Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

hiss!

Suddenly, a tuft of soft flesh on his waist was twisted 360 degrees by a slender hand. Samael immediately woke up with a grimacing pain, and then put on a serious face to give his comments.

"You mean the key isn't the ship itself, but the people who gave it special meaning and a name, right? That sounds a bit like sophistry."

The ancient snake gave a fair assessment, while secretly pressing down with its fingers and palm, grasping the soft hand that had rewarded it with a "cat's paw" strike, and secretly playing with and rubbing the soft jade in its palm.

That naughty boy...

Atalanta glared angrily at her underling who was always looking for opportunities to flirt with her superiors, turning her head away with a hint of shame and annoyance, but not withdrawing her fingers.

Little Medea's gaze fell upon the small movements in the dim corner. She pouted, waved her pink fist, and protested somewhat indignantly.

“That’s not sophistry! Just like Mr. Orion now, his body has completely changed, but in Sister Diana’s eyes, he is still himself!”

This argument immediately gained the support of the moon goddess, who looked at Medea with a gentle and pleased gaze and immediately spoke up in support.

“That’s right! No matter how many planks the Argo gets replaced, the overall structure that holds them remains unchanged. Just like a person grows and changes at every stage of life, their bones, face, physique, and even every muscle in their body. Can you say that this person isn’t who they were in the past?”

Such a reasoned and well-founded response left Atalanta, who held opposing views, speechless and forced to concede defeat.

After speaking, Artemis and Medea exchanged a knowing glance, seemingly sharing a mutual appreciation.

It seems that both of them are yandere in terms of personality, and it doesn't seem wrong that they cherish each other.

But seriously, is this how you act as the supreme deity? Colluding with outsiders to oppress your own believers? That's utterly despicable!

So, boss, are you interested in learning about Orphism? I'll introduce you to our great Heavenly Father and Savior—the primordial serpent Ophion—when I have time.

Samael rolled his eyes at the Moon Goddess, secretly feeling indignant on behalf of his own Tower Cat.

At this moment, Hercules also raised his head and responded fairly, expressing his support for Medea's statement.

The ancient serpent clapped its hands, ultimately maintaining its impartial attitude, and looked approvingly at the purple-haired, purple-eyed witch, casually pulling up Circe and chuckling with a sigh.

"That's right. The Argo is not just a bunch of wooden planks that make up the ship. More importantly, it is the friends on board who have gone through adventures with us and shared life and death."

Since even inanimate objects like ships need to be dismantled and repaired, gradually changing their original appearance, how much more so should we, who are all different individuals, be able to disperse and gather together, which is the norm.

However, as long as we live, we will have the chance to reunite from the Greek city-states for the same adventure, for the same goal, and to drink and talk together on the ship!

At this point, everyone suddenly realized that the man in front of them was using a debate game to indirectly comfort them who were feeling down because of the separation and reunion.

"Yes! That's exactly what I mean!"

In high spirits, Hercules laughed heartily. When the mood struck him, he took off his wine pouch and drank generously with the others.

Samael naturally let them have their way, and rummaged out a few jugs of wine he had smuggled from Atlantis, tossing them to his teammates to satisfy their cravings. Meanwhile, Circe, who was still longing for good food, also got his wish and received a piece of carefully prepared smoked meat.

In the gradually increasing atmosphere of joy, the ancient serpent took a sip of wine and smiled at little Medea.

"Tell me, what does our little champion want?"

At Circe's urging, Medea, who had drunk some wine, now had a face flushed with an intoxicating blush.

With Artemis, that scoundrel of a goddess, egging her on, little Medea was pushed in front of the event organizer. She blinked her watery purple eyes, bit her cherry lips a few times, hugged the Staff of the Moon, raised her little head, and blurted out the answer.

"I...I really want to experience dating and marriage starting from an arranged marriage. If possible, Lord Theseus, please let me have a romance!"

"puff!"

Samael spat out the drink he had just taken a sip of, followed by a violent cough.

The expressions on the faces of everyone present were also varied.

Artemis maintained a playful, amused expression, seemingly enjoying the spectacle, and offered her approval and encouragement for the little girl's boldness.

Circe, the guardian, looked as if he had seen a ghost, and shrank back, fearing that Samael would take the opportunity to capture him and beat him in retaliation.

Hercules, however, looked at Atalanta, who had been brutally attacked, with a hint of sympathy. The huntress was somewhat amused and exasperated by the little girl's audacity in trying to snatch her away right in front of her.

Immediately, the catgirl with healthy-colored hair, her sharp fangs grinding together, and her narrowed emerald eyes flashed with a fierce light at someone.

"Boom!"

Just as the atmosphere became tense and oppressive, and Samael felt a chill run down his spine, a muffled thunderous roar, like rolling boulders from the mountains, came from the distant wilderness.

"What's going on? Go check it out!"

The ancient snake sprang up from the ground instantly, its expression solemn and righteous. Without saying a word, it packed its bags and rushed towards the source of the sound like a shooting star.

Chapter 233 The Convict Who Played a Trick on the Gods (1/3)

In the desolate wilderness filled with deathly aura, a rugged and steep peak stands tall in the gray mist, soaring into the clouds.

On the rugged mountain path, a figure wearing rune shackles, as small as an ant, pushes a dark boulder toward the summit.

However, just as the boulder was about to reach the summit, the heavy object, influenced by some kind of rule, uncontrollably rolled down the mountainside, accompanied by a thunderous roar, as if mocking the overconfident prisoner.

The figure, half-lying on the mountain path, looked wearily at the boulder that had fallen to the foot of the mountain. He was just about to lie down on one side and take a short break when the invisible force of the rules resonated and vibrated. The pain from his soul caused the prisoner's facial muscles to twitch slightly. He habitually cursed a few times and had no choice but to return to the starting point with a gloomy face to begin a new round of hard labor.

Clearly, the strange noise just now came from there.

At the starting point at the foot of the mountain, a prison guard in a black cloak was holding a jar of wine, watching with great interest this labor reform exercise for criminals.

Furthermore, the prison guards and inmates seemed to get along quite well. After the man who had pushed the stone rolled down the mountain looking utterly miserable, a pale hand peeked out from under his cloak and offered him a glass of wine as a gesture of appreciation.

Just as the labor camp inmates were happily drinking their wine and preparing to complete their daily goal of 100 round trips, the pervasive mist began to rise, and a man with long black hair, scarlet vertical pupils, clapped his hands and walked over with a smile.

Tsk, if I'm not mistaken, this should be the famous scene from Greek mythology, Sisyphus being punished by having to push a boulder. Interesting.

This guy was the founder and king of Corinth. He once kidnapped Death, making death a thing of the past. He sold Zeus's secret to the river god Isopus, who said he had abducted someone's daughter, in exchange for a sacred spring in Corinth that flowed year-round. After being captured and taken to Hades, he deceived Hades, using sweet words to ask for three days to settle his affairs and promising to sacrifice himself for Hades. But as soon as he returned to Earth, he immediately reneged and refused to leave. He really outsmarted the great gods of Greece.

However, this debt must eventually be repaid.

After Sisyphus was arrested, the gods, in order to punish this cunning and wicked impious creature, demanded that he push a giant boulder up a mountain. However, the boulder would roll back down the mountain each time it failed to reach the top, rendering all his efforts futile. Thus, he had to repeat this task endlessly until his soul and will were worn away by this tedious and painful punishment.

In a way, this fellow and Theseus, the disguised Samael, were both incredibly audacious and had committed numerous sins against the gods.

The ancient snake took a deep breath and could smell a scent on the other that made it feel a sense of kinship.

Hmm, a strong, pure smell of scum.

"It's quite exciting that my deeds and reputation have spread to this extent."

However, my friend, I don't mind watching the show; it'll give me a chance to rest a bit more.

The prisoner, with his tousled blond hair and delicate, feminine features, narcissistically touched the single gold gemstone earring hanging from his left earlobe. He leaned against the boulder with a smile, blinked his fox-like eyes, and pointed playfully to the side.

Those who are just watching the show should be careful not to become part of the show themselves...

Is this... advice? Interesting...

Samael's lips curled up, and his gaze followed Sisyphus's furtive pointing finger, landing on the overseer in the black cloak.

“I’d like to linger here for a while, wait for my friend, and ask for directions. The man next to me seems quite welcoming, and I suppose you wouldn’t mind, Your Excellency Thanatos?”

The middle-aged man, whose face was cold and whose temperament was gloomy and calm, twitched his eyelids and nodded stiffly.

With just this simple movement, the deathly mist around him began to boil and vibrate, and his bones and muscles emitted a creaking, grinding sound like rusty gears.

After receiving a "friendly" reply, Samael's eyes, which had been blinking in a cross shape, gradually returned to normal, and he nodded with a satisfied smile.

Hmm, as expected, the spirits of the underworld are simple and honest. Even the mighty Grim Reaper treats outsiders with great courtesy and knows how to behave!

Good heavens, a truly remarkable person has arrived.

Sisyphus glanced at Thanatos, the god of death, who dared not make a move beside him, his eyes flashing, and his smile became even brighter and more sincere.

"Are you asking for directions? I know the area well. Where do you want to go? I'll take you there."

With your mouth full of nonsense, I don't believe a damn thing!

Samael, who also had numerous prior convictions, secretly scoffed at Sisyphus's politeness as a habitual conman and didn't respond. Instead, while waiting for his teammates, he asked questions with great interest.

"Why do you, a mere mortal, dare to mock the gods? With your wisdom, you should know the consequences of such disrespect."

"How can this be called disrespectful! I am the most devout person!"

Sisyphus was indignant upon hearing this, his face full of grievance.

"Look, I simply took advantage of the deception and cunning that the gods have given to mankind. The more successful I am, the more it proves how excellent their creation is."

The more outstanding we are, the greater the achievements of the gods, and the more sublime their existence becomes!

So, I'm just expressing my deepest respect to the great creators of Olympus in a special way.

Not only were they not pleased, but they even threw me into hell as punishment. How petty of them!

Samael looked at the eloquent fraudster with interest, patted the dark boulder at his feet, and gave him a meaningful look.

"Do you regret being tormented by this meaningless labor day after day?"

Sisyphus's sophistry came to an abrupt halt, and a smile blossomed on his face.

"Is it really meaningless? On the contrary, I feel very fulfilled and proud. As long as I am here, there will always be something to do."

In my view, what I've moved isn't just a simple boulder, but a monument to humanity's breakthrough of constraints and its mockery of the gods—this is my greatest achievement!

Samael was taken aback by what he heard, stared at Sisyphus for a long time, and then burst into hearty laughter.

“Interesting, very interesting. Come on, show me your monument one last time, and after that, I'd like to invite you to join my team and become my guide!”

As the ancient serpent pondered, it raised its hand and patted Sisyphus's shoulder. Golden ripples, shimmering with wedge-shaped symbols, spread out, and the shackles on the prisoner's feet snapped. A silver-white chain wrapped around his soul also disintegrated and collapsed.

Has the curse of fate been broken?

Sisyphus stretched his wrists, his expression slightly surprised. He looked thoughtfully at Death, who remained silent beside him, and nodded with a smile.

"As you wish, my dear employer."

The convict took a deep breath and, once again and for the last time, pushed the boulder toward the summit. He moved with unusual slowness and seriousness, a look of emotion and a smile on his face, seemingly enjoying himself.

Sisyphus, a possibility for humanity to surpass the gods? Arena Mountain needs such interesting employees.

Well, the 88 constellations are still short of people, so we can train them properly later. However, forget about getting the Sagittarius Saint Cloth, which is exclusive to the goddess's personal guards.

Samael, at the starting point, stroked his chin and muttered to himself with a wicked grin.

Meanwhile, a deathly fog surged across the wilderness, and Hercules, Atalanta, and their companions arrived to join them.

Chapter 234 Once the money's in hand, I'll side with you! (2/3)

boom!

The dark boulder was laboriously pushed to the top, and Sisyphus, with his back against it, bent down and moved a nearby pebble under the crevice to prevent it from sliding down the steep path.

Finally, as a blond convict carefully moved his body, this monument to humanity's deception of the gods was permanently fixed high above.

Sisyphus, having accomplished his mission, swaggered back in glory with a light step and a carefree smile on his face.

So this was the blasphemous fellow from the Kingdom of Corinth. Hercules and the others who had gathered around Samael, after hearing the ancient serpent's brief introduction, looked at this temporary guide with curiosity or skepticism.

"I say, you've been toiling away in the underworld for so long, do you even know how to get to the endless plains on the other side of the Ledi River, far upstream of the Agron River in the underworld?"

Once everyone was present, Samael beckoned to Sisyphus and began to inquire.

"Let me think... Hmm, the simplest and most direct way is to take Charon's ferry across the River Styx, and the ferry crossing is just ahead."

Sisyphus thought for a moment and answered seriously, but then looked at everyone and seemed a little troubled.

“However, if I’m not mistaken, you should be alive. Charon might not come to ferry you across the river, which is a bit of a problem…”

Samael was slightly taken aback. After a moment of investigation, he realized that the so-called Charon and the teacher Ma from the Academy of Athens were only similar in pronunciation and had no connection whatsoever.

However, not being able to establish a connection is actually more troublesome.

The Styx River system is intricate and vast, and if the ferryman doesn't take the initiative to pick up passengers, he really won't be able to find a better way in a short time.

"Use this..."

Just as Samael was having some trouble, seven Zeus Golds, each radiating a unique charm, were thrown from mid-air in front of everyone.

What's going on here?

The ancient serpent looked at the Grim Reaper who had inexplicably offered a helping hand, and couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

Thanatos looked up and glanced around at everyone. His gaze first lingered on his old acquaintance Sisyphus, and he nodded slightly. Clearly, the prisoner and the guard had developed a good relationship through their amusing cat-and-mouse game.

Then, those dark eyes that had been scanning the room turned to Hercules, and a hint of iciness melted from her indifferent face. Her facial muscles twitched slightly, revealing a somewhat stiff smile.

"Your stepfather and your mother are living well here."

Hercules clearly recognized the figure before him, put away the Gold of Zeus, and nodded slightly in thanks.