Find a Troubled Girl after leaving the Guild

As for what exactly the nature of being a Deputy is, Li Ang also couldn’t clearly describe it, but he could roughly sense that it wasn’t a life-threatening chore.

At the same time, Li Ang really couldn’t imagine Meluna working seriously, though he could imagine her being a robber.

"Personally, I’m inclined for you to become a Deputy; you see Farina also has her own activity time. As long as you complete the Dragon God’s missions, you can come and go freely. Those previous pieces of equipment count as my support."

"So you’re bribing me with those?"

Meimei glanced at Li Ang with a seductive sideways look.

"Didn’t you say you’ve never seen such exquisite ones before? Did they not catch your eye?"

"They’re not in the same league as the ones you made for your little girlfriend."

"So what? Everyone in the team should use the best."

"Hmph."

Li Ang sensed that this little fellow had some sort of mood, just like a kid who has seen something truly good and immediately becomes dissatisfied with what they have.

"I followed along mainly to observe you," Meimei suddenly said while looking beside her.

"What’s there to observe about me? I’ve said before, don’t assume I’m some sort of Savior."

"I was convinced before."

The white-haired girl spread her hands, shook her head, and pointed at the excited girls gathered together ordering food.

"Look at them. Now I’m starting to believe you’re the Savior again. Surrounded by such people, only someone with the legend of saving the world deserves this kind of treatment, right?"

"There’s a lot of coincidence in it."

"Ho ho." Meimei gave two strange hums but didn’t say anything more.

Zoe and the others finished ordering, and once the dishes arrived, the topic shifted back to their equipment.

"So, what are mermaids?" The curious chestnut-haired girl had been waiting for a long time, just to have Li Ang explain at the table.

Andasu and ALulu also became curious, as if the equipment was meant for them.

Li Ang glanced at Dorothy, who was supposed to receive the equipment. Normally the most boisterous, she was unusually quiet now, even looking a little apprehensive, just waiting for him to start talking.

"Mermaids are legendary creatures..."

Li Ang explained to them the image of mermaids with a human upper body and a fish lower body, and the four showed expressions of curiosity.

He noticed Dorothy let out a sigh of relief.

This guy didn’t imagine mermaids as terrifying monsters, did she?

However, there are no mermaids in Nebis, but there are merfolk. Especially in some swamp islands, you can see these scaly, amphibious sub-human demons. Some horror stories are written about them, so Dorothy is likely familiar with this.

"So that’s what a mermaid is," ALulu said, holding her face, seemingly imagining their specific appearance.

"Starting from the waist is a fishtail. How do they poop?" Zoe asked.

"You..."

Li Ang rubbed his brow. If this guy were on Earth with internet access, she’d definitely be one of those peculiar netizens with an odd way of thinking. The question she brought up was also asked when people started to deconstruct traditional story images gradually.

"There are various explanations, like their fish form is just a transformation, and they can actually turn into human legs, or, on a darker note, they are fish with a human skin disguise."

After Li Ang finished, he saw different emotions rising on everyone’s face. The three led by Zoe seemed relieved, especially the swordswoman who had already gotten the Curse Swordsman’s Armor. She was touching her new gear’s exterior, seemingly satisfied with how things were.

Dorothy, however, pursed her lips.

Indeed, they were thinking along the lines of merfolk.

"Forget it, let me tell you a mermaid story," Li Ang scratched his head.

He intended to briefly talk about Earth’s famous fairy tale.

Speaking of which, the original model of mermaids might not be something beautiful either, whether it’s the Siren Sea Demon or other legends; they all have a bit of eerie horror to them.

As for Li Ang’s home country and other countries on Earth, the reason they have such a beautiful impression of mermaids is usually because of that widely spread fairy tale.

The little mermaid gave up her identity and voice for love, ultimately wishing the person she loved a happy life as she turned into foam and disappeared.

Li Ang simplified the story, but the expected scene of the girls being moved didn’t occur.

"Oh, I see."

Zoe said, gnawing on a chicken leg with her mouth covered in grease. "So that’s what mermaids are, I completely understand now."

"You..."

Andasu’s expression was flat, seemingly desensitized to fairy tale stories.

As for ALulu, seeing Li Ang look over, she smiled shyly while still gorging on food.

Seeing them like this, Li Ang was relieved. If they were truly teary-eyed, that would have been problematic. However, this shows even more that their nature isn’t like that of typical girls. Perhaps for them, if they had to turn into foam, they’d rather upend the world first.

"Oh, such a romantic story."

Dorothy clutched his sleeve, seizing the opportunity to lean in.

"Hey, hey, we’re eating."

"It’s your fault for telling such an emotional story. If we weren’t at a restaurant, I would have cried out loud."

"Oh, you know we’re in a restaurant," Li Ang helped her sit properly, "Honestly? I see a lot of mischief in your eyes."

"Hehe."

The Half Elf extended her arms, lunging in for a hug. The other three were used to this, probably because they themselves were no longer reacting so excitedly as they used to when there was something to do. Instead, there was a sound of a chair leg breaking from beside them.

Dorothy whispered in his ear: "Could it be that in your eyes, I’m the mermaid who would willingly turn into foam for love?"

"It’s just a theme, requiring a set of Water Attribute equipment to unleash its power, hence the design."

"I knew you’d say that."

The alluring Golden Canary tapped Li Ang’s chest, "But what I want to say is, I really am willing to do so."

"I know."

Li Ang held her hand gently putting it aside. As they touched, the two Rings of Protection lightly clinked.

"Alright, let’s eat first. Tomorrow I’ll finish making the equipment for you three."

Li Ang felt a sudden surge of Sword Intent beside him, giving him an inexplicable sense of urgency.

ALulu, before sweeping everything in, made sure to leave a portion for him.

While he was eating halfway, Zoe looked at her new equipment again and said beside him: "I found something."

"What?"

"Wearing this equipment feels so refreshing."

"Of course," Li Ang nodded, "it was intended as equipment to withstand volcanic terrains, with solidified dense Water Spirit."

Zoe examined it closely, the Half Elf leaned closer and whispered: "Actually, these four sets of appearances match your personal preference, right?"

"Ahem, don’t interrupt while I’m eating," Li Ang diverted the topic.

This Golden Canary always used her perceptive nature in such matters. He had only slightly glanced at Zoe’s astonishingly slender but incredibly supple and strong waist, which was encased in the black Illusory Fish Dragon leather, showcasing muscle lines even beneath the elastic leather.

When she raised her arm, the rising shoulder armor also lifted the breastplate, inevitably exposing the clearly defined contours of the lower edge.

"I don’t mind how you make mine," Dorothy said.

Her soft breath made Li Ang’s ear itch: "This time there’s also another kind like swimwear; you don’t think I’ll just let you wear what you did last time, right?"

Li Ang shuddered slightly throughout, turning to see her dazzling smile.

"How’s your control over the Demon-Born Flower?"

"Still the same, how fast do you think I can be?"

Dorothy bit her lip: "But I’ve got some bad ideas."

Her fingertip brushed Li Ang’s waist: "Tonight’s mine, right?"

Although Li Ang neither agreed nor disagreed, tonight no one else seemed to need his rest time.

After finishing the meal, Li Ang initially planned to use the Armor of Wind to directly ride the wind, taking his teammates back to the treetop sanctuary, but then the two Mes, large and small, blocked the way.

He could say to Meimei, everyone returns to their homes, but this little girl intercepted him deliberately, knowing Meluna would force her to take her to Li Ang and the others’ encampment if she were left behind.

"So be it."

Li Ang lost count of how many times he’d sighed today. He said to the team, "You guys head back first. I’ll take them to see the Water Dragon."

He helplessly eyed the black-haired Female Sword Hero with even more resolute attitude and hoped that intoxicating divine spirit would find some tasks for this troublesome woman.