There are the conquests of the merfolk royal family, and there is resistance from the human world, but in this place where high-level sea monsters gather, all resistance is futile. Martin doesn’t know why they are here, but all these unusual things simply exist as they are.

Humans cannot survive on the seabed—this is a consensus among all races. Even Martin, who has become a magus, is no exception. At most, he can rely on a powerful wind-element barrier to survive for a few hours. From just a dozen minutes in the past, he can now last over ten hours, which to outsiders would seem like an unbelievable miracle. He has also gained a much deeper understanding of water magic.

Relying on a sunken ship equipped with a defensive magic array, Martin created this dwelling for survival on the seabed.

But as for Prince Julius Caesar, he is absolutely human, yet he can live freely in the water, and his speed underwater is even faster than that of high-level aquatic monsters. He can also survive within Martin’s water-parting barrier. However, the biggest problem—and the one that gives Martin a headache—is Julius Caesar’s magical ability, which is really... he can only manage the most basic spells like water ball, wind blade, and fireball. Anything even slightly more difficult is hopeless. Over time, even the magus is at a loss. But Julius Caesar himself doesn’t mind at all; he always thinks of himself as just an orphan of the aquatic race, and as long as he’s happy, that’s enough.

Perhaps the sea monsters also know about Julius Caesar’s relationship with him, and over time, they have become friendly toward him. Martin also goes outside the Bermuda Sea region from time to time to gather news, but the news is rarely good.

Ten years have passed, and everything has finally returned to normal, but Cagliari already has a new heir, and the prince still does not possess the necessary strength. In fact, deep in Martin’s heart, he is convinced that everything about the prince is divinely ordained. He must be the child of the gods. If the gods let the prince fall into the sea, there must be a deeper plan, just as the prophecy foretold.

Let everything take its course. As a court magician, Martin’s duty is to assist the prince, and when the prince comes of age, to tell him the truth. At that time, the prince can make his own decision.

“Hey, hey, old man, spacing out again? Hurry up and start the barbecue! I’ve noticed, you seem to be the only one among the sea folk who can play with fire. Tsk tsk, they really don’t know what they’re missing.”

Julius Caesar was already drooling over the octopus tentacle. Grilling the leg of a high-level sea monster on the seabed—probably only he could pull that off.

“Haha, is that so? Want to eat? Take it out then, my nose is very sharp!” Martin sniffed and laughed.

Seeing the mage’s lecherous look, Julius Caesar helplessly took out the fine wine he’d been hiding in his arms. “Ahem, old man, let’s be clear—half for each of us. I worked for half a month to save up for this.”

Because Julius Caesar could freely enter and exit the Bermuda Death Sea, and with the war already over, Martin also let Julius Caesar go out and interact with the sea people. Of course, some modifications were necessary, since there are fundamental differences between the sea folk and humans. Although among the sea folk, the more human-like their appearance, the higher their status—like the merfolk and the dragonfolk—being completely human-looking is very abnormal. For example, the merfolk have hair the color of the sea and can freely transform their tails into legs, while the sea dragonfolk have dragon horns on their heads.

Although Julius Caesar possesses some strange abilities, exposing his identity would be extremely dangerous. The hostility between the sea folk and humans is not something that can be resolved in a short time—perhaps never.

Of course, this is no problem for Martin, who has already become a magus. Almost every magician is a competent alchemist. With a finely crafted Sheou-tribe headpiece and a bit of low-level disguise magic, it’s impossible for sea folk unfamiliar with such subtle mental magic to see through it.

Julius Caesar’s adaptability was stronger than expected. He quickly integrated into the sea folk, and even found a part-time job in a small tavern, where he also discovered the delights of sea folk wine.

The old and the young happily enjoyed their barbecue, but from that moment on, true destiny was about to arrive...

Chapter Two: The First Intimate Encounter (Part 1)

Better to offend the old than the young—you can never know what achievements a young person may have in the future.

“Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar, another bottle over here!” The one shouting loudly was a burly Sheou tribesman, a subordinate race of the merfolk. He was born with a shell armor, a natural aquatic warrior.

In the tavern, Julius Caesar was happily busy. After spending all day with an old man and a bunch of ugly, eight-legged sea monsters, seeing any sea folk felt interesting and friendly. It was precisely his enthusiasm that allowed this child to stay in the tavern.

“Uncle Douglas, is there any interesting news today?”

Julius Caesar loved listening to stories—not the old man’s stale ones, of course. In the tavern, he could hear fresh news every day, and Douglas, a member of the merfolk royal city guard, always knew some juicy gossip.

“Go on, go on, I’m still pure—don’t call me uncle, call me big brother.”

The tavern erupted in cheerful laughter. Ever since this child arrived, the atmosphere had become much livelier. Everyone loved teasing him, even though he was just a powerless Sheou tribesman.