With how fast they dove, it didn't take them long to reach The Deep. The water changed from a more clear blue to dark black. In this region, there were titanic beings. Giant magic squids, resembling a Tusoteuthis. Large bio luminescent jelly fish. Yet, these creatures swam away when they saw the dragon.
Hikari would have likely been terrified of this if she was on Earth, yet now, it didn't seem to bother her. She'd already fought demons and conquered dungeons. If anything, she wanted to try eating one of those large squids later. She wondered if their at would be good.
A large whale called out from just above them. The thing had gone almost unnoticed, despite its enormous size. Streaks of purple lightning arched under its white belly.
The site was beautiful. The purple veins on the whale's white stomach created a gorgeous contrast.
Ayase mused at the site. "Wow…"
Hikari wondered how the rmaid escaped this place. Maybe she got lucky that Lord Mosa was chasing her. He likely drove off all of the carnivores that were likely to eat Miliana. Large squids and Plesiosaurs lood, yet they continued to dive even deeper into the abyss.
Eventually, there was light. Through a large crevice, Hikari could see glowing light filtering.
Miliana pointed to the trench. "We're almost there."
When they finally crossed into the ravine, everyone was awestruck by the change in scenery. It was as if they'd entered a whole new ocean. There were beautiful coral reefs. Colorful fish swam around, and plant life thrived. On top of that, there was the inspiring rmaid kingdom.
It stood there majestic like a painting, rising from the ocean floor as a towering monolith. Tall structures made of smooth white pearls rose, and lights created a vibrant atmosphere. The sprawling city was massive, and there were seemingly little difference in class judging by the buildings. Each of them was as well kept as the last one.
rmaids moved frantically from building to building, swimming through kelp doors on their way. Each of them held small tridents in their hand like they were ready to go to war at any ti.
Several of the rmaids noticed the entrance of the large dragon, and they started preparing themselves for disaster. A large bell rung under the sea, and thousands of the tribe started to ready themselves. They swam towards the intruders, until the woman at the helm noticed her daughter.
"Miliana?"
The daughter in question stared at her mother who bore a striking similarity. The only difference was that the mother appeared older, and instead of a tiara, she wore a crown with a red pearl at the center.
Hikari's interest was attracted by the glimring item, and for the first ti in a while, she decided to perform an inspection the crown.
[Crown of the rmaid Queen] – This item denotes the wearer's status as the queen of the rmaid tribe. The red pearl in the center is considered the [Blood Rite Pearl].
[Blood Rite Pearl] – This pearl is the blood of the rmaid tribe. Forged by the tribe's elders, this object has the ability to channel raging storms that will rock ships and ravage islands.
While Hikari was distracted with that, Miliana finally addressed her mother.
"These people saved ! Please, put down your tridents!"
"Saved you? What happened to Lord Mosa? The elders haven't heard any sign of him since you disappeared."
"Not here, mother. Please, we need sowhere we can explain, but first, you need to put down your weapons."
The queen nodded and gestured with her free hand. "Stand down, everyone."
All of the tribesn obeyed her command, and the thousands of rmaids lowered their arms.
The queen looked nervously towards the large dragon. "I am not sure we can accommodate you with your size. I hope you understand."
Kurayami shook her head. A plu of black smoke began her transformation, and she went from being the size of their castle back to her humanoid self.
"This shall not be a problem," the dragon said.
The queen's wide eyes stared blankly at Kurayami. She shook herself out of her stupor, pointing her trident towards the large castle off in the distance. "There is where we shall speak, My Lady."
"My Lady?" Kurayami asked.
"It's only natural that us lower beings would refer to one such as yourself with the respect due."
The dragon shook her head and gestured towards Hikari. "In that case, this is my master—the one I swear absolute loyalty to."
Once more, shock painted her expression, and she looked in disbelief at the small elf. However, the pearly white, fluffy wings made the queen nod.
"Understood, then, if you would, please follow ."
///
The castle's interior was just as extravagant as the outside. The most interesting part was how the group entered through the top of the structure. A large anemone blocked the entrance, but when the queen arrived, the pink tendrils opened willingly.
On the inside, Hikari expected the walls to be more similar to what she'd seen before, but wild life thrived even here. The chambers had clams growing from their side or pretty sea flowers sprouting from a corner. The rmaids lived in harmony with the little residents.
The throne room they arrived at was at the bottom floor, and rather than a throne, there was a giant clam opened up. Its insides were full of pink bedding, and at the center was a red pearl as big as the tribesn themselves.
Two guards stood on standby, but they were not rmaids. They were dolphin-shaped reptiles. These Icthyosaurs were different than the ones Hikari had seen previously. Their head was more elongated, and their snouts ended at a sharp point. Their bodies were also thinner. Hikari made the deduction that these creatures were likely exceptionally fast.
Queen Miliyu finally addressed her daughter. "So, what happened to Lord Mosa."
The daughter shook her head, nervously gesturing towards Hikari. "I think it's better if she explains."
Hikari shrugged. "The simple answer is...I killed him."
"You what?"
"Lord Mosa is dead. To put it another way, he's completely incinerated, never to return to this ocean or any other ocean again. Well, unless he's reincarnated sowhere else."
"I didn't need an explanation! Lord Mosa is a god! How could you…"
Hikari cut Miliyu off with a wave of her staff. "You can pretend all you want that thing was a god, but do not insult . I said he is dead. Therefore, he is dead. If you don't believe , why don't you go into The Deep yourself and try looking for him? Not that you'll even find his corpse, nor will you make it back alive."
The queen frowned and looked at Miliana. "Is it true?"
"Mother, this woman speaks the truth. Did your eyes deceive you? Did you not see her ride in here on a dragon? I swear on the pearl that is our blood rite, she tells no lies. I saw it myself. While Lord Mosa chased after , she completely destroyed him...With one spell."
"One spell? No, wait, what about the ritual?"
"There will be no ritual," Hikari said. "Your daughter has given the Hope that she will survive and not be eaten. I will follow through with this endeavor to ensure that no harm will befall her in the coming days. Moreover, Lord Mosa was simply using your tribe for himself. As for his specific purpose, well, that remains to be seen."
The queen looked like her entire world view had been shattered. She floated there, dumbfounded.
Hikari understood very well. How could everything she's ever known be wrong? How could their god be using them? Anyone in the sa position would assu that they'd been lied to. That these newcors had sohow tricked their daughter.
However, before Miliyu could voice that concern, Hikari lifted her hand. "I don't care if you believe or not. Regardless, you will be forced to believe when the Mosa doesn't show up for the ritual."
Miliyu shook her head. "No, I understand. I believe you. The dragon. Those white wings. I understand now. You're a goddess, too. So why shouldn't I believe you?"
Hikari frowned at the insinuation. "Do not believe everyone who has a higher station than you so easily. A goddess can lie just as easy as a mortal can lie. Gods are not infallible. Lord Mosa had been lying to you for many, many years. Your tribe was never protected by him. What he took away was sothing far more important than your safety."
"I don't understand…"
"He took away your freedom. He took from you the ability to live for yourselves. It was all done under the guise of protection, but you all live in falsehood. One is not ant to fear the unknown so deeply that they never venture out. I imagine your tribe was ant to conquer the oceans wide and explore. The truth simply lies in your history."
"What about our history?"
"The rmaids are not slaves. They're travelers. They're traders, and most importantly. They're free."
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