"Ji~~"
The sticky blood flowed along the cracked skin and formed a pool of blinding red on the deck. Amid the weak groan of the merman, the captain of the ship stepped forward to check the injury and exhaled a long breath. Fortunately, the two men were not killed. He turned around and pulled apart the two people who were wrestling with each other. He raised his hand and punched Sanders, knocking him against the side of the ship. He went over and grabbed the man's bloody chin and brought him in front of him, with a ferocious look in his eyes.
"You know, we want to get rich because of this Siren. We have been sailing for half our lives but it is not enough for this one trip. If she dies, I will cut your tendons and hang you on the bow to feed the sharks!"
Over there, the young man who came out of the cabin found some medicine and applied it to the dying Siren, and then wrapped it with a bandage. After hearing what the captain said, everyone silently stayed by the side of the mermaid, praying that she would not die.
"The few slaps I gave just now were enough to make the Siren behave. Sanders is such a loser. If he loses the wealth I've earned, I'll kill him first and then sell his wife to a brothel for money!"
"...Before selling him, beat his woman like this."
Most of the people sailing on the sea are those who dare to exchange their lives for money. They have killed pirates and people on ordinary ships. Sometimes they lose money in business, so it is common for them to intercept some small boats at sea to make up for the losses, not to mention these companions who almost cut off their financial resources.
Moreover, the news of capturing the Siren had already spread along the way, just to let the emperor know about it. Not only would he gain wealth, but he would also gain a resounding reputation among the common people and his peers. By then, it would not just be one or two ships. He might even gain a title and purchase several large ships to form a fleet.
If the Siren had an accident on the way to Constantine, it would be difficult to quell her anger even if she killed her companion named Sanders.
Fortunately, the young man named Uka, who was squatting next to the Siren, made a reassuring gesture to them. Everyone's anxious hearts were finally settled. The knives in their hands slowly dropped, and they glared fiercely at Sanders, who was squatting on the side of the boat with his head in his hands, before returning to their respective positions and continuing to drive the boat to speed up.
"I love my wife very much!!" Seeing that his life was saved, Sanders raised his head and yelled at them, attracting everyone's attention again, and then he squatted back and hugged his head.
On the surging sea, the white sails were inflated and the ship was cutting through the waves. The news that the Siren had been captured on board had spread to various cities along the coast within ten days, especially to other passing ships who had seen the Siren hanging on the mast with their own eyes, which directly confirmed the news.
Especially when they received the news that the legendary siren was to be sent to the emperor, local officials quickly dispatched messenger ships and fast horses to convey the message to Constantine by sea and land in the fastest way, and to deliver it to Emperor Phocas.
Such strange stories were even passed down as miracles and spread along the way. The people of Constantine who heard about them had been looking forward to it in the city, estimating the time of the ship's sailing and often going to the ship's pier to inquire or look at the horizon.
The crowded and noisy streets extended into the inner part of the city. In the huge castle, the crystal clear chandeliers were burning with flames. In the middle of the hall covered with red velvet carpet, a figure hurried in holding a small roll of letter paper. He walked past the generals and administrative officials on both sides of the red carpet, held the roll of paper in both hands and handed it up.
In the first seat, the emperor named Phocas, wearing a laurel wreath, frowned and tilted his head slightly towards the guard beside him. The guard stepped forward, took the scroll, handed it to the emperor, then slowly unfolded it. Looking at the contents above, the emperor curled his lips into a smile.
The generals were originally summoned to discuss the hypocritical behavior of several provincial nobles and administrative officials, as well as the possibility that the assassination of Governor Karabusa might be related to these people.
But the current news made him feel quite comfortable. After all, he was just a centurion and later got the throne by forcing a confession and killing the emperor. The nobles and officials in various provinces were very dissatisfied with his behavior. If they knew that Karabusa was the governor and they killed him, then his dispatch of troops would be justified.
The news that came at this time was about the Sirens, the legendary sea monsters, who were captured in the sea by the people under his rule during his reign as emperor and were to be presented to the throne, which was of great benefit politically.
After a moment, he put away the letter and handed it to the clerk for safekeeping, and wrote it down, with a smile on his face. He stood up from the throne, asked the messenger to leave, and then looked at the generals and officials who had some confusion in their eyes.
"The Siren is about to arrive in Constantine."
There was an uproar immediately. They had heard this rumor before, but it was just a rumor spread from various places and should not be taken seriously. However, they were naturally surprised to hear the emperor confirm it with their own ears.
Phocas looked at everyone's expressions with satisfaction, and walked down the red carpet slowly: "… The sirens are evil monsters in the sea. According to rumors, they often use their seductive singing to lure passing ships to come closer and eat the bewitched sailors. Now that I have captured them, the gods are on my side!"
Immediately, he waved his hand and said: "Tell my subjects and all the people of Constantine this exciting news, and let them go to the harbor together to witness the gift that the gods have bestowed on me, the emperor!"
The next morning, the emperor's decree spread throughout the city. When the sun gradually rose above the clouds, the emperor's ceremonial guard and carriage had already left the castle. Several white horses pulled a four-wheeled cart with a gold-plated frame, staggering towards the seaport under the escort of soldiers. The people in the city and the farmers outside the city also flocked to the largest seaport in the city that morning. The distant ships had not arrived yet, but the place was already full of moving figures. From afar, it looked like a dark mass.
Amid the rising and falling waves in the morning light, a large ship gradually appeared on the sea level in the distance. Several royal warships that had been waiting for a long time received the order and set out together, as if to welcome the triumphant warriors returning from the expedition. They guarded both sides and slowly sailed back to the port together.
Looking at the huge city standing on the flat-topped hill and the crowds of people in the harbor below, on the ship named White Pearl, more than a dozen crew members and the captain stood at the bow, took off their hats and shouted excitedly over there, while some people suppressed their surging emotions and prayed.
"We are almost at the harbor. The royal fleet has been dispatched. The emperor must be coming."
“… I seem to see wealth, titles, and hundreds of beautiful women waving at us.”
"God, please bless us."
The whispered prayers seemed to be felt, and the sea breeze gradually grew stronger, blowing the ship faster. Just as they were approaching the port of Constantine, on the other side of the strait, tiny stones fell off the cliffs and reefs below and sank into the sea.
A donkey hoof stopped at the edge of the cliff. Lu Liangsheng looked at the blue sea in the distance beyond the cliff with indifference and coldness, and his eyes reflected six warships escorting a ship in the middle sailing towards the giant city port across the strait.
"Ji..."
A weak moan sounded softly on the deck. The young man who was guarding the Siren turned around and saw that the weak mermaid moved a few times and raised her head to look in a certain direction outside the boat. As if she sensed a familiar breath, a smile suddenly appeared on her pale face, and she shouted excitedly again.
"grumble?!"
Uka followed her line of sight in confusion, then turned and looked at the distant sea cliff. Unfortunately, it was difficult for ordinary people to see it. There was only a small and blurry black shadow standing there.
However, the next moment, a strong wind blew whistling in his ears, causing him to squint his eyes. He raised his arms to cover his face, and the mast of the ship was creaking and shaking.
In the distance, on the sea cliff, Lu Liangsheng stood on the edge of the cliff facing the wind, his hair flying, his robe fluttering, his hands pinching the magic formula and slowly stretched out and raised, a light blue light flashing in his eyes.
Then, he slowly closed his eyes, and the bright day turned dark.
"You want to see God, so I'll let you see Him."