He gripped the golden handle tightly, the familiar weight of the sword reassuring in his grasp, as the lustrous black stone, set into the hilt pulsed with a dominating energy.

The group turned around at his declaration, exchanging glances at his actions.

The merman stopped. His eyes widened as he retracted his claws.

He frantically brought his fist to his palm, crying out.

‘The sword of Scriba!

He gasped, lowering his head as he stuttered.

‘I-I apologize for not recognizing you, o’ successor of Lord Scriba!’

His tone was replaced by one of reverence.

Jun’s mouth twitched, the hair on his arm standing up.

He approached the merman, lifting his sword high above his head. The water swirled around it, sending out ripples with each sharp movement. The water resisted the upward swing, the pressure weighing on Jun’s hand. He slashed, the blade smoothly slicing through the liquid.

The water surged, creating subtle currents that coiled around his arms, tugging at his clothes. The water stilled as the blade halted above his head, leaving only small ripples.

Jun let out a harsh breath, his heart pounding as his stomach churned. His posture was rigid as he puffed out his chest. His lips curved, his nose scrunching as he slightly narrowed his eyes. The tightened muscles were evident by the tremor in his hand. He tightly gripped the hilt, until his knuckles turned white.

There was a slight tremble in his voice as he ordered.

‘…Y-yes! I shall forgive you! But only if you lead us to your realm!’

Alice watched this scene with pursed lips, the corners of her mouth rising as her eyes arched. Jason face-palmed as he sighed, shaking his head. Zhiren smiled, showing a thumbs-up but the corners of her lips twitched as her eyes darted away. Daiki crossed his arms, taking a deep breath as he looked down, his expression hidden though his shoulders were seen slightly shaking.

The merman focused on the blade, not noticing the group’s reaction. He lowered his head until it seemed like he was bowing.

‘I’m afraid that may not be possible…’, he cautiously replied.

Jun’s lips trembled as he raised an eyebrow. He sharply swung the blade. The water swished around it, pointing the tip at the merman.

He took a deep breath. ‘Why?!’, he demanded.

The merman flinched at the question, frantically looking up.

‘Allow me to introduce myself.’ He bowed before straightening as he lifted his chin. ‘I am Prince Kai Marines III, of the Marines Royal Family, named after the great god Kai Marines himself!’

Jason snapped his head at the name as a single thought popped up. We made it.

Jason looked at Jun, raising his eyebrows. Jun met his gaze, narrowing his eyes. He mouthed out, Check. Stat. Window. Jason nodded. He mumbled something under his breath, looking up. His lips curled, blinking hard as he carefully nodded at Jun.

Alice caught this exchange from the corner of her eyes and nudged Zhiren and Daiki, tilting her head to the side as she raised an eyebrow and mouthed, Blind. Spot.

Zhiren and Daiki’s eyes widened, looking at each other with raised eyebrows and nodded. They quickly checked their stat windows and smiled.

Prince Kai tilted his head, brows furrowing as his eyes darted between the group. He silently wondered. Did I say something funny?

Alice turned to look at him with a smirk, crossing her arms as she said in an annoyed tone.

‘Okay, okay. We get it. You’re great. Now get to the point, your Royal Highness‘.

Stolen novel; please report.

The Prince jolted at her tone, his brows knitting together as he raised his hand, extending his claws at her. Ahem. Jun coughed, raising an eyebrow. The prince flinched at the sound, backing away as he made eye contact with him. He lowered his head again while retracting his claws.

‘Yes, ma’am. I shall get to the point.’ he emphasized, scowling at her.

‘The law dictates that we cannot allow a successor…’.

He glanced at the group, his chin raised.

‘…or their companions inside. Unless… they are accompanied by a successor of Prince Kai I.’

Alice laughed out loud, hugging her sides and sending out ripples at her movements. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes, pursing her lips. She smirked.

‘Then we have no problem at all’.

The prince blinked, tilting his head as he raised an eyebrow at her words.

Alice bit her lip, the corners of her mouth lifting. With a slight tilt of her head, she pointed at Jason.

‘That is the successor of your dear Lord Kai’.

The prince scoffed, his face contorting as he said, ‘Hah, you expect me to believe that there are two successors within the vicinity? Standing at the same place, at the same time? When there hasn’t been a single one in over a millennia?!’

He shook his head.

And among them, happens to be one of our Lord? How convenient.’

The prince glared at the two, sneering as his hand clenched into fists. His claws dug into his skin, as red droplets slid down his whitening knuckles mixing with the murky water around them.

Snow jumped forward, snarling at him. His tail whipped back and forth threateningly. Flames escaped from the corner of his clenched teeth as he narrowed his eyes at the enraged prince.

‘Stand down, Snow!’ Alice commanded. Snow paused, withdrawing the flames as he glared at the prince.

Jason stepped back, but Alice quickly caught his shoulder, pulling him forward. She shook her head at him and whispered, ‘Your sword’.

He smirked and nodded, saying, ‘Follow after me’.

Then, he turned his head to the side, ‘All of you’.

Jason mumbled, ‘Inventory, drop legendary sword’. The prince’s ears twitched, jerking as he stared at him wide-eyed, shaking his head.

Like before, a long silver blade materialized in Jason’s hand, as he gripped the pale blue handle tightly in his palm. He swung the sword over his head like Jun had done.

The water swirled around the blade rippling as it gradually spun faster. A green light ominously oozed out of the stone embedded in the hilt, casting an eerie glow. Jason gasped at the scene, pulling his hand back but the sword resisted his action, staying in place as it pulled the water around it. The momentum increased with every passing second.

The water churned violently around the blade, pulling surrounding objects into its swirling center as rocks and shells were swept away by the chaos. The current intensified, twisting into a violent upward spiral.

The group flailed, struggling against the violent pull.

‘JASON! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!’ Daiki yelled out, he wildly thrashed about, as bubbles erupted around them. ‘ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED?!’ shrieked Alice, holding on to Snow’s tail as he furiously flapped his wings. Zhiren held onto his hind leg, trying to push him forward as she paddled hard, water splashing. Her hair was swept back, being pulled into the vacuum. She fought hard against the pressure, thinking. I’M CUTTING THEM!

While the prince who was still in the chaos, seemingly unaffected, gaped at the whirlpool. It can’t be…How?

‘IT WON’T STOP!’ cried out Jason.

He fought against the relentless pull, muscles straining as his clothes were dragged toward it. His veins bulged as he exerted effort, trying to regain control. Heart pounding in his chest as he swallowed mouthfuls of seawater causing his eyes to sting.

Jun shouted, barely fighting against the current as he started being pulled toward it.

‘REMEMBER! YOU ARE IN CONTROL! MAKE IT KNOWN! FOCUS!’

His efforts were futile against the chaotic whirlpool. He frowned, narrowing his eyes as he pulled hard yelling out in frustration, ‘STOP IT!’

The light faded away as the pressure disappeared. The whirlpool slowly calmed, leaving behind ripples.

Jason took a deep breath, slumping down. The sword lay limp in his hand. He stared at it, worriedly.

The prince stared at the sword, mumbling in a daze. ‘The Sword of Marines…’

Alice leaned on Zhirens shoulder, panting. ‘The hell…’

The prince snapped out of his daze, shaking his head hard. He hastily dropped into a bow.

‘Prince Kai Marines III greets the Lord! The successor of the Great god Prince Kai Marines I’

He peeked at Jason, who was looking at him with a frown, lowering his head again as he said.

‘I-I deeply apologize for my insolence! I was blind for not having recognized the successor of Marines! Please bestow your benevolence upon this lowly one, your Grace!’

Jason exchanged glances with the group, his lips twitching as he nodded at them.

The remaining three yelled out ‘Inventory, drop legendary sword!’

The prince whipped his head up with a jerk, exhaling sharply as he witnessed the scene of the legendary swords materializing in their hands.

His breath hitched, chest heaving as he started stutteringly said, ‘T-that means you all are…?’

Daiki smirked and nodded.

Alice raised an eyebrow. ‘So, does your law allow us to enter?’

Tears welled up in the prince’s eyes, as he blinked hard. He mumbled, ‘Finally, it’s time. The prophecy will soon be fulfilled.’

The group exchanged uneasy glances at his words. A cold shiver ran down Jun’s spine. The prophecy, again.

As they silently glanced at each other, the prince stood up straight and announced.

‘I, Prince Kai Marines 1, agree to guide the great five successors of the Lords to my Kingdom!’

To be continued…

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Prince Kai III: My Lord~ (っ´Ι`)っ

Jason: Buzz off. Just show us to your Kingdom. (╬▔皿▔)╯

Prince: …Yes (。﹏。*)

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