- 2 minutes ago
The Wrong Blood Pact
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00:00My sister Isolde and I bought two mermen at the underground magical creature auction in Black Reef Harbor.
00:05She picked the most robust elder brother, and pushed the younger one, whose tail fin was torn, and whose scales
00:10had almost peeled off, onto me.
00:12To save him, I gave my lifeblood for 49 consecutive days, ventured through all the forbidden depths of the ocean
00:18to find magical herbs,
00:19and helped him awaken his bloodline to become the legendary king of the deep sea mermen.
00:24Yet, even after we forged the soulmate contract, he remained cold and distant.
00:28I thought it was just his nature, until the day Isolde was seriously injured.
00:32He kicked open my door, and personally drained the last drop of lifeblood from my chest.
00:37His voice was as cold as the 10,000 year old ice in the deep sea.
00:41If it hadn't been for you, she would have taken me with her back then. You tore us apart!
00:45When I opened my eyes again, I was back at that auction.
00:48The soulmate contract is a 200 year old deep sea blood pact of the Blackwood family.
00:53200 years ago, on the brink of bankruptcy, the family signed a pact with the deep sea mermen tribe.
00:58Every generation of women must enter into a soulmate contract, with a merman, to inherit control over the transatlantic maritime
01:05trade, and magical talents.
01:06The stronger the merman, the higher the wealth and status of his mistress.
01:10The annual Deep Sea Gladiator Festival is held in the underwater arena of Black Reef Harbor.
01:15The winner is crowned king of the deep sea mermen, rules all wild mermen, and brings endless wealth to his
01:20mistress.
01:21For the women of the Blackwood family, choosing the right merman is choosing a lifetime.
01:25So, at the auction, when Isolde forced me to take the tattered merman she had rejected, I knew full well
01:30that she wanted me to be trampled under her feet for the rest of my life.
01:33But in my previous life, I still chose him.
01:36His name was Kai.
01:37A lowly merman with a torn tail fin and almost no scales left.
01:41I gave my lifeblood for 49 days, just to save his life.
01:44And then risked my life traveling through the forbidden depths, to collect magical herbs to awaken his bloodline.
01:50In the end, he became the king of the deep sea mermen.
01:53But until the day Isolde was seriously injured, he kicked open my door.
01:58Kai, what are you doing?
02:01The pain almost made me pass out, but he pressed harder, letting my blood stain the sheets.
02:22It was still the giant glass cage, glowing coldly under the kerosene lamps, filled with deep blue seawater.
02:30It was still the salty sea breeze, mixed with the smell of magical potions and money.
02:35I spotted Kai huddled in the corner of the rearmost cage at a glance.
02:39A merman's greatest pride is his tail.
02:41The tails of the other mermen shimmered like flowing silk, but Kai's tail had almost no scales left, exposing bloody
02:47flesh.
02:48Isolde's finger, painted with bright red nail polish, pointed casually at the cage.
02:53Let's take these two mermens, okay?
02:55Hurry up and decide or the strongest ones will be taken by others.
02:59In my previous life, I had listened to her nonsense and agreed.
03:03Mermen were the most expensive and rarest items at the underground auction.
03:07And I had naively thought she wouldn't push the weakest one on me.
03:10But she did exactly that.
03:11For this, Lord Blackwood had thrown a huge fit.
03:14Father, this is what my sister chose herself!
03:17And just like that, Kai, who was half dead, ended up in my hands.
03:21In this life, I will never fall for her tricks again.
03:25You keep them both, sister.
03:27I want that one.
03:28I pointed to the expressionless merman in the corner and directly quoted the price.
03:31For me, it didn't matter who I chose.
03:35Leora, you're bidding too high!
03:37Father only gave us this much money!
03:40If you spend it all, what will I use?
03:43I looked at her coldly.
03:44How had I not noticed how good she was at acting in my previous life?
03:48So I pointed to Kai, who was twisting his body desperately in the cage to attract attention.
03:53That one looks pretty good too.
03:55Raise him well and he might be useful someday.
03:57If you really run out of money, just buy him.
04:00Him?
04:01I wouldn't even take him as a slave!
04:04I curled my lips into a mocking smile.
04:07Poor Kai.
04:08In his previous life, he had thought I had torn him and Isolde apart, but she had never even looked
04:12at him.
04:13Just like in my previous life, Isolde finally chose the strong merman named Tork.
04:18But as I was about to leave with my merman Atlas, Kai suddenly went mad and slammed into the water
04:23wall.
04:23Everyone around laughed at him.
04:26Yo, who is he trying to get the attention of?
04:29Look at the state he's in.
04:30He should know his place.
04:32Only a fool would buy him.
04:34Watching Kai spinning around in a panic and Isolde glancing back, I frowned slightly.
04:39Could it be Kai had been reborn too?
04:41Since I didn't take Kai home this time, I naturally didn't get scolded.
04:45Atlas stood in front of me, his tail slapping the floor rhythmically.
04:48Can you turn into a human form?
04:50Atlas pressed his lips together and obediently retracted his tail.
04:54There was no trace of joy at being bought on his face.
04:58You don't want to come home with me?
05:03Atlas glanced at me faintly and didn't answer.
05:05I walked up to him and looked him straight in the eye.
05:08As far as I know, the mermons locked in those cages are divided into ranks.
05:12If you're not bought, you'll have to fight for the rest of your lives and the losers will be beaten
05:16to dead.
05:17Come with me and I can keep you safe.
05:20I'm not that useless waste with the broken tail.
05:24I smiled.
05:25He was right.
05:26What else was someone beaten that badly but a waste?
05:28If you don't want to stay, you can leave now.
05:31A glint of light flashed in Atlas' blue eyes.
05:34He was tempted.
05:34Before he could stand up, I got to my feet first.
05:39Where are you going?
05:40Since you don't want to stay?
05:42Of course I'm going to pick another merman.
05:44I'm raising a future merman king, not someone with divided loyalties.
05:49The auction is already over.
05:51Families that can afford mermons will always find a way to buy more.
05:55For the next few days, I left before dawn every day and came back very late.
05:59Atlas hadn't left yet, but I had to prepare a way out for myself.
06:03Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped onto the street that day,
06:06Kai stumbled over and threw himself at my legs, hugging them tightly.
06:11Lyra!
06:14Lyra!
06:15Why didn't you take me with you?
06:17Please, take me home.
06:18You were supposed to choose me.
06:20My heart skipped a beat.
06:23What did you say?
06:25Lyra, look at me.
06:27Do you really not want me anymore?
06:29Kai had indeed been reborn too.
06:30But the first thing he did after being reborn was not to go to his beloved Isolde.
06:34I kicked him away with a blank expression on my face.
06:37What are you talking about?
06:38Who is your master?
06:40Don't pestle me here.
06:42I turned to leave, but Kai chased after me again.
06:45Just as I was about to lose my temper, I saw Atlas following me not far behind.
06:49I squatted down and gave Kai a gentle smile.
06:53Your tail is hurt so badly.
06:55Did the other memens bully you?
06:56Kai froze for a moment, then nodded desperately.
06:59Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Atlas approaching.
07:01I stroked Kai's tail gently, just as I had done in my previous life.
07:06After living together day and night in my previous life, I had healed every wound on
07:10his body.
07:11So when my hand touched his tail, Kai shivered with pleasure and kept nuzzling into my arms.
07:15Master, please take me home.
07:18Of course.
07:20Before I could finish my sentence, Atlas suddenly rushed forward, wrapped his tail around Kai,
07:25and threw him five meters away.
07:26He stood in front of me with a dark face.
07:29I haven't left yet.
07:30Kai struggled several times after being thrown, but couldn't get up.
07:34I deliberately looked at Atlas in surprise.
07:37Why did you hit him so hard?
07:38Didn't you say you were leaving?
07:40Why are you stopping me from finding another merman?
07:44I'm not leaving!
07:45I raised the corners of my lips in satisfaction.
07:47Since he had taken this step, I would of course accept his sincerity.
07:50As for Kai, he struggled to his feet and came over again.
07:53Master, you just said you'd take me home.
07:56Sorry.
07:57I changed my mind.
08:01Kai tried to step forward again, but Atlas's tail slammed down on the ground at his feet.
08:05Take one more step, and I'll break every bone in your body.
08:09Looking at the cracks in the ground, I nodded in satisfaction.
08:13Atlas was indeed much stronger than Kai.
08:15To prevent being betrayed again, I forced Atlas to complete the soulmate contract ceremony.
08:20Can you really make me the merman king?
08:22I didn't answer.
08:23In my previous life, I had devoted myself to raising Kai into the merman king,
08:27but I had forgotten that the one who should be strong was myself.
08:30If Atlas performed well, the position of merman king would be his.
08:34If he had ulterior motives, he would only be my tool for the rest of his life.
08:38If you don't want to, you can leave now.
08:41I turned to walk away, but before I could take a step out of the door, Atlas sliced open his
08:46own tail.
08:48I do.
08:51From now on, I'm yours.
08:57Get on the bed.
08:59Atlas' face turned even redder.
09:01He moved to the edge of the bed and sat down, deliberately letting his bleeding tail hang over the floor.
09:06What are you doing?
09:08Looking at his flushed face, I almost laughed out loud.
09:11I deliberately reached out and touched his tail.
09:14You should know that forging a soulmate contract means he becomes...
09:17my husband.
09:18Technically, you're my husband now.
09:20Atlas didn't say anything, but his tail trembled slightly where I touched it.
09:23Our eyes met, and he suddenly closed his eyes as if resigning himself to fate.
09:27I chuckled softly, turned around, and took out the hemostatic medicine.
09:31I blew gently on his closed wound.
09:33Does it hurt?
09:35His tail swayed uncontrollably from side to side.
09:38It was the instinctive reaction of a merman feeling pleasure.
09:41Don't get it wet for the next few days.
09:43It'll be fine in two days.
09:45Does it still hurt now?
09:46You wrapped it so ugly.
09:48It doesn't match my tail at all.
09:51Hmm.
09:51Then why was his tail wagging?
09:53After Atlas' tail healed, we started training every day.
09:56Unlike in my previous life, I joined in the training this time.
09:59His strength was far beyond my imagination.
10:02One slap of his tail could crack a stone slab, and he could crush a rock with one hand.
10:06I, on the other hand, started with the most basic physical training.
10:09Training like this, you won't make any progress, even by next year.
10:15Then teach me.
10:17Teach you what?
10:18Human bodies are too fragile.
10:21I'm afraid I'll shatter you with one flick of my tail.
10:24I took a defensive stance.
10:25He looked at me for a moment, then suddenly smiled and really flicked his tail at me.
10:31You!
10:32I was already going slow.
10:34You're just slow to react.
10:36Blame me.
10:37From that day on, training became something we did together.
10:40He taught me to sense the magic in the water and see through a merman's attack moves.
10:44I improved quickly, and every time we stared at each other for more than three seconds,
10:48he would look away.
10:49We hadn't been training long when Isolde came on tour.
10:51Oh, look at you, sister, all worn out from training.
10:53You took so long picking at the auction, I thought you'd chosen someone really impressive.
10:58Turns out he's not even half as strong as my Tork.
11:00I stopped what I was doing.
11:02I didn't say anything, but Atlas had already stepped in front of me.
11:10How dare a contracted creature talk back to me?
11:14I'm the first heir to this family.
11:17Everything here will be mine one day.
11:18Tork, teach him a lesson!
11:20Tork lunged forward.
11:21Atlas calmly pushed me to a safe place first, then met the attack.
11:25In just a few rounds, Tork was clearly at a disadvantage.
11:29Kill him!
11:30Kill him!
11:31Don't hold back!
11:32I'll take responsibility if he dies!
11:35Tork didn't react much, but Atlas' attacks became more and more vicious.
11:39Just as Atlas was about to break Tork's tail...
11:42How dare you!
11:43Lyra, this is the thing you ragily dares to hurt my man!
11:48Sister, weren't you the one who told Tork to attack first?
11:52You even gelled for him to kill Atlas.
11:54All the servants can testify to that.
11:56I'll always be your older sister, and this family will never be yours to run.
12:06I should have killed him just now.
12:09What's the rush?
12:11Isolde would hate me even more after this loss.
12:13Isolde started targeting me everywhere.
12:15I thought she would badmouth me to Lord Blackwood, but I never expected her to bring Kai home and make
12:20him a servant.
12:21Please.
12:24What are you doing here?
12:26Isolde walked over with a smile, followed by Lord Blackwood.
12:30It seems the rumors outside are true.
12:34What rumors?
12:36Leora, you've already chosen a merman.
12:39Wasn't you still menning around with the Kai, Sinkley, and your maiming your job about him lighted, before you're runefully
12:45rallent?
12:47Isolde looked triumphant and lifted Kai's chin with her toe.
12:51He's been asking everyone to get him into this house to be near you.
12:54If you'd said you had a relationship with him earlier, you could have just bought him at the auction.
12:59Why bother buying Atlas?
13:01Leora, if you can't clean this up properly, get out of this house!
13:07You're really something, sister.
13:10Take your time dealing with this.
13:11Kai knelt on the ground, looking up at me with longing in his eyes.
13:14If you want to stay by my sword badly, then stay.
13:17Kai started hovering around me all day.
13:20Atlas, on the other hand, had been ignoring me again lately.
13:23That day, I cornered him in the back garden, and he turned away with a dark face.
13:28Why are you looking for me?
13:29Shouldn't you be with that poor Kai right now?
13:31So that day on the street was just an act to trick me into signing the contract?
13:35The contract is already signed.
13:37Can you run away now?
13:39What, don't you want to be the Merman King anymore?
13:44Atlas glanced at me dejectedly.
13:46The Deep Sea Gladiator Festival is in two months.
13:50Whether you become the Merman King or not depends on your own performance.
13:54Really?
13:55You and Kai really have nothing going on?
13:57I almost swore an oath.
13:59Only then did he huff softly and obediently follow me back to training.
14:02We were sweating profusely in the back garden, and Kai would pretend to pass by and peek every now and
14:06then.
14:07I'll go break his tail so he can't walk anymore!
14:09Atlas!
14:10Yes, I have my own plans.
14:13That night, I called Kai to my room to wait on me.
14:16The former Merman King was now kneeling at my feet, holding my footbasin.
14:20His wounds hadn't healed yet, and he swayed weakly.
14:23Your health is still so poor.
14:25Kai collapsed weakly on the floor.
14:27My tail was already broken at the auction, and it never healed.
14:31Seeing that I didn't react, he coughed twice more.
14:34I know, I'm useless.
14:35I just want to stay by your side for the rest of my life.
14:38I don't dare ask for your lifeblood.
14:40Why do you have to stay by my side?
14:42Kai pressed his lips together and looked at me, as if trying to figure out if I was pretending to
14:47be stupid.
14:48It seems you really don't remember, Lyra.
14:50You saved me once.
14:51Mermins always repay their kindness, which is why I want to stay by your side.
14:55Even if you're with Atlas.
14:56As long as I can see you safe, I'll die without...
15:00If you drink lifeblood for 49 days, you'll get better?
15:04Kai's eyes lit up instantly.
15:08Yes, but Lyra, taking lifeblood will be very painful.
15:11I can save you, but after you get better, you must stop pestering me.
15:17Okay, I won't pester you anymore.
15:20The moment he lowered his head, I smiled too.
15:23Every day after that, I sent Atlas to the street to buy fresh sea beast blood.
15:27Mixed with water and magical herbs, it tasted almost exactly like lifeblood.
15:31These herbs would make him look like he was recovering well, but in reality, they would slowly destroy his body.
15:36Kai drank bowl after bowl, frowning every time.
15:39Lyra, why does this lifeblood taste a little strange?
15:44Blood never smells good. I have to cut open my chest every day to save you.
15:50If you think it tastes bad, then I'll pour it out.
15:55Lyra, I'll never forget your great knights.
15:57If only I had signed the contract with you, I can stay by your save and a pen you open...
16:01I listened while watching him out of the corner of my eye.
16:03When I mentioned Isolda, there was no trace of love in his eyes, only hatred.
16:08Sai, it's not your fault.
16:10Sister has never liked me.
16:12She just wanted to use you to embarrass me.
16:14Kai's hand on the table clenched unconsciously.
16:16I knew I had guessed right.
16:17Don't worry, Lyra. I won't be a burden to you.
16:21That would be best.
16:22Recently, Kai rarely hovered around me, and instead started running to Isolda's yard more often.
16:27I knew he had taken what I said to heart.
16:29One evening, I followed him quietly, and saw him slip into Isolda's yard.
16:33Through the window, I heard him whisper.
16:35Miss Isolta, hasn't Lord Tork's diet been a little monoconous lately?
16:40What do you mean?
16:41I'm just a servant. What could I mean?
16:44I just happen to know that some deep-sea plants can make a tail more beautiful.
16:49Of course, they can also have the opposite effect.
16:51It all depends on how you use-
16:53I smiled silently in the dark.
16:54It was indeed Kai.
16:55All the tricks he had learned by my side in his previous life were now being used against Isolda.
17:00He probably thought he was very clever.
17:01But this was exactly what I wanted.
17:04To keep Kai from suspecting anything, Atlas and I have been training in my room at night lately.
17:08Faster. The mermons in the arena fight to kill.
17:11If your speed isn't up to par, you might walk in and be carried out.
17:14I'll spar with you.
17:16Atlas laughed, clearly looking down on me.
17:18Come here now!
17:21How did you-
17:26Before I could finish, he launched another attack.
17:28I barely dodged two blows, then lost my balance and fell backward.
17:32Atlas gasped and reached out to catch my waist.
17:34I suspected he had done it on purpose, on purpose, to fall onto the bed with me.
17:39When he pinned me down, my heart started racing uncontrollably.
17:45Atlas, get up! It's late, you should go back.
17:51Why can Kai come at night but I can't?
17:54He had found out about Kai coming every night to drink the Seabeast blood.
17:58Kai has business.
18:00Atlas refused to move off me, his breath growing hotter against my neck.
18:07Master, you said that after we sign the contract, I'm your husband.
18:12I babbled out some answers, only thinking, how does this damn merman have so much stamina?
18:17A month later, Isolda's merman torque, his tail, suddenly broke off.
18:21When the news came, I was doing physical training with Atlas in the back garden.
18:24A servant stumbled over, his face pale.
18:27Miss Leora, something terrible has happened, Lord Tork, his tail.
18:30I put down my sword and followed the servant to Isolda's yard.
18:33The screams grew louder as we got closer.
18:36How are you going to compete in the deep sea gladiator festival without a tail?
18:39Are you even a merman anymore?
18:41Tork lay on the bed, his face as white as a sheet.
18:44Isolda begged her father to send for a healer.
18:46When the healer arrived and examined him carefully, he sighed and shook his head.
18:50The outside of this tail looks fine, but the bones inside have already softened.
18:54In three days, the bones will turn into a puddle of saw.
18:57Tork went mad, begging the healer to save him, and fell off the bed in his excitement.
19:04Leora!
19:07You did this, didn't you?
19:09You were jealous of my merman's talent, afraid he'd become the merman king and you'd never get ahead of me,
19:14so you deliberately hurt him!
19:17You should die too!
19:20Enough!
19:22Thista, there's no need for me to hurt your menion.
19:25Leaving aside who will end up as the menion king, Atlas is worse stronger than Tork.
19:29He was never a competitor we needed to worry about.
19:32Why would I go to all this trouble to harm him?
19:34Isolda was about to roar again, but Lord Blackwood cut her off.
19:37That's enough!
19:38You stay home and rest.
19:40You won't be participating in the deep sea gladiator festival.
19:42Do whatever you want with this useless merion.
19:45Both Tork and Isolda panicked completely.
19:47Was there any chance of survival for a merman without a tail who was thrown out?
19:50Kai was clearly in a good mood when he came to drink the sea beast blood that day.
19:54He handed me the bowl.
19:55He was almost finished with the entire course of treatment.
19:58I had increased the dosage of the herbs recently, and Kai did look much better than before.
20:02But it was only a surface improvement.
20:04The herbs were only keeping him alive.
20:06If he exerted himself too much, he would have a sudden attack.
20:09You didn't do that, did you?
20:11How did you manage to make it happen so suddenly without anyone noticing?
20:16To repay you, I'd do anything.
20:19All those tricks he knew now were only because he had been the king of the deep sea merman in
20:23his previous life.
20:24After drinking the sea beast blood, he licked his lips greedily.
20:28After he left, Atlas stepped out from the shadows.
20:30Leora, he's not a good person.
20:34Why are you helping him?
20:37Who said I was helping him?
20:39The deep sea gladiator festival is in three days.
20:42Do you have confidence in becoming the merman king?
20:45If my master is so eager, I'll win even if it costs me my life.
20:51His words made my face flush instantly.
20:54I knew the strength of those mermen well.
20:56As long as Atlas performed normally, he would have no problem.
20:59The night before the deep sea gladiator festival, I couldn't sleep no matter what.
21:02I put on my coat and walked to the window, only to find Atlas sitting on the roof, looking up
21:07at the moon.
21:08The sea breeze blew his dark blue long hair, and the moonlight cast a silver glow on his tail.
21:13Why aren't you asleep?
21:17You're not asleep either.
21:19We sat side by side on the stone bench in the garden.
21:22Nervous?
21:24What if I lose?
21:28You won't lose.
21:32What if I do?
21:33Then I'll spend another 49 days giving Kai my lifeblood to heal him and make him fight for you.
21:40Atlas, do you know?
21:41I chose the wrong person my person my breathing life, but this time is different.
21:45I believe in you.
21:46After a long time, his voice came from above my head, very soft.
21:50I won't let you down, Lyra.
21:51It was the first time he had called my name, not Master.
21:54On the day of the deep sea gladiator festival, Lord Blackwood went with Isolda.
21:58The arena was located at the bottom of the sea in Black Reef Harbor, with a magical dome keeping out
22:03the seawater.
22:03And a central platform covered in black sand.
22:06Lord Blackwood said in a deep voice.
22:07Atlas, this competition is about the honor and status of our family.
22:12You must give it your all.
22:13Isolde curled her lip into stain, but for once, she didn't say a word.
22:17I glanced at her warily.
22:18Just before Atlas went on stage, Isolde took a handkerchief out of her pocket and tried to wipe his sweat.
22:23Atlas had never liked strangers touching him, so he dodged immediately.
22:27Isolde's outstretched hand froze in midair.
22:29Look at the merman you raised.
22:31I was just helping him wipe his sweat.
22:34Hey, you don't!
22:38What's wrong?
22:39The merman's competition is important, but Father has been standing in the sun with us, which is hard enough.
22:43Wiping his hen is the least a daughter can do.
22:47With that, I pushed Atlas out onto the stage.
22:49Isolde started fidgeting, glancing nervously at Lord Blackwood from time to time.
22:53When I saw him swaying, I smiled.
22:55It turned out to be a sleeping potion.
22:57Father, what's wrong with you?
22:59I was fine just now.
23:02Why do I feel like this all of a sudden wiping my sweat?
23:05Ah!
23:06What are you talking about?
23:07Father is just not feeling well.
23:08It has nothing to do with my handkerchief.
23:10No.
23:11Ah!
23:14Lord Blackwood was already too dazed to speak.
23:17I smiled at Isolde.
23:18Whether there's a problem or not, we'll find out when we check it when we get back.
23:22The potion had been used on Lord Blackwood instead.
23:24I didn't believe he wouldn't react.
23:26Isolde's goal was simple since her own merman had no hope.
23:29She didn't want my Atlas to compete.
23:31After the competition started, Atlas quickly advanced to the final rounds.
23:35When she saw Kai in the arena, Isolde's jaw dropped.
23:38Isolde was supposed to be useless!
23:40He was supposed to be a servant in our house!
23:42Why is he here?
23:43Then she suddenly grabbed the point.
23:45My tail can heal!
23:46Then there's hope for my torque too!
23:47You did this, didn't you?
23:48How did you heal him?
23:50Want to know?
23:51Use your own lifeblood.
23:53Feed it to him every day for 49 days, and he'll be fine.
23:57For a merman?
23:58Ha! I'll just buy another one.
24:00But Leora, you healed this Kai just to watch him fight your Atlas?
24:04I stared intently at the stage and didn't answer.
24:07Before we came, I had warned Atlas if he faced Kai in the arena.
24:10Beat him to death.
24:11All that sea beast, blood, and herbs hadn't gone to waste.
24:15Kai finally stood face to face with Atlas.
24:17The arena was in an uproar, and everyone was watching this team.
24:20Kai stood on the competition platter, his tail glowing with a healthy sheep.
24:24He looked around, and his eyes finally landed on me.
24:27He smiled at me that smile made the scar on my chest from my previous life throb faintly.
24:31Atlas charged forward without a word.
24:33The two figures blurred into a table of light and shadow.
24:36Kai, who had seemed fierce against his other opponents, suddenly looked weak and bold.
24:41I smiled, but Isolde, out of the corner of my eye, couldn't smile at all.
24:45It had only been a cup of tea since he stepped onto the stage, and Kai could barely get up.
24:49I was waiting for him to exert himself too much, and spurt blood on the spot.
24:53He struggled with all his might to stand up, and the first thing he did was look at me in
24:57the crowd.
24:57I looked away in disgust.
24:59Kai threw his head back in for more, trying to unleash all his strength.
25:03But just as he was about to launch his full attack, he suddenly clutched his chest and spat out a
25:07mouthful of blood.
25:08Before Atlas could even touch him, he collapsed to the ground on his own.
25:11On the competition platform, Kai fell, kicking up a cloud of black sand.
25:15The arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted into deafening cheers.
25:19Atlas stood in the center of the field, raised his head, and found me in the stands through the crowd.
25:24He mouthed something, and I didn't hear it, but my heart skipped a beat.
25:28Atlas won again.
25:30After several rounds of competition, Atlas's identity as the king of the deep-sea mermen was firmly established.
25:36The coronation ceremony was held in the underwater temple.
25:39When the deep-sea high priest placed the black pearl crown on Atlas's head,
25:43all the mermen in the entire sea emitted a low-frequency resonance, the sound of submission that only mermen could
25:47hear.
25:48Across the crowd, Atlas and I looked at each other from afar.
25:51Isolde was grinding her teeth so hard, they were about to crack.
25:55On the carriage ride back, Isolde didn't say a word.
25:57Her fingers were clenched so tightly around her skirt that her knuckles turned white.
26:01Lord Blackwood was still unconscious.
26:04Tired?
26:07Before Kai fell, I asked him, do you know what you've been drinking all this time?
26:12Did he hear you?
26:14He did.
26:15His eyes went wide.
26:17Unfortunately, he didn't have time to say anything before he spit blood.
26:23Good.
26:23Letting him fall, knowing the truth, hurt more than letting him die without knowing.
26:27When we got home, Lord Blackwood's dizziness didn't subside until the next day.
26:31When he learned that Atlas had become the king of the deep-sea mermen,
26:34he was overjoyed and said good three times in a row.
26:38It seems I can safely leave the Blackwood family to you two from now on.
26:45Father, I'm the first heirly.
26:47This house should be war.
26:49This time it's only because my mermen was him.
26:51Other with the mermen, Kuang, would have been ours.
26:53Father, are you just sucking up to her now because her mermen is the mermen king?
26:58Absurd.
27:01Go back to your room.
27:03Isolay, from now on you are forbidden from keeping any more mermen.
27:06Isolta was dragged away.
27:07That last sentence completely cut off her path.
27:09Without a mermen, what could she possibly compete with him?
27:12The entire Blackwood family began to reshuffle.
27:15Lord Blackwood officially announced that I would take over the family's transatlantic maritime trade
27:19and magical creature breeding affairs.
27:21A week later, in the evening, I was going through the accounts when a servant knocked on the door.
27:26News from the Harbour Kai has woken up.
27:28And then?
27:29He... he's been talking nonsense.
27:31Saying things about a previous life, the mermen king that you owe him.
27:35He also said he doesn't hate Mrs. Relith at all.
27:37He's always hated you.
27:39Because you made him think he could be healed, then destroyed him with your own hands.
27:44Where is he now?
27:46He's locked in an abandoned warehouse by the Harbour Keeper.
27:49No mermen will take in a fellow whose Mertimians are all destroyed.
27:52He'll be expelled from Black Reef Harbour soon.
27:54Take me to see him.
27:57You're going to see him?
27:58One last time.
28:05You came.
28:07I came to hear your last words.
28:10Kai stared at me for a long time.
28:11Then suddenly laughed.
28:13The sound echoed hollowly in the water tank.
28:16Last words?
28:17I said my last words in my previous life.
28:19I'm just saying them again in this one, Lyora.
28:21You tore me and her apart.
28:23Isileth never chose you.
28:24Not in your previous life, not in this one.
28:27You've been lying to yourself your whole life.
28:31You're lying!
28:32Then go ask her.
28:33Go right now.
28:34See if the Isolna you're pintsing for would be willing to give you even a drop, even just sea beast
28:39blood.
28:39I straightened up and turned to leave.
28:41Behind me came the sound of churning water, followed by a suppressed, primal scream.
28:45I didn't look back.
28:47You're shaking.
28:49It's just cold.
28:52Lyora, it's all over.
28:54Not yet.
28:58The family's power transmission will take time.
29:01The trade routes need to be reorganized and the forces that once relied on Isolo won't go down without a
29:06fight.
29:07Most importantly, the coronation of the King of the Deep Sea Merians is just the beginning.
29:11The real challenges are never on the competition platform but in the undercurrents beneath it.
29:22The sea breeze blew his long hair, and those blue eyes reflected both me and the setting sun.
29:27In the distance, the bells of Black Reef Harbor rang at the call to nightfall.
29:31The real game was only just beginning.
29:33While the king is looking for something.
29:33Okay.
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