Turning the ass back to Port Natalia

[Later]

Solo, Alice and Luka were at the library to gather informations about the 4 spirits, the guards gave them permission after knowing that the King let them do whatever they want and that Solo beaten Granberia.

Luka: Man… Libraries are so eerie when they're empty…

Alice: Isn't it good for a library to be quiet and peaceful?

Solo: Oh Soul King, I really missed this peace. This talk about Illias was driving me to nuts, I would say that if this place wasn't full of monsters…

Luka: Eh?!

Alice: He's right, this place is full of monsters… It seems that they took possession of the books.

Luka: Possessing a book…?

Alice: Whatever, just hurry up and find what you're looking for. I don't want to spend too much time in this place. Since I can't eat books, I don't like them.

Luka: I get it, I'll hurry...

While Luka was finding the book, Solo and Alice were watching him from distance, then Solo turned to Alice.

Solo: Hey Alice, do you know any fire spell?

Alice: Obviously, I am the Monster Lord, this is the minimum I could do, I know spells for every elements except holy, why?

Solo: Let's burn this place…

Alice: …

Solo: …

Alice: ...Good idea…

Then Alice and Solo put together books that talked about Illias and connected them with many bookshelves like a domino, meanwhile Luka was retreating from a really big monster.

Page 65537: Because of my special body condition, I can resist the sealing effects of your sword. You won't be able to seal me-

Solo: Bala.

Solo interrupted her with an attack which pulverized her head, killing her.

Luka: T-Thanks… Solo…

Solo: Yeah yeah… Hey Alice, do it!

Alice, in another place in the library, eagerly nodded and started her fire in a book, then the fire reached the second book, third, and so on, until it reached a bookshelf, slowly, the fire was spreading in the library while Solo and Alice were laughing maniacally.

Luka: What the hell are you laughing for?! Why did you do it?!

Solo/Alice: For fun!

Luka sighed and took the book he was searching for before he, Solo and Alice ran away from the library, but while Solo was running, he passed the statue and blasted it away, then he runned away with a sonido.

The statue of Illias turned in ashes while Solo laughed.

[meanwhile]

Illias was looking over Luka when she suddenly felt someone insulting her, she frowned and looked around San Ilia, and noticed the ashes that were once the statue about her. She got angry and yelled.

Illias: SOLO!!!!!

[later]

Solo: I am NOT sorry about telling Alice to set the fire…

Luka: *Sigh*

Alice was a bit sorry and revealed that Solo gave her the idea, so Luka tried to scold Solo, but he didn't care, then Luka sat somewhere and started to read the book, it seems that the most near spirit was Sylph, around 3 days from San Ilia to the Forest of Spirits.

But…

Amira: Finally, I meet you again… My Darling, I shall shower you with the affection I've built up over the past hundred years.

Solo/Luka: Fuck... You!

Amira: Rude… But it will not stop me! My fiery passion burns brighter than a transient phoenix, as it rebirths stronger every time it is shot down.

Luka: Isn't the sea route still blocked? How did you cross over to this continent?

Amira: When the rude guy threw me at Illiasburg, I rushed as fast as I could to Illiasport and hid in the same boat you were on.

Luka: ...I see. Why are you so fixated on stalking me?

Amira: ...An ugly Lamia like me is avoided wherever I go. Everyone pokes me with sticks, or throws stones at me as I pass by.

Solo: 'I'm not going to deal with this shit again…'

Then Solo walked away from Luka and Alice towards a certain direction.

[minutes later]

Solo found some soldiers and walked towards them.

Soldiers: Mh? Do you need something?

Solo: Yes, I found a monster and I would ask if you two could capture her, maybe she has informations about the Monster Lord.

Soldiers: A Monster here?! We will go right now, thanks young man.

Then the soldiers rushed towards Amira while Solo was grinning victoriously.

Solo: 'Too easy…'

[later]

Solo met again with Luka and Alice in front of a bulletin board, covered in notices held on y small thumbtacks, they had in front of them a request and were reading it.

Solo: Hey.

Luka: Oh, hey Solo, where were you?

Solo: Telling the guards about Amira.

Luka: Oh… Thank you for freeing me from her…

Solo: It's nothing, what's that?

Then Solo read the letter.

'To those who don't have a bias against monsters, I have a request, so please listen to my story. I live at 6th street 3-29 in the South District of Port Natalia'

Luka: Someone without a bias against monsters…? I'm interested… Shall we go and see what they have to say?

Alice: Surely you aren't going to return to Port Natalia?

Solo: Why not, the kid needs as much experience he could have before going to the Forest of Spirits.

Alice: ...You are right… Then we will go, c'mon Luka.

Luka: Nn.

[tomorrow]

They arrived at Port Natalia once again, Alice was excitedly eating some crackers Luka bought while Solo and Luka was looking around.

Alice: Hmm… These Yamatai crackers are delicious.

Solo: Yeah really interesting… Luka, where should we go?

Luka: We are almost there… 6th street… 3-29… It should be here…

Luka, Solo, Alice were in front of a house and Luka knocked.

Luka: Is anyone there?

?: I'm coming!

Then the mermaid that the group encountered before the explosion in a mermaid school opened the door.

Luka: Oh…? Are you Meia?

Meia: Yes… I'm Meia. I'm sorry about cutting our conversation short last time… Due to the explosion. I completely forgot about our conversation…

Then they entered the house and sat in the living room.

Meia: Please excuse the small house… I don't have much to entertain you with either…

Solo just smiled and raised an hand.

Solo: it's ok, we are fine.

Then Meia left and came back some minutes later with some suspicious looking aquatic-based cakes and tea, and set it down on the table.

Alice: We're somewhat busy. Your request better not be stupid.

Meia got a bit sad, but then Solo interrupted.

Solo: Don't mind her, she is just on her period, and she can be a bit aggressive.

Alice: You…!

Solo interrupted her by putting a cake in her mouth.

Solo: Just eat it.

Then Luka talked.

Luka: So, what is the request you need assistance with?

Meia: Actually… I'm in love with a human.

She was holding her cheeks while blushing.

Luka: No way… Are you wanting me to play matchmaker or something? I'm not very good at that at all…

Meia: Oh no… We're already in a relationship. We've lived together in this house for a while. But right now, he's out at sea fishing…

Luka: That's great!

Meia: But.. Although we love each other deeply, we're not married. It's because we can't perform the Marriage Trial dictated by marine law…

Solo/Luka: Marriage Trial…?

Meia: When a Mermaid and a human get married, they have to offer a written pledge to the Queen at the temple on the seabed. But there are many dangers so my lover can't go with me…

Solo: So we need to get in Soul King-knows-where to deliver this pledge?

Meia: Yes… I'm sorry for the troublesome request.

Solo: Mh, do you know a method to breathe underwater?

Meia: Yes, here is the Ball of Guidance, it will guide you towards the road to the temple, you need to use it near the beach.

Solo: Mh, we will do it.

Meia: Fantastic! Thank you, adventurers.

Then they left and walked towards the beach.