Looking at Leon’s calm and indifferent face, Rasmodius chuckled and asked, “Any other questions?”
“No.” Leon had already lost interest in anything involving the rmaid lady. After learning that being with her would eventually turn him into a fish, his resolve had already turned to steel.
“Then treat this experience as a journey to broaden your horizons.” Rasmodius said no more and simply followed the guiding rmaid, watching the vast royal palace complex grow ever larger as they waited to arrive at their destination.
Even if Leon no longer had the desire to interact more deeply with the rmaid lady, he was still quite curious about rfolk culture and architecture. This mysterious civilization beneath the waves reminded him of the stories of Atlantis he had heard as a child.
If that legend were real, perhaps it would look like this.
“Guardian, we’ve arrived at the palace. From here on, I can’t guide you further.” The guiding rmaid stopped swimming before the towering, splendid castle complex and spoke apologetically to Rasmodius.
“I can take it from here. Return to your post.” Rasmodius nodded, then led Leon forward without restraint toward the grand castle gates.
“When we et the rmaid Queen later… we don’t have to kneel, right?” Leon asked, rembering the title and the lecture Rasmodius had once given him on rfolk slavery.
If Rasmodius said kneeling was required, Leon would imdiately refuse to et her. Aside from Heaven, Earth, and his parents and teachers, his knees wouldn’t bend for anyone.
As for rulers? The Qing Dynasty was long gone, and so was the Empress Dowager. What kings and emperors were left to bow to?
“Of course not,” Rasmodius said firmly. “We’re guests, not rfolk. We don’t have to follow their customs.”
“That’s good.” Leon breathed a sigh of relief and followed Rasmodius inside.
The first thing Leon noticed was how empty it was inside. Apart from a massive bed shaped like a giant oyster shell in the very center, there was hardly any decoration.
There were almost no rmaids in sight either, which left Leon puzzled. “Where’s the queen?”
“She’s not here yet. But she’ll be here soon.” As Rasmodius spoke, a plump, stately rmaid erged from behind the oyster-shaped bed. She was over three ters tall, with such a generous layer of fat that Leon’s scalp prickled.
A living heavy tank.
That was what he thought, though he kept it to himself and instead cast Rasmodius a questioning look.
“She’s not the queen,” Rasmodius explained without surprise. “She’s an elder-level rfolk leader. Once a rmaid reaches two hundred years of age, they go through a second transformation and end up like this.”
Then he couldn’t resist teasing Leon. “If you really plan to take a rmaid as your partner, you’d better find one who’s just co of age—and don’t live too long. Otherwise, this is what you’ll be facing in the future.”
“She won’t get angry if she hears us talking like this, right?” Leon glanced nervously at the giant rmaid matron, who looked like she could be a cousin of Charlotte Linlin from One Piece’s Big Mom Pirates.
“She can’t hear us right now. But once I drop the soundproofing spell, don’t run your mouth.”
With that, Rasmodius perford a mage’s salute and said, “Elder, the queen should have told you the reason for my visit.”
“Of course, Guardian.” The rmaid matron returned the salute, then added, “The queen is on her way. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s my fault for arriving early. No bla on your side.” Rasmodius waved his hand, then turned to Leon. “Take out the Neptune Greatsword.”
“Oh.”
Leon imdiately pulled the Neptune Greatsword from his System Backpack. Rasmodius took it from him and tossed it to the rmaid matron.
Her expression turned sorrowful as her thick fingers, like stalks of marram grass, caressed the blade. Once again, it emitted the sa mournful, ethereal lody Leon had heard last night.
“The Shadow People will pay for this.” She carefully put the Neptune Greatsword away, her voice filled with resolve.
“The Elental War is over,” Rasmodius reminded her.
“I know, Guardian. We rmaids won’t start another war. But our purchase order in the City of Elents doesn’t violate the truce, does it?”
“Of course not. That’s your free trade,” Rasmodius said with a nod. “But I should warn you—Void Essence isn’t exclusive to the Shadow People.”
“It doesn’t matter. Even if only one out of ten pieces we collect cos from the Shadow People, it’s still worth it. We rmaids can afford the extra cost.” She spoke with bold confidence.
“As long as you know what you’re doing.” Rasmodius didn’t try to talk her out of it—he clearly knew the rmaids had the ans to back up such words.
“This must be the human adventurer who killed the Shadow Assassin. Such a handso young man. If I were a hundred years younger, we might be having a very different kind of conversation.” The rmaid matron now turned her gaze to Leon, her tone a mix of teasing and sincerity.
“Uh, I was just one of the participants. Two others fought alongside ,” Leon quickly clarified.
“But you were chosen as the representative, weren’t you? And you took part in the battle. That’s enough for us. You helped us take the first step toward vengeance. The queen will promise you a reward—the rmaids never shortchange those who’ve aided us.”
With that, the rmaid matron swam to stand beside the oyster-shell bed.
“She’s here. Be careful what you say.” Rasmodius gave Leon a final warning.
Leon imdiately straightened up and fixed his eyes on the bed ahead. When the queen appeared, he froze completely.
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