Versatile: Alternate World

The Kingdom of the Deep Sea is much more magnificent than the moment it appeared on the surface. The blue stones embedded in the walls have shined from the rays of the sun, the glowing corals attached to the walls are giving a different vibe every time they change colors, and the design of the buildings looks very familiar to humans but yet looks so different at the same time.

The most notable thing about the place is the big dome that surrounds the whole kingdom. If you look at it from afar, you would think it was some sort of barrier but once you are near, you will realize immediately that the orb surrounding the whole kingdom was actually water.

Just that alone makes most people marvel at the sight of the new place that is just as big as the Insect Kingdom with some extra attractions. While everyone is staring at the Kingdom of the Deep Sea in marvel, the soldiers who are preparing to deploy the platform has finally made their move and lay down the bridge platform.

Likewise, the merfolk on the other side did the same and also operated something on their side which causes a bridge to appear, and the bridge that fell short to reach the Kingdom of the Deep Sea connected to the bridge that the merfolk operated, creating a pathway for people to finally access the land of the merfolk.

As soon as the guards guarding the dock give way, the players and NPCs that are eager to visit finally move to the bridge as they enter the kingdom. As for me, I didn't enter right away. I waited for the commotion to slowly die down. Having it happen before you is a bit troublesome and I don't want to squeeze myself into the crowd as I can just take my time there since it's not my first time in the Kingdom of the Deep Sea.

Since there are many players and NPCs passing through the bridge, it took a bit of time before the crowd finally went to a manageable size that is good enough to go through without being squeezed by multiple people.

When I arrived, merfolk is waiting for us on the pathway between the Kingdom of the Deep Sea and the Insect Kingdom. They were about to say something but then they notice the necklace that was given to me by Atlas which is the invitation item that the merfolk has given to me to invite the opening.

"Esteemed guest! You have finally arrived. Please go ahead and enjoy your stay inside our humble kingdom!"

I didn't expect the welcome from the merfolk since the people before me in the line is just instructed on what to do while entering the kingdom. As for me, I was immediately told a different way of greeting like I am some kind of VIP. Perhaps that is the main purpose of this necklace? So that the merfolk would treat me like one? I don't know. I needed more evidence that it was the main case.

...

[You have discovered a new area: New Kingdom of the Deep]

I frowned when I heard the notification and the name of the kingdom. The New Kingdom of the Deep? It's no longer Kingdom of the Deep Sea? It is even shown to me that it is a new place despite the fact that I was here during the last Aquagius mission that allowed me to fight the zombified merfolk living here.

The water dome is just the same feeling as when I visited this place while it was still submerged underwater. The only difference this time is that I don't see any fish, whales, stingrays, or any water creatures swimming around. Stepping into the water dome, my whole body has been submerged underwater immediately but just like the same thing that happened before, we can still breathe despite being submerged underwater.

The players are all amazed as they can start swimming around and even if they don't know how to swim, they are not going to be worried about drowning as they cannot drown, allowing players to practice swimming properly and will also allow people in real life who don't know to swim learn to do so.

Not only players are here but also the merfolk who are both welcoming and patient in explaining things to new people experiencing the water. Some even started swimming around like a pro while some just walked through the road as they looked like they don't know how to swim.

As for me, I am not swimming as I am already good at swimming and there is no point unless I want to reach the high ground or interact with the merfolk swimming above. But I can appreciate having this kind of environment, imagine being able to swim everywhere, you don't need to have a car just to move around as you can just go and swim and have fun, heck you can even imagine flying by just swimming higher the ground.

While walking around, trying to remember and compare the new changes that have appeared, I noticed that whenever an NPC merfolk crosses paths with me, they will bow down for a bit like they are respecting me like I am some sort of royalty or some sort of VIP. And I think the main reason for that is due to the necklace hanging on my neck.

The other players also noticed this and starts wondering why the merfolk would get really formal to me like I am some kind of lord around here. As I continue to make my way around, a group of merfolk soldiers arrived. I know they are soldiers since they are wearing the merfolk security uniforms and they are the soldiers of the kingdom. The moment they see me, they bowed down to me before the leader of the group, stepped forward, and started speaking. I started to feel anxious since the players around the area are now attracted to what is happening and are wondering whether I triggered some sort of event.

"Are you perhaps the Adventurer with the name Bladeheart?"

I didn't know what would happen so I instinctively grab a hold of the axe behind my back, ready to swing in case things is getting bad. "Yes, that's me. What do you want?"

"Please don't be alarmed and we apologize if we somehow overwhelmed you all of a sudden but we are not here to provoke and fight against you. Don't worry about it."

"It's pretty suspicious and even though you lot are inhabitants here and I am just a visitor here, I still have to increase my vigilance and be ready for everything. Unless you properly explain what is happening then I will continue to stay like this until you convince me that it is fine."

"Looks like what they said is indeed right. You are very vigilant even to us. Very well. You are the VIP guest of our current king and he is extending his invitation to you by sending you the Glass Clam Necklace that is currently hanging on your neck as a sign that you are the one who is invited and to also identify the identity of our guest. Please follow us to the castle as the king is currently expecting you to come."

"The King?"

"You will know soon who he was once you meet him. He is someone you know and I am sure you will immediately recognize him once you see him."

As much as I still don't know who this king is, I have a few ideas of who it was but I am still not sure whether my assumption is correct. And besides, I am a bit curious who this person was because he knows that I have crossed the portal and is currently in Aquagius. It is clear he is anticipating my arrival or perhaps he is just predicting it.

"So what do I have to do?"

"It's simple, you are escorted to the royal banquet held at the castle and you are formally invited. If you have any companions with you that also needed to join you, you are welcome to bring them along too."

"I am currently not in a team right now. But I just needed to go with you guys huh? And that's it?"

"Yes, Sir Bladeheart."

Even if I am not sure what is happening, I am also kind of curious about who this person this guy is talking about. I also wanted to learn a little bit about the little history of the Kingdom of the Deep Sea has changed to a new place and what is currently happening while I was not here.

"Then let's go."

The soldiers stood up and surrounded me as they escorted me to the palace where the king is waiting.

...

...

In the distance, two people cloaked in the shadows are observing what is happening.

"Are you sure that guy was indeed the one?" the first hooded person who sounded like a woman with a bit of a masculine tone asked.

"Yes. All of the traces are all pointing at him and I can't be wrong about it," the second cloaked person is a guy with a bit of a raspy voice. It seems the former was more of a higher-up compared to the second guy.

"Then perhaps we will have a bigger problem at hand. Prepare for the plan. We might be forced to do reveal our trump card soon."