If you were to dissect a regular salmon living in the wild and eat it raw, you’d be at considerable risk of infection from parasites and pollutants. But hey, this is a dungeon!
In this realm, where the sea water contains a faint trace of mana, frail parasites from Earth wouldn’t last a second.
Sure, there might be some parasites that have adapted to that mana, but…
“Then, by the names of the Father, the Son, the psilocybe, and the starlight…”
Purification beams generally take care of everything.
[Miracle – Purification]
“Purification Beam!”
Ziiiiiing!
“Ugh!?”
Giiiiiiiii!
Eek!
The mermaids, who had surrounded me with curious faces, seemed quite startled as I purified the salmon flesh with my purification beam, retreating behind the reefs or fleeing far away.
Of course, purification doesn’t harm intact living beings.
Oh, I just realized that when I shot the purification beam underwater, it caused some vibrations, like sound waves.
Considering it sounds like a healing miracle, it’s actually a miracle that has quite literally drained a chunk of my mana.
If it were a creature with strong malice, it might even be used as an attack method.
Of course, it’s usually more satisfying to just smash things with my fists.
Beeeeeeam
What kind of purification miracle is that?
Look at that; it’s coming from her eyes!
But every time I see it, I wonder, why does the purification beam come from her eyes?
Shh!
Don’t ask those kinds of questions, student!
Wasn’t it supposed to come from the hands like healing miracles before?
No idea!
Haha, purification beam, hah!
Whether it comes from my eyes, hands, or mouth, as long as it cleanses the food, isn’t that all that matters?
Anyway, the salmon I had just cleaned up, completely pure and free of impurities, looked incredibly delicious.
If only I had cooking tools or had brought a transport drone, I would have taken a stab at cooking this giant salmon measuring seven meters long.
Oh, wait.
Even if I had brought a transport drone, could I even do it here?
This sea dungeon is so full of water that you can’t even detect the surface, so if I can’t step on solid ground, cooking would have been impossible.
Still, I must say, the fresh salmon, especially after draining its blood, was plenty tasty to just eat raw.
Isn’t it generally said that eating salmon sashimi is tastier than grilling it?
“Ugh?”
“U…!”
The mermaids that had fled from the purification beam, once assured no harm was done, gradually emerged again.
I recall there were a few dozen mermaids at first, but somehow the surrounding mermaids all gathered around me, looking quite curious and alternating their gazes between me and the salmon.
They all looked nearly like adult women, but their mental age or intelligence seemed to be roughly that of a three-year-old human, which was quite cute.
So, given that I’m the oldest here, shouldn’t I allow these kids to have the first bite?
“Would you like some?”
“Ugh?”
I tore a piece of the salmon flesh and offered it to the mermaid child next to me on my right.
At first, the child seemed frightened and pulled back slightly, but when I smiled reassuringly, she cautiously reached out her hand to take the salmon I had offered.
“Here, just take a bite.”
Is that a bite…?
We call that a whole pound…
It’s only a bite for the streamer, haha!
Hey now, be quiet.
For me, that really is a single bite.
By parts, it must be the salmon belly.
It’s rich, delicate, and soft, so it should guarantee a great taste.
The child hesitated for a moment, then mustered up the courage and took a large bite.
Nom…………Ugh!?
The face of the child who tasted the salmon lit up incredibly bright!
“Wow!”
“Uugh~!”
“Hehe~!”
“Hehe!”
“Me too, me too….”
Suddenly, other curious mermaid kids nearby rushed over, extending their hands pleadingly for a piece of salmon.
Alright, alright. I’ll give it to you.
Tch, I originally wanted to eat it all by myself, but how could I refuse when they looked at me with those sparkling eyes?
So, I began to skillfully cut the salmon with both my hands and tentacles peeking out from my jellyfish hat.
Fortunately, the salmon was enormous, filled with meat. The bones were sizable enough that I didn’t have to fear any tiny fish bones.
Slurp.
Ugh, eew…
Uuw~!
Wow…
Before I knew it, the mermaids sharing the salmon were all enamored by this new delicacy, chewing together in delight.
One of the kids, wanting more, returned to me with outstretched hands.
Sure, sure. Eat plenty.
How cute they are when they eat…
Look at them bouncing with excitement because it tastes good!
It’s a salmon party!
But is it right for mermaids to eat fish…?
Don’t eat your friends!
So, what do mermaids usually eat, anyway?
How should I know…?
Seeing them eat fish so well, it must mean they’re carnivorous, haha!
But earlier, they were eating what looked like corals or seaweed on the screen…
“Hey, can I eat this whole piece? What would you do then?”
What are you even saying?
Just eat it well.
Haha!
Just eat it well, haha!
Oi, that upper guy, stop harassing me haha!
Haha!
These kids were paying more attention to other mermaids despite me having mutated into one.
Anyway, as I tossed pieces of salmon to the eager mermaids gathered around, they seemingly devoured the salmon happily, looking like they were meant to only snack on seaweed and corals.
Seeing other fish swimming around completely oblivious to the mermaids suggested they probably didn’t eat fish before.
Gasp, what if I’ve introduced mermaids to the new frontier of carnivorism…?
What if, thanks to this event, the mermaids realize the deliciousness of fish flesh and start viewing the fish, who were like companions and friends through cohabitation in this sea dungeon, as food?
Nah, that can’t happen.
That’s way too over the top.
Anyway, as I watched the mermaids eat deliciously, I felt satisfied.
With how beautiful the mermaids are by default, just being around them while they chomp down on the salmon made for a decent enough picture.
So, I guess it’s time for me to start eating too.
Fresh, just-caught salmon sashimi.
How often will I get to eat something in the middle of the ocean?
Om nom nom~
Hehe, salmon is delicious.
Honestly, the idea of eating underwater made me feel like a fish myself, and I was worried that the wet salmon might taste odd. But when I actually tasted it, it was just plain good.
With the mermaids.
In the form of a mermaid.
Eating fish with the same fins did give me a slight sense of guilt, but as long as it tastes good, I think it’s alright.
Fish eating fish…
Wait, isn’t this like elves picking leaves from the World Tree back in the Great Forest?
Hahahahahaha!
How could a person even come up with such a thought?
The elves are probably going to cry!
……….. gulp
What’s up with the streamer? Why’s her gaze gone?
Looks like she’s feeling guilty, haha!
Fortunately, it seemed some thought this was just a concept, but internally, I was sweating bullets.
Wait, how did they know that I had eaten leaves from the World Tree!?
Of course, I didn’t do it on purpose!
I didn’t realize it was from the World Tree until after I had eaten it, and that too was a fake World Tree!
I’m totally justified!
Just avoiding the chat made me feel a pang of conscience.
Yeah, I’m going to refrain from commenting on this.
I’m a saint who doesn’t tell lies, so it’s better to stay silent.
Just then, while I was munching on the salmon with the mermaids…
“Go back.”
A sharply spoken—no, more like a chilling voice was heard, emanating an air of danger.
I swallowed the piece of salmon I was chewing and turned my head towards the source of the voice.
That was the first time hearing the voice of a mermaid who could actually speak after only hearing the murmurs of those who couldn’t.
It felt quite different to hear the direct voice of a mermaid since all I had before was just a simple wish or lingering sentiment.
Is this what it’s like to hear a Siren’s voice?
If I were just an ordinary person instead of the Saint of the Dead, I might have been entranced just from hearing that voice.
And it seemed the viewers weren’t immune to it either.
Whoa, I momentarily lost my senses!
What the hell; what’s that?
Wow that voice, what is it?
Oh?
What is it?
It’s a talking mermaid!
I swear, my vision blurred the moment I heard that mermaid’s voice, what’s up with that?
Seems like someone has a unique fetish…
It’s “fetishy”!
It’s just “fetishy”!
No way, even I lost my senses for a moment. Is that voice exuding hallucinations or a temptation passive?
How does that get broadcasted?!
All A-rank and below special abilities or gimmicks are usually blocked, right?
Then does that mean she’s an S-rank mob?
Definitely not!
The owner of the voice was a deep red-haired mermaid.
She had longer fins than the other mermaid kids, and with the exquisite headband made of sea gems adorning her head, and blackened blindfolds over her eyes, one could tell she was a mighty and distinguished mermaid.
The atmosphere shifted palpably the moment the red-haired mermaid appeared.
The currents of water that had flowed naturally just moments ago halted abruptly.
Oh wow…
This mermaid looks huge!
Please, just take off the adult filter!
Streamer, can you see the mermaid’s curves?
Why does this dude get to look at it alone!
Show us too!
Oh boy, these are some pervy bunch.
Despite the viewers being mentally affected by the enchanting voice, they rejoiced at the appearance of a new character.
Still, the drone ensures that A-rank and below mental and sound attacks are blocked, so even if the red-haired mermaid’s voice contained temptation, it likely didn’t hit them directly.
I mean, if I really heard that voice, I’d probably have tried to somehow offer her my liver and guts, diving into the ocean to drown myself.
Naturally, I’d be fine.
As the Saint of the Dead, I’m practically immune to such seductive attacks.
Anyhow, the mermaid’s voice was beyond beautiful, and though all the mermaids on screen were definitely way more attractive than average humans, this red-haired mermaid exuded an alluring decadence.
But while I was busy admiring the blindfolded red-haired mermaid, it seemed she had evaluated me too.
Clears throat.
This was, after all, a meeting with an intelligent being who could engage in actual conversation.
An introduction was mandatory.
“Hi, my name is Isia. Right now, I am temporarily a mermaid.”
“………”
At my mention of being a temporary mermaid, I could see the brow of the red-haired mermaid crease slightly beneath her blindfold.
Yeah, I get it; it might sound strange.
While I have a mermaid-like lower half, I am a bit different from other mermaids.
With my jellyfish hat integrated with my brain and the tentacles too, I probably don’t have the same saintly vibe you might expect from a mermaid.
It seems the intellectual red-haired mermaid sensed a sort of unease towards me.
“This isn’t a playground for pigs to swim in.”
“Eh…..”
“Eh, a pig?”
Who are you calling a pig?
Are there pigs in the sea?
Oh, wait; could there be underwater pigs?
“Pigs?! Where’s the pig?!”
“………”
Well, that would be quite a delicacy.
I wonder how the taste would differ between land pigs’ belly and sea pigs’ belly, plus orc bacon.
If sea pig bacon is indeed salty, it must taste phenomenal.
You know what they say about salt aging?
“Who else here besides you, the white pig, stands before my eyes?”
“Eh….”
“Eh, me?”
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
All hail the Gallery Master!
The mysterious pig influx…
It’s definitely a pig. An image of a sin-riddled, sinful boar!
You might need to know, even if you have a collab, you’ll become her second option.
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
True, I can’t deny I’m a pig…
No way!
That’s crossing the line!
And that last person in chat who said I can’t deny it? I’ll surely make you have a duet with me!
I mean it!
