Chapter 131: Perseus (23)
“Oh no, I’ve made a big mistake. To think you had a connection with Neptune?”
After Euryte woke from her faint, their standoff eased into a lull.
More precisely, it was largely because Dionysus sensed Neptune’s aura from Perseus.
“Ah, yes. My mother always offers sacrifices to Neptune. According to her, he’s the one who saved our lives.”
Dionysus nodded at Perseus’s words.
He didn’t know the exact details, but given Neptune’s antics, nothing would surprise him.
Above all, though he hadn’t noticed much as a demigod, Dionysus had good instincts now.
“Hmm. I’ve been helped by him before too. Thinking back, he might be one of the fantastic creatures. Felt stronger than Cerberus of Hades.”
At the very least, he had begun to suspect Neptune was one of the fantastic creatures.
Of course, he still hadn’t realized the sea otter he met was a god—and Poseidon at that.
“Aha! Come to think of it, Mother said he’s the one who introduced us to Priest Dictys, my teacher who serves Lord Poseidon.”
“Hmm hmm. That makes even more sense. Anyway, I almost caused a huge mess. A tragic fight between those indebted to Neptune nearly happened.”
At Dionysus’s words, Perseus agreed, and the two quickly became friendly—quite different from their first impression.
Only one person—Euryte—stood with an awkward expression, unable to keep up with the rapid change.
From her perspective, she had fainted and woken to a scene of harmony.
And all because of some unheard-of being called Neptune.
‘Who the hell is Neptune? And why are they acting so affectionate!’
***
In any case, Dionysus listened carefully to everything that had happened in Athens from Perseus and realized why Neptune had summoned him.
“In short, clean up this mess a bit.”
Dionysus nodded as if he finally understood.
It had been a bit (?) excessive due to a misunderstanding, but judging by the flow so far, it had been remarkably successful.
‘Hmm… This might make things easier than expected? Not bad.’
“Then, since we each have things to do, it’s best we part here.”
“Uh… You’re leaving just like this?”
“Hahaha. No, rather—I need to take care of the citizens you mentioned. War sorts itself out. From what you said, Neptune’s request seems to be about that part.”
“Then I’ll help you.”
Perseus thought Dionysus wasn’t bad—despite the poor first impression—since he was friendly due to their shared connection with Neptune.
Above all, his scent wasn’t foul. If anything, it was an intoxicating grape wine aroma.
“I’d like that too, but unfortunately, you have your own task—and I can feel that mage you mentioned waiting over there.”
Ah…!
Perseus felt regret at Dionysus’s words.
Thinking of his mother Danaë and the impatient King Polydectes, he couldn’t linger here longer.
And there was Njord helping him too.
“Sigh… I wanted to help until the end. No choice. But most people are protected by Njord, so it should be manageable.”
At Perseus’s words, Dionysus nodded. His senses detected a place where people were gathered.
And Euryte—who had been listening—stepped forward.
“Don’t worry, Lord Perseus. I’ll assist Lord Dionysus well here. Finishing Diogenes alone was already more than enough.”
With Euryte joining in, Perseus swallowed his regret and nodded.
This great city—his first big one on the mainland, where he had learned so much—was like a second hometown.
“No helping it. Then I must set off now. I’ll trust Lord Dionysus, who shares the same token.”
“Yes, I’ll handle it properly.”
Dionysus looked at Perseus—the boy still with a youthful air—connected through Neptune.
With striking blond hair and features somehow resembling Zeus, this kid seemed destined for great things.
“Here. A bribe in that spirit. The first wine I made after ascending. Even gods covet it.”
“…Lord Dionysus.”
***
With matters involving Dionysus resolved, Perseus spoke to Njord—who had been waiting at Athens’s gate entrance.
“You were already waiting here, Njord.”
“Yes. I knew it would turn out this way.”
“You sensed the presence on that hill?”
“Yeah. But is it okay leaving it to someone you just met? He might do something unnecessary.”
Perseus nodded at Njord’s question.
He was right. In this world ruled by violence and power, trusting a stranger outright was incredibly difficult.
“But his scent wasn’t bad. Normally, earthly races all have some foul odor. He didn’t. It was a fine grape aroma.”
“I see. Then he’s decent?”
Perseus shrugged as if unsure.
“Coming to the mainland, I realized a good scent doesn’t always mean good.”
With that, Perseus thought of a certain priest he had met upon first arriving here.
Always giving and living for others—but behind the scenes, a human trafficker selling children.
The priest’s front scent had covered the back scent, making him the first villain Perseus missed—and the one who caused this whole mess with Diogenes.
‘Thinking that way, my ability isn’t absolute either. But…’
Perseus had simply considered that the powerhouse he met today had no reason to deceive him—and that he bore Neptune’s mark.
“You’re right. I can’t solve everything myself. Well. If it doesn’t work, Euryte will handle it somehow, right? She’s the high priestess of Cybele.”
Perseus nodded at Njord’s words.
Though Euryte suffered being caught between too many strong figures and wasn’t treated well, she was in fact a powerhouse worthy of being Cybele’s high priestess.
Moreover, if following what Dictys had taught him, Cybele herself might even intervene.
“Yes. Thinking that way, leaving Athens’s matters to Lady Euryte should resolve them well.”
***
Meanwhile, Dionysus—who had been watching Perseus and Njord leave Athens’s gates from the hill—looked at Euryte and asked,
“Leaving Perseus aside, do you know anything about that mage Njord?”
“Huh? No. I only know he came down from the Temple of Delphi with Lord Perseus.”
“I see? Yet he’s… human…”
Euryte nodded at Dionysus’s muttering.
She had thought the same every time she saw Njord. It wasn’t strange for Dionysus to feel that way.
However, Dionysus’s doubt was different.
The inhuman amount of magic, physical ability, and—though he wasn’t sure about magic skill—something beyond ordinary categories.
‘If I—a god—felt momentary fear from a mere human mage, who would believe me…’
Once Perseus and Njord were completely out of sight, he quickly turned his attention away.
Even if he wanted to ponder or know more right now, there was nothing he could do.
So Dionysus quickly turned to work, speaking to Euryte.
“You said you’re a priestess of Lady Cybele, so people should follow you to some extent. Euryte, take command of those gathered down there. I’ll prepare a place.”
With those words, Dionysus wrapped himself in grapevines and vanished in an instant.
Watching people beginning to wake, Euryte—forgetting her initial confusion—hurriedly left the Acropolis.
If she stayed, she’d be the first attacked by those regaining their senses.
“Ack! I’m definitely reporting this to Lady Cybele. Strong ones really have no consideration!!”
***
Having left Athens’s safety to Dionysus and Euryte, Njord and Perseus could finally set off in earnest toward the Gorgon sisters.
“Phew… Sorry. I wonder if we’ve been delayed too much because of me.”
—Don’t worry, child. You’re doing well. I hope you continue growing just like this.
Poseidon couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Atropos suddenly interrupting to comfort Perseus.
She only communicated through the necklace—yet here she was…
Unfortunately for Poseidon, Perseus seemed encouraged by the goddess’s words, regaining some spirit.
He didn’t know who she was, but she had always encouraged him throughout the journey.
“Yes! I have no regrets about my actions. Back on the home island, Priest Dictys will protect Mother, and the one who came at Neptune’s call seemed quite strong too.”
—That may be. But even if my senses detect nothing, is it okay leaving that purple-tunic kid solely to Cybele’s high priestess?
Perseus nodded at Atropos’s question.
As he had said leaving Athens, worry was inevitable.
It was that kind of era, after all.
But though Perseus didn’t voice it, he had a clear thought.
“Hehehe. Don’t worry too much about that. At a glance, he looked weaker than Njord here. If things go wrong, I figured we could get Njord’s help—that’s why I did it.”
—……
Atropos fell silent at Perseus’s brazen, carefree reply.
‘He didn’t used to be like this… What is this. His fate was to grow more methodical and thorough… Clearly…’
Unlike Atropos’s silence, Njord laughed heartily and slapped Perseus’s shoulder.
“Hahaha, exactly. I’m not weaker than some gigolo like that! Well said, Perseus. Don’t worry. If that guy causes trouble in Athens, I’ll punish him myself.”
“Hehehehe. Thank you.”
Atropos watched Perseus slyly rubbing his hands and flattering while Njord enjoyed only the part praising his strength.
—…The end times. For a hero-to-be to learn such things…
Watching the two—like a wicked master and disciple—she could only sigh.
Because she couldn’t deny it was remarkably effective.
And
—Having a trump card to deploy if needed brings peace of mind. Maybe it’s okay to overlook this much…?
Atropos herself had associated with Poseidon too long.
As the saying goes: those who fight monsters must beware becoming one…
Atropos had wanted a iron-blooded hero, but at some point even she began thinking, ‘Isn’t this better?’
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