Seeker 272

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Chapter 272. Decision

Having defeated the 3 Sahuagins, we returned to the cave where Fermina and Gelark-san awaited, bringing along the rescued mermaid. 

Upon seeing the injured mermaid woman, Gelark-san immediately rushed out of the cave. 

He returned shortly with two types of seaweed, using them for makeshift first aid. 

One had medicinal properties, while the other was used for binding. 

After administering first aid, Gelark-san reassured us that, for now, there were no life-threatening conditions.

Then, he expressed his anger towards the Sahuagin once again. 

The healing magic used by Awakened Ones only works on those with the Awakened power or monsters. 

The same goes for HP potions. 

Ordinary people cannot easily heal injuries. 

While we have herbs with potent medicinal effects, our world is still somewhat better off than theirs.

Thanks to the medicinal properties of the seaweed, the patient soon fell into a peaceful sleep. 

Afterward, Gelark asked us how we rescued the hostages. I shared everything, including our breakthrough and the discussions with Fuuin and Yuzuki, as I thought it would be more efficient. 

We had already made up our minds before returning to the cave.

Upon hearing our levels, Gelark was astonished. 

Then, Fermina and Gelark-san exchanged glances and nodded at each other. Fermina earnestly requested our help.

"Daichi-san, Kazane-san, Hotaru-san, please. Could you assist us in defeating those invaders, the Sahuagin, and helping us reclaim our village? We will offer any reward within our means. I am willing to do anything I can. Please, please lend us your strength!"

The mermaid princess bowed deeply to us, and Gelark-san, her guard, did the same. 

I glanced at my 2 companions for confirmation, but both of them were giving me suspicious looks.

"I hope you understand, Daichi-kun, it's a no-go."

"It's a no-go, Senpai."

"Huh... W-why?"

It seemed that they suspected I might have ulterior motives, especially regarding Fermina's offer to do anything. Trust was still lacking.

Leaving that aside, I turned to Fermina again. 

"Alright, we'll cooperate. We want to help if there are acquaintances of ours captured. Plus, I've developed a strong dislike for Sahuagin."

"We really hate them too. Making us lay eggs, being breeding grounds—it's just downright disgusting. It's not some interspecies ero game."

Yuzuki expressed her genuine disgust, making a face that clearly showed her discomfort. 

At that moment, I had a question.

"But Sahuagin lay eggs, right? I thought egg-laying fish fertilize externally."

"You're going into details, Senpai?"

"Daichi-kun, decency."

"Uh... S-sorry."

I got scolded by both of them. 

However, Gelark-san stepped in and provided additional information.

"The Sahuagin mate with different species, allowing them to lay eggs inside the bodies of mothers who are not originally oviparous. It's a unique and somewhat painful process..."

"Gelark! Decency!"

"Uh... I apologize, Your Highness."

This time, Gelark-san got scolded by Fermina, but the atmosphere still lacked tension. 

However, considering the circumstances, we couldn't afford to be too relaxed. 

Rebecca-san and the mermaid villagers were likely in a tight spot, and we also had a special mission with 100,000 points at stake. 

We were uncertain about the level of danger, but we couldn't underestimate the situation.

"Gelark-san, do you know the enemy's strength?"

When I asked, Gelark-san tightened his expression.

"The Sahuagin who attacked numbered nine in total. Seven were skilled in weapon combat, one was proficient in magic, and the last one claimed to be the Sahuagin King with 2 arms. Additionally, for some reason, the four-armed one seemed to control a shark-type monster."

"That's probably the [Tame] skill. I also command a Griffin using a similar skill. Right now, I'm using the skill to keep it small."

"Kupii, Kupii!"

"W-what..."

After that, Gelark-san provided us with as much information about the enemy's strength as he knew. 

Based on what he said, the Sahuagin with four arms, claiming to be the Sahuagin King, seemed to be the boss and the most significant threat. 

Of course, the other Sahuagin could become major obstacles depending on the situation, especially the magician wearing black clothes, who also used healing magic.

We wanted to reduce their numbers a bit more before facing the four-armed Sahuagin directly or reinforce our forces. 

Regardless, we needed to create the most advantageous situation and avoid unfavorable circumstances. 

The battle had already begun before the direct confrontation.

After further discussion and refining the details of our plan, we began our operation. 

Our mission objective was to rescue Rebecca-san. 

We were heading to the underwater city controlled by the Sahuagin.