I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Episode 54. Dalian

just one generation ago.

King Priam’s father, Laomedon, ruled Troy.

Apollo and Poseidon, who rebelled against Zeus and were exiled to the human world, built the impregnable walls of Troy for Laomedon according to Zeus’ order.

But for whatever reason, Laomedon refused to pay the price to Apollo and Poseidon, who had finished their work.

Naturally, the two gods were furious at the king’s deprivation. Instead of forming a union, the gods sent plagues and monsters to Troy, and Troy was devastated.

It was Hercules who defeated the monster then. Laomedon seduced Heracles by offering him two immortal horses given to him by Zeus.

However, the original evil business owners do not do one thing.

When Hercules finished the job and asked him to deliver the promised word, Laomedon struck Hercules in the back of the head again and changed his words, saying that there is no such thing as a horse.

In the end, after enraged Hercules defeated the Trojan army and destroyed the country, he killed all but one of Laomedon’s 50 sons (Priam).

This is the right way to deal with overdue wages and unfair dismissals.

. . . Ah, were all those who were left behind at that time my relatives?

well, anyway.

At that time, Poseidon completed his revenge with Hercules, but it is more difficult to withdraw the original army than to lead it.

“So, they are the stragglers that Poseidon, who shakes the earth, couldn’t reap.”

“I can see that. No, that expression is just right.”

“Then aren’t they also the people ruled by the gods?”

“In a broad sense, yes.”

“Then… shouldn’t it be like that?”

I was even more appalled at the escorts who put on a talent show with the bodies of dead mermaids.

Not just a simple resentment, but a face where you can feel joy.

Still, it was the corpse of an intelligent body, but when I sent my eyes to see if it wasn’t dry, Hector shook his head.

“…because things like mermaid scales, beard horns, hair, and fins are traded at high prices. That’s also the soldiers’ side income, so if you want to stop it, you’ll have to be prepared for a riot.

And, something like this came out.”

Hector pointed to the gold plate that was said to have been found in the body of the chief.

The unknown object was first washed in water and dried.

“Since he found the ghost, he told the soldiers that he could take all the wealth from other corpses as a reward. So you must be more zealous.”

“What is it used for?”

“Well, if you look at what they were holding, I think it might be an offering for Poseidon. As soon as we arrive at the nearby city, if we offer that golden plate to the temple of Poseidon, something will come out.”

It’s a large gold dish like a tray… From the soldiers’ point of view, if something like that comes out one more time, they’ll be able to endure the immorality of damaging a corpse.

And when I think about it, like the case of Agamemnon who sacrificed his own daughter, human sacrifice has not completely disappeared yet. Can you even question the dignity of a monster?

In the end, I shuddered and changed the topic of conversation because I couldn’t do it.

“…Before the fight, you said why Troia exerts its influence over neighboring countries while suffering losses.

It’s not just about ensuring the safety of your trip.”

“of course. To the extent that the achievements of the ancestors make the posterity proud, the shame and mistakes of the ancestors remain as a burden to the posterity.”

That’s all, the result of King Laomedon, who is called my grandfather, trying to rob the gods and Heracles of their wages.

Therefore, monsters were not common in Antandros, which was relatively far from Troy.

In any case, it was clear that Troia was not the only one who suffered damage from the bombs thrown by Laomedon.

Then, what can we do, we have to clean it up.

Troy’s maintenance of hegemony and prosperous country can be seen as a kind of debt repayment.

In any case, even if the corpses of the enemy contributed to the development of medicine, pharmacy, and anatomy of this era, the bodies of the allies had to be recovered and buried.

The bodies of five or six were collected, their skin and nostrils doused with precious oil, and then returned to the nearby city on a cart. At least so that it won’t rot or spoil easily while returning to Troy.

Aeneas watched blankly as he connected the horse’s bridle to the cart carrying the dead.

He definitely looked depressed.

I chose to stand side by side rather than give useless advice like before.

Aeneas saw me approaching and opened his mouth, then closed it again without saying anything.

As if the words don’t come out as sentences.

When I looked at Aeneas, I remembered the worried expression of Anchises.

A moderately weak and moderately ambitious monarch may be suitable as the leader of a provincial country that has completely lost regional hegemony to Troy.

Under his rule, the city will be at peace, and will probably go on unscathed.

if there is no war

Unless there is a war that will destroy Troy and all its allies.

“… Mr. Paris?”

said Aeneas. His voice was a bit locked.

The first time I killed someone, what did I do?

Was there an adult around to comfort me?

After a brief glance at the past, I realized that I alone had come out of the shock.

It was a very tedious process. It’s too lonely and a beggarly time to let others go through.

As I turned my head, Aeneas spoke.

“… what about it?”

“What?”

I took Aeneas and moved beside the corpses.

Then, he took out a silver coin from his pocket and put it in the mouth of the dead.

“I have to give you the money. And forget.”

I prayed for a while and then turned around and walked away. Aeneas hesitated and followed me. After telling some of the attendants that we were going for a walk, we walked through the bushes.

From nob le mt l. co m

Looking at me, it seems that for some reason the soldiers are looking at me with eyes filled with awe… I ignore the voices around me saying “mermaid butcher” and lead Aeneas away.

After crossing a few hills, I couldn’t feel anyone else’s gaze.

“As you know, I grew up as the son of a humble shepherd.”

As I hurried away, Aeneas fixed his gaze on me even with a puzzled look on his face.

I pulled out my dagger, found branches of the appropriate thickness and length among nearby trees, and cut them down two at a time.

“My parents are inexperienced in the emotional side, so it was difficult for me to do anything when I was depressed, and other adults were also common. Go to the blacksmith or wherever you go.”

I measured the weight balance of the branches for a moment and threw one to Aeneas.

“Then I went and whined at one of the trustworthy adults. Theo.”

But the only thing he learned was fighting, and even the assigned mission was escort and guard. What would a man know?

“Pick up the wooden sword.”

To say that it was a wooden sword after throwing something roughly like a club at it was an unconscionable remark, but Aeneas didn’t care.

Instead, Aeneas carefully picked up the wooden sword I threw and just asked me.

“What does this have to do with what you just said?”

“there is.”

I wielded a wooden sword… no, a wooden stick a few times before I got a feel for how to handle it.

“When I was depressed, that person beat me to death with a wooden sword. Said it was Dalian.”

I am a human being that is the only thing I have learned.

So I practiced what I had learned.

Within a few quick steps, I approached Aeneas and brandished my club at his side.

Aeneas quickly lowers his stance and rolls to avoid the attack.

“This, I am not defeating you. Dalian.”

And, as if realizing something from my words, Aeneas changes his posture holding the stick.

I was taken aback by the attack coming in obliquely from the bottom and hit the stick. Aeneas’ hands tingled because of his mighty strength.

Still feeling hesitant, I put Aeneas’ club under my armpit and kicked Aeneas in the knee.

“Quaaagh!”

Aeneas screamed for a moment before falling over, but I did not attack. Even the area that had just been kicked was not likely to be injured. I guess I should try it up to a little bit.

Still, it was enough to raise Aeneas’ concentration.

With a slightly spiteful look on his face, Aeneas strode towards me. Before I could even avoid it, he pushed my chest hard with his shoulder and slashed my shoulder with a club.

I clenched my teeth and blocked Aeneas’ second slash.

Aeneas, however, did not allow me time to counterattack.

Although the movements were small and difficult to interfere with, the power of the attacks that followed one by one was amazing.

As the blows continued quickly, I was in a hurry to block them. Aeneas put all his energy into each swing as if he would not think about it again.

As if to unleash the things piled up in his chest, he swung it roughly with strong force.

Of course, such attacks do not last long.

When Aeneas aimed at the left side of my head and swung it from the right side, I quickly raised my club to my shoulder and blocked it.

Ugh, with a sound, the two clubs shattered at once.

Only then did Aeneas completely exhausted and fall to the ground.

I, who had only focused on defense, was not much different, so I sat down lightly as the tension was relieved.

At least he didn’t fall over like Aeneas.

A moment of small sobbing and silence followed, Aeneas said.

“Why are you so sure?”

I pondered for a moment what Aeneas meant.

-“Imagine that Troia collapses, the forest on Mount Ida burns, and all the fairies who defend Troia die in droves.”

It was a question about what I said when scolding him.

“It’s a bit difficult to answer.”

“Even in Troy, there are many priests who receive oracles. If, by any chance, Paris-sama also received the grace of such gods when he arrived at Olympus…”

“I can’t tell you more.”

The ‘future knowledge’ I have is walking a tightrope right before degenerating into a piece of waste paper.

From nob le mt l. co m

Looking at the situation so far, it is highly likely that the Trojan War will not happen as it was in history. However, having an intel on the armed forces of Greece, a potential adversary, is certainly helpful.

but,

“Just knowing that I’m sure is enough.”

don’t bother revealing

This information can be released only by a person who has a solid relationship of trust with me, and among them, a person who has the ability to support me in areas that I am lacking in.

From my point of view, Aeneas is still a person who lacks both trust and ability.

And seeing me like that, Aeneas hardened his facial expression, struggled to get up and bowed his head to me.

“Sorry. For causing concern.”

“no. Things like that happen, too.”

But in the future, that won’t be the case.

I didn’t say it out of my mouth, but Aeneas seemed to notice too.

We returned to the carriage without saying a word to each other. I was almost ready to leave.

Soon the sound of whips beating on the backs of horses is heard, and the sound of people’s footsteps continues in a steady manner.

The tour continued like that.

***

After that, I passed several cities.

Most of them stayed for minor purposes, such as maintenance or replenishment of food, so the stay itself was not long.

Many city governors and lords couldn’t wait to serve and roast the next king and new idiot prince from the capital, but we passed them.

Because the really important cities have different ingredients.

“As we warmly welcome the princes and Aeneas, everyone raise your cup! Let’s raise a toast to Zeus!”

For example, Cyknos, the ruler of Colonai here now, is a demigod like Aeneas.

In Greek mythology, there are many people with the same name, the son of Ares and the son of Apollo, but the current Cyknos is the son of Poseidon.

“Take a look!”

Kiknos swings his sword and slashes himself in the neck. It’s crazy, but we didn’t even care.

This was because the number of times Kyknos had stabbed him with his sword had already exceeded double digits at this banquet.

“Oh, my God, brother Hector, isn’t it amazing? Human flesh can withstand spears and knives!”

“uh···? what?”

“oh my god! Mr. Kiknos, you are amazing! I don’t know who would believe it if Paris, Priam’s son, went back to Antandros and told the people!”

“Ah, ah, yes. Kiknos is truly loved by the gods.”

Therefore, pretending to be surprised right now is just entertainment. Hector seems to be surprisingly not good at this kind of social acting.

“Ha ha ha, thank you. I heard that Prince Faris lived in Antandros, but have you never heard of me?”

“I have only heard that a mighty lord rules Colonai! Now that I know the truth of the story, I think I can do at least three somersaults right here!!”

and! so awesome! The taxi door opens and closes automatically! A man can’t be beaten by spears and knives!

“what? ha ha ha! I think that’s a very interesting expression. I assure you, no warrior will be able to defeat me.”

…As far as I know, Achilles simply strangles Cyknos to death, but he didn’t bother to mention such a trivial fact.

And why this king, Kiknos, is important, surprisingly, his birth as a son of Poseidon or his bizarre psychic powers did not affect him.

Cyknos’ ex-wife, Proklea.

She is the granddaughter of Laomedon.

That is, the royal family of Troy.

His wife was already dead, but he too had the right to decide on the throne, as he had married into the Trojan royalty.

That’s what made this city important.

Because I need the consent of the family members to confirm Hector’s superiority in the succession and to stably incorporate my existence into the royal family.

Aeneas was not accustomed to such a social setting, so he sent him back early. After all, the purpose of this banquet is Prince Paris’ incorporation into the royal family.

And, finally,

“The king of Troy must have been blessed by the gods. To have such a wonderful second son.”

done.

To listen to this one word, I worked hard to gilt the influential people in this city.

Another city recognized me as a member of its royal family.

***

In the field a few days after the fight, flies and their natural enemies were coming and going here and there.

The slimy, fishy smell unique to mermaids made even other animals that rushed to eat the rotten meat hesitate.

and···

– flinched.

Something tiny starts to happen.

A mermaid who only suffered a half-death in the fight, but remained unconscious, struggles to get herself up.

[For ‘ba… da’… for the ruler of the ‘sea’….]

With such an empty voice, filling the desolate space, the vengeance contained in it was buried in the surrounding space more clearly than usual.

and,

“You have already become a servant of the ‘sea’.”

When another voice was heard, the mermaid, who had barely managed to stand up, distorted her face as if in dismay.

“Will Poseidon forgive you?”

[‘Sea’··· Sea···! Disbelievers!!!]

“I don’t care what you call me an unbeliever.”

The owner of the voice took off his black cloak.

With a twisted smile, he prayed again to the wandering master.

“I am just a merchant.

I need to know where your other peoples have gone.”

And the merchant grabbed the head of the mermaid who was raising her body and pressed it to the floor.

Even when the mermaid screamed and scratched his arm, he showed no reaction. The ghost-pale soldiers around him soon grabbed the mermaid’s limbs.

[Oh, no! no!!]

“Ho-oh-oh… have there been so many of your people who worship the ‘sea’? . . so many troops following the princes?”

[stop. mum,,,]

“i get it. I’ve checked everything anyway, so please do as I wish.”

The merchant, who enjoyed the memory of the mermaid as if reading an old story, took out a dagger and stabbed it into the mermaid’s heart.

“Forsaking the original owner. Even if the gods forsake you, you should not forsake the gods. these disloyal ones”

[‘ocean’···.]

The mermaid did not stop calling her new owner’s name until she stopped breathing.

Now ignoring the small pikes, the merchant followed with his eyes the direction of the procession he had seen in the mermaid’s fading memory.

“I will see the shepherd prince again.”

The merchant laughed and hurried on to the welcome reunion.

Corpse soldiers followed.