After perusing the map, I gave my gratitude to the Queen and left the palace with Pinky in tow.
I thought about touring the country with Pinky today because I’ll be missing the ambiance soon. I’ll be departing right away and will travel above land. Besides, I already obtained the information I was looking for. And I also quite a bit of things about the world. There is nothing to do here in the mermaid country anymore.
Let’s not procrastinate. It’s a good train of thought. Let’s do things that needed to be done right away.
I abruptly stopped. When Pinky noticed my sudden action, she asked.
「Whash wrong?」
It seems she still bites her tongue speaking short lines.
『Pinky, my work here is done. I think it is time for me to leave and head for land.』
I informed Pinky about my decision to depart.
「Eh? S-so quick! Please shtay a bit more longer!」
I then answered her with a nod.
『Umu, there is nothing much to do here. Together with Pinky, we went around touring the country and overlooked the reconstruction efforts but afterwards, I have concluded that you can surely rebuild it with your own hands. That’s why I have decided to leave for land as I had originally intended.』
Pinky’s eyes slowly became moist. It seems the time we spent together made us closer as bestfriends so it is inevitable for her to shed tears. Unfortunately, I am a Golem so unlike her, I cannot cry.
「T-then, when are you going to leave? Everyone is grateful to Golem-sama. So if possible, as a token of gratitude, I wanted to hold a party with everyone to send Golem-sama off!」
I already said it was enough, I am rather uncomfortable if you gave me more… It feels like I’m piling some sort of karmic burden all of a sudden. Though even if a party is held, I can neither eat nor drink… It’s kinda sad just watching everyone having fun drinking and eating. I’ll be lonely then.
Let’s just find a suitable excuse then!
『Pinky, your gratitude is simply enough. I do not need any more than that. If you really wanted to repay me, then reconstruct the country as quickly as possible and make it more beautiful than ever before!』
Pinky seems be genuinely impressed by my dialogue. She even displayed great enthusiasm upon hearing my repayment.
From the unusually fidgeting Pinky’s speech patterns and context, it seems the surrounding mermaids also learned my immediate departure. I can only communicate using thoughts so it’s only Pinky’s voice they could hear.
Gradually, mermaids gathered around us. Ah, there are also soldiers running off towards the royal palace. I should probably finish this.
『In addition, I’ll try to search for the sold off mermaid slaves during my travels. If by chance I found them, I promise to save and take care of them.』
Fufufu, I am the type of Golem that at least knows how to read the atmosphere. In turn, I can also ride the flow and control the situation. Because of my awe-inspiring words, Pinky was touched and deeply moved. When Pinky couldn’t comprehend the intense emotion she is currently feeling, her eyes started to water and inadvertently leaked tears.
「Go-golem-sama! To do sush things for us…」
『Now then, it seems this is farewell. Live in good health! If there is some trouble, don’t hesitate to call me. We’re already bestfriends. I’ll definitely come back and help!』
After informing Pinky of my plans, I then jumped high and swam. I’m headed outside the mermaid country. Unlike before, I didn’t sink. Because I got the 【Friend of the Mermaids】title, I learned how to swim. The skill 【Swimming】sure is cool.
「Thank you for everything Golem-sama! We’ll surely build a really really great country so please come back someday!」
Below, Pinky waved at me while screaming loudly. In accordance to her, the other mermaids also waved their hands and sent their gratitude and well-wishes. Gliding over a particular current, I watched as the number of mermaids continuously increased. From the palace, another batch of mermaids came out with the Queen and also waved their hands. I looked back at them, gazed firmly at the beautiful sight and carved it in my heart. Spinning around, I gave them a huge wave of my hand and continued on to my next journey.
[Log: Golem snapped the shutter of the heart. It captured the Mermaid Country.]
I then swam quickly, not looking back again and finally left the mermaid country. Fuu~, it was a wonderful trip. Seriously, I really liked the place! It was awesome!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
****
After that, the mermaid country is reconstructed swiftly.
To prevent the same thing from happening again, the barrier that protected the country was strengthened along with the soldiers that manned it. Although it wasn’t much, to the person who answered the request of the mermaid princess, Silver Doll-sama who liberated the mermaid country from the pits of despair, a large statue was erected at the royal square in front of the palace in commemoration to the great Golem-sama.
It was a sculpture that depicted Golem-sama and the little mermaid princess. Below it was the masterpiece’s title, inscribed by the citizens of the mermaid country who were granted salvation by the benevolent Golem, <Bestfriends>. No one really knew the real meaning behind <Bestfriends/Mabudachi(マブダチ)>, but it was derived from the words Golem-sama left for the mermaid princess, “We’re already bestfriends”. Since then, it became a custom in the mermaid country calling trusted friends “Mabudachi”, a sign of deep friendship between two people.
It is the story of the statue depicting Golem-sama and Pinky situated at the heart of the country and became one of the mermaid’s folk tales. In the future when Golem-sama was guided in front of the statue, it was said that he was touched. As people crowded in front of the statue, the witnesses said he clutched his head and rolled on the ground in apparent happiness.
****
3 Days Later.
Golem here~
The Golemized me is swimming in the dark, cold ocean. Intending to go above land, I left the mermaid country by swimming.
Fortunately, there is no need to take a break for this metallic body that is indefatigable. As I gradually approached land, I wasn’t attacked by Sea Serpents even once since I left the mermaid country. Apparently, the reason I was attacked by numerous Sea Serpent before I met Pinky is because I was walking in the direction of the Dark Sea.
As I do not have a fleshy body that easily tires out, I currently gazing at the oceanic scenery that I have grown accustomed to. Now matter how awe-inspiring the seascape is, too much exposure to it makes it bland. Exposure is a horrible luxury.
Haa~ I really miss the atmosphere.
Come on, air! Come on, atmosphere!
Come, blue sky!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
****
3 Days Later.
I think I have already covered a great distance but I have yet to reach land.
I had noticed it since a few days ago, but my speed is kinda slow. It’s at most as fast as I walked. I was honestly surprised when I was easily dragged by a passing school of fish. And then, I was sorely disappointed when I couldn’t catch up with them.
Fuu~ I miss the atmosphere. I hope air’ll spread below the water. I have been swimming here since forever!
…eh?
Isn’t air supposed to be over the water? That’s right! It’s natural to be so.
What’s there above the water? The sky, of course!
Then if there is the sky, there is also the atmosphere!
What is it that I badly want? The air!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
My mind was narrowed by the goal of reaching land I almost forgot my common sense. Just like this, I can easily hover above the water’s surface. As I didn’t need to breathe, I didn’t notice it. I was a little careless.
But now that I do, I immediately moved. It is imperative that I had to.
I then glided straight towards the water’s surface. With a swoosh, I emerged above water. That’s right, I finally embraced the air! Let us mention is three times because it’s really important. I can finally see the sky!
Thank you! Thank you very much, 【Swimming】! If you weren’t there, it’ll might take a while before I can arrive above water! Yes! This is it! This is really air! I raised my hands towards the surface and tried to shake it. Kuuuuu~ How nice!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
Well then, while I’m still swimming upright, let’s try to look for something around. I might accidentally find land with this. My heart is racing!
…
Reality is cruel.
I already knew it when I saw the map, but perhaps, I held quite a bit of expectation inside of me. As far as my metallic eyes can see, oly ocean, ocean and ocean greeted my sight. As I thought, land is still far away. Let’s just go back to the monotonous grinding and swim towards land again.
****
2 Days Later.
I am swimming towards land today. All the time I spent here in the sea was used in refining my breaststrokes. In addition, if I went above the water’s surface, I can also crawl in it so crawling I go. It is just a bit faster than my breaststrokes. As I often say, having fun is also important. Because of it, my mood noticeably got better.
****
1 Day Later.
As I tried crawling yesterday, I’ll challenge butterfly strokes today. I kicked like a dolphin with both my legs together. Twisting the arms and flexing the body… ah! I forgot my body is metallic, it cannot flex itself. My body is wholly rigid.
Crawling is just simply rotating my hands and buttocks like a mill. Furthermore, my face is buried underneath the water as I do not need to breathe. I didn’t notice it as I didn’t need to flex my body until now. It was a blind spot.
Let’s just quietly give up on butterfly strokes and go back to crawling.
****
1 Day Later.
Fufufu. I can feel it.
Backstrokes!
But in my case, I’m just simply crawling backwards. Backstrokes are kinda nice. Seriously nice. I can enjoy the sky as I swim ’cause my head is facing above the water’s surface.
It makes me happy looking at the sky like this. Looking at the various shapes and erratic movements of the clouds is fun. Over time, I also witnessed the beautiful sunrise and sunset. I’ll also gaze at the starry sky tonight.
****
2 Days Later.
I saw a bird flew up heading towards the same direction as I am. I wonder if they are migratory bird? If they are, there might also be four seasons in this world. There might be autumn leaves, snowy landscapes, and possibly, cherry blossom-like trees. My reasons to reach land has now increased.
It made me a bit more happy. I temporarily increased the strength of my arms and legs by 30%. I burst through the water surface with huge splashes at my wake.
「Unknown entity is approaching the portside! Ready the starboard!」
I think I just heard something resembling a human voice from afar. Human voice? But I’m in the middle of the sea. I think I just misheard it or something so let’s just continue swimming.
「It still approaching!」
「Let me hit it!」
「Guards, don’t let that thing come closer to the ship!」
「Wind Mages, manipulate the wind to strengthen the sail!」
Umu, with them as loud as they are, I can safely confirm I am not hallucinating or something. I stopped my foot and reversed my arms towards the other direction. I made a sudden brake. Gradually, I approached the opposite direction. As an attacked maybe launched, I dive back down underneath the sea.
Underneath the ocean, I found something resembling the hull of a ship floating towards the direction I was going. I am rather glad I didn’t hit it. If I did, I’ll probably blast through and put a hole in the ship making it sink. It’s dangerous.
Ah, I just noticed the ship might be heading towards land, but it has already gone far away. It’s speed is faster than mine so I think I cannot catch up with it.
It cannot be helped. Let’s just swim straight just like I did before. And because I knew the direction the ship is going to was land, I found myself a new motivation to go!
After perusing the map, I gave my gratitude to the Queen and left the palace with Pinky in tow.
I thought about touring the country with Pinky today because I’ll be missing the ambiance soon. I’ll be departing right away and will travel above land. Besides, I already obtained the information I was looking for. And I also quite a bit of things about the world. There is nothing to do here in the mermaid country anymore.
Let’s not procrastinate. It’s a good train of thought. Let’s do things that needed to be done right away.
I abruptly stopped. When Pinky noticed my sudden action, she asked.
「Whash wrong?」
It seems she still bites her tongue speaking short lines.
『Pinky, my work here is done. I think it is time for me to leave and head for land.』
I informed Pinky about my decision to depart.
「Eh? S-so quick! Please shtay a bit more longer!」
I then answered her with a nod.
『Umu, there is nothing much to do here. Together with Pinky, we went around touring the country and overlooked the reconstruction efforts but afterwards, I have concluded that you can surely rebuild it with your own hands. That’s why I have decided to leave for land as I had originally intended.』
Pinky’s eyes slowly became moist. It seems the time we spent together made us closer as bestfriends so it is inevitable for her to shed tears. Unfortunately, I am a Golem so unlike her, I cannot cry.
「T-then, when are you going to leave? Everyone is grateful to Golem-sama. So if possible, as a token of gratitude, I wanted to hold a party with everyone to send Golem-sama off!」
I already said it was enough, I am rather uncomfortable if you gave me more… It feels like I’m piling some sort of karmic burden all of a sudden. Though even if a party is held, I can neither eat nor drink… It’s kinda sad just watching everyone having fun drinking and eating. I’ll be lonely then.
Let’s just find a suitable excuse then!
『Pinky, your gratitude is simply enough. I do not need any more than that. If you really wanted to repay me, then reconstruct the country as quickly as possible and make it more beautiful than ever before!』
Pinky seems be genuinely impressed by my dialogue. She even displayed great enthusiasm upon hearing my repayment.
From the unusually fidgeting Pinky’s speech patterns and context, it seems the surrounding mermaids also learned my immediate departure. I can only communicate using thoughts so it’s only Pinky’s voice they could hear.
Gradually, mermaids gathered around us. Ah, there are also soldiers running off towards the royal palace. I should probably finish this.
『In addition, I’ll try to search for the sold off mermaid slaves during my travels. If by chance I found them, I promise to save and take care of them.』
Fufufu, I am the type of Golem that at least knows how to read the atmosphere. In turn, I can also ride the flow and control the situation. Because of my awe-inspiring words, Pinky was touched and deeply moved. When Pinky couldn’t comprehend the intense emotion she is currently feeling, her eyes started to water and inadvertently leaked tears.
「Go-golem-sama! To do sush things for us…」
『Now then, it seems this is farewell. Live in good health! If there is some trouble, don’t hesitate to call me. We’re already bestfriends. I’ll definitely come back and help!』
After informing Pinky of my plans, I then jumped high and swam. I’m headed outside the mermaid country. Unlike before, I didn’t sink. Because I got the 【Friend of the Mermaids】title, I learned how to swim. The skill 【Swimming】sure is cool.
「Thank you for everything Golem-sama! We’ll surely build a really really great country so please come back someday!」
Below, Pinky waved at me while screaming loudly. In accordance to her, the other mermaids also waved their hands and sent their gratitude and well-wishes. Gliding over a particular current, I watched as the number of mermaids continuously increased. From the palace, another batch of mermaids came out with the Queen and also waved their hands. I looked back at them, gazed firmly at the beautiful sight and carved it in my heart. Spinning around, I gave them a huge wave of my hand and continued on to my next journey.
[Log: Golem snapped the shutter of the heart. It captured the Mermaid Country.]
I then swam quickly, not looking back again and finally left the mermaid country. Fuu~, it was a wonderful trip. Seriously, I really liked the place! It was awesome!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
****
After that, the mermaid country is reconstructed swiftly.
To prevent the same thing from happening again, the barrier that protected the country was strengthened along with the soldiers that manned it. Although it wasn’t much, to the person who answered the request of the mermaid princess, Silver Doll-sama who liberated the mermaid country from the pits of despair, a large statue was erected at the royal square in front of the palace in commemoration to the great Golem-sama.
It was a sculpture that depicted Golem-sama and the little mermaid princess. Below it was the masterpiece’s title, inscribed by the citizens of the mermaid country who were granted salvation by the benevolent Golem, <Bestfriends>. No one really knew the real meaning behind <Bestfriends/Mabudachi(マブダチ)>, but it was derived from the words Golem-sama left for the mermaid princess, “We’re already bestfriends”. Since then, it became a custom in the mermaid country calling trusted friends “Mabudachi”, a sign of deep friendship between two people.
It is the story of the statue depicting Golem-sama and Pinky situated at the heart of the country and became one of the mermaid’s folk tales. In the future when Golem-sama was guided in front of the statue, it was said that he was touched. As people crowded in front of the statue, the witnesses said he clutched his head and rolled on the ground in apparent happiness.
****
3 Days Later.
Golem here~
The Golemized me is swimming in the dark, cold ocean. Intending to go above land, I left the mermaid country by swimming.
Fortunately, there is no need to take a break for this metallic body that is indefatigable. As I gradually approached land, I wasn’t attacked by Sea Serpents even once since I left the mermaid country. Apparently, the reason I was attacked by numerous Sea Serpent before I met Pinky is because I was walking in the direction of the Dark Sea.
As I do not have a fleshy body that easily tires out, I currently gazing at the oceanic scenery that I have grown accustomed to. Now matter how awe-inspiring the seascape is, too much exposure to it makes it bland. Exposure is a horrible luxury.
Haa~ I really miss the atmosphere.
Come on, air! Come on, atmosphere!
Come, blue sky!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
****
3 Days Later.
I think I have already covered a great distance but I have yet to reach land.
I had noticed it since a few days ago, but my speed is kinda slow. It’s at most as fast as I walked. I was honestly surprised when I was easily dragged by a passing school of fish. And then, I was sorely disappointed when I couldn’t catch up with them.
Fuu~ I miss the atmosphere. I hope air’ll spread below the water. I have been swimming here since forever!
…eh?
Isn’t air supposed to be over the water? That’s right! It’s natural to be so.
What’s there above the water? The sky, of course!
Then if there is the sky, there is also the atmosphere!
What is it that I badly want? The air!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
My mind was narrowed by the goal of reaching land I almost forgot my common sense. Just like this, I can easily hover above the water’s surface. As I didn’t need to breathe, I didn’t notice it. I was a little careless.
But now that I do, I immediately moved. It is imperative that I had to.
I then glided straight towards the water’s surface. With a swoosh, I emerged above water. That’s right, I finally embraced the air! Let us mention is three times because it’s really important. I can finally see the sky!
Thank you! Thank you very much, 【Swimming】! If you weren’t there, it’ll might take a while before I can arrive above water! Yes! This is it! This is really air! I raised my hands towards the surface and tried to shake it. Kuuuuu~ How nice!
[Log: Due to the effects of 【The Enlightened One】, excitement is forcibly extinguished.]
Well then, while I’m still swimming upright, let’s try to look for something around. I might accidentally find land with this. My heart is racing!
…
Reality is cruel.
I already knew it when I saw the map, but perhaps, I held quite a bit of expectation inside of me. As far as my metallic eyes can see, oly ocean, ocean and ocean greeted my sight. As I thought, land is still far away. Let’s just go back to the monotonous grinding and swim towards land again.
****
2 Days Later.
I am swimming towards land today. All the time I spent here in the sea was used in refining my breaststrokes. In addition, if I went above the water’s surface, I can also crawl in it so crawling I go. It is just a bit faster than my breaststrokes. As I often say, having fun is also important. Because of it, my mood noticeably got better.
****
1 Day Later.
As I tried crawling yesterday, I’ll challenge butterfly strokes today. I kicked like a dolphin with both my legs together. Twisting the arms and flexing the body… ah! I forgot my body is metallic, it cannot flex itself. My body is wholly rigid.
Crawling is just simply rotating my hands and buttocks like a mill. Furthermore, my face is buried underneath the water as I do not need to breathe. I didn’t notice it as I didn’t need to flex my body until now. It was a blind spot.
Let’s just quietly give up on butterfly strokes and go back to crawling.
****
1 Day Later.
Fufufu. I can feel it.
Backstrokes!
But in my case, I’m just simply crawling backwards. Backstrokes are kinda nice. Seriously nice. I can enjoy the sky as I swim ’cause my head is facing above the water’s surface.
It makes me happy looking at the sky like this. Looking at the various shapes and erratic movements of the clouds is fun. Over time, I also witnessed the beautiful sunrise and sunset. I’ll also gaze at the starry sky tonight.
****
2 Days Later.
I saw a bird flew up heading towards the same direction as I am. I wonder if they are migratory bird? If they are, there might also be four seasons in this world. There might be autumn leaves, snowy landscapes, and possibly, cherry blossom-like trees. My reasons to reach land has now increased.
It made me a bit more happy. I temporarily increased the strength of my arms and legs by 30%. I burst through the water surface with huge splashes at my wake.
「Unknown entity is approaching the portside! Ready the starboard!」
I think I just heard something resembling a human voice from afar. Human voice? But I’m in the middle of the sea. I think I just misheard it or something so let’s just continue swimming.
「It still approaching!」
「Let me hit it!」
「Guards, don’t let that thing come closer to the ship!」
「Wind Mages, manipulate the wind to strengthen the sail!」
Umu, with them as loud as they are, I can safely confirm I am not hallucinating or something. I stopped my foot and reversed my arms towards the other direction. I made a sudden brake. Gradually, I approached the opposite direction. As an attacked maybe launched, I dive back down underneath the sea.
Underneath the ocean, I found something resembling the hull of a ship floating towards the direction I was going. I am rather glad I didn’t hit it. If I did, I’ll probably blast through and put a hole in the ship making it sink. It’s dangerous.
Ah, I just noticed the ship might be heading towards land, but it has already gone far away. It’s speed is faster than mine so I think I cannot catch up with it.
It cannot be helped. Let’s just swim straight just like I did before. And because I knew the direction the ship is going to was land, I found myself a new motivation to go!
