One of the male shark-men confronting Yego roared, "The ancient sea god Krakosh sent down a divine message, telling us to seek refuge with the dragon god and escape calamity!"

Another person said, "You are also followers of Krakosh, so why did the Dragon God allow you to enter but refuse us?"

Rita slowly swam to the front and said calmly, "Because we had obtained the Dragon God's approval before entering. After swearing allegiance and paying the price, he agreed to accept me and Yego."

A sea creature covered in scales, with frog-like limbs and a fish-like appearance, approached Rita, stared into her eyes, and asked, "Does the Dragon God require you to renounce your faith in the ancient gods?"

Rita shook her head: "No, the Gray Swan of Kinlaska, the Dragon God agrees that we can retain our original faith."

Upon hearing this, all the sea refugees breathed a sigh of relief.

The sea creature known as Gray Swan continued, "Then what exactly is this so-called price you speak of?"

Rita said, "The Dragon God's army is currently fighting against other kingdoms, and they are not rich in either land or resources..."

Grey Swan said in a low voice, "So he wants us to give up our wealth and fight for him?"

Upon hearing this, the shark-man Yego was somewhat confused: "The Dragon God has never mentioned these requests."

Rita's maid quickly gestured for him to be quiet.

Rita tossed her hair and nodded to Grey Swan, saying, "If that weren't the case, why would the Dragon God help us heretics?"

Grey Swan closed his eyes: "I admit, what you said makes sense, but we..."

Behind him, his people cried out, “Our homeland was swallowed up by the plague, and many of our family members have turned into immortal monsters. When we escaped, we didn’t even have enough food to eat, so where would we get the wealth to offer to the Dragon God, or the strength to fight for him?”

These words immediately stirred up the deep sorrow of all the maritime refugees, and most of them burst into tears on the spot, while some collapsed in despair in the water.

Looking at the tragic scene before her, Rita, with a touch of sadness, wiped her eyes and said, "Just a few months ago, we were just like you. Thanks to the Dragon God's mercy, he lent us, the tribe of Salamanders and Sharks, a piece of the sea. Now we have built our fishing grounds here, released our fish fry, and are starving, just waiting for next year's harvest."

Yego scratched his fin, completely bewildered: "Hungry? I'm full."

One of Rita's maids swung her fishtail and struck Yego on the back: "Shut up!"

After a moment of sadness, Rita said to Grayswan, "In the past, we may have had disagreements, even wars, but we are, after all, children of the ancient gods. I am willing to share the sea area that the Dragon God lent us with you. You can fish for the food here, and you can find shelter on the seabed..."

"Share?!" Yegor suddenly roared upon hearing this, "No! This place! Belongs to! Us!"

Upon hearing Yege's shouts, Grey Swan's face turned angry.

Rita approached Yego and whispered, "If you lend our place to these people, I'll give you another fifty boxes of food."

Seeing that Rita had "persuaded" Yegor, Grey Swan said with great emotion, "In the past, Saramo and Kinlaska have always been fighting over territory. I never expected that you would be willing to help us today. But, as for the Dragon God..."

Rita smiled and said, "Although you have no wealth to offer and no way to fight for the Dragon God right now, I am willing to persuade the Dragon God to take you in."

Rita's words moved all the sea refugees present to tears of gratitude.

Not only were they willing to share the sea, but they also promised to provide food and even agreed to plead with the Dragon God for all the sea refugees. Such kindness and magnanimity would be enough to make even the most demanding person grateful.

Grey Swan bowed to Rita: "My father often told me that the merfolk of Salamander were cunning and treacherous, but what I've seen today makes me convinced that he must have been misled by rumors..."

Rita smiled and said, "Only those who have truly touched the seabed know its depths... By the way, why isn't your wise father here today?"

Grey Swan lowered his head: "Even when faced with the Black Plague, he still refused to leave his homeland..."

Rita crossed her arms over her chest and said sincerely, "He was a great hero, a truly respectable man."

After expressing her condolences to Grey Swan once again, Rita turned away, her smile slowly fading, leaving only smugness and excitement in her expression.

"Good riddance, you old bastard!"