The Greece Antagonist

War God Mountain, the new home of Hestia.

After the unremarkable small talk over the dinner table had ended, Luo En took a jug of newly brewed grape wine, ascended to the balcony, sat before a small table, and overlooked the series of courtyards that stretched below him.

Their faces, familiar ones, were either busy crafting pottery, focused on smelting metal, earnestly mixing magic potions, or adding furniture to their new homes...

They were the survivors from Crete Island, the kindling entrusted to the two daughters by King Minos.

Compared to those who had fled one after another, this last group, whether in the firmness of their minds or in their loyalty to civilization, far surpassed the former.

Therefore, even though they had personally witnessed the fall of their homeland, they didn't waste too much energy on meaningless grief in their new environment. Instead, they strove to play their new roles, quickly immersing themselves in their work.

Busy work can make people forget to think, forget the passage of time; it often is the best spiritual medicine for the soul.

Seeing the splendid performance of this group, Luo En, the former secretary of Crete Island, quietly nodded his approval. A weight lifted from his heart as he raised his brimming cup towards the south as a gesture before gently pouring it out onto the ground as a tribute.

At least from the current outcome, the sacrifice of King Minos and those elite warriors had been worthwhile.

Not only had they sworn to defend their civilization to the death, but they had also dragged their age-old nemesis—the Atlanteans—down to the Netherworld with them.

By entering the fray, they had scored a half victory against the heavens.

This battle, though lost, was nonetheless honorable!

Moreover, their sacrifice had also secured a more glorious achievement.

—They preserved over seventy percent of Crete Island's population and nearly all the essence of the Minosian civilization!

The gaze of the gods, always fond of those who shine, often overlooks those lifeforms humble as ants.

Dependent on this arrogance of the gods, Luo En and King Minos were able to carry out six days and nights of extreme transportation, successfully sending away the vast majority of the Minosians, allowing them to disperse across Greece and continue to flourish.

Of course, such a huge plan was bound to have some flaws.

If one seriously investigated, they were bound to find some clues.

However, this is where the eruption of Santorini Volcano at the end of the plan comes into play.

—The all-encompassing volcanic ash and the raging tidal waves had tossed Crete Island inside and out, not once but twice.

Even stone buildings were unrecognizable, let alone living people.

So, after all that happened, no one knew exactly how many people had perished in that disaster on Crete Island.

As a result, those Minosians who had previously escaped were now completely safe.

It was also for this reason that he and Athena did not collect the remains of King Minos and those warriors, but instead let them decompose amidst the ruins on the ocean floor.

Of course, exchanging death for rebirth and the continuation of civilization was precisely their long-cherished wish.

With a mix of respect and guilt, Luo En poured a second cup of wine onto the ground, then lifted his left hand to look at the bronze emblem nimbly rotating between his fingers, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

However, he hadn't done nothing.

—Before the battle, he had given all the chips he had accumulated from the "Daily Chapter" and "Weekly Chapter" as "Amulets" to King Minos and those warriors.

Although there were only a hundred or so, unable to reach everyone, this too was his sentiment.

Legend has it, that above the dark Styx of Ancient Greece mythology, the ferryman Charon is responsible for transporting the souls of the deceased, and only by bribing him can one ensure a peaceful passage.

Therefore, when conducting funerals, ancient Greeks often placed two coins on the eyes of the deceased so that the departed could use them in the Netherworld.

In addition, it is said that Charon and the God of Death, the God of Sleep, are the sons of the Goddess Nyx.

And in some versions, Hecate is also a daughter of Nyx.

It was based on this potential connection that Luo En had wagered nearly all of his remaining chips, which he had earned using that dice, hoping that those emblems could help King Minos and his warriors buy off the ferryman of the Styx.

And now, it seemed that his investment had not been in vain.

Luo En picked up the third cup of wine from the table, drank it all in one gulp, a toast to himself.

Afterward, he turned around and gazed deeply at the opposite side—towards the figure that had appeared on the chair at some unknown time, ethereal as mist, and spoke with an amused tone.

"So, what should I call you? Euphony? Hecate? Or perhaps... Goddess of the Night Nyx?"

"What?"

Almost a year later, the Goddess who had reappeared blinked, took a sip of her wine, and showed an approving expression.

"Yours? The taste isn't bad."

Luo En silently observed Hecate's act, not taking up the conversation, a cold smirk playing in his thoughts.

Still playing games?

Snatching a soul at the brink of death from Styx brazenly and disrupting the order of the Netherworld is not something one can do merely by being a Godmother, the Queen of the Underworld.

Unless, the entire Netherworld was under her control.

And according to later studies of prayers and portrayals for both, the triple-formed Hecate and the triple-formed Nyx are very likely to have the same origin.

Only she, the Goddess who represents the world's original dark side, has the qualification to make Zeus so wary, to make Charon, Death God Thanatos, and Sleep God Hypnos, the three brothers, obey her every command, and to overshadow Hades, the God of the Underworld.

Under the cold scrutiny, Hecate finally gave in, responding with a faint smile but still wearing that unfathomable look.

"A name is but a handle, call me whatever you please."

Luo En nodded, as if understanding.

"Alright, Little Black!"

"..."

Hecate's expression stiffened, her smile frozen, and her ethereal body shook violently, a grinding of teeth faintly audible from her tightly closed lips.

Seeing an outburst imminent, Luo En quickly plastered a smile on his face, changing the subject.

"Haha, just kidding, Lady Goddess. What brings you to visit me? It must not be easy to come and go from the Netherworld, is it?"

"Isn't it because you stuffed so many departed souls into my realm all at once?"

Hecate snorted coldly, her deep, night-like eyes clearly displeased, looking as though she was about to demand an explanation.

Luo En smiled slightly, unconcerned.

"What, you're not satisfied with this gift?"

"Gift?"

Hecate arched an eyebrow, eyeing the smooth-talker before her with some interest. She slightly inclined her ear to listen, ready to give him a chance to explain.

"To sway fate is not an easy task. The more fulcrums and leverage you have, the better. Don't you think they're quite suitable?"

Luo En's voice was low, a sly smile on his face.

"In the garden of the gods, in a world of constants, the most precious thing is the soul daring to break all predestined ties. And as it happens, they all are..."

Hecate's expression remained unchanged, she asked lightly, "Although what you say seems interesting, what do I need them for?"

Luo En replied with a smile, "Of course, to assist His Majesty the King of the Underworld in managing the Netherworld. Just like the three brothers, Charon, Thanatos, and Hypnos."

Hecate, catching the implication, raised an eyebrow and was now genuinely interested.

"Manage the Netherworld? Let's hear it…"

"The number of lives on Earth is increasing, and their births, aging, sicknesses, and deaths are happening more frequently. It's too much work to pile on to His Majesty the King of the Underworld alone, it's really too hard for him. Why not establish judges in the Netherworld to determine the destination and affiliation of souls based on their good and evil deeds?"

"That makes sense."

Hecate nodded, seemingly intrigued.

Luo En struck while the iron was hot, continuing to speak.

"Thus, I hereby recommend King Minos. In his lifetime, he was renowned for enacting laws and being fair and just, very suited to be a judge. His soldiers are brave and good in battle, tirelessly devoted, and they can serve as Infernal Enforcers to help His Majesty the King of the Underworld share his worries."

"Singular justice?"

"Certainly not; a triangle is the most stable structure. I suggest decentralizing power with checks and balances, choosing three judges: one to judge words, one to judge deeds, and the last to judge souls. They should vote together to decide the fate of the souls."

"That's a passable idea..."

After listening, Hecate gave a lukewarm evaluation.

"Moreover, I've heard that the gods' favorite thing is to swear by Styx, and also their favorite to break…," Luo En brought up casually, then shook his head and sighed as if worried for his kin, "Even the longest of lives come to an end, and even the most prosperous order may not last forever. What if one day they fall from grace and into the Netherworld to face judgment?"

In an instant, Hecate's profound eyes lit up, brimming with intense interest.

Judging the gods? Interesting.

Soon, the Goddess's face broke into a pleased smile, and she nodded in agreement.

"I will advise His Majesty the King of the Underworld to seriously consider this proposal."

"That would be a blessing for the whole world."

Luo En bowed slightly in respect, exchanging a meaningful smile with Hecate.