The atmosphere inside the fish-men palace still carried the weight of the previous conversation. The decision had been made, or at least set in motion, but nothing there seemed truly simple. The ocean around us continued to move constantly, as if even the underwater world itself was reacting to the words exchanged in that hall. I could feel that this was not merely a local war. There was something deeper hiding behind everything.
The king maintained a calm posture, but his eyes made it clear that he expected a lot from this unlikely alliance. The princess remained beside him, still slightly shy, but already more composed than when she had entered. The girls from my group were spread around me, each reacting differently to the situation. Lyannis analyzed the surroundings with constant attention, Liriel seemed to be thinking about something related to the magic of the ocean, Rai'kanna observed everything with political interest, Scarlet remained alert to any suspicious movement, and Eara seemed to absorb the grandeur of that kingdom with almost childlike curiosity at times.
Liriel's assistant, on the other hand, remained in absolute silence, as if she were trying not to draw attention amid so many important presences.
The king then made a slight gesture with his hand, signaling that the meeting was not over.
"Before we begin the preparations for the war, there is something we need to discuss in greater depth."
His tone changed slightly, becoming more formal.
I narrowed my eyes instinctively.
"Something else besides the war?"
He nodded slowly.
It was then that the atmosphere seemed to change.
The counselors around us exchanged discreet glances, and the princess took a small step back, as if she already knew what this was about. The king took a deep breath before continuing.
"Our people… and the kingdoms of the surface… have an ancient history that was never completely resolved."
I could already imagine that this would not be something simple.
He continued.
"There was a time when we believed that all races should be separated. Surface, seas, mountains, forests. Each within its own domain. But that changed over time, especially with the threat of the demons."
The hall remained silent.
"And now, once again, we are being forced to reconsider that."
He then turned his gaze directly toward me.
"Hero of the surface… you are at the center of this."
Before I could respond, the princess took a small step forward.
Her voice came out slightly firmer than before.
"Father…"
He simply raised his hand, gently interrupting her.
"Not now."
I watched that carefully. Something was being built there that went beyond the war.
The king then continued.
"If you truly intend to fight the Demon King until the end… then you need stronger alliances than anyone can imagine."
He paused briefly.
"And we believe that you can be the point of union between these worlds."
His words remained suspended in the air for a few seconds.
Lyannis slightly furrowed her brow, as if processing the political meaning of this. Rai'kanna discreetly crossed her arms, interested. Liriel remained silent, but her eyes showed that she was already analyzing the magical and strategic implications. Scarlet simply watched, showing no clear emotion. Eara seemed a little confused, but attentive.
I breathed slowly.
"You're talking about an alliance greater than just combat."
The king nodded.
"Yes. A union between kingdoms."
The princess quickly looked at me and then looked away, as if trying to hide something.
It was then that the king said something that completely changed the tone of the conversation.
"And there is one more thing."
The silence became even heavier.
"If this alliance is formed… we would like to formalize it not only with treaties… but with real ties between the families."
For a moment, no one said anything.
I immediately understood what that meant.
Scarlet was the first to react.
"Are you serious?"
Rai'kanna let out a slight sigh.
"That's a very old political proposal…"
Lyannis simply watched without interrupting.
The princess became completely red at that moment, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
The king remained calm.
"We are talking about stability between worlds. Something that has never existed before."
I raised my hand slightly, interrupting before things became even more complicated.
"Let's take it slowly."
The hall fell silent again.
I looked directly at the king.
"I'm here to deal with the demons. Not to make hasty political decisions."
He watched me for a few seconds and then slowly nodded.
"I understand."
The tension eased somewhat.
The princess looked visibly relieved.
I continued.
"If this alliance happens, it will be based on trust and necessity. Not on impositions."
The king closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled slightly.
"That is already more than many surface leaders would accept."
The atmosphere began to stabilize again.
But I still felt something strange.
Not about the proposal.
But about the reason it had been made at that moment.
It was too early for this kind of conversation.
Far too early.
The king then changed the tone of the conversation again.
"Now, about the war."
The atmosphere became serious once more.
"We will take you to see the affected regions."
I nodded.
The girls also became more attentive.
The princess approached again, now more composed, and spoke in a lower voice.
"I will guide you personally."
That caught my attention.
I looked at her.
She seemed determined now, even though her initial nervousness was still present.
And at that moment, as the hall prepared for the next stage of the mission, I felt that this kingdom was hiding more than just a war at the bottom of the ocean.
And perhaps, much more than they themselves were prepared to face.