Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Here there is neither hunger, strife, pain, nor sorrow; it is an eternal pure land freed from all suffering and afflictions…

Samael, who had initially dismissed the matter, suddenly had his pupils contract sharply.

The moon goddess, who had been led to the door by Atalanta, broke free and turned back like a mother leopard, rushing to little Medea, placing her hands on the child's shoulders, and eagerly asking questions.

Where is this place?

“Well, in the deepest part of the underworld, far upstream of the Agron River, on the boundless plains beyond the Ledi River, I dreamt of the goddess Hecate, and she led me there.”

Startled by the violent shaking, Medea stammered in response under the gaze of the moon goddess, and then nervously added another sentence at the end.

"However, it...it's not called Paradise Island..."

At that moment, Samael stepped forward and embraced little Medea, gently stroking her trembling shoulder in a soft voice.

"Don't rush, tell me slowly, what's it called..."

Encouraged by the ancient serpent, Medea calmed herself down and earnestly revealed the true name of this place.

“Ηλυσιον, its name is…【Pure Land of Bliss】!”

Chapter 229 I'm sorry, I'm jumping ship! (3/4)

The underworld... the Pure Land of Bliss... the place where heroes' souls return!

That's it!

Samael's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slapped his forehead, and suddenly his mind cleared up.

Paradise Island may not necessarily be an island, but rather a name for a region based on its environmental characteristics. Ηλυσιον (Paradise) may be its true name.

Similarly, Paradise Island is not necessarily located on the sea or in the sky; it may also be in the underworld!

After all, what place is more suitable than the underworld to bind the soul of a hero to that land, to nourish and drive it?

Moreover, in the Mesopotamian world, at the very bottom of the underworld, he had built the "Paradise Lost," which housed the souls of those who died in the Uruk war. Its function was actually quite similar to that of "Paradise Island."

A misconception! A misconception!

After going around in circles for so long, how come I didn't think of that? Samael was extremely frustrated.

Meanwhile, little Medea, who was secretly peeking at this place, saw the ancient serpent's ever-changing expression. Her heart was filled with unease, and she looked lost and dejected. She lowered her little head and stammered.

"Lord Theseus, did I... say something wrong? I'm sorry..."

"No, no! Medea, you've been a great help! Compared to the inanimate Golden Fleece, your knowledge is the most precious treasure on this Argonautical Expedition!"

Samael snapped out of his daze, immediately placed his hand on the little girl's shoulder, looked at Medea solemnly, and showered her with praise.

Am I the most precious treasure? More valuable than the Golden Fleece? He came to Colchis just for me...

So that's what Lord Theseus thought! I'm so happy!

Amidst the rollercoaster of emotions, Medea, head over heels in love, had a flushed face and her eyes were filled with joy and shyness.

Completely unaware that some young girl had filled in a ten-thousand-word romance script for him, Samael was in high spirits and beaming with joy after learning the exact location of Paradise Island.

"If the Pure Land of Bliss is the same as Paradise Island, then we must make a trip to the Underworld. But how should we get there?"

Just when things seemed to be looking up, Artemis, overjoyed, frowned and brought up the trouble she was facing.

The Sky Gods and the Ocean Gods are doing alright, with some interaction between them.

However, the gods of the underworld are a separate entity, even distinct from Olympus, and only a few gods with permission can roam freely.

However, the Moon Goddess herself is not included in this list.

"Don't worry, I have a solution!"

Samael smiled and raised his right hand in a reassuring gesture, seemingly confident of success.

Then, the ancient serpent entrusted the task of caring for the moon goddess to Atalanta, a follower, and left the temple, flapping its wings and flying to the island of Thetis.

"You want me to open the entrance to the Tartarus Crypt?"

In the majestic palace, Poseidon sat high on a throne carved from a single piece of coral and inlaid with various gems and pearls of different colors. Upon hearing his opponent's request, his brow furrowed.

"Paradise Island is very likely hidden in the Styx Wilderness beneath the Tartarus Caverns. If this hidden danger is not eliminated, Mount Ares will reassess the chances of success in that operation."

After all, you are Zeus's brother. Even if something goes wrong, you'll at most be imprisoned in the Tartarus. We, on the other hand, may not be so lucky. We must take responsibility for our own lives; success is the only option, failure is not an option!

After Samael, who was below the hall, informed the Sea King of the news he had received from Medea, he solemnly stated his side's position and began to exert pressure.

The reason why the ancient serpent went to the underworld to find Poseidon was partly because it had witnessed the war between the old and new gods on Mount Olympus and Mount Olympus in the Sea of ​​Oceanus.

At that time, the three defeated Titans were dragged into the abyss of Tartarus in the sea.

On the other hand, according to the Theogony, Tartarus was surrounded by three layers of darkness and three bronze walls. Its bronze gates were built by Poseidon, who was responsible for guarding them, and Hades was in charge of the underworld.

Clearly, Poseidon, the god of the sea, holds the key to enter the underworld from the sea.

Now, both sides are in the same boat. If Paradise Island is Zeus's trump card, destroying it would benefit both sides. If not the traitor Poseidon, who else could they turn to?

Meanwhile, Samael's words, so sharply opposed to Olympus, actually relieved Poseidon, and his expression softened.

Although opening the entrance to the Tartarus crypts carried certain risks for him, he was more pleased to see his allies determined to fight Zeus to the death. Otherwise, what would be the point of going to such lengths to win over Ares?

After a moment's thought, Poseidon slowly spoke, giving his reply while also setting his conditions.

“I can open the entrance to the Tartarus crypt for you, but this won’t last long and will inevitably alert Zeus. So, I’ll only wait three days…”

"Three days is too short. We know nothing about the actual situation in the Underworld and Paradise Island. To get results, we need at least seven days!"

"Alright, seven days it is! But after seven days, regardless of whether we can destroy Zeus's card, Athena must come with me to Olympus!"

This……

Just as Samael was having second thoughts, the olive branch that Poseidon had placed in the vase shimmered with a soft glow, and the phantom of Athena emerged from it, speaking solemnly.

"can!"

Having received a satisfactory reply, Poseidon nodded with pleasure and reached an agreement with his powerful niece.

Seeing that the die was cast, Samael secretly rolled his eyes at the phantom of Athena and had no choice but to accept the outcome.

"Time is of the essence, so please get ready first. I'll be there shortly."

When it came to his grand plan of usurping the throne, Poseidon acted swiftly and decisively. After finalizing the specific details, he issued an order to leave.

"Wait first!"

Just as Samael was about to leave the hall, the Sea King seemed to realize something, and stopped his ally, his eyes flashing as he whispered something.

"Since you're going to the underworld, take this with you..."

The ancient snake reached back and caught a pale blue amber piece that had been thrown at it. As it opened its palm to examine it, its eyes narrowed slightly and a playful smile appeared on its lips.

There, amidst the gentle seawater, on the dreamlike seabed, lay the hundred-armed giant Briareus, slumbering a thousand times smaller, fast asleep in a drunken stupor.

It seems the prisoners of Tartarus are about to have one more cellmate.

After leaving Thetis in high spirits, Samael hurried to the Atlantis reception room to inform Argo’s friends of the good news.

"Um, can I quit?"

However, just as the joyful atmosphere was getting stronger, an arm was raised from the crowd, and the tentative question was slightly awkward.

As Samael's gaze fell upon them, the crowd instinctively parted, revealing Captain Jason's figure.

Chapter 230 Kidnapping a Stepmother? (4/4)

Jason's eyes flickered, and he coughed as he explained.

"Ahem, you should take your less injured companions with you. I'll pilot the Argo and take the wounded back home for treatment."

After all, as captain, he needed to consider the safety of most of the crew, many of whom were already seriously injured and unfit to immediately embark on another adventure.

Upon hearing this, the Argonauts exchanged glances and nodded slightly, clearly understanding the captain's good intentions.

"Hmph! You coward, if you're scared, just say so. Why put on such a righteous act when you want to desert your post!"

But Katniss, who limped out of the back hall leaning on a long spear, showed no appreciation and snorted coldly with a contemptuous expression.

Amidst these doubts, more and more Argonauts, their expressions shifting, looked scrutinizingly at the captain in the crowd.

Jason was struggling to breathe, his face flushed with embarrassment. He wanted to argue, but he was speechless with embarrassment.

Just as Jason was feeling somewhat ashamed, Samael patted the captain on the shoulder and spoke approvingly.

"That's right. Even if it means sacrificing temporary honor, we should not put the lives of our crew members in danger. You are indeed the most qualified captain."

Indeed, we need to consider the majority of the crew. Besides, crossing the River Styx and searching for Paradise Island is a matter of quality over quantity, and it's not suitable for too many people to participate. After I invite a few friends who are willing to go, I'll trouble you to take the rest of the crew back to Iorkos.”

With the support of the adopted son of the goddess of wisdom, the heroes of Argonauts gradually dispelled their doubts and understood the captain's good intentions.

Even the hot-tempered Katniss, after much thought, realized her mistaken assumptions and apologized to Jason.

Jason responded to the crew's reconciliation with nods and groans, his gaze unconsciously darting away. As he turned his head, he wanted to find his old friend for help, but he couldn't help but find that the old friend had already led several familiar figures out of the palace.

When Samael arrived at the secluded port where he had agreed to meet Poseidon, he stopped.

"Hmph! I think that kid is clearly trying to desert his post. Do you really need to defend him?"

Artemis slightly raised her eyes and bluntly exposed Jason's true intentions.

The group from Mount Ares who accompanied them, along with Atalanta, Medea, and Circe, remained calm and unconcerned about the captain's choice.

On the contrary, Hercules at the back of the line glanced back at the reception room, sighed slightly, frowned and shook his head.

Clearly, quite a few of the Argonauts had discerned Captain Jason's thoughts, and his attitude had truly disappointed those close to him.

Samael turned around, smiled slightly, and didn't seem to mind.

"He's right. The underworld, filled with deathly energy, is not a place for the wounded."

Moreover, since the location of Paradise Island has been determined, we no longer need the Argo's disguise.

Apart from a few people, the other members are basically of no help. I can't just leave them all in Atlantis, can I?

Poseidon's territory is not necessarily secure either.

Moreover, it is human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm. His choice was not entirely without responsibility. On the Oceanus Sea, no one was more suitable than this captain to transport the rest of the crew back home.

Therefore, there's no need to be so critical.

Artemis's anger subsided somewhat after the ancient serpent's objective and rational analysis and explanation, but judging from her appearance, it would be difficult for her to shake off her bad impression of Jason in the short term.

After all, spending so much time together inevitably leads to some intimacy, and the captain's attitude at this moment carries a hint of betrayal.

Samael was not surprised by this.

He was quite familiar with Jason's character. Now that the Golden Fleece was in hand, the throne seemed within his grasp. Expecting Jason to risk his life was probably not so easy.

Therefore, even when it came to venturing into the Eye of the Tide and completing the exploration of Atlantis, it was only through a combination of bluffing and deception that Samael managed to keep Jason calm.

Now, with a series of unexpected events, the combat power he and Artemis have revealed, as well as the divine forces involved, have exceeded ordinary boundaries.

Based on Jason's intuition, he had already guessed that he was involved in something serious, so it was not surprising that he withdrew at this point to save his life.

However, in return, Jason chose to back down, and Samael will also hold back.

For example, what he didn't say was that Jason's uncle, the king, was a bit cowardly, but his lust for power was no less. After obtaining the Golden Fleece and waiting for the Argonauts to return to their respective countries, he turned his back on them, banished his nephew, and left him to spend half his life wandering and instability.

We are all adults and need to pay the price for our choices.

As the azure light patterns spread rhythmically from Thetis Island towards this place, Samael gathered his thoughts and looked at everyone in turn, his gaze landing on little Medea with a slight hesitation.

To be honest, this trip to the underworld is fraught with unknown risks, and Medea lacks experience in fighting enemies, so he doesn't really want to involve her.

Anyway, with that silly bird Circe around, if we run into any trouble, we can always talk to Hecate, the goddess of roads and magic.

Sensing Samael's intentions, the ever-alarming Medea rushed forward, clinging tightly to the ancient serpent's arm, her cherry lips pressed together, pleading with pleading eyes.

"I want to stay by Lord Theseus's side. Although I may not be very reliable... well... I'm sure I can be of help. Please believe me..."

But perhaps because of her timidity and lack of persuasiveness, coupled with her innate pessimism, Medea immediately drooped her little head and looked dejected.

"I...I don't want to go to Athens alone..."

"Isn't Katniss there too? Little Rhodes is coming along too, they're going the same way anyway, they'll protect you."

Circe, who was eager to get rid of this burden, immediately retorted, almost beaming with joy despite her auntly demeanor.

Suddenly, Samael's mind went blank, and he looked at the tearful little Medea in astonishment, as if he had seen a ghost.