It's been a few days since Henry rescued Ariel, defeated two sea monsters, built the first Disneyland, and now he's back on the right track.
"You have managed to learn everything about the art of Healing, young Henry. There is nothing more that I can teach you in that subject. You must now learn to walk on your own path and from there, you will find a way to sharpen your magic." In the Valley of the Living Rock, Henry sat in front of Master Pabbie.
In just two weeks, Henry learned everything there is to know when it comes to Healing Magic—or at least the basic part. According to Master Pabbie, learning more advanced healing magic, such as regenerating limbs, healing more complex internal wounds, and even mending one's spirit, would require patience and experience—something that can't be taught willy-nilly.
So even if Master Pabbie has more advanced Healing Spells under his belt, the rock troll wouldn't be able to teach them to him.
"Thank you for everything, Master Pabbie." Henry leaned forward and bowed. He was truly grateful for the ancient troll, who, without asking anything in return, taught him magic that could save lives, especially his own.
The rock troll wisely nodded his head, "I wish you all the luck you can get in your upcoming journey, young Henry. The next time we meet again, we'll commence with advanced Earth Magic." Unlike the Healing Magic, learning the advanced and complex part of Earth Magic is more comprehensive and easier. Mainly because Earth Magic is just one of the four basic elements that all wizards can easily learn while Healing Magic is different and more intricate.
With that being said, Henry stood up and turned to leave.
"You're leaving already, Prince Henry?" In an instant, several rock trolls surrounded him, casting worried looks towards him.
Bearing a soft smile, Henry crouched and patted them on their heads, "I won't be gone forever. I'll come back here someday and when I do, I hope you all will still remember me."
The trolls proudly puffed out their chests and replied in unison, "Worry not, Prince Henry! Rock Trolls never forget!"
And just like that, Henry climbed on Shade's back and left the valley, under the countless gaze and tearful farewells from the valley's residents.
———
Back in Arendelle, Henry first went to the clinic and saw several of the knights belonging to Ser Liam's retinue surrounding the clinic, helping carry items that were being loaded onto a carriage.
Henry spotted the sight of Ser Liam and Doctor Dolittle standing side by side and seemed to be engaged in a conversation. When Henry approached them, it was Ser Liam who sensed his presence and reacted.
"Prince Henry. I presume that you have finally settled things around?" Hearing that question, Henry nodded his head with a smile.
"Yes, but not yet. I still have a girl to say my farewells to." There was a look of realization on Ser Liam's face before turning into a tease.
"I see. Truly the prince has finally grown into a fine young adult!"
Chuckling at it, Henry turned to John Dolittle and saw that the old man now have less wrinkles on his face and seemed to have gained weight, "I take it that you have already told her about this?" Henry was referring to Dolittle's new partner Mary.
"Yes and like me, she was just as happy, if not, happier. It seems like she has heard great things about your Kingdom and the thought of being personally invited by the Crown Prince himself delighted her." Looking directly into Henry's eyes, he continued, "Thank you everything, Henry. I owe you big time."
Henry casually waved his hand at him, "Don't mention it. You were the one who brought me back to my two feet remember?"
When Ser Liam heard this, a look of realization dawned upon his face, 'I see. So that's why he wants to take this man with us…'
"Doctor Dolittle. On behalf of the entire Lioncrest Kingdom, you have our gratitude for taking care of our Prince!" Ser Liam stiffened his back before bowing 90 degrees.
This surprised the old man, "Bah! I'm a doctor. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do." Though there was a faint curve on his lips.
"But still, you are his savior, you have my own word that I owe you one." Ser Liam shook his head and insisted. As long as it is within his capabilities, he himself will repay the doctor somehow and someday.
"Henry!" Their conversation stopped when Polynesia and the gang ran out of the clinic, their feet rushing towards Henry.
"How's it going, guys!" Henry allowed a smile on his face as he crouched and met the most excited of them all, Gub-Gub's entire figure head onto his chest, "Oof!"
"You came back! It's been like a whole month since you were gone!" Gub-Gub rubbed his head on Henry's chest as if trying to mark him with his scent.
Polynesia flew down and perched on Henry's shoulder as usual, "Gub-Gub, stop exaggerating. It's only been two days." There was a hint of playfulness in her tone as she exposed the pig of his very vile plan.
Clearly, the pig wanted to guilt-trip Henry and then force him to cuddle with him. Ever since Henry cuddled with him a few days ago, Gub-Gub grew addicted to Henry's warmth and couldn't get over him.
"Henry! Uppies!" The grey wolfhound pounced next on Henry as the energetic dog eagerly persuaded him. Of course, who is Henry to say no to that, so he gave it to him and soon enough, Gub-Gub got jealous and was lifted next until everyone except Polynesia and Too-Too was lifted by Henry.
Even Chee-Chee the gorilla was easily lifted by Henry. With his bodily strength thanks to the Earth Magic training, lifting a few tons of a gorilla was a walk in the park.
"Henry, where exactly are we going?" After everyone got their uppies, Polynesia finally took this chance to ask.
Hearing her, Henry confusedly asked, "You mean, Doc didn't tell you guys?" When they all shook their heads in unison, he rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Right. He probably forgot. Anyways, we're going back to my place. The Great Kingdom of Lioncrest."
"Lioncrest? Is it beautiful there?" Gub-Gub jumped in excitement. The same goes for Jip and the others, sharing the same energy as the pig.
Henry confidently nodded his head, "Words won't be enough to describe its beauty, so I can only leave it to your imagination until we arrive."
He's not exaggerating. Compared to other cities and Kingdoms, Lioncrest indeed has its unique charm mainly thanks to Henry. He's aware of what makes a city beautiful and what else can it be but various public attractions such as a large park with a good amount of greenery for the scene, a huge church structure with intricate design that people visit every few days to pray, and lastly, a huge mountain with the face of the current and previous Kings—the capital city also have various lights that illuminate the entire city at night as if it was daytime, and even tall buildings that Henry invented for this world—the legendary Hotels!
All in all, every single person on the continent who has heard of the Kingdom's beauty craves to live in the Lioncrest Kingdom, just like how many people back in his previous world want to live in Japan.
———
—{Princess Ariel}—
A few days have passed since Dad started giving us lectures about our powers. As soon as I woke up, the first thing I did was to manipulate the water around me.
Fwoosh!
Despite being under the ocean, I can still manipulate its currents to my bidding and right now, I just willed the water to carry me out of my room. There's no swimming involved nor anything that made my fish tail move. One moment, I was standing in a single place without moving an inch, and then after, I floated out of the room—the way the water moved under my control was visible to everyone's eyes.
While my other sisters are having a hard time controlling even a fraction of the water in their surroundings, I can already push heavy things using the water with ease. When dad saw this, he called me a natural and the most talented demigoddess that he met.
Right, I'm a demigoddess. A half mermaid and half goddess. I wonder what Henry's reaction be when he learns of this. I hope he won't react too much and hate me for it. I was already planning on telling him once we meet again and see the look on his face.
Speaking of Henry, I'll try to see if I can somehow find a way to meet with him again. Perhaps I can use these new powers of mine to traverse the land? Like bringing out a small portion of sea water out of the ocean and forming a round bubble with me inside. That way, with my control over the bubble, I can make it float and give Henry a surprise visit.
However, I suddenly realized that it would attract too much attention, an attention that is a mix of good and bad. Seeing the mermaid like me is shocking enough and being inside a bubble of water that is floating around, I don't think Henry would appreciate the hassle.
With a deep sigh, I looked down and stared at my fish tail as I murmured, "If only I could have human legs. Things wouldn't be this hard."
Well, at least I still have my cave since it's not far from Atlantis and no one aside from me and Flounder knows about it.
Speaking of Flounder, I just noticed he's been avoiding me these past few days. I don't know why but I don't like it when my one and only friend is trying to steer clear of me. It hurts my feelings.
So I started to look for him. As his friend, I'm the only one who is familiar with the places he frequents. It's either joining the schools of fish in their daily swims or joining a choir practice despite not being gifted in the way of the voice.
"Flounder! Where are you!" I roamed the streets of Atlantis, shouting for his name and sometimes stopping a few merfolks for questioning.
My search even reached beyond the walls of Atlantis. Thankfully, Dad still has no idea about the secret routes and paths that only I and Flounder know.
Once I was out of Atlantis. I continued my search. Flounder has various favourite places to visit in his free time and I'm starting my search there and saving my cave for the last.
"Flounder!"
———
"Oh~ it seems like your friend is looking for you, dear Flounder…" Facing the mirror that emits Ariel's figure, Ursula let out a wicked laugh as she turned around, and there, trapped within her tentacles is the very same fish that Ariel was looking for.
"T-The Sea W-Witch. W-What do you think you're doing?" Flounder kept shivering in fear. Unfortunately, his poor attempt at putting up a brave front is crumbling in mere moments.
Ursula casually waved her hand, the tentacles around Flounder tightening slightly, "Nothing much. I just want to see despair on my brother's face at least once. The last plan failed so I'm…what do you call it? Ah, improvising."
"This won't be long, so don't worry and stay still. I'd prefer if you keep quiet and just go to sleep, little fish." With that being said, Ursula wiggled her fingers and soon, Flounder could no longer keep his eyelids open.
"N-Noooo…."
Now that the captured fish is asleep, Ursula called out to someone from the shadows, "Siren."
A familiar figure emerged from the darkness, with burnt marks across her body and a flash of red in her pupils, "Yes, Lady Ursula."
"You know what to do. Now that she has taken it upon herself to leave Atlantis, I want her in front of me by the time the sun sets. Now go."