Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 168 - 161: Gulf Pursuers

The rolling waves were like the hem of a goddess’s gown that had fallen to the ground, with white foam crashing against the fierce rocks.

This deep green bay, just like its sickly color, seemed to be suffering from some sort of disease. Muck had accumulated beneath the thin layer of soil, emitting a fishy stench, far from the natural beauty commonly found in a bay.

The bay resembled a seabed at low tide, where hand-shaped corals stood erect; the evening sunlight, refracted through droplets on them, painted their splendid colors with an ominous beauty. There were giant, strange shells everywhere, and sunken ships hollowed out by seaweed and barnacles. From time to time, a cool breeze would blow through these marvels, playing mournful wails.

This was no place for the living, yet today, someone had set foot here.

A white gauzy dress dragged across the muddy, damp ground, yet it remained unblemished. As if the seemingly even land with hidden gullies and cracks beneath mattered not; the white figure walked with ease, as though that graceful form were weightless, seemingly floating in the air.

The black leather pants with two upward spiraling patterns wrapped around her slender legs. Although dressed androgynously, her coiled black hair and the crimson agate-like eyes below the brim of her hat spoke volumes of her beauty. Her allure was irresistible, intoxicating, like the scent of the gemmed rose pinned upon her chest.

They displayed the two sides of beauty, stirring imaginations and inviting indulgence.

Ms. Hei raised her arms, shielding her face from the sunlight. Those annoyingly warm rays hardened her skin into a diamond structure, strangely beautiful, but she did not like it. A hint of complaint laced her voice, smooth as a ballad.

"My dear Lady Curiosity, what’s driving you to decide on this sudden trip? You tired of Naslan’s scenery already? More importantly, why in the afternoon? You know I dislike being active during the day, and to be rudely awakened, on a Saturday no less. Do you have any idea how many guests the Bloody Rose will gather tonight? Not stopping you then and there was truly my biggest mistake," she complained.

Ms. Bai paused for a moment, as if earnestly taking her sister’s reprimand to heart, or perhaps simply enjoying the sea breeze without a care in the world.

"I think I heard a song, Beatrice."

"You’re not even listening to me. You’re such a pest, Alianna."

"No, I am listening, my dear sister. I just wanted, to take a spur-of-the-moment trip with you. You spend way too much time in slumber and at your bar, to the point where you seem controlled by life itself, like a puppet. I wanted you to relax a bit and genuinely enjoy our time together."

Beatrice tugged at the brim of her hat, her tone becoming petulant and tiny, "Then why not take Helena with us? Leaving her alone at home, isn’t that just too pitiable?"

"Helena is unable to leave the castle, this much we both understand. But I believe Helena has been feeling much better lately; there have often been laughs heard from outside her chamber. Sis might have found her own happiness," Beatrice affirmed.

Beatrice pouted, "Helena is a nuisance too, always doing her own thing."

Alianna’s veil fluttered in the wind, and she turned her gaze to the towering rocks in the distance, sensing an indescribable fishiness and dampness in the air around her.

"I hope this is the place I’m looking for, a living Siren. It would be wonderful if we could joyfully exchange songs."

"Alianna, you said this trip was for accompanying me—not for your damn music!"

"Of course, it’s for you, my irritable Beatrice. Your anxious look is just like that of Gruto, the creature we raised as children. But I can also use a bit of this time for my musical pursuit," Alianna replied.

Beatrice’s face darkened in an instant, "I must remind you, dear sister, that Gruto drowned when I was ten, a King Kong Parrot that died because it forgot its ability to fly in its haste. You may think it’s cute, but please do not use it as a metaphor for me, as that would be an insult to my intelligence."

"Sorry, Beatrice, I suppose I miss it too much, especially when it kept repeating that endearing word father taught it under our eaves. I remember I laughed so hard I was bent double."

"Pretty Girl is hardly an endearing word. Your weird taste hasn’t changed a bit. So, why have you recently started to relearn music? I remember you were quite proud of your singing abilities." Though she completely failed to understand why Andrey’s skeletal creatures would appreciate your singing.

"I feel I’m not good enough and want to be acknowledged."

There was a searching look in Beatrice’s eyes, but her tone was already conclusive, "Is there actually someone in Andrey who doesn’t acknowledge your singing?"

"The Plague Doctor, he seems to be avoiding my voice."

As expected, Beatrice’s complexion grew so somber it looked as though it might drip with moisture.

"Alianna, why do you care so much about him?"

Alianna’s head turned back to look at Beatrice, her words carrying a nonchalant air.

"Because Mr. Plague Doctor is interesting, I’m very curious."

"Your curiosity will eventually come to an end, and when the sweetness accumulates it will turn to disgust, in the end, you will grow tired of it."

Alianna was about to retort, but Beatrice had already turned to face the side. Vicious veins emerged on the back of her hand, her fingers elongated and became sharp, and the red in her eyes quickly filled her entire eyeball.

"Enemies."

Alianna drew her magic wand, pointing it toward the bubbling surface of the sea.

The first thing to appear was a blue-green fin covered with a layer of mucus, followed by a ferocious fish mouth stuffed with three rows of shark-like teeth. Its two pale eyes bulged, providing a wide field of view spanning 270 degrees. Humanoid bodies, skin covered with thick scales, carrying tridents and anchors entwined with seaweed in their hands, three fishmen emerged into view.

They let out piercing howls as viscous saliva dripped onto the muddy sand.

"It seems your so-called Siren companions are not very welcoming."

A hazy figure appeared behind Alianna as the ruby on her magic wand shimmered with light.

"Of course, after all, we didn’t send them an invitation. I hope she won’t mind us sending one now."