Zeus's Divine Sword
"You moving out right away?"
The Secret Book picked up on my intent to get started and asked.
"Yeah."
"Hold on. There's something to check first."
"Hm?"
Wondering what it was, I sat back down.
"I'm not omnipotent, but I have a number of useful abilities. It's the power Lord Harpocrates bestowed to aid you."
"What? If you've got something like that, you should've said so sooner."
"Did you give me a chance?"
Thinking about it, it was true. I'd been chased by Cycnus and regressed in a panic. Next thing I knew, I'd ended up at the Mycenae palace.
"What can you do?"
"The most basic is providing information. I can answer anything about this world."
"For real?"
That was impressive. As the Secret Book, did that mean it knew everything?
But no power in the world could be that convenient without strings attached. Sure enough, there was a condition.
"Yes, but a price must be paid in exchange. A small secret demands a small price. A great secret demands a great one."
"So you need payment, huh."
"Not my favorite way to put it, but yes."
If it could just spill secrets freely, the gods' dirty laundry would have been all over the streets long ago. Those who carelessly spoke of a god's secrets met gruesome ends. To reveal them despite the backlash or risk required compensation.
"What do I have to offer?"
"Anything useful works. Human sacrifice—body and soul—is the most common, for example."
"Ugh...!"
I recoiled at the words "human sacrifice," and the Secret Book reacted as if it had expected as much.
"Not necessarily. Items imbued with divine power, causality, or anything of value all work. Try it once."
"Try what?"
"Your possessions."
Come to think of it, I had two treasures: Heracles's jewel and Cycnus's bag. I held out Heracles's jewel first.
White text appeared on the book's surface.
＜Heracles's Jewel＞
Green gem the size of an apple. Grants the owner superhuman strength and longevity without illness.
But its true significance is that this is a fragment of Zeus's divinity.
"A fragment of divinity?"
"Yes."
"What's a fragment of divinity? And Zeus, of all gods?"
"That's a secret that requires payment."
"Ah, got it."
The Secret Book system clicked into place.
"Still, I can tell you one extra thing."
"What?"
"This jewel can unleash all its power at once when needed. Though it'll go dormant for a while afterward."
A temporary burst mode, huh. Handy feature. I'd have to remember that.
"Good. Next."
This time, I offered the long leather bag I'd stolen from Cycnus.
＜Apollo's Treasure＞
Treasure of Apollo, god of the sun and arts.
His son Cycnus carried it around to show off.
Cycnus never learned how to use it.
What an idiot, that Cycnus. Just using his father's treasure as a prop? Then I snatched it. Suited him right. Bet he got a beating from Lord Apollo when he got home.
"Grr. Won't open. No choice but to prepare payment to find out more."
Nothing for it now. But someday I'd uncover the true value of both treasures.
"Hang on, there's writing on the bag?"
Examining my war trophy from Cycnus, I spotted readable text on the metal ornament attached to the bag. An ominous language was engraved there.
"Ancient Titan secret script?"
"Peleus, read it aloud. You're probably the only one in the world who can, aside from a few gods."
"To commemorate Apollo the sun god driving out Helios... a gift from his great mother, the 'goat who bore a thousand young'... What the hell does that mean? I read it right."
I checked again and again, but no mistake. Thanks to the forbidden book's knowledge, I was well-versed in ancient Titan secret script.
"Who’s the 'goat who bore a thousand young'? No such Titan exists."
"......"
The Secret Book fell silent. I even sensed a hint of melancholy.
Realizing further talk was pointless, I shrugged.
"Whatever. I'll pay up later when I have something to offer. Anyway, we need to watch out for Apollo extra carefully from now on. He was the one who attacked the temple before I regressed. That bastard even sent his son personally. He's our main enemy."
"Right. No room for mistakes, Peleus. You can't regress twice."
With that, I stood. Time to find Agamemnon.
Things were going my way—the prince sent someone first.
"His Highness invites you to lunch."
"With pleasure. Lead on."
The servant guided us to the palace garden, a beautiful spot with fountains. Pretty maids served food amid blooming flowers.
"You've arrived, Lord Peleus."
Agamemnon waited with a bright smile. What a likable young man. That friendly face must win hearts easily.
"Thank you for the invitation, Agamemnon."
"Only natural. I had matters to discuss, so I invited you."
We shared a glass of wine first.
"First, my apologies. The welcome banquet is postponed two days."
"No issue for me. Can't complain as a guest."
"Hahaha, you're a prince yourself—no need for that. Truth is, Father the king is away."
Hm? Was Atreus absent at this point? I furrowed my brow, searching my memories. Nothing came up. I hadn't come to the palace or met Atreus before.
"Where's the great king?"
"At the hunting grounds. I sent word via a nymph in royal service about you, Lord Peleus. He wants to meet you personally. So the banquet waits for his return."
"I see. An honor that the realm's lord takes interest. Ha... haha..."
Meeting Great King Atreus. I forced a smile.
Then the Secret Book spoke up.
It might not be Great King Atreus's own will.
-A god pulling strings from behind?
Quick on the uptake—good.
-Hm, weird... I did come to Mycenae at this point before. But Atreus—or his patron god—showed no interest in me then.
I explained, and the Secret Book replied.
Compare what’s different now from then.
-Simple but useful advice.
My wine glass was refilled, buying time to think. I sipped slowly, mind racing.
Don’t overthink. Gods don’t know our secrets. They’ll judge by obvious traits.
-Simply, huh... Then the answer’s obvious.
What differed from before: I was posing as a prince, and Heracles's jewel had bulked me into a chiseled warrior. Even future great warrior Agamemnon stole admiring glances. He was sizing up my battle prowess now, too.
You’re a prince and look like an elite warrior now. Stark contrast to before, when you were a scrawny kid begging to go home.
-So, Peleus—which god would take interest in a prince and warrior?
A few suspects came to mind. Problem was, there were several.
Hard to judge precisely yet.
But best to decide before meeting Atreus.
-True enough.
Agamemnon said the king returned in two days.
"We'll hold a grand banquet then. Bear the boredom till then, Lord Peleus."
"Boredom? Hahaha."
Seemed that was his business. Lunch was wrapping up. Time to state my purpose.
Stepping into this palace's web of intrigue at last. Foreseeing the blood to come, I swallowed dryly.
"Agamemnon, I have something to say."
"Speak freely."
"Truth be told, unworthy as I am, I sometimes wield foresight."
Agamemnon startled. Prophecy wasn't commonplace. Only those favored by gods could do it. Prophets often outranked kings, as vessels of divine grace.
"Foresight! Incredible, Lord Peleus!"
No flattery—his face flushed with genuine awe. Prophecy must be a desperate need for him, navigating deadly succession amid his tyrant father's sons. Any edge was salvation.
"What did the gods whisper to you, Lord Peleus?"
He tried princely poise but fidgeted eagerly.
The Secret Book marveled.
You’re hellbound for sure. Scamming like it’s breathing? Can’t live honestly even once?
-I never said gods told me. No lies. I know future events not from favor, but experience.
"A grim, embarrassing prophecy—hard to voice. But for you alone, Agamemnon."
"Please, tell me."
"Tonight, a thief enters the palace."
"What? A thief?!"
Agamemnon's eyes widened in shock, but he kept his voice low.
"Yes. Tonight, he'll steal the royal family's treasured sword—the divine artifact from Lord Zeus."
"The sword is heavily guarded."
"Highness, nothing's absolute. Especially an item like that sword, rarely handled."
Agamemnon asked what to do.
"Worry not. I'll tell you how to catch the thief."
"Oh!"
"Catching a thief while Great King Atreus is away? You'd earn massive merit. He'd praise you upon return."
His eyes lit up. Lightning struck his mind. He smiled to avoid enemies amid rivals, but craved power most. This chance to shine for Father made his lips tremble.
But I had one more bombshell.
"Agamemnon."
"Yes, Lord Peleus."
"Extreme caution for tonight. It's not just any thief."
"Then?"
I grinned, slung an arm around him, and whispered in his ear.
"The one who commissioned the theft is one of your brothers."