Chapter 66

I am called Lamp Eye.

I am counted among the shameful group known as the "Six Mad Witches," and I, personally, have been given the equally embarrassing nickname of "Inferno Witch."

Before my arrest, I served as a mermaid soldier in the Mermaid Palace.

I specialized in pharmaceutical magic, particularly in handling combustion and explosive attack magic potions, which is the origin of my nickname, "Inferno Witch."

One day, in a fit of righteous indignation, I knocked down an unruly person.

Unfortunately, this unruly person turned out to be the son of a noble family in the mermaid race.

I was imprisoned for my crime.

Under normal circumstances, this would have been a capital offense. The fact that I was only imprisoned was due to the efforts of the royal family behind the scenes.

However, as a public servant, I could not cause any more trouble for the royal family.

I even considered taking my own life in prison to settle the matter.

Then, Prince Aruona made an unexpected proposal.

"Why don't you cool off in a distant penal colony?"

I could not refuse such consideration from a member of the royal family.

I accepted my fate.

And I set out for my new land.

I had two companions.

The "Frost Witch" Paffa and the "Plague Witch" Gara Rufa.

Both are counted among the Six Mad Witches, just like me.

To be considered in the same category as these women is the ultimate insult to me, a proud palace soldier.

Well, after all, we arrived at the penal colony.

To our surprise, it was on land.

We, mermaids, were to live on land?

"Drink this!"

Prince Aruona handed us a potion.

...!?

Is this the latest land transformation potion developed by Princess Platia!?

No side effects!

Unlimited duration!

It is said to be the ultimate form of the land transformation potion, one of the greatest achievements in mermaid history, realized by the great lady herself!

I will drink it! Please let me drink it!

As a soldier serving in the royal palace, it is an honor to be a test subject for Princess Platia's new drug!

I will drink it in one go!

Gulp, gulp, gulp...!

It's medicinal!

And my lower body is changing!

I have human legs. It's so convenient to walk on two legs!

"Platia's land transformation potion is permanent and cannot revert naturally. You clever women should know that, right...?"

"Hmm."

Ah!?

Paffa, who was transformed into a human by the potion, ran into the sea!

Head first!?

"Blub blub!? It's hard! I can't breathe! I'm going to die!!"

Of course!

We have been completely transformed into humans and cannot breathe underwater!

"Well, I wanted to try it out. Scientists should grasp the facts through experiments."

But, please consider your position.

Your current action could be considered an escape attempt and could result in your death!

...

But, she does have a point.

This is my first time taking the land transformation potion. With the prince's permission, I tried diving.

Gasp!?

It's hard! Gills don't work! Gills don't work!?

It's a new sensation.

I heard that the new drug developed by the princess cannot be reversed without taking the antidote.

In other words, we cannot return to the sea without permission.

I see, this is a penal colony, then?

In a sense, there is no more harsh and hopeless penal colony for mermaids.

While I was thinking about this, someone came from inland.

Is that...!?

A demon!?

"Welcome. I have been instructed by the Holy One to guide you. My name is Bati."

Is this a demon territory!?

The situation is getting suspicious. I am extremely anxious.

"From now on, I will guide you to the Holy One's house. But before that, there is something I need to tell you."

Something to tell?

"Yes. The Holy One has set some rules for you to live here. Among them, there is one rule that must be absolutely followed."

It sounds serious.

I have no objections, but the other two are rebellious. If you speak in a domineering way, they might react negatively.

"The rule is that you are not allowed to walk around with your lower bodies exposed on land!"

Huh?

"You are not allowed to appear in public with your crotches and butts completely bare! Anyway, I have brought pants, skirts, and trousers for you, so please put them on quickly!!"

* * *

There are strange customs on land.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This "pant" thing squeezes my butt and feels uncomfortable.

When I complained, Bati, the demon woman, blushed and loudly said, "You'll get used to it!"

There was no need to shout, was there?

The three of us, Paffa, Gara Rufa, and I, followed the demon guide deeper into the land.

We are prisoners, so we should behave ourselves.

The escort soldiers have returned, and only Prince Aruona is accompanying us.

What kind of place is this?

It doesn't feel like a town or a village.

As we moved inland, I was even more surprised.

There were monsters.

Orcs and goblins. Anthropomorphic monsters.

Even I, who am familiar with the sea, am not knowledgeable about land monsters. This is the first time I have seen orcs and goblins!

"...Ah, hello. You must be the new arrivals from the mermaid kingdom?"

"Hello?"

"I'm Orcbo, the leader of the orc group. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you!?"

I exchanged greetings with the monsters.

Land monsters have enough intelligence to converse. I learned this for the first time.

After the greetings, the monsters immediately returned to their work.

Farming.

Seeing the monsters, my anxiety increased.

Anthropomorphic monsters are known to follow demons, aren't they?

The demon who came to greet us.

The monsters who follow the demon.

Is this a demon territory, then?

Is the Holy One, who rules here, a demon!?

Could there be a secret alliance between the mermaid kingdom and the demon kingdom?

While I was confused, we finally arrived at our destination.

This seems to be the true destination.

What a large and sturdy building.

Even my explosive magic potions would have difficulty blowing it up!

"...Don't blow it up, okay?"

I was scolded by Paffa, who was standing next to me.

What's wrong? Don't read my thoughts!

Don't treat me like a bomb-thrower!

While we were arguing, Prince Aruona suddenly shouted, startling us.

"Heyyyyyy!! Platia!!"

Eh!?

I was surprised by both the volume and the content of his words.

The name the prince just called!?

"I've brought the reinforcements you asked for! Will you come out!!"

In response to his voice, the entrance of the huge warehouse creaked open...

And out came...!?

"Don't shout so loud, I can hear you. Don't embarrass me, brother!"

Princess Platiaaaa!?

The person I, a palace mermaid soldier, should dedicate my life to serving!!

Princess Platia!?

Why is she here!?

Could it be, could it be!

Am I here to serve Princess Platia!?

If that's the case, this place is not just a hell on earth!!

It's heaven!

It's the ultimate heaven!

It's the peak of heaven!!