The next day, at noon.
The navy ship "Stone Tower" was wrapped in a layer of bubbles and quietly docked in the port.
"Farewell! Major General Karl, I wish you a safe journey!" Commodore Gregory called out.
Standing at the railing, Karl smiled and waved back, "Thank you for your kind words, Commodore Gregory!"
As they said their goodbyes, Karl immediately gave the order: "Depart! Set course for Fish-Man Island!"
The ship began to submerge and soon disappeared beneath the water. The sailors gazed at the surface of the sea in amazement—most of them were witnessing something like this for the first time.
Karl didn't hurry. He asked Nelson to take the helm. Once he was sure they were headed in the right direction, he walked over to the mermaid Mina.
"Miss Mina, I'll leave the rest of the route to you" —
Mina nodded with a smile:
"Don't worry, Mr Karl, you're my benefactor. I promise that—"
"Hmph!"
Karl interrupted her and forbade her from spreading rumors.
An hour later, the naval ship safely arrived at Fish-Man Island without encountering a single Sea King or anything like the Dark Sea Floor.
"So this is Fish-Man Island? How beautiful! Isn't it, Karl?"
Karl nodded. In front of them lay the island, surrounded by a massive double-layered semicircular shield made of bubble membranes, with an air layer between the two shields.
This was the official entrance to Fish-Man Island, and it was impossible for pirates to get through from this side.
Smoker exclaimed:
"So Fish-Man Island even has a sky and clouds! The world really is full of wonders!"
Hearing the others praise her homeland, Mina happily explained
— That's the "Blessing of the Sun"!
— The gigantic Sunlight Tree Eve, which grows nearby Fish-Man Island, transmits sunlight down to the island's surface. That's why, even though it's deep under the sea, the island is lit by sunshine and has both day and night. —
— Oh! So that's how it works! —
Karl cleared his throat.
— Enough talking, let's go! —
The guards guarding the entrance immediately became alert when he saw the navy ship, and shouted to Karl:
— Halt! Any ship entering Fish-Man Island must go through customs inspection! —
Mina darted out from inside the bubble, swam over to the guards, and said:
— They're marines, not bad people. They saved me from slave traders. —
After inspecting Mina closely, the guards exclaimed in surprise:
— You're the islander who went missing half a month ago! —
— Yes, my name is Mina! I work at the Mermaid Café! Madam Shyarly knows me! —
The Guards nodded:
— Yes, I know, but customs inspection is mandatory. Don't worry, we won't trouble you. —
— All right! —
Ten minutes later, the ship passed safely through the entrance and officially arrived at Fish-Man Island.
News of the marines' landing quickly reached the Palace.
King Neptune stroked his fluffy orange-red beard:
— Marines? Why have they come to Fish-Man Island? —
— I don't know. According to the marines, they came to Fish-Man Island on vacation. —
— Vacation? I hope that's truly the case! —
Mermaid Café.
When Shyarly heard that a navy ship had appeared near Fish-Man Island, she suddenly turned pale. She rushed into her room, eyes wide as she gazed at the scene in her crystal ball.
"He's here, he's really here! How could he have come so quickly!!!"
The vision in the crystal ball looked like hell on earth—corpses everywhere, countless fish-men lying dead. Amid them stood a man in a marine uniform, his face obscured, confronting a large, blue fish-man...
Coral Hill, southeast Fish-Man Island.
This was the liveliest port city in the Palace kingdom, filled with restaurants, clothing stores, entertainment venues, and all kinds of fish-men and beautiful mermaids.
"Mr Karl, I've been away for so many days, my mother must be so worried about me. Please take a look around here while I go home for a bit—I'll catch up with you later, all right?"
Karl smiled.
"Ha-ha, of course! Go ahead—we'll wait for you here!"
After Mina left, Karl turned to the marines and said,
"This is Fish-Man Island. Everyone, be careful and don't say anything unnecessary."
"Don't worry, sir!" "Yes, sir!" What a beautiful place! I'm definitely going to take a good walk around!
Karl waved his hand.
"All right, all right, everyone disperse! If anything happens, report to me immediately!"
"Yes, sir!!!"
The soldiers left, and now only Karl and three others remained on the street.
Smoker looked at Fish-Man Island, covered by water, and for some reason felt uneasy. He gazed anxiously at the transparent water pipes in the sky.
"So, is this how the fish-men move around the island? That's interesting!"
Karl rolled his eyes.
"You're asking me? I'd ask someone who actually knows! This is my first time on Fish-Man Island!"
Suddenly, Ain grabbed Karl's arm and, excited, pointed to a trendy shop nearby.
"Look, they're selling outfits in there—let's go shopping!" —
Karl glanced at the Mermaid Cafe nearby, then at the trendy boutique. Did he really need to choose?
"I suddenly realized I've worked up an appetite—how about we stop by the Mermaid Cafe for some coffee?"
Ain eyed Karl suspiciously, her cheeks puffing up like a hamster's.
"Hmph~ Fine! But let's make it quick!"
Karl thought, I can't breathe!
"Uh, um, Smoker, are you coming with me?"
Smoker shook his head.
"No, I'll wait for you out here!"
The corners of Ain's lips curled up just a bit.
"Welcome to the Mermaid Cafe. What can I get for you?"
Looking at the two mature and attractive mermaids in front of him, Karl couldn't help but take a deep breath. Fish-Man Island really is a paradise for men!
Ain clenched her fists tightly—she knew Karl, that playboy, was definitely up to no good. Coffee? Really? He was obviously ogling the mermaids!
"Haha, I'll have a caramel macchiato, and she'll have a cappuccino!"
The mermaid girl nodded, jotting down the order.
"All right, I've got your order. Please wait a little, I'll be right back."
Another mermaid girl with blue hair licked her lower lip and stared intently at Karl.
"Guest, you're so handsome!"
Karl smiled slightly.
"Really? You're very beautiful too! What's your name?"
"Daphne, just call me Daphne!"
Ain shot Daphne a cold look and calmly pulled Karl by the waist.
"Karl, didn't you come here for coffee? —
Seeing this, Daphne winked at Karl, blew some bubbles, and left.
"Ugh…" Karl shook his head with regret, pretending to look remorseful.
On the other side of the Mermaid Cafe, Shyarly hesitated, unsure whether to share her predictions with the other residents of Fish-Man Island. Every time she made a prophecy, something unfortunate always happened.
Once this news got out, it would almost certainly lead to panic again—and that was the last thing she wanted.