The Greece Antagonist

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"However, once a mortal transcends numerous obstacles and successfully takes that step, their achievement often surpasses most of the naturally born deities."

This is indeed...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Luo En nodded, recalling the cases of ascension to godhood that he knew.

Hercules the Great, with his unparalleled strength; Asclepius, who could revive the dead; and Dionysus, who had historically squeezed into the ranks of the Twelve Olympians...

Those who ascended from mortal status to divinity, once they stepped across that threshold, generally became top-tier deities, if not Chief Gods.

And the more he yearned for the future, the more curious Luo En became.

"What exactly is the difference between demigods and deities?"

"Immortal!"

Hestia replied solemnly and then thoughtfully added.

"To be precise, it's the immortality of the body; the soul remains vulnerable. As long as divinity does not fade, this vessel that carries one's divinity can continuously self-repair in certain environments. To thoroughly kill a deity becomes quite complex and difficult, and often requires a weapon with the property of Deicide or a special technique to accomplish."

"And the Chief Gods?"

"Immortality!"

Hestia answered instinctively, and considerately elaborated.

"At that point, both their bodies and souls are connected to the world's origin, unlikely to age or die easily, nearly invulnerable."

But immediately afterwards, the Goddess of the Hearth waved her hand, steering the conversation back on track.

"These are matters for you to consider in the future; right now, you should focus on how to accomplish the ascension from demigod to deity."

"Then what should I do?"

"Use the divine flame to temper your divinity, refine your godhood, and engrave it with the laws that belong to you."

After stating the method, Hestia looked seriously at Luo En and earnestly spoke.

"However, before that, I suggest that you first clearly understand the path you wish to take."

Following a brief silence, the Goddess of the Hearth pursed her lips, and earnestly cautioned.

"To be honest, I think that the authority of the God of War is potent, but Athena and Ares have mostly claimed it for themselves. Even if you successfully ascend, you may only end up as a Lesser Deity under them, which may not be your first choice."

Luo En, sensing the concern and sincerity in Hestia's words, furrowed his brows in deep thought.

Indeed, with Ares and Athena in existence, there wasn't much of the God of War's authority left. Moreover, when the Olympian gods descended to aid their respective city-states in war, they would at times flaunt their related powers, leaving only scraps and remnants.

And there were too many deities vying for the God of War's authority, posing a substantial risk of usurpation.

Of course, there was an even more crucial point.

—Sometimes, making choices is more important than making efforts.

If one opts for a dominion unsuitable to oneself and undergoes ascension, even if they are lucky enough to transform into a deity, it would be difficult to take the second step towards becoming a Chief God.

Not to mention, he who Luo En intended to challenge in the future was none other than Zeus, the Divine King.

As thoughts churned, Luo En, somewhat bewildered, stood at the crossroads of destiny, uncertain of which path to take.

"Can't figure it out?"

Hestia, seemingly noticing Luo En's perplexity, smiled and reached out to pull him up and then dragged him to the edge of the balcony, overlooking the city of Knossos beneath the night sky.

"He..."

Luo En felt puzzled and was about to ask the reason instinctively.

"Shush, don't rush; the time is almost upon us. Listen carefully, watch carefully..."

Hestia immediately raised her hand to interrupt, her voice serious and deep,

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Influenced by such solemnity, Luo En obediently remained silent, following Hestia's gaze.

Under the profound night sky, the entire city, quiet as a soundly sleeping baby.

And on this dim land, Olympus, clothed in starlight alone, the undying sacred flame burned silently in the halls of the gods, proclaiming immortal brilliance and splendor.

Only—

This grandeur, far too distant for mortals;

This sublimity, empty and devoid of substance;

This power, serving only self-interest and ambition...

Even though they had stepped into immortality and glory, they were merely the cold and lonely undertones of the universe, unchanging over thousands, tens of thousands of years.

Is this all there is?

Just when Luo En felt some disappointment, the fiery sunrise ascended slowly, the dawn's light piercing the night, scattering across the land,

The city, once submerged in darkness, like a crying baby, awakened from its swaddles.

Wisps of smoke rose from the houses, the air filled with the scent of food and the clamor of children;

Street vendors set up their stalls, laid out their wares, shouting loudly, hopeful for today's profit;

Farmers weeding outside the city, vines of grapes sprouting buds, wiping sweat from their brows, dreaming of the next year's harvest;

Long sails at the harbor caught the breeze, fishermen going out to sea, casting their nets with vigor in the calming fishing grounds, yearning for the sea's gifts...

The once dull and silent world, now filled with noise and clamor.

"Compared to cold Olympus, I truly prefer the life here..."

Hestia leaned on the balcony edge, propping up her smooth chin, looking down at the passersby and neighbors on the street, her face overflowing with a pure smile.

"Perhaps, that's also why I chose to protect the home, to become the Goddess of the Hearth."

As she spoke, a baby's loud cry, fresh from birth, echoed from a birthing room within the city.

"It's born! Constantine's next-door little one is born! Hurry, come with me, we might snag a few sweets!"

Hestia's spirits lifted, she immediately called Luo En, running downstairs, eager to share the joy of a new life's birth.

Along the way, looking at the familiar faces and the cheerful crowd gathering toward the birthing room, Luo En seemed to be infected, gradually curving his lips into a smile.

The universe's laws are magnificent, the gods' splendor dazzlingly bright, but these are ultimately but cold, dead things, dry and useless.

And human life, fragile as reeds, still able to stand against the world's injustices and ruthlessness with passion for life, seeking laughter's spark in the night of suffering.

The gods, no matter how powerful, are but slaves to fate; but true respect-worthy lives should not be so!

Even without the immortality of the gods, without the unwavering certainty in seeking truth, without the power to grasp the origin, life should be unique, without any constants, warranting the capricious dictate of life's direction, erasing all possibilities.

So it is with him, with others, with the whole world.

Whether it is the unblessed anomalies or the lowly ants that are mortals!

If the gods cannot grant this possibility, then let me offer it myself!

To bestow dignity upon life with the enjoyment of living, to show life's equality with indiscriminate jest!

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, humanity, so brief, so fragile, such inconvenient creatures, yet never branded with the tale of death and cessation, instead bearing love and hope the gods yearn for but cannot obtain…

An outsider, always separated by a layer from this world, laughing heartily, with a smile that comes from deep within, uttering heartfelt exclamations.

"It's delightful indeed, praise be, this joyful life—!"

As Luo En walked, he took the initiative to grab the hand in front of him, laughing aloud on the wide path, running towards novelty with Hestia amidst her joy and surprise,