Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2022: Emergency in the Merman Empire

"Your Majesty, there's an urgent crisis at hand."

A messenger burst into the arena just as we were examining Dorothy's fresh abilities.

I raised an eyebrow at him, doubting that any issue could be this critical, yet it was obvious this was no trivial affair.

"What's the matter?" I demanded in a firm tone at last.

"We've received a pressing dispatch from the Merman Empire. It appears an outbreak is sweeping through there."

"Outbreak?" I echoed in bewilderment before adding, "If it's an outbreak, what exactly can I do to assist them?"

The messenger showed a hesitant expression upon hearing this, yet he delivered the intended report regardless.

"This isn't an outbreak striking the mermaids themselves, but those visitors originating from that location." As the messenger uttered 'that location,' a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features.

The instant he brought up 'that location,' realization dawned on me about the situation.

In truth, just one spot fit that description perfectly.

Yet why had this erupted without warning?

It simply didn't add up that those from that spot were suddenly afflicted.

Perhaps it stemmed from tension, or their struggle to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings, or maybe it was an entirely different cause?

Might it even be something deliberately induced?

Certain ministers had displayed reluctance toward welcoming those foreign races into the Merman Empire, even for this brief exchange program.

After all, such actions challenged the honor of the Merman Empire itself.

For these devoted ministers of the Merman Empire, it was inevitable they'd seek to address this. However, they couldn't act directly against these guests from other races who arrived officially.

Any overt move would escalate into a far graver incident.

But if these guests perished from a supposed 'sickness' on their own, it would simplify matters greatly for them.

Thus, it stood to reason they might taint them with poison to mimic a disease.

Ultimately, I pushed these speculations aside, knowing they yielded no benefits.

With countless scenarios swirling, dwelling on them aided no one. My sole option now was to rush to the Merman Empire immediately and witness the events firsthand.

Personal presence there alone would allow me to narrow it to one clear cause.

I realized they summoned me chiefly due to my ties to the kraken, the divine envoy. Moreover, this likely connected to Aestum, who had safeguarded those individuals.

During my previous encounter with Aestum, I'd sensed something peculiar in how both they and Aquaron behaved, as though concealing a hidden truth from me.

It wouldn't shock me if this 'outbreak' tied into that mystery too.

"Is there an escort ready to guide me to the Merman Empire?" I inquired of the messenger, who nodded promptly in affirmation.

Naturally, the Merman Empire would dispatch an escort, given that no path outpaced traveling beneath the waves to their domain.

As merely a human, I lacked the means to accomplish that feat.

To arrive at the Merman Empire swiftly, I required the aid of mermaids.

Yet I didn't trail the messenger at once, instead pivoting toward Rose.

She remained silent throughout, but the intensity in her gaze revealed her thoughts plainly.

Still, she uttered, "Go handle it. Ensure Ariel stays out of harm's way."

Upon departing the Merman Empire earlier, I'd left Ariel behind to reunite with her family, having exited prematurely. She lingered there even now, and I'd intended to retrieve her later, granting extra moments with her kin.

With this turn of events, however, it appeared I'd need to fetch her ahead of schedule.

Beyond that, I had to shield her by any means necessary.

I responded with a decisive nod, yet Rose wasn't the only one requiring my words.

I shifted my gaze to Dorothy and the qilin watching me intently.

Noticing my attention on them, both displayed resolute faces before declaring together, "We'll manage fine."

Their synchronized response highlighted how their bond had deepened considerably.

Observing them this way, thoughts drifted to the pact I'd forged with the divine envoys.

To be precise, the qilin served as my envoy despite my lack of divinity...Thus, our link differed. Ours mirrored the bond between deities and their envoys.

This implied the qilin could still bind with another he found deserving.

Here, that might apply to Dorothy...

But such reflections had to wait, as more immediate concerns demanded focus.

With a wave to the group, I departed alongside the messenger, who guided me to the awaiting cluster of mermaids.