After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 31: Cruel

They had deliberately chosen a site for the ritual that was considered safe. Under normal circumstances, demon beasts rarely appeared there—and even if they did, never in such numbers. This made it seem even more certain that the demon beasts had truly been drawn in by Nina.

Even though she was a pregnant female, if she posed a threat to the tribe, they could not tolerate her presence. The only complication was Mino. He was protecting her—and he was far too powerful. More importantly, they wanted to keep Mino in the tribe.

"Chief, Shaman," Dora said smugly, clearly pleased with herself. "Since Nina caused this disaster and deceived us, shouldn’t she be punished?"

Chief Tali hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yes... she should be punished."

But how? Nina was a pregnant female, guarded by an extremely powerful male like Mino. There was no easy way to punish her. And if the cub she carried really belonged to Mino, any harsh punishment might invite brutal retaliation.

Yet if they didn’t punish her at all, the beastfolk from the other tribes would surely resent him. Leaving her in the tribe would also be a hidden danger.

"Then how do you plan to punish her?" Dora pressed.

"Well..." Chief Tali faltered, clearly undecided, and tried to shift the responsibility. "Do the shaman or the other chiefs have any suggestions?"

Mino swept them with a frigid gaze. If they dared harm Nina, he would slaughter them all and take her away without hesitation.

Sal’s eyes were even colder, filled with killing intent. Let these ants try touching his little female—just once––and they’d be dead.

Nina felt utterly helpless. Why was she never allowed a moment of peace, no matter where she went?

She began thinking carefully about why the demon beasts had charged straight at her. Suddenly, she recalled the male who had bumped into her earlier.

She leaned close to Mino and asked in a low voice, "Under what circumstances would demon beasts deliberately target one specific beastfolk?"

Mino thought for a moment. "If that beastfolk is carrying something that attracts them—or if they’ve enraged the demon beasts."

"And when do demon beasts become enraged?" Nina asked.

"When they’re attacked," Mino replied, "or when their cubs are stolen."

Nina felt the pieces click into place. Those demon beasts had looked furious, not merely aggressive. And that male who’d bumped into her—hadn’t his hand brushed her waist deliberately? She’d thought it was accidental at the time. Now it seemed very intentional.

Could it be...

The shaman and the other chiefs exchanged uneasy looks. None of them wanted to provoke Mino. A beastman that powerful was not someone they could afford to make an enemy of. And they all assumed the cub Nina carried belonged to him.

"This female belongs to your Pine Stone Tribe," one chief said cautiously. "Perhaps Chief Tali should decide."

Chief Tali hesitated again, then glanced nervously at Mino. "Nina... how about you leave the tribe?"

Dora immediately objected. "Chief! That’s far too light a punishment! She deceived us, brought disaster upon the tribe, angered the Beast God today, and even got our males injured. How is this fair?"

Her words stirred discontent among the crowd.

"That’s right! How is that a punishment at all?"

"My beast husband lost a leg during the demon-beast tide two days ago and can’t hunt anymore—it’s all because of Nina!" a female snarled, pointing at Nina. "I won’t accept this!"

"My cub was badly injured in the demon-beast tide and died," a thin male said bitterly. "Chief Tali, you must punish her severely and give us an explanation!"

"She even angered the Beast God! What if she brings another catastrophe?" someone shouted. "She must be punished harshly to appease the Beast God!"

The beastfolk grew more and more agitated, clamoring for Nina’s punishment.

Chief Tali glared irritably at Dora, who was clearly fanning the flames, and sighed. "Then what do you want to do?"

Foolish female. You’re the ones demanding punishment—when Mino retaliates, you’ll bear the consequences yourselves.

The thin male spoke venomously, "A female as vicious as her should have her arms and legs broken and be thrown into the demon-beast forest."

Nina felt a chill run through her. People always said women could be cruel—but males were no less so.

Dora nodded eagerly. "Exactly. That’s the only way to truly punish her and calm the Beast God’s wrath."

"But... she’s a female, and she’s pregnant," someone murmured hesitantly.

Some beastfolk looked uncertain. That punishment did seem excessively cruel.

But others were merciless. "So what if she’s pregnant? Maybe the cub is ill-omened too. Getting rid of it early would be a good thing."

"Don’t forget," Dora pressed relentlessly, "she angered the Beast God. If the punishment is too light and the Beast God strikes us down, can you bear the consequences?"

Those who had hesitated began to waver.

"I... I agree."

"I agree too."

More and more beastfolk voiced their approval.

Dora’s smile widened in triumph. Nina, let’s see if you can still cling to Mino after this. You dared offend me—this is your fate.

Chief Tali frowned. "Then... carry out the punishment yourselves."

The beastfolk looked at Nina, then at Mino, and hesitated, none daring to move.

Dora shot a meaningful glance at her beast husbands. With heavy expressions, they reluctantly charged toward Nina.

Mino’s face turned icy. Countless ice spikes formed around him.

Dora’s beast husbands froze, too afraid to approach.

Dora panicked and shouted, "Mino! Why are you still protecting that disaster-bringer? If you stay with her, she’ll drag you down with her! And the cub in her belly isn’t even yours—it’s the bastard of some lowly wandering beast!"

A storm of fury surged in Sal’s eyes. This damned female dared call his cub a bastard.

A mass of black energy formed in his claws. With a flash of dark light, it shot straight toward Dora.

Ilai, Dora’s first beast husband, sensed the danger and yanked her away, raising his power to block the attack. The energies collided and exploded instantly.

Boom!

Dora and Ilai were blasted backward.

Her other beast husbands rushed over in panic.

Dora suffered only light injuries, but Ilai was far worse off. Having shielded her with all his strength, he took the brunt of the blast—half his arm was gone, his back badly scorched, and he had already fallen unconscious.

They helped Dora up. As she came to her senses and saw Ilai’s mangled body beside her, she let out a piercing scream.

"Aah!"

Forcing down her terror, she asked shakily, "Il-Ilai... how is he?"

"He’s gravely injured," the other beast husbands said solemnly.

"Get a healer—quickly, find a healer!" Dora cried.

In the beast world, shamans and healers were usually separate roles. Only beastfolk who awakened shamanic talents could become shamans, though some also awakened healing abilities and served both roles.

One of Dora’s beast husbands quickly ran off and returned with a healer.

After examining Ilai, the healer shook his head. "His life can be saved, but his arm is lost. As for the burns on his body and face, I can only do my best."

Dora’s heart sank. She turned to glare at Nina, her eyes burning with hatred.

It had to be her doing.