"You… are you from beyond the realms?"
Amid a clear metallic scrape, the figure aboard the deep-sea flagship removed his sealed helmet.
He was a handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes. His ears tapered slightly at the tips, and golden markings traced along his cheeks.
Add in the trident and the Atalanta language he had spoken earlier. A textbook member of the Sea King's lineage.
And more than that, he carried the unmistakable reaction of a true Divine Spirit.
"Greeks?"
The blond man looked over from a distance. Seeing the Argonauts momentarily stunned, he frowned slightly and shifted his tone.
Greek.
Jason's eyes lit up. He relaxed a little and boldly stepped out of the captain's cabin, dipping his head with polite restraint.
"That's right. We are adventurers acting on a divine oracle, bound for Colchis to complete our trial. Unfortunately, we passed through the Tempest Sea and strayed into this place by accident. May I ask who you are?"
A master of social maneuvering, the captain of the Argo naturally avoided revealing too much too quickly. He offered a carefully phrased introduction, glossing over the details while flashing his signature carefree, affable smile. It carried an oddly sincere warmth, the kind that made it feel as though they might light incense and swear brotherhood at any moment.
At the same time, Jason had chosen his position with care. He stood neatly between Samael and Heracles, the two who gave him the greatest sense of security. With plenty of space behind him, he could duck back and hide at a moment's notice.
"My name is Triton, son of Poseidon. By divine command, I oversee this Age of Gods sea belonging to Atlantis. Outsiders, you have entered a forbidden zone."
The handsome blond calmly spoke his true name. His sapphire eyes swept over the Argonauts, whose presence remained restrained yet vigilant. Something subtle flickered deep within his gaze before his tone shifted, dropping into a low, magnetic register.
"However, since this was not done intentionally, and you are travelers upon the sea, then as the guide of these waters, I have an obligation to receive you.
So tell me. Where do you wish to go, outsiders?"
Under the scrutiny of those blue eyes, Jason glanced at the hundreds of strangely shaped metal warships surrounding them. He swallowed hard and instinctively turned to look toward the [Eye of the Tide Sea] behind him.
Judging by this man's attitude, running away might still be possible.
"We—"
"Of course we'd like to visit your domain first! To see for ourselves the great miracles this ocean has created! That's not something ordinary people ever get to experience. Of course, that's assuming you'd be willing to welcome us."
Just as Jason was about to speak with escape in mind, his troublesome companion stepped forward, smiling broadly as he voiced their curiosity and desire to explore.
"Oh? You wish to be guests of Atlantis? Interesting…"
"So does that mean you're formally extending an invitation?"
Samael blinked, smoothly pressing the advantage.
"Haha, very well. Then consider this an invitation. Since this was all a misunderstanding, and we happen to be returning anyway, your ship may follow behind us and witness the Mystery that belongs to this place.
Besides, sitting around on the return voyage would be dull. Is anyone interested in visiting my flagship? Perhaps taking a look around?"
The divine offspring called Triton gave the Argonauts a long, meaningful look, then laughed with open amusement as he spread his arms in a broader invitation.
"Your Highness, they are—"
Clearly uneasy with his superior's unconventional behavior, an Atlantis guard clad in bronze-powered armor stepped forward. A faint glow flickered beneath his visor as he tried to speak up.
"Oh? I need to report inviting guests aboard my own ship? In that case, perhaps the seat in the temple should be yours instead."
"Y-Your Highness, please forgive me…"
The guard immediately dropped to one knee, his voice trembling. Only after Triton waved a hand dismissively did he retreat back into formation, as though granted a great reprieve.
"So, what do you think? Anyone interested in coming aboard for a look?
Why not start with this captain? I rather enjoy hearing adventurers talk about their exploits beyond these seas. The stories of those who crossed the absolute ocean must be even more exciting. Don't you think?"
Triton rested a hand on the railing, smiling as his fingers tapped against it in a steady rhythm.
Staring at the steel monster before him, radiating an ominous, murderous presence as its metal spiral ramp slowly unfolded toward the interior, Jason opened his mouth and nearly cried. He shot a deeply aggrieved look at Samael beside him.
Uncle Theseus, I'll call you uncle, alright?
We had a way out and didn't take it. Why are we heading straight toward a place that screams trouble? What is this, a casual stroll? In whenever you want, out whenever you want?
Not every hero is like you, blessed and protected by the Goddess of Wisdom, bold enough to clash head-on with a Main God.
I'm timid, and I'm about to inherit a throne! Can we not make things this exciting?
Despite the thousand protests screaming in his heart, Jason could only resign himself to fate. Head drooping, he wore the expression of a man marching calmly toward execution as he prepared to step onto the mysterious steel flagship.
"Our ship still needs a captain at the helm. I'll board and accompany you instead. After all, I'm very interested in what I'm seeing here."
However, before Jason could even step onto the spiral gangway, the troublemaking friend who had caused all this seemed to have a sudden attack of conscience. He shoved his own captain behind him and eagerly stepped forward.
Triton showed no concern at all. With a casual wave, he beckoned him over and personally escorted this unexpectedly proactive guest into the interior of the ship.
Back on the Argo, the warriors of the War God Mountain faction, having caught Samael's parting glance, could only give up the idea of following along. They stayed put on the Argo, behaving themselves and waiting for news.
"All ships, return!"
The moment the hatch sealed shut, the commander raised his hand into a clenched fist and issued the order in a solemn voice.
At once, a chorus of humming and vibrations rose and fell. Waves of all sizes surged outward as dense clusters of "black spots" broke the surface.
Among them were not only unconventional forces such as Naga serpent women riding vividly colored sea serpents, Atalanta soldier squads concealed within fortress-like structures on the backs of Leviathan whales, autonomous wide-area annihilation weapons, and unmanned metal warships.
There were also more familiar units that retained the style of the Greek Age of Gods: magically suppressed demonic octopuses, retro seahorse-drawn chariots, and demigods clad in exquisitely crafted bronze armor.
If things had gone south just now, they would have been forced to face multiple Divine Spirits at once, along with nearly a hundred demigods, not to mention those bizarre metallic creations.
That sense of life-and-death slipping beyond his control made Jason's face turn slightly pale, and the urge to turn around and flee only grew stronger.
But since he had already accepted the invitation, leaving without a word was out of the question.
Besides, their companion was still aboard Triton's flagship. Even if he had to grit his teeth, he had no choice but to follow.
In the end, Jason could only shake his head helplessly and signal the crew to trail behind the deep-sea fleet, heading toward the mysterious continent beyond the ten pillars of light.
Of course, the added danger left the captain of the Argo grumbling inwardly. Only by tightly clutching the Golden Fleece in his hand did he manage to ease his frustration a little, drawing a small measure of comfort from it.
...
Meanwhile, aboard the deep-sea flagship, Samael, now a guest, was guided into the reception hall. The surrounding walls were made of a special transparent material, allowing a clear view of the seascape outside. Fish drifted through the water, and glowing seaweed swayed as it flaunted its light, making it feel as though he were strolling through the ocean itself. The novelty was undeniable.
The sight inevitably reminded him of an amusing science fiction novel from the future.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Hmm. It seemed Captain Nemo, the one who would guide him through this foreign underwater world, had arrived.
The Ancient Serpent turned his head to look at the approaching figure, who had removed his armored pilot suit and was now holding a wine glass. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
...
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