For now, a rough conclusion could be drawn: Atlantis was Atlantis, and Paradise Island was Paradise Island. One was Poseidon's trump card, the other Zeus's hidden secret. The two seemed to have no direct connection.
Still feeling dissatisfied, Artemis repeatedly cross-checked the sea charts obtained during the Argo expedition, but the location of [Paradise Island] remained a mystery. With no other choice, she left, weighed down by her thoughts.
Even Orion, who had gotten his hopes up for nothing, became dispirited and dull, completely losing his usual lively, foul-mouthed cheer.
The surroundings fell quiet once more. Samael leaned against the wall, fingers tapping rhythmically against his thigh. His eyes half closed as his thoughts turned inward, recalling later records about this lost land.
Atlantis, also known as the Great Western Continent, was said to possess highly advanced light-energy technology and was therefore called the "Age of Light."
Everything he had seen and heard so far in the Ocean of Giants only confirmed that these accounts were not baseless myths.
Even more intriguing was how this lined up with the five great civilizational eras defined by the Maya. The Second Sun Era corresponded to Mesopotamian civilization, the Third Sun Era to the Maya civilization ruled by Quetzalcoatl, and the Fourth Sun Era was Atlantis itself.
Was this simply a coincidence born of civilizations influencing one another, or was there something deeper hidden beneath the surface?
Samael couldn't make sense of it.
Unfortunately, he couldn't get in touch with that Quetzalcoatl big sister. Otherwise, he might have had a proper conversation with her and asked about the secrets Atlantis concealed.
Forget it. Relying on others was never as good as relying on himself. There was no point pinning his hopes on uncertain external factors.
The Ancient Serpent adjusted his mindset, reined in his thoughts, and continued analyzing.
There was also another legend about Atlantis that troubled him.
According to Plato's Dialogues, just as Atlantis was preparing to wage war against Athens, it was suddenly struck by earthquakes and floods. In less than a day and a night, the entire continent sank, and from then on, this mysterious land lay dormant beneath the sea.
It was said that Zeus himself had a hand in it.
As for what truly happened, Samael was still completely in the dark.
What puzzled him even more was that Poseidon had gone so far as to raise his daughter Rhode as a sacrificial offering from childhood. The price was enormous. After such long and careful preparation, what exactly was the true purpose of this Sea God Festival?
Unfortunately, even the little mermaid herself knew nothing about it.
And with the festival already disrupted, it would most likely end without result. Any deeper truths behind it would probably remain forever unknown.
Thinking about it that way, maybe there was no need to worry so much. Before Atlantis ever went to war with Athens, it was destined to sink sooner or later. Wouldn't War God Mountain just win by default then?
Samael quietly reassured himself. Estimating the time, he brushed the dust from himself and stood up.
After resting, the Argonauts, who had long since finished preparing, followed the plan they had discussed earlier. Circe and Medea cast concealment Magecraft on everyone in turn. Splitting into small teams, they quietly slipped out of the abandoned workshop and carefully made their way through the empty streets toward the harbor.
In the darkness, Samael glanced up at the towering Interstellar Mountainous City rising into the sky, then shifted his gaze to the dozen or so members at the rear of the group, all bearing injuries of varying severity. He shook his head helplessly.
After centuries of careful preparation by Poseidon, Atlantis's defensive forces were now no weaker than those of Mount Olympus.
Better to get the Argonauts to a safe area first. He could always find an opportunity to come back later and investigate this place's secrets on his own.
By himself, he wouldn't be constrained. Advancing or retreating would be far simpler.
Having made up his mind, Samael carefully led the way according to the explanations given earlier by a certain insider guide, avoiding layer after layer of defenses. With a few close calls but no real danger, they reached the harbor.
Just as expected, the Argo was still moored in its original spot. Everything around it was quiet as usual. The few Atlantis soldiers patrolling the port were easily taken down by the habitual offenders who crept up on them.
The tactical armor worn by these foot soldiers was relatively crude, and their overall level was far inferior to Olympus's elite. Running into a top-tier troublemaking crew in the dead of night, they were nothing more than lambs waiting for the knife.
With movements that could only be called professional, the Argonauts dealt with the patrols and cleaned up the scene. The moment the outer light screen flickered during its transition, they decisively boarded their long-missed beloved ship, took their positions, weighed anchor, and raised sail.
The bow tentatively pressed against the reactivating light screen and actually squeezed its way through the rippling barrier. The Argonauts couldn't help but rejoice.
Sure enough, the traitor prince hadn't deleted the Argo's registered access code, allowing them to slip away unnoticed.
Even if Triton wasn't entirely trustworthy, they were confident that, during the brief moment when the light screen rebooted, they could force their way through the defenses.
Home at last! Finally, home!
Fragrant women and a throne within my reach—everything I've ever wanted is waiting for me!
Jason, piloting the ship, his eyes shining with excitement, was practically bouncing with energy, grinning like a kid on a sugar high.
"Attention! This route is off-limits. Hecate Island has the armory [Echidna], and the harbor there is filled with deep-sea fleets and various combat units waiting for repairs. Don't go near it."
"And don't take this route either. Most of the sea gods who refuse to serve Triton are hanging out on Thetis Island. If we disturb them, we'll be in big trouble."
"So, which route do we take?"
"Go around Hestia Island. It's a harbor that guides ships through the channel, so it's the safest route!"
In the captain's cabin, Samael spread out a newly drawn map and briefed Jason on the key points to watch out for.
They had just escaped the Interstellar Mountainous City and the Atalanta Continent, but they were still within the confines of the [Age of Gods Ocean], so they couldn't be too careful.
Though Poseidon was absent and he and Artemis could pretty much go where they pleased, caution was still necessary.
"Good, the course is confirmed. The Eye of the Tidal Sea is locked on the southeast. We're about to break through the boundary of the Ten Kingdoms' islands. Prepare to accelerate!"
Even with the tense and heavy atmosphere, the Argonauts, holding their breath as they neared a safe breakthrough, couldn't help but feel their spirits lift.
However, the moment the Argo crossed the boundary ring of the light screen, the light patterns spread outward. As they reached a certain point, a terrifying rumble, like muffled thunder, echoed through the air.
"Intruder! How dare you trespass upon Poseidon's domain and disturb my slumber!"
Amid the explosive roar, the boiling sea churned into towering waves, crashing down on the tiny Argo.
A massive, monstrous shadow rose from the depths. The heart of this cataclysmic change came from Thetis Island.
"Trespassers deserve death!"
In an instant, hundreds of arms wielding a variety of weapons lashed out across the sea, cutting through the waves with frenzied force. A terrifying roar erupted from a hundred heads, their voices a discordant chorus of varying pitches and tones, filling the air with an eerie cacophony.
Simultaneously, hundreds of streaks of light—large and small—shot into the sky from Thetis Island, streaking across the night and rapidly descending toward the Argo.
Damn it, the Hecatoncheires! Once one of Zeus's three chief bodyguards, now Poseidon's son-in-law!
No wonder that old man felt so confident leaving to prepare for everything. No wonder the arrogant sea gods were behaving so well. It turns out, Thetis Island hid such a troublesome humanoid weapon!
Seeing the Hecatoncheires charging toward them on the rising wave, Samael's face darkened. Without hesitation, he slammed his right fist into the deck and roared, immediately donning his daughter's armor to join the fray.
"In the name of Athena, Goddess of War and Wisdom, I call upon victory here!"
A golden pillar of light descended from the heavens, and hundreds of white owls, her heralds, spiraled down, each holding an olive branch in their beaks.
Bathed in divine power, Samael summoned an array of dazzling gear: the Sagittarius Cloth, his mount Pegasus, the God-Slaying Bow, Medusa's Shield, and the spear forged from the Scythe of Time. His aura soared.
"Dad, did you just stir up the Oceanus of Okeanos?!" Athena, joining the call, spoke urgently, her brow furrowing.
"Well, sort of..."
Looking at the charging Hecatoncheires, followed by hundreds of sea gods, Samael cleared his throat and nodded helplessly.
"Poseidon is currently trying to get us to help him overthrow Zeus's rule. Should I keep him occupied for you?"
The Goddess of Wisdom paused for a moment, then decisively sided with her ally, offering a serious proposal.
Before father and daughter could reach a final decision, Athena's face changed drastically as she gazed at the sky-blue pillar of light rising from the side hall. Her voice turned hoarse.
"Dad, it's bad! Poseidon has escaped!"
At that very moment, within the altar of the Atalanta Sea God Temple, a massive Magecraft array ascended, channeling a deep blue beam of light from the heavens.
Damn it! He didn't even care about Zeus's watchful eye and pulled off a long-range divine descent!
Poseidon must be desperate!
Seeing the situation turn, Samael cursed inwardly. After a moment of thought, he turned and flapped his wings, heading toward the Sea God Temple.
With his cover blown, Artemis had no choice but to take on the task of dealing with the Hecatoncheires, Briareos.
As the commotion intensified, the [Echidna] armory on Hecate Island roared open. The Deep Sea Fleet and its various combat weapons closed in from both the sea and sky.
"Wide-area scan, lock onto targets!"
At the same time, the bronze giants guarding the gates of the Ten Kingdom Islands activated their rune-like patterns. Amid the grating hum of metal, their chest-mounted ring-shaped cores roared to life. The surrounding Ether surged violently, forming visible energy tides across their chests.
"Transition to attack posture. Ethereal Liquid Cannons ready. Execute annihilation protocol!"
Ten Bronze Age giants, slightly weaker than the True Body Machine Gods, erupted with blinding flames from beneath and behind them. Soaring into the air, they spread out in a fan formation, surrounding the Argo in a pincer movement.
Damn it! Even the Titan-class War Machine Talos has been deployed in full force. Poseidon, you old bastard, do you think you can't lose?
Samael's face darkened as he gritted his teeth, accelerating toward the Sea God Temple.
This was it—the only way to break the stalemate!
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
[email protected]/PinkSnake (50 Chapters Ahead).
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.