The Golden-Haired Summoner - Chapter 50

The group’s objections eased slightly, knowing Rai’s strength. Still, both they and I were uneasy. Gale, however, continued to insist.

“Then we’ll come along! All of us!”

“Sorry, but… one of you may accompany her.”

“I’ll go! Let me go!” Gale exclaimed, raising his hand enthusiastically.

While the situation didn’t seem dangerous, there was a chance my identity could be exposed. If that happened, it was better for Ash to be there. I called out to him.

“Ash! Come with me. You’re coming.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

I felt bad for Gale, but Ash took priority.

We were escorted by the soldiers to the main castle of Baykis Harbor, where the lord resided. Not just the outer grounds—we were led inside the castle itself. As we entered deeper, the number of guards accompanying us dwindled.

Although I could have easily overpowered them if necessary, the situation didn’t seem threatening, so I quietly complied.

“Why are they taking us inside the castle?” Ash asked.

“That’ll cost you one silver, Ash.”

“Even now?”

The soldiers led us further into the castle, down increasingly desolate and dimly lit corridors. The sparse decorations on the walls and the oppressive silence created an unsettling atmosphere.

Ash looked around nervously, muttering observations, but I focused on the peculiar sensations in the air. Something felt… wrong. It was reminiscent of a water spirit, yet eerily lifeless, sending faint pricks across my skin.

[Sniff, sniff. Master, I smell something valuable—a good metal.]

[Where?]

Rai was uncannily adept at identifying rare metals, almost as if by instinct.

[At the end of this hallway. It feels like… a condensed Undine.]

[A condensed Undine? What does that even mean?]

Frowning, I focused my senses toward the end of the corridor where Rai had indicated. Something was definitely there, though I couldn’t pinpoint what.

“Ash, don’t you smell something fishy?”

“Fishy? Now that you mention it… What’s that smell?”

I snapped back to attention as the soldiers opened a door at the end of the hallway and gestured for us to enter.

“Go inside. The lord and lady await you.”

The lord *and* lady?

In my previous world, the term “First Lady” referred to the president’s spouse, but here, it meant the official wife of a nobleman. As the door opened, I caught sight of the figures inside. There was a man in fine clothing who was clearly the lord and… a mermaid.

No, not *just* a mermaid—a severely malnourished one.

If I wasn’t mistaken, the way the lord looked at her carried genuine affection. Could it be? Was this mermaid the lady of the house the soldiers referred to?

—

Both Ash and I instinctively gasped, stifling the sounds as we realized the source of the fishy smell.

“A mermaid?”

“What is… this?”

[It’s a mermaid.]

I reflexively clutched the mermaid scale necklace around my neck, partly out of worry it might upset her, and partly because I feared it might be taken from me.

“Welcome. I am Albert Baykis, lord of this castle. And this,” he gestured to the mermaid, “is my wife, Annaroi. As you can see, she is of the merfolk.”

His calm introduction left me speechless. I didn’t know why he had summoned me, but if he was keeping this mermaid captive and causing her condition, I couldn’t forgive him.

“Ah, I’m Ash. And this is my companion, Geenie.”

“Nice to meet you. The young lady is the summoner, yes? I can sense an enchanting fragrance about you… the scent of water, fresh and all-encompassing.”

Legends claimed mermaids had voices so beautiful they could ensnare humans, but this mermaid’s voice was far from enchanting. It was coarse, almost grating, though her tone was gentle.

I studied her closely. She wore a thin slip that revealed a lower body unmistakably that of a mermaid. Her shoulders and neck were painfully gaunt, her once-smooth skin now cracked and dry in places. Fins that should have adorned her shoulders and tail were reduced to stubs, their ends ragged and torn as though chewed away.

Her hair, once a vibrant green, was brittle and dull.

It was as if she had been dried alive.

“Geenie, is it? I called you here because I need your help.”

“…What kind of help?”

“My wife, Annaroi, is cursed. She cannot touch water. Because of this, she is withering and in constant pain.”

[Rai: So, she doesn’t bathe? Or rather, she can’t?]

A curse that prevents her from touching water? That’s the same as depriving a human of air. The idea was horrifying.

A mermaid, a noble’s wife, cursed in such a way… but what did any of this have to do with me?

“What exactly do you want from me? I’m a summoner, not a magician. I can’t lift curses.”

“No, I don’t need you to lift the curse. I’ve brought countless magicians here, and none have been able to help. What we need now is a water spirit—something to provide Annaroi with comfort.”

His words clarified everything. He hadn’t summoned me because my identity had been uncovered but because the mermaid needed a water spirit.

“How exactly would my spirit help her?”

“Simply summoning it near her would suffice. Its presence alone could ease her suffering.”

“It’s not difficult, but first, I need to know something. Why did you bring a creature of the sea to live on land? You knew it would make her suffer. Did you kidnap her?”

If it was truly a kidnapping, I couldn’t help him. Even if it meant exposing my identity, I would return the mermaid to the sea.

Why did I feel so compelled to protect her? It was as if something beyond my understanding demanded it.

“Geenie! That’s a rude question!” Ash exclaimed.

“No, it’s fine,” Albert said, his tone calm. “Annaroi told me this might happen. She said a true summoner of water spirits would challenge me, and perhaps even risk their safety to save her. She called it the blessing and burden bestowed by the Mother of Water upon summoners.”

I was confused.

The Mother of Water? I had never heard of such a thing. Was it some kind of connection between summoners and water spirits?

Sensing my turmoil, Annaroi spoke softly.

“Albert… I want to speak to the summoner alone. I have something I need to say. Could you leave us for a moment?”

“Are you sure? Alright. If you need me, just pull this cord, Annaroi. Can you manage?”

“Yes, I still have the strength for that. Now go, please.”

[Rai: Wait! I need to stay with Master! Master~!]

Both Albert and Ash, along with Rai, were escorted out of the room, leaving me alone with Annaroi.

Only Annaroi and I were left in the room. She smiled softly and gestured for me to come closer. Following her cue, I sat down in the chair the lord had vacated.

Annaroi lay on a large wooden bed, her frail appearance evoking an uncharacteristic pang of pity in me. I wasn’t usually like this. Why did I feel this way?

“I feel… strange. The moment I saw you, I felt this overwhelming sadness and longing, almost as if I were being controlled. Did you do something to me?”

“Fufu, no, I didn’t. It’s because of your strong connection to water. Humans call it affinity, don’t they?”

She laughed softly, but the way it resonated was completely different from mine.

Affinity? Is that why I felt sorry for her? What does that even mean?

“I thought affinity just made it easier to summon and command spirits?”

“It does, but it also makes you care deeply about water. After all, water affinity is essentially water’s love for you. In turn, you reciprocate that love by cherishing water. Everything comes from the will of the Mother of Water.”

“Mother of Water? Is that like the Water Spirit King, Elaim?”

“Not quite. The Water Spirit King is still a child of the Mother of Water. While Elaim governs water and commands it, the Mother of Water creates it. She is both present and absent, with a will yet without form.”

Elaim *controls* water, but the Mother of Water *creates* it? How is that different? It felt as convoluted as some of Rai’s explanations. My brain was already rebelling.

“So, in short… my strong affinity makes me feel pity for you?”

“Yes, exactly. Because I am a being of water, your strong affinity compels you to feel protective of me. And in return, your presence comforts me. Look—I seem healthier than before, don’t I?”

She was right. Earlier, her words had been faint and broken, but now she spoke more clearly. While her skin was still dry and cracked, there was a noticeable change.

“It does seem that way. If just having me nearby helps, summoning a water spirit should help even more, right?”

“Yes, that’s why I sought you out.”

Although part of me didn’t want to indulge her request, seeing her brittle, parched skin made me relent.

A mermaid unable to touch water… no wonder she needed a water spirit to sustain her.

“Fine. Honestly, I was angry about being dragged here without warning, but I’ll let it slide this time. Undine!”

[Yes, Master?]

“Undine, help this mermaid however she needs.”

“Oh, what a healthy spirit! Come here, my dear,” Annaroi said, cradling Undine as if she were a baby.

Undine snuggled into her embrace, closing her eyes as if completely at peace. Astonishingly, the moment Annaroi hugged Undine tightly, a faint blue glow enveloped her. It seemed to seep into her cracked skin, revitalizing it. Her once-dry complexion now appeared smooth and supple.

“Incredible,” I murmured.

“She shared her water energy with me. Touching actual water would be better, but unless the Mother’s punishment is lifted, that won’t be possible.”

“The punishment… you mean the curse you mentioned earlier? Why are you, a mermaid, living on land with humans? And what exactly is this punishment?”

“It’s a punishment I deserve, though Albert sees it as a curse. I broke one of the seven sacred tenets of the merfolk. The first and most important rule is: ‘Do not fall in love with a human.’ Does that answer both your questions?”

So, she loved the lord and chose to stay here, even in this condition?

I couldn’t understand her. Shouldn’t a mermaid love another mermaid, just as humans typically love other humans? Breaking that rule had clearly brought her immense suffering.

“Why did you break that rule? As a mermaid, isn’t being unable to touch water like a human being unable to breathe? Was loving him really worth such a punishment?”

“Even if I couldn’t breathe, even if water cursed me, loving him was more important. Staying by his side is the only way I can express my love.”

“I don’t get it. I’d never do that. Never.”

I could never make such a sacrifice. The very idea of love as deep and burdensome as hers repelled me.

“Fufu, merfolk love is strong and often selfish. When a mermaid loves a human, she will instinctively drag him into the sea, even if it means his death. The deeper the love, the more desperate the act, even if it turns her into sea foam. Even if she loses her tail, her hands, or her hair, she will cling to him until the end.”

“That’s… far from the beautiful fairy tales I’ve read. But you didn’t do that, did you? That’s why you’re here.”

“I wanted to, but my love for him was stronger than my instincts. So, I suppressed the urge to drag him into the sea and came to land instead. And to be precise… my punishment isn’t that I *can’t* touch water—it’s that I *must not*. If I do, I’ll dissolve into sea foam.”

This isn’t anything like the stories I know! But her account felt more real. After all, it was coming directly from her.

“Why does the Mother of Water impose such a punishment? Why is it so terrible for merfolk and humans to love each other? There are countless merfolk and countless humans—what does it matter if one pair falls in love? It’s too cruel. Turning into sea foam… isn’t that death?”

“No. Just as the Mother of Water is singular to us, we are singular to her. I’m just one mermaid, but to her, I am unique. Turning into sea foam isn’t death—it’s to become a fragment of a soul, forever wandering the ocean as a wraith. For beings like us, with such long lifespans, it’s the ultimate punishment.”

Becoming a wandering soul… a fate worse than death. It was horrifying. It felt as if this Mother of Water denied them even the possibility of reincarnation.

“Why? Why is it such a grave sin for humans and merfolk to love each other? What’s the point of such a harsh punishment?”

“I don’t know. It’s the law set by the Mother, and we are her children. I am a sinner for breaking it, but even now, I hide from her gaze because I don’t want to turn into sea foam. I still want to be with him.”

“I don’t understand. I like to think I’m smart, but this is beyond me. Oh, should I leave Undine with you until tomorrow? I can maintain her summoning for as long as needed.”

It was a generous offer, even by my standards. Witnessing such a forbidden love wasn’t something I could easily turn away from. Perhaps my affinity was driving me to help her.

“Really? Thank you! With a day of water energy, I’ll have enough strength to transform. I can finally see Albert again in human form!”

“Transform? Into what?”

“Into a human, of course. Adult merfolk can transform into either humans or fish. Younger merfolk can only turn into fish.”

“Amazing. So, if you’re too weak, you can’t transform?”

…Maybe I should start asking fish if they’re merfolk before eating them. Or maybe not. It’s unsettling to think about.

“Yes. Our power doesn’t come from mana but from water energy. We use it to transform, manipulate water, or grant wishes. For example, when we owe someone a debt or receive kindness, we’re obligated to fulfill one wish.”

“Wait, so you’d grant me a wish?”

Now, that was tempting! Maybe I could ask for rare metals? Or… world domination? Nah, managing that would be too much work.

“No, I don’t have enough energy to grant wishes right now. Instead, take this.”

“Earrings? What kind of gemstone is this?”

Annaroi handed me a pair of earrings resembling water droplets. They were no larger than a fingernail and shimmered faintly.

“It’s what humans call ‘mermaid’s tears.’ Some say they’re pearls formed from our tears, but that’s wrong. They’re actually condensed water energy containing a fragment of a mermaid’s soul.”

“A fragment of your soul? Wait, so there are two fragments in these earrings?”

“Yes, one contains my mother’s soul, and the other my father’s.”

A cold sweat ran down my back as I held the earrings. Ghosts? I hate ghosts!

“Are you sure it’s okay to give me something this important?”

“Of course. Keeping it would weigh on my heart. It’s not as scary as you think. For us, mermaid’s tears are heirlooms, much like humans leave behind their names. We leave these. While they contain a piece of a soul, most of it is made of water energy. If you wear them close to your skin, they’ll enhance your strength and affinity. Don’t worry about the soul fragments—they’ve gone to the afterlife.”

Her explanation reassured me somewhat, but I still shuddered. Ghosts were ghosts, no matter how small the fragments.

“…Thank you, but I—”

“Keeping them will significantly increase your affinity. It’ll make summoning and controlling spirits much easier. In ancient times, water summoners would risk their lives for these.”

I accepted the earrings with a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Might as well take them. After all, I already had my hands full managing Adol, Fain, Tarzan, and Cheetah along with my spirits. These would help me strengthen my connection to water spirits. I decided to think of the earrings as protective charms, not remnants of souls.

Surely, the merfolk who left behind these earrings had already reincarnated. Annaroi said it herself—the soul fragments in the earrings were minimal.

Reassuring myself, I pocketed the earrings and left the room, promising to return tomorrow. Although maintaining Undine’s summon was draining my mana, it wasn’t a problem anymore. I could sustain her for over a week without much effort.

The lord, perhaps out of guilt, arranged for us to stay at a nearby inn. He offered a room in the castle for me, but I firmly declined.

—

“What happened? Why were you summoned? It didn’t seem like anything bad,” Gale asked as I entered the inn.

“Oh, nothing much. They thought I was someone they knew. Isn’t that right, Ash?”

“Uh… yeah. They thought Geenie… was someone they knew. It wasn’t a big deal.”

The lord had requested we keep Annaroi’s story a secret. While it was common knowledge among Baykis’s residents, they were careful to ensure it didn’t spread beyond the town. Not that it mattered much—most people would dismiss it as a fanciful tale.

The lady of Baykis, a mermaid cursed to die without water, sustained only by a water spirit? It sounded like a chapter from a fairy tale.

After excusing myself, I quickly returned to my room and locked the door. Taking out the earrings Annaroi had given me, I handed them to Rai.

“Rai! Can you recreate these? Is this what smelled so special?”

[It’s definitely the source of that scent… but I can’t replicate it perfectly. I could mimic the appearance, but something about these is beyond my ability.]

“Figures. What a shame.”

I reached up and touched my earlobes. These earrings were supposedly one of a kind. Did this mean I had to pierce my ears? What would I even use to do that?

[What exactly are these? They’re jewels, but they feel alive. I think I’ve seen something similar before.]

“Annaroi said they contain fragments of her parents’ souls. These are supposed to greatly enhance water affinity.”

[Hoho, earrings, huh? But to wear them, you’ll need to pierce your ears. Want me to give you one of my hairs?]

“Huh? What does your hair have to do with my ears?”

I glanced at Rai’s shimmering golden fur, which always seemed to flow like silk. Was he suggesting I pierce my ears with one of his hairs?

“You want me to use your hair to pierce my ears?”

[Yeah! It’s thin but strong. I can make it stiff enough to work like a needle.]

That… actually made sense. I pulled a single hair from Rai’s thick coat. As I held it, it gradually hardened, transforming into a fine needle.

However, piercing my own ears seemed risky, and asking Rai to do it seemed even worse. Trusting a wolf to poke a hole in my earlobe? That was insanity.

“Rai, go fetch Ash.”

[Why? Let me do it! Come on, Master. Trust me!]

“I’m not trusting a wolf to stab me. Go get a human… no, specifically, Ash.”

[Hmph, so your affection for me is fading, is it? Hmph!]

“No affection is worth risking my ears with your clumsy paws.”

Grumbling, Rai trotted off. A short while later, he returned, nudging a bewildered Ash into the room with his head.

“What’s with this mutt? Hey, mutt—oh, Geenie?”

[Don’t call me a mutt! Grr!]

“Come in, Ash. I told Rai to fetch you.”

Ash hesitated, standing awkwardly in the doorway. His unease was palpable—he always seemed nervous when I called for him, likely because I enjoyed teasing him so much lately.

“W-what do you want? What are you going to make me do?”

“It’s simple. I need you to pierce my ears with this,” I said, handing him the hardened hair.

Ash’s eyes went wide with shock. “This?! That’s no small request!”

“What’s the big deal? Piercing ears doesn’t hurt much. Just do it quickly and cleanly. I’m counting on you, Ash.”

Placing one hand on his shoulder, I offered him the makeshift needle with the other. It wasn’t long before we were locked in a brief struggle, but ultimately, I prevailed. Three minutes later, the needle was in Ash’s hand.

Three seconds after that, I screamed.

“Aaaaaagh!”

“Gaaaaaah!”

Whoever said ear piercing doesn’t hurt lied! Clutching my now-pierced ear, I shot Ash a glare. The idiot had screamed louder than I had and looked on the verge of tears, as if he was the one who got pierced.

“…One more to go.”

Despite my reluctance, I couldn’t leave one ear unpierced. Handing Ash another strand of Rai’s hair, I sighed.

“Wait… this is dog hair?!”

[I’m not a dog! Grr!]

Ash looked ready to faint.

—

The next morning, a heavy downpour greeted us as we prepared to return to the castle. The rainstorm had escalated into a typhoon warning, halting all harbor activity. Rumors circulated that the waves had forced even nearby residents to evacuate. Yet for me, it was just background noise. My mind was fixated on showing Annaroi the earrings.

Strangely, my mana depletion seemed faster than usual. Was Undine doing something significant?

“Shouldn’t you wear an extra hood, Geenie?” Ash asked.

“No need. This one’s fine, and I don’t have another.”

“Take mine. I’m a guy; I can handle a little rain.”

“Don’t start treating me like a delicate lady,” I said with a smirk.

The lord had invited both of us back to the castle, and Ash and I trudged through the rain. Rai was left at the inn—he’d only complicate matters with his chatter around Annaroi.

The rain intensified as we neared the castle, prompting us to quicken our pace. When we arrived, a gatekeeper hurried to meet us, his face pale.

“Miss Geenie, Mr. Ash! There’s been an emergency! The lady of the castle has vanished!”

“What?! Where to? It’s raining—she can’t even touch water!”

“What are you talking about, Geenie?”

“She disappeared this morning,” the gatekeeper explained. “The lord and his guards have been searching for her, but there’s still no sign.”

Vanished? In this rain? She said touching water would turn her into sea foam!

I looked up at the torrential rain pouring from the sky. Wherever she was, I needed to find her. My connection to water was practically screaming at me to act.

“Let’s search for her too! Come on, Ash!”

“Huh? Oh, of course!”

There was no time to waste. Where could she have gone? Just yesterday, she’d been so eager to show her healthier self to Albert.

Where would she go? Think, Geenie. Wait—Undine!