Swim back to Nureteru.

It's becoming later in the day now, which you can only tell by view of Nureteru after further travel. Sunlight doesn't pierce the sea to reach nearly this deep, but the lights of the city not only dim, but glow a more warm, orange tint, perhaps on an automatic cycle for the residents here to more easily track the passage of time. It's still day, so people and sea creatures still swim between the buildings, though they're starting to finish up their activities to get home and have a nice dinner before sleep. Your next goal, however, is a little more complex than shopping for groceries. Ahead is Coral Caelum, also known as the Royal Palace.

Outside of the tall double doors floats two elite guards just as before--one familiar, the other different.

"Halt," they both say, just as before. They cross their crimson tridents over one another to block entry though the doorway.

Though one speaks up straight after. You recognize his voice as the rather grumpy one from earlier today. "What business brings you back to the palace?"

How am I supposed to keep dropping their stupid password without sounding like I'm insane? I'll have to slip it in around new people, I guess, one way or another. I wish they'd have just made it pineapple, or the eagle has landed, or something like that. You clear your throat, and to the best of your ability, to attempt to look as if you were just speaking to Snow beside you. "And anyway, you know what they say. Voyeurism is not the same thing as cucking," you say with an awkward chuckle.

Snow perks up. "Y-Yes. That's true! I agree."

Does she not realize this is meant to be a fake conversation, or is she just playing along?

Kailani salutes. "We've returned from a quest given to us directly by Queen Iri herself, to investigate the Demon King and make certain something like the spread of corruption by the Witch of Decay never happens again. We must speak to her immediately."

The two guards look to one another. First, the new one replies. "I don't know anything about--"

But the other cuts him off. "Allow me to escort you inside."

Now he's being nice? I see.

"Nobody tells me anything!" whines his partner.

The guard ignores him and beckons you through the doors. "Come."

You, Snow, Candy, and Kailani look between one another. Unable to speak on matters aloud, you attempt to tap into the telepathic link set by Candy hours ago, though it seems the magic has ceased. You look to the clown and mouth the word, "Telepathy," while miming a spell cast with your hand.

She stares at you with a blank expression. "Did you just say titty?"

"How could you--" But you purse your lips as you look around yourself. Then you clear your throat. "No. No I did not."

A big smile grows across her face as the group proceeds down the hall.

I swear I'm gonna strangle this clown.

Just as before, you stare at the beautifully polished walls of crystalline blue. It leads into the same gorgeous dining hall as before--two long tables covered in decorations of plants and little sculptures. This time, however, there are no plates of food, nor is there the presence of royalty. The room is empty, apart from your party and the guard who leads you. This time, you're brought down another hall. This one you haven't been to before. After a long few minutes, you grow worried, and wonder where you're being escorted. Though it's Snow who speaks up about it.

"Where are we heading?" asks Snow.

The guard grunts. "Quiet. We're almost there."

Is this a trap? Was the passcode compromised? Or maybe for once, we'll be lucky.