Upon hearing the title "lord of Armies mars," the Atlanteans all showed expressions of admiration, exclaiming that the title was extraordinary and far superior to that of Poseidon, God of the Sea.
Seeing their reactions, Hecate, who was in the Underworld, couldn't help but reveal an approving expression:
"Where did this kid get such an awesome title? Mars never had a title like 'lord of Armies' before."
The original God of War had already been torn apart by hand when Youxing Vanguard No. 2 descended upon Earth, and his divinity was shattered and scattered across the world. It could be said that the current Ares also contained a part of the original God of War Mars's divinity within him.
Of course, it was no problem for Ares to casually usurp his title. After all, Mars was thoroughly dead. Even if Ares urinated on his grave, it was unlikely Mars would crawl out to settle accounts with Ares.
Meanwhile, in a tavern in Atlantis, the bard from Sparta also noticed that the Atlanteans' faces only showed admiration, with no other emotions, as if it was none of their business. They seemed to believe that whether Atlantis won or lost, and whether Poseidon was a god or a demon, it had nothing to do with them.
Upon noticing this, the bard subtly frowned.
It seems the impact isn't strong enough yet.
These bards from Sparta had been personally trained by the High Priest since childhood. On the surface, they were propagandists in Sparta, used to promote their city-state, heroic stories, and deities. In reality, all bards originating from Sparta were professional instigators, provocateurs, and agitators, skilled at stirring up trouble and sowing discord.
So, upon noticing that these Atlanteans didn't take his words seriously at all, the bard from Sparta felt his professional integrity challenged and immediately brought out his subsequent measures.
He gently plucked a string, using the sound to halt the Atlanteans' discussions. When everyone's attention was drawn to him, the bard cleared his throat and asked:
"If I'm not mistaken, you still believe these matters have nothing to do with you, right?"
"Isn't that so?"
The Atlanteans cried out:
"Matters concerning Poseidon and lord of Armies mars are beyond the purview of even the noble lords. Only the royal family living in the deepest parts of Atlantis has the right to know these things. What good would it do us to know? Can we influence Poseidon, or directly contact lord of Armies mars?"
"You are truly foolish! Utterly foolish!"
The bard feigned an expression of disappointment, looking at the Atlanteans and saying:
"Think carefully with your alcohol-soaked brains: Poseidon's army has been defeated. Where will the next blow fall? Of course, it will be the entire Atlantis! To the lord of Armies, this is a city of heresy built by demons. Everyone living in this city, in this country, without exception, is an evil-doer destined for hell! When the lord of Armies' angelic armies arrive in Atlantis, do you think you can escape?"
His words finally scared the Atlanteans. Thanks to the highly unstable and easily enraged Poseidon, the High God, who often vented his anger on the Atlanteans whenever he was provoked by Zeus or other main gods, these people were no strangers to divine punishment.
Just recently, Poseidon attempted to seize Argos, a city that originally belonged to him, from Hera. However, with the covert assistance of Zeus, the King of Gods, the filial Hephaestus, and a certain God of War who preferred to remain anonymous, Poseidon finally suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Heavenly Queen Hera, whom he had always looked down upon.
Argos was taken by Hera, and his statue on the city wall was replaced by a woman. Upon returning to the sea, the furious Sea God unleashed a flood, submerging a certain Lower City district of Atlantis. To this day, that area remains a watery expanse, with countless commoners having perished.
Therefore, regarding the gods destroying humanity, they understood it better and in more specific detail than Ares.
Seeing that a mere mention from him had caused the Atlanteans to show expressions of fear, the bard from Sparta, while surprised, couldn't help but feel grateful to Poseidon, who constantly rained divine punishments down on the earth.
After expressing his gratitude, he continued to stir up trouble for the God of War and humanity.
"Then, what should we do?"
The Atlanteans, completely terrified by the bard, immediately showed expressions of helpless fear. Perhaps only one person present could answer their doubts, so they all placed their last hope on the bard who had informed them of these matters.
And this bard did not disappoint. Facing the gazes of the Atlanteans, he cleared his throat and then said:
"As for a solution, of course there is…"
"What solution?"
The Atlanteans quickly gathered around him, asking with a hint of pleading:
"Good sir, if you tell us the solution, we will give you whatever you want. What do you desire? Gold and silver treasures? Fine wine and delicacies? Or women?"
"I want none of these," the bard shook his head and said, "because I cannot save you. Only you can save yourselves."
He pointed at the Atlanteans and said:
"The lord of Armies will only bring down punishment upon those evil-doers who collude with demons. If, before the angels arrive, you offer your devout faith to him and his angels, then upon hearing your prayers, the lord of Armies will naturally forgive you. Revere him, and you shall be spared death."
"Just praying is enough?"
The Atlanteans rejoiced at the news. They already offered daily sacrifices and prayers to the Sea God Poseidon, so now it was just a change of target, a business they were very familiar with.
"Of course, just praying isn't enough."
The bard shook his head and said:
"You must truly believe in them."
"This… we do believe, but will the gods truly feel it?"
The Atlanteans were very hesitant.
"Do you think gods are like a false god such as Poseidon, where it doesn't matter if you are humble to his face but curse and mock him behind his back?"
The bard glanced at these people:
"God is omniscient. He will naturally hear your devout prayers, and perhaps even bestow some benefits upon you, for example, like this…"
He stretched out a hand, and several red magic patterns suddenly appeared from the void for an instant. Then, in the bard's palm, flames formed out of thin air immediately condensed into a massive cleaver, falling into his hand.
"This is the blessing of the angels, and the grace of God."
Holding the cleaver, the bard said to the Atlanteans, "Once your faith reaches a certain threshold, you will also be granted this power by God. At that time, if you use this power to help God eliminate more evil, God will naturally forgive your sins."