"..."
Xerxes didn't quite understand.
However, Tomyris's divine power had indeed changed greatly, and her overall aura had changed, which Xerxes could still feel. Moreover, Tomyris's strength was now much greater than before. Just standing in front of Tomyris, even Xerxes could feel a sense of pressure that was almost divine.
Tomyris is now the oracle of Hades, the god of the underworld. This identity is undoubtedly extremely powerful. Moreover, Hades's power has awakened the godhood hidden in Tomyris' body. The interaction between the godhood and the surging godpower has given Tomyris a powerful strength that others envy - this can never be changed back.
Section 9 of the eighth section on the decision to abandon
But what about Tomyris?
Maybe it doesn't matter.
Tomyris may not care about her own powerful strength, what she cares more about is Artemis. Xerxes also found that when Artemis left here just now, Tomyris's eyes were always staring at her, as if she was expecting something. But then, hope was dashed, Tomyris's light of hope was extinguished, and what was left was only her with resentment now.
"I think Artemis must have her own difficulties."
"The reason?"
Tomyris sneered.
"Maybe, but that has nothing to do with me."
"But……"
"I was too self-righteous. I thought I could do this for Lady Artemis, respecting only her and being with her all my life. Then, I naturally thought that Artemis should do the same to me! However, I actually knew that to the gods, we are actually their tools! Chess pieces! When they feel bored, they can replace and discard us at any time!"
Tomyris's angry words.
And the way he gritted his teeth when he spoke.
It was the first time Xerxes had seen it.
This surprised Xerxes.
However, the matter between her and Artemis was, after all, their own internal matter, and Xerxes, a Persian, could not comment on it. So, Xerxes could only helplessly say: "It has come to this, there is nothing we can do. Lady Artemis is no longer your oracle, which means that she may not be in our camp in the future."
"..."
Tomyris shook her head.
"I do not care."
"What do you plan to do next?"
"I... have sworn allegiance to His Majesty Hilde. From today on, I will be His Majesty Hilde's most loyal general."
"You..."
Xerxes looks like he really can't do anything to you.
He walked straight over and reached out to pinch Tomyris' cheek.
"Ugh! What are you doing!"
"What do you think of Sissi? When you say that, don't you think of Sissi as a substitute for Artemis? Because she couldn't be loyal to Artemis and was abandoned by Artemis, you come here and say such things! It makes me angry just listening to you! If you have any opinions about Sissi, or simply think that this is a waste of talent, then I will talk to Sissi and give you freedom."
"I……"
"Don't you want to think about it? Isn't it hurtful to say that?"
Hearing Xerxes say this.
Tomyris then realized what was wrong with her words.
She lowered her head quickly and said helplessly: "Sorry, I, I said something that I didn't think should be said."
"Besides, why did you start calling His Majesty Hilde by such an unfamiliar name again?"
"So... Sissi?"
"Yes, alas..." Xerxes rubbed his temple, then reached out and clamped Tomyris's head. "I tell you, Tomyris, this is the most difficult time for Sissi in the past 20 years. Sophia is probably more important to Sissi than the Byzantine Kingdom is to Sissi. But I know Sissi. She will definitely give up Sophia for the sake of the kingdom. After all, she is a king, a kind king, and a kind king will sacrifice himself for the people."
Xerxes said this with a helpless smile.
"And all we can do is stand behind Sissi."
"Standing behind...Sissi?"
"It's really hard to accept that Sophia was captured. But think about it, the one who found it the hardest to accept was actually Sissi. If she had gritted her teeth and persevered and made a decision, wouldn't it be a bit unreasonable for us to still be complaining about it? Let's not talk about the grudge between you and Artemis for now, but you definitely hope that Sissi can be fine, right? So, there is only one thing we can do now, and that is... to do our best to help Sissi."
Xerxes said this.
She raised her head and looked at Dione in front of her.
"So, do you understand too?"
"……Yes."
Although Dione couldn't quite accept it, what Xerxes said did make sense.
Hilde is now in a state of extreme isolation and helplessness. For her, one of the two most important pillars of her life has collapsed. And now, as a king, she must be strong enough to face the grief brought by the separation of life and death, and her own lack of strength, and she is in a difficult situation. If the person closest to Hilde cannot stand up and support her at this time, it will be a very sad situation for her.
Sophia's words made Tomyris and Dione fall into deep thought. Tomyris understood, and she quickly came to her senses. Then she nodded to Xerxes in front of her and said seriously, "I understand. I will stand on Hill's... no, Sissi's side."
"I understand too!"
Dione also said with certainty:
"No matter what, I will support Sister Sissi."
"Then, I'll thank you on behalf of Sissi."
Xerxes smiled slightly, then bowed his head deeply.
"grateful……"
"Your Majesty Xerxes..."
Tomyris was a little confused.
For some reason, Xerxes seemed to have made some decision.
But Tomyris didn't quite understand.
Hilde, who had left the central army tent, walked to a place not far from the Athenian city wall. The soldiers on the city wall could see Hilde, but no one dared to attack. Hilde had no intention of attacking Athens. She seemed to have completely lost interest in the city and walked in the fields outside Athens in a daze. Then, she walked to the side of a stream, sat on a stone, and looked at the stream in front of her.
In her mind.
It's still a mess, a mess.
She tried to calm herself down and think.
It was very simple. The only difficulty now was to give up Sophia. To rescue her was impossible, so the only option was to give up and continue to do what was in front of her. From the most rational and long-term point of view, Hilde had no choice. This was the only thing she could do, but it was this point that made Hilde unable to make up her mind.
Give up Sophia?
How can this be……
Hilde knew it all too well.
The establishment of the Byzantine Empire was just a series of coincidences.
Chapter 8, Section 10: God's Rescue Plan
Protect your family and loved ones.
This is the fundamental reason why Hield works so hard.
Just like Hilde had spared no effort to fight Apollo and rescue Dione.
Even though Diony's status could not be compared with Sophia's, Diony was Hilde's family. As long as there was a chance, Hilde had to save Diony at all costs. This principle should also apply to Sophia now, but Hilde didn't know why she just couldn't make up her mind.
I began to waver.
Because she began to fear her enemies.
Because, for the so-called rational thinking.
For the so-called maximization of interests.
For the first time, Hilde felt a strong sense of strangeness and fear about herself.
This feeling is hard to describe. At least, for Hilde, she always felt that she was a living being. Even if she became a king, even if she killed people without blinking an eye, Hilde's heart was still soft and she still loved those people. However, after hearing Sophia's rescue plan, Hilde's first reaction was to weigh the pros and cons, instead of having an impulse to save her.
This sudden change dealt a severe blow to Hilde's heart. Frustration followed, like a slap in the face, telling her that you are actually a cold-blooded king, and those who protected your family and those who loved you are gone forever.
In your heart——
I'm afraid Sophia is not important.
This thought came to Hilde's mind.
"what--!!!"
The hysterical Hilde grabbed a stone nearby and threw it into the water.
The huge impact force directly lifted up the water in the stream.
With the sound of splashing water, Artemis silently stood behind the furious Hilde. She looked at Hilde who was breathing heavily, and reluctantly stretched out her hand and placed it on Hilde's shoulder. Hilde seemed to have known who was coming. When a hand appeared on her shoulder, Hilde did not push it away, but said without turning her head: "What do you want from me?"
"You are struggling."
"……Yes."
Hilde turned around.
She looked at Artemis in front of her and said coldly:
"I'm angry at myself for being a cold-blooded person."
"Cold-blooded? Because you decided to abandon Sophia to her own fate for the sake of a more secure future?"
"……Yes."
Hilde did not deny it, but nodded helplessly.
She didn't cry or lose her temper. It is said that when people are at their wits' end, they will fly into a rage, because human anger often comes from losing control of the current situation and not being able to regain control. However, Hilde's current state does not seem to be like this. The situation has completely collapsed, and this is no longer a simple matter of losing control. Artemis understood that Hilde must be very depressed and entangled in her heart, but she did not come here to persuade Hilde.
And Hilde took the initiative to speak:
"So, what are you doing here?"
"how to say……"
Artemis hesitated.
And Hilde said bluntly: "Just say what you have to say."
"It's like this. I was a little too harsh when I said that Sophia was captured. If Sophia really met with an accident, Tomyris is the oracle of Hades, the god of the underworld. Moreover, Hades has appeared in the human world, which means that the channel between the human world and the underworld has been opened. The medium to open this channel is Sophia, and the power of Nyx, the goddess of the night, that she uses."
"Well, then what?"
Hilde didn't seem too interested in any of this.
"The good news is that Hades is considered your ally."
"Ally? Humph, his oracle has never done anything good."
"Cleopatra's life in exchange for another's was to use the souls of the dead to open the passage between the human world and the underworld, and to help Cleopatra obtain the divine power from the underworld. This was a world rule that existed when the God of Creation was still alive, and there was nothing that could be done about it. As for now, Tomyris obviously doesn't need to use this ability. Tomyris can communicate with the underworld and obtain a lot of divine power, and she, I believe, can become the most powerful fighting force around you, there is no doubt about that."
"...Speak of."
Hilde raised her head and looked at the stream water that was becoming turbid.
"I asked Tomyris to go south just to see your attitude."
"I know."
"It's forcing you to take sides."
"I am certain."
Artemis nodded.
"You are the first person in thousands of years to force me, the goddess of hunting, to take sides and express my attitude. If you were not chosen by Sister Athena, I would have killed you long ago." Artemis looked at Hilde's face and said helplessly, "But you were right. I did make my own choice in the end. I still value Tomyris more. So, for her, I will stand in a completely hostile position with the gods of Olympus. But it's a pity..."
"You still compromised with Hades."
Hilde finished speaking and shook her head.
"That's why Tomyris hates you so much."
"Yes."
