"Nina, you should get some rest first," Yanai said softly. "You barely slept last night."

On the way back, she had dozed off briefly in his arms—but that hardly counted as proper rest.

Goldy had flown swiftly, so they had returned the very same day.

The other males froze for a moment.

Hadn’t she slept at all last night?

Without another word, Sal scooped Nina up and carried her toward the small shelter. "Come, rest."

He laid her gently onto the soft animal furs and settled beside her. "Sleep for a while. I’ll wake you when it’s time to eat."

Then his eyes flicked to the still-lingering Aviel.

With zero hesitation, he grabbed him and tossed him straight out.

Get lost.

Only now did he realize—he’d completely forgotten about that shameless dragon in his hurry.

Aviel flew right back in, transformed into human form, and lay down on Nina’s other side as if nothing had happened.

He was staying.

He was resting with her.

"I’m really not tired," Nina protested.

She had slept during the day—right now, she felt perfectly awake.

She tried to sit up, but Sal pressed her gently back down, wrapping an arm around her.

"Then just lie down and rest."

Nina sighed, giving up. The little ones curled snugly into her arms, quiet and content.

Mino stepped inside. "Nina, what would you like for dinner?"

"Anything is fine—just make something simple," she replied.

Mino nodded and left, already thinking seriously about what to prepare to help her recover.

Staying up all night wasn’t something to take lightly.

Soon, Kith and the others joined in, preparing a rich and nourishing meal.

Off to the side, Setan watched attentively, committing everything to memory.

This... was something he needed to learn too.

Even Idir found himself lingering nearby, quietly observing.

He didn’t quite understand why he was watching—he didn’t need to.

And yet... he couldn’t look away.

Elsewhere, Dian tugged Lex aside.

"Brother, give me some ocean energy."

Lex frowned slightly. "Why do you need me to do that?"

Dian explained what had happened to his merman pearl.

Lex’s expression immediately tightened. "Was Nina hurt?"

"She didn’t suffer any external injuries," Dian replied. "But some of her power was drained."

Lex let out a breath. "That’s good... as long as she’s alright."

Then his face darkened with anger.

"That damned withered tree... it dared to drain her power. I should go back and kill it again."

Dian pouted. "You’re not even going to worry about me?"

Was he even his real brother?

Lex gave him a once-over. "You look fine. A bit of ocean energy and you’ll recover. Just remember to repay Nina properly in the future."

Though his tone was casual, relief flickered deep in his eyes.

If Nina hadn’t saved him... Dian might truly have been lost.

He had never heard of a merman surviving with a shattered pearl.

Dian rolled his eyes. "Obviously."

He would spend his entire life repaying her.

"But until your energy is fully restored, you’re not allowed to bond with her," Lex added on a serious note.

Forming a bond would consume energy.

Among their merfolk, once a male bonded with a female, they would share the energy and lifespan of the merman pearl.

If a male offered his pearl entirely—letting it merge into her body—then even a land-dwelling female could live freely in the ocean.

Dian’s expression fell darker instantly. "I know..."

That meant his bonding with Nina would be delayed again.

He’d have to wait... so much longer.

Lex still looked unconvinced. "Make sure you remember. Don’t be reckless."

Sometimes, this little brother of his was far too impulsive.

"Yeah, yeah," Dian muttered.

Of course he wouldn’t mess it up.

What if Nina started to dislike him and stopped favoring him?

Lex, seeing his attitude, said nothing more and began channeling ocean energy into him.

***

That night, after dinner, Nina gathered all her mates together. Then, calmly, she told them everything—about the Beast God... and the deal she had made.

"Thank you, Sister Nina..." Dian said softly, gratitude shining in his eyes—yet tinged with guilt. "I’m sorry... because of me, you had to make a deal with the Beast God... and take on something so difficult."

On the way back, she hadn’t told him much. But he understood enough.

Nina flicked his forehead lightly. "Silly. I’m doing this for myself too. Gaining divine power isn’t a bad thing—once I have it, no one will dare bully us."

The little ones immediately looked at her with shining eyes, full of admiration.

Mother is the strongest!

But the males... felt something entirely different.

A quiet unease settled over them.

The stronger Nina became, the more they felt... left behind.

Almost instinctively, each of them made a silent vow—to train harder, to grow stronger... to keep up with her, no matter what.

Dian clasped Nina’s hand, his eyes bright with admiration. "Then from now on, Female Master, you’ll protect me."

He didn’t mind at all being protected by her. If anything... it felt like happiness.

Nina laughed. "Alright."

"Then what does the Beast God look like?" Dian asked curiously.

"I don’t know," Nina replied. "He kept his face hidden—I couldn’t see it."

The males exchanged glances.

Hidden face?

...Was he ugly?

Not that it mattered. Whatever the Beast God looked like had nothing to do with them.

Kith frowned slightly. "Nina, the sacred artifacts in our cities are heavily guarded. Even as city lord, I don’t have absolute authority over them. The elders may not agree to hand them over—and taking them by force won’t be easy."

"Our situation is the same," Odian added. "They’re guarded by powerful clansmen. Whether the elders will agree... is uncertain."

"Ours won’t be easy either," Aviel said.

"I heard ours is kept in a very dangerous place," Dian added. "I’ll need to ask my brother and father for details—I’m not completely sure."

Finch remained silent.

Their artifact... had already been given to Nina.

Nina frowned slightly.

So none of them will be easy to obtain...

"I’ll test the waters first," Kith said. "If those stubborn old men refuse, I can try stealing it—or tricking them."

"That could work," Sal nodded. "If you can’t steal it, I’ll give it a shot."

After all... he had experience.

The others glanced at him.

Thankfully, that leopard had stolen the Spirit Orb for Nina—it had saved them quite a bit of trouble.

"...It’s an option," Odian agreed.

And if that failed, then they would have no choice but to take it by force.

Whatever Nina needed... they would get it for her.

They discussed a little more before settling down.

"Nina, which city do you want to go to first?" Odian asked.

"Let’s go to Sea Blue City first," Nina said. "I’ll accompany Dian so he can replenish his ocean energy."

He had told her that in a place rich with ocean energy, combined with the proper methods, he could recover fully in just a few days.

As she spoke, another thought surfaced.

"I should go check on Yanai first."

He had been injured because of her. It was only right that she look after him.

The males frowned slightly.

Why go see that wolf? And what happened to Dian?

Nina briefly explained what had happened to both of them.

After hearing it, the males felt a pang of guilt and distress.

They hadn’t been able to go in and help her, and she had suffered so much alone.

Still, they were grateful to Yanai.

He had helped lift her curse, so they followed her together to check on him.

Nina walked over to Yan Yunshen, her voice gentle with concern. "Yanai, how are your injuries now? Do you want me to take a look?"

His eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

But as he glanced at the others behind her, a subtle glint passed through his gaze.

He pressed a hand lightly to his wound, his face paling just slightly, his voice faintly strained.

"Nina... I’m fine, don’t worry."

She frowned. "Are you really? Tell me the truth."

He looked away, as if reluctant. "It just... hurts sometimes."

Without hesitation, Nina reached out, her power flowing into him as she treated his injury.

"Better?"

Yanai’s lips curved into a soft smile. "Mm. Much better. Your ability is amazing, Nina."

"That’s good."

Nina began to rise, but suddenly, he caught her hand. Those soft, pleading eyes lifted toward her, almost like a wounded puppy.

"Nina... the pain comes and goes. I don’t know if it’ll flare up again later... tonight, could you—"

Behind her, her mates’ gazes turned sharp as blades.

Damn that wolf. He’s absolutely faking it.