"Tell me, Prophesied. Can you see the future?"
Her question made me frown even more.
Why would she ask that?
My seal allowed me many wondrous abilities on the 20th floor.
But I did not think it enabled me to peer into the future.
"No. I cannot."
"To be fulfilled, then."
The Priestess immediately responded while nodding and sounding so certain.
She seemed to know important things about my seal.
I would certainly need to investigate it further while cultivating my new potential as a hero.
Now I knew who to seek for a reliable source of information on that front.
But there was another reason why I visited the Garudas at this moment.
"I assume you're already aware of your purpose being in the forged land?"
I asked the Priestess as I unsummoned my wings, which felt like putting down my hands after holding them up.
My wings' disappearance washed away the young Garudas' amazement toward me.
While looking slightly disappointed at the absence of my wings, the Priestess nodded.
"Don't worry, Prophesied. I remember the contract we made with the goddesses. Though my children did not recollect such event, I've made sure they understand their duties."
Being a 4-star, she would certainly remember the demise of Dunia and when she was offered to come to the forged land.
So these young Garudas were also the Priestess's children and they arrived here together.
Alam had already showed me their summoning logs.
[Ding!]
[There is a strong connection between the five individuals.]
[Linked Heroes - 'Kinnara (★★★★)', 'Shavin (★★★)', 'Rannava (★★★)', 'Kalluna (★★★)', 'Setjanna (★★★)']
[A bond called the 'Thousand Mountains Guardians' has been formed!]
A bonded party.
We only had bonded pairs so far and those heroes proved to be very effective when working or battling together.
Imagine an entire party with similar bond and synergy.
A full party of advanced heroes, four 3-stars and one 4-star.
Alam said the Garudas took less than eleven days to climb all the way to the 19th floor.
That feat alone made them worthy to join the Main Forces.
But their status as 3-star ornithropes and the presence of the 4-star Priestess already guaranteed their qualification.
What an addition to the Raid Team.
"The others might have already told you, but we would require your help in climbing the tower. You and your children."
I told the 4-star Priestess.
"We will join the battle when Master calls for us, Prophesied. This is not a fight that my children and I would be willing to give up on. We will give our all in the trials Master set us upon."
The Priestess said sincerely.
"And does that include working together with humans? Or wingless as you'd call them?"
I asked.
Alam already told me about what happened when the Garudas first came to the forged land.
Fools!
Thankfully Jonah and Trudy had reprimanded the heroes that acted rashly at the time.
"If the situation in battle demands it, then we would work together with the humans, though it would not bring us much pleasure, Prophesied."
The Priestess said sourly.
She definitely still held a grudge from back then. Though I felt there was also a personal reason of hers on hating humans.
But she needed to compromise more.
"I will also need you to help the other heroes train from time to time. They would greatly benefit from sparring against Garuda warriors."
I told her.
The Priestess raised her hand and spoke firmly.
"We will not have humans come into our dwelling grounds! Our people have had enough of humans trespassing into our territory!"
Then she smiled and pointed at me.
"Except you, Prophesied. We would welcome you anytime you so desire."
I nodded to her polite gesture.
"As the Vice-Master, I will make sure that no one ever trespass into your residence. But you will come when I summoned your party for sparring sessions with the trainees or other important matters for the climb effort."
The Priestess's smile turned wider.
"That would be acceptable. Teaching ignorant humans have always been the calling of every Messenger."
She proceeded to curtsey to me while the children behind her knelt.
"We shall do as you say, Prophesied. All Messengers of Garuda are servants to the One with the Eternal Wings."
The pledge made by the Garuda Priestess assured me of their cooperation with the Raid Team.
She was a 4-star hero with prior knowledge of the forged land. So I expected her to be obliging to our cause and hierarchy.
Though I wished she would tone down the Prophesied act a bit.
Now the real challenge was with our next set of new residents.
I then left the Garudas and made my way to the other side of the fourth floor.
There was a new custom residence on this part just like the Garudas' mountain environment.
Alam said Master could not simply conjure this particular residence with only the forged land's power.
Master required the mages' help as well.
Apparently Yuxia, Vallerynne, and Matrias were made to work days and nights to help building this section of the fourth floor.
And I could see why.
Expanding before me was a vast pool of water. Its size was roughly a third of the fourth floor of the lobby.
Waves rhythmically crashed on the low stone barriers as if it was the sea shores. The water flowed and ebbed like the ocean tides.
A trickle of the wave splashed on my face and I could taste the water.
Salty.
Master had literally created an ocean in the lobby.
Time to greet the residents of this unusual dwelling.
There was a large circular rise protruding above the water surface. It was right at the center of the large ocean pool.
That would be the perfect spot to do my greeting.
I casted surface-tension spell on my feet and started walking on the water as if it was solid ground.
My eyes shifted down to observe what was below the surface.
The ocean pool was quite deep. Its depth could fit the entire length of a lobby's floor within it.
And it was for a reason Master constructed the ocean pool this way.
White sand beds, colorful coral reefs, and lush forest of seaweeds made up the aquatic environment.
Moreover, peculiar stone buildings stood at the depths of the pool. Arrays of training facilities were also built below the surface.
They all looked like a large underwater stronghold.
And I thought the Garudas' mountains were a peculiar sight in the lobby.
As I approached the rise at the center of the pool, I spotted several figures swimming far beneath the waters.
Pairs of glowing golden eyes stared back at me from the abyss below.
The sight of these figures moving about underwater might intimidate most people.
But I had witnessed too many nightmares to even feel a hint of fear.
Eventually I made it across and reached the protruding rise.
Naturally, I could immediately teleport myself here. But I intended to announce my arrival beforehand like this.
Not long after I reached the rise, three people leapt out of the water and joined me.
Two women and one man. The three looked the same age as Jonah, Shanny, and Trudy.
They each had a pair of golden eyes that I saw earlier. Sharp and penetrating akin to those of predators. And yet majestic and captivating at the same time.
On top of that, the three of them were wearing peculiar clothing which fabric was so pressed against their body like a second skin.
Only after closer observation that I found the fabric was entirely made out of fish scales. Of what kind of fish, I did not know.
But there were features that differentiated the three people.
One of the women and the man were both muscular and each carried a silver trident. They had similar pale hair as well.
While the second woman was slightly shorter and leaner than the other and sported a long silky black hair. Instead of a long silver trident, she kept a pair of short silver trishulas on her waists.
The second woman also had bangles and rings made out of strange metals.
I could sense mana from those accessories.
This lady was both a mage and a warrior.
Of course, I immediately observed them.
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[Wallack Varun Matair (★★★★) Lv.18 (Exp 13/150)]
[Class: Merfolk]
[Strength: 55/55]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Stamina: 55/55]
[Agility: 46/46]
[Skills: Underwater Combat Lv.8, Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.2, Super Swim Lv.3, Sonic Chant Lv.2, Determination Lv.1, Battle Madness Lv.1, Battle Endurance Lv.1, Dark Vision Lv.2, Farer of the Sea Lv.1]
[Seal Slot: 1/1]
[1: Heir of Varuna (B+, Lv.1)]
[One who inherited the blood of the Great Mother of the Ocean.]
[Effect: Fear Resistance, Pain Resistance, Bleeding Resistance, All attribute defense +10%, All stats 20% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: True High Blood]
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[Fandina Varuan Matair (★★★★) Lv.18 (Exp 17/150)]
[Class: Merfolk]
[Strength: 55/55]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Stamina: 46/46]
[Agility: 55/55]
[Skills: Underwater Combat Lv.8, Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.2, Super Swim Lv.4, Sonic Chant Lv.4, Combat Logic Lv.1, Determination Lv.1, Battle Endurance Lv.1, Dark Vision Lv.2, Farer of the Sea Lv.2]
[Seal Slot: 1/1]
[1: Heir of Varuna (B+, Lv.1)]
[One who inherited the blood of the Great Mother of the Ocean.]
[Effect: Fear Resistance, Pain Resistance, Bleeding Resistance, All attribute defense +10%, All stats 20% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: True High Blood]
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[Morivia Varuan Matair (★★★★) Lv.18 (Exp 21/150)]
[Class: Merfolk]
[Strength: 43/43]
[Intelligence: 50/50]
[Stamina: 38/38]
[Agility: 45/45]
[Skills: Underwater Combat Lv.6, Intermediate Dual-Trishulas Technique Lv.1, Intermediate Water Magic Lv.6, Intermediate Enchantment Lv.2, Super Swim Lv.2, Sonic Chant Lv.5, Battle Endurance Lv.1, Telekinesis Lv.5, Warrior Chant Lv.1, Dark Vision Lv.5, Farer of the Sea Lv.3]
[Seal Slot: 1/1]
[1: Heir of Varuna (B+, Lv.1)]
[One who inherited the blood of the Great Mother of the Ocean.]
[Effect: Fear Resistance, Pain Resistance, Bleeding Resistance, All attribute defense +10%, All stats 20% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: True High Blood]
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Tsamudrans!
The fabled people that lived in the depths of the southern ocean.
I had been hoping for their kind to join Sigyn's army.
The ones that did come surely did not disappoint.
Three 4-star heroes!
What was more impressive was the fact that these people were not the strongest of the Tsamudran summoned to the forged land.
Swoosh!
A giant whirlpool formed on the other side of the rise.
Leapt out from the water vortex were an overwhelming muscular man and a striking elegant woman.
The man had long black hair and thick black beard. While the woman had pale blonde hair. Both had the same pair of sharp majestic golden eyes.
These two people were way older than the three Tsamudran that came first.
I would say they were about as old as Darius was. Perhaps five to eight years younger.
Though I was perfectly aware that Tsamudran's appearance did not quite reflect their real age. We at least knew that much from the minimum record we had of them.
This older couple wore similar scale clothing as the younger Tsamudrans.
But the elegant woman wielded golden pair of trishulas instead of silver. There was also a peculiar golden crown on her head which resembled more like a warrior's helmet.
Even from afar, I could feel the mana radiating from her crown. It was a powerful magic artifact.
Meanwhile the overwhelming man wielded a great golden trident in his hand. There was a strange wave echoing from the weapon.
But even without those artifacts, these two people were quite overwhelming themselves.
Never before in the forged land for two heroes to exude with such impressive aura.
Even all the 4-star heroes in the lobby combined could not match up to these two Tsamudrans.
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[Lauressia Tigarin Matair (★★★★★) Lv.10 (Exp 10/100)]
[Class: Waveforger]
[Strength: 51/51]
[Intelligence: 60/60]
[Stamina: 48/48]
[Agility: 46/46]
[Skills: Ocean Conqueror Lv.1, Advanced Water Magic Lv.3, Intermediate Dual-Trishulas Technique Lv.8, Sorcerer's Force Lv.1, Sorcerer Soul Lv.1, Serpent Spirit Lv.1]
[Seal Slot: 2/2]
[1: Heir of Varuna (B+, Lv.1)]
[One who inherited the blood of the Great Mother of the Ocean.]
[Effect: Fear Resistance, Pain Resistance, Bleeding Resistance, All attribute defense +10%, All stats 20% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: True High Blood]
[2: Watcher of the Endless Abyss (A-, Lv.1)]
[One who watches the waves and determines the flow of the ocean.]
[Effect: Intelligence +35%, Water Attribute +15%]
[Exclusive Skill: Abyssal Soul]
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[Andaman Varun Matair (★★★★★) Lv.10 (Exp 7/100)]
[Class: Sea Lord]
[Strength: 66/66]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Stamina: 63/63]
[Agility: 56/56]
[Skills: Ocean Conqueror Lv.1, Advanced Spearmanship Lv.1, Enlightened Mind Lv.1, True Sight Lv.1, Serpent Spirit Lv.1, Realm Breaker Lv.1]
[Seal Slot: 2/2]
[1: Heir of Varuna (B+, Lv.1)]
[One who inherited the blood of the Great Mother of the Ocean.]
[Effect: Fear Resistance, Pain Resistance, Bleeding Resistance, All attribute defense +10%, All stats 20% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: True High Blood]
[2: Ocean Ruler (A, Lv.1)]
[One who command the ocean with body, mind, and spirit.]
[Effect: All attribute defense +20%, All stats +15%, All stats 30% increase while underwater]
[Exclusive Skill: Abyssal Lord Spirit]
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[Ding!]
[There is a strong connection between the five individuals.]
[Linked Heroes - 'Andaman (★★★★★)', 'Lauressia (★★★★★)', 'Morivia (★★★★)', 'Wallack (★★★★)', 'Fandina (★★★★)']
[A bond called the 'Royals of the Abyssal Sea' has been formed!]