The night sea was silent.

Moonlight shattered in long streaks across the dark blue surface, and the Solkrone Empire's mermaid subjugation ship sailed slowly, cutting through the thick sea fog. Just as the only sounds on deck were the footsteps of sailors and the wind catching the sails...

A song drifted in from somewhere.

The voice, starting from far away, gradually drew closer on the waves. It was a clear and beautiful tone, but one that strangely seized and pulled at the human mind. Movement stopped all across the deck. Several sailors turned toward the railing as if possessed, their eyes growing hazy as they stared at the sea.

Adrian slowly raised his eyes.

The red magic stone pinned to his chest was glowing faintly. Thanks to the stone that blocked mermaid enchantment, his mind was not clouded in the slightest. In fact, that was why he could hear it even more clearly.

It was a beautiful voice.

His gaze turned toward the dark horizon.

A mermaid.

And one that was distinctly different from any he had hunted before.

At the same time, in the deep sea where almost no light reaches.

Ursiel's hand stopped inside the deep-sea cave.

The faint song transmitted from the surface traveled through the deep water, echoing even inside the cave.

Ursiel's brow furrowed.

The fairy tale has begun.

Nothing had even started yet, but already the order was different from the story he knew.

He stared at the surface for a moment before slowly moving his body.

Whether human or mermaid, it wasn't for the sake of saving them, but he had to see for himself first.

Just how far this world had strayed from the story he knew.