After the fall of the Leviathan, Eirene quickly began to return to a state of stability.
The collapsed buildings were cleared, the wounded received treatment, and the citizens breathed sighs of relief, simply grateful to be alive.
But unlike the others, I could not smile so easily.
“...This isn't something I can just overlook.”
Before me lay a colossal corpse that had yet to vanish.
The body of the Leviathan, split clean in two, staining the sea a deep, visceral red.
“What do you plan to do now?”
Hecate approached me quietly from behind.
“Poseidon is notoriously indulgent toward his children; he won't simply sit back and watch.”
I remained silent for a moment, contemplating her words, before finally speaking.
“...I’m going to hold a funeral.”
“...A funeral?”
Hecate looked at me with a flicker of curiosity, clearly caught off guard by my answer.
“Yes. Even if it was consumed by madness, that creature still carried the blood of Lord Poseidon. As you said, the god cherishes his children, so we must show proper respect. It's the only way to appease his anger, right?”
Hecate gazed at me in silence, studying my expression.
“...Are you sure? If you handle this poorly, you might actually provoke the god's wrath further.”
“That is exactly why I'm doing it.”
“Hmm...”
As I finished, the corners of Hecate’s lips curled up in a faint, subtle smile.
“...I see. That is very much like you.”
Following that, a massive amount of manpower was mobilized, and preparations for the funeral proceeded swiftly.
The widest and deepest stretch of land near the coast was chosen as the burial site.
However, a conventional burial was impossible given the scale of the body.
“We'll lift it with magic.”
Using her magecraft, Hecate enveloped the Leviathan's corpse in a shimmering veil of sorcery, causing the enormous mass to rise slowly into the air.
Slowly, the remains were lowered into the massive pit that had been prepared in advance.
As the Leviathan was laid to rest and covered with earth, many gathered to offer their final respects.
“...Do you think this will be enough to calm Lord Poseidon?”
“He won't forgive so easily. However, for the time being, he'll likely be too bewildered to act.”
“I suppose so...”
I watched the scene, discussing the potential fallout with Hecate as I tried to predict the sea god's reaction.
“You seem quite worried.”
“I have to be. We're talking about the child of one of the Great Gods.”
“Well, if Poseidon decides to make a move, I'll step in and handle it.”
Hecate looked at me and replied, “...How reliable of you.”
“Is that so? In that case, why don't you try calling me 'big sister'?”
“.....Are you serious?”
“Yes. Completely serious.”
I looked at her face, and to my surprise, she looked more earnest than I had ever seen her.
“...”
“Come on, hurry up! Why is that so hard to say?”
“Do I... really have to?”
“Yes. Out of your own mouth.”
“I've never once called you that in my life...”
“Then let me be the first. Go on. You've been using me for so long; consider this a fair payment for my services.”
“Sigh... Fine... then... big si—”
“Ah, there you are!”
Just as the words were about to escape my lips, Thetis spotted us and approached.
“Fortunately, Lord Poseidon has decided to overlook the disrespect this once, though he warned that there will be no mercy next time.”
“I-I see! Well then... let's hold a banquet! It's been a while. Go call everyone...!”
At Thetis's sudden appearance, Hecate's expression instantly cooled. I hurriedly pivoted to the news and quickly made my exit with Thetis.
Shortly after, as planned, I hosted a magnificent banquet to celebrate the wedding.
In a city finally liberated from the terror of the Leviathan, the people wore radiant smiles, indulging in the mountains of food piled high upon the tables.
I was seated among my retainers, enjoying the atmosphere, when—
“Ah, found you.”
“So this is where you were.”
My wives approached me all at once. The retainers, who had been laughing and chatting with me just a moment ago, suddenly stiffened.
“Your Majesty, we shall take our leave now.”
“Hey! Where are you going?! Are you actually running away?!”
The moment they saw my wives, they vanished from their seats in a frantic rush.
Once the area had been cleared of all my subordinates, I chuckled to myself.
“Hehe. I love how quick they are to read the room.”
“Here. I made this myself, so please try some. Actually, no—I'll feed you.”
“Medea, what is the meaning of this?”
“Why? Are you perhaps feeling jealous, Atalanta?”
“Hmph. As if. Astellon, here. Eat.”
“Uh... huh...?”
Before I knew it, I was simply opening my mouth, passively accepting the food my wives kept stuffing into it.
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