At the bottom of the deep sea, there was not darkness but instead a dazzling brightness like daylight. Pure white palaces were enveloped in an invisible shield. Eight towering stone towers stood tall—seven towers guarding the central highest tower, which represented the Sea Emperor Poseidon's holy tower, and it was Melin's destination.
Poseidon, clad in divine armor, sat on his throne holding the Sea Emperor's trident. Seven Sea Generals knelt below him, followed by a large number of Sea Saints.
"Lord Poseidon, please punish Gesha for desertion in the face of battle!" said the Sea Prince Keshura.
"Keshura! You!" the Sea Phantom Beast Gesha was shocked and glared angrily at the Sea Prince Keshura.
"Hmph! Desertion is a crime punishable by death, and you even brought rebellious words on behalf of our enemy. That's an added offense!" the Sea Prince Keshura sneered coldly.
He and the Sea Phantom Beast Gesha had always been at odds—in fact, Keshura looked down on Gesha. By nature, the Sea Prince Keshura was more like a Saint—a true warrior, upright and honorable—while Gesha's sneaky and cunning style disgusted him.
"That's because you never faced that person!" Gesha retorted loudly.
"Hmph, cowardly mouse, one level higher. Gesha, you're unworthy of being a Sea General."
"The Phantom Beast armor was bestowed by Lord Poseidon himself! Are you questioning Lord Poseidon's decision?"
"Of course not, my loyalty to Lord Poseidon is unquestionable even by the gods, but you… hehe."
…
"You!"
"Silence! This is not the place for your quarrel!" Mermaids Didis, standing behind Poseidon, reprimanded.
The Sea Prince Keshura and Sea Phantom Beast Gesha stopped arguing, and the other Sea Generals who had been watching quietly lowered their heads again.
Though the Mermaid Didis was not a Sea General and weaker than all the Sea Generals, she was Poseidon's attendant and held a lofty status. Even the Sea Generals had to show her some respect—especially in front of Poseidon. Their quarrel here did damage Poseidon's dignity.
"Gesha," Poseidon spoke, his voice like an ethereal handpan, yet thick and heavy like a large horn or drum.
But to Sea Phantom Beast Gesha's ears, it sounded like the call of the grim reaper, making him tremble.
"Lo… Lord Poseidon… please forgive me."
"You did well."
"Huh?"
Not only Gesha but others present raised their heads, looking at Poseidon in confusion.
"Killing eight Saints, I like this gift—it's enough as the signal of my return."
"But Lord Poseidon, Gesha—" Sea Prince Keshura immediately raised an objection.
"Hm?"
"Ugh… I have overstepped."
Under Poseidon's glare, Keshura felt all the blood in his body freeze and hurriedly bowed his head to admit guilt.
"Melin… even I fear him a little. You… your fear is normal."
"Lord Poseidon, please order an attack on Sanctuary. I and others will dedicate the land to you!"
The strongest among the Sea Generals, Sea Dragon Kset, made a request.
"Please order, Lord Poseidon!"
"No need." Poseidon rejected Kset's request directly. "Melin is not one to take losses or surrender. He will arrive soon. Your duty is to guard the Seven Ocean Pillars. As long as the pillars stand, flooding the land with the sea is only a matter of time." Poseidon commanded.
Poseidon was one of the few who truly understood Melin's strength. During the mythic era, he had joined forces with Zeus, Hades, and many gods to besiege Melin, yet still, Melin was severed of four limbs and had his soul seriously wounded, only now truly awakened. Although hateful, that battle left a shadow in Poseidon's heart.
The land was Melin's domain, the sea was Poseidon's. Melin was not fully recovered, so Poseidon set the battlefield in the ocean to increase his chances of victory.
"Yes."
"Return to guard the pillars. The holy war has begun; the enemy will arrive soon."
"Yes!"
Receiving the order, the seven Sea Generals each led their subordinates back to their respective pillars. In their hearts was a trace of discontent.
Sea Saints were different from Saints. Unlike Saints, who had to go through rigorous training and competition to earn their armor, Sea Saints were chosen by the armor itself. They were summoned by Poseidon from around the world to the underwater palace. Those chosen by the armor were naturally qualified to be Sea Saints.
Especially the seven Sea Generals—among them were top students from music academies, ace soldiers from the army, and elite noble heirs—each a dragon among men.
So they did not fear Saints or Sanctuary and even looked down on Melin, the chief god.
In their discontent was also a hint of anticipation. Defeating the Saints, especially the Gold Saints, would prove themselves and prove the Sea Emperor's army was stronger than Sanctuary.
Their thoughts did not escape Poseidon. Normally, he would scold their foolishness, saying underestimating the enemy leads to destruction—he was the best example. Moreover, that was Melin, the ruthless man who, with his wife Athena, crushed the gods during the mythic era, ending it early.
Now, Poseidon might look down on Zeus or mock Hades but would never underestimate Melin.
The first generation Gold Saints were invincible—each a ruthless fighter who slew demigods and gods of the third and second tiers as easily as playing. First-tier gods had to give way to them.
Melin had awakened decades earlier than Poseidon. Under Melin's command, they might not be as strong as the first generation Gold Saints, but certainly not weak.
Therefore, after awakening, Poseidon did not act arrogantly or attack the land immediately. He waited, then chose the sea as the battlefield to increase the odds of defeating Sanctuary.
"Melin, this time… I won't lose… The pain of the past, I will repay you twice over!" Remembering the old pain, Poseidon gripped the trident tightly and muttered fiercely.
"You won't have the chance. This time, I won't give you another awakening."
Before seeing the person, his voice was heard. Poseidon's pupils shrank.
A blue radiance shone, and the Saints led by Melin appeared before Poseidon.
"How dare you trespass the Sea Emperor's palace!" Mermaid Didis immediately scolded.
Melin glanced at her, then looked at Poseidon: "Is this how you educate your subordinates?"
"Your subordinates ever respected the gods?" Poseidon replied without moving.
"Really?"
Melin's gaze landed again on Mermaid Didis.
Didis suddenly felt struck by a tremendous force, slammed into the wall behind, her armor shattered, blood spewing from her mouth.
"He… he is the… Earth Father God Melin… how can he be… so terrifying?" With just one look, Mermaid Didis lost her fighting will and became disoriented.
"Heh, you've also fallen, Melin, attacking your own subordinates." Poseidon ignored Didis's state and mocked Melin.
"Wasn't it noble to besiege me back then?" Melin sneered, striking back.
"…Then this time? Shall we all go at once?" Poseidon stood, pointing the trident at the ground like a war god looking down on Melin and the Saints, his face fearless.
"Heh, I'm not as low as you, Poseidon."
With that, Melin raised his hand. Saga, Garon, Aioria, Aeolus, Asura, and Camus each went to one of the six pillars; Orpheus of Lyra, Rubioni of Scepters, and Phibrala of Crater went to the pillar guarded by Phantom Beast Gesha. Other Saints attacked the ordinary Sea Saints.
Melin waved his hand and a throne appeared, level with Poseidon's throne, on which he sat.
"Soldier versus soldier, general versus general, king versus king. When the pillars fall, that is your end, Poseidon. If you still remember the honor of the chief god." Melin said mockingly.
Poseidon frowned, after a brief silence, he sat equally with Melin as if old friends meeting after many years.
Melin was right—chief gods have honor and unspoken rules to follow. They had broken these before. This was their final battle. As chief gods, reclaiming lost honor even at death was the best outcome.
With that thought, Poseidon's hatred for Melin eased somewhat.
"…Well said, Melin. Though we are enemies, though I still hate you, I must admit you deserve our respect."
"When have I, Melin, ever needed your respect?"
"Hahaha, that's you, Earth Father God Melin. What a pity."
"Pity or not, I helped you three brothers overthrow Kronos's rule, helped Zeus ascend the throne. When he struck at me, he showed no hesitation." Melin sneered.
"Haha, I'll tell you—both I and Zeus regret that decision."
"Since it was done, you must pay the price. Even children know that."
"Athena… has been reincarnated, right?"
"Yes."
"That time, I did not act."
"I know, otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you here."
"Hahaha, that really is your style, Melin. Clear-cut grievances."
"Because I have my bottom line. Once lost, one is a beast—whether god or human. And beasts can never defeat humans."
"…Then let's wait and see."
With that, both simultaneously cast their gaze downward.