"Everything is ready... now let's go welcome our guest."
Some time later — at the "King's" house.
"Hey, you two, wake up." The "Queen" gently nudged her two children.
"Just five more minutes, Mom."
"You say that every day and always skip breakfast."
"We'll really get up this time."
"Okay, I'll believe you two."
She tucked the blankets more snugly around them, then quietly left to prepare breakfast.
While she was cooking, a sudden knock echoed at the door.
"Please wait a moment," she called, hurrying to open it.
Standing on the other side was the Mermaid Queen.
"Hello, Queen. Long time no see," the Mermaid Queen greeted with a gentle smile.
"Is it really you? It's been a while." The "Queen" smiled warmly. "You look perfectly fine."
"That's right. Despite going through a lot of pain, but I'm fully recovered now. Actually, I feel even better than before."
"Ah, then I'm relieved." The "Queen" visibly relaxed. "So, what brings you to my home today?"
"I came on behalf of the leaders. We'd like to speak with your husband about a possible solution to save the world."
"Ah, I've heard him mention that, but he's out at the moment. If you don't mind, would you like to come in and wait?"
"If that's alright, then I'll accept your hospitality."
The Mermaid Queen smiled and stepped inside.
Meanwhile —
The "King" was on the surface.
"It's here, right?" he asked, sounding tired.
"Hey, sir, is this the thing you need?" a voice called out.
It was the little girl from before, now accompanying him.
Ever since the day she gave him a gift, the "King" had begun treating her like family. He often brought her home to play, and his wife and children welcomed her with open arms. The "Queen" even teased him, reminding him of how he once said he'd have a daughter someday.
Although he always denied it, every time the little girl came, the "Queen" still took it out to tease her husband, turning it into a daily joke.
As for her parents, though they feared the "King" but they were relieved—knowing she'd be safer with him.
And so, their bond grew.
"Don't run like that, you'll trip," the "King" warned softly, patting her head.
"It's fine, I'm okay!" she replied with a bright grin.
He smiled too—but his gaze lingered on her missing arm.
Though time had passed, the guilt never faded.
Sensing his mood shift, she tried to comfort him.
"Hey, don't be so sad. If it weren't for you, I'd have lost my life, not just this arm."
Her words, innocent as they were, weighed heavily on his heart.
But to avoid worrying her, he forced a smile.
"Alright, I won't be sad anymore. Let's head back."
"Okay!"
They walked hand in hand toward the kingdom.
But on their way, they encountered a cloaked figure—clearly injured, barely standing.
"Hey, are you okay?" The little girl rushed forward.
Before she could get too close, the figure screamed and lunged at her.
In an instant, the "King" grabbed the stranger and slammed them into the ground.
"Who are you, and what were you planning to do to her?" he demanded.
The stranger was silent, then rasped, "I came to find you... King…"
The voice struck him like lightning. He recognized it immediately.
He pulled back the hood.
Beneath it was the Elf King—now ragged, bloodied, and barely alive.
"Elf King?! What happened to you?" The "King" crouched beside him.
"I told you... I came to find you..." The Elf King gasped. "You must stop her... quickly…"
"Stop who?"
"The Mermaid Queen…"
"What?" The "King" was stunned.
But before he could ask more, the Elf King let out one final breath.
"Elf King… Elf King!" He shook him, but got no response.
"Sir... is he okay?" the girl asked quietly.
"I'm sorry... he didn't make it," the "King" said, trembling.
"How sad…" the girl's face fell.
Then the 'King' examined the Elf King's body to uncover what had left him in such a state.
He scanned the Elf King's body with magic.
What he found shocked him—stab wounds in all vital areas, one arm missing.
"These are all lethal wounds… how was he even alive this long?"
He scanned deeper—and discovered the truth.
"Just as I thought…"
All over the Elf King's body were complex magic circles—the life magic only he knew, powerful enough to keep even the dead alive.
"What happened that forced you to use this magic?" The "King" whispered in thought.
"Sir?" the girl tugged on his sleeve. "You look scary right now."
Snapping out of it, he softened his expression.
"He's gone now. Let's head back."
"What about him?"
"I'm sorry… we can only leave him here."
"Then… wait a moment."
She gently placed a handmade flower on the Elf King's chest.
"Why?" the "King" asked.
"You knew him. He seemed important to you. I thought… he deserved something."
"You're so kind."
After returning the girl to her home, the "King" opened a gate and stepped into his own house.
He opened the door and found the Mermaid Queen inside, chatting happily with his wife.
"Hello, Mermaid Queen," he greeted with a smile. "Didn't expect you to drop by today."
The Mermaid Queen stood and approached him.
"I came to invite you—on behalf of the leaders—to discuss a solution to save the world."
"So soon?" he asked, surprised. "I thought it'd take more time."
"It's great, right? Everyone's worked hard."
"True enough."
They both chuckled.
Seeing their joy, the "Queen" invited the Mermaid Queen to stay for dinner.
"I wish I could, but I need to report back to the leaders."
"Oh, that's a shame." The "Queen" looked a little disappointed.
"No worries—I'll be back next time," the Mermaid Queen said cheerfully.
After she left, the "King" turned to his wife. "I'll escort her back."
"You still care about her that much?" the "Queen" teased.
"After what happened—especially with the Deep Sea King—how could I not?"
"She's been through a lot…" The "Queen" nodded. "But I'm glad she's recovered."
"Same here," the "King" replied, his mind elsewhere.
"Then go on." She gave him a playful push.
"Alright, I'm off."
He quickly caught up to the Mermaid Queen.
"Wait a moment!" he called.
She turned. "King? Why chase after me?"
"I forgot to tell you something."
"Couldn't say it earlier?"
"Forgive me. Age is catching up."
"You still look young," she teased. "So? What is it?"
"Actually—"
A portal opened behind her.
"Huh—?" she turned in confusion.
The "King" lunged, grabbing her neck and forcing her into the portal.
They emerged in the leaders' chamber.
He pinned her to the ground, hand still on her throat.
"You… what are you doing?" she gasped.
"The Elf King told me I should kill you," he said coldly.
Her face twisted from pain… to a wicked grin.
Sensing danger, he tightened his grip.
Suddenly, blood blades burst from her arms—slashing toward him.
He let go just in time to block her attacks, then hoisted her and slammed her into the floor.
The sheer force of the impact caused the ground to sink, while sharp cracking sounds echoed as the Mermaid Queen's bones shattered.
Despite shattered bones, she leapt up, smiling—and hurled more blood blades.
He countered with magical swords, then summoned his blade and charged.
She pulled her knife and met him head-on.
Their weapons clashed, but his strength overwhelmed her.
Realizing she couldn't win, she fired more blood blades at close range.
He raised a shield but still took hits—forcing him to retreat.
He quickly glancing upward just in time to see the Mermaid Queen charging at him.
Without hesitation, he opened a gate in front of her—she couldn't stop in time and plunged straight into it.
He immediately turned around and gathered all his strength into his fist.
The gate opened behind him, and as the Mermaid Queen fell out, he struck her with a full-force punch to the face.
She flipped through the air.
Before she could recover, he kicked her in the stomach, slamming her into the wall.
Blood spilled from her mouth.
Chains erupted from the floor and bound her tightly.
The "King" approached slowly.
"I want an explanation," he said, eyes cold.
"Haha… I knew I couldn't beat you…" she chuckled darkly.
He punched her face again.
"No more nonsense."
"Fine…" she gasped. "The answer… is behind that door…"
He turned toward the door.
The stench grew stronger the closer he got—but he didn't stop.
His hand reached the doorknob.
Just then, she broke her own bones to escape the chains and lunged.
Without flinching, he grabbed her head and hurled her straight through the door.
"If you'd just lie still, this would be much simpler," he muttered, stepping in.
"If I still had my voice, it would be simpler…" she croaked.
"Why do you think I went for your throat first?"
"As expected of our wise King…"
"Enough talking." He pinned her with his foot. "Where's my answer?"
"You'll see."
He cast a light spell to illuminate the room.
What he saw were corpses—piled high—including the leaders. At the bottom was a circle, etched with strange, unfamiliar symbols.
"This is getting worse and worse," the King muttered, frowning.
"You think so? I think it's pretty cool." The Mermaid Queen smirked as she hurled a bloodied blade at him.
The King immediately leapt back.
With the sickening sound of grinding bones, the Mermaid Queen slowly rose to her feet.
"You're really impatient. And I didn't expect the Elf King to still be alive." She pouted. "It ruined the surprise I had for you."
"What do you mean?" the King growled, summoning a second sword to his hand.
"Now, now... calm down a bit, and I'll tell you."
Under his wary gaze, the Mermaid Queen stepped into the center of the circle.
She took a moment to compose herself—clearing her throat, straightening her torn, bloodstained clothes—before finally facing him again with a wicked grin.
"Let me introduce the great work I spent so long creating."
She turned, gazing at something behind her with twisted pride.
"I call it "Salvation"... and you, my dear, will be the guest of honor. How does that sound?"
There was no doubt anymore—the Mermaid Queen was completely unhinged.
The King raised his sword and pointed it at her, his eyes blazing.
"Salvation, huh? Let's see if it can save your life."
She simply kept smiling, unfazed.
This was no longer just about surviving.
This was a final reckoning—with an artisan of madness and her masterpiece.
The last conversation between the final leaders of the world... to decide its fate.