novelbin Chapter 407 - 279: Burial Ground + Where Did You Go?
Chapter 407 - 279: Burial Ground + Where Did You Go?
"What! Kidnapped midway?! Attacked by Demon Beasts?!"
An angry roar erupted in the tranquil Deep Sea Palace.
Countless fish scattered in terror.
The Blue Shark on the throne had a grim expression. He rested his chin on his hand, closed his eyes for a moment, and waved away the trembling Mermaids.
’Those Beastmen on land are so unreliable. It seems I’ll have to go myself after all.’
Xi swam out of the palace. Just before leaving the deep sea, he happened to pass the legendary abyss where the souls of countless Merfolk were said to lie.
According to the stories his Shark Mother told him when he was young, this abyss had been carved out by the legendary Beast God himself using his Creation Divine Power. It was the burial ground he had designated for fallen Beastmen, a place where the restless souls of all the world’s Beastmen races could gather.
After An Jin passed away, he had returned to the deep sea. He often patrolled these waters, trying to find her soul.
The abyssal waters were vast. Ten years had passed, and he had scoured nearly every inch of it.
He eventually found himself before a cave concealed by seaweed and coral.
Faint ripples of Energy undulated in the water.
Xi’s heart stirred. As if sensing something, he flicked his tail and swam inside.
This cave was also piled high with colorful Crystal Stones. Their light cast flickering shadows, illuminating the deep cavern.
Suddenly, he came to a halt. His gaze fell upon an inconspicuous, azure Crystal Stone mixed in a large pile. He bent and cradled it in his palm.
The Energy signature emanating from this Crystal Stone...
Xi’s azure beast-like eyes widened in astonishment.
’It has the scent of my Shark Pearl?’
...
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window and onto the bed. Buried deep in the soft bedding, the young woman slowly opened her eyes, gazing blankly at the somewhat familiar ceiling.
’Where am I?’
She remembered that before passing out, she’d been taken to a cave by a Snake Beastman with black and red stripes. That man had asked her so many strange questions.
’So where am I now?’
’Am I dreaming, or was I rescued?’
Wamiya pushed herself up with one hand and rubbed her dizzy head, taking a long moment to process her surroundings.
Just as she reached out to pinch her arm, the door flew open. Three small figures appeared, pouncing toward the bed with cries of "AWOO! AWOO!" as they called for their "Mama."
The eldest ran over with a small bamboo basket filled with freshly picked red berries. Their thin skins and tender flesh looked incredibly refreshing. "Mama, these berries are really sweet. Do you want to try one?"
The second brother immediately shoved him aside, holding up a large porcelain plate. He lifted his big, round, amber eyes, beaming with pride. "This is honey-roasted meat I just brought from the kitchen! It’s still warm! Mama, eat mine first!"
The third brother, always the most observant, noticed her pale, chapped lips. He thoughtfully fetched a cup of water and held it out to her. "Mama, have some water."
"You..." Wamiya stared blankly at the three picture-perfect children before her.
The three Beastman children looked to be about ten years old. Though each had a distinct style, they were all impeccably cute, with rosy lips, pearly teeth, and matching fluffy white ears and tails.
They wore gorgeous, beautiful clothes. Though she couldn’t identify the material, the stitchwork was exquisite, clearly the result of meticulous tailoring.
’She guessed they were probably the children of some noble family in the Beast World.’
’...But who is this ’Mama’ they keep talking about?’
Wamiya smiled. She took the ceramic cup and had a couple of sips, moistening her dry lips and throat before she spoke. "You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not your Mama. And... where is this place?"
She looked around in confusion.
"AWOO?" The three little ones froze, wondering if Mama was just teasing them. ’How could Mama not recognize us??’
’Oh, wait. Before Mama left, they were still just cubs, too young to even transform into their humanoid forms. It’s only natural she wouldn’t recognize them!’
The second brother spoke up in a hurry. "Mama, you don’t remember us?" He turned to the eldest. "Quick, turn into your beast form so Mama can see!"
"I’m all grown up now! I don’t look the same! Make the third brother do it!"
Before they could finish arguing, the third brother had already transformed. A beautiful little white fox leaped onto the bed from a pile of clothes that had instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Mama..."
It raised its head to look up at her expectantly, its shimmering purple eyes like radiant gems. It reached out a small, pink paw, gently hooking the fabric over her chest with the very tip of its claw.
Wamiya stared at the little fox for a long while, her confused expression deepening. She reached out a hand, hesitated in mid-air, and then tentatively stroked its fluffy head.
’He looks almost identical to my beast form.’
’Could I really be their mother?’
Wamiya had always known she had amnesia, that she’d forgotten a great deal. She’d never tried to delve into her past before. But now, looking at the vaguely familiar room and the Beastman children before her, she felt a wave of disorientation.
Seeing that she remained silent, her wary and confused eyes scanning the room, the second brother piped up, "Mama, does this place feel familiar?"
Seeing he had captured her attention, he sniffled, clutched the corner of her quilt, and continued pitifully, "Ever since you left, Mama, Father hasn’t let anyone in this room. Not even us. But he comes to clean it himself every day, and he won’t let anyone change a thing about the layout. It’s exactly the same as when you left..."
"...Father?" she murmured. She closed her eyes as if trying to remember, but a flicker of pain crossed her face.
The three little ones’ hearts sank. Seeing her like this, it really did seem like she had amnesia.
’This is not good at all.’
The ever-talkative second brother was about to say more when a familiar presence made him perk up and quickly look toward the door.
The door was pushed open, and sunlight flooded in. A man’s tall, imposing figure stood in the doorway, casting a long shadow. His expression was dark and unreadable.
He hadn’t just arrived. He had been standing at the door for a while; he’d heard the entire conversation.
He had been trying to suppress his emotions, to welcome her return with a calmer demeanor.
Until he heard that she had amnesia. That she had forgotten everything. Including... him.
The emotions that had burst their dam could no longer be contained.
He strode to the bed, pulled the woman his soul yearned for into his arms, his long fingers gripping her waist tightly. His breath hitched with suppressed emotion. "What happened? Where have you been these past ten years? Why did you never come back?"