Chapter 83: Asking them to submit

The capital of the Atlantian Empire was immensely beautiful.

As Arthur and his group passed through the enormous barrier, a breathtaking city appeared before their eyes. Towering structures made from translucent blue crystals rose from the ocean floor, their surfaces glowing with soft azure light. Countless buildings were connected by magnificent bridges, while enormous domes protected entire districts beneath the sea.

Streams of luminous energy flowed through transparent channels along the streets, illuminating the underwater metropolis. Strange aquatic creatures swam between the buildings, and enormous transportation vessels moved silently through the water. The entire city looked like something straight out of an ancient legend, a civilization whose technological achievements far surpassed anything humanity had developed on the surface.

However, Arthur and his companions had no time to appreciate the scenery.

Hundreds of heavily armed guards had already surrounded the entrance. Their advanced weapons were aimed directly at the intruders, and the glowing muzzles of their energy cannons were locked onto Arthur and his group. Despite their imposing equipment, however, the guards were visibly trembling, their faces pale with fear as they struggled to maintain their formation.

They had never imagined that someone could enter the capital without permission.

The Imperial Ocean Formation had protected their civilization for thousands of years. Even the most powerful enemies would struggle to breach it, yet these strangers had walked through the barrier as though it were nothing more than an ordinary doorway.

Behind the soldiers stood the six Archdukes of the Atlantian Empire. Their expressions were considerably worse than those of their subordinates, and disbelief filled their eyes as they stared at the intruders.

How was this possible?

Even if someone possessed sufficient strength to destroy the formation, the resulting energy fluctuations should have alerted the entire empire. Yet, the barrier remained intact, and the intruders had somehow opened a passage directly into their capital.

Their gazes unconsciously shifted toward Arthur.

If anyone could explain this situation, it would have to be him. He was far too powerful, but still the situation was very uncomfortable.

Arthur, meanwhile, appeared completely unconcerned by the hundreds of weapons pointed at him. He casually examined the surrounding city before turning his attention toward Atlas, who was still standing behind him in his Shadow General form.

"Atlas, handle your people. I don’t want to kill them unnecessarily. However, if you fail, I’ll have to erase the merfolk race from this world today."

His voice was calm, almost indifferent, as though he were discussing an ordinary matter rather than the fate of an entire civilization.

The six Archdukes immediately felt their hearts tighten.

Why was this human speaking so arrogantly inside the capital of the Atlantian Empire? Did he genuinely believe that their entire race could be destroyed simply because he wished it?

Before they could express their outrage, something unexpected happened.

Dark energy surged behind Arthur, gathering into a humanoid silhouette. Within moments, Atlas fully manifested in front of his new master, his towering figure radiating the same overwhelming pressure that had once made the entire Atlantian Empire tremble before him.

"Your Majesty, I have no lingering feelings toward this race anymore. You can do whatever you wish with them."

Atlas spoke without hesitation, his expression completely indifferent.

Arthur nodded slightly. He had already expected this answer, but there was something he wanted to accomplish before Atlas addressed the others.

He raised one hand and casually waved it toward his subordinate.

The next moment, the surrounding space rippled.

Arthur activated his Reality Manipulation, and an invisible force enveloped Atlas’s shadowy body. The darkness gradually receded as his former physical appearance was restored, transforming him into the majestic ruler who had once commanded the entire Atlantian Empire.

His muscular frame, blue scales, and powerful aquatic aura returned, while his royal garments materialized around him. Within seconds, the Shadow General standing before Arthur had become indistinguishable from the Atlas whom the entire empire remembered.

The six Archdukes stared at him in absolute astonishment.

Their king had returned!

Yet, before their excitement could develop into relief, Arthur’s next command shattered whatever hopes they might have entertained.

"Now, order them to submit to me. I’ll bind their souls with a Master Slave Contract."

Arthur’s expression remained composed as he explained his intentions.

The merfolk possessed an advanced civilization, sophisticated technology, and a cultivation system that had developed over countless generations. Their knowledge could prove invaluable to his plans, especially with the impending merger between the Genesis Realm and reality.

Killing them all would be an enormous waste.

More importantly, unlike his Shadow Army, which relied on him to grow stronger through his own advancement, the living merfolk could develop their strength independently. They could cultivate, conduct research, manufacture advanced weapons, and establish an entire civilization under his command.

With their support, the development of his future territory would become considerably easier.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Atlas bowed respectfully before turning toward the enormous crowd gathered before him.

The moment the merfolk recognized his restored appearance, the entire street erupted with excitement. Soldiers lowered their weapons in disbelief, while several of the surrounding citizens began shouting his name.

"His Majesty Atlas!"

"The King has returned!"

"Long live His Majesty!"

Their excitement spread rapidly throughout the gathered forces. Even the six Archdukes felt a wave of relief wash over them. With their king standing before them once again, perhaps the mysterious human would finally be forced to reconsider his outrageous demands.

Unfortunately, their relief did not last long.

Atlas raised his head, and his voice suddenly boomed through the minds of every merfolk present.

"I have submitted to His Majesty Arthur, and I want all of you to submit to him as well. Under his protection, the Atlantian Empire will prosper far beyond anything we have ever achieved!"

His authoritative voice echoed throughout the minds of the entire population, leaving thousands of merfolk frozen in place.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

They had expected their king to announce his return, explain the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, and perhaps order his soldiers to eliminate the intruders.

Instead, he had announced his submission to a human.

The six Archdukes were particularly horrified. They had followed Atlas through countless battles and understood better than anyone how proud and powerful their king had been. He had ruled their civilization for generations, and even the strongest beings in their world had treated him with respect.

Yet now, he was asking them to surrender their empire to an outsider.

"Your Majesty, what are you talking about?"

One of the Archdukes finally stepped forward, unable to contain his disbelief. "He is merely a lower life-form from the surface world! How can you possibly submit to someone like him?"

Atlas’s expression immediately turned cold.

"Watch your words."

The Archduke’s body stiffened under the pressure of his king’s gaze.

"Don’t ask unnecessary questions. I am not a match for him, so I submitted. If you value your lives, you will make the same decision."

Atlas’s words struck the gathered merfolk like a thunderclap.

Their king was not a match for this human?

The very thought seemed absurd. Atlas had been the strongest existence in their empire, a ruler whose power had allowed him to stand above the six Archdukes and countless powerful warriors.

If even he admitted defeat, what chance did the rest of them have?