Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

As the crimson pillar of light gradually faded and dissipated, the demigod, who had been pulling King Iasos away in a hasty retreat, looked at the giant crater on the ground, which was emitting blue smoke, with a look of horror. He gasped and cursed under his breath.

Idiot! If you keep refusing to let it go, the worst you'll get is a life sentence. Maybe if the gods are in a good mood, you'll be spared and released from the prison on Mount Ares.

To openly shift the blame to the gods, do you really think that the god of love and beauty wouldn't kill someone?

Even if Aphrodite is too lazy to shed blood, her bunch of lovers could take your life in a heartbeat!

The one who just made the move was none other than Ares, the god of war and the goddess's long-term lover.

Moreover, because of the previous trial at Mount Ares, this brute has a grudge against His Majesty Poseidon. Now that he's taking this opportunity to kill you, there's nowhere to seek justice!

"Friend, you don't look well. Do you need any treatment?"

The renowned healer nearby approached and inquired with a kind expression.

The demigod of the Temple of Poseidon's eyes were wary, and a chill ran down his spine. He hastily forced a stiff smile, and spoke with righteous indignation.

"I'm fine! I'm alright! Hippomenes was blasphemeral and deserves to die! I'll relay the details to His Majesty Poseidon. That's all, I'll be going now!"

Having said that, the demigod, who already had a strong psychological trauma from the doctor in front of him, immediately struck his trident. A halo of light rippled across the ground, and clear spring water gushed out from the cracks in the earth. A chariot drawn by three sea horses emerged from it.

Then, he jumped onto the water-patterned chariot and sped away without looking back, wanting to get as far away from this godforsaken place as possible.

"Ugh, why don't they just follow the doctor's orders? Honestly..."

The God of Healing glanced at the deep pit beside him, shook his head, and then lightly waved his serpent staff. The pure white halo condensed into a fine rain, sprinkling onto the arena in front of him, as well as the streets and alleys of Arcadia.

The injured contestants found their wounds healing, and those suffering from diseases were expelled and purified by the surging divine power, their energy surpassing that of before.

After healing, Asclepius nodded to Samael in the crowd and walked slowly towards the city gate.

Sure enough, things don't come that easily.

The ancient snake rolled its eyes, tugged at the somewhat familiar owl on its shoulder, stroked it a few times, and looked at the crowd gathering towards it with various motives, raising its voice.

"Stop right there! Now, in the name of the victor, I declare that the contestants who upheld their principles will be pardoned; those who blindly followed and harbored malice will be required to perform ten days of labor for the Kingdom of Arcadia. I will request the Arbitration Court of Mount Ares to send someone to handle the follow-up. If there are any problems, contact your employer first!"

Samael decisively shifted the blame to King Iasos, who was stunned in the stands.

Atalanta glanced at the figure, half fearful and half delighted, gradually disappearing into the crowd, and felt a wave of nausea. She immediately grabbed Samael's arm and walked out of the city without looking back.

On the open ground outside the city, Hippolyta, who had rushed out to chase after them, couldn't help but step forward and stop the two, asking them in a low voice.

“I beat Atalanta, right? When are you going to come back to Amazon with me?”

Atalanta's face stiffened. Just as she was about to answer, Samael grabbed her shoulder and pulled her backward.

Looking at the persistent Amazon queen, the ancient serpent's smile vanished, his gaze turned sinister, and he slowly spoke.

“Hispareutes, that’s enough. You seem to have forgotten that I saved your life in that canyon, and you gave yourself and your entire tribe to me.”

You, including everything Amazon owns, no longer belong to you…

"Using chips that never belonged to you to gamble again, even if you win Atalanta, the spoils won't be yours..."

Hippolyta's expression froze, and she hesitated several times before speaking.

Samael grew impatient, his snake-like eyes narrowing slightly.

"What makes you think you have the leverage to gamble with me? Trying to control me with those clumsy childish tricks is just too naive."

Immediately, the ancient serpent lowered his voice and looked down at the Amazon queen, who was a head shorter than him, his tone carrying a hint of desolation and boredom.

"Enough with the jokes. It seems I've been too lenient with you lately."

Hippolyta froze, her eyes stinging at the towering shadow. She lowered her head, biting her cherry lips until they bled, her heart filled with defeat.

It turns out that her desperate struggle to escape the fate of the Amazons was nothing more than child's play in his eyes, and was never truly taken to heart.

From the moment I signed the contract and left the canyon, I lost all my ability to play the game.

"Alright, let's go back to the Amazon. The unstable factors have been eliminated. Your sister seems to be waiting for you in the woods..."

Samael glanced at the shadowy figures in the forest, waved casually, and Hippolyta, pale-faced, bit her lip in disappointment and retreated.

Originally, considering our shared mythological background, I wanted to remain friends, but unfortunately, you were not only impatient but also overstepped your bounds...

After seeing off half a friend who left dejectedly, Samael felt somewhat disheartened.

However, when his gaze fell upon the Amazon Queen's heavy, drooping shoulders, his hardened heart softened slightly.

"Regarding the arrangements for the Amazon's Day of Rebirth and the disposal of the infants, take this as a sacrifice and ask the goddess Athena. Her wisdom will give you reasonable advice."

Hippolyta instinctively reached behind her and opened her palm to see a snake with deep black scales, and was momentarily stunned.

When the Amazon queen came to her senses, she looked around and was shocked to find that Samael, Atalanta, and Hercules, who was hiding in the shadows, had all vanished without a trace.

Sorry... and... thank you...

Hippolyta pursed her lips, tilted her head back, and murmured a sense of loss in her heart.

At the same time, the three arrived at two magnificent carriages with intricate carvings of oak, laurel, olive branches, and other decorative patterns. Beside the carriage behind, several familiar faces, including Katniss and Circe, seemed to have been waiting for a long time. A sunny young man carrying a harp sat in the driver's seat, smiling brightly at them.

Immediately afterwards, Asclepius, the god of medicine who had previously offered VIP service, jumped down from a carriage in front, lifted the curtain, and revealed a figure with silver hair flowing down her back.

"Hi~! I'm Art... cough, no, I mean Diana! Everyone, let's get along well as our companions on the next journey!"

How did I do, darling?

After speaking, the goddess smiled and gently rubbed the brown teddy bear in her arms. Facing the teddy bear with its contorted features, trying to escape, a foolish look appeared on her lips.

The unexpected answer left Samael bewildered. He glanced strangely at the clueless Atalanta, his unease growing stronger.

"So, what does 'new journey' mean?"

"We need to get to the Kingdom of Iorkos as soon as possible to complete a trial. This is also a divine oracle given to you by Athena. We'll discuss the details on the way."

The medical genius raised his hand in an invitation, his expression serious.

The Kingdom of Iorkos? Isn't that Jason's homeland?

So, what comes next is the Argo Expedition to seize the Golden Fleece?

But with even the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, personally getting involved, things can't be that simple.

Tsk, you dumped another mess on me with a VIP service that's all show and no substance. Athena, you really know how to calculate.

Samael secretly glared at a certain unfilial daughter, but when he thought of the snake scales Hippolyta had received before leaving, he couldn't help but feel much happier.

You're always staring at me, are you bored? Perfect, I need to find something to do.

Whether you can successfully resolve the Amazons' reproductive issues and, incidentally, snatch Ares's beloved daughters from his grasp, is the test I'm giving you.

Meanwhile, in the palace of Ares, Athena, with a smile on her face, was chasing Themis's queen on the chessboard.

I've given you the grand gesture, the highest level of treatment, but you're responsible for handling the aftermath yourself.

The hunter who wanted to abduct the goddess of the forest, Artemis's conditions were not so easy.

By the way, the plan has reached a crucial moment. Mount Ares has carried the burden for so many years; it's time for you to help us draw Olympus's attention, Dad.

Almost simultaneously, the father and daughter, separated by thousands of miles, smiled in unison, revealing identical smiles, each having outmaneuvered the other, and were in high spirits.

Chapter 177 The Mystery of Paradise Island

"So, what kind of mess have you dumped on me this time?"

Inside the carriage, Samael leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes and massaging his temples, resonating with the distant Mount Ares, silently frowning and asking himself a question.

At this moment, the serpent incarnate that had been coiled on Justice's shoulder slid down to the center of the chessboard, its vertical pupils flashing with light, reflecting the figures of Athena and Themis.

"You have such a considerate daughter, how could you be so mean to me? It hurts my feelings."

Athena feigned a heartbroken expression, her fingers covering her eyes occasionally parting to peek at her with smiling purple eyes.

"Still pretending? The more obedient you are, the more scared I get, because that means there's more trouble ahead."

The ancient snake, who knew his adopted daughter's character inside and out, suddenly felt a toothache.

"Speaking of which, this little thing feels really nice to touch. If you could give me one too, maybe I could forgive you."

Exposed, Athena smiled and reached out her venomous hand to the snake incarnation on the chessboard. She first rubbed it with her fingertips, and then excitedly pressed her cheek against the little creature and rubbed it gently, experiencing the cool and ticklish feeling of the scales sliding, just like a little girl longing for a new toy.

"Don't interrupt! Why did you make me personally lead this expedition?"

Even Artemis has arrived! For something as trivial as the Golden Fleece, it wouldn't warrant such a massive mobilization. I feel like I'm going to suffer a huge loss this time.”

Samael rolled his eyes and decided to cut to the chase.

"It's nothing. I just saw you were pretty free, so I asked you to do me a small favor and go out to sea to find a place."

The more relaxed and carefree Athena was, the more terrified the ancient serpent became.

"Let me calm down and prepare myself mentally. Whew, okay, tell me, where?"

Paradise Island!

"Ahem, and then what?"

"Gone."

"Where's the address, the nautical chart, and the specific details?!"

"If I knew, would I need you to come?"

Samael rubbed his temples, asking listlessly.

"You should at least tell me the reason, right?"

"It's on Artemis's condition that she helps you. If you want to abduct someone's chastity hunter, you need to exchange information about Paradise Island for it."

"What exactly does she want to do with this place?"

Athena casually scratched the chin of the black snake in her palm, her eyes swirling with thoughts. After a moment, her face became more serious, and she opened her lips to ponder.

"Saving someone is a way to atone for one's mistakes..."

"Orion?"

"As expected of Dad, you're really smart. It's even simpler now that you know this."

"If I'm not mistaken, the teddy bear in Artemis's arms contains a part of the soul of the sea god. It seems that the son of the sea god was never truly dead from the beginning."

Getting to the point, Samaelmo stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

Once upon a time, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt who vowed to remain chaste, fell in love with Orion, the son of the sea god who was a hunter, and began to pursue him. The two gradually became passionate and their desire to be together even reached Olympus, causing a great uproar.

To stop his sister's romantic escapades, Apollo devised a plan. After spotting Orion swimming in the distance, he concealed Artemis's true senses and tricked her.

“That’s a villain named Kandaon. Let’s see who can take him down first.”

Provoked, Artemis, as was her habit, displayed her sisterly arrogance and beautifully pierced the head of the sea god's son with an arrow.

The next day, the moon goddess, who had noticed his death, lamented and wanted to resurrect him, but was not allowed to. She had no choice but to let him rise into the sky and become a star, which is the so-called "Orion".

"But in reality, after Artemis's appeal to Olympus went unanswered that night, she went to Mount Ares, hoping we could rescue her lover."

"Failed?"

"Tch, can't you praise them more? Wouldn't it be better to say they're halfway to success?"

Athena rolled her eyes coquettishly, and couldn't help but show a hint of reproach.

At that moment, Medusa, carrying a plate of pastries, walked out of the kitchen.

The goddess of wisdom casually picked up a piece, blew on it to warm it, and chewed it in small bites as if savoring an exquisite delicacy.

"Hey, isn't this the butter cake that someone entrusted to that little bird all the way from afar to deliver to our Nemesis? You actually took it out to share. It's been sitting for so long, aren't you afraid it'll go bad?"

"Well, at least you didn't receive anything. Something spoiled is better than nothing..."

Medusa glanced at him indifferently, a hint of pity brewing in her eyes as she looked down at him from above.

Faced with this as always ruthless stab, Athena's face froze, her breath caught in her throat, and suddenly the pie in her hand no longer tasted sweet.

It's spoiled! Absolutely spoiled! And it's incredibly sour!

The goddess of wisdom gritted her teeth in anger, her expression instantly changing. She twisted the black snake she had been so fond of into a pretzel, tying it into knots and rubbing it against her.

"That's outrageous! Why do they all get gifts and I don't? They've been gone for so long, and they won't even bring me a jar of honey olives!"

Themis, who was sitting opposite her with an air of composure, raised her hand to touch the few scrolls of manuscripts in front of her knees, maintaining her calm and serene demeanor with her exceptional composure.

The snake incarnation, manipulated into various poses, spoke slowly and leisurely, appearing calm and composed.

"Go buy whatever kind of olives you want. There are olive trees everywhere in Athens. If you can't wait, just lie down and eat them. The goddess of wisdom doesn't really need a bite."