The Greece Antagonist

What's even more fatal is that Asclepius, who just couldn't sit still, frequently ventured out, wandering among the various city-states to treat complex and difficult diseases.

This coming and going inevitably led to the use of the Elixir of Immortality.

And when Asclepius succeeded in saving the dying fourth son of King Minos, Glaucus, amid a turmoil, such a taboo substance caught the attention of Zeus, the passing Divine King.

After a conversation, the Great God Zeus became furious with Asclepius's act of defying the order of life and death, proclaiming that it threatened the "Immortality" only the gods possessed and, thus, summoned a thunderbolt to strike down his own grandson.

Hearing Medusa's account, Luo En pressed the bulging veins on his forehead and cursed under his breath.

This idiot! He must have not been able to keep his mouth shut!

What does it mean by threatening the "Immortality" that only deities possess? The real elixir of immortality couldn't even do that, let alone the inferior Imitation Medicine that Asclepius had at the time.

For Zeus, that old sly bastard, to personally intervene, Asclepius probably didn't recognize that it was the King of Olympus himself, got too excited in the moment, and blurted out his plan to devise an advanced version of the Elixir of Immortality through the Golden Apple.

Hearing his ambitious grandson's vision, how could Zeus sit still? Of course, he immediately sent Asclepius to his demise.

Luo En thought he had taken the arduous trip to the Netherworld to save the boy's life, but in the end, he still couldn't stop him from actively seeking death.

Such a stubborn temperament, just like his father Apollo!

With things having come to this point, Luo En rubbed his somewhat sore brow and let out a heavy sigh, then continued to inquire.

"Then what happened? Did Artemis, Athena, or Hestia intervene?"

"Yes, after the incident, they went to the Great Temple on Mount Olympus together, hoping to at least save the spirit of Asclepius."

Medusa nodded in response, her mood growing even more somber.
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"But, Asclepius's spirit... it vanished."

Luo En, upon hearing this, was slightly startled: "Vanished?"

"You believe Zeus's lies?"

"Exactly! It's clear he made sure that not even Asclepius's spirit could be saved! That old man is truly cold-blooded!"

Stheno and Euryale couldn't help but speak up, expressing indignation on behalf of Asclepius, with whom they had a rather good relationship.

Listening to their complaints, Luo En's frown deepened gradually.

Whether according to the original mythological trajectory or based on the current situation, letting Asclepius vanish into thin air and creating a brutal image of himself did not align with Zeus's interests.

First to destroy Asclepius's body in the name of the greater good of the deities, then under the gods' pleading, to graciously allow his spirit Ascension to become a star, to adorn his sky and Divine Authority, and thereby seizing the power of the healer for himself, was more in line with Zeus's interests and matched his usual scheming.

The "Ophiuchus" constellation in the legends came about just like this.

But now, Asclepius's spirit had disappeared into thin air, not entering the Netherworld, nor falling into Zeus's hands.

"Vanished, vanished..."

Luo En mulled over the two words repeatedly, his eyes thoughtful, a subtle and elusive glimmer quietly surfacing in their depths.

"Alright, I understand! You guys go to the outskirts of the city and bring the Mother of Serpents and Thetis up to the War God Mountain, then keep an eye on the site of Asclepius's death for me. Don't let outsiders get close before I return."

"Okay!"

Although Medusa didn't understand the reasons, she still maintained her usual obedient attitude towards Luo En's commands, nodded earnestly, and then promptly, at Luo En's signal, cut the communication and, with her sisters, left the city.

As the lights and shadows in front of him dissipated, Luo En tossed the slightly warm Gorgoneion Emblem into the Magic Array, gazing in the direction of the City of Athens, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Hopefully, things are as I suspect and there is still a chance for a turnaround.

But the trouble in Athens is already a sure thing, and further talk is pointless. The urgent task now is to figure out how to recover the losses.

Someone's got to cover the costs for such a difficult job, right?

Luo En summoned the Golden Holy Grail that held Adonis's spirit from the Magic Array through thin air, his gaze, flickering subtly, turned towards the Royal City of Cyprus.

~~

"What? Asclepius is dead?!"

In the palace surrounded by flowers, the face of the Goddess of Love by the bed revealed surprise and regret.

"Such misfortune..."

"Shouldn't you have known about this earlier than I did?"

Luo En unceremoniously exposed Aphrodite's superficial sympathy with a faint cold laugh.

"Or perhaps, having witnessed the thunderous wrath of His Majesty the King of Gods, you wish to wash your hands of Asclepius and the elixir of immortality?"

"Not at all!"

Aphrodite shook her head vehemently in denial, explaining with a face full of embarrassment and helplessness.

"Regarding the plight of Asclepius, I also found out only recently. I wanted to help, but the tragedy had already occurred, and Zeus eradicated his spirit. What could a little woman like me, who can't even control her own marriage and love, possibly do?"

In speaking, the Goddess of Love appeared to be touched by the sad memories, adopting a near tearful expression that made it hard to hold her accountable, only inciting the desire to embrace her and offer soft words of comfort.

"Perhaps..." Luo En remained unmoved by the sympathetic Goddess of Love, responding calmly before his expression darkened with a cold snort, "After all that has happened, the fact that Asclepius died because of you and Adonis is indisputable!"

"I understand, and I will compensate you!" Aphrodite promised earnestly, her gaze burning as she looked at the Messenger returned from the Netherworld, "As long as my Adonis comes back, I'm willing to do anything!"

He carried the scent of her beloved.

Moreover, his successful return from the Netherworld to make accusations here proved that the objective of this risky adventure was mostly likely accomplished.

But at this moment, Luo En's face was filled with indignation.

"Compensation? What can you compensate with! Asclepius was not just a beloved friend to me! He was an elect Lesser Deity summoned for Lady Hestia! Do you think you can afford such a loss?"

"The God of Stove and Medicine God?" Aphrodite was slightly taken aback with some bewilderment,

"Food and medicine share a common origin. I had planned to expand Lady Hestia's sphere of authority through the medical talents of Asclepius. That way, not only could I help a friend, but Lady Hestia might also look at me in a new light! But because of your affair..."

At this point, Luo En abruptly stopped speaking, then turned away angrily.

"Forget it, there's nothing left to say! Our deal is over!"

"No!"

Seeing her only lifeline about to leave, Aphrodite quickly grabbed Luo En's arm, her face pleading.

"I'll compensate! I'll compensate you!"

Then, the Goddess of Love glanced back at Adonis, who lay unconscious amidst the flowers, steeled her heart and pointed outside, opening her mouth with clenched teeth.

"I can let you choose one from among my Three Graces to replace Asclepius, becoming a Lesser Deity!"

"Forget it, Asclepius has just passed, and I haven't lived long enough yet."

Luo En shook his head, unmoved, and continued to make his way to leave.

"All three! From now on, they will follow your commands!"

Seeing that the man opposite seemed resolved not to wade into this mire, a desperate Aphrodite played all her cards.

"With the Baptism of the Paphos Sacred Pool and the authority of the Three Graces at your side, I guarantee that even if Hestia's heart were stone, she would be attracted to you!"

Luo En, who was heading for the door, finally stopped, turned back grinding his teeth.

"Fine, I'll help! I might as well face punishment from His Majesty the King of Gods!"

With those words, Luo En fiercely took out the Holy Grail and, with a tragic expression, unsealed Adonis's spirit,

"No choice, we're cut from the same cloth..."

As the transparent and handsome figure of her lover Adonis melded into the body lying amidst the flowers, their spirits and flesh merging to rekindle the spark of life, Aphrodite was completely moved as she looked at the tall and imposing figure at the door, muttering over and over the only words she could think of in that moment.

"Thank you, thank you..."