To contract Hydropathy was a death sentence; this was an Iron Law in Freedom Port.
But now, that rule seemed to have been broken.
The Dragon King's son had not died but was trapped in this pool, as if he had lost his sanity.
"What's going on?" Emma gritted her teeth and shouted, "Who allowed you to treat my child ?"
"Madam." A middle-aged man in a white robe hurried over, bowing. "The 'young master's' condition has changed dramatically in the past few days. He has been very irritable, so we had to restrain him with chains."
"Unlock the chains!" Emma's expression darkened. "Unlock them!"
The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."
With a wave of his hand, someone stepped forward to unlock the chains, all the while cautiously watching the figure in the water.
The 'young master' in the water had his long hair disheveled, his eyes filled with a feral wildness as he surveyed everyone around him. The sheer number of people surrounding him made him instinctively hesitant to act rashly, but the impulse in his heart never ceased.
"My child..." Emma's eyes brimmed with tears as she slowly took two steps forward. "What has happened to you?"
Those afflicted with Hydropathy would suffer extreme dehydration, their bodies eventually dissolving into a sticky, unidentifiable liquid. To save her son, Emma had a special medicinal solution prepared that could continuously replenish the lost fluids. And so, he had been immersed in this pool, constantly refilled with the medicated liquid. This immersion had lasted for several years.
Emma's approach seemed to ignite the 'young master's' ferocity. He suddenly leaped from the water, lunging towards her.
"Madam, be careful!" the surrounding people cried out in alarm.
Several vines shot up from the ground, as agile as striking snakes, and tightly bound the 'young master'.
Vine Control! This was Emma's unique talent, a gift from her Wood Elf Bloodline.
"My child." Sadness filled Emma's face as she reached out to touch the 'young master's' cheek, tears escaping her eyes.
Alas, her sorrow could not move someone who had lost all reason. The 'young master' continued to struggle fiercely, growling incessantly.
"My child is hungry." Emma turned to the middle-aged man, her voice chilling. "Bring some food."
"Yes." The middle-aged man bowed his head in assent.
Soon, various foods were placed by the poolside: fresh fruits, soft pastries, and an assortment of cooked dishes. Emma, controlling the vines, gently placed the 'young master' back in the water.
"Child, eat," she said softly. "Eat whatever you want. Mother is here; you don't need to be afraid."
With a light flick of her sleeve, she dismissed the vines.
HISS... The 'young master' hissed strangely in the water, ignoring the food beside him. Instead, his gaze fixed on a nearby maidservant.
His eyes were filled with greed, desire, and an inhuman, savage bestiality.
Emma's brow slowly furrowed.
"Madam." The middle-aged man hurried forward and whispered, "I don't know why, but ever since the 'young master's' body changed, he has developed desires akin to those of a wild beast. He's especially sensitive to fresh flesh and blood."
"Fresh flesh and blood?" Emma mused, her gaze following her son's to the maidservant.
"Madam!" The maidservant, as if guessing Emma's intent, turned deathly pale. She stammered, then suddenly spun around to flee.
A vine lashed out like lightning, coiling tightly around the fleeing maidservant and dragging her before the 'young master'.
"Child, eat," Emma's voice was gentle. "Since you like it, then eat."
The 'young master's' eyes were wide, a hiss escaping his lips. With a low growl, he pounced on the screaming maidservant.
The screams grew fainter, then faded into silence.
Blood mingled with the water in the pool. The still-twitching organs were ripped out by the 'young master' and gulped down whole. The maidservant's wide, furious eyes stared blankly at the sky. The next moment, her neck was torn open, blood gushing forth.
The surrounding servants trembled with fear, yet they merely turned away, none daring to intervene. For original chapters go to N()velFire.net
"Eating people?" Emma considered for a moment, then said, "There are many in the slums who can't afford to raise their children. They can be bought for a little money. Buy some regularly to feed my child."
The middle-aged man swallowed. "...Yes."
"Take good care of him." Emma cast one last look at the 'young master', her eyes still filled with a sorrowful affection. "I will come to see him again when I have time."
"Yes," the middle-aged man complied.
At that moment, Lula, having heard the news, hurried over. "Mother, what's happened to my brother?"
"So, you do remember you have a brother?" Emma snorted coldly. "Go see for yourself!"
Lula sighed. She understood her mother's feelings but disagreed with her actions. Stepping forward, she saw the scene in the pool, and her expression changed drastically.
"What happened here?"
"Miss Lula." The middle-aged man's eyes flickered as he spoke in a low voice, "The maidservant accidentally fell into the water. Since the 'young master' is no longer... rational, we dared not stop him."
"You..." The sight of cannibalism made Lula tremble. Her gaze fell upon her brother, and she asked again, "What's happened to my brother?"
"Half a month ago, for some unknown reason, the 'young master's' body underwent a transformation," the middle-aged man explained. "When in the water, his legs would change into a fish-like tail. Scales appeared on his skin, and his once-frail body developed some muscle. Initially, we thought it was a good thing... Who would have known..." He sighed. "Alas!"
Lula's face was a mask of bewilderment.
A Merman! My brother has become a monster!