Chapter 21: Love Is a Curse (Request Follow Reading)

In the distant past, the Siren Queen accidentally saved a mortal prince.

They endured many trials together, eventually breaking through forbidden barriers to unite.

They fell in love.

But their love was not accepted by others.

Mortals saw the prince as a filthy corrupter; exiled from his kingdom, he was forced to set sail upon the sea to find his beloved.

The Siren people viewed the Queen’s actions as betrayal of their kind, attacking the prince’s ship and seeking to drown him in the ocean.

In dire peril, to save her beloved, the Siren Queen made a vow:

【Let my blessing brush your face like the sea wind, granting you fearless courage, to stand with the sea, to dance with the storm.】

【Let the stars guide your voyage, let the moonlight guard your soul, and the tides will carry you back to my side.】

She softly chanted beneath the ocean abyss, filled with sorrow and hope.

【May you never be harmed by the ocean.】

【May you never lose yourself.】

【May you never lose your way.】

【May you…】

【Always love me.】

…

Splash.

Herbert abruptly opened his eyes, staring blankly ahead.

Just now, he seemed to have heard an ancient tale, witnessing a love unrecognized by the world.

Later, he felt as if he had fallen into a warm embrace, slowly dragged by slick hands into the unfathomable depths of the ocean abyss.

That sweet song echoed endlessly in his ears, urging him to commit, as if determined to keep him there forever.

After that, he awoke.

“…”

Herbert raised a hand to touch his lips, feeling a lingering warmth there.

What was that?

Did someone kiss me again in my dream?

Ugh…

Why did I say “again”?

When was the last time… ugh!

Herbert gagged slightly; though he couldn’t recall the exact scene, he decided for the sake of his mental health to stop thinking about it.

“Nenasha, what did I just see?”

Was that ancient memory fabricated? What connection does it have with Freyme’s rainbow scales?

【“Huh? You woke up on your own will?”】

Nenasha marveled, clicking her tongue: 【“I was planning to wake you after you sank into oblivion—your will is stronger than I imagined!”】

【“Don’t worry, it’s not anything harmful—it’s just the ‘little help’ I told you about!”】

【“A forbidden spell, exclusive to the Siren royal bloodline—the Siren Queen’s Devotion, a Legendary Curse.”】

The Demigod chuckled, explaining the curse’s effect to her bewildered ally:

【“From now on, you will not drown in water, nor be mentally ensnared, nor lose your way. You will become a favorite of the water element, and all sea creatures will naturally favor you.”】

【“The only minor issue is that you will gradually resemble a Siren—webbing will grow between your fingers, your legs will slowly transform into a fish tail…”】

【“But thanks to the Pure Blessing and my favor, you are completely immune to the curse’s negative effects! Rest easy—you won’t transform, and your appearance won’t change at all~”】

The Demigod, having deliberately teased, did not see the panic or the relief from shock she had expected on her ally’s face.

Worse still, Herbert questioned: “Wait, that doesn’t make sense.”

【“Hm?”】

“Isn’t this a blessing? Why call it a curse?”

She loved me so much she wanted me to become a merfolk—where’s the curse in that?

Nenasha: Hm? You’re not right.

The Demigod hesitated, then chose to avoid the issue, changing subject: 【“My ally, don’t you understand?”】

【“Love is the most twisted curse in this world.”】

Nenasha smiled faintly, her voice laced with mockery:

【“Because of love, gods consorted with mortals, becoming the spark for divine wars.”】

【“Because of love, monsters and humans clashed, plundering and killing each other.”】

【“Because of love, kin turned weapons on kin, shedding blood for another’s heart.”】

【“All calamities, all suffering in this world, originate from love.”】

She said:

【“Love is a curse.”】

As Nenasha spoke of this decadent notion, Herbert did not interrupt; he listened quietly, eyebrow raised.

When she finished, he fell silent for a long while, then shook his head: “Your words may not be entirely wrong, but I still think your view is too extreme.”

“Emotions are complex—you can’t blame everything on love.”

If every sin could be attributed to love,

then this world would be absurd.

In this world, many acts arise not from love, yet rise above it.

【“Heh, perhaps.”】

The matter ended there; both silently agreed not to argue further.

Though their acquaintance was brief, both understood they could not easily change each other’s mind.

No need to say more.

【“By the way, with this talent, you might try learning water-element spells—you’ll gain considerable results without much effort.”】

Nenasha spoke with a touch of wonder.

Even she hadn’t expected Herbert to immediately obtain a scale from a legendary Siren of royal blood.

If this talent were granted to a mage, it would mean the birth of a future Grand Water Mage.

But alas, this one is a Holy Knight—he can learn at most water-based combat techniques.

What a waste!

Herbert didn’t mind much.

More talents never weigh you down—who would turn down extra gifts?

Whether the talent will be useful in the future doesn’t matter—just acquire it first.

What if?

“Wait!”

As he mused, Herbert suddenly remembered something, his pupils contracting sharply.

“If this proves collecting monster materials truly works, then that means…”

Herbert’s expression changed; he recalled his forced pact with Valentina, his lips twitching.

“I really have to eat her hair?!”

Seriously.

That’s a bit perverted.

The next day.

When Herbert entered the prison with a heavy heart, the Dragon Lady remained blissfully unaware, lost in a sweet dream.

“…“

Herbert stared at the sleeping Valentina, licked his slightly dry lips, and slowly knelt before the bars.

He drew a deep breath, his gaze resolute, and extended his wicked little hand—

placing a chicken leg before her nose, swaying it gently.

“Chomp, chomp, chomp-chomp-chomp…”

At the sound, Valentina, who had been sound asleep a moment before, snapped open her eyes.

“Mmm… Huh?!”

It's well known that consistent reading on Tuesdays is crucial for recommendations! Please, everyone, keep reading during the new book period! The current performance is truly poor, and we need your help—

Please save me! I love you!



(Chapter End)