MTLNOVEL Chapter 110: New Ally?
The mage that the triton king called was a woman. A mermaid to be precise. But she didn't look like one. She was walking on two legs, and there was not a single feature in her appearance that would make William link her to a mermaid.
If she was disguising herself, then it was flawless. "This is my court wizard, Meridia. She is quite powerful, and the mage that I trust the most."
William shook his head. "And how does this test works? I mean, will it change your view of me? I've heard that your race dislikes humans."
The king laughed, "and where did you hear that? We don't, and we had a lot more human visitors in the past. Was someone in the cells that told you that? That person is a liar and a thief."
"So if you don't dislike humans, why would you trap me without the chance of letting me go?" William said.
"Well, if you had reached this place by some other means, that I wouldn't. But now you know one of the secret entrances, and this means you cannot leave because people can't know about it."
William smirked, "You mean I can leave, right? Because your mage will do this test and it will see that I am one of the heroes."
"We will see, young man, we will see."
Meridia stepped forward, her amethyst eyes, mirroring the king's, fixed on William. "The verification process is simple," she explained, her voice calm and measured. "I will cast a spell to reveal your true nature. If you are indeed a summoned hero, a mark will manifest, signifying your status and the nature of your powers."
William nodded, his apprehension growing. He had no idea what to expect. Meridia raised her hand, her palm glowing with a soft, ethereal light. She chanted in an ancient tongue, the words washing over William like a gentle wave. He felt a tingling sensation throughout his body, a warmth spreading through his veins.
As Meridia concluded the incantation, a gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled backward, collapsing onto the polished floor.
"What is it, Meridia?" the king boomed, his voice laced with concern.
Meridia, still reeling from the revelation, stammered, "Y-Your Majesty... he... he is indeed a summoned hero." She pointed a trembling finger towards William's forearm, where a mark had materialized – a black dragon, its scales intricately detailed, its eyes glowing with an inner fire.
The king's eyes widened in disbelief. He approached William, his gaze fixed on the mark. "This... this is unprecedented," he murmured, his voice hushed with awe. "Not only is he a summoned hero, but he bears the mark of the Black Dragon, the strongest among them. No hero has been summoned with this mark in over ten thousand years."
A wave of realization washed over the king. He straightened, his eyes filled with newfound respect. "Forgive my earlier skepticism, Hero William," he declared, his voice resonating with sincerity. "I had no idea... We are honored by your presence."
He turned towards the guards. "Release him immediately. And prepare a feast in his honor."
William, still processing the events, felt a surge of relief. He had narrowly escaped imprisonment, and his identity as a summoned hero had been confirmed, even celebrated.
The king, eager to make amends, offered William a tour of the palace, showcasing its grandeur and the intricate workings of their underwater society. He introduced William to his queen, a graceful and intelligent mermaid with a warm smile, and to other members of the court, each expressing their admiration and respect.
"We are indebted to you, Hero William," the queen declared, her voice gentle and melodic. "Your presence here is a blessing."
The king, eager to fulfill his end of the wager, offered William not only his freedom but also the Mermaid's Tear he sought.
"It is an honor to assist a hero, especially one bearing the mark of the Black Dragon," the king proclaimed, presenting William with a shimmering pearl, its surface iridescent with the colors of the sea. "May it aid you in your noble quest."
William accepted the Tear with gratitude, his heart filled with a newfound respect for the triton king and his people.
"Is this the mermaid tear that I needed?" he asked.
The king confirmed, "Yes, it is."
"Incredible," William breathed, turning the pearl over in his palm, mesmerized by its iridescent glow. "Thank you, your Majesty. This is..." He paused, searching for the right words to express his gratitude.
"A small token of our appreciation for a hero," the king finished, a warm smile gracing his features. "Now, come, let us celebrate."
The feast was a grand affair, held in a vast hall adorned with shimmering coral and luminous pearls. Long tables overflowed with platters of exotic delicacies – roasted sea serpent, grilled kelp cakes, and platters of glistening seaweed salad. Triton musicians played haunting melodies on conch shell instruments, and mermaid dancers twirled gracefully, their movements fluid and mesmerizing.
William, seated beside the king and queen, felt a warmth spread through him. He had been welcomed into this hidden world, not as an intruder, but as an honored guest. He savored the delicious food, marveling at the unique flavors and textures.
"This is incredible," he remarked to the queen, who sat beside him. "I've never tasted anything like it."
The queen smiled. "We are proud of our culinary traditions," she replied. "Our chefs are skilled in utilizing the bounty of the sea."
As the festivities continued, the king leaned closer to William, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Hero William," he began, "I understand the importance of discretion. Your identity as a summoned hero will remain a secret within these walls. Only the royal family and Meridia will know the truth."
William nodded gratefully. "Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate your understanding."
The king raised his goblet. "To Hero William," he announced, his voice booming through the hall. "May his journey be filled with success and his name remembered for generations to come."
The hall erupted in cheers, the tritons and mermaids raising their goblets in unison. William, basking in the warmth of their acceptance, felt a surge of hope. He had found an unexpected ally in this underwater kingdom, a powerful force that could aid him in his quest. He knew that with their support, and the Mermaid's Tear secured, he was one step closer to fulfilling his mission and saving King Memphis.
Once the festivities concluded, the king and William retreated to a private chamber for a more intimate conversation. The king presented William with an azure ring, pulsing with a palpable magical aura.
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"This is a unique artifact," the king explained. "We possess only three of its kind. It will allow you to open a portal to our city whenever you wish. You can also use it to return to the location where you first entered."
William was astonished. He had never encountered such a powerful treasure.
"We have remained hidden for far too long," the king confessed. "Perhaps this is an opportunity to re-establish communication with the humans and rekindle our friendship. Could you arrange a meeting between myself and King Memphis in the near future?"
The triton king saw this as a chance to initiate contact with the human world. William was pleased; he had gained a valuable ally.
"Certainly, your Majesty," William assured him. "I'll arrange it."
William didn't know if the other heroes were getting powerful allies, but he knew he was, and that was only the start. He would reclaim his glory, and get his revenge.