Perhaps the memory projection had been too loud, perhaps the after-shock of Conqueror's Haki still lingered; many mermaids had gathered above, startled.
At first they came in fear and caution, but after some who had seen or heard the truth explained, they understood: the demon who had tricked and sold their kin was dead.
Among them a kindly yet authoritative old mermaid, holding a small golden-haired child, swam slowly to the shore.
She was the de facto keeper of Mermaid Cove—Granny Qi.
Granny Qi surveyed the wreckage, the four penitent girls, then the mighty Charlotte Linlin who had harmed no innocent, and sighed deeply.
"Thank you, stranger of strength, for rooting out the cancer that was Jondy," Granny Qi said, voice aged and grateful.
"These children… they too are victims. If they wish to follow you and seek a road of redemption, we… will not stop them."
"No need." Charlotte Linlin refused flatly, glancing at the four.
I did come to recruit mermaid crewmates, but fools—especially fools who once helped slave traders—are not welcome.
If they want to atone, that's their business; it has nothing to do with my Pirate Crew.
Besides, those they truly owe are the kinsmen they tricked away, not us.
'Sigh…' Madame Shyarly looked at the downcast Seli and the others and gave a helpless sigh.
'Since that's the case, this old woman will use what little face she has left to try for you.'
She turned to the growing crowd of merfolk and called out loudly:
'You all saw it! Among humans, among humans, there is good and evil!
This great one has brought us justice!
If any of you are curious about the outside world and long for a different life and power, consider following this great one out to see it for yourselves.'
As a mermaid who had lived to old age, she had weathered plenty of storms and met all kinds of people.
She could sense that the mighty figure before her was no smooth-tongued deceiver but someone genuinely intent on recruiting mermaid crew—though she had never heard of such a thing.
Another reason was that the little mermaid beside her felt no malice toward their kind from Charlotte Linlin.
She couldn't help recalling the prophecy her friend, the seer Merlin, had revealed not long ago: she would encounter a being who could grant the merfolk a brand-new opportunity.
In her eyes, Merlin's words most likely referred to this silent powerhouse who could cow a crowd without lifting a finger.
Among the onlookers, merfolk who in Jondy's Remembrance had seen their own kin began to weep softly, and the sobs swelled into a tide of gratitude.
Some young merfolk, already curious about the outside world and eager to change their fate, gazed at Charlotte Linlin and the strong, beautiful women behind her, eyes shining with Yearning.
'My lady!' A young swordswoman with an ice-blue tail and determined eyes stepped forward.
'My name is Melo! I excel at Fishman Karate and swordplay! Please let me join your Pirate Crew! I want to grow stronger, protect those I cherish, and never let our kin be butchered again!'
'Me too! I'm Coral! I know the currents and weather of many Grand Line seas!' Another mermaid with an orange-spotted tail, lively and bright, raised her hand.
With someone taking the lead, more and more merfolk stepped forward.
Among them were water-mages who specialized in healing, scholars versed in navigation, singers whose voices could calm Sea Kings… Not all were warriors, but all carried hope for the future and Yearning for and trust in the mighty team that had saved their home.
Charlotte Linlin surveyed these beautiful, unique lives volunteering themselves, a smile of satisfaction and quiet achievement on her face.
'Excellent! Since you're resolved, from today on you are members of the Heavenly Calamity Pirates!'
She proclaimed in a ringing voice that carried in every direction:
'I, Charlotte Linlin, swear that my ship shall be your stoutest bulwark! Any who dare bully my crew, be they Celestial Dragons or the World Government, shall taste thunderous wrath!'
'Our goal is to live carefree upon this sea! And you shall no longer be coveted treasures in the deep, but partners who stir up storms alongside us!'
Amid the grateful, envious, blessing-filled gazes of Fishmen and merfolk, forty-four mermaids led by Melo and Coral boarded the st. freya.
Though thousands of merfolk were present, only this small band of the brave dared take that step to follow a human pirate away from their familiar home.
'Grandma Shyarly, can humans really live together with us merfolk?' Watching many familiar older sisters board the white ship, the little blonde girl tugged the elder's hand and asked.
'They can, they surely can.' Grandma Shyarly answered with certainty, her gaze distant.
'Little Otohime, ancient records tell us that eight hundred years ago we and humans once lived in harmony upon this very land.'
'Really?' Otohime's eyes lit up; she clenched her tiny fist, her childish voice firm beyond doubt.
'Then one day I'll make sure more Fishmen and merfolk can truly live in friendship with humans!'
'Hee-hee-hee, good, good.' Grandma Shyarly gently stroked Otohime's brilliant golden hair, eyes full of hope.
'This old woman will wait for that day to come.'
The sunset glow from the roots of the Sun Tree Eve pierced the bubble membrane and painted the great ship, gilding the newly joined beautiful mermaid crew.
The st. freya set sail once more. This time it carried not only dreams and power but also redemption and newborn hope from the deep sea, cutting through the darkness of the ten-thousand-meter depths and steering steadfastly toward the unknown, challenging New World.
The Heavenly Calamity Pirates at last had their underwater rescue squad—the mermaid crew team.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!