Stheno and Euryale, just like Medusa, were manifestations of Authority born from the Earth itself.
They belonged to the category of "Earth Mothers," and were subordinate deities to Athena, serving as priestesses in her temple.
They would later become known as the famed "Gorgon Sisters"—though, of course, they hadn't yet earned this title.
Still, their identity as sisters had already been established long ago.
Yet Medusa, as the youngest sister, was somewhat fearful of her two elder siblings all because of their "punishments" and frequent teasing in daily life.
"Uu…" Realizing Stheno and Euryale had shifted their attention toward Rovi, Medusa exhaled in relief, no longer worried about facing punishment herself, and timidly raised her eyes toward him as well.
As three goddesses serving under Athena, they didn't directly take part in battles, yet they were tasked with observing conflicts, ensuring that the "scales of victory" remained balanced.
Under their watchful gazes, the battle erupted instantly.
With just one phrase, one arrogant look, Rovi ignited the fury of the Spartans, turning their rage into an uncontrollable blaze.
Spears lifted, shields swung—transformed into a crushing storm by the towering Spartans.
They were frenzied yet coordinated.
The Athenians couldn't clearly understand what was happening, so they chose to cautiously observe from a distance.
Across the vast, open wilderness, only the Spartans' roars continued echoing—while Rovi neither dodged nor evaded, allowing their attacks to freely strike him.
A spear smashed onto his sleeve, then snapped immediately.
"No, no, that's wrong," Rovi said, somewhat disappointed. "Put more force into it. Infuse your mana directly into the spear, make it resonate…"
Bang!
A shield struck heavily against his back, but the Spartan wielding it quickly realized—not only did it fail to move Rovi, it rebounded violently, sending the warrior stumbling backward, arms trembling and numb.
"Shields aren't for smacking—you could throw it, you know? Throw your spear, too—use mana to fling it, crush me with it!"
"Raaagh!"
The more Rovi spoke, the more his words sounded mocking and harsh to the Spartans' ears.
"Damn bastard, I'll make you pay!" roared a muscular Spartan, finally unable to hold back.
"Who the hell are you yelling at? I said, put more effort into it!"
Rovi firmly smacked the Spartan warrior's head.
"Fuck!" Miraculously, as if instinctively enlightened, the Spartan warrior cursed loudly in response.
"You still dare talk back!?" Rovi was helpless.
Truthfully, aside from his initial taunt, everything Rovi said afterward had been utterly sincere.
Although he didn't have high expectations, he genuinely hoped they could kill him.
Rovi tried raising his hand and throwing a punch.
Maybe this would give them an opening, help them unleash stronger power?
His fist struck empty air, creating a violent, explosive gust—but missed entirely.
Someone seized the opportunity, grabbing his leg, trying to throw him to the ground.
Rovi indeed fell.
In that brief clash, he lost.
But the moment his body hit the ground, the earth beneath collapsed layer after layer, fracturing in spider-web patterns that rapidly spread outward.
That Spartan was instantly knocked unconscious by the rebounding shockwave.
He lost as well.
"What…the…hell…"
Eyes rolling back, he twitched for an instant, then lost consciousness entirely.
Rovi, however, stood up as if nothing happened. "As expected, looks like I need a god—or at least a demigod hero—to do it properly."
Without realizing it, after Tiamat's reshaping, Rovi's physique had already grown impossibly tough—almost impervious to harm.
These ordinary humans couldn't even pierce his defenses.
Around him lay numerous Spartans—panting, dazed, utterly exhausted. They bore no wounds but were completely drained of any strength to fight.
They hadn't lost the fight.
Yet they lost the war.
In reality, throughout this entire ordeal, Rovi essentially hadn't retaliated at all.
He'd been thrown down countless times.
Constantly losing, endlessly losing.
The Athenians watched, dumbfounded.
Could a battle even be fought like this?
"Ahem…" Rovi coughed lightly, looking around.
He truly hadn't attained victory.
But Athens…seemed to have won?
"Long live Goddess Athena!" The Athenians finally reacted.
"Praise Goddess Athena!"
They cheered excitedly—at this point, who wouldn't realize Rovi was a helper sent by Athena herself?
A bizarre "hero" who never struck anyone down.
Because of him, Athens had won the day, and even managed to prevent casualties on both sides…
"So that was your plan all along?"
Within Athens, inside her temple, the silver-haired goddess Athena withdrew her gaze from the battlefield, suddenly struck by realization.
Rovi never sought victory for himself.
Instead, he brought victory to Athens through continuous self-inflicted defeats.
Such a victory wasn't glorious, but he had prevented a bloody war.
Afterward, the surviving Athenians would undoubtedly feel gratitude toward him.
As for the defeated Spartans, though they'd be resentful, they wouldn't harbor intense hatred toward Rovi either.
Even the bravest warriors instinctively desired to stay far from death.
"In matters of wisdom, you truly cannot be underestimated… Sage Rovi."
Goddess Athena murmured thoughtfully, closing her eyes as her mind drifted briefly.
Yet in that instant, her eyes suddenly flew open, silver hair fluttering as she abruptly stood up, white gown swaying, body taut.
"Ares—"
Her expression grew solemn as her gaze returned once more to the battlefield.
Just as the Athenians celebrated their triumph and the Spartans lay barely conscious… Rovi simultaneously raised his head.
Before his eyes stood a towering figure that pierced the sky, clad in armor, gripping spear and shield, riding atop a bronze chariot pulled by four horses, emanating an oppressive, violent aura.
It was Ares.
The Olympian God of War among the Twelve Main Gods—Ares.
Everyone froze in fear.
The three goddesses grew nervous simultaneously.
Gods naturally exerted overwhelming pressure upon mortals, and main gods held spiritual authority even over lesser gods.
"Damn you, Athena—resorting to such petty tricks to harm my people!" Ares thundered as his gaze swept over those below, voice rumbling darkly, roaring fiercely, "To dare scheme in the presence of Ares, the great God of War—mortal, have you considered the consequences?"
"Ares, the God of War, shall execute without mercy anyone who dares defy him—"
Ares's presence was formidable.
But Rovi felt utterly delighted.
Finally, as he had hoped, Ares, the God of War himself, could no longer hold back…and had personally descended.
---
T/N: ARESSSS AREEEESSSSS WHAT KIND OF SICK COWARD, HOLDS BACK HIS POWER, WHILE HIS FRIENDS GET DEVOURED? HE DIDN't EVEN FIGHT SCYLLA! DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO KILL HER! HIDES INSIDE A WOODEN HORSE TO GET THE JOB DONE! NEVER HANDLES THINGS UPFRONT! PATHETIC AND WEAK LIKE HIS SON!
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