Picked Up Another Wife

Cicero believed that humanity was incomplete and flawed. He thought it would be much better if people could become like Seaborn, sharing their thoughts and maintaining a common goal. He hoped that there would be more people like Mizuki.

However, not everyone can maintain their individuality during the transformation into Seaborn, just like Mizuki did this time.

"I have a younger sister who has always wanted to be a Seaborn; she really wants to be part of the Brood."

"Her father was taken away by the Inquisition and never returned. Her mother died in anguish and depression. The townspeople cursed her mother as a wicked calamity, calling her an unclean remnant of poison... You know what she was treated like."

These were all messages that had just been conveyed to Mizuki through that Seaborn. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Carmen simply closed her eyes slightly, then opened them again.

"The Inquisition does not claim to be just."

"I know that maintaining peace always comes at a price, and no one can say that her father wasn't involved."

Mizuki doesn't blame Iberia, nor does he have the right to. How can the conflict between them be clearly divided into right and wrong?

"She must regret it now. It's hard to stay true to yourself after becoming Seaborn. I'm going to see them; it won't be long."

"Iberia does not restrict tourists from traveling." Carmen said no more, turned to look at Irene, gave her an indifferent look, and then turned and left.

Irene had heard a lot, so she didn't know how to speak for a moment. She knew that Mizuki had no reason to lie. Even if 99 out of 100 Aegir arrested by the Inquisition were in cahoots with the Church of the Deep, there was still one innocent civilian. Especially in the three years after the Great Silence, the Aegir of Iberia were practically living in fear.

But Mizuki didn't intend to talk about these things with Irene. The Doctor had told her to try her best to lure Irene to Rhodes Island, and it had to be willingly. Mizuki felt she needed to work harder.

Didn't sleep well last night?

"Ah... um."

Facing Mizuki Irene was at a loss for words, especially since Mizuki was so pure white. Just being near him brought her joy and a sense of security, and she found him strangely beautiful. Despite being a boy, he didn't have that delicate feel. Irene felt like she was admiring a work of art.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Um."

"Did you dream about Laurentina?"

"How did you know?!" Irene was genuinely surprised this time. She had just woken up and had originally planned to keep this a secret.

(Is Laurentina really that scary?)

Mizuki couldn't help but mutter to herself, wondering why the Specter, which wasn't some kind of monster, could scare such a strong girl like Irene like this. She just couldn't figure it out.

Would you believe me if I said I could read minds?

After saying this, Irene subconsciously took a small step back. She truly believed it; after all, someone who could make all the Seaborn obedient could have any ability.

"I was just kidding. I didn't expect you to be so afraid of her."

Mizuki's smile was reassuring; he looked like some legendary elf, making it hard not to feel a sense of goodwill. Irene felt no sense of wariness, and Saint Carmen probably felt the same way. That's probably why Irene was chosen to handle things, since her job would be to take over from Mizuki in the future.

"I don't know why she likes to tease me. Every time I run into her, it's like I've encountered my nemesis. If it weren't for the fact that we're in peace talks, I definitely would..."

You can't beat her.

Irene became even more unhappy and kicked the sand in frustration. She knew she couldn't beat her, but she couldn't just let the sand bully her.

"She seems very afraid of you?"

"It's not that they're afraid, they're just listening to me."

"So how did you do that?"

"..." Mizuki hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer the question. "It's probably because she hopes I can break the blockade against Aegir as soon as possible."

Of course, that's fake. Specter and Skadi do still have feelings for Aegir, but knowing the true nature of Aegir's higher-ups, their sense of belonging has weakened considerably; they're now all part of Mizuki.

Specter was only obedient because she was worried about being "specially targeted" by Mizuki next time. Putting everything else aside, she and Skadi were truly subdued by Mizuki in this regard.

"I see. So, do you intend to lift the blockade on Aegir?"

"I never planned on it." Mizuki stretched out her foot to stir the tide. "The entire Seaborn the Brood wouldn't agree to it either. Aegir does have the means to exterminate the Seaborn, otherwise there wouldn't be no reaction now."

"Then... it won't work on the Sea Siren?"

Mizuki's long hair was submerged in the water. Irene noticed that for some reason, some seaweed had grown at his feet. How could seaweed grow on this beach?

"Would you like to take a walk together sometime?" Mizuki pointed to the coastline in front of them, not directly answering Irene's question. "I want to bring back some gifts for everyone on Rhodes Island. The seashells we made yesterday aren't enough to give away as jewelry."

That's true. Mizuki did a quick calculation and realized that, putting aside everything else, she would need to give at least a dozen or twenty strings of pearls just for girls. For male friends, it would be better to give something like seashells. However, Ansel could give shell jewelry, which would definitely suit him.

"All right."

Irene didn't see anything wrong with accompanying the guests for a walk, but Mizuki pointed to the town.

"Let's go, we can't skip breakfast. Let's get some barbecue and fries first."

Irene subconsciously swallowed; French fries were one of her favorite snacks.

In the room where everyone was resting, the Doctor put down her binoculars and looked at the Mizuki harem members around her, including Ho'olheyak.

"How long do you think it will take him to win over that proud Little Bird?"

"I'd guess a week," Exusiai, munching on a fries. "A week at most, and she'll definitely call me 'older sister'."

"I'll guess a week too." Texas and Exusiai, true to their long-standing friendship, said, "After all, this is their territory; it's not appropriate to do this openly."

That makes sense. Even Ho'olheyak and the Doctor couldn't help but nod in agreement. Her parents were still around, so it wasn't appropriate to just kidnap her directly, even though the Doctor had already successfully arranged for Iberia to sell Irene to Rhodes Island.

"If you ask me, three days might be too much." Specter leaned against the window, resting his chin on his hand. "This Little Bird is quite fun. Hmm, I'll help Mizuki out a bit."

After hearing this, the Doctor silently made the sign of the cross for Irene in her heart. Silly girl, you'd better pray for yourself now that you've been targeted by the Deep Sea Bronze Woman.

Chapter 169 I Picked Up Another Wife

The sea was calm, and there seemed to be a song, but Cicero knew it was crying. Hai Mo was ultimately too obsessed with becoming a part of Seaborn. The child had been saved by him, and perhaps it was then that she was attracted to Cicero's figure, thus inevitably developing an obsession, regarding Seaborn as a perfect being and yearning for that kind of life form.

She was still young and unaware that every gift bestowed by fate had already been secretly priced. Seaborn was not perfect; among the many test subjects, apart from Cicero himself, Shui Mizuki was the most unique and successful one.

The remaining hundreds and thousands all struggled to become part of the Seaborn, their individual consciousness swallowed up by the Brood of thought, losing even their own selves. How could they possibly be the perfect humans in his mind?

"Child... you're too stubborn, and you've forgotten what I said."

Cicero sighed softly. He could hear the weeping carried on the sea breeze; it was the last vestige of humanity in Hai Mo's heart, a lamentation. The fact that she had managed to hold on until now at least proved that this girl truly possessed an extraordinary willpower, but that was not enough.

As a hardcore and ruthless individual, Cicero's first experimental subject was himself. He knew that feeling, like standing alone on the shore facing a storm and a tsunami. Even keeping your footing was incredibly difficult. How could the consciousness of an ordinary person withstand such torment?

But Cicero persevered because he had a greater ambition to support him: to seek a glimmer of hope for all humanity, to give all humanity the opportunity to transform, like the Mizuki reflected in water.

As for why Mizuki was able to persevere, he didn't know; the child never told him. But he was more perfect than Cicero, who had flaws.

"I see, it's because I always use Mizuki as an example for you."

Cicero suddenly understood why Hai Mo had sneaked into the lab and stolen that thing while he was being chased by Ulpianus last night. Perhaps the girl just wanted to prove that she was no less capable than Mizuki.

Although Hai Mo had been traveling and learning with the old man for several years, the old man was still unwilling to give her what the girl begged for. He repeatedly warned Hai Mo of the dangers of this matter with other examples of failure, but kept mentioning his expectations for Mizuki, because that child had indeed brought Cicero a surprise he had never imagined.

But Hai Mo was probably jealous of Mizuki. Despite not being by Cicero's side for so many years, she had always made him think of her. She wanted Cicero's approval and also wanted to become the perfect person she envisioned.

But after swallowing the gift from the sea, Hai Mo felt excruciating pain the first thing she felt. The pain, which felt like every tissue and cell in her body was being torn apart and devoured, almost made her faint. However, she gritted her teeth and remained extremely conscious. Then she heard many sounds, the sound of the ocean waves, and many different sounds. Her consciousness was shaken, like a bamboo raft facing a storm alone on the sea.

She tried to make a sound, but even the beautiful voice her mother had left her was drowned out by the shouts of the Brood. All she could do was cry, but her cries sounded particularly terrifying to those around her.

This was not what she wanted. She had thought that she could do what Mizuki could do, and she had thought that she should have grown a lot after being by Cicero's side for so many years.

"Muzakasa~yigulawuuyu~"

A song seemed to drift on the sea breeze, melodious, clear, and gentle, not belonging to any particular language, yet capable of soothing the heart.

Cicero turned around and saw Mizuki standing on the sea cliff, with an Iberia judge standing beside her. Hmm, she was a very cute girl. Cicero subconsciously wondered if this girl was his granddaughter-in-law, since Mizuki certainly wouldn't have trouble finding a partner.

"Nunalaasazamuguagua~"

Irene, with a French fry in her mouth, clearly saw how Mizuki transformed from a serene blue to a pure, flawless white. It was indeed beautiful. She wondered what Mizuki's branch-like hair felt like to the touch.

Of course, Irene wouldn't just say she wanted to touch him. Her relationship with Mizuki was still just so-so. She was only ordered to check on the situation here. Iberia probably wanted to use this opportunity to test Mizuki's strength, so even though they already knew yesterday that Cicero and Hai Mo were here, they didn't make any rash moves.

The location wasn't far from the peace talks; Mizuki and Irene arrived in just over ten minutes by car. Cicero was certain he could escape with Hai Mo without Iberia catching them, and he was even more certain Mizuki wouldn't harm him.

The song was beautiful. Although she couldn't understand it, Irene felt very comfortable. She watched as the sea in front of her suddenly surged, and a giant Seaborn, more than ten meters tall, emerged from the ocean. She heard the song.

But Mizuki stopped singing and looked at the girl who had been transformed into Seaborn, whom he didn't know. As the leader of the Seaborn the Brood, he could feel Hai Mo's pain. Her humanity was still struggling to hold on, but it was being rapidly worn down, and her body was no longer under her control.

"Wait here for me."

She snatched a French fry and put it in her mouth, Mizuki placed the umbrella in Irene's hand and lightly jumped out, like a feather being blown into the sea.

The sky darkened, and rain began to fall. Irene waited with her umbrella. Mizuki pushed the monster back into the sea. She couldn't see what was happening underwater, but she felt an inexplicable fear, a chill down her spine, as if there was something unseen around her.

Mizuki's tentacles emerged from the dark clouds in the sky and from the deep sea trenches. The beach and even every drop of rain became channels connecting the tentacles to the real world. Looking at the Hai Mo in front of her, Mizuki felt that it would be better to perform surgery on her.

With a soft "snap," the tentacle severed the limbs that had grown from the Hai Mo after it transformed into Seaborn, as if caressing it; the mark was like a sharp knife slicing through paper.

"A~"

The agonizing howls were proof that Hai Si had not completely transformed into Seaborn. Seaborn did not know what pain was, and within Seaborn's enormous white spherical wonder Hai Mo's original body seemed to still be preserved.

It instinctively called out to its kin for help, but all the Terrorfish and Seaborn ignored its calls. This was the status of Izumik among the Seaborn. Even if Mizuki demanded that they die here now, these Seaborn would not hesitate to become nourishment for the sea.

It was a simple surgery. Mizuki directly removed the overgrown tissue from Hai Mo's body and pulled her body out of Seaborn's shell. If even such a small matter required effort, then his Evolutionary Singularity was far too...

As she floated to the surface with Hai Mo, Mizuki glanced at the tissues that had grown on her and guessed they would taste great for barbecue. She'd make some to try later.

And then there's Hai Mo. Although this girl hasn't completely transformed into Seaborn, her arms and brain have undergone some mutations. If we don't do something to address them, she won't be able to survive in human society in the future.

"I only ate three fries." Watching Mizuki emerge from the water with Hai Mo, Irene was somewhat surprised by his speed. The Little Bird had just estimated that Hai Mo's transformed Seaborn, Haisi, should be an elite unit, and she, a novice judge, definitely couldn't defeat him.

Holding Hai Mo in his arms, he stood on the sea. No matter how the storm raged, there was no ripple beneath Mizuki's feet. He carried Hai Mo toward Cicero.

"You've grown taller, Mizuki." These were Cicero's first words upon meeting her, as if he were seeing a child he hadn't seen in a long time. "Well done."

"Grandpa Cicero, it's been a long time." Mizuki gently placed Hai Mo on the beach and greeted Cicero.

To be honest, he thought he would feel like a stranger, but even without recovering much of his past memories, he was still able to communicate with the other person in the most natural way, instinctively knowing what to say.

"It's a pity she couldn't be as perfect as you, even though she so desperately wanted change, even if she got lost in it, it was still what she longed for..."

"And what about her singing and memories? They've become like that. She can only make some noises that even she herself is afraid of. She's crying, but at least she still retains her human side."

Mizuki could sense Seaborn's emotions and naturally hear Hai Mo's thoughts. In fact, he wasn't lying when he said he could read minds. At least in a pure white state, he could indeed understand other people's thoughts and even vaguely foresee the future.

"I only offer choices, just as I always have; I will not interfere with the final outcome for each individual," Cicero said. "But the way she turned out is indeed due to my inadequate oversight."

"She was able to turn back, probably because she still wanted to hold onto certain aspects of her humanity."

The tentacles helped Hai Mo remove the excess tissue. Mizuki glanced at her; if Hai Mo hadn't struggled so hard, she might have already become a member of the Seaborn the Brood.

"Just like you, Mizuki." Cicero nodded. "We are still human."

Most humans are unaware of what they are demanding, or are controlled by some sudden emotion. After swallowing the life cells of the Seaborn, their individual consciousness is conquered by the instincts of the Brood, turning them into Terrorfish or some kind of incomplete Seaborn, eagerly swimming into the ocean, completely losing themselves.

"It's great to see that you've fully embraced it and made it a part of you."

Cicero was referring to the Heart of Deep Blue within Mizuki's body. Of course, it had now undergone some extraordinary transformation and now belonged only to Mizuki.

"So now, Mizuki, can you answer my initial question?"

How to become a better human being was a question Cicero left behind when he parted ways with Mizuki, and it was also a question he himself had.

"If the future blueprint depicted by your experiment rejects individuals who are not resilient enough, then it cannot be considered a successful form of learning and evolution for humanity."

This was Mizuki's answer, the answer he had been pondering since he arrived, and the answer he arrived at after meeting Hai Mo.

Cicero's idea is indeed a path, especially after Mizuki understood the threat Terra faced. However, even with such a path, perhaps only one in a thousand would survive. What about those who are eliminated?

"I am very satisfied with your answer. If I could, I would also hope that everyone who receives this gift could be as wise as you, at least as you were in the past."

"I understand." Mizuki did not deny it. He still considered himself a decent human being. As long as Cicero did not use deception or coercion to lead others down the path of the Hai Mo, he would not interfere. After all, he himself was one of those saved by Cicero. He knew that sometimes people would choose this path. He could not change everyone's mind, but he hoped to bring about change, to give people more choices little by little, so that they would not be left with no other option but to accept Cicero's gifts.

"I will keep Hai Mo alive."

"This is your choice as a human being; do what you want to do."

Cicero stroked his beard. He had come to see Mizuki representing the Church of the Deep, but he was more concerned with his own mission than with the Church of the Deep, which was on the verge of extinction.

"In that case, I was originally planning to introduce Hai Mo to you. You and this child might make a very good couple."

"..."

Mizuki had to admit that Cicero's words had stumped him. So, all those years of raising a girl from east to west to adulthood were just to find me a marriage partner?

"I know you already have a partner, but..." Cicero glanced at Irene, "You're too young, not ready to be a mother."

Although they were far apart, Irene could still hear what Cicero and Mizuki were saying. She felt somewhat offended and had an urge to pull out her gun and hit them a couple of times.

"I'm entrusting Hai Mo to you. Perhaps she'll understand why I say you're perfect as she gets to know you."

Cicero had gotten the answer he wanted and wouldn't linger any longer. Irene's appearance meant the Inquisition, after all, she was a member of the Church of the Deep.

"She'll feel really guilty."