I don't know if it's an illusion, but there's always a faint fishy smell in Penguin Man's mansion, which makes this luxurious Ice and Snow Palace feel somewhat vulgar.
"Now that the Laughing Bat has run off, what's our next move?" Diana sheathed the Fire God Sword and looked at Su Ming, who was circling around as if searching for something.
There's nothing special in Penguin Man's treasury; no one keeps money at home these days. The treasures here hold particular significance for Penguin Man but are worthless to others.
Such as portraits of the Kobert Clan members throughout the generations, or some other old toys.
"Actually, knowing that the Laughing Bat plans to go underground, I already have a plan. Now, we also know that besides the Laughing Bat, there is one Batman skilled with firearms, one who uses Dark Energy as a caster Batman, and another wearing leather shoes—these should be the four of them."
Su Ming lifted his head and stretched his neck. There's nothing valuable around. Such a bigwig doesn't even keep some gold at home; truly stingy.
Oliver lowered his hood, looked around, and reached for a wooden toy on the shelf, not knowing what it depicted.
The wood carving already had a patina, indicating Penguin Man often played with it.
"Seems like good news, at least there aren't twenty plus Batmen opposing us."
"I've severed the connection to the Dark Multiverse. Although they can teleport within Earth, at least Laughing Bat won't have reinforcements for a short time, and other types of teleportation should be cut off too."
"But as Diana said, Batman burrowed underground like a rat, and Gotham's sewers are notoriously complex. Without a map, it's really troubling; one step behind, step after step behind."
"This only means you haven't caught field mice. Do you know who in the Justice League is most effective against the sewer king?"
Su Ming laughed and chatted with Green Arrow, while Diana still couldn't think of anyone to help them pull the Laughing Bat out of the sewers.
In her view, Ron was most likely, but Laughing Bat likely prepared a Spiritual Power shielding device. Anyone understanding its principles could manufacture it.
Should they rely on Barry to zip around all the sewers? Though Divine Speed is handy, it's uncertain if it will work against Batman.
Su Ming didn't explain further; instead, he opened a chamber-like Teleportation Gate, a mysterious passage sending them to a place Diana didn't anticipate.
"This isn't..." she said, looking at the vast ocean before her, the night sea a deep black, with the sound of waves entering their ears.
Su Ming stowed his Thrusting Sword and crossed his arms, the salty sea breeze lifting his cape. He nodded, "Yes, despite being a bit tired of the ocean, in these circumstances, we need Sea King."
Oliver smacked his lips, and while the man and woman gazed at the sea, he turned to look behind, observing where he now stood.
"This is Poseidonis, though it appearing on the sea surface is still somewhat unsettling to me..."
"Let's go, sightseeing can wait. First, we need to find Arthur."
Su Ming turned and headed into the city. Though only a small portion of the city's repair work was done—like the spot where the Rocket Tower originally stood is still several deep holes filled with seawater—
Defense towers and city walls repair are nearly complete at the third tier and above. Even at midnight, many were busily rushing to repair the defense facilities.
Poseidonis has defense towers and walls, but last time the sea level rose and the fortress was breached from within.
Diana, as the Amazon Queen, still held some prestige. After she removed the hood concealing her visage, they traversed unobstructed.
Her gaze fell upon a peculiar building cluster not far from the city, those soaking in the sea... seemed like pyramids?
Riding a rocket here last time, she didn't notice those buildings—likely due to limited underwater visibility.
But why does it feel like a mysterious gaze has been cast over from there, continuously watching her? Have those temple-like buildings been inhabited?
She glanced back but saw nothing. Those buildings were pitch black; perhaps her eyesight wasn't as good as the other's.
Since the other side showed no intention of approaching, Diana wouldn't go searching just because of their gaze; maybe they're Atlantis guests, and now she represents Paradise Island, needing to act prudently.
She raised her chin and, retracting her gaze, walked straight up the golden steps. Moonlight spilled onto these steps, casting a faint glow on the three of them.
Perhaps receiving a notification, Atlantis officials soon emerged to welcome them. Although appearing similar in age to Paradise Island's elders, the sea race elderly woman was full of smiles, exuding warmth.
Su Ming sized up the elder that emerged; resplendently robed in purple, short in stature, this elder should be Mera's confidante, Mother Sethia.
This old lady is the Chief Steward of Poseidonis. Last time he came here for a meal, Su Ming did not meet her. During the Barbatos invasion, Su Ming also visited Paradise Island, and those old ladies weren't as kind as Sethia.
"Welcome you, Queen of the Amazon, your presence brings radiance to our humble abode."
Sethia slowly bent down to greet Diana, who promptly reached out to help her up:
"Thank you for meeting me, Madam, but now I'm here to seek help. Where is your King?"
Madam led a few people further into the castle while gently yet firmly correcting, "Her Majesty the Queen is currently on the West Coast, her husband is there too."
Diana chuckled awkwardly; she momentarily forgot about Mera's usurpation, which was a bit embarrassing. However, their marital relationship seemed quite good, and whether they occupied the throne shouldn't be a significant issue...?
"Is she handling other affairs then? So she should be back soon, right?" She shifted the topic back to official matters.
Madam led them to sit in the reception room of the Royal Palace, and soon maidservants brought in local specialties from the seabed, green fruits that looked like some kind of algae.
"Poseidonis used to rely on the Justice League's quantum communication system, but now that system hasn't been restored yet, we have to revert to more primitive methods, which is transmitting messages using marine creatures. The Queen's response is that the number of sea monsters has greatly reduced, and maybe it won't be long before fleets scattered along various coastlines can be recalled."
"Is there a coordinate for the specific location?" Su Ming chuckled apologetically, interjecting a word, because if they knew the coordinates, using a teleportation gate would be more convenient.
Madam smiled and shook her head at him: "I think it's difficult enough to have aquatic animals help pass messages. Expecting them to understand coordinates is really beyond their intellectual capacity."
Su Ming nodded; he had nothing more to say. Detailed plans and actions couldn't be discussed with the elderly; they would have to wait for Arthur and Mera to return.
Oliver was just smiling along; he was now essentially a vicarious consumer, dragged along and forcibly given equipment, while Deathstroke had nothing to say, so he naturally had even less to contribute.
Since Madam couldn't handle physical work, she couldn't help with construction outside, so she simply sat in the reception room, exclusively engaging in conversation.
Diplomacy was also part of her duties; she was quite curious about the Justice League and quite amiable, but only Diana, educated as nobility, could keep a radiant smile and entertain her.
Meanwhile, Su Ming softly conversed with Green Arrow about the odd taste of the green fruit, expressing his dislike for fish as it seemed a bit fishy and not sweet enough for him.
Green Arrow then began recounting his suffering on Purgatory Island, where even seaweed was absent around that lousy island, and he was ravenously hungry to the point his eyes turned green.
Mentioning a tropical island made Su Ming recall the new pineapple variety and the days of indulgently drinking pineapple juice, leading both to softly ponder if pineapple could be brewed into alcohol.
About half an hour later, a drenched Arthur and a fresh Mera walked into the reception hall.
"Hahaha! My friends, what made you consider visiting Poseidonis?" Arthur laughed heartily, shaking hands and bumping shoulders with Green Arrow, and observed Su Ming for quite a while before recognizing him and giving a warm hug.
Meanwhile, Mera chuckled as she shook hands with Diana, gesturing for Madam to step out since they had business to discuss.
Madam judiciously bowed and departed, allowing the five to get seated again after exchanging pleasantries.
"We need your help, Arthur." Su Ming removed his Zorro disguise, his body transformed after the black organism twisted on the surface, changing into a black suit.
Arthur wrung his long hair like a towel, revealing a puzzled expression: "Need my help? That's certainly fine, but I really can't think of anything you can't do that I can."
The Sea King had witnessed Deathstroke's myriad skills, especially the Ten Rings United's sky-breaking light cannon, evaporating the massive Death Sea Demon to nothing—what was that power?
He was certainly willing to help but genuinely didn't know how he could assist.
Su Ming began taking snacks out of his backpack, and although the good wine had been given to the Inquirer, he still had some ordinary beverages and brought them out. It's always nice to bring gifts when visiting.
"I need you to help me create a tidal wave using Poseidon's Trident."
"Huh? I can do that... but why?" Arthur noticed Mera signaling with her eyes.
Mera opposed creating a tidal wave, because flooding Earth had just passed, and if Atlantis initiated another tidal wave, their reputation would be utterly ruined.
However, Arthur didn't want to refuse; he wanted to ask why.
Green Arrow scooted forward on the couch: "We need to catch mice."
Arthur and Mera both wore similar confused expressions: "???"