=== Mermaid City - part 2

Our travel was peaceful, despite that we almost failed at map reading. It was thanks to me that we didn’t end up as lost children, because I had the skill to point out all the silly people who had less luck than us. And since their location was the wrong way...Those thick bushes are really something, they don’t appear as a problem, but they sure eliminated some of our potential competitors.

But then we had the climb upwards, through the thick, untrodden grass, without a hiking trail. All this because their teleport stone destination was temporality disabled. Naturally you would be able to choose that location and simply go there instantly, but not today. We went forced to fight our way, with the natural method. Somehow, as I was thinking much longer this trip will take, we arrived at our destination. Nevertheless, even if the others were looking happy, thinking that we sure to win now, I knew this was just the sad beginning of our problems.

The shine itself was supposed to host a god from this world, it was pretty fancy I must agree. With deep red gates and fences, the ground being made out of a dark rock, and the atmosphere being pretty eerie, this place almost looked out of this world. If not for that we were still here with a mission, I say those three would instead spend their dungeon allowance in this place, playing around or something.

[Welcome dear travellers! I see you managed to past the first test, very well done! But what awaits you now? *waggle*]

It was a strange looking shrine maiden with fox ears, greeting us. The curious thing was her outfit, not the usual type, but rather strangely doing its job. She also had a very impish expression on her face, as if this wasn't already bad.

[Hey hai hello! We come here for the contest. Wowzers, how frank-prank of me to speak directly? Sorrie, let me introduce us! I'm the ever cute-to-the-chute pegasus knight Jielby, who is dashing in and out danger without fear! This is my pose, hya!]

[What pose, we were not...oh sorry, let me introduce myself. I'm Corona, you must have heard my awesome music, right? I'm like the number one hit, in some circles...but now I'm just me so I don't really have time for autographs now.]

[Welcome my child. It is a pleasure to see a member of a different religion acting in this world as well. Let us be at peace, as for I don't seek to change your ways. It is up to God to show you the path, and up your will to walk towards greatness.]

[I guess I might as well say a word. I'm Oddia, and let's make this quick. What do we need to do for this stupid thing?]

Everyone, except me, tried to give their best impression, as if they were doing an interview. This is not the casting couch! We are not here to waste our time—we must be speedy in order to finish this before Noctia has to go to sleep. Goddammit! I'm getting impatient here while that fancy vixen is looking at us, mostly at me actually. Did I even leave a good impression?

[Okay, the boss never said no about entering in teams, so you guys are fine. Let me explain everything first okay? To enter, you don't need anything special, just your names will be sufficient. Since I already have them I guess you are in *wiggle*]

[Wait, that's all? My first audition...I mean I'm surprised all it takes was a name. So when is the raffle?]

[Ahaha~ no it's not that simple. Let me clarify about the rules first. You only get one shot at this so you better listen! To get your chance you need to solve a few riddles. They are all random so don't think you can out-cheat a cunning fox! To solve the puzzles, you need to follow the verse on the paper and take a screenshot of the place you think it describes. There are only four, so you get to go crazy with it. I suppose I should give you more, since you are a team, but oh well.]

[Wait isn't this cheating then? Are you sure we are fine with only four riddles? I would feel sorry for others who...oh okay, lucky!]

Before Corona could finish her sentence, she noticed how others didn't really bother with our luck here. However, knowing that fox, she was scheming something from the beginning. For me it doesn't matter, since I don't plan on winning. But really, doesn’t this contest feel a little strange? If someone is allowed to bend the rules like that, then how can anyone feel safe? I don’t mind, I can imagine she is doing that to others as well, giving them false sense of a winning chance...That’s kinda terrible, even for a cynical person like myself.

[So guys, I'm going to give you this slip with your challenge. Be sure to return before the night okay? As you all know, Mermaid City actually opens at midnight, because we had to change some things last minute. But don't worry, it's all fine. If you win, the tickets do allow you for a full day of your choice, all rides and snack free, yet that's not all! *wiggle* As a special secret reward, winners also get a mermaid swimsuit of their liking from our shop. They are all super adorable!]

[Wowzers, a secret prize on top of the normal one? I told you girls this was steal-deal! We are so lucky I can't even! Jappers, how absocutely those frilly designs look! Like how can you even not d'aww the moment you look at those goodies? This scale on the bottom and the floatie-boatie on the top really feel like you are one with the water. Alas sorries, no way we are going to change into something like that, right girls? That would totals sink the Wing Sister's imagine.]

[If you say so...Jielby was it? Okay, don't worry girls, you can totally just get normal swimsuits if you like. But! Remember, you better be wearing something, since I won't permit for such an adorable bunch to be swimming in anything else but swimwear! The normal rules and regulations are fine with clothes, but they will have their dynamic bones frozen when underwater. Remember that, okay? Already I heard from costumers that we should allow for rental ones, and for free, so you know...]

[Okay I understand. That's not a problem, just give us the riddle already! We are losing our time here. Afterwards, we need to do a dungeon, so we are kinda limited here. The quicker we are done the sooner we can do stuff that matters.]

I said without the support of others. Their faces were still entranced in various things that were in the air. For Jielby, she couldn't get her head to not think about swimsuits and the selection of them...in the shrine? For Noctia, she was looking around at various buildings and constructions around like...this stand with goods? And for Corona, she was quite happy to have met a friend who is into fashion...despite her outfit being queer.

All those strange things here were causing not only me, but others to look idly into the distance. Amid this confusion, there was only one person that could decide to do anything. I guess it was again, up to me to deal with the situation.

[Give me that. It would be faster for me just to finish this.]

[Okay, good luck girls! I will be here all day until midnight. After that I'm closing the contest. See you later!]

[Yea, good luck to you with your business as well...whatever you are doing here.]

[It's a secret! Only a shrine maiden can talk with her god, you know? Ehehe~ *wiggle*]

Despite not having a tail, she sure knows how to make a cute pose on the spot. She must be trained in this...But anyway, as soon as I received the small paper with the instructions I flipped it around and started reading. This handwriting...

"Far away from settling of humans, where the wind blows but catches no soul, under the chill the darkness shall stroll"

"Here they don't sing of the rock, yet everyone has the same walk. Grey are the step stones, white are the river’s foams."

"Forest where all is light, wishing upon a bright star at night. No colour is strange, yet eerie, the outside never change."

"Strange are those waters, but one does not know. Without that daughter, night would not glow. Seek the time that's right."

Those were the things we had to find, and I frankly didn't have any idea what could they mean. We were searching places, and we obviously needed to figure out where we need to take the screenshots. Knowing that you need to travel for few days, just to be able to return to the same spot on the globe, you would have to be a pro at deoguessr to even get a chance at...

[Okay Birdies! This is what we are going to do. There is no way we can afford to be idly-midly around at a time like this! We have till midnight, so we must split up and find those spots! Okay, on the double, who is wanna become the first cadet?]

[I’m not interested that much...because how pointless this looks. Do you even have an idea where would you start? I better just stay here and pretend I’m helping. But...maybe I will, just because I do feel sorry for everyone here.]

[I'm going to take this...the first one is fine? I'm really good at picturing things, since I'm an idol you know? Ehehe~ joking aside I have a good idea what it should be. It's a faraway place that's windy, cold, and underground.]

[Wowzers, how smarty-party of you, my cuters little fairy helper! Okay, expect great things from this one of a kind genius! My riddle is going to be the forest one. I get that you need to go somewhere where the night is bright and nothing outside.]

Although she was really eager to show her smart and hasty answer, she didn't thought about it at all, scratching her head.

[Don't worry my child, you mustn't think how to seek the place based on your mind only. I shall aid you in your struggle, and so will God, if you pray to him. Is that fair Jielby?]

[Yea sure, don't pity-fitty me with your logic. I got if figured out already, I’m just testing you girls, okey dokey? Sho, the solution is a forest surrounded by something resembling a waste, and inside there is a big open space. Yup!]

[That might be the holy Forest of Dreams, or Oasis of Dreams as some call it. It is a place religious to this world, thus of course a member of clergy as myself would know. As for my riddle, I'm going for the second one. I pray to God, that my solution is going to be right one. Only he knows where our path lies, therefore do not be afraid my children.]

I'm not worried about you, but rather than keeping it for yourself, could you tell us instead what your idea is?

[Noctia, are you sure you don't need help? That description is kinda weird. It talks of rocks, singing, light and dark...Could it be a church then? The windows are colourful, walls are made out of stones, and people do sing there, in a choir.]

[Precisely Corona, you are not mistaken that it made me think of a temple as well. I see we are on the same...]

[That's too obvious! Seriously girls, the river and the steps, that can only mean something outside, right? Let's see, there is also mention of grey and walking in the same way. It couldn't be Maremoda because it's painted to the brim, to the point that it looks like rainbow. But then it means it is another city that lacks colour. Any good guesses, hm?]

[If you say so my child, I think you are talking about the city they call Everkeep. I shall look there then, it ought to have a chapel since it is one of the largest cities in this world. My thanks, may God bless you.]

With that it seems the last part was left for me. I can take on that alone, I thought, but things were not as clear...