Chapter Forty-Five: Let Our Blood Flow Together!

Ash clenched her teeth, staring intently at the short girl, then turned her gaze to Hugh. She was preparing to dissolve the symbiotic contract.

At the moment she had drifted to the surface of the sea, she ought to have died. It was only her robust physique that allowed her to linger on the brink of death, until she met Hugh.

He had changed the destiny of the cursed, so she offered him her loyalty.

Now, it was time for her to die.

......

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

If only she were as strong as Ash.

Just now, she could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded. When Ash was impaled, her heart shattered, but she could only watch from the sea, not even daring to stretch out a single finger.

Ash's blood spilled into the sea; 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, unable to do anything at all.

Ash glanced at her, offering a weak smile.

She understood what Ash meant. The moment the contract was dissolved and Ash died, she would take Hugh and flee far away. If that alien woman succeeded, perhaps they could continue to stay on Castor Island; if not......

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

"I'm sorry."

The trembling voice drifted away in the waves.

......

Monica's body was covered in terrifying corruption. Her figure was growing larger and larger, vast amounts of corruption rapidly gathering around her until soon nothing could stop her.

The last time she saw that bipedal fish was at the bottom of the sea. He was an interesting person who understood many, many interesting things.

She had intended to listen to him tell stories of the land.

It seemed there was no chance left now.

The land was no fun at all.

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

No one noticed that upon her distorted body and her ugly face, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye, flowing straight into her ferocious, giant maw.

So tears on the land were just as bitter, after all.

......

Nora was slowly gathering the strength of her entire body. She felt wonderful.

Her body felt so light. Indeed, the moment of death was the Burier's most powerful moment...... It was a pity it would last for only this single instant.

Still, the White Crow's believers had finally found a destination...... and the refugees would survive, too.

Hugh, you had better keep your promise, or else wait for me to crawl out of the grave and hunt you down!

......

It was almost time. Nora closed her eyes.

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

The Silent Sanctuary knew no tears; only blood slipped from the corners of Nora's eyes.

This would be her curtain call—

Or would it?

Time seemed to freeze at that very moment. Everyone struggled with every last ounce of their strength; courage and blood-tears intertwined as mortals quietly awaited the judgment of fate.

But the next instant, a weak yet resolute voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Stop, I have a way!" Hugh steadied himself against a reef and stood up. His entire body was trembling involuntarily, yet his eyes were startlingly bright.

Nora subconsciously froze for a moment. The gathered power lost its guidance and shattered violently. Her expression shifted drastically: "Oh no!!"

The next second, she was sent flying by Monica—now transformed into a monster—leaving her fate entirely unknown.

The monster slowly turned around to look toward the cave.

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

Nini was stunned for a moment. Gritting her teeth, she prepared to charge out, but the massive monster suddenly stopped.

Bang!!

The sound of a gunshot echoed.

In the moonlight, everyone's gaze turned toward... the rear of the monster.

Old Butler Connor was mounted on a horse. He had circled around behind the monster at some unknown moment.

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

His left hand held the reins, while the white firelock in his right hand emitted a faint wisp of smoke—the very same gun Hugh had never fired.

"Connor!" Hugh felt a surge of hot tears behind his eyes.

The monster—formerly Monica—slowly turned around, looked down at Connor, and then charged forward with a furious roar.

"Giddyup!"

Connor flicked the reins, pressing his entire body flat against the horse's back. The horse neighed, carrying him in a sweeping arc that lured Monica away into the distance.

"Old friend, we're going to fight side by side once more." Connor glanced at the firelock in his hand and wore a relieved smile.

The angry roars gradually faded into the distance.

Monica was lured away, and the cave grew quiet.

Knowing that time was precious, Hugh immediately shouted to Ash, "Do not dissolve the contract."

Ash started, opening her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.

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

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

"Trust me!" Hugh let out a low roar, "Quickly!"

Nini panted heavily for a few breaths. The struggle on her face flashed and vanished, and then, gritting her teeth fiercely, she reached out her hand toward Hugh.

Hugh staggered a few steps, crashing heavily onto the sharp reef. Seemingly oblivious to the pain, he struggled and crawled forward, his exquisite attire stained with blood and mud.

Yet the hand he stretched out crossed the sea surface and firmly grasped Nini's hand!

Symbiotic contract—established!

Without hesitation, without doubt, the moment their hands locked, the contract was sealed.

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

from within Nini's body toward Hugh, and then branched out toward Ash!

Nini was stunned, and Ash was stunned as well.

Hugh rolled over, lying flat on the reef as he gazed at the night sky and burst out laughing.

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

He laughed hysterically.

"The symbiotic contract really is strictly equal! Life force isn't just a treatment for wounds; it's the currency established by the contract!"

"As long as I form symbiotic contracts with multiple people, my body can act as a transit station, circulating life force among all contractors!!!"

"You never expected this, did you! This is the true application of the symbiotic contract! This is it!"

"The various abilities granted by the contract are merely perks; its true purpose is to let us share a common life pool, allowing us to—"

"Symbiote!!!"

Every word he uttered felt like a heavy hammer striking the Banshee's heart.

The exact same injury, when borne by Ash and Hugh alone, was a fatal, near-death wound; but with the addition of Nini, it became nothing more than a moderate injury.

Moreover......

Nini pushed off the reef with all six of her hands and leaped ashore.

Her tall figure shone brilliantly under the moonlight.

She, too, now possessed the ability to operate freely on land.

Not far away, Ash had also risen to her feet. Just moments ago she had been on the verge of death, but now she was ready to continue fighting.

Hugh turned his gaze toward the other banshees in the sea.

"For Castor, for our shared home," he whispered softly, "let our blood flow together."

He stretched his hand out toward the ocean. Beneath the surface, hand after hand reached up and grasped his.

The tide of battle had turned!