The silhouette of their embrace swayed within the Sea Conch, like two intertwined vines, utterly lost in the moment.

Danton had a gentle quality that could soften any heart. It was unlike Caden Albright’s allure, Thorne’s passion, Nix’s madness, or Lachlan’s restraint. He was like an un-inked sheet of paper, waiting for her to be the one to wield the pen.

The warmth of their bodies, their trembling breaths, and the tangle of their lips painted an intimate tableau.

Beastmen tended to lose all track of time when they were intimate, and had it not been for an unexpected interruption, the two would have likely continued.

"Deep Sea Sandwurms? Are they like The Swarm on land?" Evangeline propped her chin on her arm, her gaze languidly falling upon a solemn Finnian Finch. Her fair cheeks were flushed an alluring crimson, and the telltale marks on her neck only added to her bewitching air.

Finnian Finch didn’t dare to stare. He quickly averted his eyes and said gravely, "They’re even more vicious than The Swarm on land!"

"Deep Sea Sandwurms burrow into the brains of Tideborn Beastmen and control them! Other than being unable to speak, you can’t tell them apart from their former selves. They silently infiltrate every corner of the tribe, making them incredibly difficult to defend against."

Danton gazed into The Deep Sea, his expression solemn. "The Deep Sea Sandwurms are truly the greatest threat to the Tideborn Beastmen."

Evangeline tapped her fingertips, lost in thought. Lifting her gaze to Danton, her voice softened. "Don’t be afraid, I’m here. Perhaps... we could use some kind of medicine? Something to repel the Sandwurms?"

’She hadn’t forgotten that she was an Alchemist. If the Sandwurms liked to burrow into the brains of Beastmen, couldn’t they just take a preventative medicine? Once the potion’s properties infused their blood, the Sandwurms wouldn’t dare touch them. For her, that was no difficult task.’

Her fingertips gently brushed against her own scaled abdomen. ’Things with Danton were progressing much more smoothly than she’d expected. She might already be carrying a Merfolk child. The thought put her in a remarkably good mood.’

"A defense against Sandwurms? It can be done like that?" Finnian Finch’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"I am a Witch, after all." Evangeline arched an eyebrow.

With that, she flicked her tail, propelling herself closer to Danton. Her crimson fin sent a ripple of soft light through the water.

Paying no mind to Finnian Finch’s presence, she wrapped her arms around Danton’s waist. She gave him a languid blink, her enchanting voice dripping with seduction. "If I solve this Sandwurm threat for you, will you have time to spend with me then?"

’A small task like that was nothing compared to more important business, of course.’

’Though she was almost certain she had conceived, she wanted to make it foolproof by putting in a bit more effort. She had to leave in two days, and she could use the remaining time to further solidify their bond.’

’Danton wouldn’t be leaving with her, but he was still one of her Beast Husbands. Their emotional connection was very important.’

’As long as they all stayed healthy, didn’t go mad, and raised their children well, she could rest easy.’

Danton lowered his gaze to the coquettish Evangeline in his arms, and his ear fins flushed a faint red before he could stop them.

’Images of their passionate moments in the Sea Conch flooded his mind. He never knew such things could be so addictive. She was incredibly soft, and it was all he could do to maintain his self-control.’

Seeing how intimate the two were, Finnian Finch felt incredibly awkward and out of place in the Reef House.

"Ahem, I..." Danton, seeming to notice the awkwardness hanging in the air, cleared his throat. Before he could finish, Evangeline leaned in and planted a swift kiss on his lips.

She grinned. "To make the potion, I’ll need to find a Sandwurm for testing. I’ll be back."

’To find the right cure, a test subject was essential, after all.’

At her words, Danton’s expression grew serious. He said gravely, "I’ll go with you."

’He knew Evangeline was powerful, but this was a matter for the Mer Clan. It was already a failure on his part to have her worry about it. If he let her go hunt for a Sandwurm alone, he’d be a truly pathetic partner.’

A smile played on Evangeline’s lips as her eyes danced. She nodded. "Alright."

’Their relationship had just taken off, and they were still in the honeymoon phase; they really shouldn’t be apart. She could treat this as a honeymoon trip. Just the two of them—that was something to look forward to.’

*

The news that the Deep Sea Sandwurms had emerged was no secret. The Mer Clan had started taking precautions because disaster had struck the Mysticeti Tribe.

After Danton became Clan Leader of the Mer Clan, Stellan, Coral Cetus, and Buck had returned to the Mysticeti Tribe.

But soon, Evangeline heard a voice coming from Coral Cetus’s Conch. It was the one she had enchanted with Spiritual Energy back on shore, turning it into a Sound Transmission Secretary—a testament to the bond between them.

And the voice coming from the Conch brought news of the Mysticeti Tribe being attacked by Deep Sea Sandwurms.

The Sandwurms had a long and insidious latent period, and no one could be sure just how many tribe members had been infested.

Panic spread like a plague, casting a suffocating shadow over the entire Mysticeti Tribe.

Coral Cetus suppressed her own fear and tried to calm her people, but panic still gripped the tribe. Then, when Buck also fell victim, Coral Cetus remembered the Conch Evangeline had given her.

She hadn’t wanted to drag Evangeline into the Sandwurm threat, but now, she had no other choice.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch Buck die. And Evangeline was a Witch, one skilled in healing.

And so, Evangeline and Danton were on their way to the Mysticeti Tribe.

From a distance, Evangeline spotted Coral Cetus outside the Mysticeti Tribe’s entrance. Stellan stood beside her, murmuring something softly.

"Evangeline!" The moment Coral Cetus saw her, her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled.

Though it had only been a few days, Coral Cetus looked utterly haggard. Her long pink hair seemed to have lost its luster, falling in disarray over her shoulders. Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

Evangeline hurried forward and gently patted Coral Cetus on the back, comforting her softly. "It’s going to be okay."

As Evangeline’s palm swept over her tense back, Coral Cetus gradually began to calm down.

Stellan, who was standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief at the sight. He shot Evangeline a grateful look before approaching Danton to discuss the crisis in the Mysticeti Tribe. The expressions on both their faces grew grave.

Danton was now the Clan Leader of the Mer Clan, so naturally, Quinn Cetus, the leader of the Mysticeti Tribe, dared not show him any disrespect.

Quinn Cetus hurried over to greet them. "Clan Leader Danton, for you to come in person is truly an honor for the Mysticeti Tribe."

This refined leader had clearly been run ragged; deep exhaustion was etched into the corners of his eyes. He looked at Evangeline with a wry smile. "And we are imposing on you as well, witch. Making you come all this way... I’m truly sorry..."

Danton’s gaze hardened, and he shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "As Stellan is in the Mysticeti Tribe, the Mer Clan will not stand by idly. Besides, beneath the raging tides, all of the Tideborn are branches of the same tree."

His voice, clear and resonant, instantly cut through the tribe’s oppressive gloom.

Quinn Cetus was taken aback by his words, and the tense line of his shoulders finally relaxed a little.

Evangeline looked at the anxious Coral Cetus and said, "Take me to see the tribe members who’ve been infested by the Sandwurms."

Quinn Cetus nodded quickly, leading the group deeper into the tribe’s settlement.

The members of the Mysticeti Tribe who had been bound with Seaweed Ropes were propped neatly against the Sea Conches. They were utterly silent, exuding an eerie, deathly stillness. Their eyes were fixed and unmoving. Were it not for the faint rise and fall of their chests, they would have looked like soulless puppets.

One person like this might not have been so alarming, but a whole group staring blankly in the same direction was a truly chilling sight.

Evangeline spotted Buck among the crowd.

His large frame was curled up in a corner, his once good-natured face now completely vacant.

Standing beside Evangeline, Coral Cetus saw Buck, and fresh tears began to stream down her face, dissolving into the current.