"Sigh, I knew it."
The moment Athena saw Ares step forward, she had already silently prepared herself to take the blame.
Nothing else, just pure familiarity.
She sighed silently in her heart, then slowly rose and came before the gods, facing the enraged Sea King.
Looking at her uncle, whose anger was escalating, Athena pursed her lips slightly and began to explain:
"Poseidon, whether you believe it or not, this matter was not instigated by me."
As soon as she spoke, she was met with Poseidon's ruthless mockery. He pointed at his own nose and retorted:
"Athena, do you think I'm a fool?"
"Yes." Athena didn't speak, but Ares on the clouds nodded seriously.
The Sea King glared at his annoying nephew, but ignored him and continued to look at Athena, saying in a deep voice:
"Previously in Atlantis, it must have been your people stirring up trouble in the dark, deceiving my subjects, spreading heretical beliefs, and making them fall into the abyss, right?"
"Absolutely not."
Athena parted her lips and said:
"Poseidon, the gods are well aware of what happened on the Argo. I would never overstep my bounds. Although every Hero on this ship represents a deity, the gods will absolutely not interfere with their actions and thoughts during this period. During this journey, how much glory and faith they can win for their gods is entirely up to their own abilities. This applies to Perseus, this applies to Heracles, and even to your deceased child, Amikos, isn't that right?"
Hearing her words, Poseidon's anger subsided slightly. What Athena said was indeed what they, the gods, had agreed upon before the Argo set sail.
However, just as Poseidon was about to calm down, Ares, the King of Instigation, started up again. Seeing Poseidon's expression soften, he let out a heartfelt laugh and then said:
"Poseidon, I say you're stupid and you really are stupid. You're not angry anymore just like that? Didn't you hear the hidden meaning in my sister's words? Why did Amikos die? Isn't it because your son was too weak?"
As soon as he said this, Poseidon's face visibly reddened. His nostrils flared with rapid breaths as he looked at Ares for a moment, then at Athena.
Fortunately, gods don't suffer from heart disease or die from anger, otherwise Poseidon and a lot of other gods would have long been enraged to Death by this fellow Ares.
However, after Ares finished mocking, he didn't stop talking, but rather in a commanding manner, he said to Poseidon:
"If I were you, I would definitely ask Zeus to punish this little hussy by sending her to the mortal realm to fetch foot-washing water for the gods there. Her temper has been spoiled; let society beat her up for two years, and she'll know she was wrong…"
While Ares was speaking, Athena remained silent, merely looking at him with a cold, sidelong glance.
"Ares, say less."
Zeus paused his thunder, stopping the verbal battle between the three main gods. Then, he looked at Athena and asked his daughter:
"Athena, this matter is indeed between you and Poseidon. How do you think I should rule? Offer your suggestion."
Athena lowered her head in thought for a moment, then propped her chin and said to Poseidon:
"First, the Argo Heroes must safely leave this Kingdom. Their journey is not yet over."
"Indeed."
Zeus agreed with Athena's suggestion, and Poseidon also nodded in agreement.
"Second, I never intended to acquire the faith of the Poseidonia Kingdom. To prove this, I can return the faith of this Kingdom to Poseidon."
Zeus nodded gently, and Poseidon thought for a moment before agreeing as well.
"Third… my worshipper, Perseus, is also one of the Argo Heroes. Although he and Poseidon have had various unpleasantries before, he still has a very important mission, so he cannot remain here to be killed by Poseidon as an outlet for his anger."
"I refuse!"
This time, before Zeus could speak, Poseidon explicitly rejected Athena's demand. His gaze was fixed on Athena's warrior among the rebellious slaves on the island, his teeth grinding audibly.
"No matter what, he must die here today!"
"Old dog! If you've got the guts, come and get me!"
Hearing Poseidon's voice, Perseus on the island remained unafraid. He beckoned to Poseidon, provocatively brandishing the "Slaughter of the Undead Blade" in his hand, almost making the Sea King's eyes pop out from fury.
"Perseus." Athena said faintly: "Silence."
"Yes, I am very sorry, my goddess." After Athena spoke, Perseus, who had been arrogant and fearless towards Poseidon, immediately switched back to a humble, fawning posture, obediently bowing his head in apology and retreating.
After Perseus admitted his mistake and apologized, Athena turned her gaze back to Poseidon and said:
"Uncle, let's speak frankly. The Death of your son is very important to you, but my loyal worshipper Perseus is also the only one I have, and I cannot accept the loss of him. Ultimately, your son Amikos sought trouble with him because of your instruction. I believe you wouldn't want outsiders to know about what happened between you two before, would you?"
Poseidon's throat let out a beast-like growl: "Athena, are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare, I'm merely stating a fact. In fact, I still have many unfavorable pieces of information about you here. Some of the gods may already know about these things, they just don't say anything, but I imagine Hestia probably doesn't know about these things, does she?"
After Athena finished speaking, seeing Poseidon's expression of suppressed fury, she continued:
"I don't want to have too much animosity with you, after all, we still have to govern this world together in the future. So, I have a suggestion that can both quell your anger and save your face. What do you think?"
"What method?"
Poseidon thought seriously for a moment, then asked.
Athena did not answer immediately, but instead called out:
"Perseus."
"Here."
Perseus came to the cliff by the sea, knelt on one knee before Athena in the sky, and asked:
"What are your commands, my goddess?"
"Clean up your own mess."
Athena lightly tapped her finger, saying somewhat coldly:
"Deal with all those who dared to betray Poseidon."