Martin Variety in American Comics.

Chapter 209: Liberated Gods and Souls (Please subscribe, read, comment on monthly tickets)
The road into the underworld is full of twists and turns, but when leaving it becomes just a trip, with no dangers at all.

Martin and Diana got off Charon's ferry, threw him two silver coins, and left without looking back.

The abyss was changing, and it inevitably affected the underworld built on the basis of the abyss. The most intuitive point was that the cold wind that was constantly blowing over the underworld disappeared.

“It has changed, it has changed!”

Charon stood on his ferry, watching Martin's receding figure, and said in a deep voice, "The world has truly changed. Even Tartarus has entered a new world. I think the Greek pantheon is doomed."

After complaining a few words, the Styx Ferryman returned to the boat and continued his ferrying business.

Gods like them no longer have a future anyway, and all this is thanks to Zeus.

Thousands and tens of thousands of years ago, they were driven out by the bastards of the Olympian pantheon to a remote place like the Underworld.

Now it's time to let those arrogant bastards taste the taste of failure!

"The environment in the underworld is too harsh. No wonder Hades is so ambitious. If it were me, I wouldn't stay in such a place forever."

Although the cold wind from the underworld has stopped, the land is still so desolate, with grayish-white colors everywhere.

Martin looked at the sand under his feet and couldn't help but complain.

Diana's body was still a little weak, and her blood had not yet been stimulated. She could only put her hand on Martin's shoulder and walk slowly forward.

"This is originally a world of death, the place where everything ends. Isn't it normal for it to be desolate?"

Martin shook his head: "People are dead, and they can't even live a few days of good life. That's too tragic!"

Although there is a happy place called "Elysee Paradise" in the underworld, only those who have passed the trial can enter. There are very few people who can enter, and the rest can only stay in the underworld and suffer.

However, Martin only felt it occasionally and did not have an in-depth communication with Diana.

They quickly crossed the wasteland, passed through the gate of hell, and returned to the outer underworld, where they saw the hellhound still lying on the ground, snoring.

Martin ignored it. Although he liked dogs, he didn't like Cerberus, a strange species with dozens of heads.

He said to Diana: "If you like, you can bring this thing back to Paradise Island to help you watch over your house!"

Diana shook her head: "My sisters don't have the power to subdue this monster. Bringing this demon dog back will only put them in danger."

Martin tilted his head and thought about the ferocious appearance of the demon dog, then nodded in agreement.

Although he could forcibly drag the demon dog to Paradise Island, if the Amazons could not control this power themselves, it would only bring them greater danger.

At the very least, Hades couldn't sit idly by and watch Martin snatch his guard dog away, even with the help of Death.

boom!
Martin swung his double-snake staff and hit Cerberus, making the demon dog sleep even more soundly.

After leaving the demon dog, Martin and his companions were once again faced with the barren land of the underworld. It was just as desolate and boring, with nothing that could soothe people's mood.

The only difference from when we came here is that all the souls floating outside the gates of hell have disappeared, as if they had never existed.

Martin knew that Hades certainly wasn't so kind as to set these souls free.

Of course, only death can allow those souls to rest in peace. Only such an existence can make a proud god like Hades retreat. He released all the souls in his hands, but refused to say a word.

Diana also noticed this, but she had a special fascination with the mysterious existence of death and was reluctant to talk about it too much.

After walking in the underworld for an unknown amount of time, Persephone's garden finally appeared in front of them.

The soul of Queen Hippolyta stood in the black poplar forest, watching her daughter appear, and floated over excitedly, opening her arms to her.

Martin did not disturb the mother and daughter's preparations for the meeting. He stepped aside and cast a spell on Hippolyta, allowing her soul to temporarily touch matter.

The mother and daughter, who had not seen each other for who knows how long, hugged each other and began to talk about their longing for each other.

Martin had no intention of disturbing them, nor did he listen to what they said. He walked straight into the garden and saw Persephone sitting in the hall.

The woman sat alone in the garden, covered in black veil and surrounded by thorny bushes. She looked lonely and desolate, and it made people feel pity for her.

"Why don't you pack your things? We're leaving."

Martin spoke, breaking the dead silence of the twisted garden.

Persephone raised her head slightly, and even through the black veil, one could feel the vitality bursting from her empty eyes.

"I thought you had forgotten about me and were only thinking about saving the princess of Paradise Island."

Although she was complaining about Martin, she felt relieved in her heart.

After waiting for so many years, she was finally able to escape from this cage. How could she not be happy?

Martin deliberately put on a stern face: "So the image of me in your mind is so bad that I am actually a coward who abandons the oppressed and runs away alone?"

"You've run away many times in the past!" Persephone's mood finally improved, and she could even joke with Martin.

Martin was stunned for a moment, and after hesitating for a few seconds, he made up his mind: "I have a secret to tell you. I hope you can keep it a secret and not spread it around."

"Do you want me to swear?" Persephone raised her right hand.

She looked serious and was not joking. She would do it as long as Martin asked her to.

"That's not necessary. Actually, it doesn't matter if you tell others. I just want to avoid trouble."

Martin waved his hand casually and told the sad Persephone the secret that he would change his identity every day.

"This joke is not funny at all!"

Persephone's first reaction was disbelief. She could even recall what she said to Martin during their several meetings. How could it be false?

Moreover, she is a god. What kind of power can tamper with her memory so naturally?

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe it. You will know tomorrow."

Martin didn't explain, not everyone could accept such a thing.

"Hurry up and pack your things, it's time to go! Let's go to Paradise Island first. Although it's not very safe there, it's enough as a transit point. After that, we can go live in human society."

Martin had everything planned out for Persephone.

Persephone was touched by what the man in front of her had done for her.

She subconsciously defended her behavior: "I don't really care who you are. It's better if you're not a god on Mount Olympus.

When I was taken to the underworld, except for my mother, my so-called father, brothers and sisters all stood by and watched, only wanting to use me to appease Hades's wrath."

Martin could understand Persephone's situation. A subordinate god like her might have a better life than humans.

But in the eyes of gods like Zeus, they are just decorative vases. When they are in a good mood, they will take good care of them, but when they are in a bad mood, they will use them to vent their anger.

When Hades tried to abduct Persephone, Zeus, as her king of gods and father, not only did not stop him but actually provided assistance. This precisely proves that in Zeus's eyes, there is no such thing as family affection. Children are just tools to continue his rule. If one is gone, he will just have another one. He will not feel bad if one dies.

"Let's go!"

Martin didn't know how to comfort such a poor person. He just wanted to take her away from this place as soon as possible.

Persephone had nothing to pack. She was all alone when she was abducted to the underworld, and now she was leaving, she didn't plan to take anything with her.

Martin walked ahead, leaving the twisted garden, and Persephone followed behind him, walking barefoot on the hard gravel, which did not hurt her feet because of the god's strong body.

"Lord Persephone!"

Hippolyta has separated from Diana. The mother and daughter have been apart for too long, and they have too much to say, which cannot be finished in a short time, so they prepare to leave the underworld first.

She turned around and saw the Queen of the Underworld coming out of the garden, and subconsciously wanted to perform a ritual of worship.

"No need for the big gift, I'm not some noble person."

Martin was startled and turned his finger, preventing Hippolyta from continuing to salute.

"Persephone will be leaving the Underworld with us and may stay on Paradise Island for a while. Is Queen Hippolyta okay with that?"

"what?"

Hippolyta stared at the Queen of the Underworld, who was shrouded in black veil, with her eyes wide open. She pointed at Martin and said, "You've even hooked up with the Queen of the Underworld?"

"Uh--"

Martin really didn't expect Hippolyta to think of him this way. He touched his nose, not knowing how to explain. After a moment of silence, he said:

"I help Persephone simply out of sympathy for the weak, nothing else."

Diana also pulled her mother and whispered to her, "Mom, don't let your imagination run wild. Martin would never do that."

She hadn't finished her sentence yet. Given Martin's insensitivity to the emotions between men and women, he would never save a woman he had just met for this reason.

Persephone stood behind Martin, also angered by Hippolyta's words.

The ethical relationships in the Greek pantheon are very confusing. Of course, it doesn't matter to people like Zeus and Ares, because they are exploiters in the sexual order.

Persephone was the exploited one. Even though she had the title of Queen of the Underworld, it could not change the fact that she was abducted by Hades.

"We should leave and not stay in the underworld any longer!"

Martin had no intention of arguing with Hippolyta on this topic, so he took Persephone's hand and walked towards the darkness that enveloped the underworld.

Hippolyta said to her helpless daughter, "Am I wrong? Is there any other reason for a man to save a woman besides wanting to keep her for himself?"

Diana didn't know how to tell her mother, so she could only remain silent and pull her to catch up with Martin.

"She slandered you like that, don't you get angry?" Persephone was angry about what happened to her and also about the insult to Martin's reputation.

"Although Hippolyta is a woman, she speaks and acts more manly than men!"

As Martin was walking, he suddenly made such a sigh, which confused Persephone.

She asked in confusion: "Men are men, women are women, how can the two be confused?"

"When it comes to power, there's no distinction between men and women. When a man holds power, he naturally places himself in the position of a man or a father, unscrupulously dominating those 'women' who have no power to resist!"

What Martin said is not a new theory. Human beings have already figured it out as early as the 20th century.

“Although Paradise Island is full of women, they are also kings, priests, generals, and officials!”

Not to mention, the Amazons reproduce in a way that's similar to that of mantises.

"Zeus imprisoned the Amazons on Paradise Island for thousands of years. It was called protection, but in reality, it was captivity. He deliberately kept them in that primitive and backward state so that they could better serve the gods."

“In fact, they are no different from the colonized countries and ethnic groups in South America and Africa.”

Persephone could understand what the one she bought said. She was too bored in the underworld and often looked through the memories of those souls. She had a certain understanding of the current situation of human society.

She laughed sarcastically and said, "You are right! That is indeed what Zeus did to the Amazons."

"We are not as pitiful as you say!"

Diana and Hippolyta rushed over. The queen was very dissatisfied with Martin's evaluation of her, making the Amazons look like primitive people.

Hippolyta was ready to have a debate with the man she saw as "Hermes Martin".

Diana still hasn't told her mother Martin's true identity. This fact is so shocking that it's hard to believe if you haven't met him in person.

"Yes, yes, everything you said is right!"

Martin didn't want to debate with Hippolyta at all. He didn't do meaningless things.

"you"

Hippolyta was a serious person and could not accept such perfunctory attitude, so she wanted an explanation.

Martin did not bother with her and whispered to Persephone, "Send her back to her body quickly. I don't want to quarrel with her."

Persephone stood behind Martin and exercised her power as the Queen of the Underworld to drive Hippolyta's soul out of the Underworld. Pulled by her physical body, she passed through the darkness that enveloped the underworld and flew directly to Paradise Island.

Martin sensed the trajectory of Hippolyta's soul movement and used his own power to open a path to Paradise Island.

The darkness that enveloped the underworld, that is, Charon's father Erebus, did not react this time, as if dead, allowing Martin's power to pass through his body.

Diana couldn't help but complain to Martin: "Although my mother's ideas are a bit old-fashioned, you don't have to treat her like this. Can you just expel her?"

"Ideological arguments are endless. After all, Paradise Island has existed safely for thousands of years. Hippolyta will not change her mind easily, so why should I argue with her?"

Although Martin likes to preach, he only preaches to friends who stand on his side.

When dealing with enemies and neutral people, he always laughs and scolds, mocks them mercilessly, and even takes action directly.

"You are right. But my mother has a strong sense of self-esteem. If you treat her like this today, she will definitely save face."

Diana already wants to push Paradise Island out of the protection of the gods and face the world on her own.

She was very worried about her mother because she had a certain resistance to this matter.

"Don't worry, your mother won't put her emotions above the collective interests of the entire Amazon."

Now, Martin has more confidence in Hippolyta than in Diana, his own daughter.

　And, wait for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)