"Are scammers using such novel techniques these days?" Arthur said with some disdain.
"I'm not lying to you, Arthur. We know you're a Sea Clan hybrid with strong powers, and recently you saved a submarine. You did a great job. But, I think if you could help save the Capitol Building, you'd become even more famous."
"That's enough," Arthur said. "You've just repeated what's on the news. Do you really think you can fool me with that, you dead liar?"
"Hold on. I heard your half-brother Orm is planning to seize the throne of Atlantis..."
Upon hearing the contents of the call, Mera perked up her ears, gesturing at Arthur, who waved his hand at her.
"How do you know that?"
"We're not scammers. We're really a special agent organization under the National Security Agency of the United States. Of course, we have some understanding of the Sea Clan disputes."
"Then why are you looking for me?" Arthur was actually a bit convinced but still asked.
"The Capitol Building has been stopped in Metropolis for too long. We've tried various methods to move it back to its original place, but they've all failed. The longer this drags on, the more unstable the political situation becomes, which isn't good for anyone. We really need someone to move it back."
"Of course, we're not asking you to work for nothing. As long as you're willing to help, we can help you reclaim the throne of Atlantis..."
Mera's eyes widened. Arthur waved his hand at her again and said coldly, "You agents are the best at lying. You say nice things, and when I'm done with the job, you'll definitely back out. Not only will you back out, but you'll probably make me the scapegoat. I won't fall for that."
"No, no, no, please believe us, we're very sincere this time. Really. To be honest, you may not know yet, but the Sea Clan has an ancestral treasure called the golden trident..."
Mera widened her eyes again, gesturing furiously at Arthur. Arthur saw that she was indicating it indeed existed and was indeed a good thing. So he cleared his throat and said, "I know about it. But you're not going to tell me you can get the golden trident, are you?"
"That we can't do. We're just ordinary humans and can't use such a treasure. However, in our line of work, we're best at gathering intelligence and clues. We do have some clues about the golden trident. Follow these clues, and you'll surely find this divine artifact. By that time, reclaiming the throne of Atlantis will be a piece of cake. And all you need to do is help us move the Capitol Building back..."
"Give me the clues first."
"That won't work," the other party immediately refused. "What if you don't work after we give them to you?"
"But if you don't give them to me and I finish the job, what if you back out?"
"This..."
"Besides, I don't care much about the throne. I can live on land, so why bother? Either give me the clues first, or I'm hanging up."
"No, no, no," the other party seemed very hesitant. "Um, let me think. Fine, I'll tell you first. But the clues we've found aren't that precise. You might still need to search on your own."
"Alright, hurry up and tell me, don't waste my time," Arthur showed impatience.
"This starts with the origin of the golden trident. Many years ago, Atlantis wasn't the Sea Clan. Like the human civilization on the mainland, it was a land civilization. However, one day, disaster struck, and the entire mainland sank underwater..."
"Do you think I have time to listen to you tell stories?"
"Why are you so impatient? ...Fine, fine, I'll get to the point. You had an ancestor who forged the weapon known as the golden trident. And the materials he used came from 'Poseidon's Iron' on Mount Olympus."
"Poseidon's Iron?" Arthur frowned, asking, "You didn't steal it from Poseidon, did you?"
"Of course not. Who do you think you are? If you could steal from Poseidon, why would you need to forge this weapon? Actually, it's Poseidon's Iron that was left in the world."
"So where is this thing?"
"We couldn't locate the exact whereabouts of the golden trident, but we know that Poseidon's Iron, which was left in the world, is near the Amazon Country. Yes, the Amazon Country in Europe, not far from Italy. So I suggest you search near Italy..."
Arthur was a bit confused and said, "The materials for the trident are in Europe, but that doesn't prove the golden trident is in Europe..."
"You must understand, the emperor with the trident chose to hide the golden trident to prevent future generations from obtaining it, naturally for a reason. But he wouldn't want this divine artifact to be lost either, so he would place it where he believed it was safe..."
Arthur wanted to argue, but Mera pulled him and shook her head at him. Arthur hung up the phone and looked at her. Mera said, "This could be true."
"Why?" Arthur was a bit puzzled.
"You feel the logic doesn't add up because you don't understand the Amazon," Mera thought for a moment and said, "It's not just a small country in the Mediterranean. The Amazon Tribe living there is a group with special abilities, just like the Sea Clan. And their powers come from Mount Olympus."
"I see," Arthur suddenly understood. He said, "So that ancestor left the golden trident near the Amazon Tribe's territory to ensure the safety of this divine artifact."
"Maybe it's not that simple," Mera said, "I've never heard that Atlantis has any superior forging skills. Compared to technology, we are more proficient in magic. So the golden trident may not be forged by us."
"If it wasn't forged by you, then who was it?"
"Mount Olympus," Mera said, "Only weapons of the gods can possess such powerful strength. You must have heard of the Fire God in Greek Mythology?"
"Do you think the golden trident was forged by those gods in Greek Mythology? Isn't that a bit ridiculous? I've never seen any gods..."
"But they do exist. I think the golden trident might be the work of the Fire God, otherwise it couldn't explain where Poseidon's Iron came from. Surely it wasn't thrown by Poseidon himself?"
Arthur thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "This speculation does indeed make some sense. Only those gods could procure those mysterious materials. It seems Atlantis also has intricate connections with Mount Olympus."
"Indeed, so we must make a trip to Europe," Mera said, "Even if we can't find the golden trident, we can try to contact the Amazon Tribe. Although they are isolated from the world, they are relatively friendly to the human race and will certainly not stand by while Orm starts a war. If we can win them over, Orm's conspiracy will never succeed."
Arthur nodded and said, "Let's go."
With that, he headed towards the sea. Mera quickly caught up with him and said, "You're not seriously thinking of swimming to Europe, are you? It's very far!"
Arthur looked at her as if she were an idiot and said, "Swim to Europe? Am I insane?"
"Then why are you..."
"To the airport!"
Unbeknownst to them, Shiller, sitting at the A.R.G.U.S. base, made these remarks over the phone, which had already been transmitted to Orm's ears through the leaking special agent organization.
Orm clearly had the same thoughts as Mera and knew more. There had long been rumors that the Seven Ocean Tribes were descendants of the gods, and their relationship with the gods of Mount Olympus was closer, while they were further from the human race.
For such a legend to survive to this day, it clearly holds some truth. They all knew that Atlantis was once a land-based nation until one day a lightning bolt struck, and the entire mainland sank into the sea.
Many of the elders of Atlantis believe that the lightning bolt was divine punishment from Zeus, angry that the people of Atlantis did not respect the gods, thus he submerged the entire Atlantis in rage.
And the various changes that occurred after they sank into the sea also proved that they were not ordinary humans. After all, if they were the human race and were submerged like this, they would surely be dead, and their civilization would be extinct.
Yet they were unscathed and quickly adapted to life underwater. So there is a rumor that Poseidon saved them. Considering Poseidon's relationship with Zeus, it's not impossible.
If the material of the golden trident truly is Poseidon's Iron, then the rumor may indeed be true. Poseidon provided the material for the Fire God to forge such a weapon to help Atlantis rule the ocean.
Orm immediately realized that to conquer the world, winning over the Seven Ocean Tribes is important, but obtaining the approval of the God Clan would bring victory within reach.
He knew very well that the God Clan is not a monolith. Even in mythology, the main gods constantly dispute among themselves, and surely some ambitionists want to rule the world. If they could cooperate, any illegitimate children or humans would be nothing to fear.
Orm walked out of the tent, began issuing commands, then headed to the sea himself and said, "Follow me, we're going to Amazon."
As a legitimate Prince of Atlantis, Orm is more knowledgeable about some of the world's peculiar existences. He knew the Amazon Country is the gateway to Mount Olympus, and without the presence of the God Clan, entering Mount Olympus would require passing through Amazon.
If he could persuade the Amazon Queen to help him, that would be even better. He doesn't believe that Poseidon's Iron is in only one piece; if he can't find the golden trident, getting the materials to forge one would suffice.
Orm's ambition was completely inflated, as if he could already see himself ruling the world with the help of the God Clan. As for whether he could persuade them, Orm hadn't seriously thought it through. Nor did he plan to speak openly; deception and temptation would be his methods, things he's quite adept at.
Yet what Orm did not know was that the Amazon Queen was completely different from those Seven Seas Leaders and the fragile human race he usually dealt with. She was capable of giving birth to Zeus's descendants and surviving under Hera, a cunning figure. Such a reckless person as Orm would be seen through at a glance.
Sure enough, when Orm led his men nearby Amazon, they were immediately caught by the female warriors of Paradise Island. Their rude attitude already somewhat angered Orm, and they even wanted to escort him to meet the Queen. Orm, a pampered and proud Prince, was not pleased.
However, considering his plans, Orm held back. He was brought to the palace of the Amazon Queen. Upon seeing Orm, the Amazon Queen frowned.
After all, she is a ruler and has heard of both major and minor international events. The area of the Caribbean Sea had been restless for a long time, probably related to the sea clan prince in front of her.
"Your Majesty the Queen, I was originally just touring the European Sea Area, why did your subordinates take action against us?" Orm wanted to take the initiative, to establish reason first. After all, those female warriors were indeed quite rude, and were very strong, making him embarrassed, which was not proper hospitality.
"Within the Amazon territory, sea clan are forbidden to enter," the Queen said calmly, "Didn't the Seven Seas Leaders teach you?"
Orm's pupils shrank momentarily. He really didn't know about this. But this rule was quite strange; logically, as long as it's the ocean, it's their territory. Why is Amazon an exception?
Is it really as rumored, the golden trident is nearby, so Amazon forbids the sea clan from approaching?