Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Chapter 774: Chapter 279: The Real Person Shot by Arrow

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“The city gates have fallen, the rear formation holds steady, the front formation enters the city.”

Outside the City of Eryxis, watching the towering golden figure and the pursuing red shadow, Laine calmly instructed.

Immediately, the army outside the city split into two, pressing against the defenseless city walls.

The last person able to influence the outcome of the war had left—even if staying meant nothing.

After all, this was the Goddess of Agriculture. With the aid of divine power, relying on the ‘great force of bricks,’ Demeter might still possess some combat prowess.

But when limited to the same level of strength, even the Underworld deities, historically ignored by the Olympian gods, could likely beat this member of the Twelve Main Gods.

Iris, the Goddess of the Rainbow, or the North Wind, East Wind, and South Wind gods,

these True Gods with only weak divine power could easily defeat Demeter in the mortal realm; it’s no wonder she wasn’t taken seriously by other deities.

Aphrodite acted so brazenly precisely because she had nothing to fear in terms of consequences.

“Indeed.”

“The war machines you prepared are indeed something unique.”

The massive stone gate opened, traces of blood still staining the ground.

Entering the City of Eryxis, Laine approached the fallen beast’s corpse.

Invisible runes flickered on the skin, wisps of red aura gathering from all around.

The war was over, but this ‘sacrifice’ continued.

“It’s all thanks to my teacher; I’m merely the manipulator.”

“Moreover, it seems Eryxis experienced internal turmoil; their defeat was inevitable.”

Without claiming credit, Solomon calmly explained.

Unsurprisingly, the result of this blood sacrifice was quite successful.

Except for the new consciousness possibly being somewhat influenced in form by these demons, everything went smoothly.

Yet, looking at Laine before him, a trace of doubt flashed in Solomon’s eyes.

The sacrificial ritual wasn’t exactly advanced mysticism; on the contrary, it was rather common.

Even though Hermes’ alchemy runes were as concealed as possible, they were still easy to detect.

Solomon had no knowledge of the origins of this person suddenly appearing in Athens, whom Andrea inexplicably trusted so much, nor whether he had discerned anything.

Perhaps the former King knew something; maybe his teacher did too.

But at least for Solomon, he harbored a bit of curiosity amidst his caution.

Superior wisdom is humans’ most precious asset—this adage from the Church of Knowledge is one Solomon has always believed in.

“In any case, you indeed did well.”

“The effects of alchemy… have also opened my eyes.”

With a slight smile, Laine gazed at the burning city before him.

Cries and screams interspersed, but evidently, neither he nor Solomon cared about them.

“Is there anything you desire, as a commendation for your efforts?”

“This…”

Hesitating for a moment, Solomon didn’t understand the man’s meaning, but instinctively declined,

“I’m just completing the task assigned by my teacher, and serving Athens is my duty.”

“Hmm, I understand your loyalty to Athens.”

“Then let’s phrase it differently, Solomon: Are there any challenges you are facing?”

Still smiling, Laine continued, “In fact, I’ve always been quite interested in alchemy, although it faces many limitations.”

“For instance, altering thoughts, soul, changing space, distorting reality—all are impossible at present.”

“It’s currently merely an auxiliary part of the extraordinary system, not mainstream.”

“Even your teacher was first a wizard, then researched alchemy on that foundation.”

“Engaging other methods to tackle unresolved issues in the alchemy domain might yield solutions.”

“…”

Falling silent, Solomon’s heart sprang into vigilance.

Yet, looking at the beast’s corpse before him, he thought better of rejecting again and again.

Perhaps the other party had indeed discovered the ongoing sacrifices, and was testing the water with a proposal; in that case, he would accept it.

Regardless of what was said, he had no intention of implementing any of it.

“If you say so, Lord Aiven, I do have some questions.”

“All living beings have emotions—they express their feelings through joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.”

“Just like this city, with soldiers clashing and flames consuming vast areas of residences.”

“Pain, rage, hatred spreading among people, ushering love and hate.”

Adjusting his posture, Solomon earnestly inquired,

“In your view, are emotions innate or acquired?”

“If innate, what kind of emotions exist in a newly born soul, and are these emotions the truest ones within humanity?”

“If acquired… then for life, are emotions a boon, or a shackle?”

Half of his question was casually contrived, while the other half was influenced by the surroundings.

This query arose when Solomon observed the consciousness being gradually tainted by blood, turning violent and bloodthirsty.

Alchemy seeks ‘purity,’ but what truly constitutes purity?

If a thread of a mortal soul were assimilated by a real god, becoming part of them, is this elevation, or corruption?

“Emotions… are probably acquired; as for whether they are a boon, I cannot say.”

“Yet I believe, in contrast to the world, perhaps emotions are life’s greatest asset, although maybe a disadvantage.”

“In short, without experimentation one lacks the rights to conclusions. I know of a special witchcraft that can collect emotions emanating from life.”

“Through this, you might find the true truth.”

Stirred slightly, Solomon’s questions reflected later philosophical pondering on human nature and divinity.

For a moment, Laine found it difficult to provide a precise answer.

Nevertheless, he wasn’t aiming to solve the query; he merely wanted to ascertain whether this peculiarly named individual was merely coincidental, or indeed had something special.

The name ‘Solomon’ was essential in countless future legends.@@novelbin@@

If in this uncollapsed destiny there was indeed some fateful convergence, then the individual must have some distinctive quality.

“Hope it aids you, no need to refuse; it’s merely a fringe witchcraft.”

Handing over a book, Laine strode forward.

“The follow-up in this city is your responsibility.”

“I’ll leave behind a small number of soldiers, departing with the others in two days to western Athens to face the challenges of All Countries.”

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Swoosh—

Bang—

A pale golden glow streaked through the sky, then descended upon an unnamed hill.

Demeter looked somewhat disheveled, yet quickly regained her composure.

Along the way, she hadn’t managed to shake off the pursuing demon.

Quite the opposite, under its wings, she was chased for a considerable distance.

Fortunately, the demon seemed inherently repulsive to mortal order, eventually being expelled from this time and space.

Unclear of its whereabouts, Demeter breathed a sigh of relief.

“Phew—”

“Demophon…”

Her expression shifted, recalling the Athenian prince turned against his father, reminding the Goddess of Agriculture of her foster son with the same name.

He was meant to gain immortality through flames, yet ultimately succumbed to mortal ignorance.

Had he not met an untimely fate, perhaps this innately extraordinary individual could have become a renowned demigod hero in the mortal realm.

But reality holds no “what ifs.”

The Demophon of old was dead, killed by her own hands.

The queen’s expression of despair and agony still lingered in her memory; Demeter had no regrets.

Mortals remain ignorant, nothing surprising there.

The sole pity is Eryxis now lost from her hands.

“There will be better ones in the future; just a city filled with unbearable memories…”

“Perhaps it’s a boon after all; from now on, I’ll have something better.”

Comforting herself, Demeter extracted a fine incense stick.

This was crafted with the method left behind by those two gods of not strong but peculiar authorities.

Myrrh, Styrax, frankincense each in four and two portions.

A portion of cedar and ginger, paired with half portions of orris, cardamom, cinnamon, juniper berries, iris flower, and cypress, along with seven dried raisins, several drops of wine, honey, and lotus essence.

Processed according to different chronologies and rituals, crushed into dry grass, sealed in a container for two weeks, merged with essential oils, wine, grapes, and left to rest again.

After a month’s wait, the final incense stick was thus made.

Since that day, Demeter had prepared these early.

“This is what you promised me, the power to twist a god’s mind and will.”

“A mortal’s emotional power can only plunge deities briefly.”

“But a god-derived hatred and pain can truly bind another god.”

“Even if it’s not eternal…”

Stretching her hand out, she lit the incense before her.

The sky had darkened; once Athens reached Eryxis, it was already afternoon.

Under the dim glow, Demeter’s face bore no hatred, only a hint of anticipation.

“Do not disappoint me, come see me soon.”

“This time, I will completely erase the past disgrace.”

Previously, she had witnessed the power embedded within that miraculous golden arrow.

Making one intrinsically love another, an illogical power indeed.

Before, she only heard of the goddess of justice’s sword permitting no lies, and of Aphrodite’s girdle bewildering others.

After all, divine minds are so sublime—beyond mere objects’ influence.

Only contact with True God’s level power could potentially exert any influence upon them.

The Goddess of Justice once accessed the world’s core during ancient eras through ‘legislation’; Aphrodite allegedly enjoyed the legacy of the father of gods or some other existence.

Yet, over time, all are merely transient effects—such divine artifacts like the twin golden arrows, she indeed was witnessing for the first time.

Making one love another or viscerally hate them… a divine blessing from the world, perhaps.

Yet, was such power only to be used as a one-time tool for revenge?

“Oh, certainly not; this is merely the most wasteful usage, whereas I have a better way.”

“Not everyone in the world is Poseidon.”

The memories acquired weren’t pleasant, yet the Goddess of Agriculture chuckled with pride.

In this instance, Demeter felt that Athena’s insight was indeed correct.

Sharp intellect is truly among the most priceless of life’s assets.

Even if she was not Athena’s equal, pondering long enough occasionally yielded flashes of brilliance.

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