"Hey, everyone, are you okay?"
A gentle voice came from behind the leaders.
Startled, they immediately turned around—and saw the Mermaid Queen.
"So it's you," the Elf King exhaled, calming down. "You startled us."
"I'm sorry," she said with a soft smile. "I saw everyone focusing so hard, I just wanted to ask something."
"Oh, I guess we were a bit too focused."
"Everyone should stay alert."
"We're sorry," the Elf King said. "We're just trying to find a way to fight the Star Eaters."
"Really?" the Mermaid Queen's eyes widened. "There's still hope? Can you show me?"
The leaders exchanged glances in silence before one of them spoke.
"Sorry, but what's written here might be too much for you. You've just recovered—we don't want to burden you with this."
"Oh… that's a shame," she said, voice dimming. "I want to help too..."
"You don't need to be sad. Just being well like this is already a huge help."
"But I do want to help... How about this—let me relieve everyone's stress with a song."
"Of course. It's been a long time since we heard you sing."
The mood lifted with her small request.
"Thank you, everyone," the Mermaid Queen said, happiness shining in her eyes.
She stepped into the center of the group and began adjusting her voice.
Once ready, she started to hum—softly, full of emotion.
Her song echoed through the chamber, weaving gently through each listener.
They felt it—the warmth, the release, the comfort within each note.It wrapped around them like a lullaby, as if they were at a concert.
They drifted into it, slowly becoming hazy.
Unaware, the melodies not only eased their minds, but also pulled them under—as if sending them off. Or perhaps… dragging them down.
Still the melodies flowed—but strange sounds began to bleed into them.
The slicing of flesh. The dripping of blood.
Blending into the tune like hidden notes in a symphony.
Then—someone realize something is wrong.
Eyes widening, they looked around.
The Mermaid Queen was gone from the center.
They turned—and saw her.
She was still humming, blade in hand, taking lives one by one, her face painted with a delighted smile.
"Everyone, wake up!"
The voice broke through the melody, snapping them out of the trance.
They stirred, dazed and confused.
"So boring," the Mermaid Queen muttered, her smile twisting into madness.
"You should've let me finish. You'd have had a more peaceful death."
Then, without hesitation, she lunged—and drove her blade straight into the heart of the one who'd shouted.
He screamed.
This time, the scream shattered the fog that held the rest.
They turned—and froze at the sight.
"What are you doing, Mermaid Queen?!" someone cried out.
"Freeing you all," she answered, still smiling.
Before they could react, blades of water formed around her.
She flung them forward.
Crimson carved its way through flesh.
Some collapsed instantly.
Others barely managed to dodge or shield themselves.
"Damn it, you're insane!" the Elf King growled.
"I'm not insane. I'm doing what must be done," she replied calmly.
"No crazy person claims to be crazy."
He charged.
She didn't flinch, rushing at him with that same wild grin.
Her blades swung, again and again.
But he dodged and fired bursts of magic in return.
The glowing bullets flew, striking even the corpses that lay still.
"Hey, don't shoot like that—you'll ruin the sacrifice," she whined, dancing away.
"Then stop me," the Elf King taunted. "Besides... I'm not alone."
Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind.
She thrashed.
"Now that's rude."
"Sorry," came the reply. "But now that rudeness is trying to save my life."
"Oh? Then I hope you're ready for this."
"What—"
Before he could react, blood-forged blades burst from her body—and sliced him in half.
The blades didn't stop—they ricocheted through the room, cutting down the rest.
She gently pushed the body aside.
"Now then..."She turned to the Elf King, who had raised his shield.
"Only you left."
"Shame," he sneered. "But I don't plan to die that easily. And I didn't expect you to use forbidden magic."
"Thank you for noticing. Now please—die for me."
She lunged again.
He blocked—then slammed a punch into her face, launching her into the wall.
Bones cracked.She staggered to her feet.
"That really hurt," she hissed. "Pretty sure something's broken."
"If you want to end the pain, then die for me."
He unleashed a barrage of magic.
Explosions lit the room, swallowing her in dust and flame.
"Is she dead?" he muttered. "Better make sure."
He fired again.
The area was now thick with smoke and ash.
"Or maybe I should—"
Before he finished, a corpse flew from the dust—straight at him.
He dodged.
But from behind it, the Mermaid Queen emerged—Her arm was shattered from using it to block the attack, but her smile undimmed.
"Checkmate."
A slash from her blood-sword tore through him.
He collapsed, bleeding out.
She approached.
"Honestly, I don't know whether to be happy or sad right now," he murmured, breath fading. "Happy you've grown stronger… or sad you're no longer you."
"What are you talking about?" she said. "I'm still me. I'm just following my heart."
"Heh… that sounds insane. Now finish it."
"If that's your wish."
She plunged the blade into him—again and again—laughing with each stab, madness overtaking her.
When his eyes went lifeless, she stopped.
She stood, staring at her bloodstained self.
"My favorite shirt's ruined," she said, frowning. "Guess I'll need a new one."
She glanced around at her "work."
"But where is it?"
Tossing her knife aside, she wandered until she found it:a book, blood-soaked, in a corpse's grasp.
"Let's see if what they said was true," she whispered, pulling it free.
"But… how do I open this now?"
With only one hand, she struggled.
Then she turned to the Elf King's body.
"Your arm's about my size. You won't need it anymore."
Coldly, she severed his arm with her knife—then sliced off her own.
She stitched the new arm on using bloody threads, casting healing spells until it moved like her own.
"Good as new. I wonder if I can use his magic?"
She tried—nothing happened.
"Boring. Guess not. Anyway—back to business."
Flipping through the book, she stopped at a page detailing a demon summoning ritual.
"Hmm… it needs a lot of people."
She scanned the room.
"This isn't enough."
Closing the book, she picked up her knife and made for the exit.
"Time to find more sacrifices."
Her voice was light, but her grin was distorted.
"Oh Deep Sea King… wait for me. I'll avenge you. I won't let you be alone anymore. Wait for me."
She walked down the hall, still humming that broken tune,blood dripping with each step.
Meanwhile, the King remained unaware of the tragedy that had just unfolded.
He had returned to his house, greeted warmly by his wife. The two shared a peaceful conversation as they stepped inside.
As for the Mermaid Queen, she had finally reached the gate.
She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before casting her gaze over the homes below.
"Oh right," she murmured, a flicker of thought crossing her face. "There's still the King… but now I don't even have enough strength to fight him"
She stood there in silence, deep in thought.
Then, a wicked idea lit up her eyes.
"Why don't I make him the guest of honor?" she whispered to herself, a twisted smile forming on her lips. "Everyone used to respect him so much… it's only fair."
Without hesitation, she began descending the stairs.
Soon, she was wandering the streets—her bare feet silent against the stone.
She slipped through alleyways and shadows, weaving through the hidden corners of the city like a ghost.
Haunting melodies echoing through the stillness of the night.
"Now… who will be the next lucky person?"
"I can't wait."