Evangeline’s fingertips moved slightly as she gently slid the ring, carved with a butterfly wing pattern, onto The Everwake’s finger.
He imdiately brandished his finger with a flourish. His seven-colored eyes were filled with triumphant spirit, and the Jade Ring caught the light of the wall sconce, casting off a subtle shimr that made the smirk on his lips look all the more punchable.
The Everwake raised an eyebrow, drawing out his words. "Alright, ti for you all to leave. It just so happens to be my turn to accompany Eva today."
Thorne crossed his arms, a cold sneer on his face. "You’re quite the revisionist. Today is clearly Drake’s turn."
At these words, the corner of The Everwake’s eye lifted. He glanced over at Drake. The man had been in a coma for days and excluded from the "rotation." Now that he was awake, it was indeed ti to make new arrangents.
He shrugged and, in a surprisingly good-natured move, stepped forward to pat Drake’s shoulder. "Alright! You today, tomorrow."
With that, The Everwake scooped up the sleeping Genesis and strode out of Evangeline’s room.
His dashing figure exuded a certain smugness as he departed, leaving the other males standing there. Their gazes fell in unison on Evangeline, a hint of resentful grievance in their eyes and a touch of hurt in their tone.
Thorne was the most direct. He plucked the ring from his finger, stuffed it back into Evangeline’s hand, and declared self-righteously, "I want you to put mine on, too!"
Evangeline couldn’t help but laugh. She took his long, pale fingers and leisurely slid the snake-scale-patterned ring onto one of them. Then, she looked up, her gaze sweeping over the others. A small smile played on her lips. "How about you all do it over again?"
The words had barely left her lips when several rings were imdiately thrust in front of her.
*
anwhile, after hurrying away, Aiden Atwood went to investigate the situation in the Triangle Sea himself.
When he erged from the seawater, drenched from head to toe, the expression on his face was nearly frozen. He paid no mind to the water dripping from his hair as he turned to look at the vast, placid surface of the sea. He drew in a sharp breath. "It’s... it’s really calm."
The Triangle Sea used to be called the "Devil’s Sea" for a reason—countless Beastn had lost their lives there!
But now, the entire surface of the sea was utterly placid. Beneath the waves, not a single whirlpool remained, and even the gale-force winds were gone.
Riley Atwood’s face fell as he looked at Aiden Atwood, his voice a near-wail. "Commander, what are we going to do? Should we contact the Lion-Salt City-state ahead of ti and tell them? If another city-state finds out first, we’ll be..."
Riley Atwood shuddered at the thought of that outco.
Encroachnt on territory was a common occurrence among the Beastman City-states. And now, during the period of the Sharp Teeth Judgnt, any invasion was considered legitimate. There would be no protection from the Dragon God—it was survival of the fittest, a system designed to ensure Beastn retained their primal nature even in tis of peace!
Aiden Atwood clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
He turned to Riley Atwood, his eyes darkening. "No! We keep this from the Lion-Salt City-state!"
"Commander?!" Riley Atwood’s eyes widened. He truly couldn’t understand the Commander’s decision. And then there were those Savage Beastn back at the Commander’s Fortress... ’If they have the power to calm the Triangle Sea, a domain created by the Dragon God, then their abilities truly can’t be underestimated.’
With this in mind, Riley Atwood asked in a low voice, "Commander, do you have a plan?"
Aiden Atwood’s eyes narrowed. "Are those Low-rank Beastn who didn’t go in with them being monitored?"
A flicker of understanding crossed Riley Atwood’s eyes. He leaned in closer and whispered, "I’ve had people on them the whole ti. There won’t be any issues. Commander, should we...?"
He paused, making a throat-slitting gesture, his expression ruthless.
Aiden Atwood barely glanced at him, sneering, "They’re just a bunch of Low-rank Beastn. There’s no need to anger the Druid over them. We just need to keep an eye on them and use them as bargaining chips to make the Druid a permanent citizen of the Otterhaven City-State."
Hearing this, Riley Atwood frowned in confusion. "Commander, why do you place so much importance on that female? She may be a Druid, but she’s still just a female. If we just capture her, she’ll have no choice but to obey!"
Aiden Atwood shot Riley Atwood a derisive look. "You don’t know shit! Every single one of her males is more than they seem!"
Riley Atwood’s lips moved, but he kept his thoughts to himself. ’They’re just a bunch of ordinary males who haven’t even had a bloodline awakening. Other than being a little good-looking, what skills could they possibly have? It’s a sha that in the Beastman City-states, a male’s looks are the most worthless asset of all.’
Aiden Atwood knew this squad leader of his, who had followed him for years, all too well. A single glance at his expression was enough to know what he was thinking. He couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh internally. ’This is the problem. The Otterhaven City-State has no one of real talent, which is why we can never advance. We’re forced to be nothing more than a shaful, obedient vassal to the Lion-Salt City-state!’
Those male Beastn might not look special on the surface, but don’t forget, they managed to reach the Nine-star Extre Realm in a place like Norfell, one of the Savage Lands! And on top of that, they’re so young!
Aiden Atwood was an excellent judge of character. He was certain that if those males had grown up in the Beastman City-states, every single one of them would have beco a renowned and powerful overlord. Who was to say that the limitations of Norfell hadn’t just temporarily suppressed their talent?
This group of Savage Beastn from Norfell was anything but simple.
Of course, there was no need to explain any of this to Riley Atwood. Aiden waved his hand dismissively and said in a cold tone, "Just keep a close eye on that group. I’ll handle the rest. Strengthen the patrols in the coming days. Report any unusual activity imdiately!"
"Yes, sir!" Riley Atwood responded respectfully, watching the Commander depart.
Once Aiden Atwood’s figure had receded into the distance, Riley Atwood’s posture imdiately slackened. He curled his lip and snorted. "Cowardly piece of trash. They’re just a bunch of savage brutes who’ve never seen the world. What’s there to be afraid of?"
With that, he stretched lazily and sauntered over to the docks. He suddenly kicked the nearest wooden crate and bellowed, "The waves are calm, so get your asses in the sea! Catch as much as you can! Pick out the fattest shrimp and crabs, the rarest sea urchins—we’re sending them all to the Lion-Salt City-state!"
The sea breeze carried his curses, which lingered for a long ti in the salty, fishy air.
*
Their first night in the Beastman City-state was clearly not going to be a peaceful one.
At that mont, Evangeline was taking a bath.
Steam filled the room. The pads of Drake’s fingers traced slowly down Evangeline’s fair spine. Her skin was cool to the touch, blushing a faint red wherever he grazed it, like plum blossoms blooming in the snow—a breathtaking sight.
Drake’s golden-red pupils constricted slightly. He swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling dry.
He forced himself to look away, fixing his gaze on the surface of the rippling water, where the reflection of his strained, forbearing face stared back at him.
Evangeline glanced back at him, a playful light in her eyes, and said with a smile, "Still so shy."
This ti, Drake’s reply was swift. His gaze t hers, his sharp voice a little hoarse. "I’m not."
But his gaze was quickly drawn elsewhere. His eyes darkened, and the corners of his golden-red eyes seed to glisten.
Drake’s hand, resting on the edge of the tub, slowly tightened into a fist as he fought the urge to pull her into his arms.
Evangeline chuckled softly. ’Such an innocent Beastman,’ she thought. ’Always so amusing.’
She raised her hand, and just as her fingers grazed his firm, powerful chest, the clang of weapons clashing rang out from outside.
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