Today, the Mighty Whale City, the capital of the Mighty Whale Empire, seemed barren. No citizen except the armored soldiers could be seen garrisoning the vast streets, and the city's defensive and offensive array formations were fully active. It was like a huge army was coming to attack the city as the tension was at its peak.
Outside the city's huge gates, a garrison of thousands of whales filled with vicinity and there were soldiers with powerful auras on standby above those whales.
At the very front of this huge force were 100 whales adorned with golden armor. They were quite different from the thunder whales, for they had colossal horns on their heads, shimmering with runes. Above those whales were the strongest experts of the empire, including the four dukes and the Prime Minister.
They all seemed to be waiting for someone as they looked toward the dark waters ahead of them with a hint of apprehension that they were trying to suppress.
The Whale Emperor looked at this scene from the safety of the Palace with a grim gaze that screamed unhappiness and anger.
At this moment, Prime Minister Alfonso, who was adorned in full body armor and holding a trident in his hand, suddenly spoke sternly, "He's here. Please be on guard, everyone!"
The others flinched when they heard this and quickly informed their respected regiments to be on alert.
Thereupon, a whale suddenly appeared, swimming in their direction, and when it was a few meters away from them, it suddenly stopped. On top of this whale was an armored whale race male who looked exactly like one of the soldiers in the army.
But his skin was slightly wilted, his armor was tattered, and half of his face seemed burned by some poison as if he had undergone a huge battle. Alfonso's eyes narrowed as he clearly wasn't expecting this person but someone else.
At this moment, that person spoke in an emotionless voice, "It's quite a grand welcoming ceremony for the mere handover of some criminals. I'm truly honored, Prime Minister."
Alfonso spoke in a neutral tone, "I'm glad his excellency liked it. But you could've experienced it even more if you had come here in person."
"Heh, just like you, Prime Minster, I don't like to be in an unfamiliar place alone, and I'm afraid of crowded places. Besides, we are not that close, are we? This is a transaction of trust; you'll hand over all the criminals, and I'll follow whichever direction you point me at and never return your empire to antagonize it ever." The wounded soldier emotionlessly spoke like a puppet who was repeating the words of its master.
Alfonso's expression fell slightly, but he quickly hid it behind his amiable smile, "We've already signed an oath contract, Your Excellency, so we naturally wouldn't have harmed you if you had come in person. This army was prepared to show you just how much 'respect' we have for you."
"Aren't I flattered? Unfortunately, I'm a little bit busy right now, but I promise I'll come another time to experience your hospitality. Now, if you can fulfill your part of the deal, I'll be on my way!" The wounded soldier spoke.
'What a sly bastard. Not only is he cunning, but he even knows about the Zodiac Oath Contract. I'm sure this guy is no ordinary monster but someone with schemes. I'm 90% sure that he did all this to achieve this…' Alfonso thought, not feeling good after playing right in the hand of an enemy and feeling like they all had been toyed with.
But they really didn't want to find out this unknown fellow's capability, so right now, there was an even more important matter to deal with. At least they were sending this calamity to their enemy's territory to disrupt their plans and get ahead of them while doing it, so they were not losing much.
Alfonso spoke at his moment, "Your Highness, White Whale Duke, please present his excellency with our present!"
Belle's expression was ugly as if she had swallowed a fly, but she didn't say anything and made a gesture.
The next moment, twenty-three thunder whales swam out from the garrison of whales. On top of these whales were formation barriers, and within these barriers were thousands of chained beings with listless expressions and skinny bodies.
A rather timid-looking fellow was controlling those whales as he stopped right beside Alfonso and couldn't help but gulp when he saw the wounded soldier in front of them.
"All the war criminals and empire's criminals on death row, as well as some of the traitors and spies, are here. They are all yours, and this Whale Tamer will be your guide to leave in a better 'hunting ground'. Please let him leave after he serves his purpose." Alfonso spoke impassively.
The Whale Tamer truly felt despair. He knew he was just an expandable pawn being used to steer this monster towards the Battle Shark Empire. What would be his fate after he was done with it? He wasn't very optimistic about it since he had already heard tales of this monster.
"Very well, he'll return to you safely as long as he behaves and you guys aren't playing tricks," the other party replied.
"Of course, we are not shameless. Please rest assured, Your Excellency!" Alfonso replied with a reassuring smile that seemed quite forceful and ugly.
"I believe you, Prime Minister. It was a pleasure dealing with you." The other party spoke with clear sarcasm before he looked towards the timed Whale Tamper. "You follow me."
Without waiting for a reply, the wounded soldier controlled the whale as it turned around and started to pick up speed.
The Whale Tamer sighed in resignation, controlled the whales with prisoners, and followed behind him.
Alfonso and others watched them leave, and they felt utterly humiliated, but they all knew that this was for the best.
"Start with the legendary key search, according to the Crown Prince's information he got from the oracle. Only by getting our hands on it first, can we truly wash away this humiliation!" The Whale Emperor's rageful voice rang in Alfonso's head.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, we'll pay back that monster a hundredfold once we get the legendary key!" Alfonso solemnly vowed!
But what the Mighty Whale Empire didn't expect at that time was that their search for the Legendary Key would lead them to something even worse!