blueteamnovel Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Chapter 111 – Justification And Desire
Huh, look at this guy.
Theseus boldly pointed his sword at me, challenging me to a duel.
Though I could see his dark intentions clearly, he appeared like a prince on a white horse trying to rescue a tragic heroine.
With all eyes already on us, openly provoking me to a duel was one of two things.
‘He’s either cornered, or he has something up his sleeve.’
Or it could be both.
Anyway, it was quite a fresh experience.
I had encountered enough political scheming in the past that it wasn’t surprising, but to think the one trying to play politics this time was none other than a hero from mythology.
‘In the end, whether here or there, people live the same, huh?’
Whether it was this smart-looking prince or that psycho from the Zhuge family who manipulated people with a friendly smile.
Ultimately, if you trace back the origins of war, its essence was always greed.
Now, let’s think about it.
Theseus was known for his wisdom and military strategy, second only to Jason in the Forest of Heroes.
Someone like him, no matter how much he tried to rationalize it or take me down, must have known that ordinary strategies wouldn’t work against me.
‘Unless he really brings in someone like Chiron or Hercules. There’s no chance of winning.’
So, what was it then?
What could he possibly be aiming for by challenging me?
The way he looked at Atalanta was unusual, but...
‘Oh, no way.’
His nickname was “the Wise Hero” after all. He wouldn’t have escalated things like this just over Atalanta, right?
More likely, his goal was to challenge me, either to win or, even if he lost, to tarnish the reputation I had gained from yesterday’s duel.
That tarnished reputation would be his to claim. Even if I overwhelmingly beat him, he could still play the sympathy card.
In the end, I’d be seen as nothing more than a powerful villain, while the sympathy and glory, along with Atalanta, would fall into his hands.
It was a shallow but calculated plan.
‘Tsk, tsk, tsk... Such a promising guy wasting his talents on tricks like this.’
It was a typical example of a jealous talent I had seen countless times while climbing the ranks of the Demonic Cult.
These guys have considerable personal skills but waste their good brains and abilities on petty politics.
And judging by how confidently he was speaking...
“I saw it too! He quietly called Atalanta and ruthlessly assaulted her!”
“He even dropped her from a high place!”
“Even when the woman cried with a broken arm, he continued with his fists....”
Aha, bingo.
Here they come, the instigators.
A quick scan of the area with my senses revealed that it was the demigods Troy and Athens, always seen around Theseus, who were eagerly spreading the rumors.
The problem was that it was working.
Even I thought the Reverse Heavenly Cultivation technique I showed yesterday was rather unsettling.
-Murmur, murmur.
-Whisper, whisper.
Hmm~
The fragrant scent of jealousy and suspicion.
I could eat three loaves of bread without any yogurt at this rate.
“Hey, hey... Theseus, why all of a sudden...?”
Even Hercules, clueless as ever, was taken aback and tried to stop Theseus, but I raised my hand and silently gestured for him to stay out of it.
If a promising strategist like Theseus was going to try some political maneuvering, I had to play along.
With quests continuing day after day, and not even having received all the rewards yet, another new quest popping up was slightly exhausting.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone like this kid, who openly displays such stark jealousy and greed, so it was quite amusing.
“Oooo... Could it be?”
‘...Who the hell are you, punk?!’
Amidst this, Hercules, standing by with a silly grin, was... best left ignored.
He was like a wild boar, and paying attention to him would be endless, so I decided to disregard him.
“Anyway, everyone knows. In this forest, except for Hercules, no matter how many come at me, they can’t be my match.”
It wasn’t arrogance or pride, just a simple fact.
Those who witnessed the colossal battle yesterday, which even awed me, couldn’t dare refute this grand premise.
I, the demigod called Dianes, am very, very strong.
So much so that none could stand equally against me except for that Hercules.
“However, since ancient times, the one who wins the heart of a beauty is neither the strong nor the wealthy. Only the courageous have won beauties, gained honor, and were recorded in history!”
Still, they needed a reason to fight me.
Not just some noble cause or weak sense of justice.
If I gave them a real, visceral reason, something worth risking their lives for...
“As one who couldn’t refuse the wishes of the beautiful Nereid nymphs, daughters of Oceanus, sisters of the thousand waves, I promise.”
After the war with Theseus, those who will bravely stand against me and who will leave a strong impression on me shall return on the night of Demeter’s harvest festival.
Under the moonlit beach, you shall hear the beautiful chorus of nymphs and have the chance to sing with them.
I paused here slightly, teasing them for a moment.
-...!!!
When the silent men’s desire reached its peak.
I roared like a lion, igniting their passions.
“How about it? Considering we’re all born with bells hanging down there, don’t you think it’s time to risk your life for something worth it?!”
With my words, the quiet campfire turned upside down.
-Whoooooo!!!
-Dianes! Dianes! Dianes! Dianes!
The young heroes chanted my name like fanatics welcoming a god, raising their spirits.
Their appearance was as fierce and zealous as a desperate squad ready for a final stand.
“Ugh...!”
Theseus was bewildered by the sudden 180-degree shift in the atmosphere.
Meeting Theseus’s eyes, I couldn’t suppress my amusement.
Thus, all his schemes were completely thwarted.
With such enthusiasm, the war would naturally go well.
However, what would remain in their minds after the war would not be them fiercely fighting under Theseus’s command or the evil demon Dianes.
It would be themselves, heading to meet beautiful nymphs after a passionate battle, led by Dianes.
What? Losing the war but winning the game?
‘What kind of boring nonsense are you talking about?’
If you’re going to make a move, you should come at it with the determination to devour everything.
“Grrr...”
“Haha, now I’m starting to get excited.”
Right?
The sight of Theseus, his handsome face contorted with anger, made the goat milk I was drinking taste even sweeter.
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