Chapter 113
“There are beastmen sick over there,” Aina said in a lowered voice. “I heard it’s very serious—and contagious. I only found out today. After delivering the fruit to you, I’m planning to stay indoors for the next few days p>
“Sick beastmen? What illness is that?” Nina frowned slightly.
There were no strict quarantine measures in this world, and the beastmen’s awareness of contagion was limited. If it truly spread from one to another, it could quickly infect the entire tribe.
“I’m not sure,” Aina sighed. “They say it starts with fever and stomach pain. Females and cubs are affected the worst.” She lowered her voice further. “I even heard that a little cub didn’t make it p>
Her eyes were full of concern. “You have so many cubs—you must be extra careful p>
“I will,” Nina nodded.
Just then, urgent shouts echoed from not far away.
“They’re over there p>
“Quick—don’t let them run out of the tribe p>
Nina looked up.
A male beastman was running frantically in their direction, clutching a small cub—two or three years old, already in human form. Before he could reach the stone houses, several males from Half-Mountain Tribe intercepted him.
The male fell to his knees before Chief Karo, despair written across his face.
“Chief, please! Don’t burn Jojo p>
Through tear-blurred eyes, he looked at the barely conscious child in his arms.
“I’ll take him deep into the forest. We’ll never return to the tribe. Just don’t burn him p>
Chief Karo sighed heavily. “Anda… we don’t want this either. But Jojo cannot be saved. The illness is spreading already. If you take him out, you’ll spread it further p>
“But he’s still alive!” Anda cried. “He’s still breathing! How can you—how can you be so cruel p>
“There’s only one breath left in him. He won’t last the night. We’re already preparing to cremate two others who’ve passed… he’ll go with them p>
The chief looked pained but resolute.
“No! I won’t let you take him p>
Anda clutched the child tightly and tried to flee again, but he was quickly restrained. The cub was taken from his arms.
He struggled desperately, powerless as they carried Jojo away.
“No! Jojo!” he screamed hoarsely. “Chief, please! Give him back p>
When Nina heard that the cub was still alive, she could not stand by.
She asked Kith to watch over her own cubs, put on protective clothing, and hurried after Chief Karo.
“Chief Karo, may I examine the cub? I possess healing abilities,” Nina said.
“You?” The chief looked at her doubtfully. “It’s no use. The witch doctor already said he cannot be cured p>
He did not believe her power could surpass that of the tribe’s healer.
“Please let me try. It won’t cost anything but a moment,” Nina insisted.
After a pause, he nodded. “Very well p>
The cub was brought before her. Nina activated her ability to examine him and quietly asked Little Bun to assist.
The child appeared to have contracted some form of virus, causing severe inflammation and organ dysfunction.
She immediately channeled her healing energy.
After a long while, the cub’s tightly shut eyes fluttered open. The burning heat of his body began to subside.
Hearing his father’s cries, he weakly reached out.
“Father… Father p>
Chief Karo stared in shock. “You—you actually cured him p>
His eyes shone with hope. “Can you help the others? Many in our tribe are sick p>
“I’ll take a look,” Nina said.
The males restraining Anda released him. He rushed forward, tears streaming down his face.
He gathered Jojo into his arms. “You’re alright! You’re really alright p>
He looked at Nina with overwhelming gratitude. “Thank you! Thank you for saving him p>
“It was nothing,” she said gently.
“Please, come quickly,” Chief Karo urged. “We can’t lose more p>
Nina followed him to the west side of the tribe. Odian accompanied her; she did not allow Kith and the others to follow.
The western area consisted of older, worn houses—clearly set aside for the sick.
There were many patients: cubs, females, and elderly males.
Their symptoms were similar to Jojo’s.
But there were too many for Nina to heal one by one.
“Little Bun, is there any medicine in the system that can help p>
[Yes. Many have high fevers. Fever-reducing medicine will require time to take effect. It’s best combined with physical cooling p>
“Alright. I’ll purchase medicine—and alcohol for disinfection and cooling p>
Little Bun supplied the items, transforming the medicine into pill forms suitable for this world.
Nina distributed the medicine and demonstrated how to use diluted alcohol for disinfection and cooling.
Chief Karo instructed the tribe to follow her directions carefully.
Afterward, as they returned, Odian examined the alcohol curiously.
“Nina, can this treat a fever p>
“It helps. And when diluted properly, it can even be consumed. I’ll let you try some later p>
She removed her protective clothing and disinfected both herself and Odian before returning home.
Lex watched Nina from a distance, a strange stirring in his chest.
Bjar approached him.
“Your Majesty, there’s word from Sea-Blue City. You are to return immediately p>
He hesitated. “Your mother requests that you select a political marriage partner p>
Lex’s brows drew together. He knew his mother had chosen several suitable females for him. He felt no interest—but he had responsibilities.
“I understand p>
“And the young prince p>
“Let me think.” His gaze drifted to Nina again. His thoughts were in turmoil.
He could not allow himself to be influenced by her any longer.
After a sleepless night, he made his decision. He would steal the merfolk egg and return to Sea-Blue City.
Perhaps once he left, these strange feelings would fade.
The next day, Nina decided to treat everyone to some wine to ease the stress of the past day.
The males each found their preferences, and before long, most had drunk a bit too much. Even Nina felt pleasantly lightheaded.
Odian helped her lie down on the bed. The egg babies rolled close, and she instinctively gathered them into her arms.
Seeing her hazy eyes, Odian couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her. She responded absentmindedly, thinking it was him.
Lex’s eyes darkened.
“Activate the illusion p>
The other mermen silently assisted. Their secret art could briefly lull others into confusion or sleep. Lex intended to steal the egg while they were trapped in the illusion.
The spell took effect. Silence blanketed the stone house.
Lex stepped inside Nina’s room. His gaze was drawn involuntarily to her lying figure. He forced himself to look away and used his secret art to sense the merfolk egg.
Approaching the bed, he lifted one egg from her arms, but it suddenly became impossibly heavy.
Caught off guard, he stumbled forward—falling directly onto Nina.
And quite by accident, his lips met hers.
Lex froze.
His heartbeat faltered.
Nina, thinking it was Odian, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
For a moment, Lex forgot to resist. He sank into the illusion as though it were reality.
Outside, the mermen grew anxious.
“Why hasn’t His Majesty come out? The illusion won’t last much longer p>
If the other males awakened, they would be finished.
Inside, Lex no longer remembered time. Only the warmth of her lips.
As Nina continued kissing him, something suddenly felt… off.
Her eyes snapped open. She met a pair of strange—yet vaguely familiar—beautiful eyes.
Her pupils widened in shock.
This—this was that merman! What was he doing in her bed?
And why was he—
Just as she was about to shove him away, a sharp, cracking sound split the stillness.