67 - I tried to sneak into a suspicious store.






 First we need to find out where the mermaids were taken.

 The mermaids brought here are mermaids that cannot take human form.



 They would need a very large tank to move around in.

 I checked the ruts in the wagon and found that there were many ruts, but one of them was particularly deep.



 This is most likely where the mermaids in the tank came from.



"Sorry Madeline, but I need you to go back to the mermaid village and bring me the treasure. If the mermaids are auctioned off, we'll have to buy them off with gold at worst."



"Okay. So how do I meet you?"



"Oh, right. Mr. Gargoyle, I'm sorry to keep asking you this, but can I ask you to do it?

Of course. Of course. I'm at your service.

 Mr. gargoyle is so reliable at times like this.



I'll go after the mermaids. I'll go after the mermaids. The other mermaids can go back to San's place. A large group of mermaids would be too conspicuous.



"But isn't it better to have a lot of people looking for her?"

"That's true, but there was some pretty dangerous research going on in that warehouse over there. To be honest, I'm not sure I can protect them if they get dismembered. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep quiet here."



"I don't want to. I'm going to find them. It's my responsibility."

 Mei, who has been so quiet lately that we've almost forgotten she exists, steps forward from the group of mermaids and makes a direct appeal.



 If only Sun were here to shut her up. .......

"Lady May, Mr. Locke is in trouble, please don't do this."

"Oh, Madeline. You're starting to get cocky with me, aren't you?



"No, I don't mean to, but..."

 Madeline can't resist May, and she instantly withdraws from the conversation.

 She is in a better position than May, I guess.



What is May's position?

"She's like a princess in the human world.



It must be hard for those under her to be such a selfish princess.

"What? I'm doing my best! I'm the one who brought Locke here, I'm the one who took part in the battles, I'm the one who took the bait. I'm going to save your mother.



 May shouted loudly, as if she were exploding with all her emotions.

 May herself had been running around in circles, but she was probably still just a child.

 She was probably still just a child, but she was doing her best.



"Do you mean that the one who is being held now is the ...... queen?"

"I'd say she's a queen."



 Only her family can't help her.

 Only Mei understands how hard it is, but she can't put her people in danger like she did earlier because she's .......



"Okay. I'll take you with me, but not if you can't listen to me like you did last time. I understand your feelings, but I won't allow anyone to put our people in danger for nothing, and at that point, I'll give up on the rescue. Can you promise me that?"



"Okay. I'll listen to you this time. I'm sorry about before."

 May bowed her head, looking at me with some remorse.

 It was a terrible thing to do, but when she apologized so honestly, I couldn't pursue the matter any further.



"Okay, then, me, May, and Lucky will go with you. The rest of you will follow Mr. Gargoyle's instructions and meet up with San. Lucky, please.



--Yes, sir.

 Lucky rides with May, and Lucky smells the ruts and looks for where the wagon has gone.

 It seems that May's parents were taken to the center of the city.



 They ride Lucky through the big wide street.



 The city seems to have a lot of foreign trade, and there are many unusual vegetables and rare seasonings at the stalls.

 After solving the case, I would like to enjoy shopping.



 While I was looking around the stalls, I found a store with cute white one-piece dresses.

 Shannon would look so good in it.



 I'm thinking like that, but I'm not playing around. 

 I really wish Lucky would hurry up, but it's hard to walk fast when you're in the center of the city with so many people.



--Rock, I found it. That's where the mermaid was taken.

 The store Lucky found was located one street off the main street.



 There was no sign, but he could hear what sounded like animal noises coming from inside the store, reminding him of the warehouse he had seen earlier.

 Although the inside of the store was not visible from the outside, there might be some clues here.



"Wait here for a minute. I'll go look for it."

"I'll go to ......, too. I'll be waiting.

Great. May. It's not all about the rush, you know. You'll be useful when I need you, so just wait here with Lucky. Lucky, please."



--Yes, sir.



 I put my hand on the door and pull it open.

 The door is unlocked and opens without any resistance.



 As soon as the door is opened, I smell a strange odor that stings my nose.

 This place, like the warehouse, does not seem to have been well cared for.






 I'm about to go in when I hear a voice from inside.

"Welcome. Is this the first time you've had a visitor? You're a new customer, aren't you? Do you know what kind of place you're in?"



 The man is overweight, with shaggy hair and sloppy clothes.

 He has not washed his body, and he smells terrible.



"I heard a rumor that you can buy a special demon here.

"Really?" "Well, you're in luck. There are a lot of unusual demons here. But the manager said I have to be introduced. Do you know what I'm talking about?



 What story?

 I don't know what the hell he's talking about.

 There was a long period of silence.



 The guy casually clasps his thumb and forefinger together with his fingers, trying to appeal to me.

 I see what he means.



 I take money out of my wallet and hand it to him.



"I'm a man who understands," he says.

"Thank you. Thank you. You're very quick. Then come to the back.



 I followed him into a back room. 

 There sat a sorceress-like woman with her back to me, plucking the feathers of a bird demon.

"Oh, you stink. It stinks. I can't believe someone with that woman's magic is here. Did you check the introductions?"



 She turned around and looked at me, her eyes sharp like a reptile's, and her golden color stood out in the darkness.