The baby had been taken away by the nymphs, and Livia had once more lost her voice to Triton. It seemed that the god of shepherds, who had returned her voice, had greatly annoyed him.

“Bringing the stench of goat kids into the sea.”

Despite being a deity himself, Triton didn’t hesitate to show his hostility toward Pan. He appeared particularly displeased with Livia’s voice, which had been influenced by Pan’s power. It was as if she had brought something unclean into the sea, and Triton’s blue eyes flashed fiercely. Livia, suddenly voiceless again, angrily lunged at him, but she was no match for his strength.

“Since another god is here, stay put and don’t cause unnecessary commotion outside.”

Practically dragged to the bed, bound by his chains of water, Livia glared at him incredulously. Triton whispered coolly, unfazed by her defiance.

“Just wait here quietly until you can attack me again, Livia. If you behave, I’ll give your voice back.”

With that threatening remark, he abruptly left. It was absurd. Even if he looked down on her, what sense did it make to bring someone who was determined to kill him to his bedroom? He might as well have locked her in a dungeon.

The fact that she hadn’t managed to land a single effective blow on him made her think he underestimated her.

Next time, for sure.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, she glared at the empty space where he had vanished. Even when she found herself alone, she remained bound and unable to move for a while. Her body, worn out from hardship, felt heavy, and as she lay on the soft bed, sleep crept up on her. When she finally shook off the drowsiness and opened her eyes, the outside had turned completely dark. Sometime during her nap, the chains had released her, and she was free.

She sprang up and, ignoring Triton’s command to stay put, immediately headed outside.

“Of course, I won’t die, but during the time I’m absent, what might happen to this sea… Have you ever thought about that?”

Recalling Triton’s words about another god, Livia wandered outside, curious about who it might be. But today, the palace was eerily empty. Where has everyone gone?

After wandering for a while, she looked up at the brilliantly shining golden palace. A place thoroughly hidden from the humans outside the sea. A beautiful, peaceful underwater paradise.

Though he was practically her nemesis, the god of the sea protected and ruled this palace, safeguarding the ocean.

A sea without such a god…

She had never considered that before. And as he said, he was an “immortal” being, wasn’t he? Even if his heart were pierced, he wouldn’t truly die, so how could he disappear?

Livia felt confused.

The acrid, ashen smell of her family burning still lingered vividly in her nose. The terror of being sucked into the black sea when she fell from the cliff was just as fresh. In her desperation and grievance, she had prayed earnestly, and only Echidna had answered her prayers.

But was this revenge truly justified?

If asked that, she couldn’t easily open her mouth. The confusion tormented her. The reason she thought was gone pushed her into a corner.

Feeling suffocated, Livia stepped outside. Jellyfish glowing in the sky and pots filled with moonlight spread their light on the ground. Jellyfish danced in the air as if they were following the cheerful music that seemed to come from nowhere.

Livia, feeling entranced, followed the mesmerizing scene. She soon reached a banquet hall. Between tall, thick pillars, she saw nymphs laughing, chatting, and dancing. Among them were sirens and sea spirits.

Drawn as if she were enchanted, Livia approached the banquet hall. The lively music she had heard earlier was undoubtedly coming from here. Concealing herself behind a thick pillar, she peeked inside and saw a man dressed extravagantly, playing a tambourine and dancing. Behind him, a beautiful siren strummed a lyre, singing a hymn in his honor.

Life on land or sea, it seemed similar.

Watching them laugh and chatter, Livia suddenly felt estranged from her own life. She once had times like that too.

Times when she danced, sang, and was happier than anyone else…

How did it come to this?

As she blankly reflected on her past, the faces of her enemies who had ruined her life emerged at the end of her thoughts.

Yes, it all circles back to the beginning. Her dazed expression sharpened.

Attaching the word “justified” to “revenge” was contradictory. It was about settling a grudge. Wasn’t it the most emotional and irrational act? No matter what reason was attached, revenge was just retaliation.

Livia wanted to do it, and she was determined to do whatever it took. That included letting go of guilt.

“Ah… you have a face that says you’re up to no good.”

At that moment, someone’s face suddenly appeared in front of Livia. Startled, she stepped back, her eyes widening in surprise.

‘…Zagreus?’

A face identical to his was smiling brightly at her. The resemblance was so striking that even Livia was momentarily confused, but upon closer inspection, she noticed the differences.

This man had distinct features that set him apart from Zagreus. A small mole beneath his right eye, red lips, cloudy eyes, and the strong smell of alcohol—all of it exuded decadence and debauchery.

He leaned on a staff entwined with grapevines, and his attire was quite a sight. He was bare-chested above his belt, and his lower garments were so loose they seemed ready to fall off at any moment.

Soon, a large feline creature with black spots prowled behind him.

Livia recognized who he was.

The god of wine, Dionysus.

Livia had heard stories about Dionysus. Phedum held this god in high reverence, always praising the frenzy of Dionysus. He claimed that purity and chastity were shackles created by those who possessed them, while the desire for freedom and pleasure was the essence of humanity.

“You know who I am, don’t you?”

Dionysus looked at Livia’s wary face and smiled broadly. The staggering man stood before Livia, and without giving her a chance to evade, he reached out and pulled her by the waist.

“…!”

Livia stiffened, gasping for breath. Dionysus lifted her chin with his fingertips. As they got closer, the smell of alcohol became even more intense. Normally, it would have made her nauseous, but the scent from the god of wine was just sweet and fragrant, intoxicating on its own.

“Poor thing. You look so weary.”

She wanted to tell him to let go, but with her voice taken, she couldn’t utter a word. As she mouthed silently, desperate to scream, Dionysus laughed.

“Shall I help you forget your sorrows? You could be nothing but happy if you become my follower…”

His languid voice, like overripe wine, began to dominate Livia’s mind. Though she hadn’t drunk a drop, her head felt foggy, as if she were intoxicated. Just as Dionysus’s lips were about to touch her unresisting ones—

Growl!

His leopard leapt over them, and at the same time, a black shark lunged from above, baring its teeth to swallow the leopard whole.

Roar!

The leopard’s scream vanished into the shark’s mouth. In the meantime, Dionysus quickly rolled on the ground with Livia in his arms. With a click of his tongue, their bodies separated.

“…!”

Awakening from the strange stupor, Livia let out a gasp and pushed him away. She couldn’t comprehend what had almost happened. Backing away in a daze, she left without looking back.

Dionysus lay sprawled on the ground, clicking his tongue regretfully, and then grabbed the black shark that attempted to follow Livia.

“If you’re going, you should spit it out first.”

With a look that said ‘I won’t eat it,’ the shark spat out the leopard. Though it had swallowed it boldly, it never intended to actually eat it, so the leopard survived with only scratches from the shark’s teeth. Without a backward glance, the shark followed the woman.

Growl…

The leopard curled up pitifully beside its master. Dionysus reached out and healed the wounds on the creature’s fur. Burying his face in the animal’s soft fur, he chuckled.

“Who would’ve thought it was that.”

What a shame. He wondered what the sea god’s face would have looked like if it had gulped it down. Seeing that he had attacked that shark, it seemed he was quite concerned…

Dionysus lay back, closed his eyes, and hummed a tune. Before long, a black snake slithered out from beneath a pile of seaweed. It sneaked into the folds of Dionysus’s fallen garment, stole a bottle of his hidden madness-inducing wine, and slithered away.

Though Dionysus’s eyes briefly caught the snake’s tail, he merely turned away with an amused smile, pretending not to notice.

A little chaos at a drinking party was always welcome. Anyone could go mad, and madness was the delight of a feast. Dionysus continued his leisurely humming.

The final night of the feast in the sea was truly joyous.