507 - Mountain of Gods, Hypnos # 4

"What a truly beautiful day-imnidat...! The birds are chirping...! The flowers are blooming...! On a day like this, Nymphs like this Paranoy should have become imps of Hellfire-imnidat...!"

As morning broke, the sky was painted clear and blue. Perhaps his mood brightened from seeing that clear color, but Paranoy was spouting nonsense from early morning.

"Paranoy, did you have another dream?"

Normally, Luna would have woken Paranoy up by rubbing his soft cheeks, but with Luna gone, it was my job to stop his nonsense.

Of course, I knew a surefire way to wake up a groggy Paranoy.

Seuk-.

"Hiiiek-!"

As I clenched my fist, Paranoy flinched in surprise.

"That fist looks terribly Nymph-hating-imnidat...! My morning drowsiness has completely vanished-imnidat...!"

"You, you bastard, you slept for over ten hours with Antiope. Of course your drowsiness should vanish."

At my words, Antiope let out a huge yawn, Heueoa-.

"I slept for over ten hours? No wonder my body feels refreshed. Anyway, the weather has cleared up. It would be good to descend the mountain before night falls. Everyone, let's depart quickly!"

Paranoy and Antiope, having slept soundly, seemed to be in excellent condition.

Thanks to that, we were able to quickly pack our bags, leave the cave, and resume our hurried steps towards the Warrior's Path located halfway up the mountain.

Of course, only we were in good condition.

The mountain path, battered by hail and sleet all night, was in a rather terrible state, incredibly rugged. There were also many piles of rocks, as if a landslide had occurred.

"The path is completely treacherous-. One wrong step, and we're toast, huh?"

Antiope frowned, looking at the steep path. In fact, it was so steep it felt more appropriate to call it a cliff than a path.

Do we have to rock climb?

If I slipped, I'd go straight down to the world visible far below, but honestly, with my current stats, I could climb such a cliff with one hand, as long as I didn't deliberately fall.

"Alright, I'll go up first. Everyone, if it feels dangerous, just let go. I can pull everyone up by myself."

After giving my companions firm instructions, I wrapped the rope, made by twisting Ogre tendons, around our waists and connected us.

Huduudeuk-.

"D-dangerous-imnidat...!"

"Don't overreact."

Thanks to the unstable footholds and steps, there were a few times we almost slipped.

But thanks to my dexterity, agility, and strength, I was able to safely pull the other companions up the cliff face and onto flat ground.

And so, what finally appeared before us was a colorful plain filled with all sorts of flowers.

"This is the Warrior's Path?"

A plain at such a high altitude, I can't believe it.

I thought Luna and Hippolyte would have loved it if I had shown them. Even that prickly Elfriede might have shown a little interest in this sight.

Seuk-. Antiope spread her palm towards the nearby flowers. Inside her palm, the petals trembled and scattered, Pareureu.

"They say reward comes after hardship. That saying is spot on. It's romantic enough not to suit the name 'Warrior's Path,' though."

Antiope was right. I thought the Warrior's Path would be filled with headless knights or animated armors sharpening their blades.

But a flower garden appeared that made my heart swell just by looking at it, so I felt a bit strange.

To that, Gloria explained as if she knew something.

"This is Mars's sanctuary. It's said that Mars himself planted flowers here for his lover, the goddess Venus."

"Hoo, the God of Strife planting flowers for the Goddess of Love? It is interesting."

We were finally able to safely reach the Warrior's Path we had aimed for.

Although there were a few crises along the way, for me, who was steadily becoming a more perfect god, they weren't really what you'd call trials.

It feels like I'm playing with cheat codes on.

Sweet as hell.

"So, where exactly can I receive Mars's blessing? Is there a statue of Mars or a Temple or something?"

"That-."

Seukseuk-. As I looked around, Antiope explained.

"I heard from my unnies. They say there's an avatar of Mars here on the Warrior's Path. If you fight that guy and prove your worth, he'll bestow a blessing."

"I see."

An avatar, huh.

It would be accurate to describe it as something like Mars's avatar, right?

So, as I looked around for a long time to find Mars's avatar, I saw something like a bluish bronze statue standing far in the distance.

A T-shaped bronze helmet rising like a crest. A human figure heavily adorned with various weapons such as a spear, shield, sword, axe, and mace.

Its height was quite considerable, like a building.

"It's a statue of Mars."

At Antiope's words, I nodded, thinking, 'Oh, so that's it.' Is this Mars's avatar? Isn't it just a statue?

Pulsseok-.

As I felt that doubt, something lightly landed on the ground from atop Mars's divine statue.

The first things visible were a red cloak flowing like a river of blood and red skin. Steel-hard arm muscles and armor that clung tightly.

And weapons like swords and spears, worn on belts at his waist and back.

Seuk. As he rose, brown hair flowing from beneath his helmet and intense red eyes became visible.

Goooooooo-.

An intense fighting spirit that resonated through the surrounding air.

The hairs on my entire body stood on end, and every pore felt pricked by needles, sending shivers down my spine. It truly felt like my life was being threatened.

━━!!

At the same time, my heart swelled with a strange fighting spirit and thrill, filled with excitement, as if various shouts, screams, and cries of rage were booming in my head like stereo speakers.

"...R-run away!"

At that moment, Antiope shrieked.

Run away─.

Facing this man's appearance, the desire to flee would be a natural instinct for life. But the intense fighting spirit stiffened our bodies, making even escape impossible.

"Euiiiiii-!"

Contrary to her cool demeanor, a strange scream burst from Antiope's lips.

Seeing that, the eyes visible beneath the helmet narrowed thinly.

『Sileia, or rather, it's not Hippolyte. It was Antiope. I last saw you when you were small, but you're still as timid as ever.』

The man's voice was surprisingly melodious.

At his words, Antiope, as if regaining her senses, trembled and asked, Pareureu.

"Y-you know me?"

『Of course, you're my daughter. How could I not know? Still, your timidity must come from your mother. Anyway, welcome, warriors. To have overcome the rugged terrain of Hypnos and arrived here-!』

Mars, the God of Strife, Valor, and Cruelty, had a booming voice, Jjeoreongjjeoreong. I instantly understood who Hippolyte's frequent battle cries resembled.

Then Gloria spoke a word.

"You're not an avatar."

『Indeed, sister. The troublesome Gigas matter has been resolved. And now, with the entire Gaia continent engulfed in war, crying out for battle, my power has surged to the point where I don't need to send an avatar.』

"Does that mean you are the true form of Mars, the God of Strife...?"

『Yes, little Nymph. That sharp voice and fiery scarlet hair remind me of something....』

Mars crossed his arms, looking at Paranoy. Paranoy trembled, Pareureu.

"Have the rumors of the great Nymph the Great Paranoy finally reached the ears of wicked Hypnos...?"

Wicked Hypnos, he says.

I thought I should quickly shut Paranoy up before he spouted any more nonsense. So, I covered his mouth and spoke to Mars as if making an excuse.

"Well, I apologize. Our Nymph is a bit, scattered-."

『I understand. Nymphs resemble their masters. It seems that Nymph resembles you, brother. He's amusing to watch. Anyway, brother, this isn't the first time we've met, is it?』

"That's right."

This was my third encounter with Mars, I believe.

The first was when he helped me in my duel with Hippolyte.

The second was probably when I received the oracle on the summit of Mount Delphi.

Still, I suppose this could be considered the first time meeting him face-to-face like this.

This man is Mars, the God of Strife....

I carefully observed the man's appearance. Indeed, he exuded a sense of fighting spirit more powerful and grand than any warrior I had ever seen.

This man was the very embodiment of the fighting spirit that had engulfed the Gaia continent.

It would be no exaggeration to say that his single body condensed the clash, clamor, and brutality of countless troops.

Mars spoke to me.

『I am always grateful to you, brother. Thanks to the things you've been doing on the surface, faith in the gods of Hypnos is also increasing. The restrictions that bound us will soon be lifted.』

"By restrictions, do you mean that Hypnos can no longer interfere arbitrarily with mortals?"

Seureuk.

Mars frowned behind his helmet, as if displeased with my question. I wondered if I had said something I shouldn't have. But it seemed his displeasure lay elsewhere.

『Now that we're family, let's not be so stiff. Great God, Zigres. Just call me brother, casually.』

I recalled the time with Bacchus. In a way, they were like my cousins. If that was the case, there was no need to keep my distance.

But unlike Bacchus, the God of Wine, who felt like a friendly old classmate, Mars had a terrifying side.

If I had an older cousin, like an uncle, who worked at a big company and was doing well, would this be how it felt? Even if he told me to be comfortable, it wouldn't happen suddenly.

Perhaps having skillfully read my intentions, Mars chuckled softly, Heuheu-.

『Do as you please.』

Anyway, what was important now was that the restrictions on the gods of Hypnos were being lifted.

『Before long, the era of the gods' silence will end. Currently, only I, who have recovered power, and Minerva can be met. Now, people will once again listen to the voices of the gods.』

Hypnos's long silence ends.

That was what Mars, the God of Strife, wanted to say.

At his words, Antiope's hair stood on end as if she was startled.

"If the gods break their silence, does that mean they'll appear before people again, like in the old days?"

『Yes.』

"And just bestow blessings freely?"

『Not freely, no. Only to believers who serve the gods well. That's the rule.』

"Then just beat to death anyone you don't like?"

『Did we do that? We even killed those we liked.』

"Just rape any passing women, and then turn them into animals to hide it...?"

『Whoa, at least I didn't do that. But I don't know how other gods will act.』

"That's totally awesome! The world's going to get interesting!"

Antiope rejoiced as if she had heard truly good news. But weren't there more things to be sad about than happy about in the exchange we just had?

As I held a slightly complicated feeling, Gloria spoke, perhaps trying to wrap up the atmosphere.

"That doesn't matter. We didn't climb this mountain to hear such stories. Give us your blessing, Mars. And tell us where the three-headed dog is. It's on this mountain, isn't it?"

Gloria's attitude was, as expected, belligerent.

I don't know if I should say she's bold or that her senses are broken. Is it really okay to be so sensitive with the God of Strife?

Will her body be split in half?

A fight between Gloria and Mars, I can't believe it.

On one hand, I also wanted to see it.

『Whoa-. My father's young daughter is as ill-tempered as they say. In the past, I might have given you a smack on the head. But I've grown quite a bit during the past time of silence and meditation.』

However, Mars, having lived as an immortal for a long time, had a relaxed mind. I thought he wouldn't budge at Gloria's clumsy provocation, but that was only for a moment.

『Alright, this kind of bland chatter isn't really necessary. Youngsters like things to be fiery, after all. I suppose I should humor you.』

Seureung, Seureung-.

Soon, he drew two swords from his waist and smiled, revealing his white teeth.

『I'll take you all down within 5 seconds.』

Jirit-.

At the sensation of my Adam's apple strongly vibrating, I sharply tilted my head back. At the same time, I felt something intensely slice past just above my nose, Swaeeaaek-.

『Ho, you dodged that?』

I quickly realized it was the sword in Mars's hand.

"Aargh, fuck-! What the hell was that, suddenly-!?"

『You want my blessing, do you? Then prove it. Prove that you are warriors worthy of my blessing.』

"Huh-?"

『Originally, the procedure is to fight and defeat my avatar. But it would be a waste to have you face merely an avatar-. I will show you the battle of gods, brother.』

Heueup-.

Mars's chest swelled greatly. Seeing that, Antiope covered her ears and shouted.

"Everyone, cover your ears-!"