The Terror Beneath the Sea
"The terror beneath the sea..." Triton warned in a grave tone.
You must decide with utmost caution. Knowledge is not always a boon. Some things draw you in the moment you perceive them. If you learn of the terror beneath the sea, the terror beneath the sea will learn of you. This is no matter to be trifled with out of mere curiosity.
This was no idle warning to brush off. But I felt I had to bear it regardless. If the Cursed Hero's words were true, I'd face such unknown horrors sooner or later anyway. It was only a matter of time.
"Lord Triton. I will bear the full consequences. Please, tell me of the matters beneath the sea."
Very well, since your resolve is firm. But you must not speak of this to anyone. Can you swear it? Breaking a vow made before a god will bring a curse upon you.
"I swear it. I will not speak of this."
I affirmed it, but Triton still hesitated to speak, as if wrestling with himself. Then, with a resolved sigh, he relented.
Hoo... The name of Su-sin is no light price to pay, so I shall grant your wish. But this body shall speak as fairly as the scales that weigh justice. Do you understand?
"Yes. You mean you'll tell me the truth with all the weight that the name of Su-sin carries."
Indeed. The great ruler of the three realms and lord of the seas, Poseidon, resides in the abyssal depths where profound darkness slumbers.
"The abyss?"
This was entirely new to me. I'd never even seen it in the Secret Book.
Yes. This sea is a deep and profound world—one even a god like me cannot fully comprehend. But I know well the most horrific place within it: a palace carved of stone, located in the darkest and coldest depths.
"What's there?"
There, the terror beneath the sea slumbers with eyes closed.
Triton spoke prophetically, his face etched with fear.
From the stone palace, the dreamers shall awaken. When the stars begin to find their places.
"What? What does that mean?"
I needed a clearer explanation, but Triton shook his head.
I've told you enough. This alone is knowledge forbidden to mortals. If you seek more, it falls to your own capabilities.
"Hm..."
I wanted more details, but Triton's stance was firm. He wouldn't utter another word about those slumbering entities in the abyss. Still, he explained why Poseidon had descended there.
Lord Poseidon periodically checks on their condition and takes necessary measures.
"What sort of measures?"
For instance, preventing anyone from rashly disturbing their slumber—among other things.
"Sounds like there was some recent trouble. Given how long he's been away."
[......]
Triton clamped his mouth shut, refusing to answer. Still, I'd gleaned valuable intel. Deep in the ocean's abyss lurked entities of terror, and Poseidon checked on them regularly.
-This is important. If we ever have to face Poseidon, we could use this as a diversion.
-How so?
Various schemes flashed through my mind at the Secret Book's question, but I voiced the one I liked best.
-Say we need to attack Poseidon's palace. First, stir up chaos at the stone palace to draw him away.
-Then raid his palace while he's gone?
-Exactly. By the time he returns, his home base will be looted clean.
-Peleus. Why not use that brain for mutual survival and aid instead?
-Hahaha, I'm too shy for that kinda thing.
-What does shame have to do with it?
Anyway, learning this new fact satisfied me for now. Pushing further might just anger Triton.
"Great Triton. Now I shall reveal the name of Su-sin."
Good. Speak it.
"The name of Su-sin is Dagon."
Triton murmured the name thoughtfully.
Su-sin Dagon...
He pondered for a moment, then burst into low laughter.
Kuhahaha!
His mere laughter stirred an invisible aura, making the air ripple around us. Even I, standing still, felt a sudden nausea and staggered.
I see. I understand now. I've grasped that bastard's true nature.
I couldn't hide my surprise. Already?
"You've identified Su-sin?"
Yes. The ocean's library holds records of sea gods from countless dimensions. I perused them briefly. A villain who's roamed 32 dimensions, causing 215 major incidents. I read every detail of those events. Now I know how the bastard stirs up trouble. Heh heh heh. I can even guess where he's hiding in these seas.
I swallowed a groan inwardly. Gods are gods, alright. He'd seemed lost in thought for a moment, yet he'd identified the foe and scanned countless records. No human mage, even the greatest, could match that.
This body shall take its leave. We must deal with him before Su-sin notices. If fate allows, we shall meet again.
With those words, Triton vanished. The colossal being, towering like a skyscraper, dissolved into mist without a trace.
"Feels like I was possessed by a ghost."
The sea mist that had filled the area dissipated, and sunlight returned. Only then did I truly feel I'd returned to my world.
"Burns real nice, huh? Nothing beats torching something you slaved over. Right, Aitos?"
I grinned broadly at the pirate lair turned inferno, but Aitos looked unsure how to react.
Once the enslaved civilians had departed, I'd set the pirate base ablaze. I'd considered using the pirate crew, but fearing Su-sin's retaliation, I decided pirate games ended here.
"Y-Yeah, it's burning hot."
From the sea, the blazing lair made for quite the spectacle. I was aboard a trireme with my 50 enslaved pirates. No match for Athens' grand triremes, but with 60 oars on each side, it was sizable. Still, short on rowers, many benches stood empty.
"Aitos."
"Yes, my lord."
"I've heard seafaring men have tremendous spirit."
"Ah, y-yes."
Aitos flinched, wondering what nonsense I'd spout next.
"Then, even short on rowers, our speed can't lag. Pirates are far stronger and tougher than ordinary folk, aren't they?"
"B-But they'll tire out fast..."
"Isn't that why you're strong? Plundering gold, raping, murdering?"
I shot Aitos a sidelong glare.
"Isn't it?"
"S-Sorry!"
"No need to apologize. I'm just acknowledging your prowess. I wouldn't expect this from civilians. But you're mighty pirates, right? The kind who can cleave a man's skull in one blow. Even understaffed, speed won't drop. Right? You hearty sea dogs."
"......"
I grabbed the silent Aitos by the collar and whispered in his ear.
"Truth be told, just between us—whether you sea scum drop dead from exhaustion means nothing to me. If speed drops before Naxos Island, prepare yourself. I'll hack off your limbs first and toss 'em overboard. Familiar, huh? Just like what you did countless times to innocent folk you captured. If you've ever wondered how it feels to lose limbs, now's your chance."
"N-No, please..."
"Then go whip those trash heaps that look just like you. Until we reach the island."
I drew the whip from my belt and handed it to him.
"Am I asking too much?"
"......"
"You know it's not. It's no different from your pirating days—tormenting the weak for gain. Before, it was loot. This time, it's your life. Aitos."
"I-I'll do my best."
"Good. Dealing with trash is your specialty, after all."
I patted his cheek and shoved him away. He hurried down to the deck, and soon the crack of the whip echoed wildly, followed by shouts and screams.
"Hope they regret being alive."
And three days passed. Whether due to my demands or not, we reached Naxos surprisingly fast. The island was already in sight.
"Aitos. Well done."
Over the past three days, Aitos had wrung every ounce of effort from the pirates with cunning wisdom. He'd let them rest just enough not to die, then rowed them relentlessly. Steam from their sweat and tears rose ceaselessly from below deck.
"I am honored."
He rubbed his palms slyly, bowing repeatedly with a fawning face. What is this...? It felt like watching a corrupt local magistrate grovel to his superior. And competent, too. I'd planned to dispose of him upon arrival, but maybe keep him a bit longer?
'I'm alive. Alive.'
That thought alone filled Aitos's mind. He'd long noticed how Peleus fondled his sword hilt every time he looked his way. Quick-witted, he'd nearly pissed himself multiple times. The pirate triad he'd feared for years now seemed tame compared to this monster.
'That's no human child.'
Even without the sword-stroking, Peleus's gaze was predatory—like sizing up prey for the kill. But arriving at Naxos on time had softened the murder in his eyes. Aitos sensed Peleus had decided to let him live a while longer.
Tears streamed down his cheeks—relief, perhaps, or sorrow. At over forty, the past three blood-soaked days hit hard. To survive, he'd whipped his former comrades mercilessly. No guilt, though. Just sore shoulders from overexertion.
'The living must live.'
He treated everyone but himself as dead. Pretending to scout ahead, he moved to the prow with a sigh of relief. But his life was still on borrowed time. What to do?
'No mercy in that one. Squeeze him, and not a drop of blood comes out.'
No begging for pity, then. Only one way: prove his usefulness endlessly.
'Might as well survive to the end and watch that devil die.'
Peleus seemed reckless, doomed to an early grave. Aitos clung to hope of eventual freedom. As he steeled himself, he spotted something ahead.
"Hm?"
Aitos was certain the distant moving dot was a ship. His eyesight was his pride.
"My lord! My lord! Ship ahead!"
To survive, he rushed to report it—even small merits counted.
"A ship?"
Aitos's shout drew me to the prow. Sure enough, a speck moved amid the glittering waves.
"Just a fishing boat?"
"No. At this distance, if it's that visible, it's huge. And no fishing boats have been around here lately."
"Why?"
"Well..."
Aitos swallowed hard, hesitating. Obvious reason: Su-sin and pirates rampant, fishermen hiding or dead/captured.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue and ordered to press on. The ship's identity nagged me, but with Naxos ahead, retreat wasn't an option. As it drew nearer, our faces grew stranger. The deck teemed with soldiers—all women. No men aboard at all.
Only one answer.
"Wait. No way... the Amazons?"
Why would that fierce warrior band be here? A fact clicked into place.