12 Chapter 12 : Meeting of the Two Kings

Absolutely, here's the edited version:

**Meeting the Two Kings**

People often say that clothes make the man. Donning the golden battle attire elevated Arthur's overall presence.

Indeed, gold has an undeniable radiance.

Even in the deepest ocean depths, thousands of feet beneath the surface, the luminous gleam of Arthur's golden attire couldn't be obscured.

The surrounding Atlanteans were captivated by the radiant light and gazed toward Godzilla's back.

A blue-skinned Atlantean pointed towards Arthur's position: "Is someone behind our guardian lord?"

"Who could stand upon the back of our guardian deity?"

An elderly Atlantean raised his gaze, looking surprised.

A colossal behemoth like Godzilla had existed far longer than the history of the Atlantis Empire.

Throughout ancient times, not even the legendary Poseidon had ever subjugated Godzilla.

The bond between Godzilla and Atlantis was symbiotic. Before Atlantis submerged, Godzilla shielded Atlantis from other Titan monsters' persecution.

As part of the arrangement, the Atlantis Empire offered nuclear radiation energy as tribute to Godzilla, a gesture symbolizing their protection fee.

This practice became a customary tradition in Atlantis for millennia.

Following Atlantis's submersion, numerous deep-sea creatures attacked the deep ocean. It was mostly Godzilla who intervened to broker peace for Atlantis to survive to this day.

As the proclaimed King of the Seas, Godzilla, the Iron Strike of Atlantis, held a lofty status within the Atlantis Empire. He was worshipped, honored above the king, standing shoulder to shoulder with the sea god Poseidon, the rightful patron saint of Atlantis.

Now, someone standing on their revered patron saint's back—how could these Atlanteans not be astonished?

A perceptive Atlantean glimpsed Arthur's complexion from afar, growing more astonished: "He has the skin tone of a land dweller."

Another guard, holding a pentacle, was bewildered: "A land dweller? How could a land dweller come to the deep sea without tools and bear a golden trident?"

The elder Atlantean remarked: "Have you forgotten, Your Majesty the King?"

"Is he also a...mixed-blood?"

Most Atlanteans are familiar with the notion of mixed-blood Sea King Namor, yet they tend to tread lightly around the subject.

"Could he be the offspring of the figure from the legend?"

The elder Atlantean's expression shifted slightly.

"You mean the usurper?"

"I'm afraid this situation might turn dire. Go, inform the king and the high priest!"

...

Following the disturbance in Atlantis, someone swiftly reported the incident.

"The usurper?"

Hearing the murmurs among the Atlanteans, Arthur was slightly perplexed.

But gauging the hostile looks from those around him, he knew most would apprehend him if not for Godzilla. Without the great monster's protection, he would be regarded as an unauthorized intruder.

Due to Godzilla's presence, the Atlanteans refrained from brandishing their weapons directly out of respect for their patron saint.

Godzilla, the protector of Atlantis, held a position of power. No one dared to risk Godzilla's wrath.

As the Atlanteans observed Arthur, he too observed them.

Their appearances resembled humans, donning light blue or dark blue skin, adorned in ornate attire. Even ordinary Atlanteans sported pearl and gem ornaments, while a few had fish scales adorning their bodies.

Most men wore armor and carried harpoon-like weapons, while some wielded peculiar-looking firearms—presumably energy weapons.

Some adorned themselves in lavish garments, riding various marine creatures.

These marine creatures were quite colossal, including seahorses measuring over three meters, five-meter-long Pippi shrimps, seven to eight-meter-long crabs, and massive sea turtles.

Arthur wondered whether these marine creatures were originally like this or if they were the product of Atlantean transformations.

"The king approaches!"

Not long after, a black-haired man dressed in black armor, wielding a gold trident, rode atop a 23-meter-long mosasaur, emerging amidst the clamor of the Atlanteans.

His trident bore the same golden light as the one in Arthur's hand, but its handle was spiral with a flat end.

Arthur's trident, on the other hand, had a round handle and a triangular barb at the end.

From the opponent's appearance and the Atlanteans' reverence, it was evident that this fair-skinned individual was the Marvel Sea King—Namo McKenzie!

As for his mount Mosasaur, it seemed to be an extinct species. Where Namor procured it remained a mystery.

Arthur wasn't particularly surprised by this, considering Godzilla's existence; the appearance of the Mosasaur was trivial.

Evidently tamed, the Mosasaur sported a saddle and reins, presenting a majestic and authoritative air. However, compared to Godzilla, it paled in comparison.

The two sea kings locked eyes from a distance. In an instant, it felt as if an invisible electric current surged between them.

A formidable foe!

But also, a destined adversary.

This feeling seemed instinctual. The moment Arthur and Namor met, they both experienced a strange sensation—a blend of long-lost relatives and natural animosity.

This sentiment was perplexingly enigmatic.

Namor, perched atop the creature, spoke first: "It's truly unexpected to meet in this manner. It seems you're prepared to challenge the throne, aren't you? My cousin...Immoji!"

"Imoji?"

Puzzled by Namor's words, Arthur was at a loss, unable to comprehend the situation. It appeared that Namor had misunderstood something.

However, Arthur chose not to explain, replying instead: "Imoji is deceased. My name is Han Shaoqing. If you wish to fight, I'll stand my ground until the end."

"In that case, let's begin."

Namor had a volatile temperament, outspoken and eager for battle. He always prioritized Atlantis's interests, often employing short-term protective measures.

He belonged to the type that if provoked individually, he'd retaliate against an entire clan.

Twenty years prior, Namor's uncle, Grand, dissatisfied with Namor's reign, launched a large-scale rebellion when Namor was away. However, he was eventually defeated and banished by Namor's forces.

Grand, unwilling to concede defeat, realized he couldn't overpower Namor, so he chose to venture ashore. He intended to learn from Namor's mother, seek unity with humans, and birth a formidable hybrid.

Rumors circulated that Grand had traveled to Asia and sired a child with an Asian woman, named Imoji.

This incident became relatively notorious gossip within Atlantis.

Namor's power was widely recognized. While the notion of mixed-blood individuals was rejected by many traditional Atlanteans, Namor's strength was undeniable.

Hence, numerous Atlanteans aimed to breed with land-dwellers. However, ordinary Atlanteans would not accept those returning from land, and vice versa.

Only stronger royal bloodlines could endure longer on land, but such lineages were scarce, mostly conservative, and easily swayed by public opinion. Consequently, mixed Atlanteans and land-dwellers were few in number.

Arthur's likeness to Imoji, mistakenly identified by Namor, was not surprising.