Episode 112. supremacy (2)
There are many things in the world that make people wonder.
For example, the feat of a powerful warrior who remains intact even after a blade is shoved into his throat, the most beautiful natural scenery, and the automatic door of a Japanese taxi going to Chile.
“oh my god! Isn’t this nothing short of a miracle!”
“How does it work? Has anyone seen anything like a connected thread nearby?”
“No. Not even one!”
And as soon as I descended the steps of the temple of Hephaestus, countless people showed such amazement before me.
All sorts of questions rained down on me and Ino, and when we avoided answering, the questioning was redirected to Priam again.
“…”
Of course, he also had nothing to answer.
From nob le mt l. co m
Leaving aside the fundamental problem that Priam is a warrior and a king, not a blacksmith,
It was also the first time he had stepped on the land of Antandros.
It was late at night, so I didn’t even think of getting all their curious glances. It’s hard to entertain all of them in the dark anyway.
Fortunately, the newly enlarged palace had enough space to accommodate those guests and servants.
Normally, we would have to go to the temple of Aphrodite the next day to perform the ceremony, but both the guests and us needed to release the poison that had accumulated over the past few days.
“Say . . . And tomorrow, I will give my guests time to rest.”
Priam said so.
It was built recently, so it was a bare room without any furniture.
It is a good place to share secret stories.
“With that being said, tomorrow you will also get some rest. Of course, if other lords offer hunting or other invitations, don’t refuse, accept them.”
“All right. But is there any special reason for doing that?”
“It’s nothing. just···”
Priam laughs.
“Paris. Don’t you think we all haven’t seen the road under our feet?”
“…”
“Or did you not see the huge bronze anvil that lay at the feet of the god Hephaestus?
Weren’t the breastplates and helmets of the passing guards made of steel?”
Priam shook his head and stroked the pillars of the palace of Antandros. Marble with a soft texture embraces the old man’s hand.
“They are not fools, they are kings. You must understand the meaning of the scenery we showed you. As it should have been, it would have ended just shaking Hattusha’s allies and showing our allies the benefits we will give…
Thanks to the princess from Achaia, you’ve become more than that now.”
A bitter taste begins to permeate Priam’s laughter.
“Because you are Agamemnon’s eldest daughter… Paris, who do you think Agamemnon was originally going to marry?”
At that moment, I recalled the subtle emotions that had crossed Iphigenia’s face as she was looking at me.
I didn’t bother to answer, and Priam seemed to accept my silence as an answer instead.
“okay. Whatever Agamemnon’s intentions are, the first problem now is your marriage. And what our friends think of us.”
Priam’s profile was firm. The wrinkles illuminated by the moonlight cast shadows like deep scars.
“Son, you must be tired too, so rest. Take the bride to see your ‘family’.
In the meantime, guests will be looking all over the city.”
And I’ll sort out my thoughts.
About this city and the direction of the kingdom of Troy.
“If this city only realizes half of what you’ve been saying…”
The old king’s eyes shone in the blue moonlight.
“They will be troubled.”
It reminds me of the original purpose of this wedding.
The purpose is to put an end to suspicions about the strange prince and restore the trust of neighboring countries and tribes.
However, Troia will no longer be a friendly neighbor to them.
We may become a hegemon.
***
“I give it to my father. Zeus, guardian of kingship, ruler of the skies, who defeated Cronus. Please accept this cup I offer you with pleasure.”
Muttering so reverently, Sarpedon drank lightly and passed it to Glaucus, who was standing next to him.
To others, ‘Father Zeus’ is merely an awe-inspiring title and metaphor, but not to Sarpedon. The blood of the god Zeus flowed in his veins.
He drank the rest of the drink and quenched his thirst, saying a word to the other gods.
And I looked at the scenery in front of my eyes quietly. Glaucus, a cousin and old friend, broke his silence.
“So, what do you think?”
“What do you think?”
“If I gather them all together and make them walk in line, won’t they become soldiers? You just need to put on the helmet. If they cut off the enemy’s head like they are cutting weeds now…”
“You will need some training. Besides, they look ambiguous to be used as weapons. If you look closely at that scythe or pitchfork, it must be difficult to use them to kill people.”
“But isn’t it steel?”
“And not for killing.”
“Don’t deny reality. Antandros could instantly mobilize thousands of nearby peasants and turn them into an army. Hattusha’s rule will soon disappear from the Aegean coast.”
When Glaucus grumbled with displeasure, Glaucus shook his head resolutely.
“I am not denying reality. You have to see that this city also uses steel to make farm implements that are inconvenient for killing.”
As the two looked at the farmers far away, the farmers, as if they were used to this kind of work, paid their respects to the ‘high-ranking people who had never seen their faces’ for a while, then returned to their work.
Of course, he moved with more exaggerated movements than before, perhaps because he was a little conceited by the presence of onlookers.
“If it’s only to the extent of distributing iron to the slaves to plow the fields…”
Sarpedon’s eyes tremble.
“…Then, how is the army of Antandros organized?”
In a city where pitchforks for slaves could be made, spears and arrows could not have been made of steel.
There was nothing special about the guards who were rarely seen in the city, except for carrying simple iron helmets and clubs, so it was probably hidden on purpose.
“Let’s hear rumors around us, they say that they periodically hold sports events and take the winners.”
“…”
“Perhaps Prince Paris is taking them in and raising an army.”
“Glaucus, did I say last time that Troy would not be able to defeat Hattusha?”
“That’s why I’m keeping my hands off this area, and I decided to stay silent if Hattusha said anything. If you feel uneasy, take Hatusha’s side.”
“Let’s change the plan.”
Sarpedon climbed back into the chariot heading towards Antandros.
We had to get to town on time.
He wanted to see the magic of Hephaestus today as well.
***
“Larissa is a small city. Pelasgoi cannot defeat Troy.”
“···are you okay. Between us and Troia is Mysia. They won’t be able to invade or invade us. And Priam is not such a king.”
“That is ridiculous optimism. My brother, that King Priam made an alliance with Agamemnon! That Agamemnon who always wants to cross the Aegean Sea and establish a trading base!”
Philaeus was furious at the words of his brother and his lord Hippotus. quietly. so as not to be heard by hundreds of ears everywhere.
“Don’t you think we’re good prey? Whether it is Priam’s gift to Agamemnon or the spoils Priam himself will take. The older brother is the king of Larissa. The king of one of the most fertile lands in the Aegean Sea!”
“…”
“lets think. Priam gave three sons, and Agamemnon brought the eldest daughter. It’s a business that doesn’t suit anyone’s eyes, isn’t it?
Agamemnon’s son is still only a child, and when he dies, Troy will also take the right to inherit the throne of Mycenae.”
As Philaeus spoke furiously, Hippotus raised his hand with a cold expression to stop him.
“Tell me what story you want to tell.”
“So, if Priam made such a huge profit, he would have to give something back to Agamemnon.
Whether it’s land, people, or glory, it’ll be easy to get by stripping away one of the powerless surrounding cities.”
“There is no guarantee that the ‘powerless surrounding city’ is us.”
“There’s no guarantee that we won’t be.”
Philaeus opens the door slightly and peers into the hallway outside the guest room. After confirming that no one is passing by, I close the door and continue whispering to my brother again.
“Remember this. Regrets are always late. The cities of Lesbos and Tenes of Tenedos are also plotting to contain Troia somehow. Maybe we can join hands with them.”
“Don’t be hasty. Priam and Troia haven’t made any moves yet.”
“Did you see any movement?”
At the words of Hippotus, Philaeus points to the hearth in the guest room.
A steel brazier.
If you take that to Larissa, you might be able to trade it for a few mansions.
“That’s the movement. Now it’s our turn to move.
I’ll beg you like this Even if cooperating with Hattusha is difficult due to the distance, you will have to unite with other cities around you. Don’t be swept away by this wave in an instant and be devoured.”
Hippos rubs his forehead and kicks off the armchair to stand up. While he was wandering around, he watched the sight of sparks rising from the furnace on the terrace reaching the moon.
“···good. Do as you say.”
“Good idea. Then, let’s make an appointment with King Tenes starting tomorrow. Let’s start by sending a letter.”
Philaeus starts moving busily.
Hippos looked at it and let out a silent sigh.
What is Troia going to become in the future? What are you struggling to become?
***
Anchises walks quietly through the forest. No king or chieftain came to break the silence, as the trees were too dense to roam about hunting, and there were no large game to prey on.
Only the fairies of this land are watching him closely with familiar faces.
Anchises knelt quietly and took out a small wooden statue from his bosom. Then, wet a small towel in his pocket with water and wipe the dust off the wooden statue.
The wooden statue had the appearance of a beautifully dancing goddess wearing a wreath and a veil. However, it did not match the beauty of the original in the slightest.
“…This place is a bit shabby to serve you, but it can’t be helped. Now your temple is being prepared for tomorrow’s event. How could I interfere with the child’s marriage?”
The only answer to Anchises’ words is a passing bunting. Still, he steadfastly continues to speak toward the statue of God.
“Master of beauty, guardian of lovers and the one who makes all things bloom, youngest daughter of Uranus.”
[…]
Suddenly, the silence begins to gain weight. The silence of this area weighs down Anchises’ shoulders like a lead weight. He closes his eyes.
“Bless the boy’s love. Please embrace that love with a compassionate heart instead of anger. Now that a fairy has matured and is under your protection, please take care of that fairy as well.”
[I feel sorry for you too.]
Anchises felt a hand caressing his neck.
When I open my eyes, Aphrodite is standing there.
[Aren’t you a pitiful child? Why do you bring on yourself the pain, why do you want to walk down the road full of tears…]
Even if you only focus on preparing to accept my ‘gift’, that fate will whip you harshly.
Why do you add a burden to those shoulders?
Anchises shut his mouth at the goddess’ words and bowed his head. Aphrodite grinned at the sight and lightly wrapped her arms around Anchises’ neck.
[It’s okay not to worry. My sweetheart, because I still love that boy.]
“My lover…”
[It’s not just because of your cute pleas. Cronus’s daughter, Hera, is stamping her feet with great heat, so it’s because it looks good.]
Was the goddess Hera angry?
After rolling his head for a while, Anchises immediately remembered.
“You think Paris will break your marriage vows. Blinded by your gift, you assume that you will abandon the fairy who swore love and protection.”
[okay.]
Aphrodite laughed.
[How dare a mortal speak a false oath in front of a god. It would have been nice if you had seen him jumping up and down for insulting God…]
“Then… I dare to ask. Sweetheart, do you take what Hera said right?”
[of course. No heart can fail to yield to my son’s arrows. My heart hurts too, but this is a promise. A promise must be kept even if no one wants it.]
“My lover.”
Anchises quietly shook his head and looked into the eyes of the goddess. Unlike the insignificant mortal reflected in it, the goddess in front of you, you look into yourself as you grow old and head toward death.
But the man behind those eyes is full of confidence.
“I’m sorry, but you seem to be wrong.”
[at what point?]
“Paris… is a beautiful and strange boy.”
Anchises groaned, remembering Paris who had taken the horse away from him.
“From my point of view, Paris does not break her oath.
The second son of Priam will keep the love.”