Let Our Blood Flow Together!

Ash gritted her teeth, staring fixedly at the petite girl before turning her head to look at Theus; she was preparing to break the Symbiotic Pact.

The moment she had surfaced from the sea, she should have already been dead; it was only her robust physique that had allowed her to linger on until she met Theus.

He had changed the fate of The Cursed, so she offered him her loyalty.

Now, it was time for her to die.

In the seawater not far away, Nini pounded her head in agony.

If only she were as strong as Ash.

Just moments ago, she could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded. When Ash was run through, her heart had shattered, yet she could only watch from the sea, not daring to lift a single finger.

Ash's blood had spilled into the ocean; the briny, sweet blood mixed with bitter tears—she would never forget that taste.

If only she were as strong as Ash.

She was too weak; she couldn't do anything.

Ash glanced at her, offering a weak smile.

She knew what Ash meant. The moment the pact was broken and Ash died, she would take Theus far away. If that alien woman succeeded, they might still be able to stay on Castel Island; if not...

She closed her eyes. Ash was right: wherever Theus was, that was home.

"I'm sorry."

Her trembling voice drifted away into the waves.

Monica's body was covered in terrifying corruption, and her stature was growing larger and larger. Massive amounts of corruption gathered rapidly, and soon, nothing would be able to stop her.

The last time she saw that Two-Legged Fish, it was on the seabed. He was an interesting person who knew many, many interesting things.

She had wanted to hear him tell stories about the land.

It seemed there would be no chance for that now.

The land was not fun at all.

"I'm sorry..." she murmured in her heart.

No one noticed that on her twisted body, on her ugly face, a single tear slid from the corner of her eye and flowed into her hideous, gaping maw.

So, tears on land were just as bitter as this.

Nora was slowly gathering all the strength in her body, and she felt wonderful.

Her body felt so light. As expected, the moment of death was when a Burier was at their most powerful... it was just a pity it would only last for this one instant.

But at least the followers of the White Crow had finally found a home... and the refugees would be able to survive.

Theus, you had better keep your promise, or else just wait for me to crawl out of the grave to find you!

It was almost time. Nora closed her eyes.

What a pity that this scene could not be written into her diary.

The Silent Sanctuary did not believe in tears; only blood trickled from the corners of Nora's eyes.

This would be her final act—

Huh?

Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Everyone had struggled with all their might, courage and blood-soaked tears intertwined, as mortals quietly awaited the judgment of fate.

But the next moment, a weak yet firm voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Stop, I have a way!" Theus leaned against the reef and stood up. His entire body was trembling uncontrollably, but his eyes were startlingly bright.

Nora was momentarily stunned, and the gathered power, losing its guidance, dissipated with a roar. Her expression changed: "Oh no!!"

The next second, she was sent flying by Monica, who had transformed into a monster, her life or death unknown.

The monster slowly turned to look at the cave.

"Hold her back, just for a moment!" Theus shouted with a ferocious expression.

Nini froze for a second, then gritted her teeth and prepared to rush out, but the massive monster suddenly stopped.

Bang!!

A gunshot rang out.

Under the moonlight, everyone's gaze turned toward the monster... and what was behind it.

The old butler Connor sat atop his horse; he had somehow circled behind the monster.

"Young Master, I'll borrow your gun for a moment."

His left hand held the reins, while the white flintlock in his right hand was emitting a faint wisp of smoke—it was the very weapon Theus had never fired.

"Connor!" Theus felt his eyes grow hot.

The monster that Monica had become slowly turned around, looked down at Connor, and then roared as it charged toward him.

"Giddy up!"

Connor flicked the reins, pressing his body flat against the horse's back. The horse let out a neigh, carrying him in an arc as he lured Monica away into the distance.

"Old friend, we're fighting side by side once again." Connor glanced at the musket in his hand and revealed a relieved smile.

The roaring gradually faded into the distance.

With Monica lured away, the cave fell silent.

Theus knew that time was precious and immediately shouted to Ash, "Do not break the pact."

Ash was stunned, opening her mouth as if to say something, but she didn't speak.

Then he turned to Nini: "Form a pact with me, now!"

"What!? But you'll be drained dry!!!"

"Trust me!" Theus let out a low growl. "Hurry!"

Nini took a few heavy breaths, a look of struggle flashing across her face, before she gritted her teeth and reached out her hand toward Theus.

Theus stumbled a few steps, slamming his body against the sharp reef. He seemed not to notice, struggling to crawl forward, his fine clothes covered in blood and mud.

But the hand he reached out passed through the surface of the sea and firmly clasped Nini's!

Symbiotic Pact—signed!

There was no hesitation, no doubt; the moment their hands clasped, the pact was forged.

The next moment, a torrent of life force surged from...

From within Nini's body toward Theus, and then split off toward Ash!

Nini was stunned, and Ash was stunned as well.

Theus rolled over, lying on the reef as he looked up at the night sky and laughed.

"Hahaha, it worked, cough, it worked, I knew it!"

He laughed hysterically.

"The Symbiotic Pact really is absolutely equal. Life force isn't just a cure for wounds; it is the currency established by the pact!"

"As long as I sign a Symbiotic Pact with multiple people, the life force can use me as a relay station to circulate among all the contractors!!!"

"You didn't expect this, did you! This is the true way to use the Symbiotic Pact! This is it!"

"The various abilities provided by the pact are just bonuses; its true purpose is to allow our life pools to be shared, to let us—"

"Coexist!!!"

Every word he spoke felt like a heavy hammer striking the heart of the Banshee.

The same injuries, when placed on Ash and Theus, were life-threatening, but with the addition of Nini, they were nothing more than moderate wounds.

And what's more...

Nini pushed off the reef with her six arms and leaped onto the shore.

Her tall body shimmered brilliantly under the moonlight.

She now possessed the ability to move on land as well.

Not far away, Ash also stood up. Just moments ago she had been on the verge of death, but now she was capable of continuing the fight.

Theus turned his head to look at the other Banshees in the sea.

"For Castel, for our shared home," he whispered. "Let our blood flow together."

He reached his hand out toward the sea, and beneath the surface, hand after hand grasped his.

The momentum of the battle had reversed!