Dear Broom Knight.

Chapter 764 The Second Guest is Troublesome (Two Chapters Combined)
Zeus was indeed not a good person.

You could even say he was the most cowardly of all the Greek gods.

But that doesn't mean he wasn't determined to go all in, or even perish together with others.

When there was only one path to take, Zeus was truly resolute in making his decision.

Just like his decision to drag Mount Olympus through Hell... In fact, Armies tried to stop him, but it was no use at all.

But after everything was over, Almes realized that Greece still had a sliver of hope, and that Apollo and the others had only suffered minor injuries, all thanks to Zeus's persistence.

Although Mount Olympia failed to save Zeus's life from the attack from Hell and the ambush from Mount Paradise, it did save many innocent people.

Of course, this was certainly not Zeus's original goal.

But given Zeus's usual good fortune, he knew he might get an unexpected result.

Therefore, he would rather abandon his eldest sister than take Poseidon with him.

Zeus was well aware that among his three brothers, although Poseidon was the most foolish, the most annoying, and the least popular, he was also the least lethal.

Poseidon's damage to the Greek world, in particular, is almost negligible.

After all, he was a good-for-nothing who always got himself into trouble first.

Even in the city-state wars he personally presided over... if other gods hadn't secretly intervened, the blood-soaked battlefield might not have even appeared.

Not to mention the harm done to ordinary residents in both city-states!

Mortals naturally fear Poseidon, after all, he truly can destroy their ships and kill them.

But in inland city-states, some people might not even have heard of Poseidon.

That family, on the contrary, was quite famous for Triton, who frequently patrolled inland rivers and calmed the raging waters.

Or, a good reputation.

It's easy to imagine that if Poseidon had been taken along, the outcome of this escape would likely have been Zeus coughing up blood as he watched Poseidon's retreating figure disappear into the distance.

Hades, who could always restrain Zeus in various ways, did not attract Poseidon's hatred as much.

Almes's lack of confidence can be seen in Zeus's choice to sneak away without Poseidon's knowledge... If he were absolutely certain, he would have used Poseidon as a convenient shield.

However, he did consider keeping it from Hades.

But the entrance to hell was actually near the River Styx, so he couldn't hide it from him.

Armies truly understood his benefactor and father.

Therefore, he understood even more clearly that the most unacceptable outcome for Zeus, who was already mentally prepared for his death or slumber, was that his body would still be his, but his soul would have perished.

Of course, immortality is the best outcome, and Zeus will certainly try his best until the very end.

But if he is destined to die, he must die a glorious and complete death.

In Zeus's eyes, only Hermes could ensure his fate and bury him.

He actually knows everything, he just doesn't want to do anything decent.

Hermes accepted this trust.

But he still delayed this ending until now for Apollo, his friend and brother who brought him to Mount Olympus.

As time went on, his own thoughts also changed.

Hermes originally intended to arrange Pearl and her ornaments before accompanying Zeus into eternal slumber.

But he...

During this period, he occasionally had some doubts.

Was it intentional for Persephone to inject the last bit of life force into his severely damaged soul?

Ezra and his wife were indeed the parents he could choose from who moved him the most.

But they are also the least likely to be chosen.

Without Persephone's life force, even if Almes's divine power were strong, it would have been impossible for this infertile couple to give birth to him.

Even if it was all an accident, Almes would certainly not allow Persephone to save her husband and child on her own.

And then there's his thousand-thread spiderweb vine.

Although Armes was certain that his companion's appearance was not due to Persephone... that girl, though clever, simply didn't have the brains for it.

It is estimated that after determining who he was, the world's will assigned him a role that was neither too big nor too small.

He can act if he wants, or he can completely ignore it if he doesn't.

Hermes certainly wouldn't care.

But it's hard for Armies, who already has family ties, to do nothing.

The Hermes within him actually cherished these feelings as well.

Even so, he had already decided on his final resting place.

Hermes always had one eye on Zeus, so he knew very well that his time was running out.

This is why he was so eager to find a place for Apollo and the others that would readily accept them, not caring about the gods of order on Paradise Mountain, and even providing them with food and lodging.

Armes stared at the old mage before him and said solemnly, "Would you like to sign a contract first?"

The monk, who was being stared at intently, stopped even stroking his beard: "Do you know how devilish the way you speak is?"

"Is there any difference?" Katarina suddenly added.

This time, the old mage finally turned to the Swiftwind Wolf, who was quite hostile towards him: "You, and the one behind your eyes, dislike Toril?"

“No, only you,” Katarina blurted out. “You have a stench of order about you.”

The old mage paused for a second before asking, "You, don't you have the bloodline of a battle angel?"

Only those guys would act like I owe them a fortune from this distance.

Katarina suddenly felt a chill run down her spine: "Who, who are you?"

Armies actually wanted to ask that question too.

The old monk who had spoken seemed quite surprised: "Oh...oh!"

Was I affected too?

He quickly put on a calm demeanor and looked at Armies: "I cannot say that I am AO, but AO can be me."

You should understand, right?
He would be very willing to sign a contract with you, no, with the three Apollos, but he will probably go to Paradise Mountain to talk to them himself.

I never expected that he, who never wanted to go back after leaving Paradise Mountain, would resort to the last means hidden in Paradise Mountain.

He really values ​​your friends.

However, as you probably know, opening the gates to Mount Olympus is not easy.

Especially since they didn't want to attract attention.

Armies suddenly hesitated: "I, I, let me think about it some more."

The old monk looked at him with some confusion: "Huh?"

Armies' eyes flickered, filled with doubt.

The old mage took a deep breath before saying, word by word, "In Toril, I am the observer responsible for organizing all affairs on the ground and providing all the information to the Tablet of Fate."

I've been keeping an eye on those undead for many years!
It will take at least twenty years!

Do you know how long that was?

Pearl couldn't help but tug at Armies' sleeve: "Twenty years, is that a long time?"

In her memory, Persephone and those little fairies could play a game for ten years.

"You don't understand, some things are poisonous," the old monk said lifelessly, "like those strange things I just said."

Even though I try hard to forget, I still blurt it out at crucial moments.

Otherwise, how could someone who comes here possibly know so much about Toril... No, right now, I know nothing about it.

Everything that happens to Toril is unsolvable.

At least for me, there is no solution.

He suddenly looked at Katarina again: "No matter who you are, you don't need to hold a grudge against me or take it out on me."

I am merely a work-oriented face created by AO using the flesh and blood of the God of Order; my status is not necessarily stronger than the Slate of Fate.

Haha~

I need to go out on my own to slowly forget the shock the undead gave me.

The Slate of Fate, however, can be safely stored away and completely protected.

He suddenly gave a cold smile: "It's just a crumbly, broken pancake. Besides that idiot Bane, who else would be foolish enough to want to bite into it..."

Seeing the old mage suddenly realize something and his expression turn ashen, Katarina couldn't help but send a telegram in her mind: Lori, is this the extremely cunning and terrifying enemy you described?
I think what's scary about him is actually his insanity!
I didn't feel scared at all.

Lowry was also quite melancholy.

Karex, the destroyer of this world, actually fits his imagination quite well.

Moreover, as a dragon that was not yet fully grown, Lowry was not afraid of him and naturally observed him with satisfaction.

It is precisely for this reason that Karix cannot be considered the first powerful outsider he came into contact with.

Therefore, he genuinely had some inexplicable imagination about this first appearance, who was likely an AO.

However, no imagination could ever capture this feeling of...as if from a past life.

I don't know how AO is feeling right now, but Lori has lost all interest.

However, this also cleared up a question he had once had: if NPCs really have intelligence, will they be affected by players after interacting with them for a long time?

Can they still maintain their air of superiority?

If even the Order of AO cannot achieve this, then other gods, especially those on the Chaos side, must already resemble the Undead.

It seems that AO still wants to put up a fight... Unlike this old mage who inexplicably developed a competitive spirit, Lori feels that he is the one who is valued more.

It seems that once his input is no longer available, the Fate Slab will temporarily not need to consume resources to consider the future path.

But Lowry didn't think so. He preferred to use his backup plan from Paradise Mountain to get Apollo and his AOs. He hadn't considered the future related to them.

That can only be calculated using the Tablet of Fate.

The old master had already written the records of the previous twenty years into the Destiny Tablet.

AO just needs to open the calculation himself. I wonder if when this guy returns to Toril, all that will be left of the pancake will be the crust... That would certainly be very beneficial for Taegi's return.

Can Toril, the goddess of fate, really predict even the undead?

Lowry truly found it unbelievable.

Even if there are many of them, they are still projections of souls from outside the multiverse, right?

Lori's mind raced for a moment... then he suddenly realized that an AO who could only die a few million or even tens of millions of years after such a terrifying Taiji was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Including the old mage who guessed his identity with ease.

Fortunately, the one standing there facing him was the meticulous and unwavering Armies.

If it were him, he would probably just pretend he didn't hear anything, keep a straight face, and finish what he was doing, completely ignoring the people talking next to him.

Like Armies, who can express himself so vividly and respond appropriately to every sentence... Lowry could never do that.

He stared firmly ahead and replied to Katarina in a resolute tone: Be honest, the more I hear, the more scared I get! Leave everything to Armes!
Katarina was confused.

She always felt that the old man in front of her was having a conflict with himself.

They are indeed very strong, but they cannot unleash their full combat potential, and they also find it difficult to think about problems for extended periods of time.

Armies' seemingly casual words all contradicted the old man!
But Katarina still chose to obey Lori's will, slowly lying in mid-air, her claws casually scooping up the stardust that passed by her... These piles of dust, which they had just had to move to find, suddenly began to flow after the old man appeared.

Katarina knew that this meant the old man's entry had broken the closed space and caused time to run in disorder because of his presence.

Katarina remembered what Karix had warned her about... If there was an excessively rapid passage of time in the labyrinth, it would attract the attention of the powerful god who guarded Misca.

They clearly had at least ten hours to go treasure hunting!

The old man's sudden move forced them to leave within fifteen minutes... Katarina really wanted to give the old man a swipe to see if he was really that strong even when he was out of balance!

Unfortunately, Lowry refused.

Armies glanced at Katarina, who had finally put aside her hostility.

He said in a somewhat strange tone, "Don't blame her, she's here to make a fortune."

The old monk gave him a strange look: "It seems so."

On the wolf's paw that it lazily raised, a void crystal was shining brightly.

Although he had obtained quite a few Dark Crystals, the Void Crystals of his entire family combined were still less than those of Katarina. Under that gaze, he was slightly vulnerable: "All you have to do is show up in front of Mount Olympia."

I've already mentioned this to them.

Remember, it was Almes who invited you.

The old mage nodded with some regret, but still asked, "Mystra of Toril is a lazy bum now."

If you go, you can definitely sideline her!

The magic network is still a network, and you can use it!
"Won't you reconsider?"

Almes was somewhat confused: "I remember the last time I heard about the fall of the goddess of magic, Mystra, it was because she worked too hard!"

"Isn't this one just right?"

The old monk's expression twisted slightly: "Not meddling in other people's business and not fighting for power and profit does not mean that we should just give up!"
She doesn't even want to do her job; all she thinks about is getting close to the undead!

Armies didn't understand: "Your choice of words is a bit too trendy."

I, this old-fashioned person who's out of touch with the outside world, really don't quite understand.

Anyway, I'm not going to Toril, and there's no need for me to understand.

It's almost time, we need to go.

Miska… that one, I can't afford to mess with her.”

The old monk sighed with deep regret: "Well... I hope we can meet again."

“Indeed…” Armes smiled and turned his head. “Katarina? The second key is ready to use.”

The Swift Wolf stood up, and a fine iron key suddenly appeared on her forehead, exploding into a burst of black light. It quickly disappeared with the swan boat.

The old mage shook his head helplessly and was about to turn and leave when he saw a giant wearing white and gold armor behind him.

"AO?" the giant asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"If you don't want Toril anymore, you can give it to me. Feeding it to spiders is such a waste."

The old mage stared at him for a moment: "When did you arrive, Hyronis?"

"just."

"Is that intentional?"

What are you talking about?

"Did Grayhawk explode again?" the old mage asked sharply. "After being sold out by those idiots on Paradise Mountain, I don't believe you don't want revenge."

"I am Heronis, the hero of courage and justice."

"I understand." The old mage waved his staff. "Then, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

After watching the old mage disappear, Hyronis slowly vanished... and casually slashed his sword into a cloud of stardust.

Lori looked at the scene engulfed in golden light, pursed her lips helplessly, and switched back to the Katarina channel.

Then he discovered that Armes, who had just arrived at the entrance to the closed tunnel, had already greeted the second guest.

Armes may have anticipated this person's arrival, but he was clearly not very welcoming of it.

His expression was extremely serious, even after the other party greeted him in a friendly manner.

However, Lowry felt it was understandable.

After all, this is the Lord of Hell himself!
"I never expected you to come looking for me so soon." Armies straightened his back, striking a pose as if he were an invincible fortress.

“This is the most suitable place,” Asmodeus, dressed in a luxurious black robe covered in blood-red patterns, replied calmly. “At least it will make you feel safe enough.”

I really need your help with something.

Furthermore, it can fulfill your wish and allow Olympia to naturally escape the control of Paradise Mountain.

As long as Zeus does not completely perish, Olympia will not change masters.

Even if he remains asleep.

This guarantee is achievable within at least a million years.

The horned Lord of Hell smiled politely: "Of course, the premise is that you give me what rightfully belongs to me now."

Armies paused for a moment, but facing the Lord of Hell, he didn't intend to be as clueless as he was with AO. He simply asked softly, "The Seven-Section Scepter?"

“That’s right.” Asmodeus nodded. “Taki once did me a favor, so I can’t hold it against her for these things.”

But when I need it, what's mine should naturally belong only to me.

“I cannot give it to you under the watchful eyes of Hyronius.” Armies shook his head. “My world can be ignored by Paradise Mountain, but it must never be opposed by Paradise Mountain.”

“It’s alright.” Asmodeus pointed in another direction. “You can give the things to Heronis.”

Almes paused for a moment before realizing who Asmodeus was referring to.

That was indeed Hisonis's face.

It could even be said to be part of Heronis... Heronsto.

The eternal enemy of Hyronius, the god of war, conflict, and destruction in the world of Greyhawk...

At the same time, he is also the negative embodiment of Hyronis, the invincible hero of Paradise Mountain... a psychological trauma forced upon him because of guarding the tarantula Misca.

They combine their positive entities into another major problem that only Hyronis can suppress.

Armies was speechless for a long time.

A man as intelligent as him certainly understood that the only way for Heroesto to appear in the bustling tunnel was with the permission of the real Heroes.

Oh...right, these two used to be friends.

Back then on Heaven's Mountain, Hyronis was the only one who openly insisted on granting the Angels of War the power to participate in the Council of Order, allowing them to receive a status commensurate with their outstanding contributions.

Indeed, he is the only Order God who once fought alongside Asmodeus, the King of Battle Angels.

Of course, Hyronis did not attend the stupid meeting where the Order Gods voted to send the Battle Angel to Hell.

At that time, he had already begun guarding Miska, who had been arrested.

Even with the hero's temperament, he couldn't have imagined that the gods of order could be so quick to "discard the hunting dog after the rabbit is caught."

By the time he realized what was happening, Asmodeus had become the Lord of Hell!

It's perfectly normal for a Hyronis like that, with his negative collective experience, to come together with Asmodeus.

He had that desire in his heart all along.

Armes rolled his eyes, glanced at the silent Katarina, and nodded decisively: "How could someone as weak as me have the courage to fight against the Lord of Hell?"

But I also have my own... grievances.

Asmodeus twitched the corner of his mouth: "I... um?"

He suddenly turned his head to look into the distance, his brows furrowing.

"What happened?" Herosto asked in a hoarse, low voice.

“It seems something unexpected has entered one of my worlds,” Asmodeus replied softly.

"Is it important?" Herosto asked blankly. "Can we..."

“Don’t worry about it.” Asmodeus shook his head. “It’s good that this world, which has already been ruined by Gracia, can draw away some troublesome attention.”

"what ever."

A stream of messages flashed through Armmus's mind... He felt that anything that could attract Asmodeus's attention at this moment was important to him.

So he handed over the seven-section scepter fragment in his hand almost immediately.

"You seem to know everything," Herosto said, glancing at the junk thrown into his hand with annoyance. "What's the point of all this scheming? In the end, it just leads to war anyway!"

"You know who vouched for you, don't you?" Asmodeus looked at Armes meaningfully.

“I know.” Armies nodded very honestly. “The contract he just showed me was very comprehensive.”

"That's good."

(End of this chapter)