Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

According to the agreement on the parchment, this was not just a simple sacrifice, but a determination of the form of worshiping the gods in the future.

Once, to demonstrate their piety, under the leadership of Prometheus, mankind offered all their harvest to the gods.

Now, they only need to offer ritual sacrifices according to their own abilities.

Even if delicious beef and fruit are offered, after the symbolic sacrifice, people can still share and enjoy them.

Even if there isn't enough fruit and meat, stones that look similar can be used as substitutes.

In the future, this sacrificial rule will continue in the form of an oath, and humanity will finally have a chance to recuperate.

As he approached his home, the rich aroma of beef wafted from the pot. Deucalion sniffed, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness, and couldn't wait to try a few pieces.

Chapter 101 This King Has Always Been Very Generous (2/3)

After the meal, the Cretan leader, whose excitement had slightly subsided, sat in the room, recalling the great sacrifice, and felt inexplicably uneasy.

It seems to be going too smoothly.

Just then, a fragrant breeze wafted by, and Pila, the wife, draped in a light veil, her milk-white skin still glistening with water droplets, gazed at her husband with seductive eyes, the meaning of which was self-evident.

The whispers in his ear stirred a fire within Deucalion, causing him to temporarily forget his unease.

Humans are no longer burdened with the arduous task of serving the gods with all their energy, and food is plentiful. Isn't this a good life? What is there to worry about?

"Honey, let's have more children."

Then, Deucalion leaned close to his wife's ear and breathed hot air into her ear.

The blazing flames danced and rose in the eyes of the man and woman, their intertwined figures extinguishing the lamplight and unfolding the magnificent reproduction of life.

Meanwhile, on the Peloponnese peninsula, in the nascent city of Mycenae.

Several figures seemed to sense something, rushed out of the house, walked onto the street, and frowned as they looked up at the night sky.

As the clouds dispersed in the sky, streaks of crimson light, like meteors, streaked from different directions, trailing long fiery tails, sweeping across the heavens and converging on Olympus.

A cold wind blew, and four figures on the street had different expressions.

Tina remained bewildered and confused, her blinking cross-shaped eyes seeming to be watching a meteor shower with great interest.

Medusa gently bit her cherry lips, looked at the humans living in the city, and then glanced at Prometheus's residence, her eyes filled with worry.

Athena's eyes flickered as she raised her hand to stroke her chin, lost in thought.

Samael sighed helplessly, feeling inexplicably tired.

Silent murmurs rose in the hearts of the three.

Or perhaps, it's coming...

In Olympus, on Mount Olympus, in the magnificent golden hall, the sacred flame burns brightly.

Zeus, the king of the gods, holding a thunder scepter and gripping a sheepskin shield, surrounded by blue and white arcs of light, was the first to arrive and waited on his throne.

Immediately afterwards, the remaining Olympian gods, including Apollo, the god of light, driving the sun chariot; Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, holding a bow and arrow; and Poseidon, the god of the sea, driving a chariot drawn by seahorses out of the water, arrived one after another, paid their respects to the king of the gods, and then rose to take their seats.

"Your Majesty, it's so late. Why did you light the sacred flame and summon us so urgently? Is there something important? Is war about to break out?"

Ares, the somewhat impatient god of war, suddenly brightened up as he pondered. He couldn't help but lick his dry lips, his eyes flashing with excitement and madness, his heart burning with passion.

Zeus looked at his handsome and strong son, who exuded an aura of tyranny, and frowned.

Although Ares was the son of Ares and Hera, he had a rather wicked personality and loved to wear armor, wield weapons, and fight with his servants in the palace.

Scenes of splattering blood and severed limbs, the thrill of the strong oppressing the weak, and the twisted nature of trampling on life—these are what he loves most.

Even though he was given the power of a god of war, this power was often associated with killing, destruction, terror, and disaster.

Therefore, he represents an unjust war.

Rather than a god of war who determines the fate of city-states, it would be more appropriate to call him a god of battle who acts like a brute.

In Ares, Zeus seemed to see all the flaws of the ancient Titans; the contours of his face and his personality also overlapped considerably with his father Cronus in his memory.

Therefore, the wise Olympian king disliked this son very much.

However, by speaking, he saved himself the trouble of getting to the point.

Zeus looked around, and when the atmosphere returned to solemnity, he slowly spoke.

"Humans have performed a great sacrifice, offering sacrifices to the gods. As is customary, I have specially summoned you to hold a feast and enjoy the offerings of humankind."

Upon hearing this, Ares frowned, looking somewhat dejected, while the other gods breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease.

However, when the Olympian king of the gods summoned the offerings to the table, peeled back the grease to reveal the stark white bones beneath, the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly, and the gods' faces darkened with rage.

After each grand sacrifice, the feasts of Olympus would often feature the most important human offerings, displayed prominently and shared as a sign of favor and appreciation.

But now these things have brought them unprecedented humiliation, and their faces are grim.

Even Hestia, the usually indifferent goddess of the hearth, frowned slightly, her eyes showing surprise.

“Father God, the sacrifices of mankind have insulted you and the gods! They must be punished! Please let me teach them a lesson in blood!”

Ares suddenly stood up, cracking his knuckles, grinning maliciously, his face full of eager anticipation.

War! War! Only by starting a war and letting him taste blood will everything become so wonderful.

However, the gods fell silent at this moment, their gazes secretly scrutinizing the god-king sitting high on the throne.

"Your Majesty, as far as I know, humanity has done its utmost in the sacrifices we have made over the years."

They were, after all, merely earthly beings, and because of their frequent service, they were on the verge of collapse, which is why they chose to deceive the gods.

Hestia, who was in the corner, hesitated for a moment, then slightly parted her lips, breaking the silence in the hall.

Seeing that someone had started, the relatively moderate faction, including Demeter, the goddess of agriculture; Apollo, the god of light; Artemis, the goddess of the hunt; and Hephaestus, the god of fire, successively spoke up in agreement.

"Indeed, the gods should show magnanimity."

Zeus pondered for a moment, his brow relaxed slightly, and he nodded thoughtfully.

"We can't let them get away with this! They've been insulted and are still expected to expand the world for humanity. What dignity do the gods have left?"

Seeing that the King of Gods' attitude had softened, Ares, who was as fiery as fire, glared fiercely at the few gods who had spoken, his expression gloomy.

"Indeed, humanity has insulted the gods and deserves punishment. Why should they worship us if we yield without any restraint?"

Zeus spoke calmly, but then changed the subject.

"However, a large-scale massacre is unnecessary, but a little punishment is reasonable."

But since there is some controversy, let's vote by raising our hands.

After saying this, the hot-tempered Ares was the first to raise his hand, followed by Hera, Aphrodite, Hermes, and other neutrals.

Several moderates also largely agreed with the God-King's approach, and together with Hestia, they raised their hands in approval.

Zeus looked around, nodded in satisfaction, raised his hand and cast his vote, sealing the deal.

"Since our celebration cannot proceed..."

As he pondered, the Olympian king's gaze fell on a certain spot, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Then, Hestia, you shall collect the fire from the earth, preventing the flames from rising and burning, so that humanity may also taste this bitterness..."

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

Hestia looked slightly taken aback, but finally pursed her lips, lowered her head, and reluctantly agreed.

The gods' expressions hardened, their eyes flashing.

Chapter 102 Selling Yourself for a Good Price (3/3)

Mount Olympus, outside the palace.

The goddess Hestia, dressed in a white gauze dress and tied with a blue ribbon, stood beside the blazing sacred fire, looking down at the earth where flames flickered in the distance, her expression complex as she murmured to herself.

Prometheus, Prometheus, don't you know the price of angering the gods?

The Blue Ribbon Goddess complained and shook her head helplessly. As the goddess of the hearth and the guardian of human families, she really did not want to punish this newborn race that worshipped her on earth.

However, the disrespect and insult of the Great Sacrifice gave Zeus a reason to retaliate.

She only spoke a few words of justice, and yet she was targeted and forced to do this thankless and arduous task. What bad luck!

Oh well, it's her own fault for getting involved all the time. None of her younger siblings are easy to get along with.

Presumably, after tonight, humanity will begin to harbor resentment towards her as the guardian deity of their families, and her faith in her will likely diminish considerably.

Tsk, then those gods who forgive humanity will be able to eat a few pieces of her cake.

No wonder you always waited for me to speak before you expressed your opinions.

Once Hestia understood the crux of the matter, even she, who was usually calm and indifferent to power and status, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Just as the Goddess of Hearthfire was lamenting in her heart, a number of shadowy figures had already gathered at the entrance of the main hall.

If I try to outsmart you again, I'm a pig! From now on, I'd better stay out of things that require meddling!

Knowing she couldn't escape being blamed, Hestia turned her back to her family members, each with their own ulterior motives, and resignedly spread her hands apart, her power rippling outwards.

In an instant, the flames on the earth extinguished one by one, and thousands of fiery red streams of light shot into the sky, flowing towards the sacred fire burning on Mount Olympus under the guidance of the goddess of the hearth.

The next day, when the humans were preparing to cook, they were shocked to find that all the fire had gone out, and no matter how they struck the flint, they could not produce even a trace of red light.

As the oracle spread, they were shocked to learn that, because of disrespect, humanity's right to use fire had been stripped away by the gods.

Several days later, in Mycenae.

"boom!"

Medusa slammed her fist on the table in anger, her expression gloomy.

Unable to light fires, food cannot be cooked, and water cannot be boiled for sterilization, hundreds of people have fallen ill in the surrounding settlements alone.

More importantly, production and daily life, such as smelting and pottery making, also came to a standstill. Even though the gods were deceived and the burden of sacrifices was reduced, the human condition became even more difficult.

"How about we think of another way? Didn't you mention in your story how to start a fire by rubbing sticks together and how to start a fire by polishing a mirror with ice?"

Athena glanced at Samael in the corner, her eyes flickering, and whispered a suggestion.

"You still won't give up? You can't even strike it with flint, and neither can you start a fire by rubbing wood together or using a concave or convex mirror!"

Hestia, the goddess of fire, was tasked with collecting not only the flames burning on the earth, but also the laws of fire applicable to humankind.

The ancient serpent rolled its eyes and snorted, extinguishing Athena's last glimmer of hope.

"Don't worry, there will be a way."

Prometheus smiled slightly, easing the oppressive atmosphere in the room. He stood up to pour wine for his friends and invited them to raise their glasses and drink.

Under the prophet's confident and reassuring words, the crowd, who had been somewhat skeptical, gradually relaxed their worries, clinked glasses, and continued their gathering for the evening.

As night fell, a figure quietly left Mycenae. However, on the only road to Mount Olympus, he stopped and looked ahead with a wry smile.

"Athena, what brings you here?"

Holding a shield in one hand and a bronze spear in the other, the majestic goddess, who had been waiting on the blue stone, leaped down gracefully, raising an eyebrow with a half-smile on her face.

"So, you were planning to walk right into Olympus's trap from the very beginning?"

Prometheus looked back at the dark and desolate city behind him and sighed.

"There's no other way now, so we can only try our luck at Olympus. Maybe if we can break the laws that are contained within the sacred fire, the earth can reignite its flames."

Athena stepped forward gracefully, her bright eyes slightly narrowed.

"You decided on this plan the day you presided over the grand sacrifice, didn't you?"

The helplessness and melancholy on the face of the prophetic god faded, and he looked at the goddess of wisdom with great appreciation.

"So, when you said 'at the beginning,' you meant this?"

"if not?"

Athena pursed her lips and gave a light, annoyed snort.

"I don't understand why you had to provoke Zeus in that way?"

How could such a simple trick of hiding beef under cowhide possibly fool the king of the gods, who possessed the wisdom of Metis and was incredibly powerful?

However, even though Zeus saw through the trickery between the two offerings at a glance, he chose the one that was outwardly beautiful but inwardly rotten, probably to gain leverage over the prophet.