As Odin's brothers pondered the matter seriously, their faces marked by focus and sternness, Odin looked at them with clear mockery and said in a tone laced with sarcasm:
"Don't you think the giant's child was born here because this island is somewhat special, you geniuses?"
Hades and the others raised their gazes toward him. Before anyone could interrupt, Odin continued quickly, as if he didn't want to give them a chance to escape the truth:
"The island we are standing on right now… from the moment our feet touched this land, didn't you see the creatures that existed here? Creatures the world believed to be extinct—some of which were nothing more than legends told in stories."
Hades and the others nodded in agreement, confirming that they had indeed seen those strange beings with their own eyes. But when Odin saw their nods, his expression twitched slightly, as frustration crept in—he realized they still did not fully grasp the meaning.
He sighed, then spoke the truth without any evasion or deception, his voice sharp this time:
"The island is special, you fools. The presence of all those strange creatures here is no ordinary matter. It is only natural for a giant's child to be born here. As you know, giants are born in special places—places overflowing with power."
Then he added with a mocking tone:
"Did it never cross your minds that what happened is simply a natural result of all this? Or do you truly believe it is nothing more than a coincidence, my dear brothers?"
The three of them blushed immediately after Odin explained it so directly, feeling deeply embarrassed as they realized they had indeed overlooked something obvious and self-evident.
Athena glared sharply at Hades, then struck him hard in the ribs and said in an angry, pride-laden tone:
"Don't say such misleading nonsense, you stupid fool, and make us overthink something this obvious!"
Poseidon took advantage of what Athena did and struck Hades in the face as well, saying in an angry voice—or at least trying to sound angry:
"And don't do that again, you idiot!"
In truth, Poseidon felt more excitement than anger; he enjoyed hitting Hades without receiving a harsh retaliation as usual. But his joy did not last long.
Hades sensed Poseidon's malicious intent and immediately understood that he hadn't struck him out of anger, but simply because he wanted to. Hades' fury flared at Poseidon's exploitation of the moment. He could not retaliate against Athena—she was justified in her anger—but Poseidon was a completely different matter.
Hades clenched his fist tightly, dark aura thickening around him, on the verge of teaching Poseidon a brutal lesson. Poseidon looked at the enraged Hades, his smile vanishing instantly, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over him.
Poseidon waved his hand quickly and said:
"Don't you dare do anything, you fool! Do you really want to attack me after saying such ridiculous thoughts? Shouldn't you be ashamed of yourself?"
Poseidon thought his words would stop Hades, but the redness of Hades' face and the terrifying aura surrounding him said otherwise.
Hades began advancing toward Poseidon with slow, heavy steps, while Poseidon retreated awkwardly, his heart pounding violently.
Suddenly, Odin's firm voice stopped them:
"How about we return to the matter of that giant's child… and how I should deal with him?"
Silence fell for a moment, and the confrontation froze in place. Everyone realized that what lay ahead was far more dangerous than a mere squabble between brothers.
Poseidon felt relieved by Odin's words—it was like being thrown a lifeline in a raging sea. He clearly saw Hades' anger gradually subside, his features returning to their cold, calm state, as he stopped pursuing him and glaring with hostile intent.
After several moments of charged silence, Hades spoke in a doubtful tone:
"What do you think is appropriate, brother? Didn't our father say that you would be the one to raise and adopt the child?"
Athena looked at Hades with obvious scorn, then turned to Odin as if she did not wish to look at that fool or stain her eyes with his stupidity. Hades grew angry at her behavior, but he remained silent and did not respond to the insult.
Then Athena said:
"Didn't you see how you adopted that child in your vision, Odin?"
Odin did not answer immediately; instead, he thought for a moment. He often saw visions he could not fully interpret—visions that were usually vague and incomplete. Though he grew stronger day by day, he still had not fully mastered the power of prophecy.
As Odin pondered whether the visions indicated raising or adopting the child, Hades suddenly spoke:
"Has the child not been born yet, Odin?"
Odin came out of his thoughts and looked at Hades. Athena was about to scold Hades for interrupting Odin's thinking, but Odin spoke first:
"Yes, brother. He has not been born yet."
When Hades heard his brother's words, a terrifying smile spread across his face—a smile no human could witness and remain sane afterward. Hades said with that dreadful grin:
"Can't we control that child the same way our father once controlled the slaves? I think it would be easy—the child has not yet grown. True, he is of the giants, that ancient and fearsome race, but I doubt he would match our power. We could control him, reshape him, and dominate that child's mind."
Odin looked at Hades, greatly surprised by his words. He began to think deeply about the idea, trying to determine whether it could succeed or not.
At that moment, Poseidon and Athena looked at Hades with curiosity and astonishment. They had not expected Hades—whom they considered an idiot—to propose such a brilliant and clever plan.
Poseidon spoke in a strange, doubtful voice:
"Are you really my brother? I don't think I've ever seen someone on our island who resembles my brother with such intelligence, you stranger."
Hades looked at his brother Poseidon, burning with anger, and said:
"Don't think I've forgotten that earlier blow and insult, you fool. When this meeting ends, I'll show you what will happen to you, you bastard."
Poseidon swallowed hard as he watched Hades crack his fingers and grin cruelly at him. He cursed himself inwardly:
"I shouldn't have spoken just now… I made him remember what I did and angered him even more… damn it."