Chapter 165: Power and Balance Beneath the Sea
Facing the surprised expressions of King Neptune and Queen Otohime, Mio spoke with a playful tone.
"It's like a king choosing a concubine. There are two beautiful girls—one is just beautiful, while the other is not only beautiful but also talented and helpful to the king. Who do you think the king will choose?"
He leaned back slightly and continued, his voice casual but sharp.
"If Fishman Island isn't strong enough, the World Government will only treat it as one of the weaker member states. But unlike the others, Fishman Island pays very little tribute, lacks strength, and lies deep under the sea—out of reach and difficult to control. Do you really think the World Government cares about a place like that? Maybe they support Queen Otohime's dream on the surface, but their influence doesn't reach this deep. The truth is, they can't enforce anything here."
Mio's expression grew colder as he spoke more seriously.
"So in the end, the essence of this world... is strength."
He smirked, mocking the idea of relying on outside help. "Why ask others for help if you're strong enough to do it yourself? Fishman Island being powerful might make the World Government wary, sure, but this is the deep sea. What is there to fear?"
Otohime gritted her teeth. "No matter what you say, Fishman Island will never belong to your people."
Mio merely shrugged and gave a faint smile. "Don't be so sure. This is a mutually beneficial deal. I can offer your island peace and stability. In return, you have something we want."
"That may not be the case," Neptune said sternly. "At the very least, we don't have the Sea King."
"Oh?"