In the city of Knossos, a small purple figure dashed frantically through the chaotic main street, shouting instructions and guiding the panicked residents to safety.
"Grandma, lock your doors and windows!"
"Grandpa Contanios, forget about the stuff on your stall—get inside first!"
"Sister Beatrice, hide somewhere safe—I'll take care of these herbs for you!"
"..."
Little Medusa was doing her best to settle the frightened townspeople nearby.
But because she was too young and her words carried little weight, all her efforts only managed to persuade a few familiar neighbors.
And then came the sound of metal plates clinking—a crisp, cold noise—and a squad of a hundred city guards under Knossos's defense force, tasked with maintaining order, caught sight of the small figure running about on the street.
"Young girl, whose child are you? Go back home! It's dangerous out here!"
The officer at the front wore a Kegel-style ancient Greek bronze helmet, adorned with bull carvings on either side, and a bronze sword at his waist.
He frowned and barked at Little Medusa.
The cold gleam of the armor and the chill of the weapons reminded Little Medusa of times she had been hunted in the past.
Instinctively tense, her right hand reached for her chest, clutching the bronze snake-patterned emblem, slipping into a guarded stance.
The officer saw that the little girl didn't respond and was about to drive her away, when suddenly, three female priestesses accompanying him noticed the emblem in her hand.
Their pupils shrank.
They quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Divine Emissary!"
"Divine Emissary?"
The middle-aged officer was slightly stunned and a little surprised.
"That's right. That's the goddess's emblem. Only those recognized by the goddess have the right to carry it!"
The female priest, who was about 40 years old, nodded seriously with a firm look, and the two accompanying priestesses also nodded in confirmation.
With the endorsement of the three clergy members, the officer, who had just been harsh, couldn't help but lower his stance, speaking in a steady tone:
"Divine Emissary, what are your instructions?"
"I…"
As over a hundred pairs of eyes focused on her, Little Medusa, still naturally shy, suddenly found herself at a loss for what to do.
"Immediately tell everyone outside to leave the coastline and bring them into the city!"
Just as Little Medusa was fumbling for words, a calm and steady voice came from behind her.
Under the surprised gazes of the city guards and priestesses, the divine emissary chosen by the goddess turned toward the sound, and as if finding her anchor, joyfully threw herself into the arms of a silver-haired man.
"Lorne, you're here!"
"Mm…"
Lorne nodded slightly, then looked at the still-stunned city guards and priestesses and gave a reminder with a slight frown.
"Listen to me:
First, the tidal wave may not be the only one.
The city guard should immediately organize manpower to evacuate people along the coast and bring them into the city.
Maintain order within the city and make sure everyone stays inside their homes with doors and windows securely shut.
Second, if I remember correctly, the temples should have ritual methods to communicate with each other.
Priestesses, please pass this message to the other city-states and have them prepare for the coming impact.
Third, the storms at sea are beyond human control now.
Ports, coastal villages, and the fishing and merchant ships that went out earlier are all at risk of being hit.
You need to set up a warning perimeter along the coast and get rescue teams and supplies ready based on the situation."
"Likewise, the people in the city should prepare enough food and clean water to last for a few days.
The Harvest Festival just passed not long ago, so food supplies should be sufficient.
As long as unnecessary outings are prohibited, there won't be chaos in the city…"
Listening to the silver-haired young man calmly and logically outline strategies for disaster prevention, response, and relief, both the middle-aged officer and the lead priestess found themselves nodding subconsciously.
However, once they came back to their senses, they couldn't help but shift their gaze toward the higher authority—the divine emissary.
Once again the center of attention, Little Medusa clutched Lorne's hand, but this time she was no longer nervous. She decisively raised the emblem on her chest and spoke firmly:
"Do as he says—quickly!"
Hestia, who arrived a moment later, also nodded in agreement.
"That's right—this is the goddess's command!"
"We shall obey your divine will."
With these clear orders, the officer and priestesses didn't question the identities of the two unfamiliar individuals.
They respectfully nodded to Little Medusa and began assigning people to carry out the commands.
The priestesses had fewer issues, but the city guard faced some difficulties.
The sudden situation left them short on manpower nearby, and they still needed to keep enough troops stationed in the city.
The middle-aged officer hesitated, considering the long stretch of Crete's coastline.
But before he could speak, Lorne had already seen his concern and gave a firm instruction:
"Maintain order inside the city.
Assign thirty men to come with us to the coastline to guide evacuations and set up defenses.
Once the situation stabilizes, or your king gives the order—you can send more people to join us."
This plan not only eased the officer's burden but also gave him a way to avoid blame later on.
With no more worries, he quickly agreed.
He left thirty men under the divine emissary's command and swiftly departed.
At that moment, newly granted command authority, Little Medusa could no longer wait. She rallied everyone and charged out of the city.
"The situation's urgent—follow me, quickly!"
"Yes, Divine Emissary!"
The thirty soldiers responded solemnly and quickly followed behind.
Lorne looked toward the city gate where Little Medusa had already vanished and opened his mouth but could only let out a long, helpless sigh.
Well, that's that.
With so many witnesses now, whether she was or wasn't a priestess of Athena, she was one now.
Sigh… One after another, why can't any of them just let me relax…
Seeing that things were now set in motion, Lorne sighed again and glanced at Hestia beside him.
"Let's go too."
The Hearth Goddess nodded slightly, lifted her feet, and walked side by side with Lorne to follow along.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, over the Oceanus Sea—
Howling gales tore apart the clouds in all directions.
Dozens of spiral wind columns reached from sky to sea, crashing into the ocean's surface and churning up waves layer upon layer, as though awakening slumbering sea dragons from the deep.
They howled and roared, driving forth towering waves that seemed determined to drown all life on land.
Yet just as they bared their claws and closed in on the coastline—
A golden bolt of lightning shot out, streaking across hundreds of miles of ocean in an instant.
"Buzz!!!"
Accompanied by a deep, oppressive hum, an immense divine power poured forth.
The towering waves that stretched from sea to sky crumbled and shattered, turning into countless droplets that rained harmlessly back into the sea.
The wild winds halted.
The heavy, oppressive sky began to clear, revealing warm sunlight that had long been hidden behind dark clouds.
The gentle light spilled across the vast ocean, and through the lingering mist, it wove a radiant, breathtaking rainbow.
But for the Minoans, who so often depended on the sea, this beauty had come at a terrible cost.
Athena looked down at the floating white foam, at the faint remains of shattered ships and torn garments scattered across it.
Her gaze turned dark, and from between her clenched silver teeth, she forced out a name—cold and biting.
"—Poseidon!"
(End of Chapter)