- 1 day ago
To Heal or to Burn New RS
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00:00On the day of the wedding, my fiancé hung me high on a magical tower a thousand meters tall.
00:06He drew his enchanted sword and pointed it at me.
00:09If it weren't for you, Sylvia would still be alive. I want you to pay for her life!
00:14I cried and pleaded with him.
00:16Sylvia's death has nothing to do with me. It was clearly...
00:19But Arthur wouldn't listen to my explanation.
00:22He swung his sword, cutting through the rope.
00:25I fell from the tower. My blood drained as I died.
00:30When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the Pell family estate, the day Arthur had asked
00:36me to treat him.
00:36I'm a mermaid, my blood containing an ancient power capable of healing all ailmentes.
00:41In my previous life, after I healed Arthur's sight, I learned that the Pell family had boasted,
00:48Whoever heals Arthur will become the future mistress of the Pell family.
00:53Arthur was forced to enter into a sacred pact with me.
00:56When Sylvia, who had gone to the frozen glacier to pick the glacial lotus for him, heard the news, she
01:03lost focus for a moment and fell into the winter rift.
01:06Her body shattered into pieces.
01:08Arthur blamed me for Sylvia's death.
01:11He stubbornly believed that if Sylvia had brought back the glacial lotus, it would have broken the curse on his
01:17eyes.
01:17If only he had taken a moment to think, he would have realized the glacial lotus was just a rare
01:22magical supplement.
01:24The supposed cure for blindness was a myth created by wandering minsters.
01:30Before my death, I overheard the estates' maids gossiping.
01:35It turned out that Sylvia didn't fall into the rift because she was picking the glacial lotus.
01:40It was after she realized she could no longer marry into the Pell family that she turned to a powerful
01:45old count.
01:47The count's jealous wife had her thrown into the winter rift.
01:50In this life, I wouldn't get tangled up in their web.
01:53I only wish they really do receive divine blessings and live happily ever after.
01:58Now I looked at Arthur, whose eyes were clouded with white.
02:02His eyes have been corrupted by abyssal magic and are beyond repair.
02:06No one can heal them.
02:08Upon hearing my words, Arthur raised his head, his empty eyes flashing with what seemed like anger.
02:14You lowly witch, get out of here!
02:16I turned to Lady Pell.
02:18If I, Jennifer, say a disease cannot be cured, then it truly cannot.
02:22In a short while, his eyes will rot and faster, and death will take him.
02:27You should pray to the light god for a child to replace him.
02:30Arthur hurled his pure silver goblet at me.
02:33I swiftly sidestepped.
02:35Crash!
02:35The goblet, worth a thousand gold coins, shattered on the stone floor.
02:40Startled, the Duchess quickly apologized to me.
02:44Please forgive his rudeness.
02:45I apologize on Arthur's behalf.
02:48It's just because of his physical condition.
02:51I flicked my sleeve dismissively.
02:53I understand.
02:55It's quite normal for a blind man to have a pamper.
02:59Seeing Arthur tremble with fury, I turned and left the Pell family estate.
03:05The Duchess rushed out, lifting her skirts and pleading in a low voice.
03:10Is there really no hope?
03:12I've heard you possess ancient water to magic capable of curing all ailments.
03:16If you can heal Arthur's eyes, the Pell family's vault will fulfill any of your wishes.
03:21I can't heal the young Duke's eyes.
03:24Arthur, supported by a servant, had followed her out.
03:28Hearing my words, his voice trembled with anger.
03:30Mother, Sylvia has already taken the griffon and gone to the far north.
03:36Once she brings back the glacial lotus, my eyes will surely be healed.
03:41There's no need for other quacks to worry about me.
03:43The Duchess sighed deeply.
03:45The glacial lotus can only suppress the curse on your eyes.
03:49It's far from enough to restore your sight.
03:53Miss Jennifer is your last hope.
03:55I swear before the light god that Sivia will heal me.
03:59I glanced at Arthur and then bowed to the Duchess,
04:03performing the mage's farewell gesture as I turned to leave.
04:06No sooner had I exited the Pell family's iron gates,
04:09adorned with the two-head eagle emblem,
04:11than a luxurious carriage stopped in front of me.
04:14A lady, her face veiled in black lace,
04:18stepped out of the carriage and kneeled before my robe.
04:21Please have mercy and save my son.
04:24It turned out that in the Abyssal Beast trial a year ago,
04:27Arthur wasn't the only one injured.
04:30His bitter rival, Lord Cedric of the Sant family, was also hurt.
04:35Cedric's soul had been sealed,
04:37leaving him a living corpse unable to be awakened.
04:40But after the painful lessons of my previous life,
04:44I was no longer willing to use my blood to save anyone.
04:47I refused the request of the Marchiesse of Sant.
04:50The Marchiesse didn't press further,
04:53drawing a cross of light on her chest,
04:55wiping her tears, and returning to her carriage.
05:03A week later, I received a gilded invitation on parchment
05:08to a banquet at the Pell family estate.
05:12Sylvia had returned with the glacial lotus from the far north.
05:15The Duchess, fearing the apothecary apprentice's medicine might be ineffective,
05:20asked me to attend and verify it.
05:23The banquet hall was lit with brilliant magical lights,
05:27and Sylvia stood by Arthur's side,
05:29who still had his eyes covered with a black cloth.
05:32The Duchess grasped my hand, her face full of worry.
05:36I'm not afraid that the herbs Sylvia brought back will be useless.
05:39I'm just afraid of disappointing Arthur again.
05:42He won't be able to bear it.
05:44Over the cast year,
05:45we've invited high-ranking priests from the Holy Church,
05:48but I've watched Arthur's hope for sight slowly fade.
05:53As his mother, I feel helpless.
05:56Before I could comfort her,
05:58Sylvia helped Arthur toward us.
06:00Duchess, don't worry.
06:02I'm certain I can restore Arthur's sight.
06:05I almost died in the mouth of a frost dragon for this glacial lotus.
06:09Arthur held Sylvia's hand,
06:10his face full of gratitude.
06:12Once I regain my sight,
06:14I'll hold a grand wedding for you at the Holy Cathedral.
06:18Sylvia turned to look at me,
06:20her smile unreadable.
06:22I'm not like those flashy, deceptive, low-tier mages.
06:25I'm certain I can break the curse of blindness in Arthur's eyes.
06:28The faces of the high-ranking priests
06:31who had once treated Arthur turned dark.
06:35Miss Sylvia certainly has a lot of confidence.
06:38Are you sure you can break the abysman demon curse on the young Duke?
06:42A commoner like you,
06:43with no magical or healing talent,
06:45dares to question our sacred arts?
06:48Even Miss Jennifer,
06:50who inherited the ancient water magic,
06:52says the young Duke's eyes are beyond healing.
06:54I don't believe that a girl like you
06:56has the power to do what she couldn't.
07:00Although Arthur felt that Sylvia was being too arrogant,
07:03he still instinctively stepped in front of her to protect her.
07:06I believe Sylvia can heal me.
07:09I couldn't hold up let out his off laugh.
07:12Sylvia, though I was mocking her,
07:14her teeth grinding in anger.
07:16I've heard you're the most outstanding water magish
07:18of this generation in the royal capital.
07:21But first, you rejected the Pell family.
07:24Then you turned down the Sant family.
07:27It's hard not to wonder if you truly understand high-level magic.
07:30I smiled slightly.
07:32Then I'm really looking forward to the day
07:34Miss Sylvia restores the young Duke's sight.
07:36Sylvia bit her lip.
07:37Are you angry that I've stolen your spotlight?
07:40I know the Duchess favors you
07:42and intends to make you the future Mr. of the Pell family.
07:45But right now,
07:47I'm the only one who can heal Arthur's eyes.
07:49Arthur, who had been blind,
07:51mocked me.
07:52Even if you have the magic to heal me,
07:54I would never agree to marry you.
07:56Besides, you're nothing but a fraud.
07:58I heard my mother praise you,
08:00and I thought you were some saintly figure,
08:02favored by the gods.
08:04But it seems you're nothing special.
08:05I swear before the gods that the only one I love is Sylvia.
08:09I'll marry no one but her.
08:11No matter how many times you show up at my estate,
08:13I won't spare you a second glance.
08:16Watching their little back and forth,
08:18I felt nothing but frustration.
08:20The Duchess called me here to check Miss Sylvia's potion.
08:23Since the young Duke has so much faith in her,
08:25I'll leave it to her and mind my own business.
08:28I grabbed my robe ready to leave,
08:30but Sylvia reached out to stop me.
08:32What do you mean by that?
08:34I frowned.
08:36I mean what I said.
08:37If you don't understand,
08:38go read the ancient scrolls in the magic tower.
08:41Sylvia snorted.
08:42Why don't we make a bet?
08:44Let's see who can create a miracle.
08:46Whoever heals Arthur,
08:48the loser will kneel in front of the statue of the light god
08:50and admit defeat.
08:52From that moment on,
08:53they'll be exiled,
08:54never allowed to step foot in the royal capital again.
08:57I paused in my steps and turned to look at her.
09:00I'll make a sacred blood pact with you.
09:03However,
09:04I won't heal Arthur.
09:06I'll heal Lord Cedric Sant of the Sant family.
09:09The entire banquet hall fell into complete silence.
09:12Even the high-ranking priests couldn't help but gasp in shock.
09:16Lord Cedric's injuries were no secret in the royal capital.
09:19His soul had been completely sealed by the death area of the beast.
09:22Even the Pope himself had used the divine purification spell,
09:26but it could only barely stop his body from decay.
09:28In everyone's eyes,
09:30he had become nothing more than a hopeless living corpse.
09:33Sylvia froze for a moment,
09:34then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
09:36Treat a living corpse?
09:38Even if you're jealous that I can heal Arthur,
09:40you don't have to seek your own death in such a foolish way.
09:43Arthur scoffed.
09:45You're beyond saving.
09:46To get my attention,
09:47you're willing to gamble Cedric's life?
09:49A woman like you isn't worth even a strand of Sylvia's hair.
09:52In ten days,
09:53I'll watch you leave the royal capital with my own eyes.
09:55I found it laughable.
09:57In my previous life,
09:58I must have been blind to save him.
10:00This time,
10:00not only was he blind,
10:01but his mind was foolish as well.
10:03I coldly spoke.
10:04Let it be ten days, then.
10:06The punishment for the loser will be as you've decreed.
10:09Kneel before the statue of the light god and admit defeat.
10:12Then be exiled.
10:14Never allowed to step foot in the royal capital again.
10:16A sacred blood pact materialized in the air.
10:19Sylvia grit was deep,
10:21her eyes flashing with greed.
10:23If she won,
10:24she would become the mistress of the Pell family
10:26and have me beneath her feet.
10:27She bit her fingertip
10:29and pressed her blooded mark onto the contract.
10:31I'll grant your wish.
10:34I dripped my own blood onto the pact,
10:36and transparent chains snoped around our wrists,
10:39forming a blood-colored hourglass seal.
10:42The blood pact was formed,
10:44and any violator would be burned by hellfire.
10:47The story of Sylvia and I betting on Cedric's fate
10:50spread throughout the royal capital overnight.
10:53Underground casinos opened for betting.
10:56Sylvia's victory paid 2 to 1.
10:57My victory paid 100 to 1.
10:59Everyone placed their gold coins on Sylvia.
11:02She had the glacial lotus,
11:04and Arthur was still conscious.
11:05But I had to face a living corpse.
11:07Everyone believed I had no chance of winning.
11:10Arthur put up the Pell family's 500,000 gold coins,
11:13betting it all on Sylvia.
11:14He made a bold declaration.
11:16The money we win will go towards
11:18the most luxurious wedding.
11:19The next morning,
11:20I arrived at the Sant family estate.
11:22The Marcuress was already waiting,
11:24looking haggard and exhausted.
11:26She stepped forward and tightly gripped my hand,
11:28her voice trembling.
11:30As long as you can awaken, Cedric,
11:31the Sant family is willing to go through
11:33fire and water for you.
11:34I nodded slightly.
11:36Take me to him.
11:37I entered the room,
11:38and the suffocating stench of death
11:40nearly choked me.
11:41Cedric's face was ashen,
11:43no different from a corpse.
11:44I reached my fingers to his forehead.
11:46Violent abysmal power was strangling
11:48the last bit of his soul.
11:49The Pope's purification spell was too powerful,
11:52he couldn't endure it.
11:53To awake him,
11:54I needed the purest essence of life,
11:56and the purest essence of life
11:58was the blood of the mermaids.
12:00I took out a bowl of rootless water,
12:02pricked my fingertip,
12:03and let a drop of mermaid blood
12:05fell into the...
12:05The water instantly began to boil,
12:08emitting a vast life force.
12:10I fed him the potion
12:11and cast water magic to guide it.
12:13The mermaid's blood slowly began
12:14to mend his soul.
12:16The ashen palmy faded,
12:17and a hint of color
12:18returned to his face.
12:21The Marchess collapsed to her knees,
12:24her legs giving way beneath her.
12:26This is a miracle.
12:28Footsteps echoed in the corridor,
12:30and Sylvia entered,
12:31supporting the blindfold Arthur.
12:33A few curious nobles
12:35followed behind them.
12:36Sylvia feigned regret.
12:38Don't be fooled by this charlatan.
12:40Even the Pope was powerless.
12:42How could she possibly heal him?
12:44Arthur's tone was condescending.
12:46Once Sylvia heals my eyes,
12:47I'll have her take a look
12:48at Cedric as well.
12:49As for this woman,
12:50she should be thrown out at once.
12:52The Marchess rose angrily,
12:54pointing at the door.
12:55This is the Sant family estate.
12:56She is a benefactor to all of us.
12:58Disrespect her again,
12:59and I'll have the knights
13:00throw you out.
13:01Sylvia's face turned pale
13:03as she stepped behind Arthur.
13:05Arthur's face darkened.
13:06I'm only offering a kind reminder.
13:08You'd rather trust a lowerly witch
13:10than the Pope?
13:11I laughed coldly
13:12and turned my gaze to Arthur.
13:14You should be more concerned
13:15about yourself.
13:16Last night, at midnight,
13:18didn't you feel excruciating pain
13:20in your eyes?
13:21Didn't dark purple gruzes
13:22appear around your eye cops?
13:24Arthur froze,
13:25stiff as a board.
13:26I hadn't missed a single detail.
13:28His voice trembled in panic.
13:30How do you know?
13:31I mocked him.
13:32The curse wasn't removed at all.
13:34It's merely been suppressed
13:35by the potion.
13:36When it bursts,
13:37both your eyes and brain
13:39will rot into black sludge.
13:41Sylvia screamed in outrage.
13:43You're talking nonsense!
13:45You're just jealous of my potion!
13:46Arthur!
13:47I will heal you!
13:48Arthur,
13:49struggling to suppress his panic,
13:51hugged Sylvia tightly.
13:52Do you think lying
13:54will turn us against each other?
13:55I don't believe you!
13:58I was unfazed.
14:00Well, good luck then.
14:01On the penultimal day,
14:03a carrier pigeon
14:04landed on my window, Sid.
14:06Its legs bound with a crystal
14:08from Duchess Pell.
14:10I infused magic into it,
14:12and the image appeared.
14:13Sylvia was brewing
14:14the glacial lotus,
14:16the potion almost complete.
14:17She added a drop
14:18of dark green liquid.
14:20The potion flashed
14:21with a strange purple light.
14:22The Duchess' message
14:23was filled with urgency.
14:24What is that liquid?
14:26Arthur's cries of pain
14:27are increasing,
14:28and I'm scared.
14:29I sneered.
14:31That was the forbidden drug,
14:32Demon's Eye.
14:33It forced the body's functions
14:34back to life
14:35by draining vitality,
14:37but what awaited Arthur
14:38was certain death.
14:40Sylvia had no talent
14:41and was willing to use
14:42forbidden drugs
14:43to create a false hope
14:45of restoration.
14:46I crushed the crystal.
14:48Foolish beyond measure.
14:50Moments later,
14:51the March guest sent word.
14:52Cedric had awakened.
14:53On the tenth day,
14:54the royal hall
14:55was filled with nobles
14:56and mages
14:57all waiting for the outcome
14:58of the wager.
14:59At the stroke of the evening bell,
15:01I pushed open the door.
15:02Standing beside me
15:03was Cedric,
15:04who should have been
15:04a living corpse.
15:06His gaze was sharp,
15:07his steps steady.
15:08There wasn't a trace
15:09of death in him.
15:10The entire room gasped,
15:11and everyone stood up
15:12in shock.
15:13Lord Cedric really woke up!
15:14This is a miracle!
15:15Sylvia's color
15:16drenned from her face.
15:17She stared at Cedric,
15:19her body trembling
15:19uncontrollably.
15:20I felt the blood
15:21pat on my wrist
15:22glow with a red light.
15:23The ten-day deadline
15:24is up.
15:25Kneel and admit defeat,
15:27then leave the royal capital.
15:28Sylvia's legs gave out,
15:30and fear filled her eyes.
15:32Impossible!
15:32You used witchcraft!
15:34You cheated!
15:35A shout came
15:36from the second floor.
15:38Who dares to touch my woman?
15:40Arthur stood
15:40on the balcony above.
15:42He pulled off
15:42his black cloth.
15:44His eyes were bright,
15:45glaring at me
15:46with malice.
15:47Arthur was smug.
15:49So what if Cedric woke up?
15:51Sylvia healed my eyes too.
15:53This bet is a draw.
15:54You're still a fraud.
15:55The room buzzed
15:56with shock.
15:57I looked at him
15:57with pity,
15:58my gaze lingering
15:59on the deathly purple-black
16:00spread across his pupils.
16:01A draw?
16:02What you're seeing now
16:03is merely the last flicker
16:04of light before your eyes
16:05decay completely.
16:06She gave you
16:06a death-inducing poison.
16:08Arthur's anger flared.
16:09Lies!
16:10I can see clearly!
16:11I responded calmly.
16:12Let's count down from ten.
16:13And we'll see
16:14if you can still see the world.
16:15Ten.
16:16Arthur scossed.
16:17Nine.
16:18Eight.
16:19Seven.
16:20Arthur's smile faltered,
16:21and he rubbed his eyes
16:22in disbelief.
16:23Six.
16:24Five.
16:24Four.
16:25Arthur's breathing
16:26became erratic.
16:27Black blood spots
16:28started to appear
16:29in his eyes,
16:29the burning sensation
16:30searing into his brain.
16:32No.
16:32My eyes hurt so much.
16:35Three.
16:35Two.
16:36The demon's eye curse
16:37backfired.
16:38One.
16:39A blood-curling scream
16:40echoed through the hall.
16:41Arthur's eyeballs ruptured,
16:43spewing purple-black venom
16:44while the abysmant curse
16:45devoured his nerves.
16:46He clutched his eyes,
16:48struggling wildly,
16:49and then lost his footing.
16:51The dull thud of him
16:52hitting the ground
16:53followed.
16:54He fell from the stairs
16:56and landed at Sylvia's feet.
16:58After a few convulsions,
17:00he descended
17:00into eternal darkness.
17:03I looked at Sylvia,
17:04sitting on the floor,
17:05and declared,
17:06It seems I've won.
17:08The hall fell into
17:08dead silence.
17:09Only Arthur's agonizing wails
17:11echoed through the space.
17:13Sylvia collapsed,
17:14shaking her head desperately.
17:16No!
17:17This can't be happening!
17:19It's the potion's fault!
17:20She turned to run out
17:21of the hall,
17:22but the blood pot
17:23on her wrist
17:24immediately flashed
17:25with a blinding red light.
17:27The punishment
17:28of the sacred blood pot
17:29had begun.
17:30Sylvia's knees
17:31crashed uncontrollably
17:32onto the stone floor.
17:34The sound of her kneecaps
17:35shattering was clear
17:36and sharp.
17:37She was forced to kneel
17:38toward the statue
17:39of the Light God.
17:40Flames of the Pact
17:41erupted from the seal,
17:42burning her soul
17:43with an unrelenting fire.
17:44I admit defeat!
17:46I'll leave the royal capital!
17:48She cried bitterly,
17:49crawling in extreme pain
17:50toward the exit.
17:51She had been reduced
17:52to nothing but a shell
17:53of her former self.
17:55Arthur!
17:56Duke Pell and his wife
17:57rushed into the hall.
17:59Upon seeing their son,
18:00his eye sockets
18:01nothing but black voids,
18:03his face covered
18:04in purple-black toxic blood,
18:06the Duke's face
18:06twisted in rage.
18:08He pulled out
18:08his enchanted sword
18:09with a violent motion,
18:11pointing it directly
18:12at my throat.
18:14It's you!
18:15You wicked witch!
18:16You've used dark magic
18:17to harm my son!
18:19I stared coldly at him.
18:21Is the Duke blind?
18:22It was Sylvia's forbidden potion,
18:25demon's eye,
18:25that harmed him.
18:26What does it have to do
18:27with me?
18:28The Duke wouldn't listen
18:30to reason.
18:31Kill her!
18:32Make her pay
18:33for my son's life!
18:35Dozens of Pell family knights
18:36drew their swords
18:37and charged at me.
18:39Who dares to touch her?
18:41Cedric drew his sword
18:42and firmly stood
18:43in front of me.
18:44The sharp,
18:45holy energy
18:46of his blade
18:46immediately sent
18:47the knights
18:48carging in front of him
18:49flying back.
18:51Markyr Sant raised a hand.
18:53Her elite knights
18:54immediately surrounded me,
18:55protecting me
18:57in the center.
18:58The two great families
19:00were now at a standoff.
19:02Stop!
19:03The heavy doors
19:03were forcefully pushed open.
19:05The cardinal
19:06of the Holy Church,
19:08clad in red,
19:09entered the hall
19:10with a group
19:10of temple knights.
19:12Duke Pell clung
19:13to the hope
19:13of salvation.
19:15Your eminency!
19:15I accused Jennifer
19:16of using
19:17Abyssian forbidden arts.
19:18Cedric's soul
19:19was sealed
19:19by death energy.
19:20Even the Pope
19:21couldn't do anything.
19:22How could she
19:22possibly heal him?
19:23She must have used
19:24Arthur's eyes
19:25as a sacrifice
19:25to exchange
19:26for the demon's power.
19:28The room buzzed
19:29with whispers.
19:30After all,
19:31the idea of awakening
19:32a living corpse
19:33was too far-fetched
19:35to believe.
19:35The cardinal's gaze
19:37turned icy
19:37as it locked onto me.
19:39Hand over your source
19:40of magic
19:40and submit to the judgment
19:42of the Holy Light.
19:43If there is even
19:43the slightest trace
19:44of abysmen energy,
19:46you will be executed
19:47on the stout.
19:48Cedric tightened his grip
19:49on the hilt of his sword,
19:51ready to intervene.
19:52I pressed my hand
19:54on his shoulder
19:54and stepped forward,
19:56passing him.
19:57In my previous life,
19:58in order to heal Arthur,
19:59I had slit my wrist
20:00and sacrificed
20:01half a bowl
20:02of my heart's blood
20:03that had shattered
20:04the foundation
20:04of my magic,
20:06reducing me
20:06to a powerless mortal.
20:08That's why Arthur
20:09had been able
20:10to easily hang me
20:11from a thousand meter
20:12tall magical tower.
20:14But in this life,
20:15my heart's blood
20:16still flowed within me
20:17and I was still in my prime
20:18as a member
20:19of the Mermaid royalty.
20:21I stepped into the center
20:22of the Holy Light frame.
20:24Let the judgment begin.
20:26But if I am proven innocent,
20:27what punishment
20:28does the Pell family deserve
20:29for falsely accusing me?
20:31The cardinal replied coldly.
20:32If you are innocent,
20:33I will strip Duke Pell
20:34of his title.
20:35In the name of divine justice,
20:36there will be no mercy.
20:37The array activated
20:38and the blinding light
20:40of judgment
20:40instantly engulfed me.
20:42Duke Pell's gaze
20:43fixed on the array,
20:45waiting for me
20:45to be reduced to ashes.
20:47I remained calm,
20:49casually cutting
20:49my finger fifth
20:50and letting a drop
20:51of mermaid blood
20:52fall into the core
20:53of the array.
20:54The blinding light
20:55shifted into a deep
20:57blue wave of water.
20:58The life force poured out.
21:00The withered magical
21:01potted plants in the hall
21:02suddenly bloomed
21:03with vibrant flowers.
21:04The cardinal's face
21:05twisted in shock.
21:07His legs buckled
21:08and he collapsed
21:09to the ground.
21:10This pure life effence.
21:12Are you of the divine
21:14blessed sacred bloodline?
21:15The room fell
21:16into stunned silence.
21:18No one could believe
21:19their eyes.
21:20The cardinal broke
21:20into a cold sweat,
21:22repeatedly bowing his head.
21:23Pure and fallest.
21:25Holy lady,
21:26please forgive
21:27my impolite tests.
21:28I turned coldly
21:29toward Duke Pell,
21:30whose face was ashen.
21:32You can now fulfill
21:32your promise.
21:34Hand over
21:34his ducal crest.
21:36Duke Pell collapsed
21:37to the ground,
21:38shaking his head desperately.
21:40No!
21:40I am the hereditary
21:41Duke of the Empire!
21:42You can't do this!
21:43A few temple knights
21:45stepped forward,
21:46their faces expressionless,
21:48and pinned him
21:49to the floor.
21:50The duchess screamed
21:51and fainted on the start.
21:54Just as the knights
21:55were about to remove
21:56the ducal crest
21:57from his chest,
21:58a terrifying,
21:59inhuman screech
22:00suddenly came from Arthur,
22:02who was lying
22:02in a pool of blood.
22:03Arthur jerked upright
22:05with a sudden,
22:05unnatural motion.
22:07From his empty eye sockets,
22:09two purple-black flames
22:11of magic began to burn.
22:14What's happening?
22:16The cardinal stumbled
22:17back in horror.
22:18I narrowed my eyes slightly.
22:21The forced overdraft
22:22of the demon's eye
22:23had completely destroyed
22:25his human rationality.
22:27Meanwhile,
22:27the abyssal curse
22:28that had been suppressed
22:30inside him
22:30took the opportunity
22:31to consume
22:32his magical core.
22:33He had mutated.
22:35Arthur's skull cracked
22:36and two pitch-black demon horns
22:38sprouted from his forehead.
22:40His eyes,
22:41burning with demonic flames,
22:42locked onto Duke Pell.
22:44Arthur, Arthur,
22:45it's me, your father.
22:47Duke Pell trembled in terror.
22:49Worthless.
22:50Arthur's voice turned
22:51hoarse and distorted.
22:52If it weren't for you
22:53trusting that commoner woman,
22:55how did I end up like this?
22:56All my suffering
22:57was caused by you.
22:59You all deserve to die.
23:01In the blink of an ire,
23:02Arthur appeared
23:03in front of Duke Pell.
23:04His pitch-black claws
23:06pierced through
23:07the Duke's chest.
23:08Blood spurted out.
23:09Duke Pell's eyes
23:11widened in disbelief
23:12as he stared at his son,
23:14now a monster,
23:15and he took his last breath.
23:17The hall became
23:18a hellish nightmare.
23:20The nobles screamed
23:21and scattered
23:22in every direction.
23:23Arthur was slaughtering
23:24one after another.
23:26Suddenly,
23:26he pulled out
23:27his blooded claws
23:28and turned to look at me.
23:29He greedily sniffed the air.
23:32The blood on you.
23:33It smells so good.
23:35He roared,
23:36his voice filled with madness
23:38as he lunged toward me
23:39like a blur of motion.
23:41Cedric let out
23:42a furious roar
23:43and swung his holy sword energy.
23:46Get away!
23:46The two forces
23:47clashed violently in mid-air.
23:50Arthur was knocked
23:50back several steps.
23:52I watched Arthur,
23:53now fully transformed
23:54into a monster,
23:55my eyes filled
23:56only with murderous intent.
23:57In the last life,
23:58you killed me once.
24:00This time,
24:01I'll send you to hell
24:02with my own hands.
24:03I raised my right hand,
24:05the deep blue water magic
24:06swirling and compressing
24:07rapidly at my fingertips.
24:09Arthur roared
24:11as he charged at me,
24:12his demonic flames
24:13burning wildly
24:14in his hollow eyes.
24:16The abysmal death energy
24:18took the shape
24:18of a monstrous hand
24:20trying to rip me apart.
24:21I stood still,
24:23expression cold,
24:24as a droplet
24:24of deep blue water magic
24:26solidified into
24:27an ice blue longbow,
24:28radiating a chilling aura.
24:30I pulled the bowstring
24:31back with all my might,
24:32the pure mermaid magic
24:33gathering on the string,
24:35forming a brilliant light arrow.
24:37This arrow is to repay you
24:38for the betrayal
24:39in the last life.
24:40As the words left my lip,
24:42the light arrow
24:43shot through the air
24:43with a pressure
24:44that seemed to purify
24:45everything in its path,
24:47heading straight
24:47for his twisted magical core.
24:49Even with the curse
24:50he had fused with,
24:51before me,
24:52he was nothing more
24:53than a helpless,
24:54doomed creature.
24:55A sharp crack echoed
24:57as the light arrow
24:58pierced through
24:58his abyssal core
24:59with precision.
25:01Arthur let out
25:02a bone-chilling scream.
25:04The pure essence of life
25:05erupted inside him.
25:07The demon horns
25:09on his forehead
25:09shattered piece by piece.
25:11The abysmal death energy
25:12in his body
25:13was instantly purified.
25:15Arthur's massive form
25:16began to melt away
25:17like snow,
25:18rapidly dissolving.
25:19In the end,
25:20he was reduced
25:21to a foul-smelling puddle
25:23of black water.
25:24Gone.
25:25Completely vanished.
25:26The hatred
25:27from the last life
25:28ended in this moment.
25:30The hall fell
25:31into complete silence.
25:32The cardinal knelt
25:33on the ground,
25:34trembling in fear.
25:36Just then,
25:37the shattered doors
25:37of the hall
25:38were violently kicked open.
25:40A squad of royal guards,
25:42cladded in golden armor,
25:43stormed into the hall.
25:45They quickly sealed off
25:46all the exits.
25:47The imperial crown prince
25:49arrogantly walked
25:50into the room.
25:50He ignored the corpses
25:52scattered across the floor.
25:53His eyes fixated on me
25:55with intense fervory.
25:56By the order of my father,
25:57the emperor,
25:58the blood of the mermaid
26:00princess Jennifer
26:00can cure all ailments.
26:02Take her to the palace
26:03immediately
26:04and draw her blood
26:05for the elixir.
26:07The crown prince
26:08looked down at me,
26:09his gaze filled
26:10with blatant greed.
26:11Hand over your blood
26:12obediently.
26:13If you cure my father,
26:15you'll become
26:15the future empress.
26:17Otherwise,
26:17everyone here
26:19will die.
26:20Cedric stepped forward,
26:22sword in hand,
26:23unwavering as he shielded me.
26:24Who dares to touch her?
26:26They'll have to cross
26:27my corpse first.
26:28The crown prince neared.
26:30He pulled out a roll
26:32of forbidden magic.
26:33A massive energy net
26:35descended from the sky,
26:37suppressing Cedric's sword aura.
26:39Cedric runned,
26:41dropping to one knee.
26:42The crown prince
26:43unshued a silver dagger
26:45and approached me.
26:47Such precious blood.
26:49Let me taste it first.
26:50Will you draw it yourself,
26:52or should I do it for you?
26:53I stared at him.
26:55Do you dare drink
26:56the blood of the
26:57mermaid royal family?
26:58The crown prince's face
27:00twisted in anger.
27:01I'm the imperial prince.
27:02Give it to me,
27:03now!
27:04I smirked,
27:05forcing a drop of golden blood
27:06from my fingertip.
27:08He snatched it eagerly,
27:09swallowing it down
27:10without hesitation.
27:11Golden light surged
27:12through his entire body.
27:14Ha ha ha ha ha!
27:15I can feel the immense power!
27:18The crown prince laughed wildly,
27:20but suddenly his laughter
27:21cut off in his throat.
27:22He vomited a large mouthful
27:24of black blood.
27:25Golden flames erupted
27:27from all seven of his orifices.
27:29Ah, help me!
27:30It hurts so much!
27:32He collapsed to the ground
27:33in agony,
27:34thrashing uncontrollably.
27:36I looked down at him
27:38from above.
27:38Royal blood only heals
27:40pure souls.
27:41You poisoned the old emperor,
27:44stained with the sins of patricide.
27:46It will only become
27:47the most deadly poison for you.
27:49In just a few seconds,
27:50the crown prince was reduced
27:52to a pile of charred ashes
27:54in the holy flames.
27:56The royal guards, terrified,
27:58dropped their helmets and armor,
28:00stumbling backward.
28:01With the caster gone,
28:03the divine energy net dissipated.
28:06I turned to leave,
28:08but slow applause suddenly echoed
28:09from the balcony above.
28:13The pope of the holy church
28:14slowly walked into the hall,
28:15staff in hand.
28:16His face was filled with pity,
28:18but his eyes were filled
28:19with insatiable greed.
28:20Magnificent.
28:21Truly magnificent.
28:22Thank you for helping me remove
28:24the troublesome royal family.
28:26I looked at him coldly.
28:28So this was your scheme all along?
28:30The pope grinned with satisfaction.
28:32Exactly.
28:34I deliberately let the abyss
28:36and curse spread.
28:37Once I drain your mermaid royal blood,
28:40I'll be able to control
28:42the entire continent.
28:45He raised his staff
28:47and coldly commanded.
28:49Do it.
28:50Cedric, standing behind me,
28:52suddenly froze.
28:53His eyes turned pure white
28:56in an instant.
28:57A thin thread connected
28:58to his brain.
29:00He drew his sword
29:01and without hesitation
29:03lunged towards my heart.
29:05Die.
29:05The pope laughed maniacally.
29:07The sword was only an inch
29:09from my heart,
29:10but could not pierce any further.
29:12A layer of deep blue water magic
29:14formed a barrier,
29:16stopping the blade.
29:17I turned around,
29:18pressing my finger
29:19to Cedric's forehead.
29:20A drop of pure magic
29:22seeped into his brain.
29:23The thread controlling his soul
29:25was instantly burned away.
29:26Cedric jerked awake,
29:28his eyes wide with realization.
29:29He looked at the sword
29:30in his hand,
29:31breaking into a cold sweat.
29:32I...
29:33I almost hurt you.
29:35I stopped him.
29:36It wasn't your fault.
29:38The pope's manic laughter
29:39faltered and stopped completely.
29:41It's impossible.
29:41How could you break
29:42Maia's divine magic
29:43so easily?
29:46I took a step toward him.
29:48You know nothing
29:49about the power
29:50of the Mermaid people.
29:52I spread my arms wide.
29:56The ultimate domain
29:57of the Mermaid royal family
29:59descended like a crashing wave.
30:01The entire hall
30:02seemed to sink
30:03into the deepest depths
30:05of the ocean.
30:06Vast water magics
30:07formed into invisible
30:08giant hands.
30:10It wrapped around
30:11the papes' neck,
30:12squeezing tightly.
30:13He was suspended
30:15in mid-air,
30:16struggling for breath.
30:17No!
30:18I'm the pope!
30:19I am the representative
30:20of the gods!
30:21I looked at him coldly.
30:23To manipulate others
30:25for your own selfish gain,
30:26and you dare speak of gods?
30:29I clenched my fingers slightly.
30:31The pope's body
30:33was instantly crushed
30:34under the pressure
30:34of the crushing water.
30:36He was reduced
30:37to a cloud of blood mist,
30:39his body and bones
30:40completely disintegrated.
30:42The hall fell
30:43into a heavy silence.
30:45The surviving nobles
30:47and knights
30:47all dropped
30:48to their knees.
30:49They trembled,
30:50not daring
30:51to lift their heads.
30:53Sunlight streamed
30:54through the shattered dome,
30:55casting a warm glow
30:56across my robes.
30:58Cedric knelt before me,
30:59his head tilted back
31:01in reverence
31:01and fervent.
31:03He kissed the hem
31:04of my gown deeply.
31:06My queen.
31:08I looked out
31:09over the entire royal capital.
31:11In my past life,
31:13I died because
31:14of foolish kindness.
31:15In this life,
31:16I stand atop
31:17the peak of power,
31:18stepping over
31:19the bodies of traitors.
31:20This game of fate,
31:22I've won it completely.
31:24Three years later,
31:25the morning sun
31:26filtered through
31:27the crystal windows
31:28and warmed my face.
31:29I opened my eyes,
31:31and Cedric,
31:32already up,
31:33was preparing
31:34my morning gown.
31:35My queen,
31:36today is the day
31:37the mermaid delegation arrives.
31:39I rose and allowed him
31:40to adjust my attire.
31:42For the past three years,
31:44Cedric had never
31:45left my side.
31:46He was my most loyal weapon
31:48and the only protector
31:49I trusted.
31:50How is the reconstruction
31:52of the heart
31:52of the ocean
31:53progredding?
31:54Cedric replied respectfully.
31:57It's 70% complete.
31:59The new order
32:00of the royal capital
32:01is being established,
32:02and the trade agreement
32:03between the mermaids
32:04and humans
32:05has been signed.
32:07Since that bloody reckoning,
32:09I had used the power
32:10of the heart of the ocean
32:11to reshape the royal capital.
32:13The decayed old nobility
32:15had been purged.
32:16The new ruling class
32:17was personally selected by me,
32:19composed entirely
32:20of individuals
32:21of pure character.
32:23The mermaid purification magic
32:25ensured that the abysmant curse
32:27would never again
32:28threaten this land.
32:29Where's Sylvia?
32:30A cold flicker
32:31passed through Cedric's eyes.
32:33She's in the ice cavern
32:34in the winter rift,
32:35surviving off the rotting
32:36bodies of magical beasts.
32:38Her legs are crippled.
32:38She can't stand again.
32:40She curses every day,
32:41completely lost her mind.
32:43I let out a cold laugh.
32:44Good.
32:45Let her rot there slowly.
32:47The winter rift.
32:49A thousand miles
32:50of frozen wasteland.
32:51Sylvia curled up
32:52in the narrow ice cavern,
32:53a foul stench
32:54surrounding her.
32:55Her legs were destroyed
32:56when the blood pack backfired,
32:57and now she could only
32:58crawl to move.
32:59That damn woman.
33:01It's Jennifer,
33:02that wicked witch!
33:03She cursed violently,
33:04her nails scraping
33:05against the ice wall,
33:07blood dripping
33:07from her hands.
33:09Suddenly,
33:10a massive frost wolf
33:11charged into the cave.
33:13Sylvia trembled in fear.
33:15No!
33:16Don't come closer!
33:18The frost wolf
33:18sniffed the pugorous scent
33:20on her and showed
33:20a look of disgust.
33:21It didn't even bother
33:22attacking this pathetic prey,
33:24and turned to leave.
33:25Sylvia collapsed
33:26into untrollable tears.
33:28Even the beasts reject me.
33:30Jennifer,
33:31I hate you!
33:32I curse you!
33:33Her voice echoed
33:34in the vast ice gorge,
33:35only the cold wind
33:36responding to her despair.
33:38Meanwhile,
33:38in another part
33:39of the royal capital,
33:40the once glorious
33:41Pell family estate
33:42had fallen into ruin.
33:43A beggar,
33:44wearing a tutted headscrave,
33:46rummaged through
33:46the wreckage for food.
33:48It was the Duchess of Pell
33:49who had lost her title.
33:50Her husband and son
33:52were dead,
33:52and the family's wealth
33:53had been entirely seized by me.
33:55Now she was worth less
33:57than the stray dogs
33:58on the street.
33:58It's all my fault.
34:00It's all because of me
34:01that Arthur...
34:02She munded to herself,
34:03her eyes empty.
34:05Suddenly,
34:05she spotted a familiar corner
34:07of a portrait
34:07poking out from the rubble.
34:09It was a portrait
34:10of young Arthur.
34:11Her hands trembled
34:13as she dug it out,
34:14holding it tightly
34:15to her chest.
34:17My son,
34:19I'm so sorry.
34:21She looked up to the sky,
34:23crying out in agony.
34:25At the center
34:26of the royal capital,
34:27the Temple of the Sea God.
34:29This was the new sanctuary
34:30I had ordered to be built.
34:31The architecture blended
34:33mermaid and human styles.
34:35The heart of the ocean
34:36atop the temple
34:36glowed with a soft blue light,
34:38purifying the air
34:39throughout the entire city.
34:40I sat upon the Sea God's throne,
34:42dressed in a deep blue royal robe.
34:45Below,
34:46the mermaid delegation,
34:47just arrived,
34:48knelt before me.
34:49At the head of the group
34:50was my cousin,
34:51the second prince
34:52of the mermaid kingdom.
34:53Princess Jennifer,
34:54your achievements on land
34:56have stunned the entire ocean.
34:58The king of the mermaids
34:59specially sent me
35:00to discuss a permanent alliance
35:01between our two races.
35:03I nodded.
35:04Humans and mermaids
35:05should live in harmony.
35:07As long as they carry
35:08purity in their hearts,
35:09my blood will be
35:10the greatest protection.
35:11The second prince,
35:12respectfully praised,
35:13presented a massive
35:14deep sea pearl.
35:15This is a gift
35:16from the royal court,
35:17wishing you a reign
35:18of 10,000 years.
35:19I took the pearl,
35:20feeling the familiar
35:21oceanic aura within it.
35:22After three years on land,
35:24I occasionally longed
35:25for the embrace of the sea,
35:26but I enjoyed
35:27the supreme power
35:28I now held even more.
35:29Cedric.
35:30Yes?
35:31Cedric immediately
35:32stepped forward and knelt.
35:34Arrange for the delegation
35:35to stay at the palace.
35:36We'll host a grand banquet tomorrow.
35:39Once the delegation left,
35:40only Cedric and I remained
35:42in the grand temple
35:43of the sea god.
35:46I stood and walked
35:47to the window,
35:48gazing down
35:49at the bustling
35:50royal capital.
35:54It's been three years.
35:56Cedric stood behind me,
35:58his voice soft.
35:59Are you still thinking
36:00about the past?
36:01No,
36:01I'm thinking about the future.
36:03This continent
36:04has already bowed to me,
36:05but that's not enough.
36:06I want the power
36:07of the mermaids
36:08to spread to every
36:09corner of the world.
36:10Cedric's eyes
36:11sparkled with admiration.
36:13Whatever you want,
36:14I will take it for you.
36:16I turned to face him,
36:17staring into his handsome face.
36:19For three years,
36:21Cedric had never betrayed me.
36:22Even in the most
36:23dangerous moments,
36:24he was willing
36:25to give his life
36:26to protect me.
36:27This absolute loyalty
36:28touched me deeply.
36:30We embraced passionately,
36:32sealing our vows
36:33under the moonlight.
36:37Cedric and I were married
36:39in the temple
36:39of the sea god,
36:40rulers from a
36:41cross the continent
36:42came to offer
36:43their congratulations.
36:44The king of the mermaids
36:45personally conducted
36:46the ceremony.
36:47In the name of the ocean,
36:49in the name of life,
36:50we bless this couple's
36:51eternal love.
36:52I wore a pure
36:53white wedding gown,
36:54crowned with the ocean crown.
36:56Cedric,
36:57in a silver suit,
36:58looked as handsome
36:58as any prince.
36:59When we exchanged rings,
37:01the entire royal capital
37:02erupted in treas.
37:04Long live the queen!
37:06Long live the queen!
37:07Long live the queen!
37:10I stood at the highest point
37:12of the temple
37:12of the sea god,
37:13looking down
37:14at the thousands
37:15of subjects
37:15who bowed to me.
37:17The pain of the past life
37:18had faded away.
37:20In this life,
37:21I possessed the highest power
37:23and true love.
37:24Cedric took my hand.
37:28Our story has only
37:29just begun.
37:30I smiled and nodded.
37:32Yes,
37:32I would spread the power
37:33of the mermaids
37:34to the world.
37:35I would make all the traitors
37:36repent in despair.
37:38Together with the one
37:39I loved,
37:39we would rule this world
37:41forever.
37:41The sea breeze
37:42gently brushed my face,
37:44carrying the blessings
37:45of the ocean.
37:46Under the watch
37:46of the gods,
37:47we would write
37:48our own legend.
37:50Meanwhile,
37:50in the distant winter rift,
37:52Sylvia heard
37:53the distant sound
37:53of bells.
37:54It was the wedding bells
37:55of the royal capital.
38:09She knew
38:09I had won everything.
38:11She let out
38:12a desperate scream,
38:13struggling wildly
38:14in the cold cave,
38:16but no one
38:16would hear her.
38:17She could only wait
38:18slowly for death
38:19to come,
38:20trapped in endless pain.
38:22The victor is king,
38:24the vanquished
38:25is a criminal.
38:26This is the final outcome
38:27of our fateful game.
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