Chapter 170: A New Promise (36)

Herbert half-knelt on the reef, carefully cradling the mermaid's right foot.

At this moment, the reason he would make a move that outsiders might consider somewhat presumptuous and frivolous was not because of lustful urges.

He himself had no particular fondness for delicate feet — though it wasn't that he disliked them either, but ultimately he wasn't that obsessed.

The reason he did this was more out of being moved.

Fu Leimei had made sacrifices and changes for his sake.

If someone is willing to change for you, how could you not be touched by it?

—Of course, the premise is that you already have a fondness for this person to begin with, and you also approve of what they have done; it isn't a case of one-sided wishful thinking on their part.

Herbert gently held the frail, limp, slender foot, his fingertips applying a slight pressure as he softly kneaded it, helping it move.

He wasn't savoring the smooth, slick texture, but rather using his knowledge of flesh and blood to try to analyze the construction of these legs.

Just as he expected, these legs were not entirely composed of flesh and blood, but were a mixture of water element and some other materials gathered together.

Beneath the tender skin was bone that was still somewhat soft... right, could this be called fish bones?

But in fact, these legs were not merely magic, simple as that.

Strictly speaking, compared to a magical creation, these legs were more like an alchemical product.

She had sacrificed a part of her own flesh and blood, and had contained her own will within it.

An alchemical prosthetic, built upon her own flesh and blood, designed for herself alone.

A prosthetic that could change at will according to her own thoughts, controlled as naturally as moving her own arm.

And amid his amazement, Herbert also fell somewhat silent.

"……"

Then, what was the price of all this?

Traces and Magic both come with a price.

Herbert did not know which part of her own flesh and blood Fu Leimei had sacrificed in making it, but there was certainly a price.

Would she, like the little mermaid in the story, feel as though she were stepping on knife blades with every step?

He recalled the scene he had just seen — although Fu Leimei had walked very comically, it was only due to unfamiliarity; he had not seen any pain on her face.

Then... could it be her beautiful voice?

"Fu Leimei, is your voice still there?"

The mermaid Young Lady:?

"Hm? Huh? Of course it's still here! Otherwise how have I been talking all this time?"

She gave Herbert a strange look, and suddenly became a little uncertain — had she splashed a wave onto his head just now?

Why would he suddenly ask such a strange question?

"You're really being strange today."

"Strange? Hahaha, perhaps so."

Herbert was briefly stunned, then shook his head and laughed, saying softly: "Since your voice hasn't disappeared... Fu Leimei, I want to hear you sing."

The mermaid and the boy gazed at each other quietly, then smiled gently.

He had come precisely for this.

The promise-keeper who had left and returned had not betrayed the promise made with himself.

Since the boy had kept his promise, she too must keep her own.

So the mermaid nodded, plucked at the strings, and asked:

"Alright, what song would you like to hear?"

The boy tilted his head, then chuckled lightly: "Since this is a reunion, let's pick a song about reunion."

But the mermaid shook her head at this moment, and said softly: "Only one? Hehe, compared to my waiting before, how could just one be enough?"

She gazed into the boy's pale eyes and whispered tenderly:

"During the time you hadn't come back, I thought of many songs about reunion."

The boy's eyes widened as he looked at the mermaid in surprise.

But the mermaid turned her head away, looked to the side, plucked the strings, and began to sing softly.

The song was gentle and melodious; upon hearing it, one could forget all that had come before and become completely immersed.

And only the pink that had crept onto her neck betrayed a few details, proving just how shy those words from earlier had made her.

But although she was shy, Fu Leimei had still said it, just as she had resolutely made this prosthetic.

Twelve scales, a thousand strands of hair, one drop of lonely tears, three drops of blood drawn from the heart... and countless failures.

Although the process was discouraging, Fu Leimei ultimately made what she wanted.

And the one she had been waiting for had not disappointed her.

He had returned as promised.

That was enough.

So the siren hummed softly, lightly singing the joy in her heart, expressing the delight within!

And finally, in the pause between songs, the boy made his second promise.

"I will take you away from here."

He said:

"It might be a little later, but no matter what, I will take you away."

"I will take you away from here, so you can meet new friends outside, and live quietly."

And faced with such a promise that seemed somewhat unreliable, even unrealistic, the mermaid was briefly stunned, then laughed.

She did not brush it off, did not question it, and had not even doubted it.

She merely nodded gently, flashing him a brilliant smile.

"Mm."

She said:

"I will also stay by your side always, becoming your support."

"I won't let the tides or the storm harm you in the slightest."

She did not ask Herbert where he planned to take her.

Nor did she ask what the future would bring.

Perhaps... it would be an unforeseeable storm.

Fu Leimei was very perceptive.

She could sense the changes in Herbert since he had returned this time.

He had become different.

Some of his youthful shyness had faded; he had grown more mature, fully becoming a man.

He carried a new steadiness on him, and a new weight on his shoulders.

In countless legends, such figures are never in short supply.

Such a person is destined to walk a road brimming with danger.

They might be madmen who lose themselves to madness after failure, or warriors who stride forward boldly even as they perish.

Or perhaps... heroes.

In many stories, there is a scene where a mermaid bestows her power upon a hero.

And now... Fu Leimei had made her own decision, chosen her own hero.

I believe in you.

O youth favored by fate of mine.

You will, in the end, become a hero.

You... will surely not disappoint me.

After spending another stretch of time with Fu Leimei, Herbert, in the capacity of a "seasoned legs-usage expert," gave her detailed guidance on using her prosthetic leg.

Once she began adjusting on her own, managed to walk a certain distance, and grew increasingly practiced, Herbert decided to take his leave.

Before departing, Fu Leimei seemed to recall something and reminded him:

"A while back, some strange sounds seemed to come from the other areas? You'd better go check it out."

She had faintly heard some eerie noises, as if someone kept calling out some name.

"Alright, do you know which area it was?"

"Mm... it should be a bit farther than the last tremor, right? Probably the next area."

Deeper than where the "Battle-Hardened Goldfire Dragon Earth-Toss Lava Giant" had been last time?

Herbert raised an eyebrow, a few guesses forming in his mind.

"So... the angel on the fifth floor?"

"What kind of commotion has she stirred up now?"

(End of Chapter)