#848 The Mermaid Queen’s Neighborhood

My name is Aulonocara.

I’m a maid working at the Mermaid Palace.

Born an elite, I graduated top of my class from the Mermaid Witch Academia. 

Shortly after, I swiftly ascended to a palace position, even skipping a few steps to become a personal attendant to the Mermaid Queen herself.

It’s a true testament to my competence.

Mermaid Queen Puffer, whom I serve, is absolutely splendid.

She’s not only a vision of beauty, but her knowledge of various magical potions rivals the depths of the oceanic trenches. 

Even I, the valedictorian at Mermaid Witch Academia, learn new things from Queen Puffer.

Her understanding of magical potions is generations ahead.

I had hoped to serve Princess Platy upon my arrival at the Mermaid Palace, but serving Queen Puffer is just as great.

While attending to the Queen, I absorb all sorts of knowledge, aspiring to become a lady of the highest caliber and marry into a distinguished family.

That’s our duty as merladies.

Serving a lady among ladies like Queen Puffer is a privilege reserved for elites like us, born noble and educated at prestigious institutions.

A privilege of the chosen few.

Yet, despite all norms, there are those audacious enough to approach Queen Puffer.

Like Discus, a common mermaid.

Despite her lack of education and being barely schooled, she has the gall to call herself “Queen Puffer’s direct disciple.”

Sure, Queen Puffer’s background before joining the royal family is quite vague and mysterious.

It wouldn’t be odd if she had taught someone potion-making basics during that time.

However, if the noble Mermaid Queen herself took up the mantle of mentor, then the protégé must undoubtedly hail from a family of considerable standing.

A commoner girl, whose lineage is as obscure as any seahorse, mustn’t be involved in such matters.

Yet, despite this, Discus claims to be a disciple of the Queen and frequents the palace.

It’s the duty of a personal attendant to verify the backgrounds of those who seek to approach the Queen.

My investigation, fueled by power and wealth, revealed a shocking truth.

Discus is from the slums.

A daughter of commoners with ordinary parents. They had no wealth, and she had to work from a young age to support her family.

Naturally, her education was negligible, almost nonexistent.

What a travesty it is for such an uneducated person to cling to our noble Mermaid Queen.

Only the finest should associate with royalty. 

For those of us born as noble elites, it’s one thing, but allowing poor, uneducated, unknown individuals to mingle with the mermaid royal family would certainly tarnish the dignity of not just the household but the entire Mermaid Kingdom.

I, along with other maids, advised Queen Puffer against letting someone so lowly approach her. 

Protecting the Queen’s reputation is also part of our duty.

But no matter how sincerely we advised, the Queen didn’t take us seriously.

Does she value that common girl over us, noble maidens?

We are clearly of superior birth, ability, and beauty!

We deserve to serve Queen Puffer!

After repeatedly making our case, Queen Puffer finally responded.

—“Annoying, aren’t you? Then prove your worth through your abilities,” she said.

That’s our cue.

She’s given us permission to use our strength to keep Discus away next time she comes.

To us graduates of the Mermaid Witch Academia, an uneducated commoner is nothing but a minnow before a shark. 

Next time she comes, we’ll demonstrate our elite abilities and teach her the difference between our worlds.

While I was mulling over these things, several days and months flew by.

It’s funny how the things you brace yourself for don’t seem to come when you’re eagerly expecting them.

And then, the day finally came.

Discus arrived, claiming, as usual, to be an associate of Queen Puffer!

But we won’t let her pass so easily!

With the Queen’s permission, we, the elite maids, are ready to fend her off!

“Discus, the Witch of Refrigeration seeks an audience with Sis Puffer.”

“Silence! Her Majesty will not meet with someone of your lowly status! Know your place!!!”

At the Queen’s chamber door, several of us maids surrounded Discus, ready for battle. 

Trained in combat magic at Mermaid Witch Academia, we’re tasked with protecting the Queen and Prince in times of crisis. 

We’re more than capable of dealing with an intruder like you!!!

“You want to get through by force, huh? Quite the welcome from Sis Puffer.”

“Don’t you dare address her so casually, you commoner!”

It’s nonsense for us elites to waste time on such a commoner.

Let’s see how she fares against this explosive potion we learned in class!

With a loud blast, surely Discus wouldn’t come out unscathed. 

Suffering some injuries is a fitting punishment for the foolhardy who dared to approach the Queen recklessly.

But when the smoke cleared...

There stood Discus, completely unharmed?!

“Wha’s going on?! The Explosive Flame Potion certified by Mermaid Witch Academia isn’t working?!”

“The potion is well-made and economical. But that’s precisely why it’s easy to analyze and neutralize.”

“In that case, how about this?!”

If fire won’t work, let’s try the opposite: freezing! 

My other maidservants and I threw our potions all at once, and in a blink, the room in the Mermaid Palace turned into a frozen hell. 

But even then...!

“It’s not working?!”

“Attacking me, the direct disciple of the Witch of Freezing Cold, and who herself claims the title of Witch of Refrigeration with ice magic? That’s incredibly naive.”

Nothing changed?!

She stood there, unaffected by either flame or ice.

“I am always prepared in the farm’s cold storage to prevent food from spoiling. Maintaining a constant temperature is my primary mission. High or low temperatures thrown at me are useless. I neutralize them instantly.”

My potions learned at Mermaid Witch Academia are completely ineffective...?!

How can she, supposedly uneducated, possess such skill?!

“Get it now? The strength of someone who’s learned through real-world experience...?”

Huh?!

Queen Puffer?!

“Discus has been rigorously trained in many of my witchy ways. Even if you all teamed up, you wouldn’t stand a chance. But don’t think anyone I teach automatically becomes strong. It’s Discus’s own relentless effort that’s the real key to victory.”

“Sis Puffer!!!”

At last, Discus runs towards the queen, finally face to face.

“I’ve brought my latest creation today! This time, I’ll definitely impress you!”

“You’re a decade too early to impress me. Feeling cocky just because you’ve knocked around some sheltered noble’s kids?”

“I can’t afford complacency if I want to survive on the farm! Just look! This is my masterpiece!!!”

What Discus, who far surpasses the top student of Mermaid Witch Academia and is worthy of the title ‘witch,’ presented was...

“Smoked pickles!!!”

What in the world is that?!

“I matured these pickles in the farm’s brewing storehouse and then smoked them. This is something unheard of during your management era!!!”

“Hmhmhm... It seems you’ve managed to complete the assignment I gave you: create something entirely beyond my teachings. Indeed, cooking with smoke was an idea beyond me, the Witch of Freezing Cold.”

“So, do I pass?!”

“But don’t underestimate me... That idea must have come from that saint, am I right?!”

“You knewwwww?!”

Ah! Discus crumbled in shock!!!

“Typical. Just wait around, and Platy’s husband comes up with the most unexpected things! Platy keeps me informed about his antics, so tricking me is a century too premature!”

“Waaaaaaah! I thought I had it this time!!!”

“That aside, these smoke-flavored pickles are quite good. I’ve got a new item to add to my repertoire of gifts for the noble ladies.”

Even Discus, who overwhelms us, isn’t enough to satisfy Queen Puffer?!

There’s still a long way to go.

To be of use to the queen, we, too, must redouble our efforts and dedication!!!