"Quick! While the medicine is still working in your bodies and the Machine God's authority can't extinguish this surge of vitality, find a way to break through Demeter's outer shell and destroy her divine core! Otherwise, we won't even make it to the Sea God Temple's gates!"
The God of Medicine stared at the completely blocked path ahead, his expression cold and tense as he issued the warning.
In a split second, the Argonauts snapped back to their senses and moved in unison, launching a coordinated assault toward the Goddess of Agriculture, who seemed to be showing signs of instability and momentary disruption under the abnormal circumstances.
Their bodies brimming with life force and Ether, the heroes unleashed their strength without restraint. They hacked apart the spreading plant roots in their path and relentlessly hammered at the shell of the floating sphere, carving and piercing it again and again.
At the same time, the young Medea, whom Sisyphus had been holding, anxiously tore herself free and dashed toward the Sea God pillars, trying to rescue Circe and Atalanta.
But the pale roots had already burrowed deep into their flesh. The slightest movement sent searing pain through them, leaving both Atalanta and Circe deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down their faces.
"This is a doctor's job! Sisyphus, go help them. Buy me and my patients some time!"
Fortunately, just as Medea stood helpless, the God of Medicine arrived under Sisyphus's cover. Drawing his scalpel, he poured carefully selected medicinal fluids over its blade, then began cutting away the roots embedded in their flesh with calm, practiced precision.
Likely due to the effects of the medicine, the severed roots withered and died the instant they were cut. The remnants lodged within the body were completely removed during the follow-up excision and cleansing.
The God of Medicine was just about to retrieve a hemostatic and flesh-regenerating potion from his magecraft array when his gaze shifted. To his surprise, the mangled wounds were already changing. New tissue writhed visibly, healing at a speed discernible to the naked eye. Within a few breaths, the injuries had all but vanished.
"Immortality? No wonder…"
He rubbed his chin, brow slightly furrowed, murmuring to himself while taking a small sip from a crimson potion.
"So you weren't bait after all. The only reason you're still alive is that Demeter's authority couldn't erase the immortality on you in such a short time."
Atalanta swallowed an antidote for the plant-based paralysis toxin. Color slowly returned to her face as she gave a small nod.
Indeed, if not for having eaten the golden apple and gained a high-grade form of immortality, she would have been broken down by Demeter's power long ago.
"But wait. Is immortality really that cheap? Then wasn't all my research into the Elixir of Immortality for nothing?"
The God of Medicine's expression darkened, his mouth twitching as he shot a doubtful look at Circe and Medea.
"It was Lady Hecate's protection. During our time in the Underworld, she granted us certain blessings…"
Medea glanced at her aunt, who looked utterly drained and lifeless, then spoke up to explain.
Oh, so that's how it was. That explains everything. No wonder she was willing to send these three out to take such a risk.
The God of Medicine flicked a glance at the black serpent carved around his staff, rolling his eyes inwardly. He casually pulled out a deep-blue potion from his pouch and tipped it back in one go.
While Asclepius focused on treating the wounded, the battle situation grew increasingly deadlocked.
Demeter couldn't easily deal with the Argonauts, now pumped full of medicine and stubbornly hard to kill.
But the Argonauts were likewise at a loss against the Goddess of Agriculture's constantly regenerating outer shell and the earth authority that enhanced both her offense and defense.
Worse still, as time dragged on, scattered Atlantis defenders continued to gather. Their numbers steadily increased, hemming in the expeditionary force and leaving them less and less room to maneuver.
Bang!
Sisyphus, clad in summoned golden armor and wielding shields on both arms, was struck head-on by Demeter's earthen spikes and sent flying. He crashed awkwardly into the area where the four healers stood, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
"Ahem. I'm saying this kind of passive stalling isn't going to work. Asclepius, are you done yet?!"
"Wait a little longer. What's the rush? Have some patience."
The God of Medicine replied flatly, handing two energy boosters to Circe and Atalanta. He then pulled out another vial of unknown contents, tipped it back in one gulp, and smacked his lips as if savoring the aftertaste.
Seeing him this absurdly relaxed, Sisyphus nearly choked on his own breath, so angry he felt like coughing up blood.
If you weren't actually capable of saving lives when it counts, I'd beat you half to death right now!
"Um, Asclepius-sama, may I ask something? Why couldn't Demeter's authority strip them of their vitality? What exactly is so special about your immortality drug?"
Holding the Staff of the Nether Moon and keeping watch, Medea glanced at the stalemated battlefield and finally voiced the question gnawing at her.
"Obviously, it's because of the ingredients."
The God of Medicine lifted his gaze toward the witch, still busy mixing and drinking potions, and answered in a calm, musing tone.
"One of the core ingredients contains Gorgon blood, bestowed upon me by the Avenger Goddess Medusa for medical research.
"Based on my findings, Gorgon blood possesses two completely opposing properties. It can bring ruin and desiccation, and it can also save lives. I spent more than a hundred years converting its toxic side effects through medicinal regulation and neutralization, leaving behind only its regenerative and restorative benefits."
Nearby, Sisyphus, who had been listening closely, slammed both shields into the ground, blasting away a cluster of Atlantis defenders. A look of realization flashed in his eyes.
That Avenger Goddess was said to be a third-generation Earth Mother Goddess. He had seen statues carved by humans in her honor at an ancient temple in Mycenae.
Demeter's authority was merely a derivative of the Mother Goddess's power. The rank of Gorgon blood surpassed hers, which explained why it could reverse the life force flowing through those plants.
The authority of the earth encompassed both life and death. Wasn't that only natural?
Damn it. If only he could summon that Earth Mother herself, or draw upon her authority, they wouldn't be stuck fighting so passively like this.
Just as Sisyphus's thoughts wandered, a trident ripped through the air and smashed into his right arm shield. The overwhelming force numbed his arm and sent him stumbling backward.
From a distance, streams of aqua-blue light surged violently through the ranks of the Atlantis defenders.
As Sisyphus staggered back, he realized that he had unconsciously regrouped with the advancing Argonauts. Subtly, the life force within their bodies had already dropped back to normal levels, and the vines lurking in the surrounding rock cracks and soil began to stir once more.
"Hey! Potion guy! Are you done yet?! Something feels really wrong!"
Sisyphus's gaze flicked between the advancing Demeter and the encroaching aqua-blue glow behind them. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
"Done…"
The God of Medicine tilted his head back and drained a well-shaken vial, still speaking in that infuriatingly calm tone. He stretched lazily, slipped past the defensive line formed by the Argonauts, and strode forward.
"Asclepius, what are you doing?! Get back here!"
Jason's expression changed sharply as he watched Demeter once again manipulate the plants and launch a brutal assault.
"What a stupid question. I'm treating the patient, obviously."
The God of Medicine snorted coldly. His thin, frail body stood squarely between the True Machine God and the others.
"Ah… ah… naughty child… punishment is required…"
Demeter clearly identified this "naughty child" interfering with her authority. Vines shot out at once, hoisting him up before her and tightening inch by inch. The sound of bones cracking followed.
The others tried to rush in to save him, only to find that the figures bursting out from the ranks of the Atlantis defenders were grotesque monsters, their bodies warped and twisted, eerie blue patterns flowing across their limbs.
Tridents. Water-patterned armor.
The Sea God's Guard.
Caught between enemies in front and behind, the Argonauts were completely pinned down, forced to watch helplessly as the God of Medicine's limbs were slowly twisted out of shape.
Sizzle!
Without the slightest change in expression, the God of Medicine flung his blood-soaked arm forward. Flecks of mottled purplish-red blood splattered onto Demeter's still-unhealed wounds. A sound like corroding metal rang out as wisps of white smoke seeped from the cracks.
Like a plant doused in strong acid, blackened scorch marks spread across the Goddess of Agriculture's surface. Her body swayed unsteadily and dropped downward. The light patterns flickered erratically as violent tremors ran through her frame, and a piercing scream echoed from deep within.
"What did you do?! My authority! How is this possible?!"
"Obviously, I fed you medicine… you idiot."
The God of Medicine's gaze was sharp, his brows drawn together as he sneered coldly.
Poison is medicine, and medicine is poison.
Whether something heals or kills ultimately depends on the physician's intent.
Change the dosage, alter the proportions, and the result becomes something entirely different.
After centuries of research, no one understood the medicinal properties of Gorgon blood better than he did. And no one could amplify its destructive toxicity faster than him.
For a physician who had used Gorgon blood on himself countless times, this very body was the ideal vessel, the perfect crucible for refining its annihilating venom.
"Get away! Get away!"
Realizing that the bait before her was deadly, Demeter panicked and tried to fling him off. Instead, the God of Medicine tightened his grip on the vines, swung himself onto the crown of the massive sphere, and laughed mockingly.
"Only now you realize it? Don't you think that's a little late? Just as I thought. Patients like you need to be completely eradicated."
After all, only if you die can my real patients live…
In that instant, the physician clinging to Demeter's core twisted his mouth into a feral grin. His skin turned a deep purplish red as divine power surged violently through him. Light-patterns shattered outward, and his body detonated with a thunderous blast.
A torrential rain of purple-red blood poured down over the Goddess of Agriculture's shell, producing an effect like sulfuric acid sprayed over vegetation.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Moments later, her structure began to collapse and peel away. Her authority spiraled out of control, corroding itself from within. The True Machine God fell into madness, violently smashing her way out of the Sea God Temple zone and firing beams indiscriminately in all directions.
The entire city of Atlantis and its surrounding plates began to break apart.
And at last, beneath the downpour of blood, the great doors of the Sea God Temple finally opened before them.
"Move!"
Jason gnawed hard on his thumb until blood welled up. He shut his bloodshot eyes and relayed the order to the Argonauts.
In a heavy, oppressive silence, they passed through the seven Sea God pillars and entered the main hall, focusing on the operation of the teleportation ritual. Not long after, smoke and dust billowed outside.
A dense tide of Atlantis defenders, mixed with Sea God Guards, surged in like sharks drawn to blood.
"Ten minutes to activate the ritual and complete authentication! Meleager, pick ten people and hold them off outside! Can you do it?!"
Jason turned toward the Calydonian prince, grinding his teeth as he asked.
"I swear it. As long as I'm alive, they won't take a single step into the Sea God Temple!"
Meleager struck his chest in solemn promise. Before he could even choose, ten warriors of divine blood stepped forward on their own. They raised their shields, forming a wall that blocked the corridor.
Outside, the sounds of flesh tearing and metal clashing echoed nonstop. Human roars gradually thinned, while the shrieks of monsters grew ever more frenzied.
Inside the hall, everyone remained silent. Those recovering focused on recovery. Those supplying magical energy continued their work. Those deconstructing the ritual pressed on. The proud heroes moved like tightly wound automata, executing every command with mechanical precision.
Buzz!
Finally, ten minutes later, a brilliant pillar of light shot skyward, connecting directly to the Interstellar Mountainous City.
"Castor and Pollux take point. Medea and Circe deploy Dragonfang soldiers to scout. Big Sis, provide suppressive fire. Make absolutely sure the teleportation array's entrance and exit stay secure!"
Even as the human cries outside faded almost completely, Jason kept his face taut and unreadable as he issued the final, cautious orders.
One by one, the Argonauts leapt into the pillar of light.
As the figures dwindled and confirmation came back that things were normal on the other side, Jason finally let out a breath and immediately told Meleager to prepare to withdraw.
"Haha! Finally getting out of this damned place. You go first. We'll kill a few more and follow right after!"
The Calydonian prince laughed heartily, standing with his back to the interior. Blocking the shattered entrance, he tilted his head in reassurance.
Jason knew that if he didn't leave now, this friend of his would never retreat. With no other choice, he stepped into the pillar of light.
But the instant his figure vanished into the teleportation array, the beam twisted and shattered. The thunderous collapse of buildings roared across the plaza like a landslide or a tidal wave.
Now, the upper side should be safe.
Meleager looked over the Sea God Temple, now reduced to ruins with no chance of further intrusion. Satisfied, he tossed aside the bronze sword snapped clean in two, pulled the trident impaled through his abdomen free, and casually discarded it.
He rested his final javelin atop his shield and strode forward.
Beneath his feet, the ground was soaked in blood.
Before him, the tide of soldiers surged.
And behind him, there was no one left at all.