Coral Cetus sat on Buck’s back. She glanced back and couldn’t help but purse her lips.

She leaned down a bit, close to Buck’s ear fin, and whispered, "That Arion Cetus... He usually gives the females in our tribe the cold shoulder, acting like none of them are good enough for him. But now he’s suddenly so attentive."

Buck imperceptibly slowed down a little but didn’t reply.

Suddenly, the current churned violently, and Evangeline’s figure abruptly appeared beside Coral Cetus.

She didn’t get close to Buck, however, and certainly didn’t touch his back. She knew that on the Beastman Continent, a male’s back was sacred ground belonging only to his mate, forbidden for any other female to touch.

Coral Cetus’s ear fins trembled slightly. As she turned her head, her pink hair drifted with the current.

She turned to look at Evangeline, a little curious. "What’s wrong?"

Evangeline’s scarlet Fintan carved an elegant arc of light in the current, her speed not decreasing in the slightest.

She glanced sideways at Coral Cetus and asked, "What’s the feud between the Megalodon Tribe and the Mer Clan?"

Stellan’s expression had changed instantly when he learned the Mer Clan’s message concerned the Megalodon Tribe. The attitudes of Coral Cetus and the others were unusual, too. There had to be some old grudge between the two tribes.

Coral Cetus’s brow furrowed, and her voice was a little cold and hard as she said, "You’ll find out when we get to the Mer Clan’s territory."

As she spoke, her gaze toward Evangeline held a hint of veiled displeasure.

Evangeline half-closed her eyes, the corners of her lips curling into a cold smile. "That’s not how it works. Since I’m going to help, I should know what I’m getting into so I can prepare. Or should I wait until the Megalodon Tribe’s sharp teeth are at our throats before we worry about the details? Wouldn’t that make me a clueless fool?"

A glint in her eye, Evangeline’s tail fin subtly stirred the water.

’I never act without a motive. Since I’m heading to the Mer Clan and have to wade into these muddy waters, I need to know my allies and enemies. This could be an opportunity to win the Mer Clan’s favor, which would make winning Danton over a bit easier.’

Coral Cetus was at a loss for words. Her ear fins twitched involuntarily as she realized Evangeline had a point.

She turned her head toward Evangeline and met a gaze filled with concern.

After a moment of thought, Coral Cetus finally relented. "The Megalodon Tribe is a pack of madmen," she said. "They’re used to rampaging through the Norfell Sea and provoking everyone—everyone except for us, the Mysticeti Tribe!"

Her voice was laced with a simmering frost as she spoke.

"You know how beautiful the Mer Clan are; their fame is widespread. Males and females alike, they’re the most desired among all Tideborn Beastmen—the absolute first choice for a mate. However, they’re exclusive and rarely form a Contract with outsiders."

"I’ve heard Stellan mention it. The Megalodon Tribe has been scheming against the Mer Clan for a while. Their members have always wanted to form a Contract with the Mer, but they’ve been rejected many times!"

"But this time, the Mer Clan sent a message calling their people back. It must mean the Megalodon Tribe is finally ready to drop all pretenses. The Mer Clan is probably gathering all its members to fight them off together."

As Coral Cetus continued, her voice grew quieter, her final words laden with a deep and lingering sorrow.

Although she wasn’t from the Mer Clan, she was contracted to Stellan, after all, so she knew a thing or two about their affairs.

Evangeline raised a delicate eyebrow, a flicker of doubt in her beautiful eyes. "The Mer Clan is also one of the overlords of the sea. How dare the Megalodon Tribe be so audacious?"

The Mer Clan wasn’t just a pretty face; their strength was not to be underestimated.

From birth, they could command thousands upon thousands of fish to fight for them. They were recognized as a highly intelligent race among the Deep Sea Beastmen. If not for the limitations of their "delicate" beast forms, they probably would have vied for the throne long ago.

Hearing this, Coral Cetus shot Evangeline a sidelong glance, her tone turning sour. "The Mer Clan used to be very powerful. You could say they were dominant in the entire Norfell Sea. Other tribes had to avoid provoking them..."

"But ever since something happened to the Young Clan Leader, the entire clan fell apart. Even the Clan Leader..." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Coral Cetus’s voice grew somber. "Even the Clan Leader couldn’t bear the pain and didn’t survive that Cold Season."

"Losing their Clan Leader and Young Clan Leader was a devastating blow to the Mer. Some even went ashore to seek revenge against the Oasis Tribe, but none returned. Over time, the Mer Clan fell into decline."

"Now, the Mer Clan is a shadow of its former glory."

As Coral Cetus spoke, her nails dug into her palm, her voice filled with suppressed fury. "If the Mer Clan hadn’t suffered such a drastic change, there’s no way those brutes from the Megalodon Tribe would have ever dared to make a move on them!"

"The Mer are beautiful. If the Megalodon Tribe actually succeeds, then Stellan’s clansmen..."

At this point, Coral Cetus’s expression grew even darker. She became listless, her spirits sinking.

She knew better than anyone what the Mer Clan meant to Stellan.

He would give his life to protect her, and likewise, he would shed his last drop of blood for his tribe. If something truly happened to the Mer Clan, he would fight to the death and would never choose to live on alone.

The mere thought sent a chill of fear through Coral Cetus’s heart. This was also why she had to go with him.

’Stellan absolutely cannot be harmed!’

’If it comes to it, I’ll use the power of our Contract to drag Stellan back by force. I can’t let anything happen to him. I’ll face his wrath without hesitation. I can’t lose him!’

’As for the Mer Clan... The tides turn, and the world is unpredictable. There are many things beyond my control.’

Evangeline frowned slightly. ’So, this is the original owner’s fault?’

’If the Megalodon Tribe really conquers the Mer Clan, then even if Danton returns to the sea one day, he’ll never be able to find the tribe that haunts his dreams. His old wounds haven’t even healed, and he’d just be dealt a new one.’

’With Danton’s kind nature, he’ll surely blame himself for all the misfortunes that befall his tribe. He’d probably give up, shouldering all the guilt. If that happens, he might truly lose the will to live.’

At this thought, Evangeline’s frown deepened, and a dark undercurrent swirled in her eyes.

’I can’t let Danton’s already painful wounds fester beyond healing. And I certainly can’t let him live on, burdened by the weight of a shattered homeland. The Mer Clan must be saved!’

Coral Cetus glanced at Evangeline and saw the solemn look on her face. She pursed her lips.

Her voice softened a little. "Don’t you worry too much. Aren’t we all going back? The Mer Clan must have recalled all their members from every region. That’s a powerful force. The Megalodon Tribe surely won’t dare to go too far."

Evangeline looked up at her and gave a soft sound of acknowledgment, the final note dissolving into the current.

With a flick of her scarlet Mermaid Tail, she carved a sharp arc through the water and caught up to Stellan in the blink of an eye.

He was at the very front, clearing the way, his body moving so fast it nearly tore through the current. It seemed nothing could stop his journey home.

Sensing the turbulent water beside him, he glanced sideways at Evangeline.

The look was exceptionally cold.

Stellan remained silent. Evangeline gave him a cool glance and urged, "Faster."

He paused for a fraction of a second, still not saying a word, but his speed increased again, pushing him to his absolute limit.

The group of five shot through the dark currents, racing onward.

The fierce, colossal auras emanating from Buck and Arion Cetus made the Sea Beasts along their path scatter in retreat.

They passed through countless winding waterways and crossed innumerable raging whirlpools. Just as even Evangeline was beginning to feel tired, a tribe ahead of them, glowing with a thousand iridescent lights, came into view.