Inside the underground prison, Master Karen's group and Madam Kaiya's group did not trade barbs or start fighting the moment they met. Instead, they remained utterly silent.
Above their heads, the only sounds were those made by the Six-armed Apes as they moved about on guard duty.
Eventually, the Six-armed Apes' footsteps gradually faded... Then came the sound of snoring—the guards had begun sleeping loudly right in front of everyone.
They're still just beasts with a low level of intelligence... Master Karen thought.
The problem now was how to get along with the Underwater City warriors on Madam Kaiya's side. Cooperation was their only option. Escaping from these apes first was the only way forward.
"Kaiya, this place is clearly different from Underwater City," Master Karen said slowly.
"What are you trying to say?" Madam Kaiya asked indifferently.
Master Karen said, "Here, it doesn't matter what position or status you held in Underwater City's royal government. It doesn't matter who I am, either. Here, we're all merely prisoners of this group of beasts."
Madam Kaiya said nothing. The several Underwater City warriors behind her also remained silent.
"Let's form an alliance until we leave this place," Master Karen said directly. "Once we're out, things between us can go back to the way they were. But before that, we must help each other honestly... What do you say?"
"Agreed." Madam Kaiya answered almost without thinking.
As for whether either side truly intended to honor this temporary alliance, no one could say.
Their interactions seemed to jump straight into an unbelievable stage. Kong Hai watched somewhat silently as Madam Kaiya and Master Karen conversed, behaving like old friends.
For someone with his straightforward way of thinking, this was an enormous challenge.
Although he had lived alongside Master Karen for a very long