One, two, three... A few hits and sheds lined up neatly along the shore. With roofs made of coconut leaves, pillars and walls made of bamboo, and several seats lined up neatly up the front, it looked like a tiki bar through and through.
Chatter Chatter Chatter
A number of figures strolled around the beach, enjoying their time of relaxation. The men wore trunks and the women had their swimsuits, all of different style, design, and color. A beautiful set of people to pair with a beautiful background scenery.
And as the people enjoyed themselves, white light suddenly appeared out of nowhere and a circular gate was formed. From a foot to a whole person, people poured out of the gates one after another, all wearing surprised expressions on their faces.
"Waah～! So this is the sea～!" ［Helen］
"Amazing... It's so vast and beautiful..." ［Tilda］
"Waah～! So much water!" ［Galvin］
Faces full of excitement beamed all over the place as everyone watched the vast sea of blueness before them. The turning waves, the washing foams, the shifting sands, and the sparkling waters. Each and everything was beautiful.
"Incredible... To think we really arrived on the sea in just a couple seconds... I know it's real, but it still doesn't feel like it." ［Ross］
"Grey... Just what sort of sorcery is this?" ［Gerd］
"Hahaha. Just a little trick, nothing much to worry about." ［Grey］
Said Grey with a nonchalant expression on his face, but the same couldn't be said for the others. They tried to comprehend what just happened, but instead of an answer, what they got was a headache. In the end, they just decided to give up thinking too hard about it.
Well, it wasn't the first time Grey had seen such a reaction. When he transported the Landevars, the Royal Family, and even those from Lista. Though there were a variety of expressions, all showed traces of surprise. Only the kids were excited.
At first, Grey was hesitant to use it, but after thinking long and hard about it, he finally decided to reveal it to the others. It wasn't like he was being careless. It's just that revealing it would leave more room for choices when emergencies come, not needing to explain it to others anymore.
Of course, it doesn't mean he'll just needlessly reveal it to anyone. Only to those he and Yuna deems trustworthy. And with his "Judgement" with him, it was a relatively easy task. A single glance is all he needs.
"Oh, Grey, you brought more people, huh?" ［Ernes］
"Yeah, and thankfully. They're the last ones. With this, we should be able to start the events without further ado." ［Grey］
"Oh! Good! Good! Finally, we could have some fun! Hahaha!" ［Ernes］
The King laughed as he patted Grey on the back, but the same couldn't be said for two certain figures amongst the crowd. As he saw the man before him, Cedric and Elnart couldn't help but freeze in disbelief, eyes filled with disbelief.
As for the others, they didn't know who Grey was talking to, only seeing a handsome man in his forties and in trunks before them. And before long, the King finally took notice of them, their eyes perking up in response.
"Oh! Sorry for the late introduction, I'm Gerd, this is my wife Selia, and my daughter, Helen. It's a pleasure to meet you." ［Gerd］
"Hello～! Nice to meet you～!" ［Helen］
"Good morning. We'll be in your care." ［Selia］
With Gerd in the lead, everyone introduced themselves to the King and the latter nodded attentively as they introduced themselves. The only one who skipped the introductions were the Aldridges. They are already quite acquainted, after all,
"Hello, Uncle～! Nice to meet you!" ［Bella］
"Hahaha. Nice to meet you as well, little one... And, oh! It seems like your sons have grown quite well as well, Cedric." ［Ernes］
"A-Ah, yes. I'm delighted to hear that, Your Majesty. It's an honor." ［Cedric］
Well, even if he doesn't introduce himself, the other party could still call out to him. As soon as he did, Cedric quickly snapped back to reality and bowed his head, giving his belated greetings. Following him, Elnart and Galvin also did the same.
At the same time, the moment everyone heard the words "Your Majesty" come out of Cedric's mouth, chills quickly ran down their spines and their mouths hung open in agape. All eyes were on the King as they tried to process what they just heard.
"Oh, I suppose I should also introduce myself..." ［Ernes］
Feeling the gazes piercing at his skin, the King suddenly turned to everyone and cleared his throat with a couple fake coughs. And with such a bright yet dignified smile on his face, he said....
"My name is Ernes von Helvor Alfrione, the current King of Alfrione. It's also been my pleasure to meet you." ［Ernes］
Their expectations were answered, and the King finally introduced himself. Before they even noticed, they already knelt on the ground and lowered their head before the King, not daring to meet his eyes.
Just thinking about how casual they have been to him was enough to make their hearts race like a mad boar rushing through the forest, sweat trickling down their foreheads. They couldn't even think straight anymore.
Literally just a few moments earlier, they also genuflected in front of Cedric, the Lord of Galderia, and now, the King was before them. No matter how they looked at it, it was not a normal development.
"W-We g-greet Your M-Majesty, the wisest K-King of Alf-frione." ［Gerd］
"We greet Y-Your Majesty!" ［Selia］
Everyone was so nervous they suddenly started stuttering, butchering their words magnificently. A particular person who shall not be named was even about to cry from too much nervousness, wanting to go back home now.
Now that they thought about it, Grey and Yuna were the type to invite everyone and anyone they meet, no matter what positions they had. All they could do was curse themselves for thinking Grey and Yuna would only invite normal quests.
"Hahahaha! There's no need to act so stiffly. I'm not here as the King of Alfrione, but just a man enjoying a vacation with his family. I would be delighted if you treated us like any other." ［Ernes］
"A-As you wish, Your Majesty." ［Ross］
Or so they said, but it was still hard to switch back to a casual tone when they now know that the King was with them. And not just the King, but the Royal Family as well. It was still nothing short of nerve-wracking.
Even now, even with all the things the King said, they still couldn't calm their hearts down. But thankfully, they are less tense than before. The King may be a mischievous one, but he also has the charisma which draws people towards him.
"Then, Grey, I'll be heading out now. I'll leave everything to you." ［Ernes］
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll do just that. And... Please have fun." ［Grey］
"Hahaha. I will, I will." ［Ernes］
As suddenly as he came, the King headed back just as quickly from where he came from and reunited with the Queen. Like a good husband, he then helped her put sunscreen on her back, one Yuna just recently made with alchemy.
Well, sunscreen wasn't the only one Yuna made. With Grey guiding her, she also made a few more cosmetic products and medicine they might need later. It was enough products for her to start her own pharmacy.
"Then, shall we head to our sheds now?" ［Grey］
"N... No, wait a moment, Grey... My legs have given out..." ［Helen］
Meanwhile, everyone else was still kneeling on the ground, unable to move their legs. The moment their nervousness faded away, their strength finally left their legs and they just gave out, hearts still beating restlessly.
The only ones who could stand were the Aldridges who were used to such things, Bella who still hasn't grasped what just happened, and the married couple, Kris and Aria who were calm as one can be.
"Hahaha. You really did a number on them, didn't you?" ［Kris］
"Ugh... I didn't mean it, you know?" ［Grey］
"Yeah, sure, sure, let's just go with that." ［Kris］
The sun climbed higher in the sky and the waves continued to turn and splash. After a few moments of rest, Grey finally led everyone to their resting sheds and oriented them about a couple of things.
And since it will be a two-day outing, Grey and Yuna have already asked the Beldons if everyone could stay over. Well, in case the others don't want to, they've already asked around Jiro about a couple inns available in Lista.
"Grey, should I just put our baggage here?" ［Helen］
"Yeah, do just that." ［Grey］
"Okay～! And I'll also be borrowing some bags, okayー" ［Helen］
"Hm? Is something... wro... ng..." ［Grey］
It was all too sudden. Before Helen could even finish his request, she suddenly halted on her words and looked at the direction behind Grey with eyes full of surprise. Grey followed suit after her, also stopping as soon as he saw the same sight.
Walking on the pearly white beach was an angel draped in white swimsuit, showing off her slender and beautiful figure. All her curves were perfect and her eyes matched the blue sea, sparkling just as brightly as her silver hair fluttered in the salty breeze.
As for her swimsuit, it was a little on the conservative side, with cloth draping around her shoulders and a piece of thin, silky fabric wrapping around her waist and covering one of her legs. A blue-ribboned beach hat was what crowned her head.
"Waah～! Yuna, you're so cute!" ［Helen］
Streaking like lightning, Helen quickly rushed towards Yuna and gave her a big and tight embrace. Her eyes were sparkling brightly as she looked at Yuna's figure, allured even when she was a woman herself.
"Does it really suit me?" ［Yuna］
"Of course! You're very cute! Like, super, super cute! Right, Grey?!" ［Helen］
"A-Ah... Yeah... It really suits you. You look very beautiful..." ［Grey］
Grey, who was previously frozen as she stared at Yuna, was caught off guard by Helen's question, but he still managed to convey his sincerest thoughts, face turning red as his heart started beating faster and faster.
Well, he wasn't the only one. As soon as Yuna heard his compliment, her face also started burning up. It was the first time she wore such a swimsuit, after all. Still, she was happy to have made an effort to pick one. A single compliment made it worth it.
"My～! Grey, you're turning red～!" ［Helen］
"Shut up..." ［Grey］
A teasing smile afloat on Helen's face, the waves continued to turn. Soon, everyone was in their swimsuits, showing off their figures to everyone else. They all wore different kinds of clothing, the designs serving as a testament to their identities.
Helen wore bright red with simple black embroidery, Tilda had orange with frills, Aria with white, the same as Yuna, Elaine and Elise wearing blue with intricate designs, and many more. As for the men, it was trunks and shorts all the same, only the color and designs varying between them.
"Big Bro! Big Sis! Play wif Nalia!" ［Natalia］
"Oh? Aren't you playing with your Mom?" ［Yuna］
"Um! Mama play wif Nalia too!" ［Natalia］
"Fufufu! I see... Then, would the Little Princess guide us there?" ［Yuna］
"Um! Nalia, guide!" ［Natalia］
And unexpectedly, the first one to invite them to a game was the Little Princess. She was smiling so happily as she led Grey and Yuna. And apparently, she invited almost everyone else she knew too.
As soon as they arrived, everyone was already making all sorts of things with sand, from small hills, to animals, and of course, houses and castles. Perhaps the most amazing one was the one made by the Crown Princess and the Queen. It was a full-blown mini-village with a little castle in the middle.
"Waah～! Mama! Gwanma! Waah～!" ［Natalia］
"Fufufu! Do you want to help out too, Natalia?" ［Natasha］
"Um! Nalia, help!" ［Natalia］
A quick invitation from her mother, and Natalia quickly rushed towards them and helped out with the building of sand castles. Unfortunately for her, with her small and weak hands, she could barely mold anything other than a ball or a mound.
"Waah～! That looks so amazing, Natalia!" ［Talia］
"Um! Nalia make more!" ［Natalia］
Still, the Little Princess didn't get downhearted and continued playing whilst patting it again and again, making a bigger mound each time. It may not look much to others but she was satisfied with it, happy as one can be. Truly an adorable child.
Snap Snap Snap Snap Snap
Of course, Grey didn't forget to snap a couple pictures of the Little Princess as she played around. Well, he also snapped a photo of everyone, but her priorities were for Yuna and the Little Princess. The latter was just too adorable.
Well, no matter how adorable she was, it was still better to make sandcastles with the right toys and equipment. Toys which Grey quickly made with the use of plant magic. A flick of a finger and a shovel, several molds, and figures appeared out of thin air.
"Here, Little Princess, use this." ［Grey］
"Hm? Whatsh that?" ［Natalia］
"Well... I'll demonstrate, so watch carefully, alright?" ［Grey］
"Um! Okay!" ［Natalia］
Eyes sparkling brightly as one can be, Natalia watched attentively as Grey showed her how to use the toys and how to stack the various molds to make different sorts and styles of castles. There were also animal-shaped molds to make things more fun.
And since they were made with magic, they were very light and easy to use. Just a little tap and the molded sand quickly falls into place. It didn't take too long before the Little Princess learned it quickly.
"Does the Little Princess get it now?" ［Grey］
"Um! Play! Play now!" ［Natalia］
"Alright, alright, let's play." ［Grey］
"Yaay～!" ［Natalia］
With such an excited smile on her face, there was no way Grey could deny her request. They quickly started playing with the sand and made all sorts of things with the molds. Of course, Yuna also helped out as well.
Time passed and the others, mostly the children, also started joining in. And so, Grey made more molds to accommodate everyone playing. There were not only basic and animal shapes, but full blown mini-infrastructures as well. Magic is amazing.
"Iris, Bella, let's make a mermaid!" ［Eliza］
"Yes! And let's add shells for the necklace!" ［Iris］
"Then, I'll get some flowers for a hairpin!" ［Bella］
"Ehh～ Elder Brother, Big Bro Alec, Big Bro Alan, let's make something big too! Something like a dragon!" ［Galvin］
"Ah! Let's put a lot of heads then! That way, it would be more powerful!" ［Alan］
"Hey, Galvin, Alec, calm down. Don't push!" ［Elnart］
And as one would expect, some sort of competition suddenly rose as they played, competing with the best sand figures they could make. Soon enough, all sorts of things popped up along the beach from simple mounds to intricate sculptures of mermaids and dragons.
But perhaps the most admirable part was how well everyone got along. It hasn't even been an hour yet the children were already close friends with each other. Even Lyra, Alec, and Alan, Jiro's children, whom they just met for the first time have also become close friends with them.
"Ah! Everyone, can I have some of your time for a moment?" ［Amelia］
"S-Sure! What do you need, Lady Amelia?" ［Tilda］
"Umm, does this look okay?" ［Amelia］
Well, not just the children, Grey and Yuna's various friends were now acquainted as well, mostly because of Julius' nosy and pushy personality. Now, they are playing in the sand like little children, making beautiful structures and acting like architects.
"Hahaha! Grey, what do you think of my masterpiece?!" ［Julius］
"Ugh... What even is that thing...?" ［Grey］
"What else would it be? It's a beautiful horse!" ［Julius］
And speaking of Julius, he was making all sorts of atrocities. The thing he just called a horse right now was one which looked like a six-legged dog with a deformed face who is suffering from a stroke and diarrhea at the same time. It was nothing like a horse. It couldn't even be called an art piece.
Compared to the replica of the familiars Grey just made, it was nothing short of a disaster. It was an abomination. And he was so proud of it as well, a smug look painted on his face. To which, Grey replied...
"What the heck... It's ugly..." ［Grey］
"Haah?! What do you mean ugly?! You clearly don't know art! This is a masterpiece, you know? A masterpiece!" ［Julius］
"Whatever that thing is... That's not art... That belongs in a trash bin..." ［Grey］
And there they go again, arguing about a stupid topic with their loud voices reaching even the high skies. It has already become a scene of normalcy, and so, everyone simply ignored the two and continued with whatever they were doing.
Of course, everyone wasn't just playing with the sand. The others were swimming in the sea, sunbathing, playing in the waters, or simply walking around and sightseeing around the place. Everyone was enjoying their own time on the beach.
The married couples were mostly the ones exploring, spending their time together. The King and Queen in particular were walking hand in hand as if they were on a beach date, letting their children be by themselves.
Well, if it's just being eye-catching, then Kris and Aria would perfectly fit the bill. They were far away in the horizon, enjoying their time together and making large waves as they used magic. That's an A-rank couple for you.
"Hmm... I guess that's enough playing with sand for now... Yuna, do you want to go for a swim?" ［Grey］
"A swim? Sure! I'd love to!" ［Yuna］
Before long, Grey and Yuna also joined the ranks of couples enjoying a beach date. They quickly stood up and patted away the sand sticking on their skin. Soon enough, they headed to the sea, chatting happily with each other.
"Oi, Grey! Stop flirting with Yuna and face me, you bastard! Or is it that you're afraid you'll lose against my art?" ［Julius］
"Art my ass... If you're envious, then flirt with Amelia too. Don't bother us," ［Grey］
"Tsk! Fine! I'll let you off the hook for now." ［Julius］
Or so he says, but soon enough, Julius also stood up and asked to go around with Amelia. The latter didn't make the former wait for too long and a couple moments later, they also went off on their own and headed to the sea.
The only ones left on the beach were the children and the Crown Princess who was looking after the Little Princess. Well, the familiars were also with them so that the Little Princess will never get bored and head off to the water on her own. It would be dangerous, after all.
As for the singles, they weren't lonely at all. Though Helen was holding a grudge since she still doesn't have someone, she was happy that she could spend time with her new friends. It was more than enough for her.
"Grey, hurry up～!" ［Yuna］
"Yeah, yeah, coming～." ［Grey］
Before long, Grey and Yuna were already on the sea, the salty waters greeting them as they washed ashore and splashed around. And the waves were also gentle as well, perfect for floating and swimming.
Though it was not a very hot day, the cool water was still very refreshing to the skin, as if one's body was enveloped in a thin membrane. Topping it with the cool sea breeze blowing towards the shore as well, it was more than perfect.
"Do you need a floatie?" ［Grey］
"Mou... Treating me like a child again. I can swim, you know?" ［Yuna］
"Mmn... Just asking. You can never be too sure, after all." ［Grey］
"Hmph! You say that, but you just wanted to tease me, didn't you?" ［Yuna］
It was a futile attempt. Grey had wanted to tease Yuna again, but the latter had already learnt from all the times they were together. She could already see through his tricks, not falling for the very obvious ones.
"Then, should we have a swimming contest to prove it then?" ［Grey］
"Un! You're on! Don't cry when you lose, okay?" ［Yuna］
"My, I wonder who'll be crying..." ［Grey］
Taking turns teasing and provoking each other, Grey and Yuna stretched their bodies left and right. Though it wouldn't really matter to them whether they have a warm up or not, it still felt good to do so.
The big blue sea, extending as far as the eyes can see, touching the similarly blue sky over the horizon. The clouds drifted and the waves surged. It was a truly beautiful sight deserving to be called a hidden treasure.
"Are you ready, Yuna?" ［Grey］
"Ready when you are." ［Yuna］
"Then in one... two... threeー" ［Grey］
SPLASSSHHHHHH
Grey hasn't even finished counting down yet a splashed already echoed in the air, a single figure streaking on the water's surface. And no, it wasn't Yuna who swam past them. Rather, it was another familiar yet uninvited figure.
"Hahaha! See you in the finish lines, losers!" ［Julius］
It was none other than Julius who was already rushing towards the horizon, leaving everyone behind. As they turned around to look at Amelia, the latter only shrugged her shoulders and heaved a deep sigh. It was yet another one of Julius' shenanigans.
"Haah... Really, that bastard..." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! Shall we catch up to him, then?" ［Yuna］
"Yeah, let's teach that bastard a lesson." ［Grey］
SPLAAAASSSSHHHHHHHH
An even louder splash echoed in the air as Grey and Yuna also burst forth towards the faraway horizon, creating waves and showers as they streaked like starving dragons chasing their prey before them, eyes locked and ready.
The fun had just begun!
CHAPTER 244 END