Oh, she was definitely about to strike.
Poseidon cast aside all unnecessary thoughts, merging instinct and reason into a single choice.
This was how she’d always done things. No more hesitation. Better to act and savor the moment!
From a rational point of view, Eros’s plan had failed. But not entirely. At the very least, he still got to watch a good show. Not a total loss.
Assuming, of course, he’d actually made any backup plans.
Brilliant blue divine power surged around Poseidon, her aura rising higher and higher, completely pinning Acheron in the corner of the bath.
But then, just as her might reached its peak, her power suddenly faltered, like a flame smothered mid-burn.
The water that had bound Acheron in place rippled and collapsed.
Before Poseidon could even wonder what was happening, an invisible Fist of Phantom Sovereignty struck the back of her head.
The moment Poseidon moved to attack, Eros had already made his move. His first strike was the Phantom Sovereign Emperor Fist.
The fist pierced into her mind, carrying Eros’s will with it.
But Poseidon only froze for a breath before snapping out of it.
She whirled, catching his next strike mid-swing, eyes wide with surprise.
It didn’t work? Eros met her gaze through the steam, seeing no hint of confusion or weakness in her eyes.
He knew immediately: the Phantom Sovereign Emperor Fist had failed.
As expected, even among so-called silver bugs, Poseidon’s mind was leagues stronger than Acheron’s.
After all, Eros hadn’t even reached the level of the Sixth Sense. He couldn’t bring out the true power of this technique.
If he’d attained the Seventh Sense, the level of Manas-Vijnana, that blow would have been irresistible.
If he’d reached the Eighth Sense, Alaya-Vijnana, Poseidon would’ve had no chance at all.
But alas, there were no ifs. Eros had no cheat, no purple-haired shady boss boosting him. Even his desperate gambit had to obey the laws of this world.
"So that’s it... this was your scheme all along?"
Poseidon’s mind pieced it together.
"But everything I ate and drank, I checked it myself. All normal. How did you drug me?"
Her sudden weakness, the sluggishness of her power, it had to be a potion’s effect.
Yet she’d inspected every offering, just to be sure.
And Eros had counted on exactly that.
The potion, made by Amphitrite, hadn’t been in the food or wine at all. It was in the bath’s waters.
It wasn’t as potent as a direct dose, but it was enough.
And to avoid detection, Eros had specified that it would only activate when large amounts of divine power were used.
And who else in that bath had power to spare? Only Poseidon.
If things had gone smoothly, she never would’ve noticed. Even if it failed, as long as she stayed calm, she still wouldn’t have realized.
That she’d noticed at all? It meant she was about to use force. The contingency had paid off.
Eros hadn’t thought Poseidon would actually pick a fight in this situation.
Now he couldn’t even sit back and enjoy the drama. He’d had to act.
No time to explain. Eros shouted, snapping Acheron out of her daze.
If anything went wrong, if Eros’s presence was exposed, the plan was simple: hit Poseidon. Hit first, ask later.
At the time, Acheron hadn’t understood what beating up Poseidon had to do with becoming Sea Queen. But she’d obeyed, no questions asked.
Her serpentine tail lashed out, coiling around Poseidon’s legs, trying to lift and hurl her.
"Mere weeds, unworthy even of half my strength!"
Acheron didn’t even budge Poseidon. Instead, Poseidon seized her tail in one hand.
Never underestimate me.
Child of Cronus. Lord of the Seven Seas. Shaker of Earth. God of Storms. I am Poseidon.
The bathhouse, barely days old, shuddered and cracked. Dust and stone erupted as Poseidon flung Acheron like a ragdoll, sending her crashing into Eros, bringing down pillars in their wake.
"Well, well. Eros. Never thought we’d meet again so soon."
Poseidon stepped gracefully from the water, snatching a strip of cloth from a panicking nymph to drape around herself.
"And it’s you who came looking for me this time. Should I call it bold? Or just overconfident?"
"Or is there another trap waiting for me? Some hidden card you’re about to play?"
For all her swagger, Poseidon didn’t charge in recklessly. She probed, trying to learn who was backing Eros.
Those were the only suspects she could think of, but neither seemed likely.
"Damn it, you useless lump," Eros muttered, shoving the dazed Acheron off himself.
I’m still standing, and she’s out cold?
Pathetic. No match at all for Poseidon, who fought through the Titanomachy for ten years.
Rising to his feet, Eros swept aside the dust and met Poseidon’s gaze. He glanced at where he’d been hiding, no sign of Hebe.
At least she knows how to stay out of the way.
"No need to probe. No need to worry. I’m here by my own will. No god sent me. No secret orders. Just me."
Eros didn’t try to bluff Poseidon with any divine name. He spoke plainly.
Poseidon couldn’t help but laugh, wide and unrestrained.
"Your own will? Ha! Hahahahaha!"
"How amusing! A clay doll, shaped in the image of gods, a beast wandering blind, prattling on about will and choice!"
"You’ve always been an anomaly. From the very first time I saw you, I knew it."
Her grin faded, replaced by a burning intensity.
"And now I see. I have to add you to my collection. A one-of-a-kind specimen like you? I must have it."
This time, Eros had come to her.
Not even Zeus could stop Poseidon from claiming what was hers.
Even weakened, she was still the Sea King. Still the undisputed master of the seven seas.
A mere human with delusions of grandeur. A spoiled godling blinded by lust.
Poseidon couldn’t fathom where Eros found the nerve to spring a trap on her with this sorry lineup.
"So this was your plan?" She sneered, glancing at the unconscious Acheron.
"Help a failure become my Sea Queen? And through her, try to sway me?"
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