70 - 53 Mysterious fortune-tellers have a strange complexion in their mouths.

We arrived at the port town of Itor, where we quickly made arrangements for lodging and had a late lunch.

As one would expect from a port town, we enjoyed a number of fresh, fat, seafood dishes.

We were able to enjoy a variety of fresh seafood dishes, and it was a very satisfying meal.

Ophir even unintentionally said, "Oh man, I wish I could live here. ......

The fish are probably more full of life than in other port towns because the goddess of water is nearby.

However, it seems that demons often appear in the nearby sea these days, and the catch is on the decline.

The guild has been posting quests to take down the demons, but since they are in the ocean, it is very difficult to catch them.

So, if I have time later, I will take a look at the quest board.

Well..."

Anyway, after finishing lunch in a good mood, we decided to split up and gather information.

I asked people on the street about the mermaid legend, thinking that it had been a while since I had been on my own.

But there was nothing of particular interest, and the best I could get was a story about a man who had fallen in love with a mermaid in the past.

Of course, if the man had lived, it would have been a different story, but mermaids have a much longer life span than humans, and the man was probably dead.

After all, the person who told me that story was quite an old lady.

She told me that she had heard this story when she was young, so I guess it was hopeless.

Hmmm, I don't know what to do. ......

So I went back to the inn and wondered whether or not I should join everyone else.

The sky was turning red by now, and someone might have gotten some useful information.

But....

"--Is something troubling you?"

What?"

Suddenly, a voice called out to me from the back alley, and I turned my gaze in that direction.

There was a young woman, her eyes covered with a black cloth, her entire body black.

--She was a fortune teller.

Apparently, she is doing her business in this narrow alleyway.

Perhaps it was because her eyes were covered, but I could sense an indescribable scent around her mouth. ...... Well, let's put that aside.

The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your money is to use it.

I had heard that some of her skills were similar to clairvoyance.

I thought it would be a good idea to ask her about it, just in case.

I asked, "Uh, I'm looking for a mermaid, do you know any?"

He said, "Mermaids: ....... That's quite an unusual thing you're looking for.

Yes, well, it's a little complicated. It's a bit of a situation.

Yes, I see. Well, let me tell you something.

"Oh, yes, please.

As I asked, the woman put her hands on the crystal ball in front of her.

The crystal ball began to glow faintly.

I wondered if it was a tool that reacted to some kind of magical power.

I see. You seem to be very popular. I can see you surrounded by many women.

"Well, no, I mean, ......."

I'm not wrong, but I wonder if that has anything to do with mermaids. ......

I was the one who had that comatose look on my face.

"--Seven holy maidens surround the immortal bird.

What?

I was so surprised when the woman suddenly said such a thing, and my eyes widened a little.

What did you just say ......?

The immortal bird and the seven holy maidens......?

Doesn't that mean me and the saints?

I freeze, my eyebrows furrowed in the shape of a c, and the woman continues.

One of them seems to have something to do with mermaids. One of them seems to have something to do with mermaids, but it's not a simple case," the woman continued. And you already know where she is--that's what the horoscope says.

No, no, wait a minute!　I don't know where she is, and how do you know about us in the first place?　Maybe he has some kind of clairvoyant skills?

I asked her, and she laughed and said, "That's a trade secret.

That's a trade secret. But I have one piece of advice for you. --Keep my prediction in the back of your mind. You will eventually have to fight some great destiny together with the seven maidens. All you will need is the power of the Seven Maidens. Are we clear?　You must have all seven. Do you understand?

I understand. I will keep it in my heart as you said.

Good girl. Look, your friends are here to pick you up.

What?"

I turned around to follow the woman's gaze, but the girls I knew were not there.

'Eh, um, I don't see anyone, but ......, that!"

Moreover, when I turned my gaze back to the front, even the woman in question was not there.

"What?　Where is your sister?

I looked around in a hurry, but I couldn't see the woman, and I was shocked.

I was astonished.

I was astonished to see no sign of the woman. I've been looking for you.

"...... Arca?"

Just as the woman had said, one of my friends, Arka, had appeared.

So, all the stories I had just heard were real ......!

What?

And that's when I realized.

She told me that seven holy maidens, or "saints," were surrounding me.

--Yes, seven.

That means .......

Oh, Erma's in there!

Naturally, I was screaming inside.

<>