Leon had already prepared his ntal defenses and co up with two possible scenarios.
One was that the rmaid Queen would be breathtakingly beautiful, even more stunning than the young rmaid maidens. The other was that she might resemble the elder rmaid matron he’d t before.
But when he actually saw the rmaid Queen, all of those defenses instantly collapsed.
Her upper body was like that of a human, with milk-white skin that glead with a supple sheen. Her figure was slender yet brimming with a sense of strength, the perfect rmaid lines complented by an aura of power that could make even the top supermodels pale in comparison.
Her lower half was a long, elegant fish tail clad in golden scales. Draped over it was a chain skirt made from alternating black and white pearls, radiating nobility.
But from the neck up, where a face of world-stunning beauty should have been, was instead the visage of an anglerfish. This absurd combination suddenly made Leon understand the true aning of “Lu Bu riding a dog.”
Right now, Leon only wanted to ask if this rmaid Queen happened to be a fellow Earthling—and perhaps once lived near a certain island nation.
Otherwise, how could she look so fierce? With a head like that, Leon simply couldn’t believe she hadn’t drunk nuclear wastewater.
“Guardian, it’s been a long ti.”
The rmaid Queen’s voice was like celestial music. Each word was like a shimring note, lilting and lodious.
“Ah…”
This ti, Leon couldn’t help but sigh. There was no helping it—her top-tier figure and siren-like voice would be irresistible qualities for any normally-faced woman. But paired with the head of an anglerfish, it was just… a tragedy.
Rasmodius gave Leon a puzzled look, not understanding what nonsense he was thinking. Still, he maintained proper decorum before the Queen.
“It’s been a long ti, Your Majesty. It’s truly wonderful to see you still so full of life.”
“Hahaha, thank you. I don’t know why, but the older I get, the younger I feel.” Her laughter was enough to make Leon’s ears tingle. If this kind of laugh were broadcast in public, it would probably need a censor bar.
After chatting with Rasmodius, the rmaid Queen turned her gaze to Leon.
“This must be the adventurer you told
about, correct? If I rember right, his na is Leon?”
“That’s right.” Leon nodded, keeping his composure as he looked into that anglerfish face.
“It’s an honor to et you, Your Majesty.”
“There’s no need for such formality. You helped the rfolk reclaim their relics. That makes you an honored guest of our people.” The rmaid Queen offered him a reassuring smile.
Then she beckoned to the elder rmaid matron and whispered a few words in her ear. The matron swam quickly to the area behind the oyster-shell bed and returned with a small chest, placing it in front of Leon.
“This is a token of our gratitude. Please don’t refuse.”
As she finished speaking, the matron opened the chest, revealing its contents.
It was filled to the brim with pearls—round, lustrous, each the size of a lychee. Leon quickly counted and saw at least twenty of them.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Leon wasted no ti in accepting the chest and slipping it straight into his System Backpack.
If it had been a chest of gold jewelry, he might have declined once or twice to show modesty. But pearls? Those he could never refuse—not when the rmaid Queen might take him seriously if he declined. He wasn’t about to take that risk.
At this mont, even with her anglerfish head, Leon found her far more radiant. She had simply given too much.
These were pearls—the best gifts in Stardew Valley. Almost everyone loved them. Their value alone far surpassed that of diamonds from the mines, rivaled only by the Prismatic Shard in both price and rarity.
Though Leon wasn’t sure of the exact real-world price of pearls, he was certain they wouldn’t be cheap.
His decisiveness even took Rasmodius by surprise. He had expected Leon to at least feign reluctance, but before he could say anything, Leon had already stashed them away.
The rmaid Queen seed pleased.
“It looks like you’re satisfied with this gift. That’s good. The ocean has so much to offer, but I didn’t know your preferences. I just chose one of the most popular treasures among others, and it seems I chose well.”
“As long as it’s from Your Majesty, I’ll like it.” Leon’s attitude was excellent. After all, she was the benefactor—flattery was a small price to pay for wealth.
“You’re a sweet-tongued young man. Handso, too. I think I might rather like you.” The Queen’s praise was direct.
Leon instantly sobered. Money might make the Queen seem charming for a mont, but her anglerfish face was still well beyond his limits. So he replied quickly.
“It’s my honor, Your Majesty. But I’m just an ordinary human farr—unworthy of a noble Queen.”
“You needn’t be so humble. You are an honored guest of the rfolk now—a friend. We can speak as equals.” She smiled, attempting to set him at ease.
“Your servant is humbled.” Leon gave a bow with clasped hands, not daring to et her gaze.
“Alright, Your Majesty, please stop teasing the boy,” Rasmodius finally interjected. “We’ve t, and the Neptune Greatsword has already been delivered to the elder. We are not sea creatures—if there’s nothing else, I should take him back to land.”
“I had prepared a banquet for you both. Will the Guardian and young Leon not stay?” the rmaid Queen asked, sounding a bit disappointed.
“No. I imagine the affairs of the City of Elents matter far more than entertaining us,” Rasmodius reminded her.
“Indeed. The Shadow People must pay the price.” At this, her tone grew cold and serious. Then she seed to recall sothing, producing a palm-sized spiral conch from… sowhere, and tossing it to Leon.
“Leon, take this. If you ever encounter trouble at sea, blow it. Any rmaid who hears the call will co to your aid. Consider this another part of your reward.”
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