Chapter 427: The Sacred Duel
Preparation for Battle
Carol Ferris also didn't fully understand Luke Shaw's actions.
Orm was, after all, the ruler of Atlantis, commanding a million troops. If he truly went mad and used the kidnapping as a pretext to start a war, the outcome would be difficult to predict.
However, unlike Mera, Carol didn't question him. Having spent a long time with Luke Shaw, she knew his style: since he dared to do this, it meant he had prepared for all potential unexpected events.
Just then, Butler No. 1 walked in from the cockpit.
"Master, we have arrived at the designated location."
Luke Shaw opened his eyes. "What's the situation below?"
"Warships, submarines, and a large number of Atlantean soldiers. They have completely surrounded the island and the surrounding tens of nautical miles."
Luke Shaw gave a slight smile, his eyes turning to the person in front of him.
"It seems your fiancé cares about you very much!"
"He is not my fiancé!"
Mera scoffed, then added, "I don't know what you're up to, but there's something I must remind you: Orm is royalty, and he's not like ordinary people. You'd better understand that clearly."
"Is he very strong?"
"You'll know once you fight him. It won't be easy for you to win, and even if you somehow manage to, the surrounding army won't let you go." At this point, Mera held her head in her hands, looking helpless.
"I still don't understand where you got the nerve to kidnap me. You truly are a lunatic, and you, Carol, why didn't you talk him out of it?"
Carol spread her hands. "I tried, but it didn't work!"
"Alright, alright."
Luke Shaw was tired of their arguing. He opened the cabin door and leaped down from a height of several kilometers.
Meeting the King
Night fell, and it was 7:50 PM, ten minutes before the agreed time for the duel.
On an unknown small island in the central Pacific, the tide surged. From the rolling waves emerged a colossal Deep Sea Dragon Crocodile. Orm stood on its back, his face expressionless as he surveyed the surroundings.
This was a small, isolated island, less than 50 square kilometers in area. A bald hill stood at its center, surrounded by sparse trees and weeds.
"Have you checked the island?"
Prince's Guard Captain Amilco stepped forward. "Every piece of land on the island has been searched. No sign of a trap was found."
"Interesting!"
Orm smiled, his eyes showing a hint of anticipation. Though proud, he wasn't foolish. Before coming, he had taken every precaution not to be isolated and helpless. Yet, it seemed those precautions were completely unnecessary.
Amilco whispered,
"Should we..."
He made an obscure hand gesture.
Orm shook his head. "There's no need. Notify all units to search diligently for Mera's whereabouts. Notify me immediately if she is found."
"Understood!"
Amilco nodded vigorously and swam away.
Time ticked by. As the clock struck eight, a pinpoint of fire appeared in the sky. The fireball rapidly grew larger, plummeting like a meteor.
Boom!
A shockwave spread out, creating a ten-meter-wide crater in the center of the island.
Orm raised his head, coldly watching the figure emerge from the pit. The red armor, constantly flowing like a liquid, was as bizarre as described in the intelligence reports.
At the same time, Luke Shaw was also observing the King of Atlantis.
A man in his mid-twenties, handsome, tall, and robust, with facial features as sharply defined as a marble sculpture. He wore silver armor, carried a silver trident, and stood upon a menacing Deep Sea Dragon Crocodile.
Setting aside his character, in terms of appearance alone, he certainly lived up to the title of Prince.
"Prince Orm?"
"Surface-dweller?"
Luke Shaw retracted his face mask, revealing his true features. "Remember this face. You will never forget it."
Orm sneered.
"That's what I was going to say."
Luke Shaw scanned the area, speaking oddly. "Your Excellency is quite brave, bringing so many people to a Sacred Duel. Why, are you afraid that I might have more people and take advantage?"
Orm raised his trident.
"Where is Mera?"
Luke Shaw pointed upward. A purple light descended from the sky, stopping abruptly as it reached the ground. As the light faded, the figures of Mera and Carol appeared.
"Princess, would you check for me? Is this person riding the Dragon Crocodile truly Orm Marius? I wouldn't want to fight a fake."
Mera was speechless, her feelings truly complicated.
One side was a friend; the other was a childhood companion she grew up with. How could she choose?
Orm carefully examined them, and after confirming they were real, his gaze became incredibly sharp.
"You actually dared to bring her out!"
Luke Shaw chuckled coldly. "Compared to you, I am the true Atlantean Prince. I disdain assassination, coercion, and forced marriage. I focus only on my own power and use strength to solve everything."
This statement was full of sarcasm, making Orm furious, yet he couldn't refute it. Some things could only be done in secret; they couldn't stand the light of day once exposed.
Just then, Rola swam in from the sea, urgently asking,
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Mera smiled bitterly and shook her head. After whispering a few words to Carol, she returned to the sea with the Princess Guard.
This scene utterly bewildered the Atlantean soldiers watching in secret. Are surface bandits really this easygoing? He doesn't even care that his hostage ran away.
Orm gripped his trident.
"It seems you are very confident!"
Luke Shaw spread his hands. "I wonder if Your Excellency has ever heard the idiom, 'A frog in a well.' A frog living in a well can only see a small patch of sky, so it naively believes the sky is only that big."
Heh heh!
Luke Shaw gave a light laugh. "Do you know? The ocean protects you; you do not protect it. Without the ocean as a barrier, Atlantis would have perished long ago."
Orm's pupils narrowed. He raised his trident high.
"Everyone, heed my command! Leave this island!"
Vulko, hidden in the bushes, cried out anxiously, "Your Highness, you mustn't!"
Orm stared at him fiercely.
"I said it again: Leave this island!"
His cold voice carried unquestionable authority. The soldiers hidden in the grass exchanged glances and could only obey the command, leaving the island one by one. Carol also transformed into purple light and ascended high into the sky.
Soon, only the two men remained on the island, facing each other.
Luke Shaw shook his head. "With all due respect, you should have let your subordinates join in. You alone are simply no match for me."
Orm leaped off the Dragon Crocodile's back and strode forward.
"Surface-dweller, you have provoked me. In return, I offer you a grand gift. You have ten minutes before the US is hit by the largest tsunami in its history. The tsunami will swallow all the cities on the East Coast, including the Metropolis where you reside."
"This dishonor must be washed away with blood. These millions of lives are the price you will pay."
Luke Shaw narrowed his eyes. "Mera was right. You truly are a lunatic."
"One lunatic is enough."
Bang!
A deep pit formed in the ground as the Float Armor shot out like a cannonball.
Orm roared, raising his trident, and smashing it hard into the ground.
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