The negotiation ended safely. The Oceanos Sea would be calm for a while. After secretly concluding the negotiations, Oceanos rose from his seat and spoke.

[Hear me, my lords.]

His solemn voice echoed throughout the hall.

[I have decided to accept the proposal.]

I expected someone would surely object. But the audience chamber remained silent as death. Even if they couldn’t comprehend it, no one dared question Oceanos’s decision.

[I plan to go to land myself and speak with the human who made this foolish mistake. Until then, enjoy your nights without storms, my lords.]

Having made his declaration, Oceanos left with Neilos. Perhaps because I had been formally invited to the banquet, the retainers didn’t directly threaten me. They merely shot piercing glances like a rain of arrows. Not wanting to become a piece of meat thrown into a hungry predator’s cage, I left the audience chamber with Styx. Following quietly behind him, I casually asked.

“Where are we going?”

[There’s still time before the banquet is ready. So I’ll show you around the palace.]

“Thank you, but… I should get going soon.”

Before I finished speaking, Styx stopped abruptly. When he turned around, he was smiling brightly, but his eyes were ice cold.

[Go where?]

“Back to land, obviously.”

[And why would you go there?]

“…Pardon?”

When I frowned and questioned him, Styx approached until he was right in my face. Then he slowly wrapped his scaled hand around my neck. Though it seemed like he was gently caressing my skin, I could feel his sharp nails and couldn’t relax.

Eventually, his fingertips stopped over my rapidly pulsing carotid artery.

[His Majesty personally invited you. Surely you’re not thinking of declining?]

“N-no. Of course… I must attend the banquet.”

[Good. You should speak clearly. You scared me~]

Styx withdrew his hand with a slight smile. The way he showed me around the palace, acting like nothing had happened, was quite chilling. Would I have to wait until they willingly let me go? For now, I decided to back down and hope for an opportunity at the banquet.

After finishing our brief palace tour, I could finally see the exterior. Columns placed at regular intervals supported the high ceiling, and arch-shaped bridges encircled the palace like a fence. Judging by the seaweed and barnacles attached to it, the building had been constructed quite long ago, yet it remained pure white like blank paper, without any cracks or discoloration.

When I let out a small gasp of admiration, Styx, becoming proud, raised his shoulders and said:

[His Majesty Oceanos built this palace with magic. Impressive, isn’t it? It’s exactly at the center of this sea.]

Extremely excited, Styx continued chattering explanations about the palace. But regrettably, his words went in one ear and out the other. The reason was the numerous sailing ships surrounding the palace.

Just as ordinary gardens have fountains or statues, Oceanos’s garden featured old ships. The sails, riddled with holes, fluttered like vintage curtains, and the surfaces of the ships were so covered with moss that the wood grain was no longer visible. Counting roughly, there were easily more than five.

“What are those ships?”

[Proud trophies of this kingdom.]

Styx pointed to each ship, starting from the left, and explained:

[That ship with the pointed mast belonged to those who dared try to capture our kind. His Majesty personally exercised his power. And that ship sank because they didn’t see the reef. Not our fault, right? And that one…. Ah~ what was it? Anyway, it’s the end of humans who didn’t keep their promises.]

His giggling laughter was so pure without malice that I couldn’t help but frown.

“Why keep them here?”

[His Majesty ordered them preserved. He said we must never forget what they did.]

Most appeared to be from before the ban on magical creature hunting. Among the wrecked sailing ships, barely recognizable in their original form, one still maintained its shape. Despite having become a habitat for seaweed, it was the largest and most magnificent ship. Neither wealthy merchants nor once-prosperous magical creature hunters could have owned such a vessel.

Looking carefully, I noticed a flag fluttering in the current, fallen onto the deck.

“That’s…”

The eagle engraved on the flag was unmistakably the emblem representing the Evgenia Imperial Family. Why on earth would an imperial ship remain sunken at the bottom of the Oceanos Sea? Unable to simply pass by, I tried to approach it. Just then, a bird transparent like water flew in, blocking my path.

[Oh, looks like the banquet preparations are complete.]

“What? Already?”

[Let’s hurry!]

I was just a few steps away from entering the interior, but Styx mercilessly grabbed my wrist and followed the bird. Led by him, we arrived not at the palace where I had met Oceanos, but at an annex beside it.

Opening the large door, I noticed silver candlesticks and statues of unnamed angels. Surprisingly, it closely resembled banquet halls commonly found in noble mansions. If what I saw through the windows had been sky instead of sea, I could have mistaken it for land.

“Where did these decorations come from?”

[We took them from sunken ships to decorate the banquet hall.]

“If you dislike humans, why use things made by them…?”

[We don’t particularly dislike them. His Majesty Oceanos would accept even humans as subjects if they pledged loyalty. It’s just that when you enter the water, you can’t survive long and die. What can we do about that?]

Styx shrugged his shoulders, genuinely seeming regretful. He even asked “Don’t you think?” which made me nod reflexively.

We soon arrived at the hall where the banquet was in full swing. Through the door crack, magnificent violin music occasionally mixed with laughter. The bird that had guided us disappeared without a trace after completing its task.

[Let’s go in~!]

When Styx opened the door, a spacious area was revealed. Walls adorned with all kinds of sparkling jewels and a massive inverted triangular chandelier dominated the atmosphere. A melody reminiscent of “Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1” made the banquet even more elegant.

Wondering who was playing, I turned my head and widened my eyes in surprise. The bow was moving by magic alone, without any performer. Moreover, the violin, presumably retrieved from a sunken ship, had several strings torn off.

[How do you like it?]

“It’s… impressive in many ways.”

Blinded by the magical scenery, I belatedly encountered the most shocking sight. In the spacious hall, sirens were dancing to the music. Though they had no legs, their dance movements were as elegant as a waltz.

It would have been better if their dance partners weren’t human skeletons dressed in clothes…. The sight of waltzing with skeletons whose necks were severely bent backward felt strange, even grotesque.

Just then, one of the dancing sirens spotted me and rushed over immediately. It was Dione, Styx’s sibling. She thrust forward a rattling skeleton and said in a clear voice:

[Here, I brought a human for you!]

Though I’d often seen specimens in science labs, this felt completely different. I erased the focus from my eyes and forced a smile. I needed to respond well. I needed to, but… instinctively, I only wanted to flee. Unconsciously raising both hands, I slowly backed away.

“I-I’m fine. Please don’t mind me and continue dancing… yes.”

In a sea with many sunken ships, I had expected many skeletons. But I never imagined they would waltz with them. Styx and Dione laughed heartily for quite a while, amused by my pale face.

Finally gathering my scattered wits, I approached Oceanos. After greeting him as I’d been taught, Oceanos offered me a seat, seeming to have been waiting.

[Welcome. Did you enjoy your tour of the kingdom?]

“Yes, it was so impressive that I regret having only a short time to look around.”

[Haha, you’re quite the smooth talker.]

Once seated, a blindfolded siren approached and poured a reddish, thick liquid into my glass. I couldn’t bring myself to drink it boldly, so I just pretended to sip. Carefully, I revealed my true thoughts to Oceanos, who was drinking some unidentifiable liquid beneath his veil.

“When this banquet ends, please send me back to land.”

[Why do you want to return to such a dangerous place? You would have nothing to worry about if you stayed here.]

After pondering briefly, Oceanos exclaimed softly:

[Humans who crawl into the sea of their own accord always seek their loved ones before dying… Perhaps you too left a lover on land?]

Cough, I sputtered.

“Not a lover… but there is someone who worries about me.”

[In that case, I’ll send a messenger to convey your regards.]

“I appreciate your kindness, but I must return.”

[If you insist, then I have no choice.]

Oceanos shrugged his shoulders, seeming disappointed.

[When the banquet ends, I’ll safely send you back to land.]

“Thank you… Your Majesty.”

A sigh of relief escaped me involuntarily. Although I regretted not being able to return immediately, showing more greed might kick away the opportunity I’d worked hard to obtain. Taking advantage of his diminished interest in me, I tried once more to infuse magic into my earring. I even touched it discreetly, but still got no response.

Just then, Oceanos put down his glass and abruptly asked:

[What an interesting earring.]

“…Pardon?”

[Until just now it seemed ordinary… but looking at it now, it’s no common item.]

Though it was merely a communication device, Oceanos’s interest created an unnecessary tension.

[Where did you get that ornament?]

“I received it from the person who saved me.”

The corner of his neat lips twisted slightly.

[…I see. I mistook it for a familiar color.]

“What do you mean by mistake?”

Oceanos put down his glass, tasting bitterness.

[If it’s the one dyed in brilliant gold, even a human like you would know.]

“…Could it be…”

[The one your ancestor, Emperor Jupiter, ruthlessly killed.]

I inhaled sharply at the mention of this unexpected entity. A being too revered to dare name, yet known to every creature rooted in this land – ‘That Magical Creature.’

Having lived countless years, Oceanos would know details about it. I’d wanted to verify certain facts all along. Pretending ignorance, I dropped a hint:

“If you mean the one who protects magical creatures, I know well. Are you thinking of that twin magical creature?”

[Twin?]

As soon as I finished speaking, the wine glass in Oceanos’s grip shattered. Crash! At the sharp noise, the orchestra music stopped instantly. From the dancing sirens to the magical creatures enjoying the banquet, everyone looked our way. Silence followed, like someone had pressed a pause button.

Eventually, Oceanos raised his hand, signaling others not to worry. The banquet resumed, continuing smoothly without interruption. Through gently curved lips, a cold voice flowed:

[I don’t even want to know how you humans have altered history, but that Being is unique. Born at the center of the continent, Mount Caucasus, always prioritizing us. When that Being existed, everything was peaceful. Even the weakest magical creature had no fear of humans. Because that Being protected us with all their heart.]

Red liquid dripped from Oceanos’s hand like blood. Even as a servant hurriedly wiped his hand, Oceanos remained lost in memories.

[That was ultimately the problem.]

“…?”

[It was truly a happy time… Though we can never return to those days.]

Thanks to Oceanos, I knew for certain. ‘That Magical Creature’ died at Jupiter’s hands. So the story that the hostile elder brother was killed by humans, while the younger brother worked for peace between humans and magical creatures, was indeed a fabricated theory.

Another question arose. Jin once mentioned hearing eyewitness accounts of people seeing ‘That Magical Creature.’ What magical creature had they seen? Was that also a made-up story?

“Your Majesty. From what I’ve heard…”

I was about to tell Oceanos about these sightings when suddenly the banquet hall door burst open.

[Your Majesty!]

[What is this commotion?]

When Neilos blocked the way, the soldier bowed his head and said:

[An in-intruder, Your Majesty.]

Oceanos let out a hollow laugh and waved his hand.

[Never a dull moment today.]

Following his light gesture, a small puddle formed in midair.

[How dare they invade this kingdom…]

When Oceanos touched the water’s surface with his index finger, ripples spread. Immediately, the area around the palace where Styx and I had walked appeared. Then I noticed a figure standing proudly outside the arch-shaped fence. Though smaller than a finger joint, I could immediately recognize who it was.

Fluttering tawny hair and golden eyes filled with quiet anger.

“A-Asrein…”

[A human you know?]

“Well…”

[Ah, it seems he’s come to fetch you.]

Oceanos cleared away the water puddle from midair with an intrigued smile.

[No human has ever broken through the protective barrier I set up… You keep quite a skilled magician by your side.]

“He’s come looking for me, so I just need to go.”

[No, that won’t do. I can’t miss such entertainment.]

What? Surely… he’s not planning to confront him? Please say no. A clash between Asrein and Oceanos? I never even considered such a possibility. As I jumped to my feet, Oceanos made a light gesture.

[Styx.]

[Yes, Your Majesty.]

[Take this human elsewhere for a while.]

“W-wait! Your Majesty!”

Even as I tried to run out, I was already firmly held by Styx. Oceanos swept his long hair over his shoulder and said:

[I shall personally greet that intruder.]

We’re doomed.