Triton's Favor
Triton leaned in close, his massive head drawing near as if greatly intrigued. The sky seemed to darken abruptly, though the distance between us was easily over a hundred meters.
[What? A pearl?]
"That's right. I heard that you, Lord Triton, have been searching for a scattered pearl."
[Hmph! You're spinning clever words. No matter how I look, you don't have it. Dare you deceive a god?]
Gods never forgive humans who lie to them—even as they lie to mortals endlessly.
[Though your offering is meager, the sin of mocking a god with falsehoods is grave. I'll punish you here and now.]
Dark energy rippled at the tip of Triton's enormous trident. It was a heaven-shaking, earth-rending force. A blast of divine power from that would flip mountains and evaporate lakes. It hit me anew just how terrifying the might of a god truly was. Could I ever fight creatures like this someday? But that was a matter for the future. Right now, brute force wasn't necessary.
"Here it is, isn't it?"
I held up the pearl between my fingers for Triton to see. He flinched in surprise, then dispersed the power gathering at his trident's tip.
Boom!
Just releasing the pent-up energy sent out a shockwave, whipping up a fierce gale. The altar-ship rocked violently for a good while.
[Strange. It wasn't there a moment ago?]
A god's gaze could instantly discern possession of such an item. That's why he'd called it a lie.
Impressive, honestly. Secret Book. Hiding an item right in front of a god.
In truth, the pearl had been inside the Secret Book.
Now do you grasp this one's greatness?
The Secret Book spat out the pearl into my hand, making it appear to Triton as if it had materialized from nowhere.
"Why would I lie to you?"
[You're quite the trickster.]
I sensed a hint of admiration from Triton. Then, brazenly, he extended his hand.
[Now, hand over the pearl.]
"Of course, I'll offer it to its rightful owner. But before that, could you grant one humble wish from this lowly one?"
[You worm! You dare bargain with a god?!]
What, and you're just going to snatch it like a highway robber? Unbelievable.
"How could a mere mortal like me be so rude to your greatness? It's just that to obtain this pearl, I had to cut down many sea folk. I've earned the sea god's enmity, so I can no longer gaze upon the ocean in peace."
[Hmm...]
Whether he found my words reasonable or not, Triton quelled his anger.
"That's why I beg for your mercy, Lord Triton. Whose sea is this, truly? Even a three-year-old child knows it belongs to Lord Poseidon and his eldest son, Triton. Yet lately, the sea folk have grown insolent, rampaging unchecked. We lowly humans can't catch a single day's breath."
[......]
"Though my skills are lacking, I couldn't hide my resentment. So I slaughtered the sea folk, found your pearl, and held this offering ritual in joy. Yet why do you treat one so loyal to you so harshly?"
I pointed to the sea folk bound in iron chains, chiding him in a tone of disappointment.
"While letting these filthy, lowly scum roam the seas freely."
Triton fell silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
[Hah... Truly, your words ring true.]
His address shifted suddenly from "you worm" to "you."
Triton shook his enormous head and sighed again.
[Your sharp insight shames even a god.]
I'd expected more rage, but surprisingly, he plainly admitted his fault.
"I've overstepped; forgive my impertinence."
[No. You spoke truly. Lately, my nerves have been on edge, leaving me without composure. Without it, impatience took hold, and I acted basely. Rewarding one who returns a pearl is only natural. Even beasts repay their saviors— a god ignoring such grace is unthinkable. Speak your desire. Triton, god of the sea, shall lend his aid.]
It was unexpected. At first, his arrogance seemed typical of an Olympian, confirming my low expectations. But for a god to admit fault to a mere human? That was exceedingly rare. A god's pride was worth a thousand, nay, ten thousand lives.
My heart softened a bit.
"This Peleus knows not where to stand before your ocean-deep consideration, Lord Triton. I am deeply moved."
I bowed my head in genuine sincerity, and Triton suddenly exclaimed in admiration.
[What? Peleus? Your name is Peleus! The hero who slew the Calydonian boar cherished by Artemis.]
"I am indeed the one who dealt with the Calydonian boar. How do you know the name of a nobody like me?"
Triton burst into hearty laughter.
[Hahaha! Don't belittle yourself unduly! Many gods already know your name. I've heard you've grown close to Lady Iris lately, too.]
"It's mere reputation."
I hadn't expected Triton to recognize me; I was inwardly flustered. He was, after all, the rightful heir to these seas and Poseidon's second-in-command. Not one of the Twelve, but his divine rank matched theirs. For such a figure to know me meant my recent exploits had caused quite a stir.
[This one doesn't admire the bearers of empty fame. Or do you fear Nemesis? Haha. Worry not. No one can overhear our words today.]
Come to think of it, since the sea mist thickened, it felt like we'd entered another world. A quick glance back showed the fainted pirates still out cold. This space held only me and Triton.
[A hero of your caliber deserves better hospitality. What do you seek from this Triton?]
"What I want is simple. When I face peril someday, aid me, Lord Triton. I seek your assistance."
[Assistance... Simple, yet difficult request.]
Foreseeable crises abounded. Who knew what Artemis might do? Nemesis could draw her sword anytime. Annihilating the pirate base had thwarted the sea folk's schemes, earning the sea god's ire. With death looming from all sides, I needed at least one god watching my back.
"Even one instance of help would suffice. Protect me in measure to the value of this pearl I offer."
[Kuhuhu, cunning one. Simple words, but worldly debts aren't so straightforward. Aid equal to the pearl, and I might get dragged in entirely. Yet, though you irk me, I don't dislike you. Very well. When crisis strikes, call my name.]
Perfect. The offering had yielded what I wanted. Calling Triton in dire straits would be like summoning a heavenly host.
"This lowly one thanks you profoundly for your grace."
With that, the ritual concluded smoothly. Triton took the pearl and sea folk with satisfaction.
Crunch.Crack!
The pitch-black giant Triton began devouring the sea folk alive. They vanished into his maw with screams from his enormous jaws. I could see not just their bodies but their souls consumed by the god.
"Kieeeek!"
The sea folk's souls wailed ghostly cries into the misty sea. But it only whetted the god's appetite. Triton soon finished them all and beamed with pleasure.
[A fine offering. Both god and human satisfied— a rare occurrence.]
Triton seemed ready to depart. I could let him go, but I had one more matter.
With Poseidon absent, villains like the sea god ran rampant. There had to be a reason, but as a mere human, I lacked ways to learn it. As executor of the apocalypse, tracking the gods' movements was crucial. Best to probe now.
But asking outright might anger him; I needed to steer the conversation naturally.
"Great Triton, one more thing. About the sea god."
[What? That base, filthy thing?]
Mention of the sea god piqued Triton's interest immediately.
"You may already know, but I heard the sea god's name."
[Is that true?!]
Triton showed rare excitement. His mere shout sent surrounding seawater surging skyward, then crashing down like a downpour.
Whoosh!
I was drenched like a drowned rat in an instant. What the—seaweed? I peeled the kelp from my forehead with a wry chuckle. Gods were so vast that a fleeting emotion caused such absurdity.
"Why would I lie about such a thing? I know the sea god's name."
Triton let out a hollow laugh.
[Heh heh... Astonishing. Even torturing countless sea folk and devouring their souls revealed nothing. You truly heard it?]
"Yes."
The sea god's name was utterly unknown. They were simply called the sea god.
[A god's name hidden has always struck me as odd. The sea folk knew nothing. How can devotees not know their deity's name? How does faith even stand?]
"Naturally perplexing. But understanding the sea folk makes it clear. To you, they must seem too base and inferior for attention."
Compared to the merfolk Triton oversaw, sea folk appeared grotesque and chaotic. He'd likely never bothered truly comprehending them—just destroyed and devoured.
[Grh... You're right. I did scorn the sea folk and their god. They've only appeared in these seas for 200 years— inferior pests unworthy of note. Yet when Father stepped away, who knew they'd rampage so boldly?]
Poseidon stepped away? What did that mean? Vital intel.
"The sea folk were created by the sea god himself. The entire race sees him as father."
[Not god, but father— so not objects of faith from the start?]
"Astute. Don't view them through the lens of humans and Olympians."
Olympians divided mortals and immortals into worshippers and worshipped, calling it faith. That dogma was ingrained; flexible thinking beyond it was hard.
[So they're one big family?]
"Exactly. No need to specify by name for devotion."
Names define faith targets. Praying to "father" is vague—Zeus for gods' father, Hades for the dead's. Specific names are required.
[Peculiar. Truly vile and depraved. How can god and mortal form one family?]
Triton sounded unconvinced, displeased at faith's alternative forms.
I feigned agreement with his sentiment.
"Barbarians in mermaid guise, that's why."
[Right. Your words hit true.]
"And the sea god has no roots, right? Unknown origins, recent arrival. How could he know propriety or decorum? Spawning hordes to foul the seas— beastly behavior."
Triton roared in agreement.
[Kuhahaha! Well said! This one thinks the same. You're sharp and knowledgeable. I've been frustrated not knowing, but you've provided clear answers. Accept my praise.]
Not a lack of wisdom, but rigid preconceptions plagued Triton. The sea god was surely from another world—like the elephant god at Iris's villa. Their immortal-mortal bonds differed.
Personally, their familial ties didn't seem bad. But I avoided mentioning it. Now was the time to butter him up.
I needed to know why Poseidon left.
"Your praise is too much."
[No. You're wiser than the sea sages at my side. Now tell this one—the sea god's name.]
Knowing the name wouldn't let Triton act immediately—it wasn't a bank PIN. But it would unveil the sea god's vague identity. For 200 years, he'd hidden, operating covertly. Poseidon and Triton had underestimated him, never digging deep. Today's chaos made that clear.
Knowing a name reveals identity? the Secret Book probed slyly.
Of course. They might scour divine archives for otherworldly immortals. Or contact gods in other realms. Like searching an email or phone on Earth portals—find posts, IDs, SNS. Starts with email, ends with all their info. Same with gods.
Thus, the sea god's name was priceless intel.
Praise Harpocrates. I silently thanked the late secret god. I'd seen it in the forbidden tome.
"Of course I'll tell you. But first, sate this fool's curiosity. Why has great Poseidon stepped away?"
Sensitive topic, but I was sure Triton craved the name enough.
No free lunch for such treasure. He had to give something.
I wouldn't reveal it until understanding the seas' mess.
[Kuhm...]
Triton groaned, hesitant. But I pressed.
"Is your inaction against sea folk tied to Poseidon's absence?"
Finally, Triton sighed deeply.
[You gods-watchers are relentless. But know this: hearing of the sea's affairs will drag you into its darkness too.]
His words carried weight.
[Can you bear the terror beneath those waves?]
Then, a memory surfaced. In Python's cave, the Cursed Hero had said I was loved by an unknown horror.