Prince Eric also wiggled his mermaid tail and moved over, caressing the girl's golden hair and expressing his gratitude to her.
Seeing this, everyone suddenly remembered that Prince Eric hadn't changed back yet!
Rhine then took out a bottle of "Potion for Mermaids to Become Humans" and poured it down Prince Eric's throat, allowing him to regrow human legs, so it wouldn't be difficult to explain when he met the King.
"Respected Magician Rhine, I have a question." Ariel asked cautiously, feeling a little confused, "Are these potions that can turn mermaids into humans and humans into mermaids... not too precious?"
How could Rhine always take out these things so casually, without seeming to mind at all?
"That's right, the ingredients aren't expensive, and you can mass-produce them with a large pot. I can refine hundreds of bottles a day," Rhine said.
After the Old Witch died, he took the opportunity to raid her treasured stock of medicinal herbs, clearing it out completely. For a long time, he wouldn't have to worry about those strange magical potion ingredients.
"Is that so?" Ariel was stunned.
To exchange for this medicine from the Sea Hag back then, she almost lost her voice and became mute forever.
"For these two types of potions, among all the ingredients, the hardest to obtain is magical blood. This is also why that Sea Witch charges a high price for it, because she has to use her own blood," Rhine explained, "But I have three magical big dogs that can heal themselves, so I just take their blood."
Poor dogs... Ariel couldn't help but think.
After regrowing his legs and putting on his pants, Prince Eric happily spread his arms, basking in the sunlight:
"Now, all of us are safe and sound. When we return to the Kingdom of Summer, I will tell my father that I want to marry Ariel. He absolutely cannot stop me anymore."
"How do you plan to explain Ariel's identity to your father?" Rhine asked.
"Uh..." Prince Eric was momentarily speechless.
"Then, great Magician Rhine, what do you suggest I say?" The Prince, who had been talking for a long time without a clue, could only once again turn to this powerful and seemingly omnipotent Little Magician.
"Just tell him directly. Tell him Ariel is a mermaid princess from the Sea Kingdom." Rhine shrugged.
"Tell him directly?" Prince Eric was stunned. Ariel also showed a surprised expression.
On the other hand, Aurora, who had been feeling uncomfortable after being praised earlier, heard Rhine's suggestion at this moment and showed no doubt, looking as if she "already knew."
"This is a prophecy given to you by a prophet, a seer, a wise man," Rhine said. "You directly tell your father Ariel's origin and identity, and then your father will allow you two to be together."
"Thank you!" Prince Eric bowed respectfully to Rhine. "Prophecy is truly wonderful and magical."
"Actually, there's nothing magical about it. Prophecies often only yield very vague fragments of fate. A truly effective prophecy is to first set the desired outcome, and then work hard to achieve it," Rhine muttered inwardly.
As Rhine thought, he looked down at the surging sea, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the deep blue ocean, seeing the magnificent Sea King's Palace beneath the seawater.
...
Near the Sea King's Palace.
The King of Summer Kingdom witnessed too many miracles with his own eyes today.
Through the transparent belly of the giant fish, he personally saw the underwater world. He saw many strange plants, saw the palace walls built of coral, and saw the sea flowers blooming in the mermaid princess's garden.
"Is this the Sea Kingdom? It's too beautiful."
While exclaiming, the King also vaguely felt that he seemed to have seen these scenes before, with a strange sense of familiarity.
He also personally saw the mermaids' ability to control schools of fish and sea beasts in the sea, marveling at the talents of these children of the sea. At the same time, he also learned that mermaids were familiar with the temperament of the sea and could sense the arrival of storms in advance.
An idea popped into the King's mind:
"How wonderful it would be if we could establish diplomatic relations with the Sea Kingdom!"
"With mermaids foreseeing storms in advance and driving sea beasts and fish schools, our Summer Kingdom's ships will surely always sail smoothly, and our fishing industry will always be highly productive."
"There are also many clams, pearls, shells, and corals in the sea, which are commonplace for mermaids. If our Summer Kingdom and the Sea Kingdom develop trade, we will surely gain a lot."
"We can exchange treasures from the sea for gold and silver with other countries, becoming the richest country on the entire Western Continent. Just like those Middle Eastern Countries that serve as hubs for East-West trade!"
"This is hundreds or thousands of times better than forming an alliance with En De!"
The King of Summer Kingdom informed the Sea King of his thoughts, pleading with utmost sincerity:
"Please, Monarch of the Sea, please form an alliance with our Summer Kingdom!"
In fact, when communicating with Rhine, the Sea King had already anticipated this and was already overjoyed.
—In the history of the Sea Kingdom, this was the first time humans had actively sought to be close to them! Previously, the Sea King had thought of many ideas to establish good relations with humans on land, but all had failed.
But at this moment, facing the King's sincere expression, the Sea King deliberately showed an indifferent look:
"Is this trade you speak of very important to us mermaids?"
The Sea King remembered that Rhine said that at this time, he should let the other party propose the alliance, and he should maintain a cool demeanor.
Anyway, there were so many countries on land, and it wasn't necessary to form an alliance with Summer Kingdom first.
That's how supply and demand work!
The King saw that the Sea King seemed uninterested in the alliance and became anxious.
"That's right, the Sea Kingdom has never allied with other countries, so it's completely uninteresting."
"No. Becoming the first human nation in history to ally and trade with the Sea Kingdom is absolutely a huge benefit for Summer Kingdom!"
Even if it means paying a greater price and signing more unequal treaties, such a heaven-sent opportunity must not be missed!
"Sea King," the King pleaded:
"As long as our two countries form an alliance, I will use all my power as King to promote the beauty of mermaids and wash away the prejudice of humans across the entire continent against mermaids!"
There's such a good thing... The Sea King was just about to propose it himself, but he didn't expect this human King to have already said it first.
The Sea King tried his best not to show how overjoyed he was, and calmly said:
"Oh, that sounds pretty good."
He was just about to try to persuade the King not to go back on his word when he heard the King of Summer Kingdom say again:
"I know, this is not enough to impress Your Majesty, the Sea King.
"We have many resources on land that cannot be produced in the sea, we have developed handicrafts, we have beef and mutton, and we have many silk clothes traded from other countries.
"Once our two countries begin trade, you will easily obtain these resources.
"We can also custom-make items specifically for you that are suitable for use in seawater.
"Oh, and also, if your Sea Kingdom has any special requests, we will devote all our national strength to help you achieve them. Because we are allies, after all."
The Sea King, who had always yearned to establish friendship with humans, felt as if he was dreaming when he heard this, yet he still maintained a calm expression and said faintly:
"Alright, I'll consider it."
A huge profit! The King was almost overwhelmed with joy, and at the same time, he secretly thought:
"Later, I must press the advantage. I will propose generous terms that the Sea King cannot refuse, making him agree to the alliance."