On the crimson sea surface, the remaining warships slowly approached the shore.
Before the ships had even stabilized, a tall and burly figure was the first to rush toward the port, eagerly welcoming them.
"Grandfather, you're finally back!"
King Minos stepped down from the cabin, ignoring the enthusiasm, and looked at his grandson with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"What's this? Judging by your face, you seem quite disappointed?"
For a moment, Orion's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and the expression on his face stiffened as the atmosphere instantly grew awkward.
But soon, the young hero scratched his head and gave his signature honest smile.
"How could I be! I'm glad you're safe. Mother and Father were worried about you, that's why they sent me to check on you. Fortunately, I came just in time!"
That response served both as an excuse and a means to claim credit.
"How very convenient. If you'd arrived any later, we might have already taken care of that thing."
King Minos showed no appreciation, his golden eyes quietly fixing on his grandson again, speaking with another layer of meaning.
"If that happens, and your father starts blaming me for the casualties among the oceanic clans, then we Minosians would have no face left to answer to Lord Poseidon."
Poseidon?
He's Poseidon's son!
In an instant, the onlookers' expressions subtly changed, and the way they looked at the "hero" grew more probing and suspicious.
If they remembered correctly, the beasts at sea were supposedly Poseidon's subjects.
Sensing the suddenly tense atmosphere, Orion's facial muscles clearly twitched a bit.
It was hard to maintain that honest, naive smile, and inwardly he couldn't help but curse.
Wasn't this old guy supposed to be straightforward?
Since when did he get so good at wordplay?
Of course, it might also be that his father's reputation had become too rotten along the coast, and he'd carelessly let himself be caught in a trap.
If only he had mentioned just his mother...
Orion was full of regret, frowning as he tried to think of a way to counter these barbed and veiled jabs.
Seeing the frustration and embarrassment on his grandson's face, King Minos felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
Just as he was about to add another jab, a sword hilt prodded at his lower back.
Thinking of the person's reminder just before landing, the old man had no choice but to let go of the idea.
Resisting the nausea, he forced out a benevolent smile befitting an elder and took Orion's hand.
"Forget it, grown-up matters aren't something a child like you needs to worry about. Come, help me back to the palace and tell me how your mother's been doing lately."
"Ah, yes, Grandfather, let me help you!"
Hearing the slight softening in King Minos's tone, Orion, who had been at a loss on how to escape the awkwardness, quickly seized the opportunity to smooth things over, eagerly taking the offered hand and guiding his grandfather toward the palace.
Along the way, Orion occasionally shared anecdotes about his mother's daily life and amusing stories from his journey, trying to close the emotional distance between them.
King Minos half-heartedly responded, doing his best to appear more affectionate.
However, the smile forced onto that old face was nothing short of a disaster.
Among the divine-blooded royal guard, Lorne watched this "friendly and harmonious" grandfather-grandson duo, feeling an ache in his teeth.
But then he thought about himself, and he felt a little better.
Well, this was the Greek family tradition, after all.
~~
Knossos City, Royal Palace.
As the idle servants were waved off and began closing the doors and windows before leaving, King Minos, having held back the whole way, no longer cared to keep up appearances.
He coldly looked at his grandson and
got straight to the point.
"Speak. What did you come here for?"
"Of course, it's because Mother was worried about home and specially sent me to check on you."
Orion responded with a sincere-looking smile, then straightened his back and glanced at the elderly figure seated on the throne, who even needed help to sit, before smirking lightly.
"Judging from the look of things, you really are getting old. If I hadn't come in time this time, Mother might have been heartbroken."
"How impudent…!"
Princess Ariadne, who was attending beside the throne, immediately raised her head and glared angrily at her so-called nephew upon hearing those words.
Perhaps it was the curse of the divine royal bloodline, although King Minos, who bore the blood of Zeus, had five sons and five daughters, the only one who could truly be called close to him was Princess Ariadne.
Her brothers all coveted the throne; her sisters, one more defiant than the next.
First, her eldest sister had an illicit affair with the god Apollo, resulting in a rift with their father.
Then her third sister, Euryale, went even further, she actually got involved with the sea god Poseidon and bore a demigod son named "Orion."
Had it been the former, there might have still been room for reconciliation between father and daughter.
But the latter, to King Minos, was an unforgivable betrayal, tantamount to a knife plunged into his chest.
Perhaps fully aware of the consequences of her actions, the sister who had "pursued love" never returned to Crete after the incident.
However, her and Poseidon's son had visited a few times.
But his purpose each time had been to persuade Crete to submit to Atlantis.
And every time he came, this nephew of hers would always glance at her with thinly veiled greed and heat in his eyes, something Princess Ariadne found utterly distasteful.
Now, hearing Princess Ariadne's rebuke, Orion merely smiled indifferently, feigning innocence.
"Aunt, don't be angry, I was only thinking of Grandfather's health."
Then, changing the subject, he looked at the aged King Minos seated on the throne and spoke earnestly.
"Grandfather, that demon god is merely wounded, it's likely still wandering in the outer seas. But your body truly can't take this strain any longer. For the sake of Crete, why not let us younger ones take over?"
"So?" King Minos replied coldly, his expression unchanged.
"As long as you give the word, I would gladly lay down my life to protect Crete in your stead and ensure the Minosians are never again ravaged by beast tides!"
Orion raised his right fist and pounded his chest, vowing solemnly.
So that's how it is...
At that moment, Lorne, who was standing silently in the shadows, looked at this "eager" grandson and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
So this guy wasn't here to help at all, he came to steal the throne.
And in fact, from the moment the beast tide broke out, to Orion's sudden arrival, it was likely all part of a scheme carefully orchestrated by the sea god in advance.
The goal was simple.
Poseidon never intended to destroy Crete, what he wanted was the submission of the Minosians, and the faith of a new mankind.
And the greatest obstacle was none other than the revered and still-living King Minos, who held immense authority.
So, using the beast tide as a pretext, Poseidon both intimidated the Minosians and weakened Crete's resistance.
At the same time, he forced King Minos onto the battlefield, seeking to either grievously injure or exhaust this stubborn old rival.
If everything followed the script from there, once Crete was left leaderless, that would be the hero's moment to appear.
Yes, the son of the sea god and a Minosian royal, Orion!
If he were to turn the tide in full view of the public, defeat Ceto, and save all of Crete—
Then Orion would undoubtedly be embraced by the Minosians, quickly amassing enormous prestige.
From there, basking in the glory of his victory, he could justifiably force his way onto the throne.
By that time, with King Minos old and wounded, and the other princes lacking real ability, a change in rulers on Crete would be all but guaranteed.
Once Orion, Poseidon's own son, took power and purged internal dissent, Crete would gradually shift its faith toward the sea god and become a vassal of Atlantis.
However, an unexpected turn of events caused this seemingly perfect plan to die before it even began.
Not only did the Minosians successfully repel the beast tide, they even came close to gravely injuring Ceto, the Mother of Monsters, who had been held back as a contingency, earning the old king a moment of glory.
With no other choice, Orion, who had been lurking nearby and waiting for the right moment, sensed that the tide at sea was shifting against him and was forced to act ahead of schedule.
No wonder...
Lorne finally understood , so that's why this guy showed up so "perfectly" on time; he'd been in the area all along.
Realizing this key detail, he reappraised the sea god's son, someone who looked simple and honest on the surface, but was in fact full of cunning, and couldn't help but shake his head.
He had to admit, when it came to raising sons, King Minos had clearly fallen short.
At that moment, Orion, standing below the platform, no longer bothered pretending.
He began ascending the steps, following the fine old Greek tradition of family betrayal.
"Grandfather, have you thought it over? Everything I'm doing is for your sake…"
"You want me to abdicate? You're not qualified! Get out!"
Hearing the blatant ambition and intent in his words, King Minos roared in fury, and despite his aged body, a forceful aura surged through him.
However, as Orion sensed the flickering flame of life within that frail frame, the scorn on his face only deepened.
"Grandfather, it seems your aged body really can't take much more. I suggest you take care of yourself and leave the burdens of leadership to your descendants. It's better for everyone that way."
"Shut your mouth!"
Seeing her father so enraged his chest heaved up and down, Princess Ariadne could no longer hold back her fury and shouted.
Yet not only did this fail to evoke any guilt in Orion, it instead emboldened him to shamelessly reveal his most despicable nature.
"Aunt, don't be so impatient. Once I ascend the throne, you'll be the first I marry."
Orion's greedy and burning gaze fell upon the beautiful high priestess before him, lingering lustfully on her curvaceous figure.
"As long as you behave, you'll remain the High Priestess of the Minosians. And our bloodline will become the new royal line of Crete…"
As he spoke, Orion could no longer resist the long-desired elder before him, reaching out to seize her fair wrist, eager to savor a forbidden pleasure in advance.
He was in a bit of a rush, but aside from that old relic on the throne, he didn't believe anyone on Crete could pose a real threat to him.
So, why not spend the night in the palace?
However...
"Bang!"
A heavy thud rang out, shattering not just his lewd daydreams, but also his nose.
(End of Chapter)