Chapter 40 Sin

The ethereal drizzle drifted down, faintly forming countless glimmers in the night sky, accompanied by a biting wind that felt desolate and cold. 

Jack stood atop the mountain peak, gazing indifferently at the entirety of the capital city below, ablaze with lights, where shadows flitted about in pavilions and towers. 

…Humans. 

Merely self-centered rabble. 

As he observed the city, bustling even in the gentle rain, seemingly insulated from the chill of the wind, a thought suddenly struck him. 

The rain intensified slightly, yet it remained mild compared to the torrential downpour of days past. 

…The dragon's aura, which had appeared that day, seemed to have vanished without a trace. 

Though he sensed something unusual about that human, as the mermaid matriarch had said, he was merely an ordinary sea creature—bringing harm to others without cause— 

Especially as one tied to the fate of a nation, he posed a considerable threat to him with no benefit in return. 

Yet… to leave just like that was something he could not reconcile. 

"…I wondered who it could be; it turns out to be you." 

A young man emerged from the shadows, the drizzle dissipating upon touching his dark golden robe, as if it could not approach him, leaving only faint strands of white light dispersing in the night. 

Sebastian's inky phoenix-like eyes narrowed, his embroidered robe fluttering in the wind, stopping a few paces from the cliff edge, meeting Jack's calm gaze as he turned abruptly. 

"You…?" Jack frowned, momentarily at a loss for words. 

Should he ask how he arrived? 

Why he had come at this moment? 

It seemed unnecessary to inquire. 

"I left in haste last time and did not have the opportunity to bid you farewell; I had not anticipated that she would depart while you remained." 

Sebastian's gaze shifted to the splendid capital visible from the mountain peak, a smile gracing his lips, "What? Are you intrigued by my human empire?"

Jack stared at him in silence for a moment before speaking, "To be honest, I find myself more intrigued by you." 

"Oh?" Sebastian turned his gaze back, raising an eyebrow, "I had thought your interest lay more with that mermaid." 

To go to such lengths to assist Princess Yun and then abduct someone from her grasp… Such troublesome affairs require no small amount of patience. 

Jack was taken aback, then lowered his gaze, "You know?" 

What on earth had Lu shared with this human… to trust him to such an extent? 

He had always said that mermaids were indecisive and easily swayed; did she wish to see the tragic events of a century ago unfold once more? 

"You seem rather anxious," Sebastian observed him, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. 

"Are you concerned about what I might do to her?" 

The young man smiled faintly, casually remarking, "I have no intention of exploiting a naïve mermaid." 

"Ha, are you humans not already hypocritical enough?" Jack retorted with a cold sneer, entirely unwilling to believe this human's deceitful words. 

A human who could charm away a mermaid princess could hardly be a decent character. 

"…At times, I even think that perhaps humanity's absence would not be a misfortune for this world." Jack shifted his gaze back to the human capital. 

"Yet, it seems that fate favors you. Despite the atrocities committed against mermaids centuries ago, the sea folk could only express their outrage against a few humans, unable even to punish the primary culprits behind the torment of the mermaids." 

"Lu is well protected by them, hence her ignorance of these matters, and her willingness to be close to you." 

Jack lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse, "Can you imagine how she will perceive you when little Lu learns of all the heinous acts committed by humanity?" 

"At that point, she might very well harbor a desire to obliterate the entire land." 

Sebastian raised his eyes, his smile dimming slightly, "…So, what is it you wish to convey?" 

"As for the matter you mentioned…" 

He paused, furrowing his brow as he continued, "The waters where the mermaids dwell are not just a stone's throw away; I can assure you that, apart from myself, no one has ventured there before." 

Trade with the outside world only began during the previous dynasty, not even a century ago; prior to that, the only ones who ventured to the East Sea were coastal fishermen seeking to make a living— 

Beyond that, fishermen could hardly bear greater risks. 

However, speaking of mermaids, there are indeed legends of them that circulate in coastal regions… yet these tales do not center on their enchanting beauty, but rather on their ability to lure sailors with song, only to drown them. 

Fishermen, when encountering such mythical beings, would flee in terror, how could they ever dare to capture and torment them? 

Jack glanced at his face, smiling, "And what of it?" 

"This is a shared sin among your kind," he said in a low voice. 

Sebastian turned away, gazing at the mountain path that melded with the darkness, noncommittal, "Perhaps." 

"But regardless, I implore you to cease your interference in this territory. Should I discover you meddling again, I will not show you any mercy." 

With that, before Jack could utter another word, Sebastian turned and departed. 

The golden threads of his robe shimmered briefly as the young man's figure gradually vanished into the night. 

Jack lifted his gaze to the night sky; the drizzle had ceased without him noticing, leaving only a gentle breeze that brought a hint of chill. 

A few brilliant stars hung in the sky, twinkling with a soft, beautiful light. 

The crescent white robe fluttered at the cliff's edge, and Jack stood before the now deserted path in silence. 

…Indeed, it was he. 

But why would he choose to associate with humanity? 

Yet, even if it were him, little Lu would not be his to take. 

Jack turned his gaze back to the capital below, his expression cold and indifferent. 

Having chosen to side with humanity, he had been a mistake from the very beginning.