I shouted and simultaneously created wings with Obsidian and soared into the air.
The wave surged to an abnormal height. Up to Poseidon's neck, who was looking down at us.
Poseidon instantly quelled the rising wave. The ship, suddenly suspended in mid-air, would fall violently due to gravity, but,
Inies does not allow it.
The ship did not fall but remained afloat in the air.
Meanwhile, I flew up to meet Poseidon at eye level.
“Please calm down, Lord Poseidon.”
I spoke to him politely.
However, Poseidon merely repeated his words.
[How did you obtain that Mjölnir?]
I still didn't answer.
I know this will provoke Poseidon, but it's practically the only bargaining chip I have right now.
It's also a way to figure out what kind of situation Poseidon is in.
If I just meekly comply and tell him everything, I might save my life, but I won't be able to move forward any further.
‘I don't even know why Poseidon is here right now. How much he understands the situation, and if he does understand, whether he will become an enemy or an ally.’
So there's only one thing I can do here.
I have to make Poseidon speak the information himself. Without him realizing that I want that information, and at the same time, that information must come from Poseidon's mouth.
“...Would you like to guess?”
“It's not a question I can answer.”
It was literally a life-or-death statement.
If he takes this as a provocation, it will become an unavoidable fight, and
The raging waves subside.
The ship, settled on the surface of the water, rested in peace.
[Seeing you say such things even in this situation, it seems there is something.]
Poseidon spoke in a suddenly calm tone, as if his previous momentum had vanished.
...His mood is like the waves.
Indeed, a heart-stopping fickleness.
[I knew Thor had left Mjölnir on the continent. So it's not strange for it to fall into human hands. However, I can't understand why Mjölnir would obey a human's command...]
Poseidon said so and looked into my eyes.
[It doesn't seem like you're receiving his divine power.]
I first nodded, agreeing that his words were absolutely correct. So that Poseidon could freely imagine.
Poseidon spoke as if he had suddenly realized something.
[Thor gave you Mjölnir! Knowing that, Mjölnir obeys your words!]
My eyes widened at that.
The point is to neither affirm nor deny.
[And Thor silenced you. He told you not to reveal the fact that he gave you Mjölnir. That's why you've kept your mouth shut even in this situation, in front of me.]
That's how this situation looks to Poseidon.
‘For Poseidon, is it not that strange for Thor to give Mjölnir to a human?’
At least Thor is that cooperative with humans.
Or, Poseidon thinks so.
“...As expected of Lord Poseidon.”
Poseidon's face brightened, seemingly satisfied.
[It is insolent to remain silent before me, but I can understand if it's a promise with a god. Also, you believed that I would find the answer myself. A bold human.]
Rather than believing, I just hoped he'd come up with any answer.
“Please forgive my rudeness. The promise with Lord Thor was more important to me than anything else.”
...I can already imagine the expressions Elodie and the others below will make when they hear my words.
[Yes, that's how it was. That's why you didn't retreat despite my warning and came all the way here. It wasn't ignoring the warning, but a 'pilgrimage' with your life on the line.]
“I received orders from Lord Thor and sailed from the Empire to this place. However, we are so ignorant right now. We know that our actions have offended Lord Poseidon. Please forgive us.”
[No, that is not ignorance. It was an action with much at stake. We have always called that courage. One of the things that gods can never defeat humans in.]
Poseidon is suddenly speaking as if imparting some mythical teaching.
Taking the opportunity, I said,
“In the continent where we live, we received an oracle that if we cross this sea, we will reach another continent. The path forward is rough and frightening, but we were able to come this far safely under the protection of the gods. However, we didn't expect Lord Poseidon to be here. Please forgive us for not offering our prayers first.”
[I understand. In Etius, they do not know of my existence.]
“How could the humans of today forget Lord Poseidon's location? How could they possess such foolishness?”
I ask politely and meekly.
To that, Poseidon replied,
[You may not know, but humans have a history of rebellion. We called it 'Ragnarok'.]
“...A history of rebellion...”
[However, it failed.]
“That is truly fortunate.”
It was a lie that I spat out with a feeling like my insides were twisting.
[What does the failure of the rebellion mean?]
“...I, in my humble state, do not know.”
As if my politeness and humility had worked quite well, Poseidon spoke pleasantly.
[It means that not all gods have left this land.]