Chapter 438:- The Oceanic Crown Tournament [II]

The Deep Sea Palace, while a marvel of nature and a hub of aquatic diversity, was plagued by a dark undercurrent of prejudice and bigotry. The inhabitants of this underwater world—Merfolks, Sea Elves, Selkies, Nereids (Sea nymphs), and Krakens—shared the same vast ocean, yet their society was starkly divided along the lines of race and species. The merfolks, with their shimmering scales and powerful tails, held a hegemonic power in the palace, relegating the other races to lower rungs in the societal hierarchy.

The merfolks, sitting comfortably on their high seats, reveled in their superior status. They had paid merely 5 white gold coins for their entry and seating into the tournament stadium, a privilege not extended to the other races. Sea Elves, Selkies, Nereids, and Krakens were forced to stand and watch, their pockets lighter by far more than 5 coins. The disparity was stark, a glaring symbol of the systemic discrimination that pervaded the aquatic society.