Chapter 56: THE SAINTESS SECRET

ELENA/ NERION.

Elena’s body convulsed violently on the floor.

The darkness had already spread from her neck to her jaw, crawling across her face like living ink.

Her once..beautiful features were almost unrecognizable.

Her skin had darkened beneath the strange markings, her veins bulged unnaturally, and her eyes were beginning to lose their golden glow.

She looked less like the Saintess of Haxia...

And more like a monster. "Saintess!"

Lydia rushed forward and grabbed her. She struggled to lift Elena from the floor. "Hold on!"

Lydia supported Elena against her chest and quickly pulled out the syringe.

She injected it directly into the side of Elena’s neck.

Elena’s body jerked.

For several seconds, Lydia waited.

Nothing happened. The darkness continued spreading. "No..."

Lydia’s face paled. "Why isn’t it working?"

She immediately turned and ran toward the small metallic box.

She opened it. Her eyes widened. Only two syringes remained.

She grabbed one and rushed back.

Elena was barely breathing.

"Saintess!"

Lydia pressed the emergency red button beside Elena’s bed.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The entire room was immediately placed under emergency medical lockdown.

Lydia didn’t wait. She injected the second syringe into Elena’s neck and shut her eyes. "Please work..."

But Elena’s body remained frighteningly still.

Her eyes slowly opened. They were completely black.

Then...She collapsed again.

"Saintess!!!"

Lydia caught her before her head hit the floor. The door suddenly burst open.

"ELENA!!!...!!"

Emelianna rushed inside with a male doctor following closely behind her.

She looked around frantically.

Then her eyes landed on the figure lying on the floor. A female with dark scars covering half her face.

Emelianna froze. "Where is Elena?" she became alert. "Who is this in her room?"

Lydia slowly stood.

She pointed toward the unconscious female. "Saintess... she’s there."

Emelianna stared. She didn’t recognize her own daughter anymore. She thought it was an invader in Elena’s room.

Her heart dropped. "That’s..."

She rushed over and knelt beside her.

When she lifted Elena into her arms, her hands began trembling. "My child..."

Tears immediately filled her eyes. "What happened to my child?"

She touched Elena’s darkened face. "What is this?"

Her voice cracked. "What happened to her?"

The doctor immediately opened a medical case.

Inside were several red-filled syringes. He quickly examined Elena. "She needs more blood."

"Do it!" Emelianna shouted.

The doctor injected the remaining emergency dose. Lydia stared into the box. There were more strings in the Doctor’s box.

Then...

"AAAAAAAH!" Elena suddenly screamed.

Her body became scorching hot. A terrifying wave of heat exploded from her.

The temperature inside the room shot upward. Lydia immediately stepped backward.

Sweat rolled down her face. The doctor wiped his forehead. "Her ability is going out of control!"

Elena’s golden hair floated slightly from the spiritual energy surrounding her.

Her body continued burning. "Mother..."

Her voice was barely audible.

Emelianna immediately placed her palm against Elena’s chest. "Stay still."

A powerful spiritual energy surged from Emelianna’s body. Red cloudy energy began swirling around them.

The energy entered Elena’s chest and slowly spread through her body.

Emelianna gritted her teeth. "Calm down now!!..."

The red cloud thickened. Elena’s violent energy gradually weakened.

Her breathing stabilized. The black veins stopped spreading.

Finally...Elena went still. She was breathing fine again.

Emelianna exhaled. But suddenly...she coughed. Blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

"Mother!" Elena’s eyes opened instantly.

The darkness on her face had faded slightly. The energy round them had left.

She looked at Emelianna with a sad expression. "Mother..."

Emelianna quickly wiped the blood from her lips. "I’m fine."

She smiled. "You shouldn’t worry about me. You should worry about yourself."

Elena’s fingers weakly grabbed her mother’s hand. "I can manage." Her voice was soft. "Your health and well-being is all that matters to me."

Emelianna’s heart ached. She gently moved a strand of Elena’s golden hair away from her face. "Dumb girl."

She smiled sadly. "You always think of Mother first."

Lydia stepped forward. "Should I contact the Merfolk Prince Nerion and tell him the date is cancelled?"

Emelianna didn’t hesitate. "Of course."

She looked at Elena. "My daughter’s health is more important than any partnership meeting."

Lydia nodded. "Yes, Princess."

Emelianna’s expression darkened. She clenched her fist. "This is all your grandfather’s fault."

Elena blinked. "He insisted on putting her Beast Core inside you."

Emelianna’s voice trembled with anger. "If he hadn’t told me to do that, you wouldn’t be suffering like this."

Elena lowered her eyes. "It’s okay, Mother." She forced a smile. "Just bring Vivian back."

Emelianna looked at her pitifully.

"Once she’s back, everything will be fine." Elena’s smile widened. "She is blind now, so the military will send her away."

Emelianna suddenly frowned. "Hmm....Who told you she went blind?"

Elena’s smile froze for half a second. Then she answered casually. "A friend of mine."

Emelianna stared at her daughter. "I contacted the military school myself."

Elena’s eyes widened.

"They told me Vivian is perfectly fine."

Silence fell between them.

"They also said she has already left for a three-month mission."

Elena’s face changed. "What?"

Her fingers slowly curled into a fist. "That’s impossible."

NERION

Far away from the Astronova mansion, beneath the shimmering waters of the Merfolk Royal Palace....

Nerion Valor stood before a giant mirror.

His blue hair fell smoothly over his shoulders, each strand glittering like strands of sapphire beneath the underwater lights.

His skin was flawless. Elegant blue scales glimmered faintly along his neck and shoulders, catching the light whenever he moved.

His eyes were a deep ocean blue.

His features were delicate yet striking, with a sharp jawline and perfectly shaped lips.

Nerion tilted his head. He smiled at his reflection.

Then he picked up a jeweled comb. "Ivery."

No answer from him. Nerion continued combing his hair. "Ivery."

Still nothing. He frowned. "Ivery!!"

His personal guard finally entered. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Nerion held up his mirror. "Ivery..."

He smiled confidently. "Who is the most beautiful merman of them all?"

Ivery rolled his eyes. "You."

Nerion smiled.

"Only you of them all."

Nerion admired himself again. "She will fall head over heels for my beauty."

Ivery sighed. "Of course, Your Highness."

Nerion ran his fingers through his blue hair. "My pretty face got her elder sister Vivian."

He smiled proudly. "Why wouldn’t it get Elena?"

Ivery stared at him. "She is already one hour late."

Nerion’s smile faded slightly. "What if she isn’t interested in fishmen?"

Nerion’s expression darkened. "Don’t talk rubbish."

He crossed his arms. "Don’t you know a patient dog eats the fastest bone?"

Ivery raised an eyebrow. "But Your Highness..." Nerion looked at him.

"You aren’t a dog."

Nerion’s eyes narrowed. Ivery immediately looked away.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Suddenly...Ding!

A message appeared on Ivery’s communicator.

He opened it. His eyes moved across the message.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment. Saintess Elena has suddenly fallen ill and will be unable to attend the meeting. We are sorry for the time wasted and will compensate you accordingly.

Nerion stared at Ivery. His handsome face slowly fell.

He looked toward Ivery. "What is it?"

Ivery hesitated. "Umm..."

He cleared his throat. "Your Saintess isn’t coming."

Nerion’s eye twitched.

"She is sick."

BANG!Nerion kicked the table. The table flew sideways. Jewelry, combs, mirrors, and hair accessories scattered across the floor. "After I dressed up for this?"

He clenched his fists. "I spent an entire hour preparing!"

Ivery sighed. "What if it’s just an excuse?"

Nerion froze.

"Maybe she doesn’t like Humanfish."

Nerion’s expression changed. "No."

He shook his head.

"When I was kidnapped and taken away to entertain beastmen..."

His voice became softer. "She saved me."

He touched his chest. "She told me she loved my tail."

Ivery stared at him. "What if she only wanted to cut it off and take it home?"

Nerion slowly turned toward him.

Ivery immediately looked away. "Just a possibility."

Nerion ignored him. He raised his communicator. "Find out where Vivian is right now."

Ivery’s expression changed. "Your Highness?"

Nerion’s lips curved into a determined smile. His sadness had left.

He grabbed his coat. "I want to find my girlfriend Vivian. She will surely love my new look." His eyes gleamed.

Ivery asked. "What is new about your look? Remember we haven’t found your Scale necklace...if the king asks for it... we will be as good as dead."