Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

But now, it made the War God feel unattainable.

As if Zeus had not forged it with a part of his own godhood, but with his entire being.

There was even a vague sense that Ares had another feeling—the current Thunderbolt was no longer complete.

Because it had found its fated other half, another Divine Artifact capable of shining brilliantly with it.

Although this premonition seemed even more absurd than the previous one, Ares vouched with his War God's intuition for weapons that it might just be true.

Of course, whether it was true or false had nothing to do with him now...

"Hah... Huff..."

Muscles bulged, and Ares panted heavily, his heart struggling.

Should he make a move?

If he did, could he still maintain his powerful divine strength?

But if he didn't, was what Zeus said earlier just empty words, or his final ultimatum?

His thoughts were chaotic, and the dust around him gradually settled.

In the midst of it, four towering metal Titans closed in on him once again, fearless of death.

At the same time, as if afraid he would flee, a voice echoed from afar.

"Prince Ares, are you going to flee now?"

"The War God with a hundred defeats truly lives up to his name."

The black-robed Grand Sorceress, looking at Ares standing on the earth, despite knowing that 'a sheathed sword is a shame,' still spoke the words she had long wanted to say.

"Born a deity... how did you end up like this?"

"But never mind, come, I'll teach you a trick."

"In a thousand years, when your child asks you about this story, you can say to them:"

"Child, though you may not have my bloodline, and I don't know who your father is, none of that matters."

"Because under my guidance, though you won't achieve victory, as long as you learn the lessons I taught you, you will avoid all defeats in this world."

"..."

Zheng——

In the sky, this time, the black-robed sorceress received no response.

Between heaven and earth, there was Silence.

Moments later, on the dusty earth, she saw only a sudden rise of purple Thunderbolt.

...

The fourth layer of the Spirit Realm, in the All-Spirit Realm.

April hung in the sky, with countless souls around.

The bi-colored 'great sea' cycled endlessly, with every breath, millions of souls flowed through, and countless soul bodies merged back into it.

Three goddesses in charge of Spring, Summer, and Autumn judged the merits of all spirits day and night, determining the start of their next life.

Yet for thousands of years, the entire All-Spirit Realm seemed like it had been independent from the Spirit Realm's system,

because since long ago, in the Bronze Age, it had severed its connections with other layers.

Outsiders could not enter, and those within would not leave.

So, silently guarding here, Eros gently flapped her petite wings, and stifled a yawn.

She and Volos had a deal that if needed, they would take turns guarding here, while the other went to play.

As for deciding who stays and who goes, they had their own method.

They would weaken their power, creating fake 'Golden Arrow' and 'Lead Arrow,' and then bet with a couple or enemies.

They would wager on how many arrows were needed to drive a loving couple apart or make mortal enemies fall into love.

The winner leaves, the loser stays.

And clearly, today Eros was the loser.

"...Yawn..."

Covering her mouth, Eros shook her head, trying to keep herself awake.

Though their behavior seemed excessive, as if mortal's desires were mere toys in their hands, the twins didn't feel that way.

To them, the behavior itself was not inherently 'good' or 'evil.'

They were simply betting, and not deriving any joy from manipulating love and hatred.

Just as humans wouldn't feel guilty or delighted over eating or walking, they wouldn't experience any emotional changes over such routine actions.

Time silently flowed, Spirit Moons waxing and waning.

At some point, beside the already asleep Eros, a pale lavender moon shadow flickered.

The hem of a gorgeous dress trailed the ground, and Liana stepped onto the land of the All-Spirit Realm.

She furrowed her brows lightly, then relaxed.

Without waking the dreaming Eros, Liana exchanged a glance with the white dragon wandering in the dream.

Not until Ishera averted her gaze guiltily did Liana take a step forward, appearing directly at the center of the All-Spirit Realm.

"...Princess Liana, why are you here?"

Instinctively on guard, seeing who it was, the Goddess of Autumn Erinys gave a slight bow and sent a message to her sisters that it was not an enemy.

"I need your help."

Speaking softly, Liana's gaze swept over Erinys and the two goddesses who had rushed over.

The latter were slightly taken aback, exchanging glances.

Eventually, the eldest sister among them, Eunomia, the goddess of Spring and Rebirth, nodded solemnly.

"...It is our honor, Your Highness."

"Please instruct us, what do you need us to do?"

"It's very simple."

Nodding slightly, Liana's pale fingers traced a seam in the void.

Through the rift in space, Eunomia could vaguely see the scene behind it.

Towering mountains, a majestic view piercing the clouds, an unattainable sanctuary for mortals.

To the surprise of the sisters, it was not the place recently marred by human casualties, not the only faith's kingdom of the mortal realm, but instead an entirely opposite locale.

It was the Home of the Gods, the domain of the Divine King, Olympus.

"It's there... or more accurately, the bedchamber of Heavenly Empress Hera."

Speaking softly, Liana didn't explain the reason.

The three goddesses exchanged glances and then nodded simultaneously.

Attacking there was not important.

Since Liana was the Spirit Realm's guardian appointed by the master's will before departing, they would act according to her request.

Attacking the Divine King's stronghold sounded terrifying, but so what?

No matter how powerful Zeus was, he couldn't penetrate the Spirit Realm.

Determined, in the next moment, under the collective will of the three goddesses, the Well of Reincarnation emitted a faint glow.

This ancient artifact, which had never truly faced an enemy since its creation, seemed to awaken from its slumber, gathering the essence of 'Cycle.'

Looking at this scene with a solemn face, Liana raised her hand to empower the Genesis Artifact with the authority of the Spirit Realm she could command.

If it were before, when Hemenu had not yet been destroyed, there would have been no extra power in the Spirit Realm for her to command; if she had to bear it herself, with her current ability, Liana could not mobilize great divine power outside the Spirit Realm.

But the Well of Reincarnation was different... it was a Divine Artifact.

Liana didn't need to harness great divine power, she merely provided the Genesis Artifact with continuous support, and it would naturally reveal supreme divine power.

The gaze shifted, looking again at the scenery across the fragmented space.

Staring at the palace belonging to the Heavenly Empress, Liana finally instructed:

"Remember, you don't need to deal with Hera. You just need to break open that palace."

"As for the rest... leave it to me."

In a calm voice, at that moment, Liana recalled the prayers of mortal believers.

Well... not a bad saying.

Though it was false, if it was for the sake of the master's glory, she would assume it to be true.

Smiling faintly, though knowing Laine wouldn't care about his image in mortal eyes, Liana still didn't want the crimes of those wizards to tarnish him.

Luckily, those believers were quite clever... She thought to herself.