The Trial of Ares and Poseidon - (3)

As I watched Poseidon leave, Zeus approached me. He gestured for me to sit next to him, and I took the seat beside him.

A translucent barrier, created by Zeus's divine power, emerged, blocking out sound.

"Poseidon has had his share of struggles," he said. "Because of his children?" "Exactly. I can't help but think that his way of showing affection might be a bit misguided... But it's a delicate matter to interfere, and I don't think I've been much of a role model myself."

Zeus's words likely referred to Tantalus, who had recently tried to deceive the gods. If that fool had gained divinity, we might have seen a true god of madness surpassing Dionysus.

"...I think you've done well enough with your children. Apollo, Athena, and Hephaestus are not so bad, after all..." "When Poseidon called Ares a 'ruffian' earlier, do you know what I was thinking, brother?" "...?" "It's true that Ares has a violent temperament, and I can't refute that. I wonder if I haven't set a good example..."

Weak words slipped from Zeus's lips. He had a somewhat subdued look in his eyes, unusual for the king of the gods, who usually exuded confidence and authority. It was a glimpse of the darker thoughts he carried.

I gazed into his serious eyes for a moment. Thanks to the barrier of divine power, our conversation was completely unheard outside. Was he feeling a bit burdened to share his inner thoughts with me?

"I feel sorry for Hera because I've been frequently visiting the mortal realm to create heroes due to prophecies. Like with Callisto, who became a constellation... or Io, who suffered being transformed into a cow..."

While Zeus may not have been entirely devoid of desires for beautiful women, his actions generally benefited the gods. After all, great heroes like Perseus, born from the blood of the supreme god, sometimes emerged.

I knew it took quite a long time to court human women to bear children, so he resorted to more forceful methods. Though such methods could never truly be justified, it seemed Zeus was making his own efforts to bring forth a hero from prophecy.

"Try not to do things that Hera would dislike. You’ve caused more than a few victims to come to the Underworld because of your actions." "Haha... Once I've dealt with the Gigantes and gained recognition from Grandma Gaia, I'll consider it."

With a bittersweet smile, the golden-haired god stroked his beard. As our conversation stretched on, the surrounding gods wore puzzled expressions, forcing themselves to turn away.

I took a slow look at each one of them. Apollo, the proud son of Zeus, who oversees numerous domains, appeared somewhat satisfied yet uneasy about the trial's outcome. Ares, who was also in attendance, carried a tense atmosphere. Hebe, the goddess of youth, exchanged smiles with Hestia when their eyes met...

I could understand how heavy Zeus's heart must feel, overseeing all these gods. The Titan gods were dreaming of revenge from Tartarus, Grandma Gaia did not recognize us, and even with the Gigantes as foes, the prophesied hero had yet to appear.

"Zeus, you should just stay where you are." "Hmm?" "...You've done well enough until now. 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, brightening his expression. Now, he seemed a bit more like a king. Shouldn't the king of the gods be so gloomy? In truth, I, too, had many imperfections, as I mentioned to Mente...

"If you have urgent matters, feel free to contact me in the Underworld. Just don't take Thanatos with you because you find some human annoying." "What are you saying! There won't be any need for my busy brother's help from the Underworld. Until next time."

With a flash—thunder rumbled!

The king of the gods dispelled the barrier of divine power and stood tall, soaring into the sky. The last time I saw Zeus's face, it appeared 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. Several lower sea deities following him looked at their master in confusion.

Slowly turning his head to the empty space on his right, Poseidon spoke.

"Come out. Gaia."

Gaia? Isn't that the name of the Protogenoi hostile to the Olympian gods? The surrounding gods were taken aback by his words, but it was still too early to be shocked.

For a voice, captivating and feminine, echoed from the void where nothing existed.

Indeed, it was Poseidon, the true god who ruled the realm of Okeanos.
"I sensed a divine power from the earth, not Demeter’s. Enough with the pleasantries; why have you sought me?"

With his Trident in hand, Poseidon glared at the empty space, cautious, but there was no hint of tension in the beautifully resonating voice.

"Surely I didn’t come to persuade you. I, too, heard about the dispute between you and Zeus’s son."

Gaia, the earth itself, holds precedence over the dominion of the earth over Demeter. What happens on the land is hard to escape Gaia's gaze.

When Zeus's son killed your son, I witnessed it too. Was it Ares? The sword wielded by Zeus's son cleanly severed your son's neck. Following that, his cold corpse scattered across my surface, and cold blood poured out. Does that not make you furious?

"...Are you trying to sow discord between Zeus and me?"

Poseidon's expression tightened further. As the lord of the sea became increasingly disturbed, the air trembled with the briny scent of the ocean. Nevertheless, Gaia spoke to him in a soft tone.

"Sow discord? Why would I sow discord? Your son was wrongfully killed. And wasn’t the dominion of the heavens, seas, and the underworld decided by the three of you through a lottery?"

"..."

I intend to drive out the Olympian gods. If you help me...

Amphitrite, with a worried expression, gently grasped one of Poseidon's hands. The lower deities around them had frozen in silence, unable to even breathe.

If one of the three main gods sided with Gaia, could the Olympians hope to win?

They awaited the decision of their lord in breathless silence...

"I could give you a position like that of the king of the gods. Of course, the dominion over the heavens as well."

Poseidon closed his eyes.

The memory of that moment when they had triumphed over the Titan gods and divided the world...

Hades appeared indifferent, but he always desired dominion over the heavens.

Thus, he had even incited rebellion and maintained a careful relationship with Zeus.

Undoubtedly, he coveted both the throne of the king of the gods and dominion over the heavens. But...

"Ha... Hahaha! You have underestimated me, Poseidon." "...?" "Are you telling me... to side with you for power? Such nonsense!"

His voice thundered like a majestic roar.

Long ago... Poseidon had led a rebellion alongside Apollo and Hera. Even if he succeeded, he had no intention of imprisoning Zeus or banishing him to Tartarus.

Zeus was his brother, after all, and he owed him for being freed from Cronos's womb.

He intended to strip Zeus of his divinity but had no thoughts of going beyond that.

However... if Gaia were to sweep away Olympus, what would become of Zeus and his kin?

"Are you not thinking of imprisoning all the Olympian gods in Tartarus instead of the Titan gods? No matter how much I covet power, do you think I would act like Cronos!"

...So you refuse my offer? I thought we might have some common ground...

"Shut your mouth! Gaia!!!"

Poseidon's prideful Trident, the Trident of Poseidon, pointed towards the earth. As he raised it high with both hands, it finally plunged into the ground, causing an earthquake that ravaged the surroundings.

As the power of the lord, imbued with anger, struck down with the Trident's might, the force was formidable. The area around him was completely torn apart, revealing the earth's inner flesh.

The tremors grew increasingly stronger... with a deafening roar, everything visible on the ground was overturned... Countless lives caught in the sudden disaster were lost in vain.

"Ha... Do you think Poseidon would fall for such words?"

Amphitrite and the other gods merely looked on at the back of his form, suppressing their anger. His fury appeared to be greater than when he was angered over Ares killing his son.

Hooowww—

"Uncle Poseidon...! What in the world is happening here? Have you been fighting someone?!"

Hermes, who had sensed the unusual occurrence, rushed down from the sky and landed behind him. Sweat dripped from the face of the messenger god, startled by the flow of divine power that could easily destroy a city.

Poseidon, without turning to look at the messenger's question, replied in a heavy voice. "...Hermes. Go back to Olympus at once and tell them that Gaia tried to lure me to her side." "What...! Uncle..." "Rhode. You explain it to Hermes and come back."

Rhode, one of Poseidon and Amphitrite's daughters, bowed her head to Poseidon and approached the messenger god. Then, the lord of the sea silently stepped past the bewildered Hermes, making his way quietly into the sea.