"Minister Vulko, appearing here at such a sensitive time-are you trying to betray Atlantis?"
The captain of the guard swam forward with a sneer, giving Vulko no chance to explain before issuing a cold order:
"By His Majesty's command, escort these two surface visitors and the traitor Vulko to the throne hall!"
Solomon smiled, allowing them to surround him without the slightest resistance.
This was exactly the outcome he wanted: to penetrate straight into their seat of power.
Soon, the three were escorted into the magnificent royal palace of Atlantis.
Inside the towering hall, enormous glowing crystals bathed the entire chamber in golden splendor.
On the throne that symbolized supreme authority over the deep sea sat a handsome young man clad in magnificent golden armor, a trident in his hand.
He was the current ruler of Atlantis, the Ocean Master-King Orm.
Orm looked down from on high. When his gaze landed on Arthur, his cold expression instantly turned intensely sinister and disgusted.
In his eyes, this half-breed with his lowly surface blood was not only a stain on his mother Atlanna's life, but also the greatest potential threat to his throne.
"Welcome to Atlantis, brother!"
Orm slowly rose from his throne and descended the steps with his trident in hand, his armored boots making dull thuds against the crystal floor.
He looked down at Arthur, a mocking smile curling his lips:
"I can hardly believe you actually dared to come here."
As he spoke, Orm glanced at the royal guards around him, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Why hadn't these guards put the two of them in shackles?
Arthur curled his lip, his voice full of disdain:
"You think I wanted to come? Deal with the man beside me first, if you can!"
Orm's gaze sharpened, instantly shifting to Solomon.