Of course, having gone through it once, Rovi was far more cautious this time.
He no longer sought an instant death.
What he wanted now was to gather traces of "death" bit by bit, then string them together at the right moment—to trap himself in a situation where death was unavoidable.
It was similar to his earlier attempt, yet completely different.
A fall teaches wisdom.
Rovi wasn't going to repeat his past mistake.
...
"Teacher Chiron… where's Rovi?"
With dawn breaking over the forests outside the cave on Mount Pelion, the sunlight brushing across the treetops, Heracles awoke to find one person missing.
"Lord Rovi has already set off on the path to becoming a hero."
Chiron stood in the open space outside the cave, holding a finely crafted longbow, plucking its string again and again to get the feel just right.
"That fast? Only three days?" Heracles looked startled. "He learned in three days what I've spent years learning?"
As if I taught him anything…
If anything, he was the one teaching me…
Chiron fell silent, unable to deny it yet unwilling to say it out loud.
"Seems I should think seriously about what Rovi told me earlier…"
Heracles sank into deep consideration.
Chiron tried his best not to let his eyelid twitch. He absolutely could not imagine this brave, refined young man yelling "Fuck your mom!" all day.
Fortunately, Rovi had left for now. There was still a chance to fix things.
At that moment, Chiron felt the weight on his shoulders double.
First things first…
"Heracles, when you meet Rovi in the future, address him as 'Grandmaster.'"
Heracles: "?"
Then for the past two days he'd been calling Rovi "brother"…
What exactly had he been calling him?
What even was that?
...
Rovi, already far away, naturally had no idea what Chiron and Heracles were talking about.
He simply set off alone in the direction Chiron had indicated.
The cultural landscape of the mythic age usually depended on how the gods treated humanity.
In Mesopotamia, before Gilgamesh, humans had always been the gods' "slaves," living under divine rule.
Greece, however, was different.
Greek gods came from beyond the heavens; they held divinity but also admired humanity. Their personalities were full of flaws—aloof, yet entertained by mortal life.
That was the scenery Rovi witnessed throughout his journey.
At sunrise the next day, Rovi arrived in Athens. Before him rose a grand city built upon stone, walls and gates forged from solid rock, towering temples shimmering beneath the morning light. From the great theater, voices drifted out in lingering song.
The place Chiron had mentioned—the site of the divine trial—was somewhere near here.
Rovi paused outside the city gates, taking a moment to observe.
His linen robe fluttered lightly in the morning breeze, and his stillness drew attention.
"Where does this gentleman come from?"
A carriage pulled up beside him, and stepping down was a young woman with silver hair and a refined air. A blue floral crown rested upon her head; she wore a white robe, her figure elegant, her features delicate and bright. Her eyes glimmered like rubies.
A deep-blue belt hugged her slender waist, outlining a gentle curve across her chest. The split hem of her skirt revealed pale legs, graceful and well-proportioned. From head to toe, she radiated a beauty both dignified and divine.
But Rovi's gaze swept past her—landing on the figure standing behind her.
A small girl in a white gauze dress, long purple hair trailing down her back.
The instant Rovi looked at her, she flinched as if startled.
Fortunately, his gaze only lingered a moment before withdrawing. His expression remained calm, unreadable.
"I've come from Pelion," Rovi replied. Judging from the woman's attire and bearing, she had to be one of Athens' leading figures.
And if he wanted to become a "hero," he first needed a reputation.
Rovi had no reason to conceal himself. "My name is Rovi."
"Rovi? Sage Rovi?"
The woman—no, the elegant maiden—blinked in surprise. Hearing the name "Rovi," the first association for most Greeks was naturally the legendary sage. His robe, too, resembled the traditional depictions.
She could not be certain, but she reacted quickly, lowering herself in a noble's courtesy.
"I am Pallas, the High Priestess of Athens."
"This is my future successor, Medusa."
"H…hello, sir."
Medusa spoke softly, her voice crisp yet timid.
"Forgive her," Pallas offered with a gentle smile. "The child is a bit shy."
Rovi simply nodded in understanding.
As expected.
In later myths, the infamous "Gorgon," cursed into monstrosity for offending the gods—Medusa—had originally been one of Athena's attendants.
Naturally, Medusa wasn't human, but divine—a deity with an earth-aspected nature.
No matter how well she hid it, the thick divine aura clinging to her couldn't escape Rovi's sight.
And if that was the case, then the identity of the so-called High Priestess Pallas needed no further explanation.
The wise and warlike goddess newly returned from Olympus—Athena.
Rovi smiled. "As you can see, I've come seeking recognition from the gods."
Seeking divine recognition?
Pallas—Athena in a mortal-seeming form—lowered her elegant brows slightly, then curved her rosy lips.
"Unfortunately, the beautiful goddess I serve, Lady Athena, has no intention of offering trials at this time."
This was true.
Though the gods mingled with mortals frequently, they weren't always conducting trials.
"But to the east, in the forest there, stands a statue infused with the power of Hermes."
"If you go there, you may find what you seek."
A small token of goodwill, perhaps?
Athena thought so. The man before her carried an imposing presence; whether he was that legendary sage or not, he was undeniably extraordinary.
Even if he wasn't the sage, he would surely become a powerful hero—and she might need such a person someday.
Rovi nodded. He was about to depart, but paused, looking once more at the timid girl behind her.
"Medusa, yes?" He smiled slightly. He had some curiosity and interest toward this "story character." If the chance arose, he wouldn't mind saving her.
It would also be a fine way to offend the gods.
"You're a good kid."
"U-um…"
Suddenly being praised made the little girl hiding behind Athena flush in embarrassment, but she summoned her courage:
"Th…thank you."
Athena only smiled.
Grass rustled in the wind as the figure ahead slowly disappeared from view.
...
Hermes.
That was Rovi's true destination—the god Chiron had mentioned, the one who had set the trial.
He was a representative of the gods, the messenger of Zeus. Though not counted among the Twelve Olympians, his position was unique.
For though Hermes had no temple and no dedicated holiday, his statues stood at every crossroads, and his image adorned every city wall—guide of travelers, guardian of city-states.
Until now, he had been watching over Heracles's growth—by Zeus's command, guiding and protecting the boy through his early years.
If Rovi could enter Hermes's sight…
He might also draw Zeus's attention.
"The King of Gods facing his enemy… surely he won't stay calm?"
If that was the case…
Then for this trial, he would act arrogantly.
The more arrogant, the more reckless—the closer he would come to death.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl