Chapter 188
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: The Power of Love
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Ah...!”
Galatea had long since forgotten even to breathe.
He was the lover she cherished.
That night, the black wind carried by the most beautiful waves had guided a thousand crashing tides to the shore. Amidst countless men, her lover had captured her heart.
Just looking at him was mesmerizing. She feared touching him lest he wear away, yet she couldn't stop indulging in his affection or savoring his body. Acis was her priceless treasure.
It felt as if Eros and Himeros had mercilessly shredded her heart.
The time spent with Acis, once blissful, now pierced her like a sharp dagger amid this agonizing happiness.
Acis didn't need to do anything at all.
If he wished, they could plunge into the deep ocean currents and love eternally.
If he wished to return to his homeland and tend sheep together, Galatea would have been content.
Galatea simply loved Acis himself—not his status or anything else.
His father's identity, his wealth, his fame, reputation, or achievements—none of it mattered to her.
If his background lacked prestige, the sea's authority would gladly cloak him. If his riches fell short, the vast ocean's treasures would be his.
So why?
Why must her lover clash with that brutal giant?
She had begged him countless times.
Please—cast aside duels and honor, and vanish with her.
They could sink into the deep sea or flee to the fields of his beloved homeland.
Anywhere with him would suffice.
She pleaded for him not to risk his life, even for her sake.
Yet like any foolish hero, he confronted the Cyclops below for her.
-Raaaargh!
Polyphemus screamed.
Clutching his monstrous single eye, blood gushing from it, he thrashed about.
“Grgh...”
Before him, Acis quietly collapsed.
“Acis!!!”
The Cyclops' massive sword.
The savage weapon she had prayed so desperately for him to dodge had finally torn into her beloved.
He had barely twisted away, avoiding a crushed skull, but the greatsword shattered his shoulder and nearly ripped his upper body apart.
A pain like her own heart shattering surged through Galatea as she vaulted over the spectator stands, racing to her lover.
“Acis! Pull yourself together. Please!”
“Urgh... Ga, Galatea...”
“Wh-why won't this thing come out?!”
The ruthless blade impaling his body didn't budge at her touch.
A greatsword resisting the power of a thousand waves?
“No way... Adadium?”
Cronus' scythe, Zeus' lightning bolt, Poseidon's trident, Hades' helm.
Legendary divine artifacts forged from history.
Infused with Adadium—Gaia's tears turned to divine metal—this sword repelled her powers.
“Eek! Eeek!”
Acis, whom she cherished so much she hesitated even to touch.
The greatsword, soaked in his blood, wouldn't yield no matter how desperately she pushed and pulled.
“Galatea...”
“Acis! I-it's okay. Everything will be fine. It will be...”
“Gala... *cough*! *Cough*!”
Blood welled up.
From the chest that had held her close, from the lips that whispered love as he gazed at her.
With every drop of life's essence spilling out, the gleam faded from those chestnut eyes that sparkled with love for her.
“N-no...”
The dull eyes often glimpsed amid capsized ships and sinking cargo when the sea queen's wrath churned the waves.
Eyes shadowed by death now stared at her.
The blood-filled mouth could no longer call her name. The blood-drained hand flailed weakly before dropping limp.
He simply imprinted her tear-streaked face—the one he wished never to forget, even after drinking from Lethe's river.
“Please...”
“...”
Even as she begged through tears, merciless death slowly stole Acis' warmth.
No matter how desperately she called his name, his breaths grew fainter.
Was this truly the end?
Must she let this love, reunited after millennia, slip away so futilely?
Her most beautiful dress, donned to meet him, stained crimson. Her hands powerless, dangling helplessly.
Galatea sat frozen, cradling her fading lover, unable to believe this nightmare.
With each slackening breath, color drained from her world.
If she let him go like this, could she ever smile again? Love so fiercely again?
She loathed herself for being utterly helpless as her beloved died in her arms. She yearned to follow him in death.
“Hic... Hic...”
If it had been any other sword—not Adadium, just ordinary steel—she might have had a way.
Yet no one here dared save Acis, fearing Poseidon watching from above.
Adadium's divine repulsion thwarted not only her healing but even removing the blade for his peaceful end.
“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Acis... If only you hadn't met me...”
As Galatea murmured weakly, blaming even their fateful love for this tragedy—
Galatea, jewel of the blue sea. Please, take back those resentful words?
“Y-yes...?”
Not even the colorless world consuming her could reject that divine voice.
A beautiful timbre that made her grief-stricken heart flutter, as if it were the most natural thing.
Following that voice, her gaze rose to behold a supremely radiant being gazing lovingly upon her and her lover.
Golden hair like spring sunlight softly drifting.
Ornaments of gold and silver sparkling brilliantly, as if crafted solely for her.
A smile enchanting the soul at first sight slipped a goddess' name from Galatea's lips.
“A-Aphrodite...?”
Didn't I tell you? Your sea jewels are too cold when cold, too hot when hot—such a handful.
-Thud!
With a playful lilt, Aphrodite gestured, and the massive greatsword wrenched free, tumbling to the ground.
Hmm~ Men’s tastes are such a mystery. To make the world’s most beautiful women weep over that crude lump of metal without a shred of aesthetics.
Right?
Aphrodite chattered lightly before Galatea, as if out for a casual stroll.
Indeed, Aphrodite, born from Oceanus' seas, shared deep bonds with his daughters.
When she first emerged from sea foam, blank as a canvas, it was Galatea and her sisters who clothed her and gently carried her to Olympus on soft waves.
In gratitude, Aphrodite always supported their romances as love's patroness.
Especially Galatea, whose fervor mirrored Amphitrite's—willing to wage war for love—now crafting this beautiful love song filled Aphrodite with joy as goddess of love and patron of the waves.
“...”
“Hmm... He's hurt bad, huh?”
Yet Galatea remained unmoved by Aphrodite's delight.
Her eyes, briefly dazzled by the goddess' beauty, darkened instantly, fixed on her lifeless lover.
“Raaaargh!”
“Not you.”
Her blue eyes glared at the bellowing Cyclops behind her. Polyphemus vanished in an instant.
I can't allow anything unbeautiful in the world where I stand and gaze.
Especially not some clichéd tragic ballad like this!
Aphrodite beamed radiantly before the anguished Galatea—a stark contrast.
Led by her gentle touch, Galatea slowly lifted her head, momentarily forgetting her sorrow in that smile.
“Huh?”
Realizing the goddess' words belatedly, she startled. Warmth began returning to Acis' body in her arms.
“A-Acis?”
As heat and vitality returned to her cooling lover, Galatea looked down in shock.
The miracle she so desperately wished for unfolded.
His upper body, shredded and bloodied.
Beneath, exposed bones and flesh had vanished. His body was pristine, without a wound. His fading breaths now peaceful, like sleep.
“A-Acis...?”
Was this an illusion?
A cruel prank by the capricious goddess?
Overwhelmed with emotion and fear, Galatea trembled.
Would he dissolve like foam if touched? Slip away like a breeze?
Her quivering hand caressed his face—the one she had released once before.
“Mm... Ga-Galatea?”
Recognizing her touch alone, Acis smiled drowsily and pulled her hand.
“Acis!!!”
-Whoosh!
Galatea, who had traversed hell and heaven a thousand times in moments.
After that ferocious duel and tragic end, her returned lover in her embrace. All cheered with thunderous applause, blessing their beautiful love.
“Ga-Galatea? Where are we... Mmph!”
“Acis, Acis!!”
Unable to contain her emotions, Galatea showered his lips with kisses.
Watching, Aphrodite smiled contentedly and turned away.
There, a dark demigod raised his cup to her with a knowing smirk.
“Hmm... Well, now.”
Dianes.
Her newly arrived burning love promised more intrigue than expected.