Desharow MermanChapter 66

Translator: Jade
Editors: Cheonsa, rad_pigeon

Chapter 66 ndbVkG

Why was Agares avoiding me like this? Was he keeping some sort of secret that couldn’t be disclosed? 

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I furrowed my brows in doubt, feeling extremely disheartened yet finding it ridiculous. Before, it was Agares that would always chase or spy on me. Now, it was my turn to feel distressed about his whereabouts. Shit, just how did this all happen?! An intense unwillingness prompted me to explore around the metal sluice gate. I then crouched to lower myself into the water so that I could examine further. There must’ve been some sort of mechanism here that could allow someone to go through the gate; I had probably just missed it… Sure enough, in a few moments, my fingers brushed against a loose, metal bar that was close to the wall. I vigorously shook it a couple of times, and it unexpectedly broke off. 

It was irritating that I didn’t notice this before! I immediately wore back my wrinkled clothing and bent down to go through the broken opening.  LmsyGd

“Agares!” I shouted for his name loudly while travelling into the long, underground waterway. But just as I turned a corner, there were several pitch-dark junctions that shockingly appeared before my eyes. I didn’t know which junction led to where. Perhaps, they were linked up to Venice’s entire underground drainage system,  making it look just like a perfectly laid out underground maze. I should’ve been glad that I had my night vision. If it weren’t for that, Even if I was beaten to death, I wouldn’t want to venture into this place like a mouse.  I couldn’t figure out what Agares was thinking. He—no—that giant piece of sashimi was becoming more and more enigmatic. Just what kind of shenanigans was he playing at? 

I swept away the discarded wine bottles and cigarettes floating near me. Then I heavily sniffed the assorted scent in the air to distinguish Agares’s whereabouts among the junctions. Next, using my own sense of smell, I swam towards the junction on the left. At that moment, I felt nowhere near like a fucking mouse, rather I was like a wild cat following the scent of a fish, foraging for food. Ah, foraging, what an inappropriate way to describe this situation!

While my head ran wildly with my imagination, the underground waterway that should’ve only contained sounds of flowing water now had weird noises emitting from it. Mixed with the flowing water waves, sounds of human dialogue came from above my head. It seemed like there was a bustling place overhead. Just where was this? 

Following the noises, I progressed forward and saw that further up, there was a faint stream of light. I groped around above my head and forcefully pushed up against a sewer lid. Above my head, the lid slid open a little, and I sneakily popped my eyes upward to look around. I realized that I was actually inside (or should I say below) a casino.  From where I was, I was positioned away from the crowd. I could see smokey mist everywhere, and lights shining psychedelically all around. Through the drifting, black and semi-translucent curtains, one could see figures of people gathering around a gambling table under a golden, dazzling light. The smell of money and desire permeated through the air, turning the place into a pot of boiling soup. Nobody was paying enough attention to notice me—a nobody who had randomly popped out of nowhere. 

Agares’s scent was definitely here, I was sure of it. 

After I cautiously climbed out, I looked around the place and found out that this casino was originally reconstructed from a monastery; one could see this from the dome roof and surrounding pillars with relief structures of dignified angels carved onto them. There were even murals hanging onto the walls. Just what did Agares come here for? Was it because catching fish in the sea was not enough, so he had to come to shore and play around? 

I shoved my hands into my pant pockets and hooked up my back, pretending to be a silhouette of a gambler as I absent-mindedly looked around for Agares’s figure. Just as I was about to ascend to the second floor, I saw my companions from the ‘Poseidon’. A Belarusian girl, Rodia, who was very familiar with me, was seemingly hiding from something in a panic as she stooped low to run down the flight of stairs, not paying attention to what was ahead. I immediately realized that the casino I entered was the one that Kolov also entered earlier, and from seeing her unusual complexion, my heart couldn’t help but be on alert. I went up a few steps and grabbed her wrist. Taking advantage of the fact that she didn’t scream yet, I quickly covered her mouth and then dragged her into a shadowy corner behind the flight of stairs. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“Qtja’r kgbcu, Ebvlj? Qts jgf sbe rb oierafgfv? Qtja tjqqfcfv?” P defralbcfv lc j ibk nblmf.  0MoZS8

“Ktfs… Ktf wjolj…” Ebvlj’r rtbeivfg agfwyifv ojlcais jr rtf mbcalcefv, “…Jtbqqfv boo Dbrr Bbibn’r tjcv!” 

P kjr rtbmxfv bea bo ws klar, “Qtja?!” 

“P vbc’a xcbk kts… yea atfgf rffwfv ab yf rbwfatlcu kgbcu klat jc lafw atja kf erfv obg j agjcrjmalbc ogbw yfobgf. Ktfs rjlv atja atf ufw Bbibn ygbeuta ab atfw ijra alwf kjr ojxf, jcv atja’r kts atfs abbx j tjcv lc fzmtjcuf abvjs. Rba bcis atja, yea kf tjv ab jirb yglcu lc rbwfatlcu firf ab mbwqfcrjaf obg atflg ibrr!” Ebvlj mbnfgfv tfg wbeat, bynlberis oglutafcfv. 

“Calm down. Take me to see what’s going on.” I breathed in deeply, my heart sinking to the bottom of my chest.  w dAOv

Kolov was my saviour. It was under his wing, that we were able to make ourselves fit in and feel at home. Now that he was situated in this bloody mess, it was something I couldn’t and didn’t wish to see. I had to find some way to help him. For now, I patted Rodia’s back and whispered, “Mafias have their own bottom-line and principles. They demanded for Kovlo’s hand, but as long as there’s still a remedy, it’s unlikely that they will simply kill him.”

Rodia nodded her head. She was an excellent female thief, so her mental strength was fairly good, leading her to stabilize her mind within moments. She led me up from the other side of the second floor patio to a nearby bathroom. There was an extended port outside, and so we carefully crawled over until we reached a window. Through the cracks of the curtain, I was able to see what was happening inside a separate, hidden room on this floor. I couldn’t help but suck in a gulp of cold air—

Inside, there was a gambling table, and situated by it, were a few mafia goons holding guns, revolving around Kolov. He was holding onto his arm that was already soaked in a pool of blood. The flexible joint part above his wrist was missing. However, he really was a guy made of steel, for he was holding back, clenching his teeth while staring at an old man, who was obviously the head of the Camorra clan. Only his pale, white face showed slight signs of twitching in pain. I really admired how calm Kolov was regardless of the state he was in. I shifted my body, so I could observe from another angle. However, I immediately noticed a pearl-sized object glittering on the table, and it had been cut open into two by a sharp tool. Leaking out of it was some sort of blue, luminous liquid. 

My eyes widened as I did a double take. It was at this moment that I realized the reason for Agares appearance in this place.  8bvuo9

It was because I recognized the object: it was actually a Mermaid spore. It looked just like the one that had entered my body before, and, perhaps, it also belonged to Agares!

When Kolov previously fished this thing out, he didn’t know what it was and must’ve used it as a precious gem to trade with the mafia. Oh my God! 

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“Tell me, Kolov. What is this weird thing that’s leaking out water? Is it candy for kids? When making transactions and deals with us, you ought to be more precise. Yet you used this sort of thing as a fake sapphire?” I heard a voice inquire and, at that moment, saw that the Camorra clan’s head was fiddling with the blue liquid on the table with a dark face. “After you lied and cheated us out of a huge sum of money the last time, you still dared to come back? This is the price you pay for your greed, Kolov. Now, either you ask for your men to bring in real gems, or I’ll chop off your other hand.”  

“Mister Camorra, please trust me. I have no intention of deceiving you. All these gems have been appraised right then and there, haven’t they? Even if it isn’t a sapphire, I still believe that it holds great value!” Kolov’s jaw was chattering, “I took it out from a tightly locked safe in a wreckage of what I suspected to be a German ship. If they were merely fake gems, why would the Germans protect it so tightly? I vow upon my hand that’s been chopped off that it must be something extraordinary.”  gdqh9

“Oh, no, no, no. I’m not interested in your pathetic explorer theories. I only care if I’m able to exchange these things for a great deal of marijuana and heroin. Kolov, you gave us a huge monetary loss!” 

Camorra flew into a rage as he slapped the table. A person on the side immediately clutched onto Kolov’s cut off wrist, making him let out a blood-curdling scream. My head felt numb and I couldn’t help but avert my gaze. Deep within my heart, I knew this situation was bad, because I wasn’t sure if the things we fished up this time from the Arctic Ocean was enough to compensate for the mafia’s loss. Furthermore, this was half a year’s worth of our income. I didn’t mind taking out my own share to help Kolov. However, I wasn’t sure about the people who were disbanding from Kolov’s group, because they will eventually work on their own. Rodia covered her ears and mumbled in a low voice, “Oh God, oh God, Derte, we’ve provoked the Italian mafia. What do we do?” 

“Go back and inform the others on the boat. Then go and take some valuable items over. I’ll stay here and act accordingly to the situation.” I instructed her in a low voice. Rodia nodded her head, but just as she was about to leave, I suddenly heard a cluster of commotion. It came over from the first floor. Then there was a knock on the door, “Viclado sir, Godmother Licciardi has arrived.” 

“What, that bitch…”  aiCWoN

The old man, who was addressed as Viclado, sat up immediately in his seat. The door was suddenly pushed open, and coming out from behind the door was an exceptionally beautiful, blonde married woman. She was wearing a black windbreaker and appeared to be very confident. 

Her high heels made clicking sounds as she walked across the marble floor. Within a few steps, she reached the table and pressed a sliver blade against Viclado’s forehead, speaking in a nonchalant way, “Who gave you the permission for you to engage in a private transaction here? These things are very valuable. Earlier before, a German company had already negotiated with me for them. I was hoping to get more of these things, but instead you’ve gone ahead and had Kolov’s hand chopped off!”

Once she was finished speaking, she lifted the knife and stabbed it into the back of Viclado’s hand. In an instant, a horrible squeal sounded throughout the room, like a pig being slaughtered. I didn’t have the time to even be stunned at the situation as my entire attention suddenly shifted to another figure who just entered the room from outside. 

That person was wearing a Venice mask. With his silver hair combed back, his stature was tall, just like what I interpreted his height would be if he were human back then behind the glass in the beginning—around two metres. His head was almost pressing against the door frame, and, looking at most of the tall guys in Italy, he seemed to be a head taller than all of them. Truly it was a bit terrifying. Everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but to be drawn to him. My eyes couldn’t help but focus on his lower body, trying to penetrate through his long black windbreaker that reached his ankles. What was hidden behind it; was it really a pair of legs? Could his fishtail be hidden inside?  uzkS4j

I wasn’t sure how Agares was able to hide himself among the humans, but what I did know was that he came here because of these spores. Except for the one that had already been destroyed, the rest were still in the hands of the Camorra family. That was obviously why he had to hide among them. This now justified his actions. Furthermore, getting their hands on these spores wasn’t easy. I have every reason to believe that the German company mentioned by Licciardi was actually Rhine and Sakarol’s. Regardless whether they died at sea two years ago, the remaining Nazis wouldn’t dare to give up on this project. In the slightest sign of disturbance, their ashes would once again burn as they waited for their malevolent return to haunt once again.  

“That tall guy… Could he be Licciardi’s subordinate, her trump card, the infamous albino killer—Roy?”

Killer? This was Agares’s identity after he entered human society? Indeed, it was a suitable cover for hiding himself since killers are always allowed to be mysterious and aloof… 

“I’ve heard rumours that he is also her lover.” Rodia added.  Iy S7o

“Oh, really… her lover?” I blurted out right after. Then I felt as though a thorn was lodged in my throat. 

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. It seems like Kolov should be fine now. We’re quite lucky.” I scratched the tip of my nose and watched Licciardi’s people come over to tidy up the aftermath. Agares was like a competent bodyguard as he stood in a corner motionlessly. His mask cast a thick shadow over his face, but even so, I could tell that his eyes had been staring at the shattered spore on the table this whole time. 

For the group of merfolk who survived, it was something precious, so I could imagine just how he felt as the merfolk’s leader. If he could’ve, he would’ve definitely chosen to kill everyone here in the room, but he remained absolutely placid. No different from a frozen ice sculpture. It was only until Licciardi said something beside his ear that he moved his lips slightly, replying in what I suspected to be in Italian syllables and even laughed a little. I hated to admit it, but, with his smile and the combination of his mask, it made him seem like a mysterious and charming gentleman.  u4QrIW

But in an instant, there was a distasteful feeling that welled up within my chest, just like the feeling of a wife who had witnessed her husband having an affair. I couldn’t stop looking at the broken spore as my imagination ran wild. It was when I realized that I was questioning whether I was merely just a living spore to Agares and nothing else, did I immediately stop my train of thoughts and willed myself to not think about it any further. Yet my heart still felt a little sour. 

Damn it!

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

I racked my head, wanting to take whatever thoughts were in my head and knock them out. During this, I noticed Licciardi walking off. After Agares helped to escort her out, he returned to the table, lifted the spore and held it within his palm. He was wearing a pair of black leather gloves. From the stroking I felt when he hugged me at the gate, I could confirm that even though he had become humanized, it didn’t mean his transformation was complete. His hand was most likely still in the form of webbed claws, that was why he needed them to be concealed.  

I then noticed that Agares’s tall body was shaking unnaturally, like he was holding back his anger and pain.  GHbeRD

I just knew that there was something wrong with him. 

“Derte, lets go. Kolov probably needs someone by his side.” As Rodia notified me, I realized that Agares was walking out the door again. 

Turning my head aside, I signalled for Rodia to go ahead first. After that, I turned to venture beyond the window wanting to follow Agares, but he had already disappeared without a trace. I cursed at him in my head and ran down to the first floor to look around for his whereabouts. Just when I passed an open door, someone grabbed my back with both of their hands, and my whole body was instantly pulled into the darkness. A strong scent then permeated into my nose, making me immediately stop my struggle, and I allowed myself to be dragged in by Agares—back into the underground waterway. 

After Agares closed the lid above our heads, he hugged me tightly as we leaned against the moist wall. His breathing was rather heavy and urgent as he panted, and his body was shuddering like a violently rupturing volcano. Soon after, the sound of cloth tearing burst out from below our bodies, making me unconsciously look down. I could only see Agares’s lower body progressively expanding and undulating. There was something struggling to break free from the inside of his windbreaker. Immediately, I wanted to help him open his clothing, but, instead, he rushed to pull it open first. After, what I saw inside caught me off guard and shocked me beyond words—  HW4c3d

I didn’t know if I should call the things before me ‘legs’ or not, because they definitely didn’t even seem like legs. It was only a fishtail that had been split from the middle, leading the original structure to be separated into two strands in which were still covered in black scales up to the torso. As for where his human ‘feet’ were located, they were hidden inside a black leather boot. At that point, I didn’t know what they looked like, perhaps, he didn’t even have feet at all and had only stuffed his caudal fins inside his shoes. Furthermore, the seam where his fishtail had been split into two was now growing some new tissue—obviously coming together again to become that long and rough, black fishtail. 

“It’s very unstable, Desharow… I’m going to change back soon, I need to find a place to hide.” Agares stared at me, using the merfolk language that I was now able to understand. I fearfully looked at him, feeling that the way he was communicating with me was both strange, yet familiar. He caressed the top of my head with his wide glove-covered hand, descending it down from my cheeks and slowly to my lips, his deep, husky voice sounded again, “Now… are you still afraid of me?” 

I said nothing and just grabbed his mask to take off his face. What was revealed behind the mask was a face that hasn’t changed at all. Only, his ears were slowly growing out from under his hair like a stubborn plant. To others, this would seem horrific, but to me, I couldn’t help but find it a little funny. I smiled wryly and touched his ears like I was feeling a small animal, but then his hold around my waist tightened in a chastising way, possessively biting my chin. 

I shrank my neck back due to the sensitivity, and on cue, sudden footsteps resonated from above our heads, making me realize that this place wasn’t a good idea to have a lovers rendezvous. I looked at the underground junction, to which I didn’t know where they led to, and suggested, “Agares, are you familiar with the routes in Venice?”  p3hjf5

TBC

Cheonsa has something to say: Extremely sorry for the late update, we came to realize that this chapter can be confusing as fudge especially with the setting, so we were waiting for an editor to be available. If you guys are still confused about this chapter, or just anything in general, feel free to comment, I will try my best to answer you guys as soon as possible! Thank you for your patients!