Bonus 17
--------
"Mom, where are you headed?"
As Atlas and his group exited the palace gate, a charming little mermaid with pink, curly ponytail hair approached Princess Otohime.
Her big and intelligent eyes focused on the group, creating an adorable sight.
Shirahoshi, the current mermaid princess, carries the power of the ancient weapon Poseidon. She possesses the ability to summon colossal Sea Kings.
Observing the endearing mermaid before him, Atlas couldn't help but ponder silently.
Unlike regular fishmen, Shirahoshi not only communicates with common fish but also commands gigantic Sea Kings.
'She's the King of all Sea Kings!!!'
"Your Excellency Hakuryu, allow me to introduce my daughter—Shirahoshi."
Princess Otohime grinned, gently patting Shirahoshi's tail as the mermaid quickly retreated behind her mother. She then introduced Atlas.
"It turns out to be little Princess Shirahoshi. We're heading to Gyoncorde Plaza. Would you like to join us?"
Atlas flashed a friendly smile and extended an invitation to Shirahoshi.
"Can I really come?"
Shirahoshi timidly tilted her head, stealing a glance at Princess Otohime, seemingly seeking her opinion.
"Since Sir Hakuryu has invited, then Shirahoshi should join us," Otohime shook her head, smiling.
She understood that, despite Shirahoshi having several playmates in Ryugu Palace, the outside world held much more excitement. Ryugu Palace, in comparison, seemed a bit dull and uneventful.
After all, Neptune wouldn't be riding Hoe around aimlessly if there was always something exciting happening.
"Yeah! Thank you, Queen Mother!"
After receiving Otohime's approval, Shirahoshi was overjoyed, dancing on the spot and giggling like silver bells.
"Hey, kiddo, remember that Your Excellency Hakuryu helped secure this for you," Otohime teased with a warm smile, casting a slightly annoyed look at her delighted daughter.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry! Thank you, Master Hakuryu!!" Shirahoshi promptly halted her dance, offering a bow to Atlas.
As of now, Shirahoshi hadn't encountered Vander Decken IX, nor had she been confined to a hard-shell tower because of it. Consequently, while she retained a slight wariness of strangers, it wasn't at an overly serious level.
On the other side of Fish-Man Island,
Having already received Neptune's notice, residents of Fish-Man Island hurriedly gathered from all directions, converging in the small Gyoncorde Plaza.
However, a considerable number of the fidhmen present seemed somewhat perplexed. Intense discussions filled the air, resembling the buzzing of countless mosquitoes in their ears. Even though they were unsure of Neptune's intentions, these signs hinted at something significant.
Despite Princess Otohime often delivering speeches here in the past, it had never attracted such a large crowd. Neptune's stance on Princess Otohime had always been one of neither objection nor support.
Now, as the king, Neptune's stance has undergone profound changes.
"Does Princess Otohime still aim to convince us to sign?!" speculated a sturdy Madara murloc.
"It's not happening. I explicitly asked Princess Otohime to strike out my signature last time. No matter what I say now, there's no way I'm re-signing!!" declared an angered fish-man with unwavering resolve.
"Have any of you pondered why King Neptune decided to endorse and stand by Princess Otohime this time?"
"Is it because of that Marine called Hakuryu?"
The fish-man who had the fortune of encountering Atlas in person a few days ago wore a puzzled expression.
"Probably."
"Let's not speculate for now. We'll get the answers when King Neptune and the others arrive."
Not just them, numerous fish-men and mermaids engaged in fervent discussions regarding the purpose of this gathering, primarily revolving around that signature.
As the arguments grew more intense, there was even a hint of the situation escalating towards a confrontation.
In the midst of the commotion, the conversation between a little girl and a deep male voice echoed clearly in the square.
"Lord Atlas, have you ever seen the sun?"
During their conversation, Shirahoshi had already learned Atlas's name.
"——And, have you witnessed all sorts of flowers and animals covered in fur? Have you ever been to a green place called a forest?"
"Are those things really like what the Queen Mother described?"
Walking alongside each other, Shirahoshi and Atlas tilted their heads, gazing to the side with eyes full of curiosity.
"Yep, you've got quite a lot of questions there. How about I answer them one by one?"
"Shirahoshi! I'll address these questions for you later. Right now, Mr. Hakuryu and we have other matters to attend to."
Seeing this, Otohime promptly intervened, halting Shirahoshi's inquiries.
What happens next is highly significant.
If successful, Shirahoshi will be one step closer to actually experiencing those things.
Having stated this, Otohime left a few individuals behind and strode towards the highest point of the square. From there, she eagerly observed the gathering crowd in the square's center.
"It's Princess Otohime!"
"I'm curious to see how Princess Otohime plans to persuade us this time. I, for one, have no intention of setting foot on the land!"
"Yeah, staying on Fish-Man Island is pretty nice, even though..."
Despite the persisting murmurs of resistance echoing in her ears, Otohime's initial excitement on the stage gradually diminished. Nevertheless, she took a deep breath and shouted to the audience with the loudest voice:
"Everyone, please calm down!"
Though not particularly loud, the voice possessed a soothing power that instantly hushed the once-noisy square. Countless pairs of eyes fixated on Otohime on the stage.
Among the onlookers, there were naturally some with ill intentions. After all, not only the residents of Fish-Man Island had gathered, but also tourists and pirates who had come upon hearing the news.
It's in the nature of all intelligent races to revel in excitement.
"My fellow citizens, above the sea, there's warm sunshine, fresh and plentiful air, and a myriad of novelties. These are things we don't have on Fish-Man Island."
"The world is vast, with countless more beautiful places than Fish-Man Island. Why can't we freely explore them?!"
"And now, Fish-Man Island is on the brink of welcoming a new era!"
"Marine!! A fresh Marine branch will be established right here on Fish-Man Island!!"
Buzz—! ! !
As soon as Otohime concluded her announcement, an animated discussion erupted immediately.
The fishmen in the audience displayed expressions of disbelief. At times, they gazed at Otohime on the stage, and at other moments, they cast cautious glances towards Atlas not far away.
"Your Royal Highness!! Are you joking?!"
"Yes, establishing a Marine branch on Fish-Man Island, doesn't that mean letting outsiders settle in our home?"
Boom--! ! !
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed, followed by the acrid scent of gunpowder filling the square.
Under everyone's horrified gaze, Princess Otohime collapsed on the stage! ! !
----------
Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari