Chapter 286: Fun

The soft glow of the recovery chamber lingered behind them as they stepped back into the main corridor of the Royal Medical Wing.

The doors closed quietly.

Sealing away the warmth, the gratitude, and the fragile peace of those who had survived.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

The steady pulse of restorative mana filled the silence, drifting through the halls like the slow, rhythmic breathing of the entire facility.

Albedo walked slightly ahead, his hands resting loosely in his coat pockets. His expression had returned to its usual calm neutrality.

But his mind wasn’t still. The image of the mermaids bowing their heads replayed briefly in his thoughts.

He exhaled quietly, “…They’ll be fine.”

Mera, walking beside him, nodded softly, “Yes.”

There was a softness in her voice now. Something lighter than before, “They will.”

Elektra stretched her arms behind her head as she walked, her usual relaxed demeanor returning now that the tension had fully dissolved.

“Well, that wraps that up nicely.”

She glanced at Albedo sideways.

“You really can’t go anywhere without saving people, huh?”

Albedo didn’t look at her.

“…Bad timing.”

Elektra snorted.

“Sure.”

They continued down the corridor, passing more healers and attendants who stepped aside respectfully as Mera walked by.

Several of them bowed, others simply watched Albedo with quiet recognition just like the others before.

Stories traveled quickly in a place like Atlantis. By the time they reached the main exit of the Medical Wing, the atmosphere outside had shifted once again.

Night had fully taken hold of the city.

Atlantis… glowed. The coral towers shimmered with deeper hues now, blues, violets, and soft silvers blending together in an endless ocean of light.

Bioluminescent currents drifted through the water above like flowing constellations.

Massive silhouettes of sea creatures passed overhead, their forms outlined by the glow of the city below.

The air felt calmer and Elektra stepped out first, stretching once more as she inhaled deeply, “Alright…”

She cracked her neck, “I’m gonna head back. I need some sleep,”

She glanced at Albedo, “Standard stuff.”

He gave a small nod.

“Rest.”

Elektra smirked.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

But she turned anyway, waving lazily over her shoulder as she walked off into the glowing streets.

“Try not to cause another disaster while I’m gone.”

Albedo didn’t respond and Mera watched her best friend Elektra disappear into the crowd. Then… the two of them were left alone.

The sounds of Atlantis filled the space between them.

Distant music, fllowing currents and soft conversations drifting through the night air.

Mera stood there for a moment and then turned toward him, “…Albedo.”

He looked at her, spotting a different, more personal expression on her face now, “Thank you.”

Her voice was softer this time.

Albedo tilted his head slightly, “You all keep thanking me but I didn’t do anything special.”

Mera shook her head immediately.

“You did.”

She stepped a little closer.

“The trench… the corruption…”

Her hands tightened slightly at her sides.

“That wasn’t something we could have handled alone.”

Her gaze met his fully now.

“And those people…”

Her voice softened even more.

“They’re alive because of you.”

Albedo held her gaze for a moment.

Then shrugged lightly.

“They fought too.”

Mera smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

“But you gave them the chance to.”

Silence settled again.

But this time… it wasn’t awkward.

Just… quiet.

Mera hesitated slightly.

Then spoke again.

“There’s something else.”

Albedo raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

She straightened slightly, slipping back into a more formal posture—though the softness in her expression didn’t disappear entirely.

“You should come to the palace later tonight.”

He blinked once.

“…Why?”

Mera looked at him like that should have been obvious.

“Your official reward.”

Albedo stared at her for a second.

Then sighed quietly.

“…Right.”

He had almost forgotten.

Elektra’s words from earlier echoed faintly in his mind.

“Your reward is going to be huge.”

Mera watched his reaction carefully.

A small, almost amused smile tugged at her lips.

“You don’t seem very excited.”

Albedo shrugged.

“Depends on what it is.”

Mera laughed softly.

“You’ll see.”

Mera’s confidence wavered just slightly. Her fingers brushed lightly against her arm as she looked away for a second.

“…And…”

Albedo waited.

She hesitated.

Then, without looking directly at him, “I’ll be there too.”

A small silence followed that. Albedo blinked once.

“…Okay?”

Mera froze.

Just slightly.

Then slowly turned her head back toward him.

“…That’s it?”

Albedo tilted his head.

“What?”

For a split second, Mera looked like she didn’t know whether to laugh… or be annoyed.

Then she exhaled softly.

Shaking her head.

“…Nothing.”

But there was a faint flush across her cheeks now.

Barely visible in the glowing light of Atlantis.

Before Albedo could say anything else, she turned quickly.

“I’ll see you tonight!”

And just like that, she walked away, then sped up an then, very noticeably disappeared into the glowing city faster than necessary.

Albedo stood there.

Watching her go.

“…?”

He stared for a few seconds longer.

Then shrugged.

“…Weird.”

With that, he turned in the opposite direction.

***

The path back to the palace was quieter than before.

The main crowds had shifted deeper into the entertainment districts, leaving the upper pathways calmer.

More serene.

The glowing bridges stretched out beneath his feet, faint currents of water flowing along their edges like guided streams.

Above, the ocean moved in slow, endless motion.

Massive silhouettes drifted through the depths.

Albedo walked at a steady pace. Hands still in his pockets as his mind was drifting slightly.

The events of the day replayed in fragments.

He exhaled quietly, “…Long day.”

By the time he reached the palace, the atmosphere had shifted again.

The outer terraces were calm, lit by soft golden coral lanterns that reflected off polished pearl surfaces.

Guards stood at attention as Albedo made his way back through the corridors without issue, eventually reaching his assigned room.

He stepped inside and the door closed behind him, allowing him to return to silence as he took out several items, the souvenirs.

He placed them carefully on the table nearby.

The memory shells, the coral figurines, the miniature ocean artifact, and finally, the coral case.

He opened it slowly. The Tideheart Pendant glowed softly inside. The tiny current within the pearl continued its endless, gentle rotation.

Albedo stared at it for a moment. Then closed the case again.

“…She’ll like it.”

He stored it away once more.

After that, he moved toward the balcony.Stepping out into the cool night airAtlantis stretched endlessly before him.

He rested his arms lightly against the railing. Golden eyes scanning the distant lights.

Then, he took out his phone, deciding to message Gwen and check in on her.