To head to the temple at the bottom of the sea, we’ll need to go underwater. But that means having to deal with all the problems that come with that.
The biggest hurdle is the magic energy tube to send air under the water.
The deeper we go, the stronger the pressure gets, which means infusing more magic energy, which means it won’t last long.
But being economical would lead to the tube collapsing eventually.
“So I thought of a way that doesn’t use a magic energy tube.”
Says Merlin here on the shore. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, she uses the magic.
A thin film covers her body. And Reina and I also use it to test it out.
We head right into the water, which feels like it’s being repelled by the film, because I don’t get wet.
That said, it’s not that different from last time. The difference is that, as stated before, there’s no magic energy tube.
“Let’s go.”
We go beyond the shallows, as it gets deeper and up to my face.
I wonder what will happen beyond here, but Merlin isn’t worried, so I keep walking.
Reina is also walking, so I just follow her lead…
“What is this…?”
I’m in the water, but feel practically no pressure.
I can breathe like before, and talk.
I look at Reina and Merlin, who don’t appear to be wet, so that confirms that this film prevents water from getting in… The difference is that there’s no tube.
How is air getting here?
“I adapted a gate with water magic.”
“Gate… Like what Miss Sheryl uses?”
“Yes.”
I’ve copied that spell. But while beings with astral bodies such as great spirits can pass through it, humans can’t.
In the end, I figured I didn’t have any use for it, but apparently air can pass through, even if our bodies can’t.
Apparently this film itself is an application of that gate, bringing in enough air from the surface that I don’t have trouble breathing.
“It just needed some adjustments, but this should be fine.”
“I’m surprised you thought to use gates.”
“I was walking while racking my brain, and saw Miss Sheryl coming to see Snow. That was where it hit me.”
I see… So this is what they call a genius.
If I saw it, I’d probably just try to copy it.
“But isn’t it hard to maintain the magic energy?”
“It uses magic energy to connect to the outside, but not to maintain it. It wouldn’t work on dozens of people, but it will work with a few people for a day.”
Merlin explains with a bright expression that makes her stressed out face from lately feel like an illusion.
Reina is checking all sorts of things to see if there are problems, like I’d expect from her, as she works her magic energy.
“The problem last time was the pressure, and you solved it by making the film and sea one.”
“Yes. It couldn’t be too far from one’s body like the magic tube, but this should practically nullify the effects.”
“Yes, I don’t see a problem. That’s Holy Water Merlin for you.”
“It’s also because of all your advice.”
The girls praise each other, happy about the completion of the magic.
Meanwhile, I look around.
We’re still in a shallow area, so I’m not seeing the beautiful sights I saw the other day.
Still, I already see fish swimming, probably because the water here is so clean.
“…Oh?”
Suddenly I think of something.
This island is covered by a barrier, but how far does it go?
Sometimes when I swim, I see what look like dragons swimming far away. And there are monsters like that squid from the other day too.
But there are normal fish like these too.
If this were Earth, or even this planet but without the barrier, fish could escape in the vastness of the ocean, but if it’s covered by a barrier, I can’t see them running from monsters.
So where do these fish live?
Are they actually strong monsters like those rabbits…
“…”
“Arata, it’s time to go back. We need to go get Snow from the divine beast people’s village.”
“Ah, yes.”
Maybe there are ways for the weak to survive this world of survival of the fittest.
As I think that, Reina says goodbye to Merlin on the shore, and we go to the divine beast people’s village.
Luna and the others are playing by the entrance.
Elga is making a rare appearance in his divine beast form, letting kids ride on his back.
Livia is nearby watching with a smile, making them look like parents in the park with their kids on a holiday.
“It’s rare to see Elga playing with them in his divine beast form.
“You’ve seen it too, Reina?”
“Yes, a few times when he helped the kids hunt.”
I only saw it for the first time the other day, but I guess it happens pretty frequently.
Looking at it again, it’s a thin wolf covered in silver fur, and it looks cool in a different way compared to his humanoid form.
Elga notices us, and approaches us with kids on his back.
“Thanks for looking after the kids, Elga.”
“Well, it’s not like you don’t look after Luna.”
One by one, they slide down his tail.
As they tell Reina how they had fun, we talk with Livia about what we just did.
“Merlin completed the magic.”
“That is nice to hear. I will tell my father and the others, so we can settle on the date.”
“Yes! What’s wrong, Elga?”
He looks a little worried, compared to the happy Livia.
He doesn’t look mad or anything, just troubled.
“Ah… Well… Does that mean we can go underwater too?”
“Yes. It feels like you should.”
“I see. Then I gotta go…”
He seems hesitant to go underwater to the underwater temple.
Why is that? I think as Livia giggles.
“He isn’t too good with my father.”
“No… I don’t hate him or anything. He’s a great warrior that’s been protecting this island’s sea, and I respect that.”
“I know that. But you’re not too good with him, are you?”
“…I guess.”
He looks troubled, but it’s definitely not hatred.
Basically, he’s a guy that’s not too good at dealing with his wife’s father.
If Reina had a doting father, I’d hesitate to go say hello too.
From what I’ve heard, Livia’s father is pretty scary so I get why Elga would be hesitant.
“That said, he always comes to the surface. If I can finally go there and say hello, I should go there and bow.”
“Yes. My father likes you, so I’m sure he will be happy.”
I smile at this cute conversation between husband and wife, and feel something small hugging me from behind.
I can’t see her, but it’s Snow. I stretch my arms behind me, and put her on my back.
Reina comes over with Luna and Tiltue, but she’s smiling as she watches us.
“Are you done talking?”
“We were talking about the magic. And setting the date.”
“Merlin and I are free for the time being, so any day.”
Of course, the same goes for me, and Livia puts her hands together with a smile.
“How about tomorrow?”
“That’s fine with us, but are you sure?”
“Yes. I told them to be prepared, so I can tell them now.”
We agree, so we’re going to the underwater temple tomorrow.
But who will go? I don’t want to take too many people, so it should be our family, and Livia’s. And Merlin.
That’s eight, which is a lot, but Livia doesn’t seem to mind.
“Later!”
With that, we head home.
I wave back at Luna, and something crosses my mind as we walk through the forest.
“Can Snow swim?”
“Di’s gonna be there, so it’s okay!”
“Di?”
I haven’t heard that one before, and when I tilt my head, Reina smiles awkwardly.
“Mister Dine created a small slime with magic, and he attached it to Snow’s body to keep her safe.”
“Eh, when…”
“This!”
Snow messes with her hair, and out comes a slime the size of a fingertip.
It’s obviously not him, but I do feel the magic energy.
I guess this Di will protect Snow if something happens underwater.
“I’ll have to thank him.”
I poke it, and it feels jiggly.
It doesn’t look like it likes it, because it hides in Snow’s air again.
“Don’t bully, daddy!”
“S-sorry…”
Reina and Tiltue laugh, thinking it’s funny to see the small Snow mad at me. And that makes Snow laugh too.
“We’re going to be busy tomorrow, so let’s hurry home.”
“Yes.”
Thanks for the treat.