Chapter 189. The Lover of the Deep Sea

“The Empire, to be precise, the imperial family, began to collect mermaids and other unusual beings decades ago, during the time of Tarkin I.”

“……”

“But that kind of human trafficking was naturally an act worthy of condemnation, so they couldn’t do it openly. So they put wealthy people at the forefront to carry out such acts.”

At the unrecorded story behind history, not only Ron but also Reina’s expression hardened.

“The black market auctions that were held secretly……. Not only humans, but also mermaids were often dragged there. You might know this much. However, you probably didn't know that the wealthy people who bought them were connected to the imperial family of the Empire.”

At the words that reeked of the Empire's corruption, Ron’s brow furrowed deeply.

“I’ve heard of the black market. But this is the first time I’m hearing that the buyers were related to the imperial family of the Empire? Are you perhaps an imperial?”

“No. But I know the shame of the Empire better than anyone.”

“No matter how I look at it, you don’t look old enough to be talking about the time of Tarkin I.”

It was a story from too long ago for the current Evan to know, and a secret that was not even recorded in history books.

But since Evan was speaking only the unadulterated truth, he did not hesitate at all.

“If you don't believe me, ask your lover. A mermaid’s lifespan is several hundred years, so she would surely know. Isn't that right?”

Evan’s gaze turned to Reina.

After a short silence, she nodded.

Confirming this, Ron slowly placed the harpoon back in its place.

“Continue.”

“Good. The mermaids that flowed into the black market became the Emperor's luxury items. They were treated like pets in a giant aquarium. And from then on, mermaid hunting began in earnest. It was around that time that monster hunters launched a large-scale operation on Rainbow Island, the home of the mermaids.”

“Reina, is that really true?”

When Ron asked, Reina frowned as if recalling an old wound.

Then she spoke to Evan about what she knew.

“That’s right……. Someone who was like an older sister to me was also captured by them. I was lucky to escape.”

That was something only Reina knew.

Perhaps that was why Ron could not hide his shock and bewilderment.

“Something like that……. But why, didn't you say a word to me?”

“Well, I was worried you would worry unnecessarily. And it’s all in the past. Since that vicious emperor is gone now.”

Reina spoke calmly, but Evan immediately interjected.

From here on was the main point.

“How can you be so sure that the emperor is dead?”

“What? What do you mean by that. Of course he must be dead.”

“His body may have disappeared, but his will is still alive. Moreover, this time, that ambition was almost completed.”

Evan’s voice was firm.

He intended to let both Reina and Ron know that this war, which they both knew of, was not a simple repetition of history, but the will of Tarkin I, who was regarded as the worst emperor.

“You mean that emperor you mentioned…… is moving again?”

“Yes. Fortunately, this time, the alliance of the three nations stopped the Empire. But the Empire is still strong, and they even have hidden forces. The other kingdoms are trying to stop at this point, but in the end, the unresolved threat will surely reach here.”

At Evan’s warning, Reina cried out in a frightened voice.

“That can't be! No matter how strong the Empire is, Manoa and the other two kingdoms are holding on, aren’t they?”

Evan shook his head.

“All the Seven Extreme Stars, except for one fighter from the Solaid Kingdom, have been killed in action. The same goes for the Empire, but as I said before, they still have capacity.”

At the words that most of the Seven Extreme Stars had been killed in action, Ron’s expression hardened.

“You’re telling me everyone except that monster from Solaid is dead?”

It seemed the news of the war had not properly reached this far.

However, confirming the truth was only a matter of time.

“A few days, no, a messenger will deliver the news as early as tomorrow.”

“To think that all those guys who were always at each other's throats are dead……”

“Now, all that’s left are Harashin and you.”

“And yet the Empire still has capacity?”

“Yes. Robern’s Knight Order remains. And……”

Evan paused for a moment.

Considering Robern’s infamy, speaking it out loud would only amplify the despair.

“And the Empire’s military forces still surpass the kingdom alliance.”

Hearing the current state of the war, Ron and Reina’s expressions hardened.

A sense of crisis that if they continued to stand by, this port city could also fall into the hands of the Empire flashed through them.

Evan did not miss that subtle change and dug in.

“That’s why you, the last remaining Seven Extreme Stars, are needed. I’m not asking you to fight to the death. You have your lover, after all. But, just joining the war is enough. Your presence alone will greatly boost the morale of the Allied Forces.”

“……”

Ron did not say anything.

But a hint of empathy flickered in his eyes.

Because he knew well the psychological and tactical influence a Seven Extreme Stars had on the battlefield.

“Other countries must have already tried to tempt you with all sorts of treasures. So I think whatever I propose won’t work. However, for the sake of your lover, please contribute to eliminating the great evil remaining in this world, the Empire.”

Ron was deep in thought.

If Evan’s words were true, as long as the Empire existed, the ambition of Tarkin I would continue, and eventually, it would threaten Reina’s safety.

“Yes……. For a cause of that magnitude, I can move.”

“Thank……”

“However, there is a reason I cannot step forward as easily as you think. Not because of the complicated interests between nations, but for a very personal reason that I cannot leave Reina’s side.”

“What is that reason?”

Instead of answering, Ron looked at Reina.

Then Reina quietly opened her mouth.

“I will tell you. Because it is our story.”

“I see. Actually, I was curious too. A man of the sea and a mermaid…… it’s an unusual combination. What is the story?”

Reina’s gaze turned far away, to the window where it was raining outside.

“It began…… on the day the monster hunters invaded our island.”

* * *

The mermaid, Reina.

Her clan had lived centered around Rainbow Island, in the southern seas of the continent.

They were a race that could breathe freely both underwater and on land, and could also transform into a human form with two legs when needed.

The sea around Rainbow Island had drastic current changes, so human ships were easily shipwrecked, but for the mermaid clan, it was a perfect shield.

It was their own sanctuary, cut off from the world.

However, that peace was shattered with the landing of the monster hunters.

They raided the island and hunted the mermaids, and those who were captured were all sold off like slaves.

The surviving mermaids hid deep in the seabed, but the reach of the monster hunters extended even there.

In the end, Reina and a few others risked their lives and fled to the eastern sea.

But there, an even more terrifying existence was waiting.

“In the eastern sea, there was the Kraken, called the Disaster of the Blue Sea, and the king of the sea who commanded that monster, Lutein.”

“I’ve heard of him. The one who is said to rule the sea, the fishman Lutein.”

“That Lutein wanted our kind, and he captured us with the Kraken…… and made all of us his brides.”

“Perhaps…… you too?”

“……Yes.”

Reina unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself.

“We fled the land, but there was nowhere to run even in the sea. As we were continuing our desperate life as slaves, a chance to escape finally came with the help of my older sisters.”

However, Lutein was determined not to let a single mermaid go.

His pursuit was relentless, and Reina was barely able to reach a coast on the continent.

“I managed to reach the coast somehow, but I was so exhausted that I didn't have the strength to move a single step.”

The moment she was about to choose death rather than be captured again, the person who appeared before her was Ron.

Afterward, Lutein himself appeared on the coast.

He tried to forcibly drag the exhausted Reina away, and at that moment, Ron blocked his way.

“Lutein was strong enough to be called the king of the sea. Our mermaid clan could only obey before him. But…… this person was different. He was stronger than Lutein.”

Ron pushed him so hard that he gave the being called the king of the sea a humiliation he had never felt before.

“Even that fearsome Lutein was just helplessly beaten before Ron. He was beaten to the brink of death.”

The terrified Lutein hastily turned his body to the sea and took out a horn.

It was the signal to summon the Kraken.

“If Ron hadn’t taken Lutein’s trident and pierced him with it, we both would have died on the spot.”

Ron, who had blown Lutein’s head off by a hair's breadth, even took the horn.

At that moment, the king of the sea was dead, and the mermaid clan finally gained their freedom.

After that, Ron and Reina looked at each other and fell in love, and Ron, who had been a wanderer, settled in this port for Reina.

“So…… that’s what happened. The reason he doesn’t leave this place is because of me.”

“That's a beautiful story. But, if the king of the sea is dead, what problem remains?”

At Evan’s question, Reina took out something from the storage box next to the bed.

It was a long horn, and from the story just before, Evan immediately knew what it was.

“Is that the horn that summons the Kraken?”

“That’s right. It’s also the reason why I can’t go near the water, even though I miss the sea.”

The story was this.

Lutein had brainwashed the Kraken to ‘capture his brides, the mermaids,’ and although they were able to hold back the Kraken for a while with the sacrifice of other mermaids, the brainwashing was not broken.

Even now that Lutein is dead, the command imprinted on the Kraken still remains.

In other words, the Kraken’s obsession to find Reina has not ended.

“So even though you’ve fled all the way here, the Kraken can still find you?”

“It hasn't happened yet. But, the fear that that monster might reappear at any moment always follows me.”

In the end, the biggest reason Ron could not leave Reina’s side was the existence of the Kraken.

If it appeared, they could feel safe when Ron was around, but if he was absent, Reina would be helpless.

‘One could dismiss it as a vague anxiety. It's no different from being hit by a meteor while walking down the street. But this is a fear with at least a clear basis.’

Evan was not unaware of that tangible fear.

And, thinking in reverse, the solution was also simple.

“It would be better to just summon the Kraken and get rid of it.”

However, Reina immediately put the horn away and shook her head.

“I can't do that. What if Ron gets hurt……”

She did not doubt Ron’s skill, which had defeated the king of the sea.

But the Kraken was by no means an easy opponent, and there was no guarantee that Ron would be safe while facing it.

“In that case, I will help. In catching that monster.”

If that was the only way to lead Ron to the battlefield, Evan had only one choice.

To defeat the Kraken right now and eliminate this threat at its root.