Once back to Lucky and May, the two were playing together, scribbling on the ground.

　What are you, a child?　I wanted to say to myself, "What are you, a child?

　It's good that they are communicating well with each other.



"Were there mermaids?"

"Yes, there were mermaids."



"Yes, there was." "Good. Let's go get her now.

　I'm sure we will. But I don't think we should go wild here.

　We need to help the other demons if we can.



Wait a minute. We'll save the other demons if we can. It's not enough to just let them all go.



"Forget about that, let's just go save them!"

----Mei, wait here for a minute. You can go wild here, but if you attack out of the blue it will be Locke's fault. Mei can run to the ocean, but Locke can't.

"Okay."



　While the two of us were waiting, May started to listen to Lucky.

　I'm impressed with Lucky's communication skills, just like with Shannon.

　He's always joking around when it's me.



"Thanks Lucky. Let's move around and figure out a plan for the future."

　We walk to a park here in town, make sure no one is around, and talk about what we're going to do.



------ Rock, what are we going to do?　Report to the guards? ----

"Yes. If we can report it to the guards and get it sorted out, that would be the best. But we don't have any proof. They seem to be a very big merchant. I don't think they'll be able to get their tails on it that easily."



Let's go get your mom.

Okay. We'll talk to the guards first. If we can solve the problem, or if not, we'll bid on it at the auction the day after tomorrow. If we can't win the auction, then we'll take the last resort and raid the place. I don't want to raid if at all possible. Mei, are you okay with that?"



　May's expression is clouded, but there is nothing else she can do.

　Besides, there are only disadvantages to openly fighting with the merchants.



"Okay. I'd appreciate it if you could help me. Rock."



　So we go looking for the guards, and go to the gatehouse at the entrance to the city, where Drakul appears, hands tied behind his back.



　When I try to talk to Drakul, he suddenly starts to make a loud noise.

"Why don't the soldiers in this city take action against the illegal subhuman traders in the harbor? I'm a Dragon God!　Don't discriminate against me just because I'm subhuman!"



　Drakul tries to shout more, but is silenced by a soldier who hits him on the back.

"Shut up. It's not because I'm subhuman. Chad, the merchant, would never do that!　Do you have any idea what he's done for this town?"

　Drakul and I lock eyes for a moment.



　He shouted to let me know that the guards were not on the side of the slaves.

　Drakul stands up and walks slowly forward.

　As I pass him, he whispers to me.



"Don't worry about it."



　Drakul had gone to the guards to ask for help after he had been saved.

　But Drakul would be put back in his cage after all the trouble he had gone through.



　I don't know how he explained it to them, but it is likely that he had overreacted.

　Drakul's body had more wounds than we had seen earlier.



　It seems that the city guards had already been taken in by the merchant.

　He must be a very good-looking guy.



　It seems that we should not try to ask for help from the guards.

　And the risk of a raid has increased considerably.

　I wonder how much of the soldiers in this town are under the influence of the merchant.

　The merchants seem to have gained a lot of trust.



　The best way to be sure would be to bid for the money.

　Or we could find some evidence and ...... turn him in...but how can we find that much badness in this short amount of time?



　We're going straight out of town to the coast.





"Rock, what are we going to do?　That guy earlier was talking about the warehouse, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Apparently the merchants are very powerful in this town.



Can't you help us?

No, there's a good chance we can solve this problem with money, so let's think about that first. Don't worry. I'll take care of it. Let's just meet up with the mermaids for a while first.



"Okay."

　May's steps were heavy, but she had to take one thing at a time.



　We'll talk with the other mermaids and come up with a plan.