Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Creating humankind directly is tantamount to confronting the gods. If Athena and Medusa were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Now that Gaia is about to return to her origins, she probably can't stop Zeus, who is at the height of his power.

Prometheus seemed to sense Samael's worry, and patted the ancient serpent on the shoulder with a meaningful smile.

"Don't worry, with you here, Olympus shouldn't notice any changes here."

"And the creator of mankind is still me in name."

Samael suddenly looked up, his snake-like pupils constricting as he stared intently into the prophet's deep eyes.

He actually found out!

Chapter Ninety-Six: The Excellent Matching Mechanism of the Greek Region

The ancient serpent remained silent for a moment before opening its lips to ask a question.

"When did you find out?"

Prometheus slightly raised his hand, gesturing for Samael to relax, his smile gentle.

"Doubt began with your presence."

"I'll probably confirm your identity as a rebel when your answers clarify my doubts about humanity as a creation."

"Your existence both interferes with and guides the operation of destiny."

The words were a bit convoluted, but Samael and Medusa exchanged a glance and simultaneously understood what the prophet meant.

The Tablets of Fate within the ancient serpent caused the Titans to misperceive destiny, making it difficult for them to grasp the full picture.

Similarly, Prometheus, who had the mission of creating humans, was unable to obtain clear revelation because of the appearance of Samael and others on Crete, so he did not take action.

But it was precisely with the help of Samael and others that he suddenly had a breakthrough, and through a combination of sensing and observation, he came to a vague outline of this creation.

The prophet smiled faintly, turned his head and gazed at Olympus, which connected heaven and earth, and murmured something.

"Crete is a place I specifically chose."

"This place is very secluded; even Cronus failed to discover Zeus, who was hiding and growing up here."

"In addition, your special nature has already been verified by the gods who possess the divine nature of fate. Since I cannot see through it even up close, Zeus cannot see the truth within it either."

"Alright, the task of creating humankind is now entrusted to you."

Prometheus glanced at the mud with a hint of regret, then stepped aside without hesitation.

"I don't understand, why are you helping us?"

Samael admired the prophet's insight, but was deeply puzzled by his willingness to take on the responsibility of creating humankind.

The most common design for the human form is that of the gods.

Faced with a race so close to him and possessing such great potential, it was impossible for the wise Zeus not to be wary.

The gods saw their own flaws in humanity as if looking in a mirror, which was no different from being belittled.

They are the creators, but the one who will take the blame will likely be the nominal Prometheus.

The ancient snake couldn't understand why he would take such a risk.

"If you want reasons, there are many."

Prometheus stepped aside, clapped his hands, and looked at Samael and Athena with a faint smile, giving a very casual reply.

"Firstly, I owed Metis a great favor back then. She wanted a chess partner, and I was unable to help her when Zeus was about to make his move."

Now that her daughter has arrived, it's time for me to pay back what I owe.

Even if you invite me, I wouldn't dare go.

Upon hearing this, Samael knew that Prometheus had guessed his identity through his connection with Themis, and he couldn't help but secretly retort at the prophet's intentional or unintentional teasing.

Athena, whose identity was also exposed, subconsciously frowned and murmured.

"Is it because of divine power?"

"And your appearance and demeanor. I have seen your mother, so avoid contact with the Olympian gods unless absolutely necessary."

Prometheus, like a gentle elder, patiently gave instructions, then began to ponder.

"Secondly, I am not unjust to bear the blame for blaspheming God with my creation. After all, the prototype of mankind did indeed originate from me."

Samael opened his mouth, looking somewhat embarrassed.

The prophet slightly raised his hand to stop him, glanced at Mount Olympus, and looked on with a helpless expression.

"There's no need to feel guilty about that. Zeus has been watching me for a long time. Whatever I do is wrong. All he needs is a reason."

What? Zeus has his eye on you?

Upon hearing this, the ancient snake looked astonished.

Prometheus looked down into the abyss below, then sat on the rock and began to explain the reason to the crowd.

In a way, this was also a consequence of his own actions.

In the war between the old and new gods, the prophet before us hoped to reconstruct the world order and sided with Olympus, offering advice to Zeus, only to end up betraying him.

Uh, his father's name is Iapetus, the Titan of Soul and Speech among the twelve Titans.

Yes, he was one of Cronus's two most loyal followers during the final battle.

Currently, this elderly father is serving in the Tartarus Abyss.

As the Titan Iapetus was about to be pulled into the abyss, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he echoed Uranus's words and cursed Zeus.

"My son will replace you! He will take away your authority!"

Prometheus was confident that he could gradually diminish the impact of his father's statement about the Titan Iapetus, and continue to stay in Olympus.

But some people actually believed it and even took action, putting him in a very difficult position.

Epimetheus?

Samael subconsciously uttered the name of that brother-betraying maniac, the god of slow realization.

"He's just a little foolish, not that reckless."

The prophet sighed and pointed dejectedly to the far western sky.

"I also have a brother named Atlas..."

Samael understood immediately, his eyes filled with sympathy.

Atlas, currently being punished by lifting up the sky, is perfecting the laws of the sky with the Titans.

At the same time, he was also the initiator of the largest rebellion since the war between the old and new gods.

Those who believe the pronouncements of Titans are exceptional, but they will still end up working for nothing and being fooled by Hercules.

But his abilities are truly outstanding, and his natural charisma and persuasiveness are also remarkable.

If Zeus hadn't personally intervened, quelled the rebellion, and sent this dim-witted fellow to work in the far west to expand the influence of the heavenly gods, who knows what other trouble might have arisen in the newly established Olympus.

As a result, the innocent Prometheus brothers were caught in the crossfire.

The dull-witted and slow-witted god Epimetheus was not considered a threat by Zeus, but Prometheus's mistake was that he was too clever.

Being smart is fine, but what's worse is being matched with two extremely incompetent teammates, plus a father who's a liability to his son.

Tsk tsk, Samael has to admire the excellent matchmaking mechanism in the Greek region. Usually, those who can play like gods are paired with a few who can't keep up, and they are responsible for coordination.

Previously, when Olympus's position was not yet secure, Zeus could still suppress his fear and show magnanimity towards Prometheus.

Now that the various signs of rebellion have been largely quelled, the clever Prometheus has become somewhat of an eyesore.

He's not stupid. At this point, what good could come of being sent to the ground to create a species?

Clearly, Zeus's patience with him was nearing its limit, and he was now waiting for him to make a mistake.

Therefore, even if he doesn't bear the blame for the Creator's blasphemy, there is a whole host of other blame waiting for this prophet to bear.

Samael expressed deep sympathy for this, but his gaze remained sharp.

"So, what was the final reason?"

Both of the above are valid reasons.

That's it.

Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Serpent of Eden

There are always other ways to repay a debt of gratitude; there's no need to put yourself in danger.

Similarly, to lower Zeus's guard, one could simply swear an oath to the ancient goddess of vows, Stux, promising never to betray him, which would also ease the tension.

However, Prometheus chose the path with the most disastrous consequences.

Samael sighed slightly. Although he emotionally wanted to be friends with Prometheus, rational analysis told him that this man was indeed an unstable factor.

Therefore, Zeus's fear was not unfounded.

This prophet had no reverence for the Olympian divine authority, and he may very well have been the catalyst for the overthrow of that authority.

And indeed, he did achieve that in the future.

At this moment, Prometheus, whose thoughts had been exposed, looked on with admiration and asked the wary Samael a meaningful question.

What kind of future will humanity create?

"They will inherit the wisdom and power of the gods, occupy the land, expand their territory, and build cities; tear through the sky, traverse the firmament, and explore the stars; break through the seas, facilitate trade, and sail through storms..."

Finally, amidst the blossoming of civilization, they will speak of the world's end!

Samael looked solemnly into the eyes of the prophet, pondered deeply, and did not conceal anything.

As a defender of humanity, this great pioneer was entitled to know all of this.

"And what about the gods?"

Prometheus became even more curious.

"As the age of gods is stripped away, they, along with their own ambitions, will be imprisoned in clay idols, falling into eternal slumber..."

Ignoring the astonishment shown by Athena and Medusa, the ancient serpent answered without reservation.

Prometheus nodded in satisfaction, feeling quite pleased.

From Samael's design concept for humanity, he vaguely sensed the significance of this species' existence.

They are weak, therefore they know how to be in awe.

They possess wisdom, and therefore excel at thinking.

They are instilled with virtue, so they restrain themselves, establish an order of interdependence, and go further.

Most importantly, unlike the near-eternal beings of the gods, they possessed a powerful reproductive capacity and a rapid rate of iteration, which could unknowingly and rapidly deplete the ether of the Greek world, accelerating the separation of the divine era.

They are the most suitable gravediggers of the gods.

"My duty is simply to bring about the arrival of the human species, to lead them into a new era, and to shoulder their responsibilities."

As for who created it, that's not important.

"In the future, the absence of gods will be what matters to this world."

Prometheus smiled lightly at the crowd, his eyes filled with composure.

In a sense, Father, your prophecy is about to come true.

The prophet murmured to himself, deeply moved.

The creation he himself created will replace the gods and drive them off their divine positions. Could this be considered revenge for his father?

Prometheus shook his head slightly, with a hint of sarcasm.

Indeed, there is always a rebellious flag in your heart.

That's probably the ideal for which you'd be willing to die.

Samael understood the thoughts of this great pioneer and inquired about them earnestly.

"Really decided?"