Chapter 514: Love Stories at the Bottom of the Sea
“Isn’t it disrespectful to fabricate tales about those who grant us power?”
“I feel like a lot of the myths I’ve heard from everyone have already been denied by the very people involved, so it seems a bit late for that.”
“I see! The great gods are adorned with various tales, yet they remain magnificent!”
Chris sparkled with excitement.
I really should learn from his straightforward and positive attitude. I tend to be a bit of a smart aleck.
“But let’s keep this as ‘just between us’—we should make sure it doesn’t leak outside. It would be troublesome if Chris attracted unwanted attention. I’ll let Van know later.”
‘Ufu.’
Ufu seemed to be doing something. After all, when you’re inside this Air Layer, you can’t project your voice outside without the help of a Spirit.
“Now then,”
Chris cleared his throat and began to speak.
“Once upon a time, there was a very beautiful girl, a blink of an eye for the ancient Spirits.”
Chris’s voice, though not loud, carried well.
I could imagine him holding a harp or a lute, but the graceful movements of his arms and fingers were captivating in their own right. His slightly exaggerated gestures fit the current atmosphere perfectly.
In a deep hole at the bottom of the sea, cracked light leaked from the Karianto Manju, illuminating the surroundings. Bubbles floated upward through the dark water, aiming for the surface.
“The girl’s mother had already passed away, and her father had remarried…”
Ah, a Cinderella pattern? But isn’t it true that once Cinderella becomes an adult, she inherits everything? I mean, bloodlines are valued, and those without blood ties shouldn’t have the right to inherit the house. So why could the stepmother and her bloodless sisters be so cruel to Cinderella?
“—The girl, due to her beauty, captivated several noblemen, ultimately inciting the anger and jealousy of a high-ranking lady…”
A classic villainess trope?
“Master, Master!”
“What is it?”
I whispered to the Ex-Staff, who poked me playfully with his childlike hand instead of the tip.
“I want a snack.”
“You’re getting bored quickly, aren’t you?”
Well, I wasn’t particularly interested in the love story either, so I was mentally critiquing the structure of the tale.
Since it felt a bit rude to interrupt the storytelling with a lunch box, I pulled out popcorn, hot dogs, and craft cola—classic movie snacks.
“Just like you, Master! So much mustard and ketchup!”
The Ex-Staff opened his mouth wide as he devoured the hot dog.
For him, a simple filling of shredded cabbage and sausage topped with plenty of mustard and ketchup was the ultimate treat. The mustard was the regular kind, not the grainy type. I added a bit of seasoning to the shredded cabbage, but it was still quite simple.
I’ll give Chris the Ex-Staff’s portion. The Ex-Staff prefers junk food anyway.
“Ahh. Excuse me, could I have a cup of water if you have any?”
The turtle approached me, looking apologetic.
“Of course.”
When someone eats something delicious, it makes you want to eat too.
The fact that he specifically asked for water means he just wants water, right? If he were human, he might be hinting for food, but for Spirits, water, the scent of flowers and greenery, fire, and light are the staples.
Then again, cooking and water are equally challenging at the bottom of the sea. I thought about that as I pulled out a water-filled bag. I have plenty of water in 【Storage】, but I can’t exactly pull it out underwater. Well, the little Spirits have been quite helpful, so I might as well sprinkle some around.
“I’m going to pour out some water now, but please don’t let it sink.”
I couldn’t imagine the Karianto Manju being fond of water. I thought she would be fine since she’s in seawater, but still…
I handed the turtle the water bag, letting fresh water mingle with the seawater.
‘Ufu♪’
Ufu seemed pleased, so it was good that I sprinkled some water.
“The poor girl was taken barefoot by the lady’s henchmen to a volcano and was thrown into the crater!”
At the mention of a volcano, the Karianto Manju started bubbling more. Please, no more bubbles.
“As the girl fell, feeling the heat on her skin and her flowing hair beginning to singe, a hand of salvation appeared, swiftly cloaking her in a mantle. Just in time, the one who saved her was Van, the mighty man with black hair, the God of Fire, Rebirth, and War!”
The Karianto Manju stirred.
“Wrapped in the mantle, her vision obscured, the girl was held in his strong embrace. A strange sense of security enveloped her—Is everything going to be alright?”
Chris paused, surprised by the Karianto Manju sinking deeper.
“Everything’s fine, so keep going. The purpose of this story is to calm her down.”
I soothed the agitated Karianto Manju, physically pushing her down.
After that, Chris’s tale shifted to how Van visited the girl every night, and despite being told not to look, her curiosity got the better of her, leading to her burning up when she finally saw him. Van then embarked on an adventure to reclaim her soul.
Seeing Van causes her to burn? I found that puzzling, but it seemed to be a common trope, as the Karianto Manju was getting quite excited and sinking a lot.
Now, after singing several stories, I decided to let Chris take a break. I arranged the lunch boxes on the turtle’s back and brought out some drinks.
“—The Mermaid Princess vanished into bubbles.”
While Chris took a break, I spoke instead, saying it didn’t have to be about Van or love stories.
Well, since I was told anything goes! I picked a children’s fairy tale! But I made sure to choose one that had a hint of tragic romance! The kind where the prince doesn’t end up with the mermaid.
“Waaah! The Mermaid Princess!”
The Karianto Manju sank deeper, saddened that the mermaid’s love didn’t come to fruition.
The mermaid saved the prince from the sea, but human girls also saved the drenched prince left on the shore, right? Love is complicated.
“Ahh. To be reborn as a Water Spirit, what a blissful…”
The turtle seemed to have a different perspective.
‘Ufu?’
Yeah, maybe Ufu is connected to the Air Spirits.
Since I couldn’t think of many love stories, I’ll go with “The Red Ogre Who Cried” next!