“Hahaha Athena My dear niece.”
After seeing the door open, the beautiful Goddess stood gracefully before him.
Looking at her face, which was seventy to eighty percent similar to Metis’s, Poseidon happily opened his arms, wanting to give his newborn niece a warm hug.
However, to his surprise, Athena actually took a step back, avoiding his embrace.
“?!”
Poseidon narrowed his eyes, then suddenly widened them.
Only then did he notice Hephaestus appearing behind Athena—and the reason Athena had stepped back was because Hephaestus had wrapped his arm around Athena’s slender waist, pulling her backward.
This discovery cast a shadow over Poseidon’s heart.
Could this kid be…?
“Hephaestus, my most reliable nephew—please forgive me for being so captivated by my niece’s beauty that I failed to notice your presence.”
No matter what he was thinking, Poseidon smiled brightly and greeted Hephaestus warmly as if nothing had happened: “Forgive me—I thought you had already left.”
Athena’s eyes narrowed slightly at his words, sensing the subtle jab and exclusion of Hephaestus in Poseidon’s tone.
He was hinting for Hephaestus to scram early.
What will you do next?
Feeling the warmth emanating from behind her, Athena found herself unknowingly a little expectant.
“I forgive you, my uncle.”
Hephaestus’s cool voice came from above her, making her heart skip a beat.
Then she saw the feigned hearty smile on Poseidon’s face visibly darken.
“So—Poseidon, my uncle—do you have something you want to talk to Athena about?”
Looking at Hephaestus, who stood out to speak to him like a male host, and then at Athena, who was obediently held by his arm, Poseidon’s expression was so dark it could drip water.
But he still forced a smile and said to Hephaestus with a laugh: “Hephaestus, my nephew—could you give me and my lovely little niece some private space to talk?
I have something I want to discuss with Athena.”
“Hmm?”
Hephaestus looked at Poseidon, who was suppressing his anger and trying to act like a cheerful elder.
The corner of his mouth under the mask twitched slightly, then he lowered his head and asked Athena in his arms: “Little girl—what do you think?”
“I told you—don’t call me little girl!”
Tapping her toes impatiently, she gently nudged Hephaestus’s chin with her head.
Athena then showed Poseidon a polite yet distant expression, bowing slightly to him and saying: “Very well, my uncle Poseidon—please follow me.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Hearing Athena agree, Poseidon’s expression immediately brightened.
He raised an eyebrow at Hephaestus in a challenging manner, then happily followed Athena’s steps, going with her into a private parlor.
Looking at the half-closed door, Hephaestus didn’t even think of eavesdropping.
After all, what could a simpleton like Poseidon say?
He could figure it out with his toes—even without a script.
These gods of Greece—don’t be fooled by how high and mighty and seemingly powerful they appear.
In reality, their methods are crude and unrefined—not at all sophisticated, and even less disgusting than some of the old hands at companies Hephaestus had worked at in his previous life.
Just as he had said before—Poseidon merely saw that Athena, Metis’s daughter, who was prophesied to have power comparable to Zeus, had finally been born.
So he thought of using the excuse of Metis being swallowed by Zeus to win Athena over to his side, promising her the position of Queen of the Gods, attempting to gain both wealth and power—playing a game of ’empty-handed white wolf.’
Tsk—still the same old thing.
Such crude methods.
Who directly draws such a pie?
Isn’t that asking for a beating?!
Oh, right—Poseidon isn’t human, so never mind.
As Hephaestus expected—less than two minutes later—the half-closed door was suddenly pushed open.
Poseidon stormed out, and upon seeing Hephaestus, he glared fiercely at him, his eyes filled with murderous intent—which made Hephaestus involuntarily yawn.
Is that all?
Is that all?
Is that all?!
You, the mighty Sea King—why don’t you even utter a single harsh word?
Do you really think a glare can scare people?
No way, no way, no way?!
There’s no way anyone would think they could threaten Ember with a glare, right?
Still looking?!
Are you still looking?
If you keep looking—I’ll kill you!
Suddenly, Poseidon felt a chill surge through him.
The cold, eerie aura instantly spread throughout his limbs, causing his anger-filled brain to involuntarily cool down.
“Very good—you are very impressive, Hephaestus.
You truly are my most outstanding nephew.”
Poseidon gritted his teeth and forced a smile, praising Hephaestus—then gave him a deep look and left without looking back.
Watching Poseidon’s retreating figure fade into the distance, finally obscured by the door, Hephaestus shook his head helplessly, once again affirming the Sea King’s capabilities.
This guy really isn’t up to par—arriving so aggressively and leaving with his tail between his legs.
However, his ability to sense his murderous aura was commendable.
After all, when he had played the backstabbing style back then, the art of making killing intent formless, shapeless, and undetectable—he had perfected it to a pure level!
Just for that, Hephaestus felt he could give Poseidon a five.
Yes—out of a hundred points.
“Just as you said.”
Suddenly, Athena’s voice sounded from behind Hephaestus—but it didn’t surprise him in the slightest.
Are you kidding?
Just as he said—how many times had he played ‘righteous backstab’?
If he were startled by someone from behind, his old teacher Guda and the others, whom he backstabbed and killed back then, would cry!
What?
You say Guda can’t be backstabbed?
Tsk—games might follow rules, but reality doesn’t!
“Poseidon was exactly as you described.”
Athena looked at Hephaestus, her gaze very complex.
“He said he could help me get revenge on Zeus and free my mother, who is imprisoned within Zeus.
And he also promised that when he ascends to the position of King of the Gods—I would be his Queen of the Gods, sharing power and glory with him.”
“That old geezer only knows that trick.”
Hephaestus sneered dismissively: “He doesn’t even know how to be subtle or say it nicely.
What a loser.”
“You’ve always been wary of Poseidon?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly hearing Athena ask that, Hephaestus pointed at himself, somewhat bewildered and exasperated: “Me?
Wary of Poseidon?
What’s there to be wary of with that incompetent, attention-seeking simpleton?
He’s just a fool who harms others and gains nothing.”
“Then—in your eyes—what truly deserves your attention?”
“Oh, ho—that’s an interesting question, little girl.”
Hephaestus pinched his chin and said seriously: “Probably only your mother—besides your maternal grandmother.”
“!!”
Athena was stunned by his words—then her eyes suddenly widened, looking at Hephaestus as if he were some kind of monstrous flood beast.
Has this guy’s ambition grown to such an extent?!
Who was Athena’s maternal grandmother?!
The daughter of Uranus and Gaia—the primordial Ocean Goddess, Tethys.
It could be said that basically most of the marine deities were born from this Ocean Goddess.
Every river, every stream, every ocean—they were all her children.
Even Poseidon, as the Sea King, had to remain respectful and humble when facing this great Goddess—not daring to show the slightest arrogance.
If he could win over this Goddess—it would mean that the marine realm would become his solid backing.
So—this guy wants to become the true supreme ruler of the three realms—seizing all power into his own hands?!
Good heavens!
Athena exclaimed—good heavens!
I originally thought you just wanted to be my father—but it turns out you also want to be my maternal grandfather?!