Chapter 65: Go Die, Player Number 7

Xining smiled slightly, stood up, and strolled over to a more spacious area ahead. "Contact King Nereus!"

The three-dimensional screens that had just been displaying various shocking environmental pollution footage now pivoted to face Xining.

A moment later, Nereus's visage appeared on the screen.

Xining asked leisurely, "King Nereus, I heard about the tsunami. I have said all along that I will not start a war or attack humankind. Humanity still has hope of salvation!"

Unaware that Arthur was also in the room, Nereus adopted a righteous and stern expression. "Humans are dumping garbage into the ocean! If we don't take action now, the oceans are truly doomed!"

Xining deliberately covered his forehead, feigning profound distress. "So you're trying to drag me into this?"

"It's not dragging you in. Haven't you wanted to start a war for a long time?" Nereus was still locked into the original script, completely oblivious to the shift from him being "forced into the water" to him trying to drag King Orm into the water.

"Let me say this again, I will not start a war!" Xining stood there with a smile.

"Why?" Nereus finally lost his patience, glaring angrily as he asked. The tsunami had already been unleashed; when humanity retaliated, he would be left to resist single-handedly while bearing the entire blame for starting the war alone.

Xining raised his hand, and another screen materialized beside him, broadcasting conditions on land. "Compared to us, humanity is indeed inferior in technology and military might. However, they have many allies. For example, this fellow who wears a red cape, has his underwear on the outside, and sports an inverted 'S' on his chest."

An image of Superman appeared on the screen as Xining continued, "He can lift a planet, fly, has X-ray vision, and so on. He alone is enough to crush us. And then there's this one..."

Standing beside a high-tech, custom-built black supercar was a figure clad entirely in black, wearing a mask and a black bat-shaped cape.

"He possesses a fortune that rivals nations and can easily thrash the aforementioned Superman using his technological gear. And then there's this one, and this one, and this one..."

Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Deadpool, the Hulk...

As the images of various heroes flipped past, Xining asked gently, "There are thousands of such heroes on land alone, not to mention lords and beings like Thanos out in space. Thanos alone could wipe out half the gods in the universe. The universe is vast, and Earth is tiny; our gaze should be fixed on the stars, not the ocean. Tell me, why on earth should I start a war against humanity?"

The consequence of starting a war was defeat!

Nereus fell momentarily speechless. Indeed, why *should* he start a war? He needed a good reason first.

"My dear father-in-law!" Xining said with utmost sincerity. "I only want to quietly and properly be a king. Let's talk no more of starting a war! Please focus your energy on the wedding between Mera and me. By the way, send me a picture of Mera; I need to have the invitations custom-made."

Nereus was rendered speechless for a moment before swallowing his frustration. "Fine... Let me reconsider this matter of war."

"Mm~" Xining put his hands behind his back, tilted his head slightly, and beamed warmly.

Look what a remarkably fine ruler King Orm was: peace-loving, respectful of his elders, devoted to his older brother, dutifully responsible, and so dazzlingly good that he eclipsed the sun and moon!

Returning to the dining table, Arthur let out a long sigh of relief. "It seems I wronged you. You truly have no desire to make an enemy of humanity."

Up to this point, he hadn't even addressed the body's original owner as his younger brother, continually mouthing how he didn't want the throne while calling the others scum and hypocrites.

Xining hurriedly chimed in, "Sometimes, you shouldn't believe what others tell you; rely on your own judgment instead. As a monarch, you face various plots and schemes every moment of every day, all designed to exploit the power in your hands for their own gain."

Right on cue, Mera's photo was transmitted to them. The moment he laid eyes on the red-haired beauty in the picture, Arthur's face fell instantly.

Xining deliberately glanced at the photo, then looked at Arthur. "You two know each other?"

Arthur wanted to deny it, but as a superhero who couldn't lie, he ultimately told the truth. "She was the one who told me you wanted to wage war against humanity."

She had also urged him to claim the throne by virtue of being the eldest son, but he left that part out, not daring to mention it.

Thinking of how warmly King Orm had welcomed him, offering him clothes and even intending to cede the throne to him—while he himself had come here plotting to usurp it—he felt like an absolute scumbag!

"Oh, is that so?" Xining stared at Mera's photograph, muttering meaningfully to himself, "What kind of play are she and her father putting on? By tricking you into coming here to make my brother and me enemies, I would need his support, allowing him to profit from the middle!"

"How shameless!" Arthur finally uttered a fair judgment.

Indeed shameless, utterly disgusting, the monarch of hypocrites!

Yet Xining assumed a charitable persona. "Perhaps Nereus forced her to do it. Even if it was her own wish, I must forgive her—after all, she is going to be my wife. Isn't that right, Brother?"

"I never expected you to be like this. I originally thought..." Arthur was deeply moved.

"Thought I was a tyrannical and ruthless king?" Xining sighed softly, delivering a speech so moving it could stir even himself. "Look at how many people with ulterior motives maliciously slander us, deepening the misunderstanding between us brothers. An innocent person clears themselves; I won't take it to heart, and I hope Brother won't mind the words of those people either. Just focus on being yourself and become a good king."

"Alright!" Arthur promised verbally, though his eyes remained fixed on Mera's photograph. The woman was undeniably gorgeous.

Then he looked at the table full of dishes, his expression twisting into a mask of bitter misery. No amount of facial hair or beard could conceal his utter lack of "satisfaction" with the cuisine of the oceanic royal palace.

After the meal, Xining instructed a guard to compile a set of court etiquette regulations, which he personally brought and delivered to Vulko.

"These are the etiquette rules I had someone prepare."

Carrying a thick volume that resembled a hardcover dictionary, a guard stepped up and stood beside Vulko.

Xining said solicitously, "I also ordered two extra sets of armor so my brother can have spares. In the future, Brother must represent the dignity of the royal family and the nation. During the few days I am away, you must instruct him well. My brother has been accustomed to a free-spirited life since childhood; if there is anything unsatisfactory, Military Counselor, please bear with him. After all, you two will be interacting daily from now on."

Vulko stared at him in a daze. "Does Your Majesty truly wish to abdicate?"

Xining smiled with carefree detachment. "He is the eldest son. I know our late mother loved him more than me and wished for him to inherit the throne. But Atlantis belongs to all Atlanteans; it must be ruled by an enlightened monarch to achieve greater prosperity. Therefore, I leave this heavy responsibility to you, Military Counselor. For my sake, for my mother's sake, and for the sake of Atlantis..."

Xining reached out and patted Vulko's shoulder solemnly, then turned and walked away, leaving behind a handsome and extraordinary silhouette.

Having given his instructions, Xining immediately mounted a seadragon and headed toward the shoreline with his personal guards.

Upon reaching the beach, a bonfire was ignited, and several sea fish were caught and set over the flames to roast.

The guards couldn't breathe on land for reasons unknown; perhaps only members of the royal family could move freely between land and sea.

Consequently, Xining sat alone by the campfire, drooling slightly as she grilled the fish, eagerly plucking off and eating the parts that were already half-cooked.

Mmm~, it smelled so good! She was genuinely starving!