'You greedy old turtle! Tell a couple of stories and suddenly you want to become a god?'
Viserys cursed wildly in his heart, thinking this old turtle really had no shame.
With how little he had done just now, Viserys felt that tossing a couple of baskets of rotten fish into the river would have been repayment enough—yet this creature actually wanted to become a true god.
Do I look like a true god to you?
Seeing Viserys hesitate slightly, the old turtle spoke, "I know that even if I help awaken your memories, it is not a great favor. I will aid you when you need me in the future.
But no matter what you discover about your past self after your memories return—whether you were a high-ranking existence or not—you must help me become a true god."
Only after hearing this did Viserys breathe a small sigh of relief.
Just the turtle's ability to command aquatic creatures would be incredibly useful to him in the future.
At the very least, this old turtle swam much faster than any boat. Even if it was just for carrying goods, it would be useful.
"All right. Deal."
"Wait!" the old turtle interrupted. He then tilted his head back and opened his mouth. From within came a blue-green light.
The glowing orb drifted out, slowly rising away from his body.
As the light dimmed, it revealed a small, translucent jade-like turtle.
"This is the godhood I have condensed. Swear upon it," the old turtle said. "Do not try to play with words or loopholes. This is a binding rule."
Viserys nodded. He had no idea how making oaths in this world might differ from his previous one.
So he simply placed his hand against his chest, spoke earnestly, and said:
"I, Viserys Targaryen, swear upon all that I am—to help the Old Man of the River become a true god."
As soon as he finished, the old turtle also turned to his own godhood and declared:
"I, Moyatis, will aid Viserys Targaryen in fulfilling the mission of this life. I shall never ignore his call for help."
The pact was sealed. The godhood emitted a ring of blue-green radiance, lighting the surrounding waters for dozens of meters.
Then the small figurine-like godhood was swallowed back into the turtle's body.
The moment he did, Viserys felt as though something faint and ancient brushed against his soul.
When the two looked at each other again, their eyes were noticeably softer.
Realizing this, Viserys felt slightly awkward.
His past life—ten-plus years of corporate slaving, followed by another life of hardship. Busy every day, even before crossing into this world, he hadn't even had a wife.
Yet now, after transmigration, the first one he swore a sacred oath with… was a turtle.
But then again—this was the Old Man of the River. Given his current situation, forming a bond with such a being was incredibly fortunate.
And it wasn't a one-sided favor.
Both of them thought they had secured a powerful ally. Neither had objections. In its own way, it was a win-win.
Once he was sure the old turtle held no ill intentions, Viserys asked:
"Can you tell me what that moving mass of magic power was about?"
The old turtle nodded.
"That was left behind by the Mother of the Rhoyne. I only borrow her power. If someone tries to enter Nasar, I use that magic to warn them.
If they continue, they fall into an illusion and, in their despair, perish. I noticed you the moment you arrived at Nasar."
Viserys didn't ask where the Mother of the Rhoyne was. That was a sorrowful topic.
After a moment of thought, he asked, "Those who come to Nasar… what do they usually seek?"
"Wealth. Power. Knowledge. Authority."
The old turtle's answer was simple and abstract. Then he looked to Viserys and asked, "And you, Viserys—what is your purpose in coming to Nasar?"
"To find the Prince's Spear. I am here for power."
The old turtle was not repulsed by his honesty. In his eyes now, Viserys might very well be the reincarnation of a true god.
If a true god acted this way, then so be it.
"The Prince's Spear is in the underwater palace of the Prince of Nasar. I can take you there. But whether you find it or not—depends on you."
"All right, no problem. But—"
Viserys pointed toward Arthur and the others. The old turtle immediately understood.
"Do not worry. They are safe here. Please, climb onto my back."
The old turtle lowered himself so Viserys could climb onto his shell.
Perhaps recognizing that Viserys was no ordinary being now, the turtle even began speaking with a hint of respectful tone.
Viserys looked at the shell before him—good heavens, a shell over ten thousand years old.
The surface was a grayish-green, covered in slick water plants, and dotted with snails attached here and there.
Fortunately, the shell had some raised ridges he could step on to climb up.
Once Viserys found his footing, the old turtle moved back into the river and swam toward the main flow of the Rhoyne.
Along the way, through the ruins scattered on the riverbed, Viserys caught glimpses of the former glory of Nasar.
Centuries ago, this place must have been unimaginably prosperous. Festivals must have been vibrant and plentiful.
But everything was ruined by war.
Ruined by the ambitions of Valyria and Volantis.
Yes—though it was the Valyrians who destroyed the Rhoynar, the Volantenes were no better.
In simple terms, while Valyria still stood, the Volantenes were arrogant dogs, barking because they had powerful masters behind them.
After Valyria's fall, they even tried to conquer the Three Daughters to restore Valyrian glory. Only to be burned back by Aegon the Conqueror riding Balerion.
Viserys didn't dwell on it too long, because he soon realized…
He was riding on a "ship," not a submarine.
Yet the old turtle didn't care. He dove straight into the Rhoyne's depths with Viserys on his back.
Glug—glug—
The rushing water pounded against Viserys's ears. Instinctively he prepared to hold his breath— But he soon discovered he could breathe just fine.
Not only that—he could clearly see the underwater world around him.
Water weeds swayed with the current. Fish darted between them.
Viserys glanced around and noticed several young turtles following them. The way they looked at him was different now.
Almost… reverent. As though toward an elder.
He ignored them and looked ahead.
The old turtle was swimming toward a dark, shadowed cave deep below. It felt as though they were heading toward an abyss.
When they reached the mouth of the underwater cavern, the old turtle said, "From here, you must go on your own. My body is too large to enter."
Viserys looked at the dark opening, took a deep breath, and leapt down from the turtle's shell.
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