?”

[Before Lord Oceanos, always bow your head. Even if His Majesty commands you to look up, don’t be disrespectful enough to gaze directly at his face. Stay quiet until permitted to speak. Keep your answers concise but appropriately sincere.]

His long nail pressed firmly on my moist lips.

[Too much honesty might cost you this tongue.]

Shivers ran down my spine. While I did want to see Oceanos, I hadn’t expected to meet him so suddenly. Moreover, seeing a perfect palace rather than a natural habitat like Hyperion’s or Sainur’s doubled my tension.

[His Majesty summons you.]

At Neilos’s voice, two guards precisely removed their crossed spears. Creaking open, the large doors revealed a magnificent audience chamber.

Instead of a red carpet, colorful shells covered the floor, leading to about fifteen steps at the end. Atop that platform sat a pure white throne. Inadvertently, my gaze reached Oceanos’s feet before I quickly lowered my head, remembering Styx’s warning.

I followed Styx on tiptoe, carefully treading as though walking across a frozen lake. The atmosphere was like thin ice where even the smallest gesture or breath felt precarious. Stopping midway, Styx announced in a clear voice:

[The great ruler of the sea, I, Styx, greet you.]

Styx bowed slightly with his right hand on his chest and left hand extended slightly behind. Watching him from the corner of my eye, I awkwardly mimicked the greeting. Then an androgynous, beautiful voice came from the high steps.

[You’ve done well bringing him here, Styx.]

[Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty.]

Styx pressed down hard on my shoulder, forcing me to kneel. Then, swaying his tail like a snake, he gracefully retreated to the side. Alone on the path, the gazes directed at me felt sharper. As Styx had said, hundreds of Oceanos’s retainers had come solely to see me. Had those sharp gazes been piranhas, I would have been stripped to the bone.

“…Huff….”

My hands trembled on my thighs, so I clenched them tight. Since they hadn’t killed me immediately, there was still hope of returning safely. Just as I swallowed dryly, a soft voice echoed through the hall.

[Many humans have come here, but it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen one so ‘alive.’]

Having lived for nearly eternal time, I expected Oceanos to appear middle-aged. But that was merely the narrow perspective of humans who live barely 100 years. His voice sounded younger than expected, like a young man’s.

[Raise your head. I specially permit you to see my countenance.]

Since he said that, it must be alright to look at his face. From the steps, I slowly raised my eyes to his feet. His bloodless, pure white feet looked like marble statues. My gaze continued past the tunic covering his ankles and finally reached his face.

[I am Oceanos, ruler of this sea.]

Oceanos had transparent, water-colored hair like the sea he tended. His undulating hair flowed down past his waist like a waterfall. Though his face was partially hidden behind a thin veil, sky-blue eyes that could pierce the deep sea were fixed solely on me. A crown made of purple coral rose high, displaying his authority—truly a noble figure worthy of being called the ruler of the sea.

Far more beautiful than the illustrations I’d seen in books, I was momentarily distracted. Hurriedly bowing my head again, I showed proper respect.

“I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to meet you.”

[I hear my children perceived you as an enemy and brought you here. Is that true?]

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure. I was trying to save a friend about to be swept away by waves from a cliff when… I fell. I don’t remember anything after that.”

I distinctly heard the sirens’ voices just before the waves hit. For some reason, they detected hostility from me. But I couldn’t blame them outright, so I answered somewhat sincerely as Styx advised. Thanks to that, what could have been misconstrued as territory invasion was safely overlooked.

[Just as Lord Neilos said, I truly sense Ophelia’s energy from you.]

“I rescued Ophelia when she was swept onto land during a storm, and I’ve been protecting her where I live.”

[Oh… How is Ophelia’s condition?]

“She still needs rest, but her recovery is progressing well. Once her condition improves, she’ll return to your side immediately. Ophelia asked me to send her regards, worried you might be concerned.”

[I’m relieved she’s safe. Isn’t that so, Lord Neilos?]

[Indeed, Your Majesty.]

Oceanos’s voice softened considerably. At this rate, returning to land seemed possible. Just as I was watching for an opportunity, Oceanos spoke first.

[As reward for conveying Ophelia’s message, I’ll grant you whatever you wish. Tell me what you desire.]

“Whatever I… wish?”

[Yes. A jewel that illuminates heaven and earth? Or perhaps gills to breathe underwater? Any other gold or treasures, I shall give them all.]

My opportunity had arrived. I’d delivered Ophelia’s regards, and now I just needed to return safely to land. But something still troubled me. Since Oceanos now favored me—no, only now could I make this request.

“Your Majesty… what I want isn’t material.”

[Speak. I’ll grant it if possible.]

Slowly raising my head to look at his veiled eyes, I said:

“Please stop the storms.”

A life-risking proposal.