Chapter 147
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: I'll Seat You with the Prettiest Big Sis
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"Hey, so where exactly are we headed right now?"
"To a place that'll make sure you don't just drop dead out of nowhere."
To be precise, we were heading somewhere that even unforeseeable disasters couldn't approach.
"I was on my way there when this dark, gloomy dude suddenly showed up hanging off my waist, whining away."
"Aw, come on~ Where else are you gonna find a handsome guy like me? A hero like you could call me 'bro' and it'd be fine."
Bro?
Huh?!
I whipped around in disbelief, my face twisting, only to see the Greek prince waving cheerfully under that cosmic Cthulhu hood.
Figured since he was the tragic hero, he'd be all dark and brooding, but nope—he was more like the dim-witted big brother next door...
"But drop dead? Am I really in that much danger?"
"I've learned this trick and seen all sorts—good, bad, and ugly—but you, Oedipus? You've got a truly standout fate. Or destiny, whatever you wanna call it."
Reverse horse and fire calamity? If he plays his cards right, he could thrive here in Greece under Hermes' guidance as a wandering merchant or bard.
But that blade-sharp life-shortening fate and the utter ruin no matter what he does—they slithered around him like venomous snakes lurking in shadows, flicking their tongues.
He's survived this long, and from what I remember of the myths, this fool's life really goes off the rails after he settles down. So no immediate risk of sudden death.
Still, whatever he's planning, best to keep that cosmic Cthulhu hood on him. That's why I was dragging him along.
We passed Hermes' market, skirted past Apollo's amphitheater blasting chaotic EDM,
and there she was—a statue of a goddess standing tall with spear upright and shield planted firmly on the ground, greeting us.
"Oh... Is that Athena's statue?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
The vast training ground, said to be a gift from Athena to Chiron. Beyond the statue proclaiming this her domain, the individual combat fields hosted a full-blown drinking party.
Ares calls! Warriors charging forth!
Athena sings! Victorious soldiers!
Under the sun blessed by Apollo,
Raise your cups to our gods! Cheers! Cheers! Cheers!
The drunks' slurred singing hit my ears like thunder, rattling my skull.
"Everyone's having a blast."
"Hey! Dianes!"
"What! The boss is here!"
"Come on in! Come on! Great warrior!"
-Cheers!!
The fifty boozed-up revelers, already rowdy and arm-in-arm, dancing like maniacs.
The moment I showed up, they lit up with joy, all traces of their earlier grim resolve gone—they were smashed already.
"Hahaha! Why so late? Don't tell me you stopped by Atalanta first?"
"Nah, just had some business."
Jason, who'd been leading the charge on the platform belting out songs, spotted me and came rushing over, shaking my hand with a big grin.
"Huh? Oedipus?"
"Oh! Jason! Heard you were in the Heroes' Grove! Long time no see!"
Already buddies?
This'll make things easier.
"Ran into him on the way. Fate brought us together—wanna let him join?"
"Oh! Hell yeah! Over here!"
"Then I'll bask in the glory of sharing drinks with tonight's stars!"
Jason seemed surprisingly sober—maybe he hadn't drunk much.
He caught my subtle signal to talk privately, nodded, shoved Oedipus into the noisiest bunch, and slipped away with me.
"What's up? How'd you run into Oedipus?"
"Straight to business, huh?"
Jason dove right in, though he tried to play it cool at first. But standing before me, he was tense as hell.
With over 550 wrecks collapsed around, he'd been the only one blocking my path and took Reverse Heaven's full killing intent head-on. No wonder I looked like some fire-wreathed monster to him.
'That fear? Not a bad thing.'
Respect and reverence stem from emotions like fear and awe.
Knowing the one everyone fears has your back—and that his power outstrips any authority—means they'll never betray me.
I ignored Jason's fearful expression and pressed on.
"Dionysus' feast is coming up, so wrap this party, tell everyone to crash hard."
"Whaaat!? Already? The vibe's just getting good..."
But booze is powerful stuff—Jason, who'd flinched at the sight of me, went wide-eyed at the order to end it.
Greeks and their love for the bottle.
Didn't they realize Dionysus' feast wasn't the only thing waiting—not by a long shot?
"You wanna greet the VIPs swimming up from the sea, all hyped and ready, while you're all shitfaced?"
One wrong move, and Poseidon'd squash you like bugs.
"...Gulp!"
Jason sobered up instantly, face paling as he got my point.
'Yeah, enough to make 'em forget everything, women included.'
Even mighty Theseus faked death to escape that Reverse Heaven killing intent.
Tanking it head-on was heroic legend material, but it was enough to drown these fifty drunks in booze-fueled oblivion, forgetting all joy and relief of survival.
But that's neither here nor there.
"Screw up there, and you'll die twice."
Once by my hand, once by that deep-sea pirate captain.
Every dip in the ocean, and those fifty glowing eyes from the abyss give me the creeps.
This is for the executioners who adore their Nereid—better bring these guys in human shape, no loose ends.
"Got it? Drink up moderately, go wash and sleep. Be sober by Dionysus' feast."
"Gotcha!"
Oh, and one more thing.
"Oedipus, keep an eye on things."
"Oedipus? Wait, how do you even know that guy?"
"How do you know him?"
"Corinth's right next door. Merchant powerhouse crawling with bandits and pirates—I took jobs wiping 'em out now and then."
Turns out, Oedipus—who handled hero welcomes back then—knew Jason, Theseus, Heracles, and the whole grove crew from that connection.
"Good guy. Heard he went to Delphi for business, must've swung by on his way back."
"Makes sense."
Jason's words pieced it together for me.
Late spring, summer approaching—Dionysus, who'd manned Delphi's oracle stone through winter, handing it back to Apollo's priestesses.
Oedipus probably heard he was adopted, sought an oracle, learned his prophecy,
and tagged along after Dionysus spilled something about me.
'Now I'm curious about this Dionysus god.'
Ares called him a fun drinking buddy.
Poseidon said he's fine sober, but drunk is his normal state—a little rascal.
Hera warned to keep distance if possible.
Chiron said he's not just wine god—through intoxication, he prophesies, highly revered.
Even Apollo couldn't foresee my moves, but Dionysus is piecing it together, staying ahead.
'Situation's not terrible anyway.'
He's the tragic protagonist manifested as divine trial, but before heavenly slaughter digs in deep, options exist either way.
Those ominous slaughters weren't burrowed in his soul—they prowled outside, under that cosmic Cthulhu hood.
He was just starting to sense his heavenly slaughter.
So, not a full fix, but emergency measures? Totally doable.
'Classic method being...'
"Why stare like that?"
"Lucky for you, not just you—these guys all know Oedipus."
I clapped Jason's shoulder with a sly grin and declared.
"From now on, you're in charge of Oedipus."
"Whaaat?! Outta nowhere?"
Jason's prowess didn't match Theseus, Heracles, or Atalanta.
But his innate fate and aura were extraordinary, backed by fifty elite warriors.
A fledgling cosmic Cthulhu? We could slowly grind it down, weaken it.
"Long story. But in return, I'll seat you with the prettiest big sis later."
"With all my soul, all my strength, I shall protect my comrade! My mentor!"
Jason flipped in an instant—hand over heart, eyes blazing with resolve.
'Tsk tsk, that thrilled, huh.'
I shook my head at the hopeless romantic, but relief washed over me—it worked out.
Jason bolted to get Oedipus plastered and wrap things up.
Bidding him farewell, I finally relaxed.
"Bought some time, but... Dionysus. Gotta meet that god."
Haven't seen his face, yet he's popping up, nagging at my mind.
And Hera grudgingly respects him as oracle god—might get hints on this divine task.