Samsara Tower: Only I Know the Plot!-Chapter 427 - 428: Good Guy!

"The bastard child?"

King Nereus looked visibly surprised.

Mera rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Father, mind your words! That is hardly something a king should say."

But Nereus only smiled, brushing off his daughter’s reprimand. "Mera, I want you to seek out the Sea God, extend him my friendship, and invite him as a guest to our palace."

"Why?" Mera asked, puzzled.

Nereus’ smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with shrewd calculation. "I know Orm. His ambition runs too deep—he will never tolerate someone who threatens his throne."

He paused, then added with quiet certainty: "A clash between Orm and the Sea God is inevitable."

Mera frowned. "Father, are you saying we should side with the Sea God? But isn’t Orm our ally?"

"Mera," Nereus said patiently, "there is an old human saying: ’Do not put all your eggs in one basket.’ The conflict between Orm and Poseidon is bound to escalate. We cannot commit to either side prematurely. First, I must see this so-called Sea God for myself. If he proves strong enough, only then will we decide our course."

At last, Mera understood her father’s intent.

What a cunning old fox.

"I understand, Father."

—---

On the beach near the lighthouse, Arthur drank with Fenric as they discussed how to reclaim the throne.

Fenric’s approach was simple—direct confrontation. With his overwhelming strength and the trident’s power to command all sea creatures, he was confident he could subdue Atlantis and dethrone Orm with ease.

But Arthur opposed the idea.

Strong suppression would mean countless deaths, and that was something he could not accept. His mother, Atlanna, also wished to see her son rise without drenching the throne in blood.

Fenric sighed, unwilling but not heartless. For Arthur’s sake, he relented.

"Arthur, I’ll give you one day. If you can’t come up with a better plan, then we’ll do it my way."

Stretching lazily, Fenric rose to his feet, leaving Arthur to his troubled thoughts as he went to find a place to sleep.

Just then, a slender figure emerged from the sea and strode across the sand.

It was Mera.

"Arthur Curry, and the honored Sea God," she greeted formally. "I am Princess Mera of the Xebel Kingdom. By my father’s command, I invite you both to the palace as guests."

"Oh?"

Fenric chuckled.

He immediately understood the weight behind this invitation.

Truly, when one dozed, fate often brought a pillow. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Arthur, hesitant to decide, glanced at Fenric.

Fenric smiled and nodded. "Very well. When do we leave?"

"Now, if possible," Mera replied promptly.

Fenric brought Atlanna with him, and the moment Mera laid eyes on the queen, she froze in shock.

Atlanna—alive? By all accounts, the queen should have perished long ago.

But Mera recovered quickly, stepping forward with respect. "Your Majesty, it gladdens me beyond words to see you alive and well."

Atlanna studied her with gentle eyes. "You must be the daughter of King Nereus. I remember holding you when you were a child."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Mera said warmly. "I still remember the lessons you gave me."

"There is no need for such formality," Atlanna sighed. "I am but a sinner of Atlantis, no longer its queen."

"No!" Mera shook her head firmly. "In my heart, you will always be the queen of Atlantis. It is my honor to escort you. My father will be overjoyed to see you again."

Atlanna nodded. "Then let us go."

She too hoped to win Nereus’ support for her eldest son.

—--

Guided by Mera, the group of four soon arrived at the palace of the Xebel Kingdom.

The moment Nereus saw Atlanna, his reaction mirrored his daughter’s—utter disbelief. But when his gaze fell upon the trident in Fenric’s hand, shock gave way to awe.

Nereus’ demeanor quickly shifted to enthusiastic warmth. He knew well what Atlanna’s survival meant—and even more, what it meant for Fenric to wield the trident and command the legendary sea beast Karathen.

The ensuing talks were lively and pleasant. When Fenric declared his support for Arthur’s claim to the throne, Nereus wasted no time. He pounded his chest and pledged his full backing.

Not to support would be sheer stupidity.

Just one Karathen could devastate Atlantis as it stood now—let alone the terrifying power of the Sea God himself.

"King Nereus," Fenric asked, "I want Arthur to take the throne. But he refuses to do it through bloodshed. Do you have any suggestions?"

Nereus thought carefully before replying. "Yes. In a few days, the annual Council of Kings will convene. If His Majesty Poseidon proposes Arthur’s succession at the council, few will dare to oppose."

Fenric smiled. "Then that is what we shall do."

—----

Four days later, the Council of Kings was held in Atlantis—the mightiest of the seven seas.

The city bustled with unprecedented splendor as kings and their entourages arrived. Although ordinary citizens could not attend the council itself, they flocked to the celebrations, proud that Atlantis was chosen as the host.

In truth, only four kings gathered. The Trench tribe had no king, merely beasts. Two other kingdoms had long severed ties with Atlantis and refused Orm’s summons.

Thus, the royal palace’s council hall held but four rulers.

At the center, as host and blood heir of Atlantis, Orm sat in the seat of honor. The other kings were seated to his left and right, awaiting the start of the fateful meeting.