Evangeline slowly lifted her gaze, her narrow, fox-like eyes as placid as a deep pool.

A faint smile touched her pale lips as she nodded calmly. "Yes, I have a Fallen Beastman as my Beast Husband. But it wasn’t his fault that he became one, and I won’t let him suffer for it."

Cherie nodded emphatically, her eyes glinting with a complex mix of emotions.

After a moment’s hesitation, she suddenly raised a hand and pressed it firmly on Evangeline’s shoulder. Her fingertips trembled, but her voice was earnest. "I support you! From this day forward, you’re my friend!"

Females were born frail. Except for a few witches blessed by the Beast God, they had almost no ability to protect themselves.

The tribal teachings, passed down for generations, were etched into their very bones. A female’s mission was to continue the tribe’s lineage, and a Beast Husband’s destiny was to shield her with his own flesh and blood. Yet Flora, the female before her, had torn that ironclad rule to shreds.

She had single-handedly stood against a dozen tribes to protect her Fallen Beastman Husband. It was truly incredible.

Evangeline’s eyelashes fluttered as she tilted her head to gaze at Cherie. "Friend?"

"Yes!" Cherie nodded emphatically, her back straightening abruptly.

In her excitement, her ears transformed into fins that pulsed gently, shimmering in the sunlight.

Cherie grabbed Evangeline’s hand. "We of the Great Fish Clan always keep our word. Once we’ve decided on something, it’s for life!" With that, her eyes sparkled as she said excitedly, "Flora, how about this? Take your Beast Husband and find an island to live on! Terrestrial Beastmen can’t get there! I can take you!"

Evangeline gazed into Cherie’s shining eyes and pressed her pale lips together. Her cool fingers curled slightly, and her voice was as soft as a sea breeze. "Thank you, Cherie. I..."

Before she could finish, Stellan’s voice cut in sharply. "Cherie! It’s time for us to go back!"

A look of reluctance crossed Cherie’s face. She clutched Evangeline’s hand, unwilling to let go.

This was a friend she had just made. The Deep Sea and the mainland were so far apart. Once they separated, they wouldn’t see each other again until after the full moon tide, and then the Cold Season would begin. They wouldn’t meet again for a very, very long time.

At this thought, Cherie’s ear-fins drooped sadly.

Seeing Cherie’s dispirited mood, a flicker of worry crossed Stellan’s eyes.

He strode forward and pulled Cherie back to his side, his movements firm but gentle.

Without a single glance at Evangeline, Stellan positioned himself between her and Cherie. His cold brow was furrowed, yet his voice was mild and gentle when he spoke. "Norfell is no longer safe. Moreover, the rainy season on land has just passed. The heavy scent of blood has already drawn out too many Wild Beasts to forage. We need to leave as soon as possible."

As he spoke, dark cyan scales faintly shimmered into view on his neck, as if coated in a soft light.

This was the instinctive reaction of a Deep Sea predator sensing danger.

Evangeline raised her gaze, looking past Stellan’s shoulder at Cherie. Her fingertips weakly brushed her blood-stained chest, her usually bewitching voice now utterly fragile. "Can... can I go with you?"

’I was originally here to rescue Drake, but the best-laid plans often go awry.’

’Since fate has carved out a new path for me, I might as well go with the flow and pursue this new objective.’

’Danton is too far away; the Contract Mark can barely sense a trace of his presence.’

’Cherie’s words gave me an idea. Perhaps Danton went to an island under his clan’s protection. If so, I’ll never find a trace of him by the shore on the night of the full moon tide.’

’There’s a Mer Clan Beastman right here. Maybe this is the key to finding Danton.’

At her words, Cherie’s eyes lit up. But just as she was about to speak, Stellan frowned and said coldly, "We’re returning to the Deep Sea. You’re of the Fox Clan, a Terrestrial Beastman. How could you come with us?"

"Instead of wasting your time with us, you’d be better off searching for your Snow Leopard Husband."

As he spoke, his pupils narrowed into thin slits, revealing a savage glint.

Cherie’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Stellan in confusion.

In her memory, Stellan had always been a gentle person, polite and courteous to everyone. But his tone now held a rare, hard edge, even a veiled hostility.

’He doesn’t seem to like Flora. Why?’

Stellan sensed Cherie’s gaze, and his knuckles tightened slightly.

’Yes, it’s true. I despise the female before me. This... vicious, pathological liar.’

’During the tribal trade meet, I personally saw the Contract Mark on that Nine-star Extreme Realm Beastman’s neck—a lifelike Red Fox. I had seen the very same mark on the back of Danton’s neck.’

’And she also mentioned Rhea, who is... Danton’s sister.’

’All these "coincidences" wove together, pointing to a single, detestable conclusion.’

’This female before me isn’t some "Flora."’

’She is Evangeline. Evangeline of the Oasis Tribe. The most beautiful female in Norfell, renowned for her vicious cunning. She used her bewitching ways to deceive the Young Clan Leader of our Mer Clan!’

The Mer Clan rarely intermarried with outsiders. Its people maintained their bonds through song, living in harmony. The tribe had no leader, only a deeply respected Clan Leader who guided them all.

And yet—

’Our exceptionally talented Young Clan Leader was bewitched and deceived by Evangeline, a Terrestrial female. On the night of their Contract, his Mermaid Tail Scales were brutally ripped away. The mournful cries of our people still seem to echo in my ears, a wretched, weeping sound.’

A shadow fell over Stellan’s eyes. His throat worked as he fought to suppress the murderous rage surging in his chest.

’Save her?’

’It was only because of the Beast God Contract. Evangeline’s life is tied to Danton’s. If she dies, Danton dies too. Otherwise, I would make this Virago taste the pain of being flayed alive and having her heart gouged out!’

Cherie blinked her glistening eyes. Though she didn’t understand, she still gave Stellan’s arm a gentle tug.

"Stellan, I just became friends with Flora. She’s injured. How is she supposed to find anyone?"

"What if she runs into that crazed Nine-star Beastman again..."

At that, Cherie shivered and unconsciously leaned closer to Stellan. She whispered, "Why don’t we just travel together for now? It’ll be a while before we get back anyway."

Cherie’s voice was gentle but tinged with stubbornness, her clear eyes filled with concern.

The aura around Stellan grew colder still, radiating an icy chill.

"Stellan..." Cherie pressed her lips together. "Flora needs help right now..."

Evangeline looked up at Cherie. ’This young Tideborn female, so naive and idealistic, is like the purest gift from the Deep Sea. Just like Danton used to be. Even at the height of his hatred for me, he still held a sliver of kindness.’

"Cherie, let’s go. We need to catch the evening tide."

His voice was hoarse, his breathing heavy and deep. He seemed utterly repressed.

In the end, he still refused.

Cherie had never seen Stellan like this before; she was a little frightened.

She turned to look at Evangeline, her large, lustrous eyes filled with guilt. Fumbling, she pulled a pink conch from the Merweave Silk bag at her side. Her voice trembled, but she forced a smile. "Flora..."

"We have to go. Here, this is for you!" Cherie pressed the pink conch into Evangeline’s palm.

"If you ever miss me, go to the shore and blow into this conch. I... I’ll definitely hear it. No matter how far away I am, I’ll come find you!"

As she spoke the last few words, Cherie suddenly choked up, but she stubbornly lifted her face to look at Evangeline.

Evangeline lowered her gaze, staring at the pink conch in her hand. Her fingertips gently traced its spiraled ridges.

She looked up, meeting Cherie’s reddened eyes. In the quiet that passed between them, she said softly, "Cherie, my name isn’t Flora. I’m Evangeline, Evangeline of the Oasis Tribe. The Virago of Norfell."

The sad expression on Cherie’s face froze. Her eyes flew wide, and the color visibly drained from her face, leaving even her lips pale. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around Stellan’s hand.

Stellan went still, his back rigid. When he turned to look at Evangeline, his gaze was like a sharpened sword. His brow was knitted, his eyes swirling with alarm, astonishment, and a hint of imperceptible confusion.

’Why would she suddenly tell the truth?’