King of Underworld

Chapter 129 The Fourth Task – Triton’s Conch (2)

Heracles observed the figure who appeared amidst the roaring spray of water.

The figure’s entire body was covered in scales, with something resembling a dolphin’s tail instead of legs…

From the intense power emanating from the figure’s blue eyes, Heracles could sense he was dealing with a god.

“Lord Triton! That brute seems to be a hunter pretending to be Heracles!”

“I’m glad you’re unharmed. Leave now; I’ll take care of this human myself.”

So, that nymph just referred to him as Triton. Could that strange figure be the direct descendant of the sea god?

‘First, I need to clear up the misunderstanding that I tried to abduct the nymph.’

“Are you truly Lord Triton, son of Lord Poseidon?”

“If you mean Triton who commands the waves, then yes, I am. Now, by what audacity did you dare to attempt to abduct a Nereid?”

“I swear by the River Styx that I did not attempt to abduct the nymph!”

Among Greeks, misunderstandings of this nature could often be resolved with surprising ease.

Swearing on the River Styx was something everyone avoided, and thus, forcing such a vow on someone was an extreme discourtesy.

However, if one truly had a clear conscience, swearing by the River Styx could serve as proof of innocence.

“…Is that so? Then, are you indeed Heracles?”

“Yes, I am. I am simply carrying out a task given by Lady Hera to obtain Lord Triton’s conch.”

When the vow of the River Styx left Heracles’s lips, Triton’s demeanor softened, and

Heracles took this opportunity to explain the task given to him.

“…Hmm. So, Lady Hera assigned you this task. You are likely aware of the significance of my conch to me… So, you’re merely asking to borrow it briefly?”

“Once it has been confirmed at Lady Hera’s temple, I will promptly return it to you.”

After a moment of contemplation, Triton gazed at Heracles with curiosity.

“So, it was all a misunderstanding. It seems I am at fault, so I apologize.”

“……”

“But you truly are that Heracles… Interesting.”

“Is there something you wish to ask me?”

“I’ve heard that you once fought the goddess Megaera, one of the three goddesses of vengeance. Although she likely held back, your exceptional abilities must have allowed you to hold your own against a god.”

As Triton extended his hand toward the sea, a wave responded by crashing loudly.

The god before Heracles was Poseidon’s heir and the one who commanded the ocean.

“I want to witness the abilities of the greatest of human heroes. Let’s spar a few rounds.”

Another chance to confront a god!

This, too, would be a challenge, a task, a hardship!

“…It would be an honor! Hylas, stand back!”

“Heh. Give it your all.”

With a fierce smile, Heracles lifted his iron club and charged.

* * *

The great hero charged at the god before him with all his might.

First, he wielded his faithful friend… shock and awe, the iron club.

“…Oh!”

A strike aimed directly at the head.

Though Triton easily twisted his body to avoid it, the hero relentlessly pressed forward.

The strength that had crushed the regenerative powers of the Hydra… If he delivered hundreds, thousands of strikes…!

Whoooosh— Bang!

Triton evaded, erected walls of water, and even withstood the onslaught with his own body.

The god’s sturdy body shattered the iron club, scattering fragments, and Heracles followed up with a punch.

Thud—

The fists of hero and god collided mid-air, creating a shockwave.

Sand scattered around them, and the approaching waves broke apart.

Unconcerned with their surroundings, they continued their fierce clash. A faint smile appeared at the corners of Triton’s lips.

At some point, Heracles’s golden sword, once at his waist, was now slicing through the air in his hand, sweeping in all directions, and Triton’s claws met every strike head-on.

“Oh-ho. Impressive. You’re not just some brute relying on strength alone…”

Triton’s admiration. But Heracles remained unsatisfied.

What he truly desired wasn’t admiration but astonishment and acknowledgment.

Triton still seemed to be holding back, yet to fully unleash his godly powers—even just once!

“Hah… Huff. How is Lady Megaera so fast? To evade my final attack like that…”

“This is divine power… If you become a god someday… you may understand.”

Faster. Move faster. Through the wind, toward the target.

I may not have a god’s power or authority, but…!

Whoooosh—!!

“Haahp!”

As Heracles’s attacks grew fiercer with each passing moment, a strange glint appeared in Triton’s eyes.

In that instant, what was reflected in his gaze was Heracles’s fist flying towards his face.

If it’s this, he should be able to reach that god, no doubt.

Just as Heracles’s punch was about to land on Triton’s nose, the god’s smile deepened.

Along with it, a powerful azure aura exploded forth.

—Flash!

Heracles was abruptly sent flying, rolling across the sandy ground.

Despite his body fortified by the River Styx, he felt a stinging pain.

Realizing he had been flung away by a powerful force just as he was about to land a blow, Heracles spat out the sand that had entered his mouth.

As expected of Poseidon’s son. Though not one of the twelve Olympians…

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Rising once more, Heracles saw Triton applauding as he watched him.

With a slightly excited voice, the god spoke.

“You truly are the prophesied hero! Among mortals, none could stand against you. With such prowess, even that one will not defeat you…”

“…Who do you mean by ‘that one’?”

“If you take on one troublesome task for me, I will lend you my conch.”

“And what task would that be?”

“Disciplining my half-brother, the Cyclops Polyphemus!”

Since he called him his half-brother, he must be the son of the sea god… And a Cyclops?

The one-eyed giants famed for their great strength?

* * *

Polyphemus.

He was a demigod born to Poseidon and a nymph.

Polyphemus was originally infatuated with Galatea, a sea nymph, and pursued her persistently.

However, Galatea disliked Polyphemus… and fell in love with Acis, son of Pan, god of nature and shepherding.

“Ugh… Aaargh! I’ll kill you all!”

Boom!

“Argh!”

“Kyaaah! Polyphemus! Have you gone mad?!”

Naturally, the enraged Polyphemus uprooted a massive boulder and hurled it at them…

Galatea managed to escape into the sea, but Acis was struck by the boulder and killed.

Since then, Polyphemus took to throwing rocks at passing ships, and even began indulging in cannibalism.

Triton explained this tale to Heracles, with a look of bitterness in his eyes.

“My father, Poseidon, doesn’t concern himself much with his children. But since that one rascal died, he has changed somewhat.”

“…?”

“There was a troublemaker named Halirrhothius. Never mind if you don’t know him. Anyway, around that time, my father told me to impose a bit of order.”

While Heracles hadn’t heard of Halirrhothius, it seemed Poseidon could no longer overlook his offspring’s misdeeds.

Thus, he tasked Triton, his heir, with overseeing his siblings.

“So, if I stop this Cyclops Polyphemus from further acts of cannibalism, will that suffice?”

“Exactly. And tell him to stop throwing boulders at passing ships. Don’t worry about any repercussions from harming the sea god’s offspring.”

“I’ve heard Lord Poseidon is fiercely protective of his children.”

“Truly, you don’t need to worry about my father’s wrath. So long as you don’t kill him or blind him, he’ll likely overlook it.”

Heracles took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.

If he could prevent the demigod Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, from continuing his rampage, he could obtain Triton’s conch.

Then again, disciplining him… disciplining…

For a moment, Heracles’s mind drifted to memories from the past.

“Aaagh! Teacher Chiron! I was wrong!”

“For you to still have the energy to speak, you clearly haven’t reflected.”

“Aaaargh! Please, stop hitting me!”

Crack! Crack!

“Hmm… So, you caused trouble before you came here, in the world of the living? Alright, bend over.”

“Yes? What’s wrong with hitting an annoying guy… Ack!”

“Bend over!!!”

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t help but recall his teacher Chiron wielding a switch to discipline him.

Of course, no physical punishment could penetrate his body, strengthened by the River Styx, so Chiron had instructed him with words.

For other aspiring heroes, however, he didn’t hold back.

Strict character education, enforced with switches and all manner of discipline, formed Chiron’s teachings.

Wait, come to think of it, maybe he could do it too?

Teaching through physical discipline if they didn’t listen… perhaps that would work.

As Heracles pondered, Triton spoke to him.

“Have you decided? If you dislike going to Polyphememus…”

“I will do it.”

“Oh? So, you have confidence that you can handle a Cyclops. Very well. I’ll tell you where he lives.”

Heracles received directions from Triton, who was smiling with satisfaction, to the island where Polyphemus resided.

There, the Cyclops lived in a cave while herding sheep, separated from the other Cyclopes, a little farther off.