Mihail personally waited for him at the entrance to the Deep Sea.
The moment the Merfolk King saw Kroya, he sensed the terrifying magic power surging through him. Even standing upon the ocean, he felt a faint trace of fear.
Was the gap between Legendary and those below it really this enormous?
"You don't need to be so afraid of me." Kroya's perception was exceptionally keen now. "I'm here to help the Sept-Terrion of Mirage truly be born. If I'm not mistaken, you record every birth among your people to prepare for its birth, don't you?"
"..." Mihail fell silent briefly, then nodded. "As you suspected. Otherwise, even we couldn't possibly hold such a solemn celebration for every child born to our people."
His eyes now held the cold indifference of a ruler. "The Merfolk Tribe has stayed here too long. We urgently need the Sept-Terrion to be born and lead us away. Even if my people must sacrifice something, I will see it through.
"At the very least, I must accomplish it before my son takes my place."
Kroya wasn't surprised. "What you need is the very concept of birth. The sea is the cradle of life, so miracles of birth occur more easily here.
"I think... that was probably part of why the Sept-Terrion of Mirage chose you."
King Mihail did not deny it.
Kroya understood this sort of ruler's mentality quite thoroughly. In truth, there wasn't much he could say. Whether to protect individuals or pursue the good of the whole had always been a thorny question.
Individuals didn't want to be sacrificed, while the group would have a better future. Either side had valid arguments, and either could be challenged.
So he simply set it aside and said, "As we agreed before..."
He stepped forward and