Chapter 436: The Definition of Getting Something for Nothing!
The Value of the Gift
The silvery-gray metal looked ordinary, but when the sunlight hit it, a watery, undulating light wave spread out.
"Magic!"
Sether's eyes widened. She blurted out, "Magical Metal!"
At this, everyone was stunned. Antiope shouted angrily,
"What are you saying?"
Sether involuntarily walked forward, picked up the metal, and examined it closely. Feeling the dense water energy fluctuations, she couldn't help but ask,
"Poseidon Chill Steel?"
Luke Shaw smiled and nodded. "Correct. It is Poseidon Chill Steel, the super-magical metal with the ability to control water flow, and also the national treasure of Atlantis." He paused, then said seriously under the astonished gazes of the Amazons,
"Our King greatly values this alliance. To demonstrate his sincerity, he reluctantly took ten blocks of Poseidon Chill Steel from the national treasury as a gift. Unfortunately, we were caught in a lightning storm on the way to the island, our ship was destroyed, and our entourage was scattered. The gifts we carried sank to the bottom of the sea. Only one block was saved..."
He finished with a long sigh.
No one paid attention to Luke Shaw's words; their eyes were all focused on the silvery-gray metal ingot.
Poseidon Chill Steel!
Poseidon Chill Steel, the metal renowned alongside Amazon Metal!
According to historical records, Poseidon Chill Steel possessed powerful water-attribute magic. By adding just a tiny fragment to a weapon, that weapon would gain the power to control water flow, capable of raising tsunamis and splitting waves—it was an extremely rare magical metal.
Atlantis actually offered ten blocks of Poseidon Chill Steel as a welcome gift!
For a moment, Hippolyta didn't know what to say. She had been harboring resentment over the earlier challenge, but with the appearance of the metal ingot, all dissatisfaction vanished, leaving only complex emotions.
Even her sister, Antiope, who held deep prejudice, gasped in astonishment.
Mera pursed her lips. "A bunch of country bumpkins."
Carol Ferris was also speechless, thinking that the Amazonians were too backward in their thinking. They didn't understand the concept of "beat them with a stick, then give them a carrot." Their every move was being controlled by Luke Shaw, leaving them no room for resistance.
The Negotiated Retreat
After the Poseidon Chill Steel appeared, the atmosphere became strange. The alliance meeting ended hastily after only half an hour.
Luke Shaw's trio returned to their quarters, while Queen Hippolyta led her subordinates to the main hall to convene an emergency meeting.
"Are you certain?"
Sether nodded seriously. "We've tested it. It is indeed Poseidon Chill Steel, and the purity is extremely high."
Hearing this, Hippolyta felt both joy and concern. Joy because magical metal was hard to acquire; concern because the other side had sent such an expensive gift.
One person exaggerated, "Is Atlantis crazy? Giving away magical metal as a gift!"
Magical metal was a national strategic resource; how could they give it to a rival power?
Everyone fell silent. After a long while, someone spoke up.
"Do you think Atlantis truly wants to resolve the old feud?"
Sether said wryly, "We haven't seen them for thousands of years. There's no ongoing feud to speak of."
"Then why? Ten blocks of Poseidon Chill Steel! They're insane!"
Hippolyta had a headache listening to this. She turned her gaze to her sister.
"What do you think?"
Antiope thought carefully before slowly saying, "Offering such a valuable gift means one of two things: either they are trying to confuse us, or they are trying to establish an alliance. Regardless, they will use this opportunity to probe our strength and understand our military deployment."
"To be safe, we should send them away as quickly as possible, and then prepare for war."
Hippolyta pondered this and continued,
"What about the rest of you?"
They looked at each other and all agreed with Antiope's suggestion. They had been isolated for millennia and were accustomed to solitude. Their biological activities had virtually ceased, let alone interacting with outsiders.
With a consensus reached, Hippolyta looked at Sether beside her.
"The rest is up to you. Accept the peace alliance, express our desire for isolation, and send them off the island before tomorrow."
"What about a return gift?"
A return gift?
Hippolyta paused. "What is a return gift?"
"Exchanging gifts is part of the alliance process and a way to display strength. The King of Atlantis sent ten blocks of Poseidon Chill Steel as a welcome gift. By protocol, Your Majesty should also offer something in return. Otherwise, they might misunderstand or look down upon us."
Hippolyta truly hadn't considered this. Antiope waved her hand dismissively.
"Give them a box of silver and send them on their way."
Sether was speechless, and the others shook their heads. The other party offered ten blocks of magical metal; how could they offer a box of silver? It was too embarrassing.
Hippolyta continued,
"Are there any rules for the return gift?"
"It's based on status. Countries of equal status should give gifts of equivalent value. Countries of unequal status or vassal states don't have to follow this, but the difference shouldn't be too vast."
Hippolyta understood.
"How about a chest of gold?"
"..."
"You think that's inappropriate?"
"The decision is entirely Your Majesty's."
Seeing the situation, Sether pushed the ball back. Through this exchange, she had also realized that, compared to Atlantis, the Amazons were lagging in every aspect.
The impact of a thousand years of isolation was immense.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Hippolyta's eyes. As Queen, she knew the value of the magical metal but was simply looking for a way out. After a moment of silence, she said through gritted teeth,
"Take three blocks of Amazon Metal as the return gift!"
Everyone was aghast. "Your Majesty, how can you do that?"
"It is decided."
"The King of Atlantis brought sincerity, and we must respond in kind. Both races hold the same status and have their own dignity. We cannot let them look down on us."
Hippolyta spoke with unwavering resolve and certainty.
The Spoils of War
Once the decision was made, Sether quickly prepared the official documents. On the day the alliance was signed, the three were sent off the island. As for the rescue of the lost men, Luke Shaw didn't ask, and they didn't mention it.
The alliance ended just like that, incredibly quickly.
The trio, with their strange expressions, returned to the yacht. Luke Shaw quickly opened the gift box and placed the contents on the table. Looking at the three blocks of Amazon Metal, Luke Shaw couldn't hold back anymore. He slapped his thigh, jumping and laughing with joy.
Carol's lips twitched slightly. Remembering her boyfriend's bad behavior, she couldn't help but cover her forehead.
"Isn't it wrong for you to deceive them like that?"
"Magical metal for magical metal. It's an equivalent exchange, completely fair."
Mera rolled her eyes, completely exasperated.
"The Poseidon Chill Steel was won in a bet; what does that have to do with you? You gave nothing and ended up with a pile of treasures. Luke, you are too wicked, the wickedest, wickedest, wickedest villain I've ever met! When I go back, I'm definitely telling my father to stay far away from you."
"Hey!"
Luke Shaw was indignant. "That's unfair! You were having the most fun back on the island, constantly suppressing your giggles. You have no right to lecture me."
"You..."
Mera glared at him angrily, picked up one block of Amazon Metal, and tucked it into her clothes.
"What are you doing!"
"This metal is a gift from the Amazon Queen to my father. By any reckoning, I should get a share."
"Stop fooling around. I have a great use for it. Give it back."
"I won't."
Mera giggled. Seeing Luke Shaw pounce, she turned and jumped into the sea, holding the metal up and shaking it back and forth.
"Come on, come on! Come down and get me! If you catch me, I'll give you the metal."
Luke Shaw: "..."
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