Chương 211: Chapter 211: The Blasphemer at Sea
At the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula stands Cape Sounion.
The sixty-five-meter-high cliffs rise majestically above the sea, forming a natural barrier that guards the breathtaking scenery surrounded by the sea on three sides.
To the left, the Aegean Sea shimmers in the sunlight, the deep Mediterranean Sea lies straight ahead, and to the right, the Ionian Sea's azure waves ripple gently.
This place is not only the first sight of Greek land for sailors departing from the Aegean Sea or Asia Minor but also a sacred site filled with mystery and reverence.
Every evening, as the sun gradually sinks into the blue embrace of the Aegean Sea, the splendid sunset and the serene sea surface intertwine into a mesmerizing picture, enchanting all who behold it.
Such beauty has made Sounion a place where people pay their respects to Poseidon, the god of the sea, and here stands a grand temple dedicated to him.
At this moment, in the stratosphere above Sounion, an elegant black swan is leisurely circling.
Even at an altitude of ten thousand meters, the colossal statue of Poseidon on the ground is clearly visible. Poseidon, holding a trident and crowned with seaweed, stands quietly at the cliff's edge, overlooking the turbulent sea.
The black swan slowly descends, eventually transforming into a handsome young man clad in a linen robe.
Ino stands on the rocky outcrop, gazing down at the long-missed flying broom in his hand. Despite his inner resistance to the broom, he has no choice but to rely on it for free flight.
After a brief hesitation, he mounts the broom, and his figure once again rises into the sky.
However, Ino does not act immediately.
He is waiting for the perfect moment—the critical point of return. As for the idea of confronting Poseidon, it has never been a real consideration.
The Greek gods may have limited offensive methods, but their defenses and curses are formidable. Facing them directly could mean not only failing to break their defenses but also risking being struck by their curses.
But to say he is truly afraid would be an exaggeration.
In truth, a wizard's power is not inferior to that of the Greek gods.
The clearest example of this is that throughout all of Greek mythology and the countless stories of gods and heroes, there is not a single mention of time travel, nor is there any god capable of traversing time.
Even Kronos, the ancient god of time and the second-generation king of gods, only governs the passage of time; he himself cannot travel through it.
The same applies to space.
Overall, what the gods can do, wizards can also achieve, albeit with differences in quality.
But what wizards can do, gods cannot. Not to mention the Time-Turner or the Extension Charm.
Even simple tasks can stymie many gods: Poseidon cannot summon lightning, Hades cannot make plants grow, and Apollo cannot create water...
...
In the sky over Sounion, Ino rides the flying broom, waiting and quietly amused.
It's as if people are simply intimidated by the title of "god." This is not to disparage the Greek gods, as they excel in their specialized domains. However, their specialization also imposes limits on them, making them somewhat similar to wizards.
A wizard's limits are their age and magical power, while the gods' limits are their domains.
Given their similarities, Ino's plan is simple: strike and then flee, without lingering for even a moment.
...
Time ticks by, the afterglow of the setting sun glistening on the sea.
Feeling a long-lost stirring in his heart, Ino turns to look at the phoenix on his shoulder. Fide gently nuzzles his cheek with its beak, as if to encourage and support him.
Sensing the phoenix's affirmation in his mind, he takes a deep breath and lightly strokes the wand in his hand.
"Though magic is influenced by magical power, its essence lies in the wizard's conviction! Bombarda Maxima!"
The Explosion Charm, a high-ceiling spell, was used by Pettigrew to blow up half a street and by Seamus to destroy the entirety of the Long Gallery Bridge. The spell's range is only limited by the caster's ability.
As Ino's incantation ends, a dazzling orange-red beam shoots from the tip of his wand, streaking through the sky like lightning to strike the hundred-meter-high statue of Poseidon.
"Boom!" The deafening explosion causes the temple to tremble violently under the powerful impact.
Surprisingly, the statue does not collapse. The trident in the statue's hand emits a brilliant blue light.
Under this radiance, the sea creature carvings on the statue come to life. The Nereids, the Hydra, mermaids, and others transform into pale blue phantoms that circle the temple, forming an impenetrable barrier.
Ino is not surprised by this sight.
This is only the beginning. If one spell could destroy the sea god's statue, Poseidon would not be the king of the sea; he would be a mere temple guard, and anyone could destroy the temple.
Despite the first strike's failure, Ino does not give up. Riding the broom, he continues to wave his wand, sending a barrage of spells toward the statue.
"Diffindo! Diffindo!"
He has no time for other concerns; he must destroy the statue quickly, before Poseidon arrives, and complete his mission.
As for the temple behind him, he has not touched it at all, considering that the people in the temple are innocent.
The Severing Charm, Diffindo, strikes the blue barrier formed by the sea creatures, dimming its color and causing ripples.
This phenomenon is quite normal. The temple is merely a facade for the Greek gods, not their essence, and a simple defense suffices.
It's akin to a "gentleman's agreement"; the simple defense only prevents minor nuisances.
Those truly capable of breaking the defense are significant figures who would not risk making an enemy of Poseidon over a temple.
...
Ino, somewhat by chance, finds his opportunity.
Finally, after numerous magical assaults, the blue barrier of sea creatures shatters.
Simultaneously, the sky over the entire Attica Peninsula darkens abruptly.
Howling winds and dark clouds cover the sky, and the once-calm Aegean Sea churns with towering waves. The sea, stirred by an unseen force, sends colossal waves roaring toward the shore.
In midair, Ino feels the fury of the ocean and sees the figure standing atop the towering waves.
Poseidon, crowned with seaweed, holding his trident, stands on a chariot pulled by sea monsters.
Upon seeing Poseidon's figure, Ino does not feel the expected fear; instead, the image of Prometheus and a small flame appear in his mind.
Resistance, tenacity, courage...
"Bombarda Maxima!"
With firm belief and unwavering determination, Ino swings his wand once more.
At the same moment, Fide appears on his shoulder. In a flash of blue light, the man and the phoenix disappear.
On the sea, Poseidon watches as a bright red beam strikes his statue.
Like a volcanic eruption, the crimson flames and massive explosion reduce the several-hundred-meter-tall statue of Poseidon, standing on Cape Sounion, to rubble.
...
On Mount Olympus, the expressions of the twelve Olympian gods and other deities varied.
This scene mirrored the curiosity, amusement, and contemplation of those listening to stories in the marketplace of Athens.
But now, there is more anticipation.
It seems everyone is waiting for a spectacular show to begin.
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