10 minutes later, a small patrol unit of Nagas arrived at the island and surrounded us

"Prioritize the princess!" 2 slithereens quickly looked at Mizu's condition

"No, look after them first" Mizu pointed at us

"No, we're good. I only exhausted most of my energy" I refused her offer

"If you say so..." the two medics quickly did their jobs

It took 15 minutes to wrap up Mizu in bandages. The two slithereens then tended to our conditions, it took them an hour and it seemed like the other two slithereens are talking about something.

"What's wrong?" Mizu asked the two medics

"It's the human male..." one of the medics replied

"Lyan?" Mizu replied

"Yes, this man Lyan... it seemed like he had expanded his energy too much, he can't even move his body anymore"

"What?!" Mizu was alarmed

"Don't worry princess, he's just really tired. What surprises us is that tattoo on his right arm, our sacred Trident of healing is reacting to it"

"What do you mean?" Mizu asked her head

"There are only 20 healing slithereens in the entire kingdom, all 20 slithereens must undergo an intensive training within the cave of the sacred slithereen where the first Naga queen was buried"

"Keep it up" Mizu spoke

"After training, we receive her blessings in a form of a trident. These tridents still have some connection towards the first Naga queen"

"Conclusion is?"

"There must be an entity on the same level of Naga queen within that man which causes our tridents to react like so"

"Hmmm..." Mizu thought about something before she walked towards me and asked

"Hey Lyan is there something in your right arm?" Mizu asked

I was a bit surprised at her straightforwardness but I guess she's that kind of a person.

"Yeah, there is, is something wrong?" I asked as I smiled, I really like honest people

"Nothing much, the medics just kept saying about some living entity within your arm or something like that"

"Really now" I was a bit curious

"Anyway, let's move out" Mizu ordered the Naga guardians

"Mizu, you got more of that conch shell that allows me to breathe underwater?" I asked Mizu

"Oh yeah, sorry I forgot, here you go" Mizu rummaged through her magic bag before passing it to me and leaving

I tied the necklace around Mira's neck and we went on our merry way back to Mizu's home. The journey took us around an hour and when we arrived, a banquet was already waiting for us.

"Lyan, I thank you for your help" The queen thanked me

"Don't worry about it beloved queen" I'm still no good with formalities

"Then, please step forth and receive thy reward" The queen took out a trident and presented it to me before continuing

"This trident is a sign of our friendship"

"Thank you" and with that, everything was finally over

During the banquet, lot's of slithereens approached me. I was once again stuck with the male entertainer job, not in a lewd way. I finally had the chance and approached the queen

"Excuse me, dear queen" I approached the queen

"May I help you?"

"If it's not too much to ask, may we ask for a ride back home?"

"Sure, sure, why not. I'll arrange it right away, Guards, please ready a small ship and guide them back to Garuda" The queen ordered the guard next to her

I called out to Mira and followed the guard into the castle

†††

"Mom.." Mizu nervously asked her mother, the queen

"Yes? what is it Mizu?"

"Is..is it okay if I go with Lyan?" Mizu asked as she played with her hair

"Why? do you like him?"

Mizu only stood there silent

"How adorable, you still believe what I told you about the tale of the Slithereen and the man?"

"Embarrassingly, yes" Mizu admitted

"What am I gonna do with you... The elders will object but, if you go under the premise of looking for your brother to inherit the crown then that will be a different story"

"But will Lyan think I'm annoying or something?"

"Don't worry, he doesn't seem to be that kind of a person"

"Then... wish me luck mom" Mizu quickly ran off and took some of her stuff in her room

♦♦♦♦

"Hey, Mira... what happened while I was unconscious?" I asked Mira, and Mira recounted everything that happened. I could only thank her

"Got a room for one more?" Mizu arrived beside me

"Mizu? what are you doing here?" I asked

"You don't want to see me anymore?" Mizu acted like a wife that got cheated on.

"Of course not, I'm just wondering why you're here, ain't a princess supposed to be the heart of the banquet?" I laughed

"No, banquets aren't really my thing"

"Is that so?"

"....Lyan... may I come with you guys?" Mizu spoke

"Uhm....I'm fine coming with you coming but are you fine with us? and is your mother okay with you leaving?" I asked I'm really thankful for Mizu's help and this could be my chance to repay her

"I got her approval and don't worry, I'll carry my own weight" Mizu took out a gold bar from her magic bag

"Let's go then" I smiled

Our journey towards Garuda was serene and quiet, the calm ocean and waves it makes...perfect for making me puke... I couldn't help but let out whatever I ate during the journey, I was embarrassed as hell.

"Come on Lyan, lay on my lap" Mira smiled at pulled my head to her lap while Mizu laughed and rubbed my back

"You're still recovering so it's understandable that you would get sick easily" Mizu chuckled, I ignored the embarrassment and enjoyed the sensation of Mira's lap

We finally arrived at Garuda an hour later, under the cover of the night we quickly rented an Inn. Mizu retracted the small tentacles on her back, she really seemed like a regular girl now

"Okay, I rented two rooms. Mizu and Mira, you guys sleep together while I sleep in the other room" This is Mizu's first time in a human city, it's better if there's someone with her all the time until she gets used to it

"Let's go princess Mizu" Mira was still sticking to formalities when it comes to Mizu

Before we separated, I secretly gave Mira a kiss goodnight and went to my room.

'Lyan... what about my goodnight kiss?' Rea was complaining again

'Come on Rea, how am I supposed to kiss you?' I asked

'Kiss the sword' Rea kept urging me

'Do you know where your body (sword) has been?' I asked with the intent of her mistaking it for something lewd

'What do you mean master?! my body is only for you!' Rea got the joke but didn't seem to like it

'haha, fine, just on the hilt ok?' at least I know the hilt is clean

'Anywhere is fine' Rea accepted my offer

I took out Rea and kissed her on the hilt before hitting the sack

The next day, we all ate breakfast. Mizu was perplexed by the meat and vegetables she ate, she was used to eating fish and some seaweed so the new tastes surprised her.

We all went looking for the others, hopefully, nothing bad happens to them

"Come on let's go!" I heard a familiar voice as we were walking in the port, I followed the voice and found Arachne and the others arguing with a captain of a ship

"Arachne!" I called out to her as I waved my hand

"Lyan?!" Arachne quickly recognized my voice and started running towards me

"Captain!" Clay and Rivera followed after Arachne

"Lyan!" Ms.Lucia, Valeria, and Talia also started walking towards me

Arachne quickly pounced and I had no choice but to catch her, my body was still a bit weak but luckily, Mira was there to support me

"Now, now, Arachne, Lyan is recovering from his injuries" Mira calmed the excited Arachne down

"Injuries? what happened?" Arachne started inspecting my body

"We had a little trouble before getting here" Mira didn't say too much and Arachne didn't pry any further

"Captain, where were you? we've been worried sick" Clay spoke

"Things happened, sorry I'm late" I apologized

"Oh... may I know who this beautiful lady is?" Ms.Lucia arrived and asked

"I am Mizu von Natter" Mizu bowed

"N-Natter?!" Ms.Lucia stuttered and quickly pulled on my collar

'Lyan! where did you find this girl?!' Ms.Lucia whispered

'She's my friend that wishes to explore the world' I replied

'Don't you know that the last name 'Natter' is the name of the royal family of Nagas?'

'Oh, is that so? well I already knew that Mizu is a princess'

'Lyan, are you sure she's a friend and not a foe?'

'What do you mean?'

'I don't know, she might be a spy!'

'I can assure you that she's no foe'

'Well.... if you say so...'

Ms.Lucia and I returned to the group

"What did you guys talk about?" Arachne asked Ms.Lucia

"Nothing much really" Ms.Lucia seems to want to keep the fact about Mizu being a princess a secret

"Is that so? hey, hey, Lyan did you know that Mizu is a princess?" Arachne asked me

"Of course I knew" I laughed, seems like Ms.Lucia hid the secret for a second before it got out

"Guys, Mizu is a princess but let's keep it a secret" I announced

"Why?" Mizu asked, she's too innocent

"There are people here that might chase after you if they discover you're a princess of the Nagas" I explained

"I don't really get it...but ok..." Mizu was cooperative

"Let's not delay any longer, let's all go home" Ms.Lucia grabbed our attention and announced

"Let's go" I laughed

Our journey back to Central city was a bit boring, Mizu interacted with everyone along the journey, even the beast that was pulling our carriage didn't escape from her. It was kinda cute, to be honest, we kept teaching her everything that we know, Mizu, on the other hand, absorbed everything that we taught her like a sponge.

We finally arrived back to central city, I quickly headed for the mansion I received. It was a good thing that I asked Blacksmith boss to buy some furniture and help me decorate the mansion before I left. Mira, Arachne, and the others followed me back to the Mansion.

The once old and desolate mansion was now rebuilt and the land surrounding it got a major make-over, it can't compare with the mansion that I first saw.

"Let's go Lyan" Mira was strangely excited, she must be happy that we now got a house

"Yeah" I was as enthusiastic as she was

We slowly entered the mansion, it was oddly quiet but suddenly

"Surprise! Happy 16th birthday Lyan!" Mom and Dad greeted me, Clay, Rivera, and Talia's families were also present

"Wait! It's my birthday?!" I seriously forgot

"Seriously?" Dad looked

"I was too busy" I embarrassingly scratched my head

"Anyway, Happy birthday and all that, you also got a mansion and didn't tell us?" Dad laughed and spoke

"Again, too busy" I laughed

"That's enough from you guys, Lyan, mind introducing me to this wonderful young lady?" mom looked at Mizu

"Mom, this is Mizu, I met her on my mission" I introduced Mizu to mom

"Hmm, she's quite beautiful. Do you want to become Lyan's lover?" Mom quickly asked Mizu

"Ehh?!" Mizu was surprised and was rendered speechless, she could only stutter a few words

"Mom, please stop it" I pulled mom away from her

"Come on Lyan, Mom just wants to see her grandkids already" Mom's voice was a bit loud, everyone heard it

I ran to the second floor to escape embarrassment, I watched everyone enjoy the party as I started sipping on red wine. It was a joyful occasion, I honestly wish that this would go on forever. This would be perfect if Blue was here... I wonder how she's doing... I really wish I had some way to communicate with her

"Having troubles Lyan?" Mom also arrived at the second floor

"Nah, just thinking about stuff"

"We were honestly surprised when we saw the families of your teammates"

"Yeah, sorry for not notifying you guys beforehand"

"No, it's ok. Oh yeah, remember that chief and the head of security on that village?"

"those that abused my teammate's families?"

"Yeah, those, I read the letter that you sent and quickly understood what you meant. Your dad was opposed at first but after some convincing, he finally gave in, you don't have to worry about them, they're as good as dead already" Dad might be righteous and a well-known hero but mom is quite vicious

"thanks mom"

"Don't worry about it, more than that, why did the women around you increase again? first, there was Mira, then there was Arachne, after your battle at the mountain, you took home Valeria and now this Mizu... she's quite interested in you" Mom laughed

"Mom...." I can't refute what mom said

"are you hiding something?" Mom suddenly asked

I was only silent

"Lyan, I'm your mother, I can read you like an open book, now come on, tell mom what's troubling you"

"Uhh... it's actually like this.." I told mom what happened at Fallen mountain with Blue and with the fact that I am already engaged with her

"....Lyan, you sneaky little rascal, Mom is proud of you!" That wasn't what I was expecting but I'll take it

"What do you mom"

"I mean, I can expect a grandchild now right?" I should've seen this one coming

"Mom, she's not pregnant" at least she didn't tell me she was and besides, I exploded out not in

"boo, you're such a killjoy" Mom was sulking

"Mom"

"yes?"

"Thanks, you guys are the best"

"Of course we are, now let's go and celebrate, you too Lyan go and approach those women, they're not gonna woo themselves now won't they"

"Seriously mom, stop it"

"Not until I see my grandchildren"

"I give up"

"Hehe"

Everyone enjoyed the small feast that mom and dad prepared before leaving, I wanted them to stay for the night but they actually came yesterday, when they heard I was still on my mission they had no choice but to wait. Luckily they were notified that I was on my way so instead of a surprise visit, it turned into a surprise birthday party.

The old storehouse was turned into a two-story house, this is where Valeria, Clay, Talia, Rivera, and Mizu are staying while the whole mansion is for me, Mira, and Arachne. I didn't really mean anything but they understood the fact that lovers must stay in the same house, they were also thankful for letting them stay.

It was early in the morning and I started to do my usual jogging around the forest when suddenly, I spot a poster. I was a bit curious so I picked it up, I clenched my hands. They finally showed up.

On the poster:

{ The Hero of an Unknown kingdom will come to visit Central city

Also, The Religion of Light finally revealed their Heroine}