I'm doing bidirectional science popularization in American comics

“Father,” Mera introduced, “the landman next to me is Depp. He says he has something he wants to see you about.”

Nereus stared at Mera, his anger seemingly capable of boiling the sea: "Mera, you brought a landman of unknown origin to Zebel like this, and even brought him before me?"

"But Father..."

Mera wanted to argue, but suddenly realized that she really didn't know anything about Depp. She just felt comfortable when she saw him, and her mind was full of thoughts when she couldn't see him.

Even Mera herself couldn't understand why she trusted Depp so much.

However, both Depp and Nereus knew that this girl was somewhat love-struck.

"What if he's trying to assassinate me? Mera, haven't you considered these consequences at all?"

Nereus spoke in a high-pitched voice, and Mera, standing before him, lowered her head in shame.

Seeing this, Depp said, "Your Majesty King Nereus, as you can see, I have not come to assassinate you, but to discuss important matters with you."

“A big deal?” Nereus said dismissively. “I’m sorry, Zebel never cooperates with land people. Get out of here before I really lose my temper.”

Depp sighed helplessly and said, "Before coming to Zebel, the Trench Kingdom had already submitted to me, and I also reached an agreement with King Orm of Atlantis. I will lead the seven sea kingdoms to form an alliance. At that time, there will be no more conflicts between the various races, and the seven sea kingdoms can work together to develop the economy and improve the marine environment. If there is an invasion by foreign enemies, the seven kingdoms can unite to defend against the enemy, which is not comparable to fighting alone."

However, King Nereus did not believe Depp's words at all. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "Guards, throw this lying human into the sea."

Upon hearing this, the guards immediately approached Depp, while Nereus said to Mera, "Look at the guy you brought, a landman who talks nonsense all the time. Is he really worth your adoration?"

Mera's eyes trembled with conflict upon hearing this, but she said, "No matter what, I still believe in him!"

"Hey!"

King Nereus sighed helplessly, wondering why his daughter would turn against him as soon as she grew up.

The next moment, Depp easily pushed aside the guards who were trying to grab him, and then with a loud crash, the entire palace seemed to tremble.

King Nereus looked down and saw an enormous bone harpoon lying on the ground.

"what is this?"

Mera asked, puzzled.

But King Nereus was shocked, for he knew that this was the weapon of the Trench Queen.

He looked at Depp suspiciously, wondering if this kid really ruled the Trench Kingdom.

How can this be?

Even Atlantis and Zebel couldn't conquer the Trench Kingdom, but this kid subdued it all by himself?

Or perhaps... this kid is actually the ruler of some force on the mainland.

But if they were land-dwellers, the most they could do was wipe out the Trench Tribe; they would have no chance of notifying them.

Firstly, there's the language barrier, and secondly, the Trench Tribe are a group of madmen who have lost their minds and only know how to kill; it's impossible for land dwellers to reach any agreement with them.

Because they can't understand!

As for the possibility that Depp is affiliated with some overseas force, that's utter nonsense.

The maritime power of the entire Earth was basically divided among several underwater nations belonging to the Atlantis civilization.

For example, the Kingdom of Atlantis, the Kingdom of Zebel, the Kingdom of Fishermen, and so on.

Suddenly, Nereus thought, what if this kid really single-handedly defeated the Trench Clan? Wouldn't he be courting death by being so arrogant in front of him?

Thinking of this, Nereus immediately grabbed Mera's arm and led his daughter behind the many guards.

However, Depp didn't say anything, but instead threw the conch shell that Nudisviko had given him at Nereus.

Nereus took the conch shell, examined it closely, and a look of shock flashed in his eyes once again.

He recognized it as Nudisviko's communication conch shell, and Nudisviko was the chief minister of Atlantis.

In other words, this kid really conquered the Trench Kingdom and even reached an agreement with Atlantis?

"Weren't you lying just now?"

Nereus tossed the conch shell back to Depp and said.

Depp shrugged and said, "Of course, I'm the most honest person."

Nereus pondered for a moment, then said, "So your purpose in coming to Zebel this time is not Mera, but the alliance of the seven kingdoms in the sea?"

Depp glanced at the bewildered Mera, then nodded and said, "That's true."

Sorry, little tool girl.

Mera was incredulous upon hearing this, but her romantic thoughts once again took over.

Hmph, Depp is definitely lying, he came here for me!

My God, for my sake, he actually did things like conquering the Trench Kingdom and forging an alliance of seven sea kingdoms. He's so manly!

That's for sure. Once the alliance of the seven kingdoms in the sea is successful, he will definitely take the opportunity to have my father bestow me upon him!

Tsk tsk tsk, I've seen right through Depp's little schemes.

Hurry up, the seven kingdoms of the sea, unite quickly! I can't wait!

However, King Nereus had no time for such sentimental thoughts; instead, he was weighing the pros and cons of everything.

Admittedly, the alliance of the seven kingdoms in the sea is of considerable benefit to Zebel.

For example, it can avoid conflicts with other countries and also share the technology of Atlantis and the Fishermen's Kingdom.

When faced with external enemies, they can also fight alongside other countries.

The question is, after the alliance of the seven sea kingdoms, who will be the leader of the alliance?

He looked at Depp, could it be... that the leader of the seven sea kingdoms is going to be this land dweller?

I, Nereus, am the first to disagree!

clang!!!

Depp seemed to read Zebel's mind and immediately took out the Neptune Trident.

As the trident appeared, the seawater of the entire Zebel Sea began to churn. People couldn't help but sense something and involuntarily looked towards the kingdom, then knelt down one after another.

"This is Neptune's Trident?" Nereus's eyes widened in shock. "You actually gained the Trident's approval? This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Because Nereus knew that Depp was a land dweller, and how could the Trident possibly recognize a race outside of the Atlantean civilization?

That's simply impossible!

Nereus gazed at the ripples spreading across the golden trident, and at the control that even he found unsettling.

He knew that the Neptune Trident in front of him was definitely real!

But......

Just as Nereus was about to say something, a voice suddenly appeared in his mind.

"You son of a bitch, if I approve of someone, why would I need your orders?"

"what?"

Nereus stared at Depp with a bewildered look in his eyes, his gaze full of questions.

Chapter 282 Setting Off Again

Neptune's trident rebuke caught Nereus off guard for a moment.

Beside him, Mera heard her father's words and exclaimed in shock, "Father, you just said... Depp is holding Neptune's Trident?"

At this point, Nereus finally came to his senses, his face filled with astonishment, but he dared not utter any more words.

Nereus tugged at Mera's arm and said, "That's right, there's no doubt about it. It's unbelievable that this land dweller has gained the approval of Neptune's Trident."

Mera, who had just overheard Depp's conversation with his father, said with a quick thought, "Since Depp has already gained the approval of Neptune's Trident, does that mean that it's indisputable that he would be the leader of the Seven Nations Alliance?"

Nereus glanced sideways at his beloved daughter and sighed silently.

The saying "a daughter is not meant to be kept at home" perfectly describes this girl, isn't it?

They've only just come of age, and they're already starting to side with outsiders!

On the other hand, Nereus also thought that if Mera really became a partner with the land dweller in front of him, then Zebel's status in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance would naturally rise as well.

It might even surpass Atlantis and become the leader of the Seven Nations Alliance!

Thinking this way, Nereus's original depression gradually dissipated, and he even began to imagine such a wonderful future.

Unfortunately, Depp doesn't seem to have any particular feelings for Mera right now.

In DC, he already has Selena, and in the Boys world, he has an extremely clingy Starlight.

Therefore, Depp has a very high immunity to beautiful women.

They are unlikely to do anything that would be swayed by beauty.

For Depp now, nothing is more important than completing the task of unifying the seven seas.

“King Nereus, I think you should make a decision as soon as possible.” Depp glanced at the remaining time in the mission: “I don’t have much time.”

Seeing the Neptune Trident in Depp's hand, even Nereus, the most warlike of the underwater people, had to reconsider his thoughts.

In the end, Nereus compromised, saying, "If you want to become the leader of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, I have only one condition."

"What conditions?"

Depp asked if he could accept anything as long as Nereus didn't make unreasonable demands.

Nereus paused for a moment, then said, "Two days from now, the tournament initiated by Zebel, with the participation of Atlantis and the Fishermen's Kingdom, will officially begin. If you win the championship without using the power of Neptune's Trident, I will wholeheartedly support you as the leader of the Seven Nations Alliance."

"that's it?"

Depp asked rather casually.

Nereus nodded and said, “That’s right, that’s all, because I can’t tolerate a leader of the Seven Nations Alliance who is a useless idiot without Neptune’s Trident. Of course, if you fail, then the position of leader of the Seven Nations Alliance will need to be discussed further.”

Depp immediately agreed, saying, "No problem, we'll do it your way."

Seeing that Depp agreed, Nereus smiled with satisfaction, and then asked, "There's one more thing. You mentioned the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, but whether the Exiled Kingdom and the Lost Kingdom still exist, besides the Trench Kingdom, is debatable. How do you plan to find the remnants of these two kingdoms whose continued existence is uncertain?"

After Nereus finished speaking, a smile appeared on his lips. He had already figured out that Depp, this landman, was inexplicably so enthusiastic about the Seven Nations Alliance.

And what he seems to want is a seven-nation alliance, not just the five sea nations that currently exist in the world.