Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 146 - 139: The Song of the Merfolk (Two in One)_3

"After you sing, if this human follows you into the depths, his life will be reduced to only ten years left."

"This is the price a land dweller must pay to enter the undersea world!"

"You want to doom the man who saved you to a lifetime of regret, because of a fleeting fondness, letting him spend the rest of his days in remorse!"

The rain poured down in torrents.

The downpour washed over everyone’s bodies, and also through everyone’s hearts.

"Go back, Vena, to Mosue, and continue to be that naive girl. Even if you stubbornly persist in singing the merfolk’s song, even if this human agrees to spend the remaining ten years of his life with you, I will not allow it to happen!"

Vena bathed in the rain, in the darkness, her bright yellow eyes fixating on Lyle. Those eyes, not long ago immersed in the pain of shattered illusions, had now become clear. Vena, for the first time, raised her own voice, pure as a mountain spring.

"I’m sorry, Princess, but I want to sing to the Plague Doctor."

Princess took a step back, her palms cradling her face.

"Do as you wish, foolish girl."

"Plague Doctor, would you agree to one condition for me?"

"What condition?"

"Please make sure to reject me."

Vena began her song, and in the melodic resonance, Lyle was taken back to their time diving in the deep waters together, the girl before him wrapped in beautiful fantasies and brilliance, just like a princess from a fairy tale. The girl before him was no different from a princess, the rain falling on her like a coat of pearls, her scales glimmering with rainbow colors, like splendid jewelry.

The song of the merfolk drifted like an evening breeze toward the distance, also echoing in Lyle’s mind.

Somehow, Lyle decided to take off the Plague Doctor’s mask.

The dark pupils and black hair beneath the beak mask reflected in Vena’s eyes.

"I am Lyle, Lyle Butler. Thank you for your song, Vena. Let’s... meet again someday."

Tears flowed gently from Vena’s eyes, as she offered a heart-wrenching smile.

"Thank you, Lyle."

The daughter of the sea took a gentle leap, returning to the deep sea with a splash of glittering water.

Lyle watched the direction in which Vena disappeared.

In the deep sea, this time, she was alone.

Lyle put the mask back on and approached the scholar.

"Teacher, I apologize, but I’d like to be alone for a while."

"Go on, child, I’ll wait for you here until you return."

As Lyle left, the scholar watched his moving figure, much like Princess watched over the sea’s surface.

"Princess, you didn’t tell him..."

"Tell that human what?"

"Merfolk can only use their voice to sing once in a lifetime, during their courtship. Their vocal cords carry magic that tears after a single use, from then on, they can only make growls akin to wild beasts. Vena, from now on, will remain alone in Mosue, with no further rights to seek a mate."

"What could I do! I warned her, it was her choice! Am I to just watch as tragedy unfolds again? You and I both know, that boy does not belong to the deep sea."

"But he has the right to know the truth, to understand the full measure of what Vena has sacrificed."

"No! He doesn’t need to know! The truth isn’t what truly matters, Morocoy, you fool, the encounter between merfolk and humans is fated to be an error! I won’t allow such an error to happen again, but my children, they are such fools!"

"Merfolk are simply impulsive and fantasy-loving beautiful creatures."

"And humans are affectionate yet contradictory complex beings; you’re like sweet poison, leaving only scars."

"Is that your conclusion, Princess?"

"Yes, poison, the kind you know will hurt but still drink. I will continue to watch over those fantasy-loving children, stopping their hands from reaching out to fantasies. Such a tragedy, one as a warning is enough." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Princess stroked the wooden boat at her feet, her restless aura becoming calm.

"Thank you, Morocoy. I’m truly grateful that you brought Vena back. If my previous rash actions hurt you, I apologize."

"It’s alright, my sister. Your pain is understood, for you have always been the one who endures the most. Princess, I hope you will help me visit the Moria Trench, to check on the ’Seal’."

"!!! What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the ’Seal’?"

"No, I just have some bad premonitions, Princess. Although the ’Seal’ hasn’t changed, you should still be careful."

"I am no longer the impulsive mermaid I once was."