A Mythical Journey To Remember - Chapter 27

Chapter 27 - Ancient Wonders

A monster? This information was crucial. I couldn't venture into Tiryns blindly without knowing the risks, especially when there were rumors of a monster lurking. I turned to Auto and Budas, instructing them, "Stay here and hold our place in the line. I'm going to talk to the guards."

Stepping out of line, I approached the two guards who intermittently scanned the crowd. Their task seemed to be to screen out suspicious individuals from entering Tiryns.

"Excuse me," I called out to them. They glanced at me, and I flashed my friendliest smile. "Could you tell me about the monster?"

The guards frowned, exchanging looks. "You and your big mouth. We're not supposed to discuss that with outsiders."

"You were talking about it as well," the other guard retorted.

Before their disagreement escalated, I moved closer and displayed four bronze coins. "Respected guards, you were merely conversing among yourselves, and I happened to overhear. You may continue discussing the situation freely."

Though four bronze coins weren't much, they were enough for the guards to enjoy a couple of drinks after work. One of them shrugged. "Well, there's a monster that emerges at night, attacking and drinking its victims' blood. It is a merciless monster that has attacked both young and old. Some of its recent victims are children. Some call the monster a Mormo."

The idea of a blood-drinking monster sounded like vampires, but did such creatures exist in this era? "What does the monster look like?"

"No one has ever seen it," the guard shrugged. "By the way, you should return to the line."

I nodded, understanding that further discussion could jeopardize their positions. I returned to the group, and Auto asked, "What did you find out?"

"Not much, except we should avoid being out at night due to the monster attacking children," I cautioned.

"That sounds like a fairy tale mothers tell their kids," Auto remarked with a hint of jest, but she still acknowledged my words.

Ancient Greece was dangerous; one wrong move could kill us. Even if I became stronger and earned the title of Hero, Greek Heroes were not known for their happy endings.

Regardless, I didn't have the luxury to dwell on it at the moment. Still, the news of children losing their lives was tragic. Part of me wanted to intervene, but I knew that my current class wasn't suited for combat, at least until I could improve my Brewing and Transmutation Skills.

The guards allowed us entry without further trouble, and I secured a spacious five-bed room in a local establishment. It was reminiscent of a hotel, although they didn't have a specific term for it yet, given the lack of certain concepts in this era.

I lay on the soft bed, unable to rise. My body reveled in comfort while my soul remained grounded. Having endured weeks of sleeping on rough dirt, days in cells, and constant work, I hadn't appreciated the luxury of a bed.

Even the simplest pleasures like this reminded me of my countless hardships.

Okay, I was being dramatic as fuck here. But I never appreciated a bed more than now.

"How long are you planning to lie there, grinning like a fool?" Auto interrupted.

"Hey, don't speak to him like that. Didn't you witness him literally morphing a wall when we escaped the city?" Budas scowled.

"So what?" Auto retorted, her eyes narrowing at the former bandit. "He knows a bit of magic. What's the big deal?"

"He is the son of a God!" Budas insisted, and I stepped outside to embrace the sights of the city. There was no way I could deal with these two.

Finding a suitable place to eat, I settled down amidst a lively crowd. People drank and the bustling streets overflowed with activity. Traders occupied every corner, and I chose a seat near a window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bustling scene outside. The window, however, was merely an opening in the wall, as glass was a luxury too costly for most restaurants to afford—perhaps even more expensive than the building itself.

Glancing at the elderly man seated beside me, his thick white beard was reminiscent of a BC-era. It was the kind of mustache a trustworthy man had.

"Excuse me," I addressed him, and he turned towards me, still waiting for his food, seemingly uninterested in a conversation. "Have you heard of someone named Heracles or Hercules?"

The old man shook his head but seemed more willing to talk now. "Sorry, youngster, but I don't know anyone by that name. As a local merchant, I've encountered countless individuals. Tell me more about the person you seek."

"Ah, apologies," I replied, realizing that aside from his imposing stature, I didn't have a great deal of knowledge about Heracles, except for the basic things. He was a man with legendary exploits. Since the people in the previous town were unfamiliar with him, I doubted if Heracles had even embarked on his famous twelve labors. This was assuming he existed at all. "He supposedly strangled two serpents as an infant. That's what I've heard."

"Oh! You're talking about Prince Alcides," the old man's eyes lit up with recognition. "There hasn't been any news of him lately. The last anyone heard was he had killed his music teacher in a fit of rage. Some claim he invoked Hera's wrath and was hidden away, while others suggest his music teacher lost consciousness. There are even some who claim he was framed. It's difficult to tell what the truth really is."

Regardless of what had happened, Prince Alcedes hadn't been seen for a couple of years. Yet, my concern lay elsewhere.

The sounds of the restaurant faded into oblivion, leaving only the echoing thump of my racing heart ringing in my ears.

With Hercules' existence all but confirmed, it seemed that Zeus and all the other mythical figures were real too. The revelation was overwhelming, and I felt a heaviness in my chest.

Deep down, I had always suspected the existence of such beings, considering the Amazons, monstrous snakes, and spiders I had encountered. I had simply been in denial, not wanting to accept the presence of Greek Gods.

However, there was no point in wallowing in sorrow. I had to face reality and come to terms with it.

"Are you alright, young man?" an elderly gentleman nudged my shoulder.

Turning towards him, I forced a smile. "Of course. Allow me to buy you a drink, sir."

Despite my doubts, a part of me still questioned whether this Heracles was truly a demigod or just an ordinary man. This world may have had human-faced spiders but it lacked divine beings.

But clinging to that assumption would be foolish. I needed to prepare myself for the possibility of encountering merciless deities.

The subsequent meal was exceptional, possibly the most delicious I had experienced in this world. However, the solemn atmosphere prevented me from fully enjoying the flavors. Instead, I focused on devising a plan to handle the Gods should I ever encounter them. There wasn’t anything I could think of to handle them, at least for now.

Even after finishing my meal, I remained seated, ordering more drinks and engaging the locals in conversations about the rules and customs of this place. The drinks helped loosen their tongues, uncovering some unspoken rules. For instance, mentioning Alcedes in front of the royal family was forbidden.

Additionally, venturing out at night was prohibited, as it would raise suspicion of being the murderer, with only a specific group of guards allowed to patrol.

Continuing my exploration of the city, I stumbled upon a one-story building near the docks that resembled a temple.

"The communal bathrooms," I whispered, recoiling from the filthy stench that permeated the air.

Apparently, wealthier citizens avoided using the same facilities as others. The building even had a guard stationed outside, and access to the communal toilets required payment.

Intrigued, I approached the guard and inquired, "Are there any risks associated with using these toilets?"

Given the high usage and inadequate sewer systems, it seemed like a breeding ground for diseases.

"The communal toilets are generally safe," the guard replied. He cast a glance at the toilet house and added, "Although every few years or so, there have been some explosions."

Wait, what? Explosions?! Was he joking?

I couldn’t help but ask. "How do those happen?"

The guard shrugged, saying, "Some believe that mischievous demons and minor gods of excrement enjoy playing pranks on people. Don't worry, explosions rarely result in fatalities."

With that unsettling information, I decided to distance myself from this peculiar place. It was too weird and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

Moving on to another part of town, I came across a sight I had only seen in photos online. However, unlike those images, this colosseum was in pristine condition, clearly showing that it generated substantial revenue.

A voice called out, enticing passersby, "Step right up and secure your tickets for tomorrow's thrilling fight! Prepare for a surprise spectacle, with even King Amphitryon in attendance!"

The man held metal ingots, serving as some kinds of tickets, in his hand, waving them around.

A colosseum. I had never experienced one before, and since I planned to rest for a few days before departing for Athens, I thought it might be a worthwhile diversion.

Surveying the area, I couldn't help but notice the blatant commercialization surrounding the Colosseum. Nearby shops were peddling toys adorned with the names of celebrated champions. It resembled WWE, only deadlier and frighteningly real.

I purchased three tickets, intending to bring Budas and Auto along. After all, what better way to unwind and forget your troubles than witnessing brutal violence and two men hacking each other to death?

On my way back to my accommodation, I glanced at the tickets. Auto was still a kid, I was so immersed in witnessing the Colosseum that I forgot that for a moment. "Do they have a refund policy around here?"