167 Ch. 167 'Ancient Artefact'

The thing needed to trigger mermaids' most profound memories before they became evil spirits was the blood of the pure mermaids who had a strong desire to save this lake.

If Zehell were a pure descendant, he would not hesitate to give his blood because he has a great desire to restore this lake's state to its glory.

Unfortunately, Zehell is not a pure breed, but a half-breed. He didn't meet his requirements, and they couldn't possibly use his blood.

Then where can they find mermaid blood while almost all of the mermaids in this place have become evil spirits?

Niken's eyes, which had been filled with hope, now dimmed without light. She felt she was in a hot wilderness and had been walking for days without finding water or an oasis. But she got excited again when she saw a small lake and coconut trees not far from her place.

As if getting new strength, Niken could walk to get a drop of water. She was even willing to continue walking even though she was exhausted. She didn't mind even if the oasis did not seem to be approaching, no matter how long she had been walking.

But once she reached the oasis place, there were no lake or coconut trees shattered her hopes. Her newfound stamina and energy to walk disappeared without a trace causing her to give up her life as she didn't find any way out.

That is what Niken felt. At first, she felt no hope of saving the mermaids because everyone believed the evil spirits couldn't return to their original state.

Then Zehell appeared with good news. Not only that, but the familiar sea spirit also appeared carrying a series of plans that could restore the lake mermaids' conditions to normal.

Yet this crucial material shattered all hopes. How could they find pure mermaid's blood in this era? Wait! If they can't find it in this era, perhaps they can find it in another period!

"How about I go back in the past to draw mermaid blood?" Niken revealed what came to her mind. "I'm a time traveler. Maybe I can go back to the glory days of mermaids and ask Merlyn for blood. What do you think?"

At first, Niken was sure everyone would agree to her proposal, which is why she was excited and couldn't wait to go back to the past. But why do their expressions look complicated? Even Kazuto's face was hard to read.

What is this?

"Niken. You may indeed be a time traveler, but you are also a time master. It doesn't matter if you are not a time master; you can travel to any era you want. But you are a time master. You shouldn't use your abilities often to travel around different times."

"Why?"

Hearing the explanation of the familiar spirit made Niken and the others dumbfounded. Everyone apart from Niken already knew that a familiar spirit chose Niken to become a spirit master, but that was not what surprised them. They were even more surprised when they heard Niken's second magic circle had not appeared yet!

Does that mean that one-day, Niken will be able to cast three magic circles?

"That's why you can't travel to a different era because it will drain your vitality. If you want to travel to a different era, you must increase your magic cultivation as a time master and bring up your second magic circle. This time your journey to the four hundred year era for a week thanks to Princess Merylin's help, otherwise your life span will only be a little now."

Niken lowered her face in depression. She had no idea that her departure to the past was not due to her own abilities. But because of getting help from Merylin.

Niken felt increasingly helpless and hopeless. She felt like she was much stronger than before, but it turned out… that was just wishful thinking. Until now, she still needs help from many people.

Plok!

Niken felt something tapping the top of her head gently. She tilted her head upwards to see Kazuto smiling softly at her.

"Don't be discouraged. We will find a way out."

How miraculous. Just hearing the man's words, Niken felt light-hearted once again. Her hope resurfaced, and she decided not to give up.

Although it seemed impossible to return the evil spirits to their original state, Niken was sure and believed in one thing. As long as there are determination and great intentions, the impossible will become possible.

"Then, is there anything that can replace mermaid blood? Maybe some ancient artifact or some kind of hidden energy force that became a royal treasury item?"

"Niken, where did you think about the possibility of an ancient artifact?"

"In the past, the Nishian Empire had one. There are ancient artifacts stored in the basement of the palace. Only the Nishian king or the crown prince could open the door, so no one knew what kind of artifact was kept in the Nishian kingdom. I've also read that in the history books of the Zeed kingdom, it has similar artifacts. So I think each kingdom also has it. Maybe this artifact can be the main key to restore the mermaid kingdom."

"What Niken said makes sense." replied the familiar spirit. "But, if that artifact is precious, then there's no way outsiders would know where it was stored. I doubt Princess Merylin is already aware of the artifact's existence. She was still eighteen years old at the time and had not yet undergone the ritual of the crown princess's ceremony. I'll try to find it in the lake."

Seeking straight is better than doing nothing. Before the familiar spirit dived back into the lake, it created water bubbles from its movements. The bubble became solid and now became a crystal ball the size of a hand fist.

"You can reach me via this orb."

After giving the orb to Zehell, the familiar sea spirit returned to the lake and dived in to search for the artifact's whereabouts sparingly.