Elric stood on guard as two bulky mermen walked closer towards him. The two of them emitted a dangerous aura paired with their sinister looks. It was Shuk and Kuys. The two most powerful mermen of the Water Realm.

While Kuys appeared to have composure, Shuk, on the other hand, could not help but smile wickedly with obvious killing intentions in his greedy eyes.

"Don't you dare take a single bite to that human Shuk. We must wait for the Lord's command first before we make any move. Right now, we are only here to capture that man, not eat it." Kuys calmly reminded Shuk.

"I know right. I just can't help this delicious scent I am smelling from such delicious meat! My mouth is aching to take even a small bite off him. I am sure it would be the most delightful experience of my life!" Shuk excitedly replied.

Little did they knew that despite their distance, Elric could hear every single word they were babbling and he could not help but gulp down quiet a mouthful of saliva facing these savage mermen. Judging from their scars and heavy-bulky bodies, it is obvious that these creatures are warriors that he could not underestimate.

As much as he would love to run away, unfortunately, the exit route back to the Outer Ocean has been blocked thanks to the Octupos's attack. Elric could either fight his way out of here by releasing the seals or watch how things unfold for now. If it comes to worst, he can just force his way out with everything he got, but he might disappoint the Great Seer Mhata.

As much as possible, Elric wants to try and talk to the lord of the Water Elementals, and he knew that fighting is not the only way to communicate.

"I will come with you if that's what it takes for me to prove my intent. But please, do not eat me. I still have a mission I need to finish." Elric resolutely declared towards Aghus and the latter just smiled back at him.

"That is something that I decide and you have no right to make any form of request while in my realm. You are a human, a destroyer of the natural world. You ate our kind for your daily consumption, therefore it should also be normal for us to feast in your pathetic bones!" Aghus said with obvious indignation in his tone.

It seems like Aghus hated Elric not just because he trespa.s.sed but also of his humanity.

Raising his head higher with a condescending stare, Aghus continued.

"You litter the ocean with your dirty thrash, you poison us to death including the small ones and destroy the homes of my kind. And now, you dare to come to the domain of the Water Elemental? I don't care if that stupid bird sent you here. You are not welcome!"

As much as Elric would like to defend his humanity, he was afraid that talking back with anger would only worsen the current situation. He decided to bow down and humble himself.

"On behalf of our human race, I would like to ask for your forgiveness, Lord of the Water Elementals." Raising his head, he added: " While it is true that we, as humans, have done a considerable amount of damage to your kind; I would like to a.s.sure you that we also have people who are aware of this and are doing their best in protecting the ocean and your kind. That is why we made laws that protect the oceans and several species of your kind to maintain or at least bring back the balance in the world. It might not be much, but if you give us more time, we should be able to restore how the ocean used to be and-"

"Silence! The damage you humans have done is irreversible. You are here to pay for the sins of your kind! Take him!"

Elric was unable to continue explaining when Kuys threw away a small white rock before Elric which suddenly transformed into a giant clam straight out from the sand.

"What the-" Elric was surprised at the sudden appearance of the white giant Clam, and it suddenly lunged forward and devoured him like a fish caught in the mouth of a gigantic whale.

This giant clam was big enough like a small room and Elric was devoured inside for their custody. Elric knew that he must be patient for now and see where they are taking him.

For at least, the Lord of the Water Elemental doesn't seem to plan to kill him - or yet. Rather, they have plans to punish him and Elric was mentally preparing himself for such.