Chapter 571

After confirming the girl's physical problem, Maria immediately began to think about how to solve it.

After being simply baptized with blood, the scales on its skin regenerate, and it returns to its original skin appearance.

Of course, this doesn't mean it's cured; it only means that Maria has temporarily suppressed it.

However, this also served as a reminder to Maria.

At least in the future, her plan is not as successful as she had hoped, and these Deep Sea Hunters still have the potential to erupt at any time... There may also be similar problems within the Great Yan, which she may have to deal with later.

"Wash yourself before you come down... They must have been waiting a long time."

"..."

Gladiia didn't speak, she just remained silent, watching Maria leave.

Then, she quietly looked at her own body.

Looking at her body gradually returning to its human form, she couldn't help but purse her lips.

Gladiia didn't keep everyone waiting for long; it only took about five minutes from beginning to end before everyone was back at the table.

The Specter was still asleep, lying there unresponsive.

Skadi, however, had lost her initial obedience and instead seemed somewhat afraid to meet Maria's gaze.

Seeing this, Gladiia also sighed.

Among the Deep Sea Hunters, with the exception of a small minority, the vast majority are unaware that Maria is not only their training mentor, but also the one who orchestrated their creation.

Most people are unaware that the Seaborn genes within them were also arranged by Maria herself...

Therefore, people like Skadi are still very worried that Maria will see through their current state.

However, Gladiia didn't dwell on the matter too much. After catching her breath, she silently looked at Maria in front of her.

After watching her Doll place a glass of bright red wine in front of her, she remained silent for a few moments.

The Doll didn't say much, but continued to serve the prepared dinner to everyone, along with drinks.

Of course, apart from Gladiia's drink, everyone else was drinking proper wine.

"What is this? A dinner party?"

Gladiia grinned, her words carrying a subtle undertone.

Despite saying that, Skadi, standing to the side, sensed that her second captain was quite happy.

Since the Deep Sea Hunters were officially deployed to the battlefield against the Seaborn, they haven't had such a relaxed meal together in a long time.

In most of the memories, it was less like everyone was eating and more like they were taking a short break.

Compared to other Hunter, they were actually quite lucky.

Thinking about this, Skadi's mood also dipped slightly.

Maria and Gladiia both noticed, but neither of them said anything.

Gladiia was the first to change the subject, looking at Maria.

"So... what did you gather us here for this time? It couldn't really be just for a meal, could it?"

Maria doesn't spend too much time on these kinds of recreational activities... This is also the biggest reason why most Aegir don't feel that Maria is one of them.

After all, even Deep Sea Hunters sometimes hold dances and such.

To be more precise, there are some things I'd like to ask you.

Just as it had been determined before, Maria decided to face everything that was happening in front of her.

She now understands clearly that when Gordan arrives, his body will be divided into several fragments, and she alone cannot deal with them all.

Therefore, she needs a group of people to temporarily delay those matters when she is unable to get away.

Deep Sea Hunters was clearly created for this purpose.

Maria had to admit that her recent encounter with Gladiia had indeed demonstrated such a possibility.

Although a single one is still very weak, a certain number of them might be able to hold off Gordan.

This solidified Maria's determination to go to Aegir and participate in the Deep Sea Hunters Project.

But before that, she needs to learn about some things from the past.

Where is Aegir?

"..."

"Um?"

"I don't know... We've been away from Aegir for a long time; perhaps it has moved somewhere else."

Gladiia hesitated on this topic.

Just as she said, the Deep Sea Hunters had been away from Aegir for a long time after the final decapitation operation against Seaborn.

The biggest reason for this is the inherent problems with the very existence of Deep Sea Hunters.

The Deep Sea Hunters existed solely to combat the Seaborn. Now that the Seaborn is dead, what is their purpose? Will they ever have a chance to return to Aegir society?

It doesn't seem that simple.

Of course, while they can now confirm that the Seaborn has not been completely wiped out, they also face many challenges in returning to the ocean.

"I see."

Maria nodded, not too surprised by this.

They then continued with the questioning.

"Then... why do you call me mother?"

While it's understandable from a bloodline perspective that these people call her "mother," Maria doesn't see it as something she should take for granted.

At least, the Deep Sea Hunters we've seen so far generally have normal Aegir blood, Seaborn blood, and Maria blood in their bodies.

This proves that these people were not artificial life forms created entirely from the blood of Maria and Seaborn; rather, they were more likely Aegir, mixed with the blood of Seaborn and Maria.

If that's the case, then these people must have their own lives... so why would they call Maria "mother"?

"This isn't a title everyone uses... At least, within the consensus of the Deep Sea Hunters community, only special individuals have the privilege of calling you Mother."

Gladiia's voice remained calm as always, while Maria's gaze fell on Skadi standing to the side.

If I remember correctly, Skadi explicitly referred to Maria as her mother.

"This..."

Skadi, however, seemed hesitant and somewhat afraid to speak.

She seemed to be hiding something.

Unfortunately, this hesitation was soon shattered by someone else.

"Because Skadi is afraid of the dark..."

"Gurgle!"

"Ha... you're still the same as before."

The clear, melodious female voice sounded like a folk song.

Nearby, the Specter, which had been dormant for so long, finally awoke!

She slowly got up and carefully straightened her seat.

The madness mixed with a touch of naturalness gradually disappeared, replaced by a gentle and refined air, like that of a well-bred lady.

She remained seated quietly, giving Maria a restrained smile and nod.

"It's been a long time, Mother Maria."

"Um."

Although she had some doubts, Maria did not directly refuse; instead, she nodded and accepted.

But she was still somewhat curious.

Skadi... is afraid of the dark?

"... Yes, Mother."

Compared to the stubborn Logos and the reserved and shy Skadi, Specter Laurentina towards her mother, who spoke fluently, even made Maria feel somewhat complicated.

But Skadi thought differently.

She simply stared at the Specter in front of her, her expression extremely complicated.

On the one hand, she was extremely happy that her compatriots could regain consciousness.

On the other hand, she was also worried that the other party might reveal her secret.

The answer is definitely yes.

"When she was in the Public Nursery, Skadi was afraid of the dark, so she would often stay up all night until she was exhausted, but she would be full of energy the next day. Later, after she met Maria, she was given a little privilege and was allowed to rest with her mother often, either listening to her mother tell stories or listening to Skadi sing... Over time, Skadi started to call her mother."

With a smile on his face, Specter slowly unravels Skadi's somewhat shameful past.

This made Skadi's face turn red instantly.

Even Gladiia nearby, cast a hesitant glance in their direction.

The Aegir... are they afraid of the dark?

Ah?

"Shark, how... did you know?"

Skadi was about to lose her composure. Looking at Specter's smile, she felt like she wanted to die.

But Specter, as expected, spoke up.

"Because I've been watching."

"Gurgle..."

The two girls chatted happily, while Maria silently pondered on the side.

Public Nursery...

The purpose of such an organization can be roughly understood from its name.

Judging from Specter's tone, Maria might have worked there for a while afterward...

It was during this time that she and Skadi had some interactions. Was it only after gaining the other's trust and favor that she was called "mother"?

From this perspective, perhaps many things are not so simple.

At least, it won't be as Maria imagines, where she immediately launches the Deep Sea Hunters Project upon entering Aegir.

Maria.

Meanwhile, Gladiia was looking at Maria.

Clearly, something was very wrong with Maria at this moment.

Her questions, her every move, and all her reactions revealed her unfamiliarity and estrangement from Aegir and the Deep Sea Hunters.

It's like...

She has absolutely no memory of what she used to have!

Is this reasonable?!

Is this even possible?!

Gladiia almost instinctively felt that this was a joke.

Unfortunately... neither the Maria of our memories nor the Maria we see now seems like the kind of person who would joke around.

The truth is bizarre, but it is indeed the most likely one.

Thinking of this, she remained silent for a while before letting out a soft sigh.

"832 AD..."

Gladiia's voice was faint, tinged with a sigh and a sense of helplessness.