While Todd was busy settling the mermaid tribe, an unusual frenzy swept through Twilight City due to the arrival of new neighbors.

In the tavern "Come Again Tomorrow," guests gathered around the captain who had just returned from the sea, listening to him boast about the mermaid's unparalleled beauty and graceful figure.

"I swear to the scales of fate! Everything I've said is true!" The middle-aged captain, sporting a thick stubble, hiccuped as he spoke loudly, "My father used to tell me that you might occasionally encounter mermaids while sailing the high seas. They have enchanting voices and irresistible beauty. I always thought it was all nonsense, but a few days ago I went to Waiheke Island and saw real mermaids. I realized the legends are true!"

A rather young scholar asked curiously, "Just how beautiful are mermaids?"

The captain scratched the back of his head with his large hand and said with a troubled expression, "I can't read, so I can't learn those words of praise from books. I just feel like my whole chest is on fire when I see mermaids. That face, that figure, that bosom..."

The young scholar listened with great excitement: "Could those mermaids be more beautiful than the elf professors at the university?"

An elderly man nudged the young scholar with his elbow and solemnly reminded him, "Watch your words! The Crusaders are servants of the Dragon God, not someone you can joke about!"

The young man shrank his neck and nodded slightly.

After glancing at the old man's clothes and accessories, the captain asked with some concern, "Wouldn't it be blasphemous of us to discuss mermaids like this?"

The old man stroked his white beard and shook his head, saying, "I've heard that the deity of those mermaids is an ancient ocean god named Krakosh... As long as it has nothing to do with the dragon god, you can say whatever you want."

Upon hearing this, the captain immediately perked up: "Then I'll continue! I heard that the Holy King plans to build a trading post on the island, bringing in some merchants from the city to trade with the mermaids..."

The young scholar listened with a puzzled look: "Doing business with mermaids? They come from the ocean, where would they get money to buy goods?"

The captain rolled his eyes at the scholar: "Have you gone mad from reading too much? Those mermaids' clothes and accessories are all made of genuine pearls and seashells. Any one of them could fetch a high price on the market!"

The scholar suddenly realized.

The captain stroked his stubble and said helplessly, "Unfortunately, these kinds of deals are definitely all designated by the royal family. Wanting to get involved is just a pipe dream..."

"Don't value money too much. These things won't go to heaven with you after you die, nor will they affect the scales of fate." The old man looked at the crowd and sighed. "Do you remember what happened three years ago? When mortals possessed money, they mistakenly believed they had power comparable to gods, attempting to challenge divine authority. In the end, they were nothing more than insignificant dust."

The old man's words silenced those around him.

The captain grumbled for a while, then finally couldn't help but say, "While money isn't a good thing, you simply can't live without it. Food costs money, lodging costs money, ship repairs cost money, and even finding a girl to amuse yourself costs money, doesn't it?"

The old man looked the captain up and down, stroked his beard, and said, "Judging by your age, you're probably not young anymore? Still unmarried?"

Hearing this, the captain was somewhat annoyed, but considering the old man's status, he had to lower his voice and say, "I was originally planning to get married at the beginning of the year, but after seeing the mermaid, I find all other women uninteresting."

Someone in the crowd jeered, "So, you're saying you want to marry a mermaid?"

The captain's eyes widened as he shouted, "What's wrong with that?! Isn't it legendary that mermaids come ashore and eventually form families with sailors?!"

Then someone else shouted, "Let's put aside appearances for now, but think about what mermaids look like, how do you plan to have children?"

The captain paused, then muttered defiantly, "Isn't it enough that there's affection? We can always adopt a child..."

The young scholar finally seized an opportunity to mock the captain, saying, "In my opinion, it's probably not a matter of feelings at all; you're just attracted to the mermaid's face and figure!"

The enraged captain pounded on the table and yelled at the scholar, "What's wrong with appreciating beauty! Tell me honestly! When you were in school, didn't you ever think about marrying an elven woman?!"

"I..." The young scholar paused, his face flushed, and he was at a loss for words.

This sight immediately made everyone around realize that this kid really did have this intention.

"Young man, you have guts! You have a bright future!"

"If you really marry an elf woman, aren't you afraid that when she's angry, she'll burn the whole house down?!"

"Is she Professor Gabriel, a paleontology professor? I like her too!"

"I've heard that elves live much longer than humans."

"Rumor has it that elves seem to be only interested in academics."

Listening to the various chatter, the stern old man wore a wry smile. In the end, he simply closed his eyes, pretending that he couldn't hear anything.

The bar owner, who was standing behind the bar, suddenly coughed loudly twice, which was quite inappropriate at that moment.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. The bar owner was wiping the glasses while turning his head to the side with wide eyes.

People then noticed that at a table at the very back of the bar sat a human, an orc, a werewolf, and... an elf...

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!