Chapter 923: Bargaining With The Merfolk King

King Urther looked at Raphael and wondered if this was intentional or if he misinterpreted.

He looked at the young god and asked.

"Do you wish to bestow to me water from the River of Forgetfulness?"

Raphael immediately shook his head and frowned. 

"No, Your Majesty. I am not suggesting you drink from that river unless you wish to take on a new life and abandon what you have now," the god said.

"Of course, nobody would wish to drink from that water unless they wish to forget everything." King Urther clasped his hand together and smiled sadly. 

"Indeed."

King Urther was still tempted with the idea, however. Though he didn't want to admit it aloud. "...At most, I only wish to remove certain memories away from me. Certain emotions as you may or may not have guessed, Your Highness."

Raphael frowned for a moment. He only wanted to free Rowena, and yet he would never recommend anyone to drink from the river of forgetfulness.

There were certain individuals who managed to completely block out certain memories from their minds due to great trauma or through magic, however, Raphael was sure that was not what the Merfolk king wanted.

Instead, if there was anything that might help cope with the pain until one got better seemed to be a far better answer.

"I understand... I do not often share this, but one of our High Goddesses is someone who deals greatly with all sorts of potions," Raphael explained. "Among those, there are some that may help alleviate the pain that you are experiencing, both physically and mentally if you desire."

Sometimes, there were individuals who regretted their decisions, gods who had grown weary of their lives spent in immortality and thus chose to consume something to help them fight off the weariness that weighed on their souls.

King Urther's expression shifted and he looked down for a moment. 

He did not think that he needed anything of those to help him, and yet it had already been years and he was still deeply hurt and haunted.

"Our kind also knows how to make potions that can numb your heart so as to not feel pain. Your Highness, we have sea witches here who might be able to present to me what you are trying to give me to gain my favor." King Urther managed a smile.

"That may be true, but it is nothing compared to what I or the High Goddess can make or procure," Raphael said. "I can personally brew... and even heal the injury that still afflicts you behind that scar. If you let me check your condition

, I can also give you a proper assessment."

"Alright, I am unsure if you have anything that will grant me what I wish for, but you can examine it." King Urther allowed the Seventh Prince to touch his hand.

Raphael closed his eyes and a wave of magic imbued the entire body of the Merfolk King. 

All of the servants who were in the throne hall, even the other gods were filled in awe at the sudden amount that emanated from Raphael.

Even a god had their limits, but Raphael's powers seemed to be immense.

He let out a deep sigh and then looked at the king of the sea.

"The poison used specifically on you is that from an Elder Wyrm's venomous fangs, a powerful magical creature."

"What? My people thought it was from a poisonous Naga's blood." King Urther was surprised and yet there was no doubt that a god would be able to truly uncover the truth. "...but please continue."

Raphael nodded. "And so not only does this poison continue to reside in your blood despite the wound healing over it—it continues to aggravate you especially when you are in a heightened emotional state."

King Urther realized that was true. He had been so emotional when he saw the half-elf, and it caused him a sudden amount of pain.

Raphael continued. "If it were not for the fact that you are a powerful Merman, you might have succumbed already to its poison. You can say that it spreads out far quicker when you are distressed."

"What?" King Urther stared at him in disbelief. "My healers said that it does not actually hinder me."

"However, this is the real situation," Raphael explained. "The one who has bestowed this blow understood that you have immense strength, so instead of dealing a deathly blow, they chose to cause you a continued amount of pain for the entirety of your life."

King Urther let out a throaty laugh and shook his head. 

"I... I had accepted that attack as nothing more than him merely being dedicated to his goals, and yet it seems like he actually wished to cause me great pain. You can't call someone like that a human, he seems far more suitable in the underworld."

Raphael slowly nodded. 

He had an idea of whom the king was talking about but he chose to focus on his task at hand.

"Now that I have granted you more of an idea as to what afflicted you, Your Majesty. I do not think I can wait any longer—please release Rowena and I will surely find a far more suitable pay in exchange."

"I'

d like to see that man burn alive, to rot in the darkest pits of the underworld... and yet a part of me is sure that he'll only take that as a challenge." King Urther's expression turned dark.

Raphael blinked and then he smiled. "Your Majesty, perhaps I can be of help if that is what you desire."

He had always had an intention to exact judgment at a later time, once the opportunity allowed him to.

"Raphael, are you serious? You can't do something like that!" Nymia turned to him in surprise. Her face was filled with disapproval. "The gods are not allowed to interfere in the life of mortals and cause them immense harm. The King of Cretea will not allow it."