Chapter 68
“Nina, if you won’t help the eagle chick, fine. But you have to treat my face p>
Dora stepped forward abruptly, blocking Jao and the eagle chick as if she were the one wronged.
When she saw the snow-white tiger cub cradled in Nina’s arms—beautiful, soft, flawless—jealousy flashed across her eyes like a blade.
Nina glanced at Dora’s grotesque, festering face and curled her lips faintly.
“And why should I help you? What makes you think you even have the right to ask p>
After everything Dora had done to her, she still had the nerve to come begging for a cure. The poison had been prepared for Dora in the first place—why would Nina undo it? Besides, this wasn’t even the worst of it yet.
“You—we’re both females. Shouldn’t we help each other?” Dora grasped at a feeble excuse.
“Have you forgotten what you did to me?” Nina’s voice turned cold.
Dora bit her lip, unwilling but cornered. “Then… I’ll apologize. Is that enough p>
“I don’t care about your apology. Leave. I won’t help you.” Nina turned and walked toward the house.
“After I’ve apologized, what more do you want?” Dora shouted angrily.
Nina ignored her.
Seeing she truly meant to leave, Dora rushed forward and blocked her path again.
“Fine! I’ll beg you, alright p>
“Move,” Nina said impatiently. “I won’t help you p>
Dora touched her ruined cheek, clenched her teeth—and dropped to her knees.
“I’m begging you. Please fix my face p>
She could not become a hideous outcast. Once she recovered, she would find a way to erase today’s humiliation.
Nina looked down at her and said icily, “Even if you kneel, I won’t help you. Now get out p>
“I’m kneeling already! Why won’t you help me?” Dora sprang back to her feet in fury.
Nina stepped around her.
When Dora tried to follow, a sharp ice spike slammed down between them with a crack.
Mino stood nearby, his gaze cold as frost. He swept a glance over Dora’s mates.
“Take her away p>
They hurried forward, dragging Dora back despite her struggles.
“Nina, you vicious female! Watching someone die without helping! Remember this—I won’t let you off p>
A faint sneer curved Nina’s lips.
Kindness was reserved for those who deserved it.
Dora was dragged away by force. But Jao remained kneeling, the eagle chick still in his arms.
After the meal, Nina noticed he was still there.
“You should go,” she said softly. “I truly can’t help you. I’m sorry p>
“Please,” Jao’s voice broke. “Please save him p>
Aside from Nina, he had no one left to ask. If he left now, he feared the last sliver of hope would disappear.
He looked down at the fragile, incomplete chick in his arms. His eyes were full of sorrow and torment.
If he couldn’t be healed… should he force the child to endure a painful life? Or grant him release?
The little eagle chick lifted his round eyes and looked at Jao, innocent and confused, yet faintly attached.
For some reason, this embrace felt safe.
Jao tightened his hold, unwilling to leave.
Nina sighed.
Just then, footsteps approached. She looked up—and saw the shaman.
“Nina,” he said with a gentle smile. “I’ve come to see you p>
“What is it?” she asked.
“It concerns them.” He glanced at Jao.
Instead of answering her, he turned to Jao.
“I can help the eagle chick. But I am doing so because of Nina. You must remember to thank her properly p>
Jao’s eyes lit up as if dawn had broken. He bowed repeatedly toward Nina.
“As long as he lives, I will do anything for you. I’ll serve you as a slave for life if you wish p>
Nina felt awkward. “It’s the shaman who is helping. Thank him p>
The shaman took out a luminous bead and a vial of medicine. He applied the liquid to the chick’s damaged areas, then activated the bead.
Brilliant light burst forth, enveloping the tiny body.
Before their eyes, new wings began to grow. Tiny claws formed. The sparse down thickened into soft feathers.
The chick flapped cautiously, then stared at his newly formed claws in disbelief.
“Chirp! Chirp!” he cried excitedly, as if declaring, I’m whole!
He turned gratefully to the shaman.
The shaman smiled gently. “Remember—if not for this female, I would not have helped you. She is your true benefactor. One day, repay her in full p>
The chick nodded solemnly.
“And grow into a righteous, kind beastman,” the shaman added. “Do no evil, or the Beast God will punish you p>
Another nod.
Tears blurred Jao’s vision. He knocked his head against the ground again.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you. Let me serve you p>
“Enough,” Nina stepped back. “I don’t need slaves. You’re Dora’s mate, after all p>
Jao lowered his head. He would repay her in another way.
The shaman’s tone turned cold. “Jao, do you understand why the Beast God released you? Do you know what you must do p>
A ruthless glint entered Jao’s eyes. “I understand p>
“It’s late. Take the chick home,” Nina said quietly.
Jao bowed deeply once more and left with the chick.
Before departing, the shaman handed Nina a bottle of medicine.
“This aids wound healing. It will resonate well with the bead you wear p>
“It’s too precious,” Nina protested.
He pressed it into her hands. “Consider it a gift from the Beast God. I see something in you, Nina… You’re not like other females p>
Then he left with a knowing smile.
That evening, Jao returned to Dora’s dwelling—but did not enter. Instead, he went next door and handed the eagle chick to his friend.
“Ash, I entrust him to you. Please raise him well p>
“Why? You’re back. Why not raise him yourself p>
“There is something I must do first.” He stroked the chick’s head gently. “His name is Jino p>
May you grow righteous and kind, unlike your father.
With one last long look, he turned and entered Dora’s house.
Dora frowned. “Took you long enough p>
“The eagle chick has recovered,” Jao said evenly.
Joy flashed across her face. If he could persuade Nina once, perhaps—
“Take me to Nina. She’ll fix my face too p>
Jao did not move. His eyes were colder than winter. A faint smile touched his lips.
“Alright. I’ll take you p>
Dora smiled and stepped forward, and suddenly felt searing pain in her chest.
She looked down in disbelief.
A claw had pierced straight through her heart.
“Jao, you p>
Her heart was crushed in his grip before she could finish.
When the claw withdrew, blood poured out. Dora collapsed instantly, lifeless.
Jao pressed a hand to his own chest. Blood seeped from his lips.
He fell backward, closing his eyes in peace.
Nina… I have atoned for my sins. This is the only thing I could do for you.
Beast God… I accept my punishment.
At the same moment, Dora’s bound mates clutched their chests in agony. Most died on the spot. Two survived—but were gravely injured, their strength shattered.
Later that night, a thin male entered the house and stabbed Dora’s corpse several more times in fury.
“A vicious female like you deserves to have your soul devoured p>
He dragged her body into the Demon Beast Forest and watched as the monsters tore it apart.
The next morning, Leah rushed to Nina’s stone house to tell her everything.
Nina felt strangely numb.
Dora had merely reaped what she sowed, but her husbands deserved better.
As Leah was still sighing over the tragedy, heavy footsteps approached.
Tribal Chief Tali had arrived—bringing many beastmen with him.