I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Episode 81. Ithaca to Mycenae

“Damn it, I’m about to get seasick.”

“What kind of seasickness are island people? Don’t make a fuss and get out of the way.”

“When I become king, I will develop a boat that will not be shaken by the waves at all costs.”

Ignoring his cousin Sinon’s giggles, Odysseus pressed his temples, trying to suppress his headache. Seasickness is a joke, and psychological cramping is probably the number one cause.

After being on the ship for several days, now I disembark every time I land for a short time and return to enjoy the maximum pleasure in a short time.

And if you stumble on the boat with your whole body greasy after eating greasy food, dizziness will come up again and you will become disillusioned with life on board…

When I beat the pirates in the middle of the day, I wonder why I have to be like this, and my anger rises…

It’s a vicious cycle.

The most terrible thing is that you can’t escape even though you know the cause of the vicious cycle.

“I think I’m going to die. I think I’m going to lose my mind… It’s insanely boring…”

“calm down! I’ll be home in just one more day, so shouldn’t we have a banquet for four days in a row as soon as we get there?”

“Uhh… filled with handsome and pretty kids?”

“Of course not.”

Sinon watched Odysseus ‘regenerate’ in front of her, as if watching the process of reviving the dead.

He’s not really that kind of guy… but he hates being on a boat for a long time…

If it drifts somewhere, I wonder what kind of super corpse it will be.

“Good. It will reach Ithaca tomorrow. End of the damn pickled fish and musty bread.”

Apparently, she stopped by the mainland halfway through to eat lamb ribs with her, and she looked like someone who had starved for a few days. Sinon couldn’t understand…

Anyway, Odysseus, who was revived like that, jumped around for a long time and waited for the landing without sleeping.

When they finally reached Ithaca from the mainland of Achaia, the crew had to stop Odysseus from jumping over the railing.

From nob le mt l. co m

Laertes must have felt embarrassed that his beloved son had entered the palace in such a happy and confident manner, even though, after all, he had failed in his mission.

“It will probably be difficult to lift the embargo immediately. I apologize.”

At Odysseus’ words, Laertes, king of Ithaca, felt weak pity.

Now he is weak, and soon the moment to surrender to Odysseus approaches.

If Odysseus had lifted the embargo on this envoy, he could have given the prince an appropriate achievement and used it as a justification for his abdication…

“However, the announcement would not have been far. I wonder if it would be good to pack the next delegation together with the various countries of Achaia.”

“hmm···.”

“Next time, the embargo will definitely go away.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“From my point of view, Troia has no intention of giving up steel.”

Odysseus lightly hands the king a piece of shiny metal. Laertes was able to identify the face of a Trojan prince embossed on it.

‘This coin is guaranteed by Paris, the ruler of Antandros.’

“Then, in the end, what awaits is the transfer of hegemony and the severance of the long-term tributary relationship. After a long period of endurance, the descendants of Dardanos will shed their duty of submission to Hattusha.”

“Odysseus, according to you…”

“yes. There’s going to be a whole fight. Whether we help or stand by the fight, we will be able to return the gift of restraint of the embargo from Troia, who has become victor.”

The elders and longtime vassals of Laertes shudder at the unexpected report. Sinon, who was kneeling next to her, also secretly taps Odysseus on the arm, but Odysseus ignores it.

“Do you think Hattusha can beat Troia?”

“Hmm… dear father.”

Odysseus remembers Paris.

He was more of a friend than I thought. It’s not easy to find a friend with a perfect soul…

“80%.

This is the probability that Troia will win.”

If you ask why, you could point to Troy’s ships, which were sharply armed with unknown weapons, or it could point to a strange new kind of bow that Anchises used for hunting.

however.

Right now, above all else, intuition is pointing.

Didn’t you see a prince called Paris, don’t you remember that look in his eyes that seemed to see him to the bottom?

And from the gaze of one prince, Odysseus came to a conclusion through a completely rational and irrational process.

It looks like Troia will win.

***

After being bombarded with questions by the elders for a long time, Odysseus soon escaped the chatter only after his father, Laertes, personally summoned him.

The attendants lit the lamps in the room and disappeared out the door, so it was time for the conversation between the father and son to begin.

Of course, there were two or three or four favorites sitting beside Laertes, but it could be said that this was quite personal for a conversation between a country’s ruler.

“I think Troy will win…”

“In my view, yes. Recently, the wasteland in the southern part of the Kingdom of Troy is being cleared on a large scale.

Troia is growing without any roughness. The Hittites already have many rebellions to worry about.”

“…”

From nob le mt l. co m

Laertes carefully whispered this and that to his wife, Anticleia. As if trying to decide something.

When the discussion is over, this time Anticleia speaks up.

“Son.”

“mother.”

“I saw the coin you handed over. Could it be that Paris, Lord of Antandros, who appeared here, is in that rumor…”

“you’re right.

A prince who slaughters mad mermaids and exudes steel from his hands and mouth. Of course, I didn’t see that kind of monster.”

“It’s just a joke of the world. It’s a bit disappointing that you’re not a monster.”

“Are you sorry? For what?”

At Odysseus’ question, the queen of Ithaca carefully looks back at her husband. Her husband, Laertes, also nodded slowly.

“As you said before, the time has come. I think we can talk.”

“Son, the credit you’ve built is quite large… but as much as you couldn’t lift the embargo, you’ve created an obstacle in your succession to the throne.”

“Mother, then.”

“Then you will need another event. worthy of showing you fit to succeed the throne…

For example, starting a family.”

Odysseus blinks.

Although it was already expected…

“What do you think Paris is like? As a suitor for Helen and her sisters, perhaps they will compete with you.”

“If that’s the case, don’t worry. The Lord of Antandros will bring a fairy into the mansion right now, and they will be whispering love to each other very strongly.”

“Then you are fortunate. I don’t even want you to take Helen as your daughter-in-law. Agamemnon will never stand by. But what about the other daughters of Tyndareus?

Then, if Agamemnon enlisted his younger sister to obtain Helen, wouldn’t you also gain ties with Sparta and Mycenae?”

It is also shocking.

get married and start a family

Since his parents commanded that, Odysseus had no choice but to obey.

He went on a voyage of tears again, leaving behind the banquet of pleasure he was going to enjoy in Ithaca.

Drawing the faces of the handsome men and women gathered for the banquet, Odysseus sobbed on the bow.

oh, it’s life

***

This world is like that.

His father, Atreus, committed suicide by throwing his half-brother Chrysippus into s*xual slavery to another man, and killed his nephews and fed them to their father, his own brother Thyestes.

Again, Thyestes, according to the oracle, raped his daughter and gave birth to a son, Aegisthus, who, in accordance with his father’s expectations, killed Atreus and offered the throne of Mycenae.

Soon Thyestes died of old age, and his son Tantalus became king of Mycenae.

“Madam, come.”

And Agamemnon himself killed the damn bastard.

cousin? no. He is only the son and usurper of his father’s enemy.

At Agamemnon’s call, his wife, Clytemnestra, walks slowly. A disapproving face stands out, but it doesn’t matter. He hugs his wife by the waist and forces her to sit next to him.

“Isn’t your wife the queen of Mycenae? Treat my brother, your wife’s brother, with dignity.”

“···All right.”

This woman is also my spoils from Tantalus.

Because the world is a battleground, the slaughterer is praised for his justice, and the slain is condemned for his immorality.

Therefore, he chose to become a slayer.

And he is praised as a great king. It’s just the price we deserve for justice and wisdom.

Clytemnestra waves to Menelaus, who is kneeling at the foot of the steps.

“Come on. Go and get what you deserve.”

The wife’s weak voice, and a voice full of hesitation as well, respond.

“thank you. I will… do my best to achieve what the Queen wants.”

It’s okay if your wife is powerless. Where is the owner who wants his possessions to be confident and assertive?

however···

“Brother. Follow me for a while.”

“Yes… older brother.”

However, ‘family’ is different.

When Menelaus, his brother, who was fifteen years younger than him, followed him into an empty room, Agamemnon, without hesitation, slapped him on the cheek.

“What are you doing?”

“sorry···.”

again, pair. The sound of flesh colliding with each other.

“What are you going to do?”

“Boo, to get his wife…”

match.

“Are you going to stutter like that and not even make eye contact in front of your wife?”

“···sorry.”

Family is everything.

Just as the dirty and ugly tangled history from his ancestors shook the throne of Mycenae.

If your family is weak.

When a family breaks up.

When the family breaks down.

everything is over

“Tyndareos, whom you are going to meet now, is your benefactor, as well as mine. If he hadn’t sent out soldiers to help us, we would still be living servilely in a foreign country, begging for help.”

“…”

“My God, you might as well talk back! I want to give him a man for my son-in-law!”

“I’ll try my best.”

Menelaus, young, handsome, and somewhat pale, stood stiff in front of him.

…If that’s the case, it won’t work.

This guy will now be the son-in-law of the Spartan royal family, and will soon become the king of Sparta.

Menelaus’ cheeks twitch as Agamemnon raises his hand once more. Ignoring his trembling arm, unable to stop it, Agamemnon lightly pinches Menelaus’ trembling cheek.

“My brother, my beloved brother, my one and only brother.”

A voice that is so soft that it is hard to believe that he was the one who had been stabbing his hand just now flows from his face.

When Menelaus looks up, he sees…

Not an angry older brother like a lion, but an older brother who protects him softly and warmly ‘as always’.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Agamemnon lets go of his brother’s cheek and then pats him on the shoulder.

The tense muscles gradually loosened, and the color returned to Menelaus’ face. Even so, the overall pale impression remains unchanged.

“Do you remember who we are going to see?”

“This is Tyndareos and his wife, Leda. and his daughter . . .”

“I am on my way to see Helen. He is my wife’s sister.”

Agamemnon looks rather sad.

ah… no Menelaus’ heart breaks.

Did I disappoint my brother again?

“Are they benefactors? If it had not been for their help, we would still be begging like beggars, begging for the things we ought to enjoy as princes.”

“you’re right.”

“Don’t you know how miserable it is to beg for the mercy and grace of others? The only trustworthy family in the world is each other. If we don’t care for each other, if we don’t support each other, there’s no one behind us.”

Agamemnon rubs Menelaus’ watery eyes to dry the tears.

“My brother, can we go to Sparta and do well?”

“···yes.”

“Can you become the king of Sparta and repay the favor to your benefactor?”

“No, of course.”

“okay. I like you for being so confident.”

Menelaus is relieved when Agamemnon raises the corner of his mouth.

But Agamemnon’s next words make Menelaus nervous again.

“By the way… haven’t you heard rumors like this lately?”

Agamemnon pulls out his sword from his belt.

“This is a sword made of steel from the East. Rumor has it that this came from Troy.”

“I have heard of it too. Also in Antandros…”

“right. Rumor has it that Paris, Lord of Antandros, made all of this. Of course, it would be absurd that a prince naked as a slave would do such a thing.”

Agamemnon strokes his beard gently. Menelaus knew very well that the whip was hidden in that soft impression.

because of yourself Since Menelaus keeps disappointing his brother, he has no choice but to pull out the whip in his heart.

“Still, as rumor is rumor, it is certain that a newbie named Paris will be very wealthy.

However, I am afraid that if the prince demands marriage to Helen at the court of Sparta, even the wise King Tyndareus will be shaken by that wealth.”

“If that’s the case, I wouldn’t worry.”

“Why?”

As Agamemnon’s eyes become sharp at the moment, Menelaus continues to speak while being nervous.

“Didn’t Ithaca send an envoy to Troy this time? According to rumors there, Prince Paris is already preparing to marry a certain fairy.”

“what? With enough wealth, you can’t afford that kind of opportunity… no. That’s why he’s a kid.”

Agamemnon shakes his head and looks down at his brother again with a caring expression.

“Brother. Aren’t you a kid like that?”

yes bro

“Brother. I will follow you to Sparta, so can you make it?”

yes bro

“Brother. Could you be the king of Sparta?”

yes bro

“Will you listen to me in the future?”

yes bro

yes bro

yes bro