Chapter 1042: Chapter 1040-First Escape and Drunken Hiding
’It’s working well.’
I thought as I looked at the earring, the one that I gave her has high-quality disguise magic in it, though in depth it has deeper functions to it as I wear the same earring in my ears, forming a bond she can’t feel at all.
[
Item: The Mentor’s Twin Seducer.
Description: A set of earrings made by the renowned Grand Mage Valerius, who was widely respected as a brilliant magical instructor. However, none knew that he possessed zero actual charm and a desperate, creepy obsession with seducing his student—a deeply depressed princess with low self-esteem. He crafted these earrings under the guise of a benevolent gift to help her sneak out of the palace, have fun, and escape the heavy burdens of the crown.
Uses: Functions publicly as normal, high-quality silver studs that flawlessly mask the wearer’s identity. When the pair is separated and worn by a female and a male, its true magic activates. It actively soothes the female wearer’s soul, relaxing and slowly correcting emotional imbalances to fight off heavy depression. However, its hidden function routes this healing magic directly through the male wearer’s earring. This forms a unique, parasitic connection where the female’s mental clarity, warmth, and emotional growth are only felt when she is physically close to the male wearer, effectively creating an artificial trauma bond. With time, the effect will only work with close contact, and the earring will have no effect at all; only the person in question will.
Remark: Valerius used this device to slowly trick the vulnerable princess into believing he was the sole source of her newfound happiness, secretly binding her to him. The System is pleased to report that his scheme was eventually discovered by the Royal Guard, who promptly beat him to death with his own staff, so be careful.
Cost: 150,000
]
....
The sounds of pursuit echoed through the water like distant thunder as Elowen and I slipped away from the chaotic battlefield. The corrupted members fought anew, and the defeated assailants lay behind us, but the ocean had eyes everywhere. We moved quickly through the crowded outer districts of the underwater city, blending into the flow of merfolk, Bloomkin, and other sea species going about their daily lives. We kept moving again after our last rest.
"Keep up, little brother~"
She muttered under her breath, her voice tight with irritation as we ducked into a narrow kelp-lined alley. Her amber eyes scanned the surroundings, the madness from the fight still lingering in them like a storm not quite ready to pass.
I grinned behind my hood, playing the part perfectly.
"Right behind you, Big Sis. Wouldn’t dream of leaving my favourite big sister behind in all this mess."
She shot me a glare that could have frozen the deepest trenches, but there was a hint of reluctant amusement in it.
"Sigh.....I am guessing telling you to stop would be of no use either."
We slipped deeper into the outskirts. I used my influence subtly, a small space distortion here, a gentle current push there to guide us toward a hidden coral alcove I had scouted earlier. It was a small, secluded pocket nestled between massive reef structures, shielded by thick kelp curtains and natural rock formations. The perfect temporary safe spot.
We pushed through the kelp curtain, the water inside calm and quiet, glowing softly with colourful moss. Elowen collapsed against a smooth coral wall, breathing heavily as she slid down to sit on the soft seafloor. Her cloak fell open slightly, revealing the cuts and bruises from the fight, her bloom spots still faintly glowing with residual power.
I sat down across from her, keeping a respectful distance but close enough to talk.
"Not bad for our first team-up, Big Sis. You handled those corrupted like a pro. Almost made me proud to be your little brother...."
She glared at me, but there was exhaustion in her eyes now, the fight having taken more out of her than she wanted to admit.
"Compared to the past, this was easy and is killing me."
"But it’s fun."
I replied with a cheeky grin, reaching into a small hidden cache I had prepared earlier. I pulled out a small flask of strong fermented kelp wine, the good stuff, aged in deep-sea barrels and potent enough to make even a Bloomkin Matriarch tipsy.
"Here. For recovery. You look like you could use it after all that excitement."
Elowen eyed the flask suspiciously for a moment before snatching it from my hand.
"You planned this, didn’t you?"
"Maybe a little."
I admitted with a shrug, watching as she took a long swig. The wine was strong it hit fast, bringing a faint flush to her bronze skin and making her bloom spots open slightly, releasing a sweet, floral scent into the water.
She leaned back against the coral wall, taking another drink as the alcohol worked its magic.
"This day has been a complete disaster. I was supposed to be gambling, drinking, and minding my own business. Instead, I’m running from corrupted idiots and stuck with a self-proclaimed little brother who won’t shut up."
I chuckled, leaning back against the opposite wall.
"Hey, I did help. Remember when I tripped that shark with the space trick? That was pretty clever, right? Little brother points for creativity."
Elowen snorted, the sound surprisingly undignified for a Matriarch. The wine was clearly doing its job.
"Clever? You nearly got us both killed with your ’help.’ And I still don’t know if its all a right choice."
"But it’s accurate."
I teased, scooting a little closer with an innocent expression.
"I’m younger than you, right. Big Sis Elowen and her trusty sidekick. We even have matching cloaks now. Very heroic."
She took another long drink, her amber eyes starting to glaze over slightly as the alcohol loosened her tongue.
"Heroic? I gave up on being a hero a long time ago. In my old life... everything I fought for turned to ash. People I loved, friends, family all gone. And now I’m here, in this new timeline, and what do I do? I run from everything. Because fighting means losing again. And I’m tired of losing."
Her voice grew quieter, the wine bringing out the pain she usually drowned in drinking. I listened without interrupting, letting her talk. This was the bonding I needed not forced romance, but genuine connection through shared exhaustion and truth.
"You’re not losing now."
I said softly, my tone shifting from teasing to sincere.
"You’re surviving. And that’s the first step. The main group behind those corrupted attacks is the real threat. We find them, we stop them, and maybe you get that fresh start you deserve. No more running. Just fighting for something real this time."
Elowen looked at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. The wine had brought a soft flush to her cheeks, making her look even more stunning in the gentle light.
"You talk like you actually believe that. Like you think I can just... start over."
"I do believe it."
I replied, scooting closer and playfully bumping her shoulder with mine.
"Because Big Sis Elowen is stronger than she thinks. And her annoying little brother is here to help. Whether she likes it or not."
She snorted again, but there was a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips.
"You’re impossible."
"That’s the point."
I said with a grin, taking the flask back for a small sip before handing it back.
"Someone has to keep you on your toes. Otherwise, you’d just drink and gamble your way through life without any fun fights or dramatic escapes."
The alcove felt warmer now, the kelp curtains swaying gently in the soft currents. We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, passing the flask back and forth as Elowen slowly opened up more small stories about her old life, the pain of losing everything, the decision to give up and just exist. I listened, offering light teasing when she got too heavy and genuine support when she needed it.
"We’ll find the ones responsible. Together. And I’ll be the best little brother you never asked for."
I said quietly during one quiet moment.
She laughed a real, genuine laugh that lit up her face.
"You’re ridiculous. But... thanks. For not pushing too hard. And for the wine. It’s good."
We bonded there in the hidden alcove, sharing exhaustion and small truths. The goal was to find the main group behind the corrupted attacks. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
But peace never lasted long in this world.
Distant sounds of pursuit echoed through the water, the low rumble of search parties moving through the city outskirts. Elowen’s eyes sharpened immediately, the relaxed tipsiness fading as she stood up.
"They’re getting closer."
She said, her voice steady again.
"We need to move deeper into the city. Find a better hiding spot."
I nodded, standing up beside her.
"Lead the way, Big Sis. Your annoying little brother is right behind you."
She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her face as we slipped out of the alcove, moving deeper into the vast underwater city, the sounds of pursuit growing closer behind us.
The real journey had only just begun.
