(Warning: High-energy content ahead! Non-combatants please evacuate. These two chapters will have a strong fantasy style. If you're not used to it, you can skip them. It won't affect the main plot; it's just a plot point that will be filled in near the end. That's all (●'?'●))
While waiting for the sea god to arrive, Roy did not sit idle. Instead, he carefully observed the entire island and became certain that this was Jaya Island. In other words, as early as eight hundred years ago, the Shandia People, or perhaps the Atlantis People, had already settled here.
During this period, they also possessed a highly developed civilization, and it seems that in order to avoid enemies and ensure that information on the island would not be leaked out, they implemented a highly closed-door policy.
Over the next four hundred years, they experienced countless battles, the destruction of Shandora, a break in their civilization, and their isolationist policies caused the entire race to degenerate. By the time Noland arrived on the island, they had completely lost their understanding of civilization.
Just as Roy was deep in thought, the clear, melodious sound of the Golden Bell rang out, guiding the guests from afar on their way.
But whether it was Roy's imagination or not, he felt that the sound of the bell seemed to have lost its awe-inspiring power.
The turbulent sea became Calm Seas, without even a single wave. This was an incredibly strange thing, especially considering the unpredictable weather on the Grand Line.
A gigantic figure rode the waves, and Roy could almost hear the sea cheering and leaping, as if welcoming their king.
Behind her was a massive, terrifying black shadow, making the entire Jaya Island appear tiny in comparison.
Even Roy in his dream was somewhat shaken. These were all Giant Sea Kings, four or five thousand meters in size. Only the boundless ocean could contain their enormous bodies, and they possessed the terrifying power to destroy an island with a single splash.
As the figure approached the shore, Roy realized that the former Poseidon bore an eight-tenths resemblance to Shirahoshi. Her beauty was breathtaking; even describing her as stunningly beautiful would be too modest. Furthermore, her fishtail had transformed into long, smooth, rounded legs, raising her allure to an unprecedented level. If it weren't for her size, which surpassed that of a typical giant, even Roy would have been tempted.
At first glance, Roy knew that this former Poseidon and Shirahoshi were definitely only similar in appearance.
Holding a trident, with a heroic face and resolute eyes, even Giant Sea Kings with the power to destroy the world prostrate themselves at her feet, she is the epitome of a female war goddess.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Lord Poseidon. Your power is as deep as the ocean." The High Priest bowed slightly, and behind him, a large group of people prostrated themselves in reverence for the powerful.
"There's no need for that, everyone." After taking a moment to gather her thoughts, the mermaid princess continued, "I feel deeply sorry for what happened to the Atlantis. If I had noticed their sinister intentions sooner, this tragedy wouldn't have occurred."
"Your Lord Poseidon, there is no need to blame yourself too much. It was our negligence that led to the enemy taking Apollo away."
"What? How is that possible?"
"Your Majesty the Lord Poseidon must still remember the disaster ten years ago, which not only led our race to inevitable decline but also plunged 'Apollo' into a deep slumber." The High Priest paused, as if recalling that nightmarish experience.
"That's why our clan chose to entrust 'Apollo' to the 'D Clan.' We never imagined that the 'D Clan' would be so vicious. In order to obtain the power of 'Apollo,' they didn't hesitate to destroy our Atlantis clan. I really misjudged those beasts in human form." The High Priest's tone was agitated, clearly deeply hurt.
"Impossible! The 'D Clan' would never betray the alliance. They have always been the guardians of this world." The Sea God's tone was even more excited than the High Priest's, making Roy secretly wonder if the previous Poseidon had some inexplicable connection with the 'D Clan'?
"Your Lord Poseidon, I revere your power and am grateful for your help to our race. However, we will never mistake our enemies for our own. On this point, we will not change." The High Priest straightened up, displaying an unyielding attitude.
"There must be some misunderstanding here. As the guardians of the world, they would never personally push the world toward destruction!"
"Hmm? Destroy the world? I don't quite understand what you mean. In my opinion, they just want to realize their ambition of ruling the world." The High Priest shook his head, disagreeing with her view.
"No, I'm not exaggerating. Even our current enemies are just pawns in his game. The person behind the scenes is the most dangerous person in the world."
"What? Who exactly is the person you're talking about?" The High Priest was taken aback, secretly horrified. Could there be an even more terrifying enemy behind those people?
"I don't know either." Poseidon shook his head with a bitter smile.
"..." The High Priest was speechless. What the hell? Was the person in front of him really the heroic and valiant Lord Poseidon who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies?
Roy was also annoyed. What's wrong with this plane? It always fails to perform at crucial moments.
"I'm sure the High Priest knows my abilities, my Observation Haki. The destruction of the world is a future I foresaw. However, the enemy is too powerful, and I have no way of knowing anything about him."
The High Priest's expression was solemn; he naturally did not believe that His Lord Poseidon would lie under such circumstances. "It seems that the situation is far more serious than I imagined."
"That's right, my own abilities are still insufficient, so I came to you this time to find out if your race's new Heavenly God has been born?"
"The main reason for the decline of our race, besides the destruction of most of the Heavenly Kingdom in that war ten years ago, is that the lineage of the Heavenly God was interrupted during that war!"
"They didn't even have time to leave behind a legacy?" The Sea God's tone was heavy with sorrow, not only for the Atlantis race, but also for the future of the world.
"I have received the favor of His Majesty the Heavenly God, and under such circumstances, I naturally cannot remain unaffected."
After a moment's thought, the sea god took out a teardrop-shaped gem and handed it to the High Priest, saying with deep emotion, "This is the Mermaid Tears. Set it inside the Golden Bell, and those who are baptized by the bell's sound will more easily unleash the power hidden deep within their souls."
The High Priest did not accept it, but stared blankly at her, thinking of the legend of the mermaid.
Mermaids may shed many tears in their lives, but only the most unforgettable one, containing a blessing for love, will crystallize into the most magnificent treasure in the world— the Mermaid Tears.