Ares and Poseidon's Trial - (3)
As I watched Poseidon leave, Zeus approached me.
He gestured for me to sit beside him, and I took a seat next to him.
A translucent barrier formed around us, created by Zeus's divine power, blocking out sound.
"Poseidon must be having a hard time."
"Is it about his children?"
"Indeed. I think his way of showing affection might be a bit misguided... but it's not my place to interfere, and I don't think I've been the best at raising my own children either."
Zeus's words must be referring to Tantalus, who had tried to deceive the gods not long ago.
If that fellow had gained divinity, perhaps a true god of madness, surpassing Dionysus, would have been born.
"... I think you've done well enough with your children. With Apollo, Athena, and Hephaestus, at least..."
"Do you know what I thought when Poseidon called Ares a fool earlier?"
"...?"
"It's true that Ares has a violent nature, so I can't argue against that. I wonder if I haven't set a good example..."
A faint sound escaped from Zeus's lips.
He looked a bit subdued, unlike his usual confident and imposing self.
The king of the gods, harboring a dark heart.
I gazed at his serious eyes for a moment.
Thanks to the barrier of divine power, our conversation would not be heard outside.
Is he feeling a bit burdened to open up to me like this?
"I feel sorry for Hera because I've been frequently returning to the mortal realm to create human heroes due to prophecies, like with Callisto, who became a constellation... and Io, who suffered as a cow..."
While Zeus surely had some desire for beautiful women, his actions, when viewed broadly, were beneficial to the gods.
Great heroes like Perseus, who bore the blood of the highest god, are occasionally born.
It takes quite a bit of time to court human women and have children, so I understand why he resorts to more forceful methods.
Though those methods can never be justified, Zeus is likely trying his best to fulfill the prophecy of creating heroes.
"Try not to do things that Hera would dislike. There have been more than a few victims coming to the underworld because of you."
"Haha... Once I deal with all the Gigantes and gain recognition from Grandmother Gaia, I might consider it."
The golden-haired god stroked his beard with a bitter smile.
As our conversation continued, the surrounding gods wore puzzled expressions before reluctantly turning their heads away.
I slowly surveyed each of them.
Apollo, the proud son of Zeus, who governs many domains, and Ares, who seemed somewhat satisfied yet uneasy with the trial's outcome.
Hebe, the goddess of youth, smiled at me when our eyes met while talking to Hestia...
I could understand why Zeus felt a heavy heart, having to oversee all these gods.
The Titan gods are trapped in Tartarus, dreaming of revenge, and Grandmother Gaia does not recognize us.
Despite having the Gigantes as our enemies, the heroes of prophecy have yet to appear...
"Zeus, you should just stay where you are."
"Um?"
"You've done well enough so far. In front of your children and descendants, wear a confident face as you sit on your throne. It suits you."
"Haha... Are you trying to comfort me, brother?"
He looked at me with a bright smile.
Now he seemed to have regained a bit of his royal demeanor.
Should the king of the gods be so gloomy?
In truth, I too have many imperfections, as I mentioned to Mente...
"If there's something urgent, feel free to contact the underworld anytime. Just don't take Thanatos with you because you find some human annoying."
"What nonsense! I won't need to borrow the busy hands of my brother from the underworld. Then, let's meet again next time."
With a flash, the barrier of divine power surrounding us vanished, and the king of the gods soared into the sky, chest puffed out.
The last glimpse of Zeus's face looked much better than before.
After the trial concluded, Poseidon, along with many gods including his consort Amphitrite, was returning to the sea when he suddenly stopped.
A few lesser sea deities following him looked at their master with puzzled eyes.
Slowly turning his head to the empty space on his right, Poseidon spoke.
"Come out now. Gaia."
Gaia? Isn't that the name of the Protogenoi, who are currently at odds with the Olympian gods?
The words that escaped his lips shocked the surrounding gods, but it was still too early for them to be surprised.
From the empty space, a captivating female voice echoed.
Indeed, it was Poseidon, the lord of the oceans.
"I've been sensing the power of the earth, which is not Demeter's, since earlier. Enough with the pleasantries, why have you sought me?"
Poseidon, having summoned his trident, the Trident, glared at the empty space with caution, yet there was no tension in the beautifully resonating voice.
Surely, I have come to persuade you.
I have also heard about the conflict between you and Zeus's son.
Gaia is the very embodiment of the earth, a Protogenoi who holds precedence over the dominion of the earth compared to Demeter.
What happens on the land cannot escape Gaia's gaze.
When Zeus's son killed your son, I witnessed it as well.
Was it Ares? The sword wielded by Zeus's son cleanly severed your son's neck.
Following that, a cold corpse was scattered over me, and cold blood flowed out.
Do you not feel indignant?
"... Are you trying to sow discord between me and Zeus?"
Poseidon's expression darkened further.
As the lord of the sea grew increasingly uncomfortable, the air trembled with the salty breeze of the ocean.
Yet Gaia spoke to him in a gentle voice.
Discord? How is this discord? Your son was unjustly killed.
And did not you three brothers decide the dominion of the sky, sea, and underworld by drawing lots?
"......"
I intend to drive out the Olympian gods.
If you were to assist me...
Amphitrite, with a worried expression, gently grasped one of Poseidon's hands.
The lesser deities around them were now frozen, unable to even breathe.
If one of the three great gods were to side with Gaia, would there truly be any chance for Olympus?
In the suffocating silence... they awaited the lord's decision.
I could grant you the position of king of the gods.
Of course, the dominion of the sky as well.
Poseidon closed his eyes.
Memories of the moment when they defeated the Titan gods and divided the world...
Hades showed indifference, but he always desired the dominion of the sky.
Thus, he had instigated a rebellion and often kept Zeus in check.
Surely, the position of king of the gods and the dominion of the sky are tempting.
But...
"Ha... Hahaha! You have underestimated me, Poseidon."
"...?"
"Are you telling me... to join your side for power?"
His voice boomed with a majestic roar.
Long ago...
Poseidon had led a rebellion alongside Apollo and Hera.
Even if he succeeded in the rebellion, he had no intention of imprisoning Zeus or confining him to Tartarus.
Zeus was his brother, and he owed him a debt of gratitude for being freed from Cronos's belly.
He thought of taking the divine authority of the sky but had no intention of doing anything beyond that.
However... if Gaia were to sweep away Olympus, what would happen to Zeus and his kin?
"You intend to imprison all the Olympian gods in Tartarus instead of the Titan gods! No matter how much power I desire, do you think I would act like Cronos!"
...
Are you rejecting my proposal? I thought we could at least communicate...
"Shut your mouth! Gaia!!!"
Poseidon's prized trident, the Trident, pointed toward the earth.
As he raised the trident high with both hands and finally plunged it into the ground, an earthquake erupted, devastating the surroundings.
With the fury of the lord infused into the power of the Trident, the force was overwhelming.
The ground around him was completely torn apart, revealing the earth's innards.
The tremors grew stronger... accompanied by a deafening roar, upending everything visible on the ground...
Countless lives caught in the sudden calamity lost their lives in vain.
"Ugh... Did you think this Poseidon would fall for such words?"
Amphitrite and the other gods could only watch his back as he suppressed his anger.
His fury seemed even greater than when he was angry at Ares for the death of his son.
Whoooosh—
"Uncle Poseidon...! What on earth is happening here... Have you been fighting someone?"
Hermes, who had sensed the disturbance, hurriedly flew down from the sky and landed behind him.
The face of the messenger god was drenched in sweat, shocked by the flow of divine power that could easily destroy a city.
Poseidon answered the messenger's question without turning around, his voice heavy.
"... Hermes. You must return to Olympus immediately and inform them that Gaia tried to draw me to her side."
"What...! Uncle..."
"Rhode. You explain to Hermes and return."
Rhode, one of Poseidon and Amphitrite's daughters, bowed her head to Poseidon and approached the messenger god.
And the lord of the sea quietly stepped past the bewildered Hermes, making his way silently into the depths of the ocean.