The Greece Antagonist

Chapter 274 Brother, I Acknowledge Your Godson!

Several days later, on the outskirts of the Sea of Occhanos, Mount Etna.

Due to the nourishment of fertile volcanic ash, the foot and slopes of the mountain were covered with dense vegetation such as chestnut trees, oak trees, pine trees, birch trees, etc., forming a vibrant and verdant shade. However, as the elevation rose and the temperature dropped, the dense forest gradually gave way to sparse shrubbery, and chunks of oddly shaped volcanic rock lay exposed on the earth's surface, creating a distinctive landscape.

And within the open crater at the mountain's peak, billowing smoke and sparks shot up intermittently, mingled with the intense booming of heavy hammers striking.

This was the new forge workshop built by Hephaestus, the god of fire and craftsmanship, which made use of the continuous geothermal flames from Mount Etna to forge weapons and sundries for the gods.

But due to its remote location and Hephaestus's quirky temper, not many were aware of this secret spot, and even fewer had actually visited, given the harsh high-temperature environment.

At this moment, a tall figure, led by two metallic female attendants, stepped into the fiery red lava cave.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, Hephaestus, who was engrossed in his work at the forging table, dropped the hammer in his hand, turned around to look at the expected yet unexpected visitor.

"You're here?"

"Mm."

Luo En nodded and offered a warm smile to the craftsman, scanning his surroundings before asking in a deep voice,

"Where is Thetis?"

"Don't worry, as per your instructions, I've sent her to Athens; she's safe now."

Hephaestus replied offhandedly and then, dragging his lame leg, limped forward to scrutinize Luo En intently before suddenly raising his thick, hairy arm to clap it vigorously on the other's shoulder, his tense cheeks bursting into a hearty laugh.

"Not bad, what a man!"

Hearing the praise, Luo En bore the tingling sensation in half of his body and managed to squeeze out a somewhat misshapen grin, then continued to inquire,

"Is everything prepared? When do we set off?"

"No rush, I heard you make a fine brew, sit down first and have a few drinks with me."

Hephaestus waved his hand and then swept the cluttered table clean, dragging Luo En to sit down.

It was hard to decline such hospitality, especially with a favor to ask, so Luo En composed himself and took a seat, taking out his treasured fairy-brewed spirit to drink with the legendary god of craftsmanship.

After three rounds of drinking and feeling slightly tipsy, Hephaestus stared at Luo En, growing more pleased the longer he looked.

Honestly, due to his own marital frustrations, he didn't have much liking for tall and handsome pretty boys.

But this lad before him not only stepped up at a critical moment to save his foster mother, Thetis, but he also swiftly and decisively killed that blind fool Peleus, eradicating future troubles.

What's more, to Hephaestus's surprise, after making such a mess, the lad didn't just run away; he only asked for some time to prepare and then showed up at Mount Etna as agreed, ready to be led by Hephaestus to Olympus to face his punishment, willing to stand in for Thetis and bear the brunt of His Majesty the King of Gods' fury.

Such accountability, such courage, was far stronger than those gutless gods of the sea.

No, there was absolutely no comparison!

"Bang!"

In high spirits, Hephaestus clapped Luo En's shoulder again, announcing with a loud laugh,

Yet, there was still more fuel that he planned to add to the fire, to make the turmoil hit even harder.

"Okay, I've had your wine and I should follow the rules by giving you something in return. Come with me."

While Luo En was mulling over these thoughts, the inebriated Hephaestus stood up from the table and staggered with him toward the volcanic crater used for forging. Pointing down at the flowing red-and-black magma below, he spoke in a grave tone.

"Jump in!"

"?"

Faced with such a preposterous demand out of the blue, Luo En was clearly taken aback.

However, without waiting for his reaction, the impatient Hephaestus grabbed him and tossed him into the churning magma.

Oh no!

Caught off guard, Luo En could only instinctively summon the Divine Incarnations of the "Flame" and the "White Horse" to combat the high temperature radiating from the earth's magma.

"Endure it!"

At that moment, a stern shout came from the mouth of the volcano. Hephaestus had torn off the coarse cloth shirt from his chest, baring his torso, and began vigorously pumping the bellows next to the forge furnace.

Instantly, with the wind fanning the flames and the flames feeding off the wind, the once calm Magma River boiled and roiled, its temperature continuously rising.

Even with the dual protection of "Flame" and "White Horse," the fiery aura all around seemed to penetrate everywhere, unceasingly infiltrating Luo En's limbs and bones, igniting the divine blood within him.

Golden-red divine flames surged out of his pores and apertures. Luo En seemed like a person engulfed in intense combustion, his blood pulsing, his innards burning, waves of piercing pain crashing over him.

What was Hephaestus trying to do? Turn me into a smelted statue?

Just as Luo En's consciousness began to blur from the burning, a clear birdcall came from beneath the boiling magma.

Immediately after, a gigantic bird with feathers partly golden and partly bright red, shaped like an eagle and with a clear, melodious voice burst forth from beneath the magma. It circled the volcano crater a few times and then dove straight into Luo En's chest.

The moment they made contact, an overwhelming surge of heat flooded into Luo En's body, bringing an indescribable sensation of life's rhythm.

Almost simultaneously, Luo En recognized the identity of this divine bird.

The Phoenix, a divine monster with the characteristics of "immortality" and "rebirth." Legend has it that when sensing its impending death, the Phoenix would gather fragrant wood to burn itself, and after three days, it would rise anew from the ashes, like Christ resurrected.

This singular creature is chronicled by the Assyrians, yet similar myths exist around the world: Europe's Phoenix, Russia's Firebird, Egypt's Sunbird, America's Yer, and Arabia's Anka—all these birds possess the trait of reviving from death (with lifespans of 500, 540, 1000, 1461, 1700 and 12994 years respectively) and share a close association with the sun and flames.

Greece also has similar records. The first to mention the Phoenix was the Greek poet Hesiod from the eighth century BC, author of [TheoGraph], and the first to describe the Phoenix in detail was the Greek historian Herodotus.

Clearly, this wondrous creature did indeed exist in the Age of Greek Gods and dwelled within Mount Etna, associated with the God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus.

Immortal? Rebirth?

A thought crossed Luo En's mind, and he vaguely understood Hephaestus' intent. He immediately cast aside all distractions, closed his eyes, gathered his divinity, and began guiding the power from the Phoenix into the golden wheel behind him.

Seeing the scene unfold before him, the God of Craftsmanship at the volcano's mouth nodded in approval, sipping the ambrosial spirit from his hand and pulling the bellows with even greater enthusiasm.

The explosive roar of the boiling magma mixed with the piercing calls of the bird, echoing continuously in the fiery-red lava cave.