Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

When brothers quarrel, they disregard fraternal affection and grit their teeth, determined to kill each other.

The battle axe and sharp sword were fierce, their blades cleaving the shield in two.

Oaths are torn apart by betrayal, adultery is commonplace in the world, and filth and depravity fill the world with lust.

A blazing fire shot into the sky, shattering the rainbow bridge. Ancient trees burned in the evil flames, gods fell from the sky, and the Holy Spirit's temple was in ruins, littered with slain corpses, and flowing streams of crimson blood...

After ten days of catastrophe, the gods will enter the twilight of their end!

"This is?"

When Anna heard the apocalyptic vision described by Samael, a feeling of familiarity mixed with strangeness arose within her, and she couldn't help but ask questions in confusion.

"【Ten Days of Calamity, Ragnarok】, isn't that the prophecy you brought when you slew the spirits before? I 'slightly' embellished it and had Scáthach pass it on to Odin."

"Uh, slightly?"

"That's not the point!"

"But this should be a prophecy related to Greece..."

"Even if it started in Greece, it might still spread to other countries. Besides, I was just trying to be helpful and kindly reminded my allies, right?"

Samael smiled and defended himself, not caring at all that he had been exposed.

The most skillful fraudsters never lie; they simply present the facts selectively.

Anyway, everything I said was the truth, and even the embellished words came from the prophecies about Ragnarok in the future Norse mythological epic, the Edda.

Moreover, Odin, that old fellow, has spent his entire life preparing for Ragnarok. If he learns that this prophecy will erupt again in another form, he will definitely step in to help in order to avoid affecting the Norse.

If we can grasp this point and tie the Nordic countries to the Greek chariot, we'll basically have it all figured out; the rest is just a matter of time.

Upon hearing Samael's analysis, Anna gave a deep look to the smug man, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she hummed softly.

"Samael is so wicked. That's how you got all those Norse goddesses around you, right?"

"Ahem, let's get down to business. The fleet should be ready today, and I'll probably be on the expedition tomorrow morning. But this will leave Athens without a strong authority to suppress it, which will inevitably leave it vulnerable. This worries me a bit."

The ancient snake chuckled dryly, then changed the subject, his expression turning serious as he mentioned his worries.

Although she knew this guy was evading responsibility, Anna, whose mind was still somewhat immature due to the spirit possession, was easy to coax. So she quickly shifted the focus of the discussion to the handover of Athenian government affairs.

"I don't recall anyone suitable either."

Anna frowned slightly and explained the situation with a hint of helplessness.

"Due to the haste, and the fact that the Inner Sea of ​​the Stars has a far greater influence on Greece than other regions, not only the gods of Mount Ares, but also the first two generations of heroes who lived in seclusion in the Pure Land of Elysium have sunk into the Inner Sea of ​​the Stars and are difficult to contact. At present, the only ones we can use are the third generation of heroes who were left outside."

"Those who participated in the Trojan War?"

"Um……"

"That sounds like a real headache. Greece, a country known for its heroes, has reached a point where there's no one left to rely on. It's certainly a bit of a problem."

Samael sighed, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

If it weren't for his extensive network of friends and connections, which allowed him to draw in forces from Rome, the Amazon, the Celts, and the Nordic countries, Greece's situation would have been even worse.

"Don't worry, the Inner Sea of ​​the Star will open in ten days, and our strength will be just as abundant then."

Anna tiptoed and gently patted the ancient snake's shoulder to comfort it.

Samael snapped out of his reverie, chuckled, and nodded. But the moment he turned his head away, the worry in his eyes remained undiminished.

Once the inner sea of ​​the star is unsealed, it won't just be the Greek gods and heroes that are released; all sorts of demons and monsters from various regions will likely break free of their seals.

Previously, forces from India, Egypt, and other places had been eager to make moves and had sent representatives.

When there are no restrictions at all, who knows what might happen?

If all the gods were to gather in Greece, that would be quite a spectacle.

"I can't get in touch with Athena and the others. I was thinking of having that golden-haired workaholic fill in, but there's no opportunity. So, who do you think would be more suitable to stay in Athens?"

"Helen and Gogo!"

Anna pondered for a moment, then answered without hesitation.

"They were Spartans..."

Samael was somewhat taken aback by these two choices.

"That's why they're doing everything in their power, sparing no expense, to help you support Thermopylae!"

Unlike Athena's calm rationality and insightful wisdom, Anna is more sentimental and emotional. Her eyes, filled with worry, would occasionally glance at Samael before quickly looking away, adding casually.

"Sparta is the second largest city after Athens, with a considerable number of supporters, enough to suppress the remnants of the Athenian gods who are unwilling to accept the destruction of the council hall. In addition, I will use the power of the three goddesses to grant them the authority to govern Mount Ares and act as agents of government affairs during the grand sacrifice before the expedition, thus solidifying this title."

Furthermore, having severed all ties of interest with the Athenian nobility and wielding absolute power, they would not hesitate to strike against anyone who dared to misbehave.

"Are they reliable in handling government affairs?"

“Don’t underestimate women! Sparta’s current stability is half thanks to Gogo, and Helen also personally participated in the Trojan War and has experience in coordinating and managing the priests of various temples.”

That's it!

Samael suddenly remembered that when Helen was tidying up the scattered documents on the floor last night, she was able to accurately classify and organize them, which showed that she had clearly done her homework in this regard.

Anna's eyes flickered slightly.

"Besides, we only need a stable rear. There's no need to appease the Athenians too much! They've gone too far and are not worthy of inheriting the glory you've bestowed upon us."

Anna bit her cherry lips lightly, looked up at Samael, and felt somewhat indignant.

Unworthy? It seems so...

Sama stroked his chin, gazing out the window into the distance, and shook his head with a soft laugh.

Nero.jpg

Chapter 126 Athens is unworthy of Theseus (2/3)

For Athens, Theseus was undoubtedly a wise ruler in history.

When he arrived, bandits were rampant outside, monsters ravaged the land, and the city-states were impoverished. His uncle's 50 sons coveted the throne, instigated the nobles to rebel, and the citizens distrusted one another. The city was desolate and lifeless. His father, Aegeus, hid in the palace, living in constant fear.

Along the way, Theseus eliminated Seneca the tree-cutter, Cercyon the bandit, and Damasters the great thief; he defeated Phea the monster and the Cretan bull; and abolished the humiliating practice of sending young children to Crete to be sacrificed to the Minotaur.

After arriving in Athens, he used a scheme to kill 50 of his uncle Pallas's rebellious sons, eventually accumulating merit and prestige, and ascending to the throne.

During his reign, Theseus abolished the separate city councils and independent institutions in each town, unified the various classes of Athens, established festivals, and formed a unified cultural identity. This transformed Athens from an isolated kingdom into a truly influential and cohesive city-state, which was accepted and celebrated by more and more people.

Furthermore, he guaranteed equal rights for all residents to attract new immigrants, and stipulated separate rights and obligations for each class.

As king, Theseus also limited his power. Just as he had promised, he subject the king's power to the checks and balances of the council of nobles and the assembly of the people.

It can be said that Theseus was the undisputed father of Athens.

However, the Athenians were hardly loyal to their founding father.

While Theseus was imprisoned in the underworld, the Athenians, fearing war, returned Helen, whom Theseus had abducted, to the city-state of Sparta. Afterwards, a nobleman of divine blood named Menestheus declared himself the leader of the people and plotted to usurp the throne.

When the former Athenian king successfully escaped and returned to power, the country was in chaos. Menestheus, the leader of the rebellion, gained the support of the nobles.

The nobles actually commemorated Theseus's uncle Pallas and his sons, calling themselves the Pallas and opposing Theseus.

Amidst the surging public sentiment, even those who had previously hated Theseus were no longer afraid of him, and ordinary people, encouraged by Menastheus, were unwilling to obey the king's orders.

Initially, Theseus attempted to suppress the rebellion by force, but his efforts failed due to both overt and covert opposition. Thus, this founding father of Athens, who had laid the foundation for civilization, had no choice but to abandon the uncontrollable city. While seeking refuge in another country, he was betrayed and assassinated by Athenian nobles, dying in a conspiracy.

As time went by, Theseus' sons faced a difficult situation, being treated as ordinary soldiers. They even went on campaigns together, participating in the Trojan War, until Menestheus died, after which the leaderless Athenians invited them back to resume their royal power.

Legend has it that a century later, when the Athenians fought the Persians at Marathon, the spirit of the great hero Theseus reappeared from the earth and led his people to defeat the invading Persians. Then, the oracle of Delphi instructed the Athenians to retrieve Theseus's remains and give him a solemn burial.

The Athenians lined up to welcome Theseus's remains, as if Theseus were returning to his homeland alive, enjoying the full honors bestowed upon him in death.

However, it wasn't until centuries after his death that the Athenians, as his descendants, expressed their boundless gratitude and respect to this hero who had given them freedom and created Athenian law, but what good did it do?

Similarly, Samael's contributions to Athens were arguably even greater.

The creation of humankind, the spread of fire, the great sacrifice and the game with Zeus, the suppression of Pandora's Box, the arrival of the three goddesses, the rise of Mount Ares, the founding of the Athenian Academy, the establishment of the Code of Law, the formation of the Greek League, the war of the Titans...

The glory brought by these great achievements was almost entirely inherited by the Athenians.

But what about the results?

After the three goddesses and the 88 constellations went to the Inner Sea of ​​Stars, all sorts of wicked and treacherous people jumped out and busied themselves with dividing up power, completely disregarding him, the holy king.

Furthermore, those so-called members of the Pandion family were basically descendants of the sons of his nominal uncle, Pallas.

After all, Aegeus, the old king chosen by Athena, had few children in order to make way for Samaelten.

As time went by, the Athenians, lured by freedom and democracy, became obsessed with individual power to the point of delusion, gradually leading them to betray their king.

In a sense, the Athenians were unworthy of having 'Theseus', let alone inheriting his achievements.

It's no wonder that Anna, who had been watching from the sidelines and witnessing everything in secret, was indignant.

However, the spirit of Theseus returned to assist Athens in fighting against the Persians.

This so-called fate, surprisingly, coincides with his current experience; it truly is an inescapable destiny.

Samael snapped out of his reverie, his eyes softening as he gently stroked Anna's smooth purple hair and chuckled softly.

"Very well, let Helen and Gogo temporarily take over the government affairs. The wheel of fortune turns, and it's time for the Spartans to experience what it's like to sit in the council hall on Mount Ares. So, please prepare the necessary procedures, Your Majesty?"

"Ok!"

Little Anna nodded excitedly, reluctantly breaking free from Samael's head pat, and with her short legs, dashed out of the main hall like the wind, running towards the porch.

Samael watched Anna's figure gradually disappear into the distance, and chuckled softly to himself.

Leonidas, old friend, you stood up for the Greeks in Mesopotamia to fight for this serpent goddess, and now it is her turn to bestow her favor upon the Spartans.

Every sip and every bite seems preordained; perhaps this is destiny.

After a moment of reflection, the ancient snake composed itself and continued to work diligently, expediting the remaining administrative tasks at hand. Finally, before sunset, it had largely completed the preparations for the expedition.

Meanwhile, Samael had just brewed a cup of hot tea, ready to steal a moment of leisure and enjoy the sunset over Mount Ares.

"Run, sleigh, like the wind! Paddle, paddle, touring the world!"

Unexpectedly, a loud and cheerful female voice suddenly rang out, and an etheric tide swept through, causing the birds and beasts in the forest, who had been tormented to the point of nervous exhaustion during the day, to foam at the mouth, convulse, and collapse to the ground.

"Crack!"

In an instant, Samael's heart clenched, the veins on his forehead throbbed wildly like wriggling earthworms, and his hand trembled, shattering the cup he had just prepared into pieces of clay, the tea splashing everywhere and spilling all over the table again.

Again? When will this end?!

boom!

Enraged, Samael transformed into a streak of light and rushed out of the main hall. With lightning speed, he reached the source of the sound and kicked open the carved wooden door.

"Having witnessed my talent! Hearing thunderous applause! Feeling the glory of those in power!"

Like a flower in full bloom...

Open the curtain, Golden Theater!!

Let this round be an offering...

Flying and scattering into splendor, cleaving and splitting into stars! This is the ultimate beauty...

Then let us praise! Let us sing the praises of this fleeting final rose!

Under the amplification and influence of the true mechanical god, the theatrical projection formed by the metal creation rose from the ground, and the tyrant in the center of the stage waved his crimson greatsword with great energy and sang loudly.

Meanwhile, Attila, while eating snacks and scattering rose petals with one hand, was obliviously acting as an accomplice to the tyrant.

Chapter 127 Zoo All-Stars (3/3)

"Hehe, performer, were you moved by my beautiful singing voice and came to watch the performance? I am very satisfied!"

Come, admire my talent, give me thunderous applause, and praise my voice, which rivals that of Venus!

Upon seeing the newcomer, Nero proudly puffed out his little chest and made a self-satisfied declaration.

"Hey, hey, hey, all the snacks are for you, so be more professional and keep the flowers flowing!"

Attila, who had just put down the flower basket and was reaching for another plate of pastries, reluctantly withdrew her hand upon hearing her employer's request, continuing to act as a merciless flower-scattering tool.

Faced with Samael's face as black as the bottom of a pot, the self-satisfied tyrant unconsciously placed his left hand on his chest, elegantly raised his hand, closed his eyes, and uttered a poetic sigh.