As soon as the commotion just outside the mermaid kingdom quiet down thanks to our efforts, the armored mermaids, all of them start rushing to Mahsuri side. They are all happy, grateful and just down right excited, saying things like how finally the long awaited queen has finally come home, and how the mermaid kingdom will worry no more with her being here. Even Leviathan share the same sentiment, but I could make out that he is just to afraid too express it with Mahsuri being there, and speaking of Mahsuri, she is rather annoyed by all of it, thus

"Silence!" [Mahsuri]

One word, and in fear and respect, they all bow down before Mahsuri, like how the castle knight and guard will do when they see the king and Sis Diana around

"You three, come" [Mahsuri]

"""Right""" [Elise, Kara, Charlotte]

As we are approaching Mahsuri who already start swimming forward, the three of us could hear the mermaids whispering among themselves

"That blue hair girl!"

"It couldn't be!"

"So the queen and the princess, both of them are here!"

"And those two, no, even the princess! They have the blessing of ten heroes!"

"Surely, this is a lucky day for us mermaid kingdom!"

Again, with the princess, then does that mean... Mahsuri is my mother? That's just impossible... Mahsuri is a homunculus created by one of the original ten heroes after all, so if I was born from her, just how old am I? I'm pretty sure I am twelve, Biologically that is

"Charlotte, you and Mahsuri, it couldn't be, right?" [Kara]

"You know that is impossible" [Charlotte]

"Still, just like Kara look almost similar to Mother Aries, we can't deny how you look like teenage version of Mahsuri, and that unparalleled water affinity you share with her, not to mention your ability to communicate with the sea monster directly without using magic" [Elise]

"True, the more we think of it, the more likely that it is the case here" [Kara]

"Anyway, Mahsuri told us that she will explain to us, so let just hear her explanation after this" [Charlotte]

Now I am feeling anxious. The first thing I remember is my time with them at the slum before being taken care of by Brother Ash, and the first time I met with Mahsuri, is the same time like anyone else, during the time when the old follower and the duchess attacked us, so it just doesn't make sense for her to be my mother!

Thinking all of this just makes my head hurt, and before I realize it, a city made out of chalk white sea marble appears before me, and a statue of the king and queen strikes us out. That colourful statue really resembles Mahsuri, and as for the statue of the king, he might appear young but his beard is already long, around his belly button level

"You look confuse princess, that's your mother and father! The king and queen of mermaid kingdom that have serve the original ten heroes, and live to tell the tale! Unfortunately, his highness is currently..."

They really are that old! If I'm not mistaken, two of the ten heroes are Brother Ash's parents, at least that's the conclusion we came up with the vague hints we received thus far, so I wonder, is it possible that... No, that will be impossible as well

Unlike the dungeon entrance that lead to Estel or any other countries, the entrance here is just an entrance without any guard post. There are guards patrolling around, I wonder why? Maybe the mermaid kingdom rarely get affected by the devil invasions in the past?

"Looks!"

"The soldiers! They're safe and sound after fighting the devils!"

"And that huge monster! The legendary Leviathan!"

"So Leviathan help them! Thank God"

"Over there, leading the soldiers! Impossible!"

"The queen! Our Queen have finally return!"

"So the Queen and Leviathan help wards off the devil!"

"And that blue hair girl... Her mana, her appearance, it couldn't be..."

The mermaids, old and young, they're all celebrating the safe return of the soldiers after fighting the devils, and with how the unannounced return of Leviathan and their queen, I'm sure the news will spread like wildfire among the citizen, that is if fire can be ignited under water, well, other term will be, nope. Can't think of one

The mermaids, they try to get closer to us. The one already at the streets come closer and closer but the soldiers block their way. Those inside the house or store quickly came out, squeezing their way just so they can catch a glimpse of Mahsuri. It's a joyous sight, but Mahsuri still unaffected by all of it. Maybe because we have live with her for the past six years, we can tell she isn't happy with the treatment she receive. Guilt? Maybe

Once we are inside the castle, the celebration basically continue, this time around, the castle workers and the guards are the one giving us those gaze. They however, know how to show restraint, bowing to us and at most, just wave to show us their excitement.

As Mahsuri looks left and right, like looking for someone, an important looking person come

"Your highness, I'm glad you're..." [Important looking person]

"Where is he?" [Mahsuri]

"You mean His highness... His highness is..." [Important looking person]

"He is still alive, just show me where he is now" [Mahsuri]

"As your commanded. Please, follow me" [Important looking person]

The important looking person, telling the castle workers to get back into their duty, quickly lead the way. He tried to talk to Mahsuri, and yet as usual, she didn't even bother replying a single word. That's odd, he seems important enough so surely he must know how to deal with her? Now that I think of it, if Mahsuri really is that old, then is it possible the mermaids is just as old? Somehow, I don't think that is the case

"Here is the..." [Important looking person]

"I'm coming in" [Mahsuri]

She simply barges in, and reflexively, the three of us did the same