Sunderance

Porter's harp music faltered. He stared, aghast, at Du Chen's chilling visage, his voice dropping to a bare whisper. "Forget the Merfolk assaulting the city? Do you mean you have a way to utterly annihilate them in an instant?"

Du Chen's gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed upon Porter. "This is not for your knowledge. You merely need to understand that in a moment, these maddened, irrational Merfolk will abruptly retreat. Do not doubt it! Subsequently, something entirely beyond the ordinary will transpire in the deep sea, perhaps even instigating natural calamities like tsunamis. Your sole task is to command the army to contend with these highly probable natural disasters. Do you comprehend?"

"What precisely will you do?" A blend of awe and delight shimmered in Porter's eyes before he offered a faint smile. "I understand. Tomorrow, the report submitted to the Empire and the Holy Church shall state: 'Lord Francis of Newin led his forces in defending the Sea Defense Fortress against an assault by a hundred thousand Merfolk. In this battle, Francis personally commanded the front lines, remaining steadfastly within the Sea Defense Fortress, orchestrating strategies and issuing commands to all three armies! Even amidst the gravest peril, he never wavered from his post. The soldiers, deeply inspired by their Lord, fought valiantly! Half a day later, the Merfolk suddenly went mad and retreated en masse for reasons unknown... Moments later, anomalies occurred in the deep sea... the cause similarly unknown. We request assistance from the Imperial Navy in the investigation.' Am I correct?"

Du Chen clapped Porter's shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. "Truly worthy of being my clever younger brother, Porter. Collaborating with you is genuinely delightful... Await my signal! And never doubt!"

"And I thank you for your trust, for deeming me worthy of such a secret!" Porter returned Du Chen's smile, then set down his Harp. He seized a command arrow from the table and bellowed, "Soldiers! Our Lord is watching you from within the fortress! Now, heed my orders: the Third Legion is to reinforce the First Legion's defense sector. Any gaps that appear are to allow a portion of the Merfolk into the city, where the robust civilian militias assisting with city defense can engage them with superior numbers and annihilate them! The Second Legion, prepare yourselves..."

Each Military Edict appeared impeccably sound, a sagacious decision issued in direct response to the battlefield's evolving situation. Yet, in truth, only Porter knew in his heart that he was already orchestrating preparations for the impending natural disaster.

"The Royal Guard is to strictly defend the fortress gates, protecting our Lord!" With the final Military Edict delivered, Porter turned to glance, only to find Du Chen and Deboning already vanished. Little Beibei, however, sat unhappily where Du Chen had stood, muttering, "Daddy's gone to play a fun game, but he didn't take Beibei. Beibei's angry! Beibei isn't talking to Daddy anymore!"

The little one couldn't yet comprehend that her father wished to spare her from witnessing a sight too... harrowing!

Such matters were best left for Du Chen and Deboning to confront alone!

Newin Port was configured with three city walls, its southern flank encompassing a medium-sized dock. The Sea Defense Fortress, stretching for hundreds of meters, stood upon the dock beach, directly facing the ocean—the primary battlefield for confronting the Merfolk assault! But the Merfolk, beast-like and now driven by madness, swarmed forth from the ocean with howling battle cries. Initially, they blindly besieged the Sea Defense Fortress, the closest structure. However, upon encountering formidable resistance, their primal instincts compelled them to scatter, launching attacks on Newin Port from all directions!

The other three city walls were jointly defended by the Holy Church and the port's robust civilian militias. The Holy Church garrisoned the east and west walls, while the northern city wall, furthest from the sea and thus relatively safest, was entrusted to the city's civilian militias. Yet, at this very moment, the northern city wall faced the gravest peril! The combat prowess of the militias simply couldn't compare to that of the Holy Church's soldiers or regular army units! Half a day into the battle, advanced Merfolk had already shattered the city gates and surged into the streets!

"Ooooh... Aaagh... Hiss! Devour them all, damn them, devour them!"

The advanced Merfolk roared, incandescent with an unnatural rage. The Holy Relic, that which ensured their rapid proliferation and the ceaseless growth of their race, had been stolen! They demanded catharsis! They craved succulent human flesh to quell their frenzied fury! Moreover, the underdeveloped intellect of the advanced Merfolk informed them that the scoundrel who had absconded with the Holy Relic last time had vanished without a trace in Newin Port. This, then, was the accursed place where the Holy Relic had fallen! It must be plundered!

"Rise up and resist! All citizens, seize anything you can to impede these Merfolk and slay them! Else, our families shall become their sustenance!"

Under the organization of the domain officials, the militias fought with desperate vigor. Even some robust women and children joined the fray. This was a moment of life and death, where every individual erupted with the most primal will to survive. A single thought consumed every mind: if the Merfolk did not die, then they would!

It must be said, organized resistance was a hundred times more effective than chaotic skirmishes. This time, under the officials' guidance, the militias barely managed to hold the Merfolk at bay in the streets near the northern city gate, preventing any major calamity within the city. Yet, this reprieve from disaster was merely temporary. A few Merfolk, bypassing the militias, had indeed surged into the urban area via smaller paths. However, the city's inhabitants had already bolted their doors and windows; those with basements had long since retreated into them. These scattered Merfolk could only inflict minor damage upon buildings. Additionally, there was the grim reality of them tearing at the helpless, homeless beggars in the streets...

"Damn it, Little Basang, gently now! As long as Uncle is here, no harm will come to you!" In a secluded alley, Uncle Feli, clutching Cassian with his single arm, ran for his life. Cassian clung desperately to Feli, his fingernails digging into the elder's flesh. "Don't be afraid. Uncle knows a hidden basement at the construction site in the Third District. We'll be safe once we get there!"

In his haste, he glanced at the narrow, winding alley, barely wide enough for two, then pressed on. A crossroads appeared ahead. He stole a glance, turned left, and—*hiss!*—a massive Merfolk head loomed before him!

"Motherf—!" Feli cursed, spinning instantly. He presented his back to the sudden Merfolk, leaning forward to shield Cassian, and sprinted once more!

"Woooo! Woooo!" Cassian, perched on Feli's shoulder, saw the pursuing Merfolk reveal two rows of fangs and shrieked in disoriented terror!

Perhaps drawing on his years of begging and intimate familiarity with the paths, Feli finally managed to shake off the Merfolk, still clutching Cassian. He sagged with a heavy sigh, collapsing exhaustedly into a hidden pile of refuse. Abruptly, his body went limp, letting Cassian tumble from his embrace. With a bitter smile, Feli rasped, "Little Basang, Uncle can't go with you to the dam construction site to earn... to earn money anymore! Heh, and you won't need to support... support me in my old age!" He tremblingly pulled out a few pulpy papers from his breast. "Take these. These are the registration forms for casual labor at the site. Work hard when you get there. Our Lord is a good man; his subordinates won't, won't dock your wages..."

Cassian's mouth gaped, his face stark white. He stared blankly at the blood gushing from Uncle Feli's back, and the trail of crimson staining the ground. His mind was utterly blank! A moment ago, the Merfolk had indeed bitten a large chunk of flesh from his back. To have run this far was already the absolute limit of his life force!

"Damn these Merfolk... Little Basang, when you earn money someday, and marry a wife... Damn it! I forgot..." Uncle Feli glanced back at the blood trail he'd left behind, a sudden alarm seizing him. His single arm fiercely slapped the dazed Cassian, and with his last breath, he urged, "Quick, run! Merfolk are drawn to blood! They'll be here soon!"

"Hiss! Hiss!" Feli was right, but it was too late. The Merfolk, disoriented from wandering the alley, had finally tracked them by the scent of blood...

Feli gazed at Cassian with tender pity, drawing him into his embrace. "Little Basang, didn't you often write... write that you were the Crown Prince? Next... next life, perhaps you truly will become a Crown Prince!" He smiled grimly, resigning himself to fate! "Waaaah!" Cassian awoke with a start. Extreme fear, extreme sorrow, and extreme despair made him cry out in a heart-wrenching wail. The Merfolk lunged...

A snow-white figure suddenly appeared, intercepting the Merfolk mid-air. The massive white wolf tossed its head, biting into the Merfolk's hind skull, then with another powerful shake, flung the creature's corpse away! Though Andy was still young, dealing with a mere Merfolk was well within its capabilities!

Harry poked his head cautiously around the corner, followed by several elite soldiers. He patted his chest, exclaiming, "Oh, my Crown Prince, it's wonderful that you're unharmed! The situation was too chaotic earlier; Andy and I were held up by a few Merfolk for a moment... Thankfully, thankfully, you're all right, otherwise, your royal father would surely declare war on Lanning!" He walked over, reaching for Cassian. But Cassian seemed oblivious, staring blankly, tears streaming down his face, at Uncle Feli's shocked and dimming eyes!

Uncle Feli, to protect him, was attacked by Merfolk... This was Uncle Feli! Though fierce, though he often scolded and beat him, he was the Uncle Feli who always saved the begged black bread for him, going hungry himself through the night... He was the Uncle Feli who, when Cassian couldn't eat the scraps and went hungry for a day, secretly snuck off to catch two wild dogs, returning battered and bruised just to stew dog meat for him! He was the Uncle Feli who was waiting to earn money at the construction site with him, busily saving up to find him a wife... "Waaah!" Cassian suddenly turned, glaring furiously at Harry, who instinctively recoiled. "You... you truly are... the Crown Prince? Is that true?!" Feli extended a trembling hand. Cassian nodded repeatedly, sobbing with tears.

Uncle Feli grinned, blood flecking his lips, and joked, "You little rascal, with such a bad temper, in the future... your country will surely have many, many beggars like this old uncle! Truly..." His single arm suddenly fell, utterly silent. "Ahhh!!!" Cassian let out a heart-rending scream!

Harry anxiously scanned the vicinity, then whispered to the soldiers, "Quickly, take His Royal Highness back! He must not be in danger! Hurry!" Cassian remained motionless, allowing the soldiers to carry him on their shoulders, his body limp. Yet, his head was held high, his gaze fixed on the gradually stiffening smile on Feli's face...

"Uncle, my country will never have beggars again! As long as I become a good Emperor! You'll see..."

After watching Cassian depart, Harry suddenly bent down and slipped several pills into Feli's mouth, chuckling softly. "You've worked hard. You've trained this boy Cassian quite well these past few days. The Lord is very pleased. Recover well; the Lord has already arranged a position for you in the administrative office of North Town..."

Feli, whose expression had already stiffened, managed another grimace! It was unclear if it was from pain or joy... Scenes akin to Feli's were unfolding across Newin Port. Wherever Merfolk appeared, there was Sunderance... Damn these Merfolk!

Feli had not died; it was all part of Du Chen's intricate plan. However, countless similar scenes were indeed unfolding throughout Newin Port, identical in their beginning and progression. The sole distinction was that those were no mere ploys; those people had truly perished! Wherever Merfolk appeared, there was Sunderance... Damn these Merfolk!

Meanwhile, Du Chen, now clasping the sealed Lotus Sacred Artifact, had appeared in the boundless ocean, on the far side of the ancient Merfolk stronghold!