Viceroy of Hell (18+)

Sae and I stood by the pier, ready to embark the sloop.

“You can still stay,” I said.

“No can do. I’ve always wanted to see more of the land, anyway.”

It would’ve been assuring to have her guard Aesel and everyone else. Hopefully the fourteen armed men Rulof hired were trustworthy. I had to knock it into Rulof’s mind that Aesel should remain safe at all cost.

We carried the stuff we needed onboard. I only needed gems and coins and some spare clothes so my pack was light. But Sae brought two sacks weighing fifty kilograms in total.

“What are you carrying, stones? We’re not gonna build a house.”

“It’s food.”

I snorted. “We can just buy them. I have the money for it.”

She revealed the contents of the sack. It was chock-full of sugar canes, bamboo canteens filled with sugar cane juice, sugar-picked fish and fruits, and all sorts of sugar-coated stuff.

“What’s up with you and sugar?”

“Do I need a reason not to like sugar?” she said in protest, ignoring me and packing the sacks into the hold. “And they said there’s much less sugar out there so I brought some with me.”

“Some, huh?”

Hopefully not all mermaids loved sugar this much. If they did, a visit from Thelassi could plow my entire sugar cane plantation in one day.

After bidding our farewell, the ship finally left just as the sun was about to rise. I waved my hand at Aesel who stood at the pier. She raised her palm, then slowly placed it on her chest. She said something I failed to understood.

I wished I could’ve at least kissed her farewell. Looking back to it, I might have suspected her too much. But what could I do? I’d always been wary of people, especially those whose motives remained hidden.

Maybe I should learn to trust people more.

It hadn’t been a few hours since we were out at sea, but Sae was already devouring the stuff she brought. She did so while standing at the bough, staring at the sea with sugar-cured fish in her mouth.

“Are all mermaids like you?” I said in a slightly lower voice so the others wouldn’t hear.

“What does that even mean?”

I thought mermaids (at least the Bloodscale ones in case they existed elsewhere) were fiercely loyal and respectful to Agaphonet. Like that mermaid I fought. But Sae always came off rebellious and disrespectful. And she seemed more carefree and open to new experiences.

“Free-spirited. I think that’s the right term.”

“I just hate how everyone else is a stuck up.”

Almost everyone she knew were proud and obedient. They obeyed orders without hesitation. Followed norms and traditions without questioning it.

For Sae, it sounded dead-brained. Everyone was aware that being a mermaid meant they were in their second phase of life. And after this, they’d be sent to the Beyond.

“We’re still alive and flapping so I really don’t understand why they’re all like that. Well, not everyone, at least.”

“They act like dead people with orders, you mean?”

“Exactly. I know some who’re so much more fun, but even they could have their heads stuck in shells a lot of times.”

Maybe this was the reason why Agaphonet chose Sae to stick around me. Seeing how free-spirited she was, Sae might as well defect to the landers. Unless being resurrected meant they were all bound to Agaphonet. I asked about that too.

“I don’t feel anything aside from gratitude, I guess. Like I’m supposed to be dead, but I get to live again. But I’m not sure – I don’t really remember who I was before I turned into… this.”

“Maybe being stuck up is a way for them to get to the Beyond? If not, then they stay here in this mortal world?”

Much like sinning. Sae just laughed.

“I’d rather stay here, then. What’s even out there?”

I was afraid I turned this girl into an atheist.

There was nothing much else to do during the journey. I interrogated the sailors for any information as much as I could, and I did get a lot.

Sae almost jumped while the sailors were around just so she could have her daily swim, but I warned her against it. I had no clue if serpentines even swam.

So, Sae had no choice but to swim at night. I was so bored that I joined her. My vision was slightly better underwater and I could definitely swim as fast as the ship if not faster. It wasn’t too difficult jumping back, either.

As for where we slept, the captain lent us his cabin. I had to pay extra for it, of course. I let Sae take the bed and I slept on the hammock. It wasn’t comfortable, but having our own room was leagues better than sharing with musky sailors.

The swaying and the slaps of wave kept me up. I caught sight of Sae dozing off peacefully in her bed. She was naked. She laid flat on the bed, her bare tits sat flat on her chest.

I shook my head. It was quite a tempting sight so I left the room before I did something. The cold, salty helped ease my mind off.

After the grueling three weeks of journey, we finally arrived at the city of Ozburk. An actual fantasy city, at last!

The city had a proper pier built with stone base and strong, thick wood. A lighthouse stood proud and tall on a shoal, sharing space with docked ships protected within a natural harbor. I hadn’t seen any ships as large as a barque – most were about the size of a schooner.

Activity was at peak around the pier. Not far was the market, a scene straight out of medieval fantasy. Colorful stands sold anything one could need in this world. People of all races, garbed lightly for the hot and humid weather, poured in and out. Animals like dogs, cats, and pigeons loitered around. Some people drew wagons, and I hadn’t seen a horse so far.

Peoples’ attention were drawn to Sae. Although I’d seen other serpentines around, she was the only one with plain gray scales while the rest had patterned browns.

Sae didn’t give a shit, though. She was giddy as we squeezed through the stone city, staring at anything that remotely interested her.

I was receiving the stink-eye from some humans and elves for some reason. Probably because I was the only Suhkadi around.

“I don’t get why the queen hates lander settlements.”

“She does?”

“With great passion. She calls them dirty, smelly, and chaotic. But I find this beautiful.”

Ozburk wasn’t bad so far. Sure there weren’t any buildings that reached five floors, but it reminded me that I was no longer on Earth. That shit excited me.

I’d love to turn Farisle into this. Instead of wooden huts, that town would benefit more if the buildings were built with stone. And instead of platforms, actual ground roads should help conserve wood. I had no damn clue why they even elevated that town in the first place.

After spending almost ten minutes circling the market and asking questions, I arrived at the money changer. The only money changer in town. A golden cartwheel on top of a coin was painted on the wooden sign. Probably the symbol of Goldenwheel.

The man behind the desk was a fat elf. I didn’t know elves grew fat.

“What currencies do you accept?” I asked.

He pointed at the chart in front. Other than directly converting gold, the next and final option was creon.

I checked my pouch.

“Shit.”

“Problem?” Sae asked.

“I got the wrong pouch.”

I only had a bag of sokkad gold and nothing else. I had no goddamn clue if this amount could last our whole journey.

“I only have sokkad here.”

He grunted. “Creon only. Goldenwheel policy.”

“But this place is a money changer. You change money.”

“Read the rules, sandy-boy. If you don’t have creon or gold, then get out.”

Some stacked coins on his desk didn’t look like creon.

“Those ain’t creon.”

“So?”

I sighed. “Look, this thing is made of solid gold. Just change it and stop wasting our time.”

“Then look for other money changers, then! Oh, unfortunately this is the only money changer in the city.”

Oh boy, he started looking like a healthy punching bag.

“You want gold?”

He crossed his arms.

An earthen pedestal raised from the ground, breaking through the plank floor. After carving a bowl at the center, I poured all of the coins there and melted it with fire magic. The place glowed brightly for a few seconds. Once the gold turned into a puddle, I cooled it down with ice magic.

I ended up with a pound of gold. I tossed it on his desk.

“There’s your fucking gold. Now will you change it or do I have to shove your face in that crucible?”

His head slammed on his desk. “I-I’m sorry! T-The company… never mind! I’ll give you your money right away!”

“Just spit it out. What did the company tell you?”

He gulped and whispered. “Not to… trade with sand— er, Suhkadis.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“What the hell is your problem with my kind?”

“I-I have no problem with your kind! Never did! It’s just, you know, the war and all? But please, sorry! I was just doing my job!”

So Goldenwheel was at war with my kind, huh?

“Just give me my money so I can get the fuck outta here.”

After receiving my money, I stomped out. I should double check what pouch I pick in the future.

“I would’ve iced him,” Sae said.

“Me too, but we’re supposed to be civil. Remember, not all things can be answered by violence.”

She stared at me.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

The next destination was an inn.

The road was crowded. Wagons and carriages passed the main road. We had to squeeze through all sorts of people through the sidewalk.

Around an intersection was a group of priests garbed in white robes. A sign with a white symbol of an eight-rayed sun hang on a wall. One of the priests stood on a platform, holding a silver staff with the symbol on it.

“...and become who you truly are! Let the light inside you grow brighter! Shed the darkness that surrounds you and help us pass the torch of the truth! This is our true role as mortals! We are the carriers of light and the banishers of the looming shadows!”

They must be the Illuminants the cultists back in the lair were talking about. If they were enemies of the Mother, I was better off not crossing their way.

“See, Sae, people like these—”

Sae was nowhere to be seen.

“Sae?”

I searched around, but there was no sign of any serpentine with gray scales.

“Where the fuck did that fish go?”

I traced my way back. We only turned once, so I doubt she got lost.

A powerful aroma stirred my appetite, reminding me of my hunger. The smell led me to a restaurant. I took a peek from the window and, sure enough, a lone serpentine sat on a table. Some people stared at her with curiosity.

I stomped in, breaking through the line. One man grabbed me.

“Hey, no skipping line!”

I yanked my arm away. “Get off me.”

I went straight to Sae who looked happy holding her utensils.

“Seriously? Ditching me for food?”

“I was starving!”

A waiter arrived with a tray full of all sorts of steaming seafood. Sae was quick to stab the huge orange fish with her bare hands.

"Where the hell did you get your money?"

"I paid in pearls."

“Pearls? You had pearls?”

“Yup. Look, if you’re gonna eat, then eat. If not, then let me finish first.”

"How many did you pay?"

"Does it matter? Let’s just eat!”

“How many did you pay?”

She sighed. “Five black pearls, okay? They say that’s how much a feast is worth.”

It was a lot of food but it certainly wasn’t a feast. So, I asked a local about the price of a black pearl. Apparently it was about five times more expensive than a bloodstone.

“You got scammed, Sae.”

“What?”

I trudged into the kitchen. It was busy. I asked around for the manager. Although they pushed me around, I was able to find him – a tan, slightly chubby human with brown eyes.

“You scammed that mer— serpentine back there.”

“Scam? No, no, sandkin, we don’t scam here.”

I grabbed his collar. “Give me the pearls or I’ll bury this whole damn restaurant!”

A chef tried to grab me but I shoved him with telekinesis.

“Do I have to force it out?”

“F-Fine!” he shoved his plump arm into his pockets and procured the pearls. It was just as lustrous as the blacksteel, except it had a silver sheen. “Just take it and leave!”

Before I left, I swiped a steaming turkey leg – or whatever creature it came from.

“Let’s get out of here, Sae.”

“But I haven’t finished my food yet!”

“We’ll eat elsewhere.”

“How about you go eat elsewhere?”

“Have you forgotten about your sugar-coated stuff?”

As if remembering something, she dropped her spoon.

“Right! Sorry, I was too hungry.”

“Let’s just get out of here.”

Once we were out, I gave the pearls back. All five of them.

“Next time, every transaction you make goes through me until you’re used to this world’s trade. Is that clear?”

“Fine.”

Despite my initial excitement, my experience in the city hadn’t been fun. I got declined at the money changer and someone scammed my companion. One more and I swear to the gods and goddesses of this world I’d drown this whole city to Thelassi.

I ended up ordering a bunch of street food and Sae happily munched on it. I bought her some clothes, too, so she blended well with everyone else.

Gadly the inn treated us normally. I immediately went up to my room and laid down. This had been such a stressful day and I just wanna leave for Vonditz.

Sae came in.

“What do you want?”

“I’m sleeping here.”

“You have your own room.”

“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone.”

I sat up. “You know I can kill anyone that dares.”

“Yup,” she said, plopping next to me, “but I’m true to my word.”

“So what now, are you gonna shit with me next or what?”

She responded with a snore. The girl was out cold in a few seconds.

“My dear Agaphonet, don’t you have any better option than this one?”