The Greece Antagonist

Evening fell upon Thessaly City.

Shops big and small were closed and sealed, exuding bursts of desolation; fully armed soldiers patrolled the streets, the sunset's crimson glow reflecting coldly off their polished armor and sword blades; every household's doors were tightly shut, and no trace of hearth fires could be found inside the homes…

Luo En walked along the road, sensing the oppressive air of a storm brewing.

With a great battle approaching, King Admetos had decided to minimize unnecessary casualties and protect his people. Therefore, he had used the Teleportation Magic Array to evacuate the old and weak to the comparatively safer city-states of Sparta, Mycenae, Corinth, and others.

The vacated spaces were naturally left for the armies of soldiers, Divine Blood Heroes, mages, and priests—forces from various city-states who had come from afar.

So, Thessaly now assembled half of the military strength of the entire Peloponnese, rightfully becoming a veritable fortress of war.

Within this city, whether gods, heroes, or humans, all were preparing for the upcoming decisive battle.

Luo En paused to cross out the names "Chiron" and "Jason" from the parchment scroll, standing before a familiar courtyard. Gazing at several familiar figures inside, he let out a complex sigh.

This was his last stop for the day.

"Luo En, sir? What brings you here?"

"Yo-ho, if it isn't the God of Wine gracing us with his presence, welcome! Did you bring any wine? I could use a drink!"

Inside the courtyard, Helen and Cainis, having noticed the visitor at the gate, rushed out—a bit eager and flustered in their greetings, one rudely asking for a welcome gift.

"Teacher!"

"Senior Brother!"

Atalanta and Medea, upon hearing the commotion inside the house, put down their magic arrows and potion jars respectively and ran out with surprise.

Luo En entered the courtyard and glanced at the four female heroes before him, greeting them with a smile.

"So, you're all here."

Atalanta, whom Luo En had raised himself, was the quickest to respond.

"What's up? You need something from us?"

Luo En nodded, unrolled the parchment in his hands, and pointed to four names highlighted in red, asking solemnly,

"For this expedition, are you all going?"

"Of course! How could any major event go on without me!"

Cainis thumped her chest resonatingly, bursting out in hearty laughter.

Helen, Atalanta, and Medea, although not as loud as the former, also nodded seriously, clearly after much consideration.

"This mission is very dangerous!" Luo En instinctively spoke, repeating a warning he didn't know how many times he had given that day.

"We know." Atalanta and her sisters exchanged a firm look and answered, "It's precisely because of this that we must go. One more person might make for a slimmer chance of success!"

Luo En pursed his lips, then unexpectedly spoke out,

"Can't you stay behind?"

Atalanta was briefly taken aback, then looked seriously at the Allied Commander before her, and asked solemnly,

"Teacher, on what basis?

Why should others lead the charge while we stay behind the lines? Is it just because we are women that we should receive preferential treatment?"

In the ensuing silence, Luo En opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words in front of his boldly inquisitive student.

Eventually, he sighed, looking at his beloved pupil with a rueful smile.

"I don't recall you being so eloquent."

"You taught me well!"

Atalanta blinked and smiled, uttering a phrase that could either be seen as a compliment or a tease.

Luo En rolled his eyes in response and turned, somewhat grumpily, to the other three.

"Is this the same with you all? You're all set on going?"

"You want me to bow out? Unless you kick out all those losers on the list who can't beat me first!"

Cainis brandished her spear and shield with pride as she spoke.

"I'm the same! If the other spellcasters want to go, they'll have to best me at witchcraft!"

Medea waved her little hand proudly and cheekily stated her challenge.

And Helen, clad in the Virgin's Saintly Clothes, had a much more serene and steady response.

"I may be a woman, but my divine arts are by no means inferior to any of the male priests on that list. I'll definitely be of help."

As the four firmly expressed their stances, Luo En felt a wave of exasperation wash over him.

These four, either favored by the Chief God, direct descendants with Divine Blood, or naturally gifted, were all incredibly talented. If it really came down to merit, there wouldn't be enough people left on the list to even fill a mahjong table.

Left with no choice, he frankly expressed his selfishness.

"Alright, to be honest, I don't want you to take the risk."

"Teacher, we understand your intentions, but this is war! A war that belongs to every deity, every human being!"

Atalanta solemnly retorted, her words resonating.

"Skulking in safety is no way to live. Only by fighting to the death can we hope to survive through bloodshed! Before the labels of women and those you care for, we are warriors! We are heroes! If even we, the strong, choose to retreat because we value our own lives, what right do we have to ask others to sacrifice for us? That would be unfair!"

"Well said!"

Before Luo En could respond, a wave of enthusiastic applause came from outside the door.

Following that, a voluptuous Goddess, draped in a light veil and golden belt, charged into the yard. After admiring the four feisty female heroes in the garden, she praised them loudly.

"This is how we women should be in a war! Damn the notion of keeping women away from war! We're women, yes, but we're in no way inferior to men! Whatever they can do, we can do too!"

Looking at the goddess before him who governed love and beauty, as well as possessing a part of the war god's divine office, Luo En couldn't help but scowl.

"Aphrodite, what are you doing here?"

"Just passing by, taking a stroll."

Aphrodite replied casually, her gaze still fixed on Atalanta and her companions, growing increasingly fervent.

She was a whimsical deity, ready to help those she took a liking to without concern for the consequences, and equally uncompromising in retaliating against those she disliked.

And the four before her were becoming more and more pleasing to her eye, even stirring within her a strong impulse to become sworn sisters with these four heroines on the spot.

Thus, she couldn't help but stand with Atalanta and the others, speaking frankly to Luo En, the designated Allied Commander.

"Luo En, I think they are right. What men can do, women can too! In a life-or-death war, no side should be given preferential treatment due to gender or status!"

With the support of the Goddess of Love, the confidence of the four heroines grew even stronger, their gaze united and forward.

As Luo En stared at their stubborn and proud faces, he was overwhelmed with a multitude of emotions.

It was truly ironic.

Each of them, according to the legends, had incredible gifts and talents, but ultimately, each chose to compromise with fate and become dependent on men.

But as it turned out—

Medea was abandoned by her husband, left alone and ostracized; Helen bore the infamy of starting a war, labeled a "disaster";

Atalanta was cursed by suitors, transformed into a lion; Cainis was defiled by the God of the Sea and ended up loathing her female identity, becoming a man…

Clearly, their choice to comply with men didn't lead them down an easy path.

And this time, they no longer sought the protection of the opposite sex but instead chose to become powerful themselves.

After a long contemplation, Luo En slowly nodded.

"Alright, I agree to let you join."

At these words, the women were ecstatic, each giving the understanding Allied Commander a big hug.

"Wait just a minute!" Luo En said with a stern face, stopping the four heroines who were crowding around him. Looking at their anxious expressions, he couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, I'm not going back on my word, I just want to ask if there's anything you want before we set off. Maybe I can grant your wishes. Consider it a farewell gift."

Upon hearing this, the heroines breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly began to make their requests one by one.

"Ambrosial honey wine! I want to drink to my heart's content!" Cainis salivated, her eyes shining.

"The magic guidebooks from the Temple of Memory! All 10,300 of them, I want every single one!" Medea caressed her tin staff with a longing face.

"Arrows! Preferably masterpieces crafted by the God of Craftsmanship! They should come in handy on the journey!" Atalanta replied calmly, the most rational of all.

Luo En nodded in agreement to each request.

When it was Helen's turn, she hesitated for a long time, unable to make up her mind.

Luo En smiled at the Spartan princess, speaking softly.

"Don't be nervous, whatever you want, just say it. I'll do my best to fulfill it."

The soothing words reached Helen's ears. She looked at the gentle smiling face before her, and a surge of intense desire broke through the closed doors of her heart, erupting into a loud plea.

"I want to marry you!"

"Pfft!"

Luo En's body shook, and he spat out the fruit wine he had just sipped.

"What, what?"

"I want to marry you!"

Helen reaffirmed, her gaze growing even more eager and resolute.

"This is what I've always dreamed of."

Just as Luo En felt his scalp tingle, unsure of what to answer, Cainis next to him slapped her thigh, as if she had an epiphany.

"Right! Why didn't I think of it? If I marry you, won't I have all the wine I want?"

Soon, Cainis's words also reminded Medea and Atalanta.

—That's right, the magic guidebooks of the Temple of Memory are all in his head, along with the essence of the magic of both the Goddess of Magic Athena and the Witchcraft Goddess Hecate!

—True, the contents of Teacher's treasure trove are abundant and high-quality, even the God of Craftsmanship listens to him!

If they took him down, wouldn't they have everything?

This Helen always acted so innocent, but at the crucial moment, her true nature came to light, that vixen!

The three heroines denounced their sly friend while raising their hands in unison.

"We want to get married too!"

Just when Luo En had finally caught his breath, he was seized by another violent coughing fit, internally cursing.

I asked you to make requests, not to fantasize!

"Marriage sounds great! I'll officiate your weddings!"

Aphrodite, caught up in the excitement, couldn't help but join the buzz.

"When shall we hold the wedding?"

"How about tomorrow morning? If we hurry, we should still be on time." A gentle suggestion came, clear and smooth.

"Then it's settled! Let's get ready right..."

Aphrodite's voice abruptly cut off as she followed the subdued gaze of everyone to the door, where Tethys stood smiling. Aphrodite's expression stiffened instantly.

And at this moment, Luo En, surrounded by all the chirping and twittering, was sweating profusely, on the verge of tears.

This time, I am truly innocent!