TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 88

“The voice of a sea demon is highly destructive,” the auction staff reminded Albin. “You may choose to poison him mute right now. Rest assured, the dosage is perfectly measured—it won’t harm his body.”

A small vial of shimmering green poison rested on a velvet cushion, just enough for a single dose.

Albin frowned and ignored the suggestion. Looking closer, he noticed that the sea demon’s body was covered in old scars—already healed, but lighter in color than the surrounding skin.

“How was this sea demon captured?” he asked.

Many buyers were curious about the origins of auction items, and the staff member explained matter-of-factly:

“Generally speaking, juvenile sea demons are the easiest to catch. They’re curious and often drawn to passing fishing boats. Just placing something on nearby rocks can lure them into traps. Of course, one must be cautious of their song and sharp claws—only experienced mages can capture them safely.”

Albin pressed his lips together.

…Just like traffickers luring children. Disgusting.

“As for adults, they’re extremely perceptive and hard to catch by such means. But this one was an exception. When a fishing vessel was hauling in its nets, just as the net broke the surface, this sea demon followed closely behind—apparently trying to eat the fish inside. He jumped into the net himself. Perhaps he intended to leave after eating; some playful sea demons do that. But there happened to be a mage aboard that ship, and he was successfully restrained.”

Albin: …

So he walked right into the trap?

He couldn’t help but study the adult sea demon in front of him. Handsome, strong—and yet… kind of an idiot.

Sensing the gaze, Larimar flicked his tail.

What are you looking at?! I’m not stupid!

That was strategy, okay?! Strategy to avoid arousing suspicion!

Now he had successfully confirmed that humans really were trafficking sea demons—and even managed to get close to the high-ranking Sea God’s chosen.

Step one of his grand plan—to rescue his kin and destroy humanity—complete!

Albin glanced again at the nightmare beast’s head, confirmed everything was in order, and instructed the auction house to deliver both items to his residence.

He added specifically, “Do not administer poison to him without permission.”

“Of course. These are now your possessions—we wouldn’t do anything to them.”

After a moment’s thought, Albin asked, “Can you tell me who purchased the other sea demons?”

The staff member shook his head—they couldn’t disclose that.

Albin pondered briefly, then left the room.

—

Outside the opera house, the most luxurious carriages in the city had gathered. Nobles boarded one after another and departed.

Albin had arrived in Barney’s carriage, so he was meant to leave with him as well. As he looked for Barney, his gaze fell on a black-haired nobleman.

He froze in place, staring intently at the man’s profile.

Sensing the gaze, the noble—who had just been about to board his carriage—turned to look at him. His deep blue eyes met Albin’s, a flicker of surprise passing through them. He stepped back, then walked toward Albin.

Albin examined him closely.

The man’s features bore some resemblance to Xiao Hei—and he had the same vivid deep-blue eyes.

As the noble paused before boarding, several heads peeked out from the carriage—it seemed to be his children. All of them had the same deep-blue eyes.

The noble approached, removed his hat, and bowed respectfully.

“May the Sun God bless you, Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you here.”

A hint of confusion appeared in Albin’s eyes.

This person recognized him at a glance?

Sensing his doubt, the noble explained, “I am from the Mandragora family of the Cuckoo Kingdom. I had the honor of seeing you at the Pope’s coronation ceremony.”

The Cuckoo Kingdom bordered the Holy Sun Kingdom, and its dominant faith was also the Sun God.

This family was clearly here on holiday—their carriage bore the black mandragora crest.

The Mandragora family…

Albin recalled what he knew.

Across the continent, families named after plants were no ordinary houses—either royal lines or ancient bloodlines, often regarded as nobles among nobles.

The Mandragora family, if he remembered correctly, were staunch supporters of the Pope. They kept a low profile, never seeking the spotlight, fully supporting the Pope’s decrees. They frequently intermarried with nearby royal families—high in status, but not deeply involved in politics.

Since he had encountered a supporter, Albin exchanged a few words with him.

Unfortunately, when he inquired, there were no children in the family around Xiao Hei’s age, nor any lost or estranged children.

Was the resemblance just a coincidence?

Albin decided he would ask Gold to investigate—after all, even if there were an illegitimate child, they might not admit it.

Watching the family depart, Albin felt his longing for Xiao Hei grow stronger.

Five years had passed. Xiao Hei must have grown up too… what did he look like now?

—

By the time Albin returned to No. 1 Shell Street, the auction house had already delivered his purchases.

Under cover of night, he took the crate containing the sea demon straight to the beach, choosing a secluded spot.

The coachman stayed far back on the shore. Facing the roaring night wind, Albin lit up a small area with magic and opened the wooden crate under the cover of rocks.

Seeing the dark, vast sea behind him, surprise flickered in Larimar’s eyes.

Was this human not afraid that he might escape?

“From now on, you’re free!” Albin cast a spell, undoing the restraints and bindings on him. “Hurry and leave while it’s still dark.”

At this distance, even if the sea demon let out a cry, it shouldn’t affect the city’s residents.

He flicked Larimar on the forehead and said earnestly, “Be more careful next time. Don’t jump into human fishing nets like an idiot again.”

Larimar trembled all over.

He had just been insulted by an evil human.

It felt like electricity surged through his body. Having been trapped in the wooden crate for so long, Larimar suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Say more! Say more!

Every cell in his body was screaming for it, every nerve trembling slightly in anticipation.

He craved pain. He craved insults.

If wounds were torn open and soaked in seawater, that would be an indescribable ecstasy.

He twisted his tail, splashing the water, staring intently at the human before him.

Let him go? He didn’t believe humans could be this kind!

Especially since this human had spent a huge sum at the auction to buy him. Even though he didn’t understand human currency, it was clearly a large amount.

Who would throw something they had paid so much for back into the sea?

Did this human think he was just a stone?

“Hm? Why aren’t you leaving? Are you uncomfortable?” Albin noticed him twisting around and, worried he might have been injured during capture, cast several healing spells on him.

Warm magic flowed through Larimar’s body, but he, who had long lived in the cold deep sea, found the warmth somewhat uncomfortable.

“You should be fine now.” Albin finished treating him and proudly put his hands on his hips. “Go on, remember to tell the little sea demons to stay away from ships in the future.”

But Larimar still didn’t move.

Albin frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me you’re stupid?”

Larimar slammed his tail against the sea surface, splashing water onto Albin’s face, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction.

Who are you calling stupid?!

Insult him harder!

Aren’t humans supposed to be cruel to merfolk? Come on, hurt him already!

“That’s great—you can still get angry, so you’re probably not completely stupid,” Albin said with relief, patting his head. “Alright then, I’m leaving. Go back quickly.”

Albin turned toward the shore and even waved goodbye.

Larimar snorted inwardly and dove into the sea, deliberately staying underwater for a while.

This must be some human trick. To infiltrate human society, he would reluctantly play along.

Maybe this was some kind of test? If he really tried to escape, they would capture him again and punish him so he’d never dare run away?

After a while, Larimar resurfaced.

That should be enough, right?

The surroundings were pitch black. Only moonlight spilled across the beach, casting a silver glow. Everything was silent—there was no sign of humans.

Larimar: …?

Where is he?

Did they really let him go?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Humans could never be that kind. All humans were evil!

Besides… if his infiltration failed, how was he supposed to rescue his kin?

That Sea God’s chosen would definitely come back!

Heh. Evil humans, using such tactics against him.

This felt just like when his sister made him stand facing the wall as a child. He would never submit.

Larimar sat on a reef, facing the biting cold wind, waiting… and waiting…

“Achoo—”

After waiting the entire night, watching the dawn slowly rise on the horizon, a ridiculous thought suddenly formed in his mind.

Had he… really been released?

Larimar fell into silence.

—

After releasing the sea demon, Albin returned to his residence and opened the other wooden crate in the courtyard.

The nightmare beast specimen looked like an ornate decoration. He gently touched its black head and horns; its mane looked like frozen flames, so lifelike that it reminded him of his father.

If he hadn’t stopped his father back then… would there one day be a dragon’s head displayed at an auction too?

He also thought of the lion.

Magical creatures probably didn’t like their corpses ending up in human hands.

Regardless of friend or foe, from now on, he would burn all magical creature corpses.

“I don’t know if you’d like this way of handling things, but I hope you can have a good dream.”

Albin released fierce flames. Firelight danced in his eyes.

“I’ll collect your ashes. If I ever meet your mate someday, I’ll return them to them…”

He watched the blazing fire intently until it burned out, carefully gathering all the ashes.

Returning to his desk, he organized his thoughts and wrote a long letter to Xiao Hei about what had happened that day.

He was afraid—afraid that Xiao Hei, missing for many years and of human-demon mixed blood, might also have become some rare decoration in someone’s room.

Xiao Hei…

With deep longing and worry, Albin gradually drifted into sleep.

In his dream, he found himself in a world of white mist.

What kind of dream is this?

Curiously, he walked forward through the fog and came into a forest.

And there, ahead of him, stood a tall black-haired figure.

Albin froze.

A breeze passed through, stirring unruly black short hair. Deep blue eyes were sharp and resolute. A tear mole under the left eye was half-hidden beneath his bangs. His lips were pressed tightly together as he stared directly at Albin, his eyes lighting up.

Compared to the youthful version in Albin’s memories, his features had fully matured. He still carried a youthful sharpness, but now also bore a dangerous, unapproachable aura. Gone was the noble elegance of the Mandragora family—in its place was something wild and untamed, like a wolf, like fire.

Albin had dreamed many times before. People appeared in his dreams often, and he had imagined Xiao Hei countless times as well.

As he grew up, he had repeatedly imagined what adult Xiao Hei would look like.

The image in his dreams always changed, never satisfying him, always feeling slightly wrong.

But this time, at first glance—

A thought exploded in his mind.

Yes.

This is Xiao Hei.

This is him.

Even though it was a dream, overwhelming joy surged through his heart.

“Xiao Hei!”

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