Chapter 69: Crossing the Threshold of the Dragon Palace (1)

As I was packing, Domo Minjun kept hovering around me, being a nuisance.

“Are you all packed?”

“All I need is my own body.”

Enviable guy.

Since he could unify with his shield, he really didn’t seem to have anything to pack.

“At least bring a toothbrush.”

“You pack it all at once, Brother. It’s easier for everyone if only one person carries things.”

A toothbrush, sure. It’s not heavy. I could pack it for him.

But that arrogant attitude.

I really don’t like it!

I wanted to give him one good, hard flick on the forehead.

“Please take mine too~”

“Brother, mine as well~!”

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together—they were all on Domo Minjun’s side.

Dammit, I shouldn’t have let them into the house.

Kasia quietly brought her toothbrush and handed it to me.

I gave them a side-eye and tucked it into the bag.

Still, it was much less than Baek Seonwoo’s luggage.

Just what on earth did she pack so much of?

“Seonwoo, isn’t that too much luggage? Leave the unnecessary things here.”

At that, Baek Seonwoo tilted her head.

“It’s all necessary, though? We’re going far, so I should pack everything without leaving anything behind.”

Even so.

We’re only going for an overnight trip at most, yet she showed up with a massive hiking backpack.

Even at a glance, the capacity looked to be at least 100L.

“What… what did you pack?”

I needed to check Baek Seonwoo’s luggage.

That size probably wouldn’t even fit in a waterproof plastic wrap.

“It’s nothing much. Just ingredients for the medicine to be made at the Dragon Palace and travel essentials.”

“Travel essentials? Like what? I’ll pack some too.”

“You don’t need to pack them separately. I brought everything. Swim goggles, fins, a swimsuit, a waterproof flashlight, energy bars, a passport, a portable battery, a Swiss Army knife, repellent, and a waterproof Smartphone pouch!”

It was an incredible amount.

It was surprising that all of it even fit inside.

“I can understand the other things, but why did you pack a passport?”

“Yes! Just in case I’m swept away by the water alone and wash up in a foreign country, I have to prove my identity!”

Just how far was she imagining when she packed?

“Then what about the repellent?”

“The repellent? Just in case dangerous creatures like sharks smell me and come near!”

“…You’re quite thorough.”

Since she seemed to truly believe everything was necessary, I thought it would be better to just let her take it.

Compared to her, our luggage was simple.

My modest backpack was all there was.

Inside were the Trnalpria, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and some snacks. That was it.

“Well then, let’s head out.”

As we stepped outside the house, Ddakkongi and Little Pepper were waiting in front of the door.

“Are the guardians here? Where is Parong?”

(We decided to stay on duty diligently, sir!)

(He’s become a well-behaved Parong now, chu!)

Surely they didn’t bully him?

They weren’t the type of personalities to do that, though.

“Shall we go then?”

I loaded the group into the SUV I had purchased for traveling together.

Donghae is close, but we have luggage, and everyone will be tired after coming back from the Dragon Palace, so I plan to drive back.

The SUV is exactly a 7-seater, so the seats are completely filled when the adults sit.

“We’re not going far by car anyway, who wants to hold Ddakkongi?”

Since there were no seats for Ddakkongi and Little Pepper, someone had to hold them.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t drive with them on my lap for safety reasons.

Surely there’s someone, right?

“Me! I’ll hold Ddakkongi!”

– That will not do! Ddakkongi shall sit on my lap!

“Could I perhaps fiddle with… no, could I hold him? I’ve never seen such a cute child before!”

Contrary to my worries, many people wanted Ddakkongi.

Starting from Suyeon, who raised her hand high and waved it to get attention, to Kasia, who tugged at Ddakkongi’s arm, and Baek Seonwoo, who couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Our Ddakkongi is quite the popular one.

But why is no one saying they’ll take Little Pepper?

The kid will feel left out.

“Brother, it’s only natural that I take Little Pepper, right?”

Ah, there’s one.

The person threatening Little Pepper’s favorite spot, Bae Jinsu.

If he hadn’t been my guardian, he probably would have been snatched away long ago.

The bond between master and disciple was that deep.

“Then Little Pepper will ride with Jinsu, and Ddakkongi…”

It was hard to choose.

As expected, in times like this, it’s best to let Ddakkongi choose for himself, right?

“Ddakkongi, which of these ladies do you want to ride with?”

(I like Owner, sir! I will ride with Owner, sir!)

As expected of my boy.

He touches my heart like this again.

“I want to ride with you too, Ddakkongi~ But I can’t because I have to drive. Pick one of the ladies.”

Ddakkongi looked at each of them intently.

Then, they began to clap or wave their arms, telling him to come to them to grab his attention.

“Ddakkongi! Here! Come to your big sister!”

– Ddakkongi! Come this way! Have we not known each other for over two years!

“Ddakkongi! Aren’t you curious about a big sister you’ve never seen before? Let’s go together!”

It hasn’t even been a year since Ddakkongi was born… ah! From Kasia’s perspective, it has been over two years.

Since time flows faster in Eliya, she said it’s been over two years.

I wonder who Ddakkongi will choose.

(I will go with Kasia, sir!)

Hearing Ddakkongi’s words, Suyeon slumped to the ground with a look of despair.

Right, it’s hard to beat Kasia.

Baek Seonwoo seemed to have anticipated the result after seeing Kasia’s triumphant expression.

She looked dejected, but in truth, she probably hadn’t expected much.

“Then get in quickly! Let’s head out.”

Traveling by car to a place we used to walk to took no time at all.

Ddakkongi sat on Kasia’s lap in the passenger seat, but even in that short time, he never took his eyes off me.

‘Does he like me that much? Hehe.’

I got out of the car and walked alone to the spot where I always met Seirun.

“Seirun! I’m here!”

Will he be here this time?

Last time, instead of Seirun, there was another of the Merfolk named Seira.

“Seirun~!”

When I called the name a couple more times, ripples appeared on the water’s surface as an Ojingeo rose up.

It gradually transformed into a human shape, and its hair was long.

“Seira?”

– Yes, it is Seira. Hello.

“Have you been well? I’ve come to go to the Dragon Palace today.”

Hearing my words, Seira wore a flustered expression.

What’s wrong?

– I’m sorry, but even if you go, you might not be able to enter.

“It’s because the Dragon King is unwell, right? You told me last time. This time, I’ve brought an Alchemist. We intend to see the Dragon King’s condition directly and make medicine.”

– Strangers are a bit….

“These are people I trust and brought with me. You don’t have to trust the others, just trust me.”

It sounded a bit like a quack, but Seira agonized over it before eventually nodding her head.

I went back to the car where the group was waiting and took off my clothes.

Everyone had come wearing swimsuits underneath, so they comfortably just took off their outer layers.

“I’ll hand out the pouches containing Trnalpria. For the Trnalpria, you tear one side and breathe the air inside, but you can probably just put it in your mouth and chew it. Use it however you find comfortable.”

Baek Seonwoo handed out swim goggles, telling those who couldn’t open their eyes underwater to wear them.

And even waterproof pouches to put their Smartphones in.

It certainly is convenient since she packed all sorts of things.

As we all went to where Seira was waiting, Seira had wide eyes.

– The group is… larger than I expected.

“Will it not work, perhaps?”

– Since we’re going anyway, I suppose everyone might as well go together. Everyone, please enter the sea quickly.

“Let’s dive in~”

Splash~

Kasia entered the sea cautiously, while the others, unlike me, dove in coolly.

Come to think of it, I remembered Kasia saying she couldn’t swim before we left.

She could summon a Spirit of Water, but since that consumes mental Force, it’s difficult to use recklessly.

“Seira, one person isn’t very good at swimming; can you help her?”

– Of course. Which person is it?

– It is… I.

Seira gave a gentle smile and offered her hand.

When Kasia took that hand, Seira pulled gently and dove into the water.

– Gasp!

Kasia held her breath and followed her down.

Seeing that, the others followed suit and dove as well.

Checking that we had all submerged, Seira opened her mouth.

– Aaah— Ah— Ah—

Then, several large fish swam closer.

And they transformed into human shapes.

– We will escort these people to the Dragon Palace. Please guide them well from the sides so they are not in danger.

– Yes, we understand.

Following Seira, who led the way to the Dragon Palace as guests of the Merfolk, we swam deeper and deeper into the sea.

The Merfolk took Ddakkongi and Little Pepper by the hand and guided them so they wouldn’t drift away.

Supplying oxygen by chewing on Trnalpria every now and then, I didn’t feel out of breath, so it was comfortable.

While rapidly traversing the abyss, our surroundings were by no means dark.

In the thick darkness, bioluminescent jellyfish tinged with rainbow colors danced like an aurora in the sky, lighting the way.

Whenever the transparent umbrellas billowed gently with the waves, purple, blue, and light green hues spread out as if ink were bleeding into the water.

The schools of fish swimming between those shining umbrellas were another spectacular sight.

Fish with brilliant, multi-colored scales sometimes scattered and gathered repeatedly, twinkling as if stars were dancing, and that sight was reminiscent of a living Milky Way.

‘Whoa….’

This mysterious feast of light created by the creatures beneath the sea was like a scene from a fairy tale.

I would have believed it even if someone said this was a dream and not reality.

Seeing the picturesque scenery, it finally felt real that I was going to the Dragon Palace.

The fluttering excitement in a corner of my chest spread through my entire body, making my heart throb.

This is what true emotion and romance feel like.

Seira and the Merfolk swam skillfully while simultaneously guarding our surroundings.

They even slowed down their speed so we could fully appreciate the mysterious sights when they appeared.

Thanks to such consideration, I could look around with a relaxed heart.

‘Wow, it’s really beautiful. This is what Nature looks like when preserved without the touch of Humans.’

A different side of Nature from the forests of Eliya.

Small fish darted nimbly between broken coral reefs, playing as if boasting their shimmering scales.

The Merfolk went ahead, showing us forests of giant, pretty coral reefs adapted to the deep sea, and let us view grand cliffs and various sea caves that naturally instilled a sense of awe.

With all sorts of seaweed decorating the coral forests, it felt as though we had stepped into a mysterious and fantastic painting.

‘Such beauty existed in the deep sea that we didn’t know about.’

My heart was thrilled by the new experience beneath the sea.

In this moment, I forgot everything else and enjoyed the current situation.

– We have arrived. This is the entrance leading to the Dragon Palace.

Where Seira, who was leading the way at the front, pointed, there was a Portal emitting a blue light.

‘We arrived already. I lost track of time while looking around.’

The moment Seira stepped into the Portal first, the blue light swallowed her up.

Seeing that, we followed her and entered the Portal.

The palace we faced as soon as we passed through the Portal felt deeply traditional and dignified, much like the solemn tiled roofs of Gyeongbokgung.

Because it was under the sea, a deeper turquoise glow surrounded the palace, and the palace tinged with soft light brought to mind the halls of a quiet mountain temple.

The sight of it shining faintly amidst the blue waves felt like a temple beneath the sea, yet it exuded a mysterious and serene dignity like a beautiful palace of Korea.

I stared at its magnificent appearance, unintentionally losing myself in the view.

– Everyone, welcome to the Dragon Palace.

“Whoa…. Oh? We can speak?”

– One can breathe as well.

“It truly is a wondrous sight. I’m moved.”

Whether she felt a very deep emotion, Baek Seonwoo’s eyes grew red.

We headed straight for the Dragon Palace.

Because the Dragon Palace was massive, it looked close, but since there was actually quite a distance, we ended up looking around as we went.

Looking closely at the sparkling fish, I saw fish with golden scales mixed with rainbow-colored fish swimming about.

Just then, a shadow fell as if a cloud were covering the sun.

When I looked up, turtles as large as cars were swimming gracefully in a group.

(Whoa! They’re huge, sir!)

Those huge turtles look big even to our eyes; I wonder how big they must look to Ddakkongi.

Seeing how he couldn’t close his mouth as he looked upward, it seemed the others were thinking the same thing, even if they didn’t say it out loud.

– From what I know, land-dwellers say it is their wish to try riding on a turtle. Would you like to go while riding the turtles?

Was there any reason to hesitate?

At Seira’s unexpected suggestion, we all nodded our heads simultaneously.

As if our reaction were funny, Seira gave a small chuckle and emitted an ultrasonic wave, and the turtles descended to the floor and lay flat.

Heavens, this is really cool, isn’t it?

Gulp.

I felt nervous about riding on the back of such a large creature.

I held Ddakkongi tightly and climbed onto the turtle’s back.

When everyone else had climbed on as well, the turtles pushed the water powerfully with their fins and took us to the Dragon Palace at a rapid speed.

“Oh? There’s a massive clam!”

At Suyeon’s shout, the group all looked down at once.

Below, massive clams large enough to swallow a human in one bite were tightly closed, but as their mouths slowly opened, they contained incredibly large, beautiful pearls of many colors.

– The Merfolk truly live in a wonderful place. It is fantastic.

The lush forests of Eliya are places that hold a different kind of beauty from the Dragon Palace.

However, perhaps because it couldn’t give this much of an emotional impact right now, Kasia could not hide her envy.

After losing myself in the underwater scenery, we eventually arrived at the entrance of the Dragon Palace.

The turtles dropped us off at the entrance and then swam away leisurely.