Chapter 348: The Truth Behind It All

Chapter 348: The Truth Behind It All

On the western coast of the Tidal Sea, at Moon Murk Beach.

Lu Heng and his group of thirteen arrived on the beach, locating the site of the battle.

The battlefield was not entirely preserved, as parts of it had been submerged by the ocean.

In the areas not yet engulfed by the sea, footprints and traces of combat between the two races could be seen.

To be precise, the Black Iron Dwarves left footprints, while the Mermaids left trails of their tails.

Aside from the footprints, there were also scattered bloodstains and fragments of weapons and armor.

Su Muyu directed the Bright Sunbird to scan the entire area, then walked to a nearby reef, crouched down, and picked up a bloody scale, holding it up as he spoke. "The Black Iron Dwarves weren't lying. It was indeed the Mermaids who attacked them."

In a world where supernatural powers existed, seeing wasn't always believing.

The Black Iron Dwarves claimed that the Mermaids attacked them, but it was possible that another race had used illusion magic to disguise themselves as Mermaids and then launched the assault.

However, the presence of bloody Mermaid scales at the battle site indicated that it wasn't illusion magic.

The Black Iron Dwarves had indeed engaged in combat with the Mermaids.

Many of the combat traces on the beach were clearly left by the Mermaids. It would be nearly impossible to fake such extensive evidence of Mermaid combat.

Nevertheless, there were still doubts about the incident. According to the Black Iron Dwarf Grand Wizard Hogre, when they arrived at Moon Murk Beach and encountered the Mermaids, the Mermaids immediately launched an attack without any prior communication.

From a logical perspective, this didn't make much sense.

The Mermaids had come to the meeting as agreed upon, and even if negotiations ultimately failed, it was unusual for them to attack without any prior discussion.

So far, they had only heard the Black Iron Dwarves' side of the story and had yet to hear the Mermaids' explanation.

To uncover the truth, Lu Heng needed to communicate with the High Priestess of the Mermaid Clan, Sona.

Lu Heng turned to look at the setting sun, then at the sea.

The tide was already receding.

The Mermaid Clan possessed a magical conch that, when the tide went out, would carry the sound of the echo conch back to the sea.

Before leaving the Mermaid territory, Lu Heng had obtained an echo conch from High Priestess Sona.

Therefore, he didn't need to return to the Mermaid Temple to communicate with High Priestess Sona; he could do so right there on the beach.

Lu Heng took out the echo conch, walked a few steps into the seawater, bent down, and used the conch to scoop up a handful of seawater. Then, he spoke into the conch.

After he finished speaking, he poured the seawater back into the sea.

The poured seawater mixed with the receding tide and disappeared into the vast ocean.

After a moment, the echo conch faintly glowed.

Lu Heng placed the echo conch on the beach, letting the seawater soak half of it.

Soon after, the voice of High Priestess Sona of the Mermaid Clan emanated from the echo conch: "You didn't keep your promise."

Hearing this accusation, Lu Heng's eyebrows furrowed. "Let me guess. You received news that the Black Iron Dwarves attacked the Mermaid envoy you sent for negotiations?"

High Priestess Sona replied, "What else could it be? How do you explain this?"

Lu Heng said, "It's unfortunate, but when I was at the Crown of Magma, I witnessed the injured return of Black Iron Dwarf Grand Wizard Hogre and the envoy team he brought for negotiations. Their report stated that the Mermaids launched a surprise attack."

High Priestess Sona's voice grew angrier. "Nonsense! Many of our warriors were injured."

Lu Heng continued, "It seems as I expected. The report you received was that the Black Iron Dwarves attacked without a word, right?"

High Priestess Sona fell silent for a moment, then answered, "Yes. Without any communication between the two sides, the Black Iron Dwarves launched a surprise attack."

Lu Heng stood up and looked around before saying, "I'm standing right here at the site where the envoys of both races fought. One thing is certain: a conflict did occur, as evidenced by the bloodstains and combat traces.

"Both sides' accounts conflict, each accusing the other of launching a surprise attack without communication. This means that one side is lying.

"I'm not accusing anyone at the moment; I just want to uncover the truth. Do you agree, High Priestess?"

High Priestess Sona of the Mermaid Clan remained silent for a moment, then calmed down and agreed, "Yes."

Lu Heng continued, "On the Black Iron Dwarf side, the one responsible for negotiations was Grand Wizard Hogre of the Black Iron Dwarf Clan. I personally examined his injuries, and they were indeed severe.

"I'd like to ask, who was in charge of negotiations for the Mermaid side? Who led the envoy team?"

High Priestess Sona replied, "Our Elder Onatu."

Lu Heng asked further, "Did Elder Onatu participate in the fight?"

High Priestess Sona answered, "Of course!"

Lu Heng inquired, "Was he injured?"

High Priestess Sona said, "Yes, he was severely burned by flames. I personally treated him with magic."

Hearing this, Lu Heng turned to glance at Su Muyu.

Su Muyu released the Bright Sunbird, which flew back to the Crown of Magma to visit Black Iron Dwarf Grand Wizard Hogre and inquire about the details of the battle.

After relaying the information, Su Muyu shared the response he heard: "Hogre stated that he did not encounter the Merfolk Elder Onatu during the battle."

Lu Heng continued, "High Priestess, you heard it yourself. The Grand Wizard of the Black Iron Dwarves, Hogre, did not meet the Merfolk Elder Onatu during the conflict.

The time and location of the negotiations were decided after my communication with you. As long as both parties arrived at Moon Murk Beach on time, they would only encounter each other's negotiation teams, and there was no possibility of conflict with any disguised teams.

Now, the Black Iron Dwarves claim that they did not see Elder Onatu of the Merfolk during the conflict, but Elder Onatu was injured.

One of these parties is definitely lying.

I understand that as the High Priestess, you would naturally choose to believe your own people, which is reasonable. But I can also assure you that my standing among the Black Iron Dwarves is no less than that of their Grand Wizard.

Therefore, I suggest you ask Elder Onatu if he encountered the Grand Wizard Hogre of the Black Iron Dwarves during the conflict."

High Priestess Sona of the Merfolk fell silent.

From the perspective of the Merfolk, she would undoubtedly choose to believe her own people.

Instinctively, she doubted Lu Heng's words.

Lu Heng continued, "You can choose not to heed my advice, it's fine. But this negotiation was something I fought for. King Sorvill Copperforge has already agreed to stop dumping Groth's Ashes into the Tidal Sea.

I can't understand why a conflict would occur when both parties' demands have been met.

Regarding the crisis of Infernal Demon Groth, the Dwarf King has accepted my suggestion to seek a solution to the crisis over the next three years.

"As a Summoner from another world, the Dwarf King doesn't need to placate me. As a ruler of your people, you should understand the reason."

As a ruler of a people, there are too many responsibilities to attend to, and time would not be wasted on a Summoner if not for a crisis.

High Priestess Sona fell silent, as she could understand the logic behind this.

The conflict during this negotiation made no sense from start to finish.

Initially, she suspected that the negotiation was a trap set by the Black Iron Dwarves.

However, if this negotiation was a trap, the Merfolk envoys should have faced an ambush, and one with a much larger force than the Merfolk, not just a simple conflict with the negotiation team.

After considering all the information, she reached a conclusion: someone wanted to prevent the reconciliation of the two races.

After much thought, she asked, "Are you sure it's not the Black Iron Dwarves who want to sabotage the negotiations?"

With his connection to Tempering Castle, Lu Heng's reputation among the Black Iron Dwarves was exceptional, and having personally inspected the injuries of the Black Iron Dwarf envoys, he could confirm this.

"I just didn't want to be too blunt, and wanted the High Priestess to find the answers herself. If I were to follow my thoughts, I could even directly say that there's a problem with Elder Onatu of your people."

Upon hearing this, High Priestess Sona became very angry, as Elder Onatu was her right-hand man.

The fact that Onatu became her right-hand man indicated her deep trust in this elder.

Therefore, Lu Heng's words made her feel resistant.

Seeing her reaction, Lu Heng said, "I know you must be very angry, which is why I didn't jump to conclusions at first.

As for the truth of the matter, you can find the answers yourself. One of them is definitely lying.

No matter whom you choose to believe, after you question Elder Onatu, you will have your answer.

Regarding the reconciliation between your two races, I have done my best. If it doesn't come to fruition, it's beyond my ability to change the world line.

The main quest of this Summoning has been completed, and what's left are challenge missions.

If the High Priestess ultimately decides not to pursue reconciliation, then this matter ends here.

I want to remind the High Priestess of one thing. In my challenge missions, one involves finding the Abyssal Pollution Source.

Most of the Empowered Users summoned this time are Marine System Warriors.

In other words, the Abyssal Pollution Source is not on land but in the Tidal Sea."

With that, Lu Heng put away the Echo Conch, ending the conversation.

...

Although this Summoning involved the Black Iron Dwarf Kingdom, the main event actually took place in the sea.

Following the normal Summoning logic, if the main event occurred in the sea, then the Abyssal Pollution Source was most likely in the sea.

In other words, the Merfolk were the ones truly facing the Abyssal Crisis, while the Infernal Demon Crisis of the Black Iron Dwarves would not erupt for at least three years, and was not the core event of this Summoning.

This implied that there was more to come for the Merfolk.

However, the negotiations between the two clans have failed.

The internal situation of the Mermaid Clan is complex, and they may not welcome the Recruiters anymore.

Lu Heng needs to wait for the Mermaid Clan's attitude. If they want to cooperate, he will return to the sea and help them find the source of the Abyssal pollution.

If the Mermaid Clan refuses to cooperate, then this Recruit mission will be considered complete.

The remaining time can be used to hunt down Abyssal beasts and Abyssal Summoners.

...

After listening to Lu Heng's warning, High Priestess Sona also sensed something amiss.

Although her instincts told her to trust her clansmen, it doesn't mean she doesn't want to know the truth.

Moreover, Lu Heng's final warning made her more alert.

Regarding the Recruiters' challenge mission, she has many ways to verify it, so this information couldn't be a deception.

This means that the source of the Abyssal pollution does exist in the Tide Sea.

This is a significant concern for the Mermaid Clan.

Regardless of whether they reconcile with the Black Iron Dwarves or not, they must find the source of pollution in the sea.

She pondered for a moment, then left the Mermaid Temple to visit Elder Onatu.

Onatu had been recuperating in his residence since his injury.

At this moment, a layer of air shield was deployed in Onatu's residence, creating an air environment within the room.

The Mermaid Clan indeed inhabits the sea, and they can freely live in seawater most of the time.

However, an air environment is more conducive to wound healing when injured.

Therefore, Onatu is currently staying in the air environment to accelerate his recovery.

Upon hearing the guard's report, Onatu came to the entrance to greet the High Priestess, his demeanor respectful.

High Priestess Sona approached and released a stream of water, helping to cleanse the burn wound on his left arm.

Onatu bowed his head in gratitude, then inquired about the High Priestess's purpose.

Sona swished her tail and casually strolled into the residence, seemingly nonchalantly asking, "When you went ashore, you were attacked by the Black Iron Dwarves. Who was the leading Black Iron Dwarf?"

Onatu paused for half a second before replying, "It was the Grand Wizard Hogre of the Black Iron Dwarves."

Sona continued, "Did you injure him?"

Onatu frowned and shook his head, "I am incapable. I couldn't inflict heavy damage on those despicable Black Iron Dwarves."

"Really? But the Sea Demon warriors you led were your personal elite warriors, the most powerful fighters of our Mermaid Clan," High Priestess Sona challenged.

Initially, she didn't think there was anything wrong with Onatu taking his elite warriors.

After all, when negotiating with an enemy race, bringing powerful warriors ensures safety.

But choosing a strong team could also mean something else...

Onatu hurriedly explained, "I couldn't harm Hogre, but my warriors defeated him. His chest was pierced by a spear, almost going through. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to kill him in the end."

High Priestess Sona turned around, fixing her gaze on his eyes, "Did you participate in the fight?"

Onatu fell silent upon hearing this question.

Sona raised her voice, "Answer me, did you participate in the fight?"

Onatu's expression grew solemn, "No."

Sona stared at the burn wound on his left arm, "If you didn't engage in combat, who inflicted your wound?"

Onatu scoffed, "High Priestess, why are you probing into these trivial matters? We've been hostile with the Black Iron Dwarves for so many years, why seek reconciliation with them?"

"It's not wrong. My wound wasn't inflicted by them, but this is important. In the Tide Sea, our Mermaid Clan rules the sea, and we don't need to reconcile with the Black Iron Dwarves.

"If any Black Iron Dwarf dares to set foot in the Tide Sea, I'll make sure they die in the sea!"

High Priestess Sona understood the situation after hearing this response.

Onatu stopped concealing and revealed everything. He had taken on the task of negotiating with the Black Iron Dwarves, then led his most elite Sea Demon warriors to attack the Black Iron Dwarves' envoy.

His intention was simple—he didn't want reconciliation with the Black Iron Dwarves.

High Priestess Sona sighed after listening, "Why did you disobey my orders?"

Onatu bowed his head in explanation, "I am loyal to the High Priestess, but in some matters, she has shown too much mercy. We, the Mermaid Clan, are the rulers of the ocean and need not reconcile with any land-dwelling race.

"If one Black Iron Dwarf dares to enter the Tide Sea, I'll kill one. If two come, I'll kill two. I'll keep killing until the Black Iron Dwarves dare not approach the Tide Sea again."

High Priestess Sona's brows furrowed as she began to scrutinize the Elder before her, trying to discern if he had been corrupted by the Abyssal pollution.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end