I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space - Chapter 312

Chapter 312: Trident Of The Sea
“Wanna go check it out?” Neptunia asked quietly, her voice low but carrying a trace of curiosity she hadn’t felt in a while.

Her eyes lingered on Razeal as she spoke, searching his face. To be honest, even she didn’t fully understand why she cared about his answer but she did. After everything she had seen since meeting him, she had to admit it: Razeal wasn’t normal. Not even by the absurd standards of the ocean. If anyone here could do something unexpected… it would be him.

The moment her words left her mouth, the Atlantians standing nearby shifted their attention.

One by one, their gazes turned toward Razeal.

They looked him up and down openly, without shame measuring, judging, dismissing. A few sneers appeared almost instantly. To them, the idea itself was laughable.

This guy?

A man who didn’t even recognize the Trident of the Sea at first glance?

A man who dared to question why it was displayed publicly?

There was no way. Not even a sliver of possibility.

The trident definitely doesn’t choose fools.

Razeal heard Neptunia’s question clearly. He didn’t answer right away. His eyes shifted back toward the massive stone platform, toward the golden trident embedded within it. The weapon stood tall and imposing, its surface catching the light in a way that made it seem almost divine.

He stared at it for a few seconds.

Then he shook his head.

“No need,” he said calmly. “Not interested.”

The words were simple. Flat and Final.

For a heartbeat, the entire area seemed to freeze.

And then something snapped.

A wave of silent offense spread through the Atlantians like a spark through dry grass. Brows furrowed. Teeth clenched. Several people scoffed openly now, unable to hide their irritation.

Not interested?

That wasn’t humility.

That was disrespect.

If it weren’t for the guards stationed around the plaza and watching carefully there would have been a confrontation right then and there. More than a few hands twitched, fingers curling as if itching to grab weapons.

Who did this motherfucker think he was?

Neptunia, meanwhile, looked genuinely stunned.

“Ehh?” Her eyes widened as she turned fully toward him. “What do you mean… no?”

She had expected many things. Curiosity. Confidence. Even arrogance.

But refusal?

That hadn’t crossed her mind at all.

“Why not?” she asked, unable to hide her confusion now.

People from distant seas traveled for months even years just for the chance to stand here. Most of them knew they would fail. Some even knew it was impossible. And yet they still tried.

Because what if?

Because that tiny chance was enough.

“I just don’t want it,” Razeal replied with a small shrug, as if the topic barely mattered. He didn’t even look at her this time, his gaze drifting lazily across the plaza instead.

That casual dismissal hit harder than any insult.

The veins on several Atlantians’ foreheads visibly bulged. Their sacred relic something tied to their history, their king, their pride was being treated like a random ornament by some nobody.

Disrespectful.

Unforgivable.

Neptunia stared at him, her lips parting slightly. “But… why not?” she pressed, disbelief creeping into her voice. “You can become King of the Sea just by lifting it. Do you understand what that means?”

Razeal didn’t said anything.

He simply kept looking around, as if the entire conversation was an inconvenience.

That was the final straw for many of them.

The Atlantians’ expressions darkened further. To them, it felt as if he wasn’t just rejecting the trident but judging it. Judging them. As if the relic wasn’t worthy of him.

Maria, who had been watching all of this quietly, finally sighed.

“How dare a piece of metal judge me,” she muttered dryly, mimicking Razeal’s usual flat, arrogant tone.

Her eyes were completely deadpan.

Neptunia’s lips twitched.

She turned slowly to look at Razeal again, studying his expressionless face. No excitement. No curiosity. No greed. Just genuine disinterest.

…Yeah.

That might actually be what that’s dumbassssss be thinking.

After spending nearly half a month with this group, she had learned at least that much. Razeal wasn’t pretending. He truly is just a big mean dick.

With a quiet sigh, Neptunia shook her head, deciding not to push him further. Trying to understand what went on in his head was exhausting and often pointless.

She turned instead toward Maria.

“Then… do you want to try?” Neptunia asked.

Maria blinked. “Me?”

She hesitated, glancing briefly at the trident. Truthfully, curiosity flickered in her eyes. She had one of the highest water affinities known on land. The Trident of the Sea wasn’t just a symbol it was a weapon deeply tied to oceanic authority and elemental dominance.

If there was any connection…

“Sure,” Maria said after a moment. “Why not?”

Then she added, more cautiously, “But are you sure this won’t cause problems?”

She tilted her head slightly. “You know who I am, right?”

Neptunia waved her concern off. “Don’t worry about that. Come with me.”

She reached out and grabbed Maria’s hand, pulling her forward before she could overthink it. “Just don’t get your hopes up. Even the greatest warriors of the sea couldn’t move it.”

The crowd parted without resistance.

No one tried to stop them.

Most of the Atlantians simply watched in silence, already convinced of the outcome.

She’ll fail too.

Just like everyone else.

Maria took a slow breath as they approached the trident, the weight of countless gazes pressing down on her back.

Whether it would respond to her or not…

At the very least

She was curious to find out.

“Here go on. Try it,” Neptunia said, releasing Maria’s hand and gesturing toward the trident.

The golden weapon stood embedded in the massive stone like it had grown there rather than been placed. A portion of its shaft disappeared deep into the rock, locked so tightly that it looked less like something meant to be lifted and more like something meant to remain forever.

Maria followed Neptunia’s gesture and gave a small shrug, her expression calm, almost casual. “Alright,” she said simply.

She stepped forward, boots clicking softly as she climbed the stone steps carved into the base of the platform. Each step brought her closer to the trident, closer to the weight of countless expectations pressing silently against her back.

Behind her, Neptunia moved back to Razeal’s side.

She didn’t take her eyes off Maria. “What do you think?” she asked quietly. “Do you think she’ll be able to?”

Razeal didn’t answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on Maria as she climbed, her posture relaxed but focused, her presence steady.

“Let’s see,” he said at last.

Then his eyes shifted slightly.

“And what are those things?” he asked, nodding toward the movement near the plaza’s edge.

Neptunia followed his line of sight.

Around the stone platform, several figures had appeared silent, unmoving sentinels standing at measured distances. They were humanoid in shape, tall and imposing, but their bodies were entirely translucent, formed of flowing water given structure and form. Weapons of different metals rested in their hands some even wearing metal armours, shimmering faintly as light refracted through them.

They weren’t hostile.

But they were watching.

“Those?” Neptunia said, unfazed. “Sea guards.”

She folded her arms loosely as she explained, her tone almost casual, as if discussing a common sight rather than living constructs of water.

“This is one of the trident’s abilities. Whoever holds it can command water not just shape it, but give it form. Artificial life, in a way. These guards were created by the King of the Sea himself.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly. “They patrol the Royal Sea. Law enforcement, peacekeepers, executioners whatever’s needed. They don’t have there own thinking but they are totally loyal to order’s of king.”

Razeal’s eyes narrowed faintly, interest flickering.

“They can’t be corrupted,” Neptunia continued. “Because they don’t have desires. No greed. No fear. No loyalty beyond their creator.”

She paused, then added flatly, “They’re strong. Stronger than most warriors here. And they’re unkillable. I mean made of water, after all.”

Razeal hummed quietly in acknowledgment.

“Hm. I see.”

The explanation felt familiar to him.

He remembered the Graze family Maria’s family. They possessed a similar kind of ability too as It was also how they protected their territory

As for which was stronger, he honestly didn’t know. Still, just now he had misunderstood the situation, briefly thinking the Graze family might be here after seeing something so similar. But no this wasn’t them. This was the trident’s power.

It wasn’t a bad ability. In fact, it was… useful.

Razeal wouldn’t lie to himself he wouldn’t mind taking the trident.

But he knew better.

The moment he really thought about it, the disadvantages far outweighed any benefit. Even if he could pick it up, the king wouldn’t like it. No one ever did when their property was taken by someone else, no matter how “worthy” that person might be. And that alone would make Razeal an enemy of the king.

And that king’s strength… it was comparable to his mother’s. Maybe even stronger.. he guessed so. Razeal wasn’t certain but either way, it wasn’t something to take lightly.

And even if.. even if he defeated the king… then what?

The entire sea would turn against him.

He was human. Atlantians would never accept a human as their king. Never. And that wasn’t even the end of it. There might be something else which could be far more troubling.

The Mother Sea.

A sentient being, or at least something dangerously close to one he doesn’t know but from Neptunia words it seems like she’s strong. If that entity were to take offense… if it were to fall into a bad mood too… then choosing this trident would only create more enemies for him.

Not that Razeal cared much about making enemies.

But still… it wasn’t like he needed this trident. It was just a trident.

He already possessed abilities far greater than what it could offer. And if he truly wanted something similar, he was confident he could find it within his system space. There was no doubt treasures like this existed there.

So why create unnecessary trouble here?

All he needed was direction from that dude just enough to reach his destination. That was it. No reason to provoke the king. No reason to stir the sea. No reason to chase after something he didn’t even want.

So why bother?

His attention finally shifted back to Maria.

She had reached the top of the stone now, standing directly before the trident. The golden shaft loomed over her, reflecting the ambient light of the Royal Sea, ancient runes etched faintly along its surface.

For the first time since stepping forward, Maria paused.

She inhaled slowly.

Then she extended her hand.

Her fingers wrapped around the trident’s shaft. The reaction was immediate.

A subtle ripple passed through the water around the plaza. The sea guards’ forms shimmered, their attention sharpening, weapons tilting almost imperceptibly as if responding to an unseen signal.

Maria tightened her grip.

She exhaled.

Every Atlantian present watched the scene with unwavering focus.

Even though most of them already knew the outcome even though history itself had proven, again and again, that no one but the King could lift the Trident they still watched as if this time might be different. Hope was stubborn like that. Irrational. Persistent. No matter how many times it had been crushed under reality, it always resurfaced the moment someone stepped forward.

They had seen millions try.

Millions fail.

And yet, every single attempt still drew the same silence, the same collective breath held in the chest, the same quiet prayer that maybe just maybe this one would be different.

Maria wrapped her fingers more firmly around the trident and pulled.

Nothing happened.

Not even a tremor.

The trident didn’t shiver, didn’t resist, didn’t react in any visible way. It simply remained, perfectly still, as though Maria’s strength didn’t exist at all.

For a fraction of a second, surprise crossed her face.

It was subtle barely more than a tightening around her eyes but it was there.

Neptunia exhaled softly.

“She isn’t worthy,” she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else, shaking her head slowly. There was no mockery in her voice. Just a quiet, familiar disappointment, the kind born from having seen this scene far too many times.

Around them, the Atlantians reacted almost in unison.

Some sighed.

Some shook their heads.

Others looked away entirely, as if unwilling to watch another hope break apart in real time.

No one laughed. No one mocked.

They knew this feeling too well.

Every one of them had stood where Maria stood now, hands wrapped around the trident, heart pounding, convincing themselves that maybe they were special. That maybe the trident had been waiting for them.

And every one of them had walked away empty-handed.

Maria frowned.

Her jaw tightened, irritation creeping in not at the trident, not at the crowd, but at herself.

That’s it? she thought. No reaction at all?

Her pride refused to accept it so easily.

Maybe she hadn’t used enough force.

Since evolving into a devil, her strength had grown explosively far beyond what it once was. She could feel it in her muscles, in the way the world seemed lighter beneath her hands.

Slowly, deliberately, she brought her other hand up and gripped the trident again.

This time, she crouched slightly, planting her feet, engaging every ounce of strength she had.

Power surged through her body.

S+ Rank strength poured into her arms, muscles tightening, veins standing out as she pulled with everything she had.

The stone didn’t crack.

The trident didn’t budge.

It didn’t even acknowledge her effort.

It stood there exactly as it always had unchanging, unmoved, utterly indifferent.

Like an immovable mountain.

After several long seconds, Maria released her grip.

Silence swallowed the plaza.

She stepped down from the stone without looking at anyone, her face flushed not from exertion, but from sheer embarrassment. She could feel the weight of countless gazes on her back, even though no one said a word.

—-

Five minutes later, the group had already moved on.

“It’s fine, you know,” Neptunia said gently as they walked, glancing back at Maria. “It’s really not a big deal. Almost no one can do it. You don’t need to feel so…”

“I’m not down,” Maria snapped, cutting her off immediately.

Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, shoulders stiff. She didn’t look at Neptunia, her gaze fixed stubbornly ahead.

“That stupid trident just isn’t worthy of being held by me,” she added with a huff. “And who even wants that? Imagine to fight with a trident anyway? Imagine it. I’d look ridiculous anyways.”

She scoffed. “Completely stupid weapon.”

Neptunia’s lips twitched, amusement barely restrained. “Yes, yes. Of course.”

Razeal, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange, finally spoke.

“I thought you said you were leaving after reaching the Royal Sea,” he said calmly, eyes on Neptunia. “So… are you staying with us now?”

Neptunia didn’t answer immediately.

She continued walking, leading them through the bustling streets, the sounds of the Royal Sea surrounding them laughter, merchants calling out, waves echoing faintly through the city’s architecture.

“No,” she said at last. “I was planning to go to the Royal Challenge too.”

Razeal’s steps slowed slightly.

“You were?” He narrowed his eyes. “And you’re sure you even know how to get there without me? You’re the only one who knows the way.”

She glanced back at him briefly. “Exactly.”

Then she looked forward again.

Razeal studied her for a moment before speaking again. “But we’re already seven days late. The challenge started a week ago right?. Were you planning to participate as well?”

At that, Neptunia paused.

Just for a heartbeat.

Then she resumed walking.

“It’s fine,” she said quietly. “I tried my best to reach here as fast as I could. But… things don’t always go the way we want, do they?”

Her voice was low, almost flat but there was something underneath it. Something unresolved.

Razeal watched her back, eyes sharp, thoughtful.

She wasn’t disappointed about the challenge.

Not really.

She was disappointed about missing it.

And that, more than anything else, told him this journey meant more to her than she was willing to admit..

“I see,” Maria said slowly. “So that’s why you’ve been in such a bad mood since then…”

She glanced sideways at Neptunia, studying her expression more carefully now the slumped shoulders, the distant gaze, the way her steps lacked their usual sharp confidence. Maria wasn’t subtle when it came to questions, and she had no intention of starting now.

“Was it that important for you to get here before the Royal Challenge began?” she asked directly.

Neptunia didn’t slow down nor turn back to look at her either.

“Nothing,” she replied flatly.

The word carried finality with it. A door closed before Maria could push any further.

Maria exhaled through her nose, irritated but not surprised. She shot Razeal a brief look, and from the way his eyes lingered on Neptunia’s back, she knew he’d reached the same conclusion she had. Whatever it was, it mattered to her. A lot. And she didn’t want to talk about it.

Neither of them pressed her.

Behind them, Aurora and Levy remained blissfully unaware of the tension threading through the front of the group. Their quiet laughter drifted forward, soft and constant whispers, half-finished sentences, stolen glances. They walked close enough that their shoulders brushed, hands intertwined as though the world beyond each other barely existed.

Whole group walked on for a few more moments, the Royal Sea unfolding around them in all its overwhelming life and color, when Maria suddenly slowed and turned her head toward Razeal, her expression sharpening as if a thought she suddenly remembered something important.

“Wait,” she said. “The Sea Lord of the First Sea you said your mother killed them, right? And we really didn’t see when entering the royal sea. Thst means… he or she was definitely killed by your mother.” Her voice lowered, almost afraid of being heard. “I think she might be in the Royal Sea too. Maybe… she came here to take you back. Right?”

Razeal didn’t react immediately.

Maria swallowed and continued, worry spilling out faster now. “Don’t you think you should be more careful? Rather than just… walking like this? And we’re going there to the Royal Challenge grounds. What if she’s already there? Are you sure we should go?” She looked straight at him now. “It feels dangerous.”

Razeal exhaled through his nose and finally replied in his usual calm tone.

“What are the chances that she’d be there? She came to find me, not to watch some royal competition. She’d be searching the sea, not sitting in a public arena.”

How would she even know I’d come here in first pace? he thought. The chances were too low almost nonexistent.

And backing down wasn’t an option anyways.

He needed to participate. Then just take second position. Speak directly to the king and ask about the location of Ocean’s Black. If his mother truly was looking for him, she’d assume he was hiding lying low. Going to the most obvious, crowded place made no sense from her perspective.

Maria opened her mouth to argue again. “No, but what if..”

But before she could finish, Neptunia turned back, having clearly overheard the conversation.

“You’re worrying too much,” she said, her tone firm. “Even if your mother came to take you, she wouldn’t be able to touch you inside the Royal Challenge grounds.”

Razeal raised an eyebrow slightly, but Neptunia continued.

“The Sea King himself presides over the challenge. No one would dare cause trouble there ..not openly, at least. If you’re really concerned, just fight, win second place, and speak to the King directly. Tell him you’re being forced by your family.”

She shrugged lightly. “He’s a man of honor. He won’t ignore something like that not to say its just small matter.”

Maria shook her head immediately.

“No,” she said. “If it came to that, It might be the King to be in trouble. If he’s smart he wouldn’t intervene.”

Neptunia frowned and looked back at her. “You say that because you don’t know him.”

Maria met her gaze evenly. “And you say that because you don’t know his mother. You should meet his family and you’ll know how craz..” She stopped midway

There was a brief, tense silence between them.

Razeal sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Enough,” he said. “We’re going in directly. She has no reason to be here in the first place.”

He glanced down at his reflection in a nearby glass surface a faint, distorted image. “And even if she is, I doubt she’d recognize me like this. My face has changed.”

Maria hesitated. “But she’d recognize me.”

Razeal stopped and turned around fully, fixing her with a flat stare.

“Then don’t go.”

The words landed harder than Maria expected.

“What?” she snapped, catching up to him as he resumed walking. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

—-