#1175 Good Governance is Fiercer than an Angel

"Eek, what the heck...?!"

I, angel Songokufon, with my Mana Cannon aimed at the old, foul-mouthed merlady, watch her freeze up with a pale face.
These loudmouths who act all tough go silent as soon as they’re face-to-face with death.

"Wh-What do you think you're doing? Knock it off, all right? This is a tea party hosted by the proud mermaid royal family! If you cause any bloodshed here, it'll be a disgrace for generations to come!"

Well, making a scene at such a fancy place is a disgrace for your family for generations, too, ya know?
No worries, though! I’ll personally make sure your family's shame crumbles down to the atomic level.

"Eeek! Noooooo! N-Noooooooo!!!"

Even those humans with their outdated civilization can probably sense the massive surge of mana building up in the Mana Cannon for the first time.
They can probably feel that gut-wrenching, primal fear, too.

So, seeing that old merlady shaking like a leaf and freezing up the second the cannon’s in her face is hilarious!

"Y-You... can’t do that! I’m a high-ranking noble from the Mermaid Kingdom! If you kill me, you’ll be hunted down as a criminal for the rest of your life! You’ll be a fugitive forever! You’re ruining your life! Are you sure about that?!"

Huh?
Don't worry, I’m not a mermaid, so their laws don’t mean squat to moi.

"?!"

Besides, if I really wanted to, I could take down the whole Mermaid Kingdom. You know, no biggie!
So, don't sweat it. The mess I cause after killing you ain’t my problem!
Appreciate the concern, though!

"Eeeeeeeeeeeek! What’s with her?! Help me, help me, help meeeeeeeee!!!"

Scumbags sure know how to scream their lungs out when they’re desperate.

All right, let’s spice up this tea party with some dramatic dying screams!

"What the hell are you doing, you idiottttt!!!"

Gwah‑ech!
Outta nowhere, a fist rockets in and smacks me square on the temple; a clean hit!

I go flying like a ragdoll.
The one who decked me is none other than Big Sis Puffer!

"Don’t you dare kill someone at my tea party! What’s going through your head?! What made you take such drastic measures?!"

Sorry, Sis!
I’m really, really sorry!!!

"Queen Puffer! This is a huge, gigantic, monumental problem!!!"

And just like that, the scared old merlady, who was shivering in fear under the Mana Cannon, regains some strength the second it’s pointed away from her.

She was saved by Sis Puffer, but instead of thanking her, she starts complaining?

"How could you let such a dangerous creature into the prestigious mermaid royal family’s tea party? This is a complete lack of awareness! It’s your responsibility, Queen Puffer! You said this beast is under your control, right?! Then the fact that it’s gone rogue is your fault! How are you going to take responsibility for this?!"

Man, she just doesn’t stop yapping.

"I knew from the start this was gonna happen! Someone like you, a commoner, becoming the Mermaid Queen! This whole incident happened because of you! It was bound to happen! To prevent such tragedies in the future, you need to step down from being queen! I’m the victim here! As long as you’re still married to King Arowana, I’ll keep denouncing this incident!"

Guess that means I’ll just have to kill her, huh?
I sharply point the Mana Cannon back at her.

"Eeeeeeeeeeek! What are you doing?! Queen! Queen, please stop this beast!!!"
"Hey, Songokufon, knock it off!"

Fineeee.
I’m always obedient to Sis.
I lower my Mana Cannon as instructed...but then I point it right back at her.

"Eeeeeeek! What are you doing now?! Is the danger still not over?! Stop, stop her, Queen!!!"
"Stop already, Songokufon! This isn’t funny anymore!!!"

Well, I’m not fooling around, though.
For me, insulting Sis Puffer, someone I respect and admire, is an automatic death penalty.
Even though I’m loyal to her and would follow her every command, that loyalty might automatically activate that, you know?

The automatic eradication system when it comes to her enemies, I mean.

Ya get it, old lady? You’re right in my crosshairs.
Once you're in my sight, you're not getting out unless I say so.

"Wh-What?! No way..."

Poor woman.
If only you hadn’t insulted Sis Puffer, you wouldn’t have to go through this.

"...Songokufon is an angel. Angels are on the same level as dragons and Lifeless Kings that people even call them the unofficial third Calamity. It's a fact that no matter how much power the Mermaid Kingdom tries to muster, we stand no chance against someone like her."

Oh, Lampeye.
Ya decided to join the fray now, huh?

"Madam Nuitsubo, you must understand that the person you’ve angered is no ordinary opponent. Once she declares 'I’ll kill you,' you’re as good as dead."
"Eeeeeeeek!"
"But the only one who can overturn that fate is Queen Puffer. Songokufon adores her as an older sister figure and will follow her faithfully. So, even if your death is certain, only Queen Puffer can change that."

Lampeye speaks calmly, laying it out step by step.
As expected of the headmaster of the Lampeye Prep School who’s straightened out many problem children!

"So, what this means is, the person who holds your fate is Queen Puffer, the one who has the authority to command Songokufon. ...Do you get it now? Do you realize that your life is at the mercy of someone else’s whim?"

This Mana Cannon’s so strong~
It could blow up a mountain with one shot~

"Songokufon... you don’t mean to say that all of this was part of your plan, right...?”

Looks like Sis Puffer's figured it out.
Yup, this is all part of my master plan to make ya look great.

If anyone dares to insult you, I’ll be the one to dish out the punishment with my Mana Cannon!
I’m not bound by any laws!
The only one who can bind me is Sis Puffer! If you want to keep your life, you better grovel before her!!!

"Oh, you... You mean you’re willing to play the villain just for me? Heh... You idiot...!"

Sis Puffer looks kinda pleased, her face flushed with a smile...!
It’s almost like a heartwarming scene.

But then, Lampeye steps in, wrecking the atmosphere.

"Madam Nuitsubo, your husband, Lord Fuzibbo, once had influence as a minister under the reign of King Nagus, but with the change of rule to King Arowana, he’s retired, and your son couldn’t secure a post. The only thing you have left to boast about is your family name."
"...?!"
"Did you think you could vent that frustration by taking it out on Queen Puffer?”

Lampeye speaks in a calm, neutral tone.

"So many fools have tried to take down King Arowana's new regime and ended up crushed. Compared to them, what you’ve done is so small it barely even counts. There’s no law that punishes insults, and getting all worked up over petty insults just makes you look weak."

But...

“...But don’t forget that the tongue is the source of disaster."

Hearing this being whispered into her ear, the merlady...

“...”

...finally goes quiet.
She’s been yapping non-stop, like a walking, talking noise machine.
Looks like she’s finally learned her lesson.

"Well, after seeing this, no one else is going to try to badmouth Puffer. It’s not like I want to stifle free speech, but everyone here is either the wife or daughter of someone important in the Mermaid Kingdom... so, I expect responsible speech."

Once Lampeye gives her that look, no one dares to speak.
It’s like she and I are the ultimate guardians of Sis Puffer.

"Well, well, well!!!"

Just as the tension almost reaches a breaking point, Sis Puffer lightens the mood with a cheerful voice.

"Yeah, I know gossip’s lame, but hey! Sometimes people need to vent, right? I get how people might direct their complaints toward the royal family!"
“Your Majesty...”
"I mean, I used to be on the rebellious side too, so I can’t really judge. But you should probably keep those complaints to a low volume, all right?"

Sis Puffer, you’re such a big-hearted person!
Did you see that? Someone so compassionate! Anyone who goes against her is totally out of their league!

"Queen Puffer...!”
"How kind-hearted...! She just takes those insults and lets them roll off her back like it’s nothing!"
"No, that’s her inner strength showing! It’s a sign of a true queen, who can stand tall against any hardship!"
"She even shows us care by lightening the mood! That’s the kind of leader she is!"

With all that praise, a sense of unity in supporting Sis Puffer is born.

Everything played out exactly the way I rigged it!
Sis Puffer, a little gratitude please! Thanks to my hustle, ya got more supporters!

With your troubles wrapped up neat and tidy, my mission in the Mermaid Kingdom is officially complete!
Victory!!!