— — — — — —
Of course—how could Greece's greatest hero ever be just some reckless brute? Ryo gave a small, self-mocking smile.
"Yeah, it's me."
He admitted it outright. Not that he could really deny it anyway—he didn't have the time or ability to wipe the memories of everyone on the planet.
Hercules' expression hardened. After a moment, he said, "I understand. I'll keep your secret."
Then, after a short pause, he added quietly, "Consider it… my late apology to her."
To Athena, huh? Ryo blinked in surprise, then sighed. "I think you've got the wrong idea."
Hercules froze for a beat, frowning. "What do you mean?"
Ryo's lips curved faintly, part smile, part sigh. "I did meet this world's Athena. But by that time, she was already a Trinity."
"What?"
Hercules' eyes went wide.
So before Ryo even appeared, she was already three-in-one? Then that means… it wasn't his doing?
Ryo gave a helpless shrug. "I did try to kill that Athena—to rewrite the myth—but in the end, I found I couldn't."
That was the truth. He had accidentally taken Athena's divinity and had indeed tried to kill her once.
Rewrite the myth? Well, helping Athena become the one and only true god definitely counted as rewriting, didn't it?
As for not being able to go through with it? Well, who could bring themselves to kill a silver-haired loli version of Athena? That was just basic human decency.
Everything he said was technically true—but of course, the listener's imagination filled in a completely different picture. Ryo couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
No lies. No deceit. Everything rang true. And yet Hercules' brow furrowed so deeply that even the lines of age stood out on his forehead.
"So that's how it was…"
It actually made sense now.
The rumor that Ryo had slain Athena could be explained perfectly—he'd tried to, but failed. To onlookers, that battle must've looked like a divine murder. The myth was rewritten, and he was branded a godslayer.
If that's the case… then the real trickster is still hiding somewhere?
Yeah. Someone who could deceive even a two-digit being wouldn't leave such an obvious flaw behind.
While Hercules was deep in thought, Ryo hesitated for a moment, then said, almost reluctantly, "Hercules, there's something I need to warn you about in advance."
"Hm? Go on." Hercules snapped out of his thoughts, puzzled.
Ryo's tone softened, a mix of pity and sympathy. "In this world, your mythology has somehow become entangled with Mithra, Bahram, and Indra."
"…What?"
Hercules froze again. He had noticed something off with his divinity when he descended to the lower world—but that was early on. The change wasn't obvious yet, so he hadn't looked into it.
But if what Ryo said was true…Then there was an unfinished divinity out there—and he was part of it.
And worse, he suddenly had two terrifying rivals.
Mithra and Indra—both top-tier three-digits.
Wait. Didn't Indra already take over Bahram's position?
Which means… he's the one most likely to complete that divinity.
Hercules' face instantly darkened.
Anyone would look that grim if they suddenly found themselves facing a new three-digit enemy—especially one who happened to be the commander of Heavenly Army, the strongest military force in Little Garden.
And Ryo Yagami, not satisfied with that reaction, added casually but meaningfully, "Oh, and that divinity? It's very closely tied to the King of End."
"Damn it!" Hercules blurted without thinking.
If it was connected to the King of End… that wasn't just dangerous—that was fatal.
The King of End—who appears at the end of days, the ultimate savior of the world.
That's definitely a two-digit level being.
Would Indra not want to complete that divinity? Would Mithra not want to increase his power?
If they did, that would mean their first step was to… kill him.
Why?! He was just here to do his job, and suddenly he's a walking sacrifice?
Ryo watched him with a mix of pity and weary amusement. "Also, according to my intel, that divinity might be connected to that two-digit being from the Cross pantheon."
"…"
After a long silence, Hercules exhaled, then gave a formal bow with both hands clasped.
"Thanks, brother. I've got something to take care of. Excuse me."
A sharp crack of sound split the air as Hercules launched himself away at incredible speed, vanishing from sight.
This time, the mighty hero wasn't calm or composed—he was rattled.
And honestly, who wouldn't be, if they just found out the Deva, the Cross, and the Persian pantheon might all be planning to hunt them down?
Yeah. That was very bad news.
As he sprinted through the landscape, Hercules couldn't shake a nagging feeling.
Wait a second. Wasn't he supposed to be the one interrogating Ryo? How did things flip around so that Ryo stayed perfectly calm while he ran off like a panicked rookie?
Why…?
Hercules fell silent, heading east toward India. He needed to confirm what Ryo said. If he couldn't find proof there, his next stop would be the Netherworld the locals spoke of.
One way or another, he had to verify it.
As he vanished into the horizon, his form shimmered faintly—he was using a Gift to boost his speed.
— — —
Inside the ruins of a crumbling temple, Ryo leaned against a cracked support pillar and yawned.
He waited. An hour passed.
His brows drew together in mild confusion.
"…Why haven't the Cross people shown up yet?"
By logic, anyone who knew he'd arrived a month early would've paid for that intel by now.
It was like buying a new game and not looking up the walkthrough—basically unheard of, almost suspicious behavior.
Did they not catch that his earlier "greedy" act was actually an invitation for a private deal?
No way… could the Cross really be that slow on the uptake? Actually, maybe they could.
Then Ryo's ears twitched slightly. "Pemptos, what did you say? That person had a familiar aura, but you couldn't identify it?"
After listening to the 5th Familiar's report, Ryo's eyes narrowed.
So the Cross's side really does have a problem. A man and a woman… young… wait, don't tell me—
He frowned, then pushed himself off the pillar.
He didn't have time to wait around for someone who probably wasn't coming.
And if that "bishop" really was that boy named Highness—then it was definitely time to make some preparations.
.
.
.