The Greece Antagonist

Luo En's complexion changed, and he immediately spoke to defend himself.

"Lord Apollo, I think you have misunderstood us. We came here following Lady Artemis's will to visit you, with no other intentions whatsoever."

"So, it wasn't a coincidence earlier; you had already arrived?"

Apollo instantly seized on the loophole in the words and looked towards the Muses beside him with a sinister gaze, bellowing in anger.

"Speak! Did you lead these Giants here?! Are you trying to have me killed by the hands of the Gigantes?"

Hearing such accusations that cut to the heart, the faces of the Muses turned pale, and they were boiling with unspoken grievances.

Heaven knows, they were merely using the pretext of traveling to the mortal realm to check on their former master, never even intending to show themselves.

Who would have known that they would encounter the Gigantes causing chaos, and, on top of that, inadvertently involve their former master Apollo in the mess?

Moreover, since when could they, a group of Muses who adored literature and poetry, command the Gigantes to kill their former master and scheme for power and status?

At that moment, Luo En could not help but stand up for the Muses and spoke out against the injustice.

"Lord Apollo, you may suspect me, but please do not impose baseless accusations on these innocent ladies!"

Upon hearing this, Apollo, previously dominated by rage, seemed to cool down slightly and looked darkly at Luo En before speaking solemnly.

"You are right, they didn't have the courage to do so before, but now it seems they dare to engage in these outrageous acts, all because of your instigation, isn't it?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Lord Apollo, please watch your words!"

Calliope, the eldest sister, couldn't help but raise her voice, issuing a solemn murmur.

"Though you have been sentenced to misfortune, and exiled to the mortal realm, even in your absence, we have always adhered to our Divine Office and responsibility, never harboring any ill thoughts against you!"

Then, the Muse in charge of heroic epics pointed her finger at Luo En beside her, took a deep breath, and shouted angrily.

"And the God of Wine would be even less likely, as he himself has just saved you! And it was before us!"

Seeing his own Muses defending an outsider, Apollo could no longer contain his fury.

"Stop with your pretense! He came here just to relish the sight of my downfall, didn't he?"

"Lord Apollo, if that's what you believe, then I have nothing more to say..."

Luo En sighed, his spirits dampened as he raised his hands resigningly.

"In that case, I shall leave your presence now, and I will also relinquish my guardianship. I will explain it myself to Lady Artemis."

The nine Muses heard this and felt a tight grip on their hearts, instinctively wanting to speak out, yet they were stopped by a gesture from Luo En.

The God of Wine took a deep breath and, with the most sincere tone, gave a stern warning.

"But these nine Muses are innocent! From now on, please treat your Lesser Deities well and do not impose unwarranted suspicions upon them!"

However, the preaching tone once again unsurprisingly hit Apollo's sore spot, provoking further anger in the prideful God of Light.

"Shut up! It's not your place to lecture me! Get out!"

Luo En, without an alternative, shrugged helplessly, turned to look at the nine Muses at his side, and managed to squeeze a trace of a smile onto his face as he instructed them solemnly.

"Thessaly has just experienced chaos caused by the Gigantes. It is good that you remain, to ensure Lord Apollo's safety. But do not let my affairs create a rift between you."

"Have you said enough? Get out!"

Hearing his downfall mentioned over and over again, Apollo scolded angrily.

After finishing his piece, Luo En no longer lingered and promptly turned to walk towards the forest path behind.

As that figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Calliope turned back and looked earnestly at the Chief God before her and spoke seriously.

"Lord Apollo, you should not treat the God of Wine this way."

Upon hearing this, Apollo, who had just managed to suppress his anger, exploded again, a dark and scornful smile spreading across his handsome face.

"What now? Do you also wish to instruct me on what to do?"

"No, it's just a piece of advice."

Calliope shook her head, then with a "snap," she broke the wax tablet in her hands, decorated with rays of light, and tossed it aside without expression, speaking contemptuously.

"From this moment on, please forgive me for being unable to serve you—someone who slanders heroes, a despicable person!"

"Calliope, you!"

Looking at the shattered symbol of a Lesser Deity at his feet, hearing the undisguised scorn, Apollo's face went through a drastic change, his body trembling with rage.

However, before he could finish speaking, a laurel crown was also thrown at his feet.

"I feel the same,"

Clio, the keeper of history, clapped her hands and, with the last scroll in hand, turned around.

"Me too!"

"Count me in!"

"Me as well..."

Immediately after, as if triggering some kind of chain reaction, Oute Erpe dropped her flower basket, Terpsichore abandoned her evergreen ivy, Euterpe discarded her music scores, Melpomene loosened her dagger, Thalia gave up her tambourine...

Each Muse left behind the symbols related to Apollo, discarding them like worthless rags.

They then turned and without exception, briskly walked towards a distant mountain path as if trying to catch up with someone's figure.

Seeing his former lesser deities sever ties with him one after another, Apollo's handsome face turned from green to purple, from purple to black, until his anger twisted his features, and he wildly trampled the broken symbols on the ground, bursting into a hysterical roar.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Meanwhile, a figure trekking up the mountain path heard that piercing roar and casually stopped, a playful smile spreading across his face.

Question—

How would a proud young master, accustomed to being high and mighty, feel when, due to some reason, he falls from the clouds, and the insignificant characters he used to look down upon, whom he himself despised, bring along a group of beautiful subordinates he once ordered about, to extend a helping hand just when he is most destitute, especially if his subordinates happen to witness the process?

Answer—

His pitiful pride would surely hurt, wouldn't it?

Moreover, the imbalance in his mind could lead to misinterpretation of common kindness, turning any slight movement into suspicions and betrayals in his eyes.

As is well known, the firmest defenses are often broken from within.

The same goes for undermining foundations.

With the compilation of the "Sacred Words" and the "Divine Chronicle" still unfinished, those Muses wouldn't pass up the chance to leave behind timeless poetry.

Even if they are goddesses, they cannot escape the pursuit and whims of being literature enthusiasts.

And compared to playing a supporting role to the God of Light, my stage here allows them to realize their self-worth.

After three years of slowly boiling the frog, along with teasing them with the "Sacred Words" and the "Divine Chronicle," it's obvious who's more attractive.

So next, I only need to take the Muses for a spin in front of Apollo, who is serving his sentence in Thessaly, candidly expose some facts and issues, and mess with the mentality of that God of Light. Some people will then automatically complete all the mental gymnastics, sketching out a series of targeted conspiracies, pouring out all their grievances and discontent on the figures they disliked.

No worries, I can take the blame, even to the end when those suspected Muses and themselves are all included.

Apollo might sense that something is amiss, but even if it's wrong, he won't bow his head.

That God of Light is too proud. It's a fatal weakness in his character, and regardless of whether he sees clearly or not, he will fall into the trap.

So, Lord Apollo, I have raised your lesser deities myself, be at ease.

At this very moment, just as someone had predicted, the Muses began to appear at the crossroads one after another, sprinting forward to catch up with his pace.

"God of Wine, wait for us, we'll come with you!"

"Apollo has gone too far!"

"We've had enough! Let someone else serve him!"

"Exactly!"

And upon hearing the Muses chirpily recount what had just happened, Luo En couldn't help but be surprised at the decisiveness of these artistic goddesses.

It must be said, there really is a streak of madness in the bones of these Muses, no wonder they are sometimes considered the apostles of the God of Wine in some mythological lineages.

But then again, daring to confront Apollo face to face, to turn against their chief god in the form of a lesser deity, that's no small risk either.

Luo En pondered for a moment, then looked at the surrounding Muses with a worried expression and asked with concern.

"So what will you do? With things turning out this way, won't you be in trouble?"

"Don't worry, it's Apollo who's gone too far. Even if Father God were to blame someone, it wouldn't fall on us. If it comes down to it, we'll go straight to the Temple of Memory and have Mother Goddess decide!"

Calliope, as the eldest sister, stood tall and firm in her response, while the Muses around her echoed her sentiments.

However, Luo En still caught a trace of unease in their eyes, so he showed a heartwarming smile and spoke earnestly.

"I'll come with you!"

Feeling the solemn promise, a warmth flowed through the Muses' hearts, completely melting away the trace of apprehension about the future following their choice, and a strong sense of attachment and emotion welled up within them.

The God of Wine, he really is someone worthy of trust and reliance.