In the Name of Empress

In the absence of the Sea Emperor, the Sea Emperor Hall represents the authority of the Sea Emperor.

To manifest authority, absolutely powerful armed forces and control over public opinion are both critically important.

The Priesthood, Administrative Court, and the Sea Emperor Guard of the Sea Emperor Hall are the three armed forces, each mastering a form of the Sea Emperor's legacy skills.

These are the Sea Emperor Hall's ace in the hole.

"Clearly, they place great importance on this ceremony."

Roland teased with a smile, focusing intently on the small palaces guided by four Sea Dragons, showing the innocent gaze of a country Tiger Whale seeing such a high-class thing for the first time.

Acting, he was a professional.

He was professional, and Sif and Alina were no less so.

Together, they looked towards the Sea Dragon Palace, continuously exclaiming in delight.

Although their voices weren't quiet, they weren't out of place for the occasion. For the surprise of others was more like a tidal wave.

Most marine creatures are intelligent animals that can only act on instinct, some haven't even evolved language abilities, let alone understand what order is.

They were merely responding to the call to attend this grand event and would spread the news to every corner of the ocean after the event ended.

Chaos? Chaos indeed, this is their true level; if they find it crude, they shouldn't invite them.

The Sea Emperor Hall did not mind the chaos on site, as they merely needed witnesses to serve as meat trumpets and did not care whether the ceremony was solemn or serious.

The Sea Dragon Palace stopped before the Pillar of the Sea Emperor, and the lead Priest Yedal was the first to exit the palace, with the accompanying warriors forming an orderly line to separate the somewhat chaotic crowd from the palace.

Once the lead Priest appeared, the previously somewhat chaotic scene gradually calmed down.

They all had heard of the Sea Emperor Hall's renown, realizing these guys didn't need much reason to kill.

A single disrespect was enough.

The marine creatures, who were itching to try, became obedient.

Yedal raised the Scepter, and his magnetic voice resonated through the seawater.

Ordinarily, speaking and transmitting sound underwater is limited, but his prowess, nearing Tier Four, made projecting sound over a distance not difficult.

Beside Yedal was a massive sea turtle with a lascivious face.

The sea turtle's appearance was unsettling, and its pitch-black eyes made anyone who met its gaze feel suffocated.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads, avoiding eye contact.

The gigantic sea turtle was the Ghost Pattern Master responsible for divination at the Sea Emperor Hall.

He excelled in divining through turtle shells, though he certainly wouldn't sacrifice his own, instead mercilessly extracting from those of his kin.

In the ocean depths, he bore a notorious nickname, the Shell-Stripper.

Of course, a turtle isn't a soft-shelled turtle, the latter term being a downgrade of his dignity as a turtle.

Apart from these two top combatants, the Sea Emperor Hall entourage included several with combat power comparable to Angelina.

Sif continuously observed the members of the Sea Emperor Hall, assessing the sides' combat strengths, feeling internally twisted despite lacking eyebrows.

Was this too risky?

Roland only brought a few people down, including Lisa, a Fire Mage whose underwater combat capability was less than one-fifth.

Judging from the current power comparison, not only was it unlikely to catch the culprit in one swoop, but even protecting Catherine seemed difficult.

"Don't panic, trust the Sea Emperor's influence," Roland leaned close to her ear, softly reminding.

Sif shook her front flipper, indicating understanding.

While Roland and Sif had their heads together conversing in whispers, on the seabed opposite them was a large family of dozens of streetwise Tiger Whales.

These Tiger Whales curiously watched Roland and Sif, faintly sensing something was off.

From appearances, the four Tiger Whales across from them were certainly kin from another family, yet for some reason, the lead matriarch kept feeling these four were a bit peculiar.

Their communication seemed overly civilized; having conversed for so long, they still used gentle tones, far from the directness that didn't stray far from profanity common among most Tiger Whales.

When did such polite Tiger Whales appear in the Undersea World?

The matriarch was curious, planning to approach the small family of four Tiger Whales after the appearance of the Sea Empress.

Life in the Undersea World wasn't easy; while it's good for the four Tiger Whales to care for each other, how would they handle danger?

If possible, she considered welcoming them into the family.

It wouldn't matter to the Nier Fjord family if a few more were added.

As everyone was lost in thoughts, the Sea Empress appeared.

After some impatience had developed from the long wait, she finally emerged amidst repeated calls.

All humanoid marine life were astounded by Catherine's beauty, and even the Celestial Eye Clan members were surprised; surprised that it was indeed Catherine.

Amid the hushed conversations, Yedal presented the Three Divine Artifacts.

When the chest containing the three artifacts was opened before everyone, all were stunned.

All three artifacts were dull and lightless, evidently without an owner.

The Three Divine Artifacts were equipment wielded by the Sea Emperor. As long as the Sea Emperor's soul remained, the artifacts wouldn't acknowledge a new owner. This was an ironclad rule.

Could it be...

That someone has stolen the Sea Emperor's artifacts?

Though incredibly shocked, everyone dared not think of the worst.

But what must come, will come. Yedal again raised the Scepter, signaling for silence throughout, then with eyes full of tears, he trembled while announcing the fall of the Sea Emperor.

The entire crowd was astonished, in uproar, followed by earth-shattering cries.

The Sea Emperor was the spiritual pillar of all Ocean Races.

Despite the mutual disdain and deep clashes among marine creatures, their faith in the Sea Emperor was steadfast.

A giant blue whale, over a hundred meters long, emitted a mournful wail, its sound heavy and distant as if from an ancient world.