Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1939: Whirlpools

"This comprises the entirety of our records regarding that location," the Merman King stated, entering with a stack of documents.

The information was notably sparse, which was logical given that the area was strictly considered a forbidden zone by the merfolk.

Being a taboo territory, it was a place they naturally shunned.

Consequently, it would have been more surprising if they possessed detailed intelligence on the matter.

Accepting the documents with a nod, I began to sift through the reports he had delivered.

The Merman King did not linger; after setting the papers down, he immediately turned to depart.

His destination was no mystery to me.

There was only one place he would go and one priority occupying his thoughts.

I didn't mind, as facilitating that connection was precisely why I had brought Ariel back with me.

Left to my own devices, I immersed myself in the paperwork before me.

The lack of concrete data was truly problematic.

The majority of the accounts focused on individuals who had trespassed into the region; follow-up reports were nonexistent because their corpses were never recovered.

The area was designated as taboo primarily due to the presence of violent whirlpools.

These were ferocious vortices capable of shredding anything that drew near. They seemed eternal, existing solely to obliterate whatever they touched.

For this reason, no sane person dared to get close.

Still, some had ventured inside out of sheer desperation. These were usually criminals pursued to the edge of the forbidden zone who chose the whirlpools over certain capture.

"These whirlpools appear to manifest spontaneously; there is clearly something within the center generating them..." I whispered to myself, studying the sea chart included with the files.

The map illustrated the precise coordinates of these phenomena.

They formed a ring-like perimeter around a specific sector of the ocean, marking the taboo zone.

It wasn't merely a solitary vortex, but a series of them forming a defensive circle around the entire area.

This layout made it obvious that something was being concealed in the middle.

"However, they have no incentive to risk their lives investigating it, since it has never bothered their kingdom," I muttered again.

The records indicated that this place had been there for a very long time.

It had persisted through the reigns of several generations of Merman Kings.

Because the whirlpools never expanded or caused external damage, there was never a reason to intervene. They only endangered those who intentionally entered the restricted area.

Essentially, they ignored the threat because it remained stationary.

Nevertheless, it was highly probable that a god’s messenger was hiding within that center.

Maintaining such a massive barrier of whirlpools required an immense amount of energy. The most likely source for such sustained power would be the divinity of a god.

After all, the power of gods far exceeds that of mortals.

"Now, how am I supposed to navigate through this..."

If I approached, those whirlpools would tear me to pieces. As someone who relied on potions just to survive underwater, passing through them would undoubtedly be an arduous task.

"Well, I was told I would meet them because the timing is right. When I encountered the others, the Mark of God resonated with the messengers and led them to me. I should expect a similar reaction from these whirlpools."

I used that logic to reassure myself, primarily because I lacked any better ideas.

The available information was simply too thin to formulate a real plan, and there was no time for indecision.

I kept my thoughts to myself when I eventually emerged from the guest room.

I was well aware that voicing my intentions would cause an unnecessary uproar.

"I intend to inspect that taboo area. Would it be possible for us to travel there tomorrow?"

"Why on earth would you want to visit such a place?" the Merman King asked, raising his voice specifically so Ariel would overhear the question.

I understood his tactic.

He was trying to use her influence to stop me, especially since I had used her earlier to get him to provide the reports. Now that I was heading toward actual peril, he couldn't just stand by and watch.

However, the Merman King was caught off guard by her response.

"This is a task he must complete. Daddy, can you organize an escort to go with him?"

The way Ariel phrased her request was a low blow to the Merman King.

By asking like that, she struck his greatest weakness—his devotion to his daughter.

Even so, the Merman King clearly harbored deep suspicions about our motives.

"You will understand everything tomorrow. This is a matter of great importance, so it must be done."

Ariel nodded, backing my statement. Despite her support, I caught a glimpse of lingering anxiety in her eyes.

It was only natural for her to be frightened, considering the reputation of the place I was heading toward.

"Very well, I will arrange for a guide to lead you there tomorrow," the Merman King finally conceded with a heavy sigh.

"Thank you, daddy," Ariel replied, but the King remained somber.

It was evident that it pained him deeply to realize his daughter was now keeping secrets from him.