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 through a thick sea fog. Only the sound of sailors' footsteps and the wind catching the sails lingered on the deck when it happened.

A song was heard from somewhere.

The voice, starting from very far away, gradually drew closer on the waves. It was clear and beautiful, but possessed a tone that strangely seized and pulled at the human mind. Movement stopped all over the deck. Several sailors turned their heads 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 worn at his chest was glowing faintly. Thanks to the stone that blocked mermaid enchantment, his mind was not clouded in the slightest. In fact, because of it, 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 until now.

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

Ursiel's hand stopped inside a 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 sequence was different from the story he knew.

He looked up toward 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 check for himself first.

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