Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Triton and mermaid eyes followed William with a mixture of curiosity and fear as he was hauled through the city. His presence, a human in their midst, was an anomaly, a disruption of their secluded existence. It had been ages since a human had set foot within their walls, and his sudden appearance sparked anxiety. Was he a scout for a hostile force? Did he intend to exploit their hidden city?

William, ensnared by the magical net, was rendered powerless. Though his mana remained unsealed, his physical abilities were nullified. As a practitioner of body enhancement magic, the net was his perfect counter. He could only watch helplessly as they dragged him towards a forbidding stone building at the city's edge, isolated and imposing. It was their prison.

The triton guard shoved him into a cell and departed. Other cells held prisoners, all tritons or mermaids. William was the only human.

Curiosity rippled through the inmates as they noticed William.

"Well, well," a gruff voice called out. "A human in our city. How did you find us?"

William was surprised they spoke his language. Were they once surface dwellers? He refused to answer their questions, assuming they were imprisoned for a reason. Sharing information with criminals seemed unwise.

"It's none of your business," William retorted coldly.

"Of course it's my business," the triton pressed. "Aren't you curious about this place? Answer a few of my questions, and I'll answer a few of yours."

William recognized the manipulative tactic. Had the triton been anyone else, he might have considered the deal. However, given his current circumstances, William refused.

"Nice try," William scoffed. "I'll wait for their interrogation. I'll learn everything I need then."

"You think they'll answer your questions and treat you well? You're a human, and we despise humans!"

William ignored him, sitting patiently in his cell. He didn't attempt to escape. If the other prisoners hadn't broken free, the bars were likely made of a special material. Besides, an escape attempt would only worsen his situation.

Five hours passed. William was hungry, thirsty, and his body ached from the hard stone floor. When a guard finally arrived, it was a welcome sight.

"Come with me," the guard instructed.

The triton guard approached, magical net at the ready, but William raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "You can trust me. I won't run. I wouldn't get far anyway."

The guard hesitated, then lowered the net. They traversed the city, arriving at a grand structure on an elevated plateau. It resembled a castle, constructed from coral and stone, an impressive sight that left William awestruck.

He quickly deduced that this society had a ruling class, likely a king and queen, judging by the grandeur of the building and its resemblance to a palace. The presence of numerous guards further reinforced this notion.

As they entered, a guard addressed William's escort. "Is this the human who arrived earlier?"

"Indeed. Is the king prepared?"

"Yes. Bring him in."

A meeting with the king had been arranged. William was apprehensive. Would the king be hostile? The triton prisoner had mentioned their dislike for humans. Things could turn ugly.

William observed the diverse forms of the palace inhabitants—some gracefully navigating the halls with shimmering tails, while others strode on human legs, just like himself. This apparent ability to shift between forms intrigued him.

'Perhaps they live amongst us undetected,' he mused, considering the implications. If they could conceal their tails, they could seamlessly integrate into human society.

The guard led him through the grand corridors, finally arriving at the imposing doors of the throne room. A hush fell over the area as the doors swung open, revealing a vast chamber fit for royalty. William stepped inside, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

The throne room was empty except for the king himself, who sat upon an ornate throne carved from coral and pearls. It was clear the king desired a private audience.

And what a king he was. Towering over William at least four meters in height, the triton king was a figure of immense power and authority. His physique was imposing, muscles rippling beneath his shimmering scales. Explore hidden tales at empire

He held a magnificent trident, its prongs glinting with an ethereal light. He dwarfed every other triton and mermaid William had seen in the city. William found himself wondering about the source of the king's extraordinary stature. Was it a result of royal lineage, potent magic, or perhaps both?

William bowed deeply, demonstrating the respect he felt the king deserved. "It's an honor to meet you, your Majesty."

The king nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "I appreciate your manners," he rumbled, his voice deep and resonant. "But what brings you here? More importantly, how did you discover the entrance to our hidden city?"

William, sensing honesty was the best policy, decided against concealing information. He explained his presence clearly, detailing his journey and his purpose.

"The king of my kingdom suffers from an illness," William revealed. "One of the ingredients required for the cure is a Mermaid's Tear. We found traces of mermaids in the nearby islands and anchored our ship to seek your aid." He paused, then continued, "However, I also discovered a map on the island that led me to the entrance of your city. I followed it alone, without my crew, and that's how I ended up here."

The triton king's expression hardened. "I understand. However, the location of our city is a secret, so unfortunately, you cannot leave. In time, I may release you from your cell and allow you to earn your freedom through service."

William's heart sank. This was not the outcome he had hoped for. He needed to utilize every advantage to persuade the king to help him or at least let him go.

"You can't do this," William declared. "I am one of the summoned heroes. You would imprison me while the King of the Underworld roams free?"

The triton king's brow furrowed, and he rose from his throne. He towered over William, their size difference stark.

"What did you say?" he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall.

"Exactly as you heard," William affirmed. "That's my secret, so now we're even. What do you say?"

The triton king laughed. "Are we? At least my claim is true. There's no way you're one of the summoned heroes."

"I am," William insisted firmly.

"Well then," the king countered, "what if my most esteemed mage uses her magic to verify your claim? Are you willing?"

"And can I trust you?" William countered, suspicion coloring his tone. "How does this verification work? What if you declare me a fraud after a fabricated check and send me back to prison?"

He was wary, unsure how anyone could possess the power to discern his true identity as a summoned hero.

The king elucidated, a hint of amusement in his voice. "If you are truly one of the summoned heroes, which I highly doubt, but let's assume you are, then you should know that all summoned heroes bear a unique mark linked to their powers. It's one of the first things they learn about themselves. Your ignorance on this matter betrays your falsehood."

William's jaw dropped. This was news to him. Unlike the other summoned heroes, he hadn't received any specialized training and was no longer in contact with them. He had been dismissed, deemed unnecessary due to the already abundant number of heroes.

Consequently, he was unaware of many details regarding the other heroes, their training, their mission, and so on. The triton king's knowledge on this subject surprised him.

"And how do you know this?" William questioned, curiosity overriding his apprehension.

"I have lived for far longer than you can fathom, young one," the king replied cryptically. "But enough with the questions. Are you willing to undergo this verification?" He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Consider this a favor. The proper course of action would be to return a liar like you to your cell."

The king remained unconvinced by William's claims, which was understandable. However, he was offering William a chance to prove himself. This presented both a potential opportunity and a significant risk. It could be his ticket to freedom or the confirmation of his deceit, potentially leading to further consequences.

"Bring in your mage," William agreed, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart.

Before summoning his mage, the king proposed a wager. "Let's make a bet. If you are truly a summoned hero, I'll support you in any way I can. But if you're not," his voice hardened, "you'll spend the rest of your days in one of my cells, with no chance of freedom. You'll work for us without reward, doing whatever we demand. Do we have an agreement?"

The king expected William to hesitate, to weigh the risks of such a gamble. Instead, William responded without missing a beat, "Deal."

It shocked the triton king, who called for his court mage to do the test. William had no idea what to expect of that.