The Greece Antagonist

Upon the azure sea, Nereus looked at his disheveled daughter and approached her.

"Thetis, you've been wronged." The elderly man from the sea was full of distress and regret, "It's my fault, I shouldn't have let you come along..."

"Father, what are you saying?" The golden-haired and beautiful nymph, with a calmness and gentleness like the ocean on her face, her cerulean pupils showed a hint of mild reproach, "Do you really want me to watch you venture out alone?"

Hearing his daughter's earnest concern, Nereus couldn't help but crack a smile, waving his hand nonchalantly.

"It's just passing a message, and trying to persuade those kids not to cause any trouble. What adventure is there to talk about?"

However, looking at her laughing father before her, Thetis shook her head, reminding him meaningfully.

"Father, if it were that simple, why wouldn't the God of the Sea himself come personally?"

"It is your sister's request, what does it have to do with Poseidon..."

"That's why I say, Amphitrite is becoming more and more unreasonable!"

Seeing her ever-good-natured father still covering up for that family, a faint annoyance unfurled across Thetis's face.

"The affairs and conflicts of Olympus are their own, yet Poseidon, the party involved, hides away. Instead, he lets Amphitrite relay messages, making you, an outsider, mediate and guarantee. Don't you think that's too much?"

Nereus fell silent for a moment, sighing helplessly.

"After all, they are your sister and brother-in-law, and the Sea of Okeanos is our home as well."

Facing her father, who was still indulging in the fantasy of a harmonious family, Thetis couldn't help but stress her words: "If it was just guarding our home, it would be okay, but you also made promises for him. If there's a breach of vow, you're in big trouble!"

Then, she looked up through the vast sea fog toward the mist-shrouded island ahead, her expression solemn as she spoke in a low voice, "And, as far as I know, the Divine King's family has never had a habit of keeping covenants..."

"That's a matter for later."

Nereus waved his hand, cutting off his daughter's rational analysis, clearly not wishing to continue discussing the topic. He then diverted attention to his daughter's torn hem, directing the suspicion toward a certain disrespectful individual, and voiced his puzzlement.

"Strange, how did that little rascal find out about you?"

An old man becomes a cunning one with age, and Nereus certainly didn't believe that his daughter nearly being taken away was a mere coincidence.

Obviously, someone had discovered something about the seabird on his shoulder.

"It wasn't him..."

Thetis shook her head, her calm gaze turning towards the enigmatic island, sighing helplessly.

"Athena, that girl, is as unwilling to be slighted as her mother..."

Upon hearing this, Nereus's face froze, then darkened.

At this moment, he understood that his grandniece who had greeted him with smiles had guessed his intent from the start and had been holding her grudge.

Seeing a touch of irritation on her father's face, Thetis explained softly.

"We were at fault first, we really shouldn't have gotten involved in the affairs of Crete and Atlantis, and speaking out for Poseidon. No wonder she's angry."

But even if angry, she didn't have to mock her like that, did she?

——Little scamp!

This gentle and wise Ocean Nymph cursed her turncoat confidante to herself, then looking back at her torn hem and the slight red pressure mark on her skin, she couldn't help but add.

——Both of them are!

But in the end, Thetis shook her head, her bright eyes revealing a touch of resignation.

Well, better avoid her for a while...

Unlike Metis and her daughter Athena, who are sharp and clearly forthright confidantes, Thetis, also bearing the name of "Wisdom," had a different temperament.

——She inherited her father Nereus's good nature, resembling the gentle state of the great sea, deep and calm, embracing all things.

Thus, when faced with insoluble issues, she tended to prefer avoiding harm rather than confronting it head-on.

On the sea's surface, the sun rose slowly, and the mist gradually dissipated.

Another new day began, bright and clear after the fog lifted.

"Father, since there's nothing wrong now, let's go back," Thetis said.

As she spoke, Thetis transformed into a white seabird, returning to her father's shoulder, then leaned in to whisper.

"However, we'd better seal off Naxos Island for the time being and try not to go out..."

Surprised by his daughter's quiet advice, as Nereus was happy about solving a big trouble for the ocean deities, he showed a puzzled look.

"Why?"

"Because, I just feel that things won't be that easy to resolve..."

As the white seabird spoke, she looked up slightly, her clear eyes peering through miles of clear sky, toward the far-off clouds massing for a storm.

~~

Meanwhile, in the house of Hestia in Knossos, the Goddess having returned from her adventures couldn't help but ask the same question.

"Is the matter resolved?"

"What else? Keep dragging this on and then wait for the old gods of the Sea of Okeanos to make trouble in Olympus?"

Athena twirled the wine cup in her hand, slumped listlessly over the table, her gaze falling on the two empty seats beside her, her expression growing even more sullen.

Following Nereus's mediation, both sides agreed to a ceasefire.

There was no longer any reason for Apollo and Artemis to stay, so they had taken separate ways back to their temples and domains early on in Sicily.

However, whether deliberately or not,

Artemis left her deranged hunting nymph, Ora, on Crete Island before departing, entrusting Luo En with her care and stating that she would visit often.

The reasons were legitimate and aboveboard.

Yet, the more so it was, the sharper the Goddess of Wisdom's instincts became, detecting an unusual scent in the air.

— He and Artemis are definitely up to something!

Unfortunately, someone might not be in the mood to mingle with that huntress in the coming time.

Athena lifted her head and smiled mysteriously, observing Luo En next to her, who was staring blankly at a pristine tail feather.

Ever since returning from Sicily, someone had become absent-minded.

Seemingly touched by a sudden realization, Luo En detected the gaze upon him and snapped back to reality, casting a ghostly glance at the grinning Athena across, unable to resist grinding his teeth.

Although he had accidentally groped Thetis all over, he had been clueless, and if Thetis sought vengeance, he would certainly push Athena forward to take the fall first.

She tricked him into plucking Thetis's feathers and later didn't acknowledge her instigating behavior.

— This woman definitely did it on purpose.

Setting him up along with Thetis, such was the deadliest of women's hearts!

While Luo En grumbled inwardly, Athena propped up her chin, asking with a smile.

"Luo En, what do you think about the truce?"

"As long as the core issue isn't resolved, the ceasefire agreement is nothing but a scrap of paper!"

Luo En's response had a hollow sound to it, and his face lacked its usual smile.

Well, at least he's just a little angry.

Having drawn a conclusion after a brief probe, Athena completely relaxed, her smile brightening by degrees.

"You mean Poseidon is planning to break the accord?"

Expecting the matter to have been settled, Hestia was taken aback at the suggestion.

"Didn't he get frightened into hiding?"

A certain outsourced brain rolled its eyes at its symbiote's typical performance, presenting a fist as a profoundly meaningful metaphor.

"Sometimes pulling a punch isn't out of fear. It could be to gather strength, preparing to deliver an even more powerful blow."

Athena set down her cup and looked across.

"So, you think Poseidon won't just let things lie?"

Luo En, ever the non-stick player, did not give a direct answer but instead whispered thoughtfully.

"Sunk cost..."

Athena chewed over the meaning of those words, her eyes gradually taking on a serious cast.

Indeed, having invested so much without gaining anything, it seemed far-fetched to imagine that the proud God of the Sea could simply concede defeat and withdraw.

But understanding the direction of events was one thing; taking the initiative into one's own hands was another.

"If he refuses to come out, and we can't find the entrance to Atlantis, what can we do?"

This vexed Athena, causing her considerable headaches.

While it's possible to be a thief for a thousand days, there is no man can defend against thievery for a thousand days.

She couldn't just stay on Crete Island indefinitely, guarding this plot of land day and night.

"Of course, we make peace," said Luo En with a smile, his face the picture of sincerity.

"You've been away from Olympus for so long; it's time for you to go back and get some well-deserved rest."

Seeing the meaningful glint in those eyes, Athena, as if awakening from a dream, couldn't help but beam with pleasure, lazily stretching her limbs.

"Indeed, I should take a good rest."

The two at the table exchanged smiles, raised their cups for a light clink, and then drained them with gusto.

The Gorgon Sisters and the God of Stove, Hestia, in the room, looked utterly baffled.

~~

The next day, Pegasus pulled the golden chariot out of Knossos City, soaring straight towards the celestial Mount Olympus.

At the same time, in the temple of the Sea God, the figure holding a trident trembled slightly, the deep blue eyes slowly opening, brimming with a sinister flow.