Wangchuan said nothing. He simply finished the wine in his cup and stood up.
He looked at Neptune.
"Mr. Neptune."
Neptune immediately rose slightly from his seat.
"Please give me your orders."
"Lord Wangchuan."
"I hear Ryugu Palace has a treasury."
"I need some treasure."
Neptune barely hesitated.
He turned to his eldest son, who stood beside him.
He looked at Fukaboshi beside him.
"Fukaboshi, take our guest to the palace treasury."
"Let him take whatever he wants."
Fukaboshi froze for a moment, then bowed his head.
"Yes, Father."
He turned toward the side door of the hall, bowing slightly as he passed Wangchuan.
"Sir, please follow me."
Wangchuan followed him out of the banquet hall.
The two walked along Ryugu Palace's corridors. Luminous pearls embedded in the coral walls lit the deep-blue underwater passage.
Fukaboshi walked ahead, his steps somewhat stiff.
He secretly glanced back at Wangchuan behind him.
Long silver-gray hair, pale skin tinged with blue, the faintly visible lunar ring beneath his feet, and those eyes with their double moon phases.
Fukaboshi swallowed and turned his head back, thinking to himself.
This gentleman seems even stronger than Lady Basha on the throne, and he seems to be her elder brother.
Fukaboshi tightened his grip on the shaft of his spear and slowed his steps.
"Um... sir."
Wangchuan glanced at him.
"Hmm?"
"Lady Basha..."
Fukaboshi chose his words, his voice cautious.
"She seems to really dislike humans."
The corner of Wangchuan's mouth moved slightly.
"Do you like them?"
Fukaboshi stopped short.
His spear trembled slightly, and his steps faltered.
"I..."
He fell silent for a few seconds, then continued walking.
"When I was little, my mother told me a story."
"She said that long ago, when Fish-Man Island was still above the sea, Fish-Men and humans lived beneath