Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

He didn't want to delve deeper or test anything, so when he arrived at the Peloponnese, he felt a kind of trepidation, like being close to home.

Fortunately, Samael hitched a ride on Atalanta's cat-cart and prepared to go to Calydon to meet the heroes who would soon be famous in Greece.

You have your achievements, and I have my plans.

Before reuniting, there should be some presentable gift.

As the ancient snake murmured, it raised its chin, revealing an inherent sense of restraint and pride.

In reality, what Samael failed to realize was that the qualities he possessed that attracted the proud goddess, besides emotional investment and moral integrity, also included their mutual excellence.

Stab it!

Suddenly, the sharp scraping sound of knives and forks on the plate interrupted the ancient snake's thoughts.

He couldn't help but feel a little hungry, but when he looked up, all the snacks and dishes on the table were gone.

Across from him was Circe, surrounded by a tall stack of plates, his cheeks puffing out like a hamster's.

As two oppressive gazes fell upon her, Circe stared at the messy dining table and her small body stiffened involuntarily.

"You ate it all?"

"Uh…"

"It seems like you like it very much."

Just as the Great Witch was about to argue—or rather, explain—Samael casually waved his hand, summoning a restaurant waiter.

"Then let's have another one, so we can share."

When another batch of food was served, the ancient serpent beckoned Circe to start eating.

When did he become so good?

Could it be that they're planning to fatten me up before eating me?

Looking at Samael at this moment, Circe couldn't help but feel a little confused and uneasy.

Ultimately, lured by the "law of deliciousness," the Great Witch couldn't resist the food's deliciousness and accepted the invitation to feast.

After they had eaten their fill, the ancient serpent showed no signs of attacking, and Circe finally felt relieved, her bright, colorful eyes fixed intently on the wicked creature.

Samael, what a wonderful person!

Uh, it's just feeding her, how did she develop Stockholm Syndrome? Was I too harsh on her before?

When the ancient snake saw the little witch opposite him, whose cheeks were flushed and whose expression was both apprehensive and affectionate, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he secretly repented.

When Circe was completely unable to eat anymore, Samael casually ordered a portion to take back for Atalanta to try.

This move caused the Mad Feast Witch following behind to scratch her head in confusion.

"Shouldn't the eldest sister have already eaten by now?"

Do you think everyone is as well-off as we are, with no worries about food and drink?

Samael casually tossed a few gold coins to the waiter, lightly tapping Circe on the head in a curt reply.

"She doesn't even have money for food? Then she needs to find a place to live..."

"You're full, aren't you? Just carry it and leave, stop talking nonsense!"

When Circe asked her questions, the ancient snake rolled its eyes, tossed the food box to the little girl, and then, after finding out the direction to the fur and herb market, led Circe toward that area.

Half an hour later, Atalanta, feeling relieved, clutched the money bag, carefully counted the money, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The furs and herbs were finally sold, and the buyer was a connoisseur who offered a high price, enough for her to rent a place nearby for a month or two.

Next, we need to find a place to live.

Just as the female hunter stretched her limbs, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and prepared to continue her efforts, she saw two figures, one tall and one short, carrying food boxes and walking from the intersection, waving happily at her.

Come to think of it, I'm actually a little hungry.

Atalanta's nostrils flared as she caught a whiff of the delicious food from afar, and she quickened her pace.

Chapter 134 I'll Protect Your Integrity (3/4)

In the simple and secluded courtyard, Atalanta sat in a wicker chair, comfortably enjoying her meal.

Although the food had cooled down, she still enjoyed her meal very much.

She's a strong-willed and somewhat stubborn woman; she won't sit down to eat until she's finished renting out the house.

Samael, leaning against the grape trellis, shook his head helplessly, then looked with interest at Atalanta's cat ears, which seemed to be twitching with satisfaction.

It has to be said that owning a cat is a very enjoyable thing.

The sense of satisfaction is amplified, especially when a cat can transform into a catgirl.

After Atalanta had eaten her fill, Samael stepped forward, offered her a glass of chilled grape wine, and volunteered to help the wandering Circe.

"Big sister, you've worked hard all day. Leave the rest of the work of cleaning the yard and cooking dinner to me and Circe."

Seeing that Samael was determined, the huntress nodded in agreement, and contentedly picked up a jug of grape wine to drink by herself.

After all, according to the previous agreement, Atalanta was responsible for handling the most troublesome housing, while Samael and Circe were to take care of miscellaneous tasks and subsequent procurement of supplies.

For a team to share the burden, this is the only way to ensure fairness.

After a whole afternoon of tidying up the yard, it was finally in a presentable state, but the sun was already setting and evening was approaching.

Samael decided to take Circe out to buy ingredients for tonight's meal, intending to cook a special treat for the three of them himself.

However, as soon as they turned the corner, Circe, with a pained expression, couldn't help but complain.

"Samael, I'm so tired, can I not go?"

"no!"

"Why? We were responsible for gathering the information, purchasing the supplies, and even paying for the rent..."

"It's me! Not us! You saw it?"

"Well, even though you told me not to follow, I still managed to catch a glimpse of that merchant meeting in a corner."

"Oh, you have a keen eye. You're in charge of buying groceries then."

"Ah? You're not going?"

"Now that you've reminded me, it suddenly dawned on me that it was me who did all the renting, lunch, and gathering information—not you."

Samael smirked and turned to leave, pretending to go home and slack off.

Circe hurriedly clung tightly to the ancient serpent's arm, refusing to let go.

With so many humans around, she's being asked to go out and buy supplies all by herself. Does this woman have no compassion at all?

"You eat the most and do the least! If you keep talking nonsense, believe me, I'll throw you into the river to feed the fish!"

Seeing that the girl was starting to take advantage of the situation, Samael immediately gave her a cold reprimand several times before, at Circe's request, he accompanied her to the market.

The ancient snake had no reason to deny its daytime antics to this little witch.

Atalanta was very poor.

Besides following the oracle, I also had the intention of earning some extra money by participating in the Calydon hunt.

After all, the status of princess of the Kingdom of Arcadia would only be granted by her opportunistic biological father, the king, after she had distinguished herself in the hunt in Calydon, and then he would force her to become a tool for a political marriage.

This female hunter is now just a young girl abandoned in the mountains, having to rely on herself for everything, including food, clothing, and daily necessities.

She had spent almost all her money in the town where she had previously recuperated, in order to treat Samael's injuries.

To cover the expenses of the rest of the journey, Atalanta had no choice but to sell the spoils of her hunting and gathering along the way at the market.

But furs and medicinal herbs are not rare items. Even if they are of excellent quality, she is unfamiliar with the area and merchants are not philanthropists. Who would offer her a high price?

Buying low and selling high is the norm in business, so Atalanta's gains were a drop in the ocean.

Her savings weren't enough to rent a place in a city-state near the capital.

On the contrary, Samael was incredibly wealthy, having amassed considerable assets from Mesopotamia to Greece, enough to buy an entire city-state.

Having received such care from that older sister, he was naturally willing to reciprocate by looking after the huntress's pride.

After all, the most valuable things about Atalanta are probably just self-respect and self-love.

Half an hour later, the ancient serpent, laden with its spoils, returned home with the nearly crushed Circe and began preparing a sumptuous dinner.

Soon, the three of them finished what they were doing and took their seats to eat.

Although Samael's dishes did not entirely conform to the Greeks' sweet and sour taste, the spices and recipes he had mastered over the years gave the two young girls, one big and one small, a great sense of novelty and a feast for their taste buds.

Since all three were considered descendants of gods, their ability to transform food was extremely rapid. Therefore, in order to ensure that his two companions were satisfied, the ancient serpent went back and forth to the kitchen several times according to their individual preferences and tastes.

The delightful banquet didn't end until the moon was high in the sky.

After the meal, Atalanta took the initiative to clear the plates, while Samael habitually took a walk to digest his food.

It's a pity I wasn't holding that silly dog ​​on a leash, otherwise it would have looked even better.

As his thoughts wandered, Samael recalled the news he had heard about Typhon's offspring, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

Thanks to his intervention, every single one of those silly roe deer is living a pretty comfortable life.

Because of their merits in protecting humankind, the images of these gods and monsters were carved on various decorations and weapons, becoming symbols of glory and bravery.

Now, the offspring of Typhon are somewhat like guardian beasts, revered by many city-states and humans who have benefited from them.

Currently, besides Ladon, who guards the Holy Garden, Habbit on the island of Aiyu, Cerberus in the Underworld, and the eagle on the Caucasus Mountains...

The remaining members, some of whom preferred quiet, lived in the Arima Caves, while others who preferred excitement either stayed on Mount Ares or joined the Academy of Athens.

Moreover, Hercules, that nemesis of fate, had been taught by Chiron at the Academy of Athens, and his twelve trials had just begun.

Therefore, this Hercules has not yet posed a threat or caused harm to his divine and magical masters.

Immediately, the image of this legendary figure appeared in Samael's mind, and he sighed.

However, some things are ultimately unavoidable.

Hercules' departure from his homeland of Argos to participate in the hunt in Calydon as a person proves that he must have been driven mad by Hera's curse, accidentally killing his own child, and thus began his wanderings in preparation for completing the Twelve Trials to escape the persecution he suffered at the hands of the goddess Hera.

But the underworld? I haven't seen that silly dog ​​in a while, maybe I should give it a try.

As night fell, Samael lay in bed deep in thought when a strange feeling began to resonate in his mind.

The ancient snake suddenly sat up, its expression one of pleasure.

Finally, news has arrived!

Immediately, Samael crushed the magic crystals one by one, traced the outline of the magic circle with his fingers, stepped into it, calmed his mind, and resonated with that rhythm.

Then, the man, his eyes filled with deep affection, looked straight ahead and spoke gently.

"Long time no see, Themis..."

Chapter 135 Athena's Love (4/4)

Meanwhile, at the Water Treehouse.

The goddess of justice, who was flipping through the parchment scrolls at the table, looked up at the black snake that had climbed onto the table, its eyes sparkling, and its tongue flicking at her, its lips pressed tightly together.

Then, her soft hand, which had clenched and unclenched several times, finally trembled slightly as she stroked the black snake's fine scales, again and again.

The caressing fingertips seemed to transcend the barriers of space, touching the familiar contours of a certain face.

After a long while, Themis lifted the black snake and brought it close to her pretty face, suppressing the surging emotions like lava, and murmured softly.

"Long time no see, Samael..."

The two, having been separated for so long, couldn't help but express their longing for each other. After calming down somewhat, they began to share their experiences with one another.

Samael's century-long dream, aside from introducing the current situation and informing Tina that she is well, doesn't require much further explanation.

In contrast, Themis, the goddess of justice, had a much richer life story.

From the perilous situation of intercepting the Olympian pursuers to the unexpected turn of events brought about by the intervention of Gaia, the Earth Mother...

From the reluctance to abandon Mycenae to the satisfaction of watching Athens grow stronger...

From the minutiae of teaching humanity to establish social order to the deliberations surrounding the rise of Mount Ares…