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Carlos was about to jump up when Riseben pinned him down.

She thought about it carefully for a while, and instead of refuting it, she nodded.

The risks Nathan mentioned certainly exist, but right now—

"The variables have come to us on their own."

Her gaze swept over the group of strange and mysterious individuals with an inquisitive look, especially Ivan and Sean.

Very strong, extremely strong.

She had only ever sensed this dangerous aura from Fakyu, the captain of the Sea Dragon Guard, and from the hardened criminals on the thirteenth or fourteenth floor of the Abyss Rift prison.

"I need your help."

Rise didn't mince words and spoke frankly.

At this moment, she is a shrewd businesswoman sitting at the negotiating table, calmly assessing her bargaining chips.

Nathan had been waiting for this line, as the perfect opening line.

"The 'Renyi Society' is an organization with principles and bottom lines. We uphold justice, but... we never do anything that doesn't benefit us."

"Let's take stock: the eldest princess, the Golden Guard, the sacrificial tower... and the Sea Dragon Guard, who might betray us..."

Upon hearing this,

Carlos grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Hey, didn't we agree— Waaaaah!"

Ivan quickly covered his mouth:

"At times like these, just listen to what the smart fish says!"

Carlos struggled for a couple of minutes to no avail, and could only protest with indignant "woof woof".

"so......"

The manta ray wagged its four fingers.

"In return, the Benevolent Society needs the specialties and shipping lanes of the Deep Blue Kingdom, as well as the richest mineral veins in the sea... oh, and mithril."

If he forgets this, Renyi will definitely strangle him while smiling...

Then revive them and strangle them again.

Thinking of this, Nathan quickly added:

"Of course, to demonstrate the sincerity of our cooperation, our captain should at least be a prince or some kind of commander, right?"

For a time,

The palace, now a complete mess, was filled only with the white noise of flowing water and the noise of Carlos.

The next part of the script is—

The other party may refute, become angry, or try to bargain.

Then, when anyone appears, gently rebuke them—

"Nathan, don't be so rude to Her Highness the Princess."

Then cut the terms in half again, and the deal is done.

However......

Riseben's reaction surprised him.

"Mr. Manta Ray"

"If your 'Righteous Society' is just a greedy mercenary organization, how can I believe you won't immediately sell me to Brona for some short-sighted gain?"

She swam forward a little, her azure eyes staring directly at Nathan.

"If you are truly, as you imply, a powerful organization spanning the seas, with grand ideals and terrifying strength..."

The question was asked in a soft, slightly playful tone.

It makes it impossible for people to feel any aversion to it.

"...How could a few mere shipping lanes, a single mine, and a hollow title possibly match your ambitions?"

It was like punching soft yet resilient seaweed; the force was effortlessly neutralized.

Nathan asked with great interest:

"Then... what is Your Highness's opinion?"

"It's very simple."

The young princess raised her chin, her smile brimming with confidence and ambition.

"If the Benevolence Society is truly as powerful and principled as you say, then it's not impossible for the entire Deep Blue Kingdom to join it in the future."

"Because...you are not rescuing a princess in distress, but...investing in a future queen."

"I believe the friendship of the entire Deep Blue Kingdom is far more valuable than a few shipping lanes or a few mines. Of course, if I die..."

She shrugged.

"You will get nothing."

Carlos's mouth was still covered by Ivan, but his big tail was swishing loudly, and his eyes were sparkling.

Nathan clapped his hands sincerely.

"Your Highness is so eloquent, even a bald man would probably buy a comb from you."

Sean, standing to the side, felt as if he had been shot in the tail, and glared at the manta ray resentfully.

Nathan pretended not to see it.

have to say,

The third princess's promises were so grand and ambitious that they required someone to make the final decision, but his task was not to haggle.

"But first, you have to survive until tomorrow—"

The voice has not fallen,

Suddenly, it became noisy outside again.

Ivan's expression changed. He released Carlos, put a finger to his lips, and signaled everyone to stop.

Then, with a heavy heart, his tall figure blocked the window.

However......

None of the expected sounds of guards banging on the door, shouting, or even fighting came to pass.

There was only a rustling sound, and the sound of scales rubbing together could be heard, but it quickly returned to silence.

The group held their breath, and even the water seemed to freeze.

A shadow fell over the entire window, instantly darkening the bedroom by several degrees.

Then,

A calm yet familiar voice drifted in through the thin shell window:

"Are you sure this is the place?"

Another, clearer voice answered:

"It must be here. This is the most heavily blocked area; it's obviously a high-priority surveillance target... Uh, is anyone there?"

Several fish inside the palace seemed to be on high alert:

"..."

Ivan's tense muscles relaxed.

Aurora, who had almost exploded from stress, clutched her chest and let out a long sigh of relief.

That was close!

It almost poisoned all the fish present.

"Look, our captain is here!"

Without a second thought, Ivan, who was closest to the window, pulled open the thin shell-shaped window.

Outside the window... a single eye suddenly appeared!

An eye bigger than his head, pitch black like an abyss!

Ivan's hand was still on the window.

The face was less than half a meter away from the eyeball in a straight line, and even the surface membrane could be seen clearly.

"Brin!!!"

He cursed loudly, jumped back three feet, and used the "Thoughts" to block his vitals by holding it across his chest.

The monster outside the window slowly rolled its eyes, staring at the axe in Ivan's hand. It lifted its eyelids, rolled its eyes in a remarkably human-like manner, and then retreated a little in disgust.

"You don't even recognize me? You're face-blind!"

Only then did everyone see clearly,

It was a huge, deep blue octopus that occupied the entire open space of the garden, its skin's ring-shaped patterns shimmering with the light and shadow of the water.

Looking up, this guy has something that looks like a sedan chair on his head.

Four thick, pure gold pillars support the pointed dome, while several-foot-long, shimmering gauze curtains hang around it, swaying and glowing with the waves, obscuring the view inside.

"Black...black rings?!"

Riseben could no longer maintain the composure he had displayed during the negotiations, and his voice rose two octaves.

Except for the most sacred annual sacrificial ceremony, or important events concerning the survival of the kingdom, the high priest would never step out of the sacrificial tower!

Not to mention how ostentatiously he brought his personal vehicle...

Parked outside the window of Mingzhu Garden!