#718 The Abyss vs. Law

The conversation continues.

Mature women are having a catfight before my very eyes.

“Get back to work already, you earnest foooooooool! Don’t forget your own personality in a crucial momenttttt!”

“When love awakens, I won’t be deterred! That’s my earnestness’ policyyyy!”

Zoth Syra and Teacher Carp are in a physical tussle.

It’s distasteful to see grown women scuffling like this. However, I understand that if I were to intervene, I wouldn’t emerge unscathed.

“Ugh, what should I do?”

“This sure is an interesting predicament.”

“Woah, that surprised me!”

Suddenly, an unknown figure appeared out of nowhere. “Who could that be?” I wondered, only to find that it was an elderly lady who bore a resemblance to Platy.

She emanates an air of tranquility befitting her mature age...

“Queen Mahi?!”

“Not anymore, son-in-law dear. I’m no longer the queen of the merfolk. Ever since Arowana succeeded my dear husband, I’ve retired.”

Oh, right!

But the fact that this lady is my wife’s real mother and hence, my mother-in-law remains unchanged!

Her personality, combined with her status, imposes infinite pressure when confronting her directly!

“Since I’ve been released from my queenly duties, I’ve found peace. Puffer has surprisingly stepped in to handle things well, so I can relax and wander.”

“Hahaha, is that so...!”

It seems that the current Mermaid Queen, Puffer, is managing her in-law relationship skillfully.

As someone with in-laws, I know that damaging my relationship with my mother-in-law could jeopardize my marriage.

“So, son-in-law, I apologize for the trouble caused by my younger sisters today.”

“H-Huuuh?!”

Oh, no, no!

I’m humbled to receive words of apology from my mother-in-law, Lady Mahi!

“Sis?! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorryyyyyyy!”

“Gyaaaa! Sis Mahi is hereeeee! My freedom is at its enddddddddd!”

Zoth Syra and Carp are wailing and profusely apologizing.

It seems they’re reacting to Lady Mahi’s presence.

“My little sisters have caused such a ruckus. I feel embarrassed to see them display such disgraceful behavior before my daughter’s husband.”

Oh, I see. When she said “younger sisters,” she was referring to Zoth Syra and Teacher Carp.

Are the three of you friends or something?

“Well, we had some wild times back in the day... So, Carpy?”

“Eeeeek!”

Responding with a scream...really now?

“Carpy, we got a message from Mermaid Witch Academia that you’ve abandoned your duties, that’s why Zossy and I came to check on you. If you resist with all your might, who else but us can stop you?”

“Sis! Let’s teach this love-smitten fool a lesson!”

Zoth Syra has suddenly taken on the role of a petty underling.

“Quiet, Zossy. You understand the pain in a maiden’s heart when she’s in love, right?”

“I’m sorry!”

She immediately falls silent when reprimanded by her superior, just like a petty underling.

...

......A maiden in love?

“But I understand now. Our typically-serious Carpy fell in love. No wonder she disobeyed the school’s orders.”

“Is that okay, former queen?”

“Love takes precedence over everything.”

As always, mermaids are passionate when it comes to romance.

“Lady Mahi abandoned the world’s annihilation to be with the man she loved, you know? To her, everything other than love is trivial.”

“Oh, but aren’t you the same, Zossy?”

“If I had prioritized my love life, I would have long since quit being the Prime Minister!!!”

“Choosing work over love... You are indeed quite the diligent one, Zossy.”

“That’s not it!!! I just can’t go against you, Sis!!!”

It seems that for Zoth Syra, the thing that takes the most precedence is her fear of Lady Mahi.

I understand where she’s coming from, though, which complicates things.

“So? Carpy, your crush is Gobukichi, right? He has such a clear, refreshing face.”

And now, we are conducting a review session about Teacher Carp’s love interest.

“Exactly! Lady Mahi has such great taste!”

“And you like Orkubo, don’t you? I remember his portrait in Zossy’s office more than my own parents’ faces.”

The conversation moved on to Orkubo, Zoth Syra’s loved one.

“He also seems strong and has a big heart. It’s surprising that you like that type, Zossy.”

“No, it’s not! Orkubo is the top man in all three kingdoms!”

“But I still think my darling is the best in the world.”

“OF COURSE, SIS...!”

They both agreed that one person’s significant other is the only acceptable number one.

This topic is already delicate and troublesome enough as it is, and then Platy showed up...

“What are you all talking about?! The strongest in the world has to be Dear! In terms of intelligence, physical strength, and combat ability, he’s number one in the universe and multiple dimensions!!!”

“Platy, get a hold of yourself...!”

I appreciate you singing my praises, but if you also butt in, this conversation will spiral out of control!

“But it’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it? Zossy, and Carpy, both my cute little sisters’ loved ones are in the same place... Ah, I’ve got a great idea.”

These “great ideas” never go how they should.

“Carpy, our purpose in visiting you is to forcibly bring you back as you refuse to follow the school’s directives, but...”

“Nooooooo! I’ve never seen Sis Mahi resolve anything without using brute forceeeeeeee!!!”

Teacher Carp shows her rejection by crying and screaming.

Is this how an educator should behave?

“But I’m not a monster. If you can clear my conditions, I’ll allow you to stay on the farm. What do you think?”

“Really, Sis?!”

“You don’t trust me? Even though I’ve given up my throne as the Mermaid Queen, I’m still the mother of the current king. I still have enough authority to silence an entire school, you know?”

“Isn’t it more about might than authority in your case, Sis?!”

Well, that’s true, but... umm...

Even if she stays on the farm, shouldn’t I, as the one in charge, have a say?

“So, what kind of conditions are you proposing, Sis? This serious and stubborn one who labels people as criminals and delinquents is being selfish. If the conditions aren’t strict, I won’t be satisfied, and neither will everyone else, right?”

“What are you talking about, Zossy? My conditions require you to work as well. You can’t act like this is none of your business.”

“Huh?”

And thus, the conditions proposed by the former Mermaid Queen Mahi Kanne are...

“Zossy, you should have a match with Carpy. If Carpy wins, I’ll grant her wish. How about that?”

＊　＊　＊

And just like that, it began out of nowhere.

The fated confrontation, Zoth Syra vs. Teacher Carp, in an unrestricted, one-on-one match.

A deathmatch in an exploding coffin buried under electrified netting.

How did we end up here?

“After all, nothing in this world makes results clearer than a fight, no?”

Please abandon your war freak mentality.

“Carpy, if there’s something you want, you have to earn it. There’s no Mermaid Witch Academia Teacher Carp here, just a lovestruck maiden! Express your love with your fists!”

“Thank you for your concern, Sis Mahi! I, Carp, will definitely kill my opponent and make my feelings known!”

Don’t kill anyone, I beg you.

Who do you think your opponent is?

“Keh, keh, keh. That’s what I’ve been hoping for.”

You were hoping for this?!

In the opposite corner, Zoth Syra stands smirking fearlessly, burning with fighting spirit.

Why?

“I have always had this desire to crush that high-and-mighty Carp when the chance presents itself. Sis Mahi even thought up a fun little game, so these occasional treats keep me from defying her.”

Then, Teacher Carp bravely speaks as if performing a mic performance.

“Zoth Syra! Why are you so enthusiastic about this match? There’s absolutely no merit in it for you, is there?”

Teacher Carp has a point.

Zoth Syra got pulled into this fight unexpectedly, but even if she wins, she has nothing to gain, right?

“Hehehe… what are you talking about? This fight has more for me to gain than anything else.”

“A-And that’s...?”

“If I can just get in your way, there’s nothing more satisfying for me!!!”

“You wench!!!”

Zoth Syra and Teacher Carp.

Why are these two always at each other’s throats?

There seems to be some kind of grudge between them. Did something happen in the past?

Maybe this match will reveal that?

To be continued.