Inside the lake, Volans' heart was actually racing and pounding fast.

"Argh... What's wrong with me? Could it be that I like her?" Volans blushed.

After fully dressed, Ryana waited for Volans by the lakeside.

Not long after, Volans came to the surface up to his chest level.

"First let me introduce myself, my name is Ryana, I come from the south, Shira country. My goal in taking the heirloom is to defeat the serpent demon named Tyrone. I was instructed by a god to come here."

"Why do you want to put yourself in danger?" He asked in surprise.

"I've thought about that too. But I can't stay silent if a kingdom will be in danger. So, do you have any suggestions for me to take the heirloom?"

"Her gaze changed. This lady has convinced herself," mumbled Volans.

"Sorry... I didn't mean for you to take it for me. But is there a way for me to get into the lake and breathe?

"Appearance maybe like a princess, but her character is brave like a knight," mumbled Volans.

"Do you mean you want to take it by yourself?"

"Yes, that is so. Hehe..."

"Have you lost your mind yet? That monster has sharp teeth, and it moves fast in the water."

"I was in a state of full awareness when I decided this. Before I came here, I had been through any danger and now I must face the danger even greater than before. There are two options. You will either step back or keep going. I have chosen to go ahead. I will do my best to deal with it."

"Hufft. Okay. If that's your decision. I'll take you."

"R-really?"

"But, you have to pass the challenge first."

"Challenge?"

"Yes. That's if you're willing. Let's just say it's a pre-fight game."

"Hmm... Alright. I will accept it."

"Well. I'll test it." Volans muttered in his heart.

Volans continued, "But after getting it, you have to pay the price."

"What should I pay?" I said enthusiastically.

"I'll tell you when you get it. So, do you ag withree this offer?"

"What does he really want? But there was no choice other than him. I must go through him. I agreed to it first and will consider it again after that." After thinking that Volans didn't seem like a dangerous creature, finally with some thought, Ryana agreed. "Alright," I spoke.

Volans then smiled and stretched out his hand. I greeted him by touching his hand. Then suddenly, he pulled me down. I was shocked so I didn't scream anything.

"What???!!" I muttered in my heart.

"Blurrrp... blurrrp..." the sound of water bubbles.

I heard a voice, "Breathe normally."

"Eh???"

I tried it too. "Ah... Right. I can breathe." I mumble in my heart

"How can it be?" I spoke. , "Eh I can talk underwater too." I continued.

"Not only that, but my eyes also don't hurt. It was as if my eyes and ears were covered with membranes." I muttered.

Before my question was answered, I found myself in his arms.

Then, he let go of the hug and said, "Inside you, there is a dragon pearl. Didn't you notice?"

Ryana shook her head, "I didn't know that."

"Well, think about it later. Try moving your legs up and down alternately."

I obeyed while holding on tightly to him. We swam forward.

"You won't let me go, will you?" I said that because I am still afraid of water.

He smiled and said, "Yes."

Various colored fish adorn this lake. Then a big fish came over. "Watch out." Said the Volans. He grabbed me and I hugged him tightly. He swam taking me deeper and I saw that we were further away from the surface. I looked at his long shiny tail. Then I looked forward. I don't know the name of the man in front of me. He hasn't introduced himself yet.

After passing through the dark, I saw the atmosphere in the lake which was bright with its lights like the land above. The fish here are no less diverse and colorful. You can see mermaids passing by.

"Wow.... What amazing scenery." I muttered still hugging him.

We entered the palace gate. The guards greeted us with a greeting, "Welcome prince." Likewise, the mermaids and the inhabitants of this lake greet and respect the figure by my side.

"I flinched and looked at his face while muttering to myself, "Is he a prince?"

We explore the inside of it. It is seen as a fountain with ornate statues on the outside of the palace.

Volans who noticed Ryana tightened her grip then smiled and increased his speed. Unintentionally, Ryana rested her head on Volans' chest. Arriving at the top, Volans headed to the corridor and saw a majestic door standing in front of us. I closed my eyes because he swam fast while the door was still closed. But Volans with his magic power opened the door from a distance and he stopped. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a very beautiful and elegant room. I stood on my feet admiring what I saw. There is a window that can see the view of the lake and the creatures that swim.

I felt embarrassed and realized that I was still embracing him and reflexively said, "Sorry...sorry" while embarrassed. Then I continued, "What an impressive trip. I still can't believe what I went through. I was in the water!"

"Very beautiful." Praise me.

"Hope you like and be comfortable while staying here," he said.

"This is more than I expected," I replied.

"That's good then."

"Uhm... Thank you, prince." I said while bowing.

Volans was shocked to hear the word prince come out of my lips. Then I lifted my head and wondered why he wasn't talking. I then said again. "If I may know, what is the prince's name?"

"You can call me Volans."

"Yes, Prince Volans."

"Enough with being called Volans." He said while smiling at me.

"Eh?? Well then."

"The heirloom which you are looking for is on Vela's ship. It's at the bottom of this tower. Previously, you had to face the challenges of the mermaids to get there.

"I'm ready."

"Rest here first. We'll be there tomorrow."

Volans then left Ryana in the room. In her solitude, Ryana makes out a crystal from her palm. "Will I be able to face the next challenge? Honestly, I don't believe in myself either. But clues have led me here. Anyway, I have to accept it and do my best." Ryana held her hand and the crystals disappeared into small dust. "I should be able to control this power more."

Then he muttered, "Bringing her here is like taking her own life. I can't let that happen. Tomorrow is the decision. Not necessarily, she can pass the challenge. So, I don't have to worry about this."

Volans then left the ship. Deep inside the ship, the light from two green eyes glowed.

The next day arrived...

"Where are we going?" I spoke.

"We're going to the musician mermaid. She is the key to unlocking heirlooms. If you successfully meet the challenge, then you will be allowed in. If you can't, it's useless to beg her. That's the rule here. Here, she is known as a reliable musician. No one can match her."

"So, what should I do?"

"You'll hear it straight from the mermaid later."

We arrived in front of a towering white gate.

"Is this heaven?" I spoke.

"You could say this is an underwater paradise," replied Volans.

I walked the place with my two feet while Volans swam. We entered the gate and walked toward the palace inside. From far away, melodious music could be heard. Along the way, the place is decorated with plants and flowers resembling a garden on land. We arrived in front of the palace with glowing white color and golden yellow pillars.

"Amazing," I muttered.

At the end of the throne, there is a gorgeous mermaid with a perfectly beautiful body. Her pinkish-brown hair is adorned with a crown made of aqua-colored crystals. The dominant pink tail combined with the red that is like the breastplate is a beautiful color combination. The mermaid was sitting playing her harp on the floor before the steps of her throne as if she was welcoming us.

"Welcome crown prince." Greeting from the mermaid with her smile.

Ryana turned to Volans. "So, he's also the crown prince..." mumbled Ryana.