Sorry, I'm Jumping Ship! 3/4
The underworld... the Elysium... the place where heroes' souls return!
That's it!
Samael's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slapped his forehead, and suddenly his mind cleared up.
Paradise Island is not necessarily an island. is a name for a realm based on environmental characteristics. Ἠλύσιον (Pure Land of Bliss) may be its real name.
Similarly, Paradise Island is not necessarily located on the sea or in the sky; it may also be in the underworld!
After all, what place is more suitable than the underworld to bind the soul of a hero to that land, to nourish and drive it?
Moreover, in the Mesopotamian world, at the very bottom of the underworld, I built the "Paradise Lost," which housed the souls of those who died in the Uruk war. Its function was actually quite similar to that of "Paradise Island."
A misconception! A misconception!
After going around in circles for so long, why didn't I think of anything? Samael was extremely annoyed.
Little Medea, who was secretly peeking from the side, saw the serpent's ever-changing expression, her heart filled with unease, her expression lost and dejected. She lowered her head and stammered.
"Lord Theseus, Nanta...I misspoke? I'm sorry..."
"No, no! Medea, you've been a great help! Compared to the inanimate Golden Fleece, your knowledge is the most precious treasure on this Argonaut Expedition!"
Samael snapped out of his daze, immediately placed his hand on the little girl's shoulder, looked at little Medea with great respect, and showered her with praise.
Am I the most precious treasure? More valuable than the Golden Fleece? He came to Colchis just for me...
So that's what Lord Theseus thought! I'm so happy!
Amidst the rollercoaster of emotions, Medea, head over heels in love, had a flushed face and her eyes were filled with joy and shyness.
Completely unaware that some young girl had filled in a ten-thousand-word romance script for him, Samael was in high spirits and beaming with joy after learning the exact location of Paradise Island.
"If the Elysium is the same as Paradise Island, then we'll inevitably have to make a trip to the Underworld. But how should we do that?"
Just when things seemed to be looking up, Artemis, overjoyed, frowned and brought up the trouble she was facing.
The Sky Pantheon and the Sea Pantheon are doing alright, with some fluctuations.
The gods of the underworld are a separate entity, even distinct from Olympus, and only a few gods with permission can roam freely.
The true form of the Moon Goddess is not included in this list.
"Don't worry, I have a plan!"
Samael smiled and raised his right hand in a reassuring gesture, seemingly confident of success.
Then, the ancient serpent entrusted the task of caring for the moon goddess to Atalanta, a follower, and left the temple, flapping its wings and flying to the Thetis Island.
"You want me to open the entrance to the Tartarus Dungeon?"
In the majestic palace, Poseidon sat high on a throne carved from a single piece of coral and inlaid with various gems and pearls of different colors, listening to his opponent's demands with a furrowed brow.
"Paradise Island is very likely hidden in the Styx Wilderness beneath the Tartarus Dungeon. If this hidden danger is not eliminated, Mount of Ares will reassess the chances of success in that operation."
After all, you're Zeus's brother. Even if something goes wrong, at worst you'll be Tartarus Dungeon. We, on the other hand, might not be so lucky. We must take responsibility for our own lives; success is the only option, failure is not an option!
After Samael, who was below the hall, informed the Sea King of the news he had received from Medea, he solemnly stated his side's position and began to exert pressure.
The reason why the ancient serpent went to the underworld to find Poseidon was partly because it had witnessed the New and Old God Wars on Mount Othrys and Mount Olympus in the Sea of Okeanos.
At that time, the three defeated Titan Gods were dragged into the Tartarus Dungeon in the sea.
On the other hand, according to the Theogony, Tartarus was surrounded by three layers of darkness and three bronze walls, with its bronze gates built and guarded by Poseidon, and Hades presiding over the underworld.
Clearly, Poseidon, King of the Sea, holds the key to enter the underworld from the sea.
Now, both sides are in the same boat. If Paradise Island is Zeus's trump card, destroying it would benefit both sides. If not the traitor Poseidon, who else could they turn to?
At the same time, Samael's words, so sharply opposed to Olympus, actually relieved Poseidon, and his expression softened.
Although opening the entrance to the Tartarus Dungeon carried certain risks for him, he would much rather see his allies determined to fight Zeus to the death. Otherwise, what would be the point of going to such lengths to win over Mount of Ares?
After a moment's thought, Poseidon slowly spoke, giving his reply while also setting his conditions.
"I can open the entrance to the Tartarus Dungeon for you, but this won't take long before it alerts Zeus. So, I'll only wait three days..."
"Three days is too short. We know nothing about the actual situation in the Underworld and Paradise Island. To get results, we need at least seven days!"
"Alright, seven days it is! After Tianyi, regardless of whether we can destroy Zeus's card, Athena must come with me to Olympus!"
This...
Just as Samael was pondering this, the Olive Branch that Poseidon had placed in the vase shimmered with a soft glow, and the phantom of Athena emerged from it, speaking solemnly.
"Can!"
Having received a satisfactory reply, Poseidon nodded happily, reaching an agreement with his powerful niece.
Seeing that the die was cast, Samael secretly rolled his eyes at the phantom of Athena and had no choice but to accept the outcome.
"Time is of the essence, you all go ahead and prepare, I'll be there shortly."
When it came to his grand plan of usurping the throne, Poseidon acted swiftly and decisively. After finalizing the specific details, he issued an order to leave.
"Wait a minute!"
Just as Samael was about to leave the hall, the Sea King seemed to have thought of something, and stopped his ally, his eyes flashing as he whispered something.
"If you're going to the Underworld, take this with you too..."
The ancient serpent grasped and caught a pale blue amber that had been tossed to him. As he opened his palm to examine it, his eyes narrowed slightly and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
There, amidst the gentle seawater, on the dreamlike seabed, lay the shrunken, one-armed giant Briareus, a thousand times smaller, fast asleep, drunk.
It seems the prisoners of Tartarus are about to have one more cellmate.
After leaving Thetis Island in high spirits, Samael hurried to the Atlantis reception room to inform Argo's friends of the good news.
"Um, can I quit?"
However, just as the joyful atmosphere was getting stronger, an arm was raised from the crowd, and the tentative question was a little awkward.
As Samael's gaze fell upon them, the crowd instinctively parted, revealing Captain Jason's figure.