CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 362: ABYSSAL CHILD, KICKING THE IRON PLATE IN ANGER_2

After completing the third bloodline ascension ceremony and advancing to a Fourth Order Mythical Creature, two main evolutionary branches emerged. One was the "Nightmare," like Yemengade, resembling a jellyfish and proficient in Dream Sorcery. The other was the "Abyssal Child," possessing a human body with a soft octopus-like head, capable of altering its form at will.

The Divine Son, the Goddess, and their father Dagon, who shared their bloodline, were clearly of the latter type. They not only possessed powerful shapeshifting abilities but could also nullify all physical attacks through Water Elementalization. This was why they remained unharmed after being ambushed by James.

GURGLE GURGLE...

Then, bubbles surged within the Goddess’s body. It stretched into the shapely form of a gourd before, with a flash of divine light, ultimately transforming into a tall, beautiful human female over two meters in height.

She was dressed as an ancient Bayfolk Pirate, her scant garments seemingly made from fish-scale material, and she was barefoot. She had an exaggerated bosom, a slender waist, and long legs. The smooth muscle lines under her wheat-colored skin undulated like water ripples. Especially on her exposed abdomen, the abs were clearly defined, each muscle fiber appearing like twisted strands of steel wire.

The trident in her hand also quietly transformed like flowing water into a double-bladed battle axe. Her pair of distinctive Bayfolk-blue eyes matched those of Byron and Violet precisely.

After transforming into a human form, although her style was somewhat tough, she was a far cry from the ugliness of the Fishmen and was surprisingly beautiful. Unfortunately, the fierce aura about her marred the unique, marble-sculpture-like beauty of her face.

At this moment, she looked toward James, who had already fled. Fire burned in her eyes, and her anger was uncontrollable.

"Scum, I’m going to eat you alive!"

The damage from that shot was negligible to her, but the manner of attack and the targeted area were things no female could ever tolerate. Whether she was beautiful or ugly!

A vast surge of Tidal Radiance erupted from her body, and she chased after James, who had immediately fled towards reinforcements upon sensing danger.

"Sister!"

Laplace, the Divine Son, called out once but failed to stop her. He then found himself once again under siege by the two warships. To defend his father’s Divine Domain and the Deep Sea Kin painstakingly gathered, he could only continue to stand firm alone. But relying on his nature as a Fourth Order Mythical Creature and the powerful Authority of Dagon’s Divine Domain, he felt he could hold his ground even if he was alone.

As for The Golden Deer...

Based on the intelligence provided by Yemengade, he estimated his sister alone could board the ship and slaughter everyone on it!

James, fleeing ahead, couldn’t help but feel a surge of doubt after taking a few steps. Although he wasn’t exactly a good person, he absolutely couldn’t bring himself to betray his rescuers immediately after they had saved him.

Just as he gritted his teeth, about to turn back and fight, determined to at least drench the pursuing monster in his blood, he heard Byron’s voice carried on the wind:

"Mr. Hawkeye, feel free to come to The Golden Deer for refuge. Since we dared to venture into the New Continent, we came well-prepared."

Although his tone was calm, it carried an air of composure, as if everything was under control.

James recalled their first meeting: he, with only a battle axe, facing Byron who was backed by an entire array of Port Royal’s shore defense cannons. He knew Byron always made thorough preparations.

He then activated his Thunderbird Feather Cloak, speeding towards The Golden Deer. He swiftly passed over the foremast and landed on a thick yardarm of the mainmast, one wide enough for dozens of people to stand abreast.

The Goddess also transformed into flowing light and followed close behind, landing lightly on the topmost yardarm of the foremast.

Gazing down imperiously at Byron and the others on deck, she suppressed her rage and spoke coldly,

"Sea Hunter Byron Tudor, just as Yemengade said, you’ve indeed come a long way to rescue your good friend.

"You dare to attack our Black Tide Town with only a single, pitiful ship and use some method unknown to me to cure them of their Fishman disease.

"No wonder Yemengade’s determination to kill you is so unwavering. He was still muttering strange words about ’regrets’ when Father called him away."

Her command of the Silver Continent’s common tongue was surprisingly standard.

Hearing this, Hawkeye James couldn’t help his eyes reddening again, his mind churning with thoughts.

In this world, only those with thunderous means are qualified to be good people. Mr. Byron may act ruthlessly, but his heart is purer than anyone’s. My last return to provide support concluded my dealings with the York Royal Family. If I can survive this time, I’ll pledge the Cold Crow and myself to Mr. Byron. Sea Hunters are justice, the moral standard! Whoever he says to cut down, that person is assuredly a great villain. Even if he orders me to take these sleeve swords against the White Rose or even the Cardinal Archbishop, the fault would undoubtedly lie with the Kingdom and the Church. I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment!

Byron took in James’s expression completely.

This Halo of the Great Benefactor could use another name, he mused. Perhaps Domineering Presence... no, a Kingly Aura. One flexes, and heroes from all corners flock to pledge allegiance. Who wouldn’t want to befriend good people?

Immediately after, the Goddess’s gaze swept past James. A bloodthirsty, fierce grin touched her lips as she beckoned with a finger.

"But all of this is merely futile struggle. That sliver of hope before complete despair—that is the world’s most exquisite cruelty. From the moment you arrived in Black Tide Town, your only fated end was death. Come at me, all of you."

Hearing this, Byron and his King’s Right Hand exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat odd.

"All of us?"

"Then... as you wish."

Immediately,

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!...

Bloody auras erupted on deck as the thrum of taut bowstrings and the whistle of fired crossbow bolts resounded in quick succession.

Apart from Hawkeye James, who was already in position on the mainmast yardarm:

The Sea Hunter Byron led the charge. With him were Prime Minister [Witch] Violet, Guardian [Chameleon] Jacqueline, Knight [Blood Red Whiskey] Alfred, Chariot [Ironwall] Bruch, Guardian [Honest Man] Eight Fingers, and Guardian [Phantom Blade] Gus.

These were nine of the sixteen members of The King’s Right Hand, all possessing Third Order strength or its equivalent. Added to them was [Blue Hair] Barbarossa Halding—a disgrace to the Fourth Order—who had been locked away and "trained" for three consecutive days.

This force was more than enough to sweep through any city-state or colony on the Banta’an Archipelago. And this group was unlike the Transcendents of the Old Continent, who, despite being on the pure Ladder of Glory, were still human and often physically lacking. Instead, they represented a pinnacle state where Divinity and Beastliness, soul and body, stability and power, were perfectly balanced, neither hindering the other.

If the Deep Sea Clan were non-human monsters, then what were Byron’s companions, if not the same?

The Goddess had, quite literally, kicked an iron plate—one studded with ten steel nails at that!