***
The soup turned out to be difficult to dress in. I'm not used to these strange thin garments that are rolled up at certain points on the body. At first, I dressed without any problems, but when the maids saw me, the horror on their faces was clearly visible... I think they were offended.
I'm sorry...
In the end, they ended up pushing me back into the room. As they took off my clothes and began to dress me again, in the process they taught me about the proper use of the attire of the nobility of this place. I now look like a prince.
Or so I think...
After that, the two maids took me through the corridors of this immense Palace to a strange place. It seemed to be the backyard and it was a beautiful and enormous lake.
This absurdly large palace seemed to be floating on water in the middle of an equally large lake. Mountains surrounded us and large waterfalls sparkled in the sunlight and the perfect blue of the clear sky.
On the small mountains around us, there were multistory houses with an ancient and exotic appearance; and other structures with wide fields inside. The lake below us reflected the rocky and brightly colored tiled ground, and together with the crystal-clear water, the beautiful animals swimming inside were the clear definition of sublime and aesthetic.
The theme of this environment is an aquatic fantasy. So almost everything is made of shiny marble or as crystalline as water; but at the same time tile and with transparent crystal structures like glass. That explains why the few people I have seen so far have that peculiarity in their pointed but short ears; with hair that is mostly blue or also emerald green, there is even ruby reddish among them. And not to mention that on my way to this place, I noticed that there are women with some scales on their bodies and others with tails.
Do these people have any association with the ocean, or are they perhaps hybrids who also breathe surface air...?
Are they...?
They are Mermaids!
Aaaaah!
Yes, they were real! So, they are not legends. There were mermaids in the past! They are hybrid inhabitants like people but they are also aquatic beings. That explains why the women are so beautiful to the point of being absurd and they turn you on with their gaze. Just like their bodies which are perfect for perverts... That's the natural charm of the Mermaids!
They don't need to sing to enchant men, their presence does much of the work.
If all this beauty disappears from existence... then... I will end all the evil in the world with my own hands!
Anything to protect them!
Long live the Mermaids!
The two Sirens... I meant maids, started walking on the water and looked at me to imitate them... Huh?
Do you want me to walk on water?
Seeing my bewildered expression, they both nodded at the same time.
Oh? It seems I'm already easy to read without even speaking. You understand what I'm thinking.
Before I jump in, I'll first place one foot on the water to make sure it floats, or at least doesn't sink under the lake... They seem to be standing on the water as if it were the most normal thing.
To my surprise, it was as my ingenuity intuited.
Hey, it's not floating.
My foot dipped into the water, unlike them who walked on its surface. Seeing the scene, their calm and neutral expressions were the same as they talked to each other. One of the maids motioned for me to wait here and then both of them began to walk towards a large glass chapel with a table in the center. And there sat the beautiful blue-haired woman and beside her a silhouette of what seemed to be a man wearing a fox mask.
When the maids arrived at that place, they knelt in front of the voluptuous woman with perfect reverence.
Since they were all considerably far away, I couldn't see anymore... I guess I have no choice.
There's nothing I can do, I'm not of the same species nor do I possess any power to do the same as them... or at least that I know of.
What will my power be? Goddess-sama has not given me any special power, she simply sent me here and did not explain any of this to me...
I hope I'm not a complete incompetent who is unable to handle a sword with modesty, or even use a special and unique skill that makes me powerful.
Well, if I'm someone with a relatively important role in this course of the timeline, then I must possess something special... that should be a minimum requirement, right?
Their gazes occasionally drifted this way and after a few minutes, the voluptuous woman raised her hand and pointed towards the lake.
What will he be doing?
That's what I thought until I saw a strange white air that seemed to come out of his hand.
Scraaash!
Instantly the water froze, forming an ice path in front of me. It was the perfect size for a person to walk on its solid structure.
Whoa! Amazing!
Without thinking twice, I started walking on the ice path.
It's incredible: the different species swimming in the lake with their spectacular dances; the crystal-clear and perfectly purified water; a place surrounded by small mountains that jut out from the lake and buildings perfectly built on them. And some on waterfalls too.
This place has its charm...
Once I reached the place where they were waiting for me, they urged me to sit down and I obediently did just that. After that, the man in the fox mask approached me and extended both hands over my head.
What will he do!?
I'm innocent!
Are you going to strangle me?
Are the myths that mermaids are carnivorous true?
With endless questions running through my mind, I looked at the voluptuous woman with concern. But instead, she looked at me gently. She seemed to be telling me that everything will be okay and to trust her.
Once I understood her gaze, I gave in, trusting her, and the man in the mask continued.
A light came out of his hands and I felt a peculiar sensation inside me: a refreshing cold that ran through my entire body, connecting a bond that was created in the center of my chest to my brain...
What was that? I don't have an exact description of what it feels like ...
"It's ready, Zaphyris-sama," the man in the mask said.
"Huh? Did I understand what you said?" Those words slipped out of my mouth…
Can I talk now?
...interesting
"I will introduce myself first, I am Ice Empress Zaphyris Quaramis of the Atlas Kingdom and this is my Spiritual Guardian, Wolf of the Five Sacreds." When the voluptuous woman introduced herself, the man in the mask bowed in greeting.
Looks like it's my turn now...
"My name is Saku... Lucius, it's a pleasure to meet you." I have to get used to that name...
"Pleased to meet you, Lucius, these lands are my domain and I hope you feel comfortable."
"Thank you for such hospitality, Zaphyris-sama. Please excuse me if I ever say or do something rash. I know nothing about the manners and etiquette of these places."
"Don't worry, I'm quite an understanding woman." As she finished saying that, some maids came and brought a tray with something resembling cookies, and along with that, a set of tea cups. They poured a portion for Zaphyris and me…
How should I proceed to explain my situation now?
"By the way, Lucius, how did you find my maids in their treatment?"
Are you referring to... that?
Now I understand, the question is strange to ask suddenly, but I think I understood his sinister intentions.
"Not bad, Zaphyris-sama, but I can't allow a woman to dress me, I'm a man with strong morals and principles."
"Oh? You found out."
"It will take more than that to fool me"
I may be a virgin and a pervert, but I'm still a gentleman.
"I see, I guess next time I'll try some maids that suit your tastes."
"Well… if you put it that way… I guess I could make some small exceptions…"
This woman is dangerous... she is temptation personified.
"Now then, Lucius, what brings you here?" As he said that, his sharp, blue eyes fixed on me. His gaze was piercing and seemed to see right through my soul.
I can be honest without any problem, but I don't know what should be spread before the people of this timeline. If I'm reckless, I might even make those around me, instead of helping me, end up being a hindrance. That's also a possibility.
"I come from a very far away and probably unknown place at the moment, with a very important and top secret mission. I appeared unconscious in a forest because of that and then here. I have no intention of being an enemy of anyone in this world and I hope you can find the generosity in your heart to forgive me if I offended you or entered your lands so suddenly, I promise to leave and forget everything I saw in this place if that is what you wish, Zaphyris-sama..."