"Civilization? What's that?"
Although he didn't quite understand the term Ares was using, as the leader of the Giants, the strong and intelligent "Strongman" Alcyoneus keenly sensed a scent of power from that word, something that could make them stronger.
His intuition told him that what that word represented could indeed increase their chances of victory against the Gods.
Alcyoneus's intuition was not wrong, because Ares was indeed not lying to him. To defeat the Gods, Ares truly intended to teach the Snake-Footed Giants some real skills.
However, at this moment, Ares still needed to make Alcyoneus feel that he was thinking on a lower level than himself. He deliberately showed a triumphant expression and said to the thirteen powerful Snake-Footed Giants:
"So-called civilization is the accumulation of history. The Gods have ruled the world for countless years. During this time, the world has continuously developed, and the civilizations under the Gods have also continuously prospered. At the beginning of the Gods' rule, the Cyclops forged powerful Noble Phantasms for each of the three God Kings, helping them defeat the Titans and seize control of the world. Now, there are countless prosperous human nations fighting for the Gods. How can you Giants, who have been stuck on the Pallene Peninsula for countless years, still foolishly hunting with rocks and torches, ever defeat us?"
Alcyoneus exchanged glances with his second-in-command. His second-in-command, the second most powerful Snake-Foot Giant, "Surging One" Porphyrion, immediately took over the conversation, playing the villain.
"I don't believe it."
He looked at Ares and sneered:
"With just your mouth, you can make up anything you want, but in this world, power is everything. If the Gods' power is weaker than ours, then we will trample civilization. If the Gods' power is stronger than ours, your so-called 'civilization' won't help us at all. When the War ends, your lies will be exposed!"
"You're full of it!"
Ares also pretended to be enraged, jumping up and down in the birdcage-like prison and shouting:
"Do you dare to bet? Let's see if my 'civilization' can help you defeat the Gods?"
"Heh, talk is cheap, what will you bet?"
"Surging One" Porphyrion deliberately said:
"With just your meager self, you're not even enough to pick our teeth."
"Damn it! You think I have nothing, do you?"
Ares raised his hand, pointing at "Surging One" Porphyrion, and shouted:
"If I lose, I'll introduce the most beautiful goddess in the outside world to you as your wife!"
"Oh?"
"Surging One" Porphyrion was slightly excited when he heard Ares's words, but he secretly glanced at his leader and then said:
"I don't need that. Just give it to our leader."
"Alright then!"
Ares spread his hands and said:
"If I win, what do you say?"
"If you win."
The leader of the Snake-Footed Giants, "Strongman" Alcyoneus, promised:
"After we seize the divine court, we will make you our God of Wisdom and share eternal life and glory with you!"
"It's a deal!"
...
After controlling his clone and reaching a deal with the Snake-Footed Giants, Ares, who was seated in the central command tent of the Gods' army, slowly opened his eyes, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
However, he immediately reined in his smile, took out paper and pen, spread them on the table, and then recorded all the topographical information of the Pallene Peninsula that the Argo Heroes had explored, as well as the strength of the Snake-Foot Giant tribe.
After doing these things, he immediately walked out of the tent and instructed a subordinate God adjutant next to him:
"Send someone to bring Jason and the others back."
The subordinate God adjutant he named was entirely cloaked in black robes, his whole body hidden beneath the robes, preventing his true appearance from being seen. However, this subordinate God was actually one of the first mechanical deities created by Ares and Hecate, one of the four Gods of Terror, Dread, Discord, and Hatred, and also the first Horseman of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death.
After Ares and Hecate thoroughly researched these four mechanical deities, Ares disguised them and then incorporated them into his faction, secretly acting as his adjutants and confidantes.
Upon receiving Ares's command, a red light flashed in the eyes of the mindless mechanical deity.
"Instruction received."
It replied in a mechanical voice, then a pair of steel wings grew from its back. It flapped its wings and flew off towards the secret passage that Jason and the others had taken.
Ares watched it depart, then walked back into the tent and began to prepare rewards for the Argo Heroes.
The God of War could break promises to the Gods and lie to his enemies, but he could not break promises to the Heroes. In front of these future comrades, he had to maintain his image.
Moreover, preparing rewards for the Heroes was very simple for a producer like him. The magical arts learned from Hecate combined with the forging techniques learned from Hephaestus would result in the birth of Noble Phantasms.
Ares used readily available materials, kneading and shaping the magic ores that permeated the land in this Age of Gods, to create a pile of not-low-grade Noble Phantasms.
He swept these Noble Phantasms into a pile with a broom, intending to let the Heroes choose for themselves later.
Before long, Death brought the Argo Heroes back. These Heroes all looked downcast, still immersed in the sorrow and humiliation of abandoning their comrade and fleeing.
"Oh, you're back."
Seeing Death lead them into his tent, Ares, who was sitting inside, greeted them and then pointed to the pile of Noble Phantasms beside him, saying:
"Well done. These are the rewards I've prepared for you. Choose for yourselves."
"Please forgive us, we cannot accept your reward."
Jason stepped forward and shook his head, saying:
"We abandoned your messenger, Ephialtes, and barely survived to return. We are ashamed to accept these treasures."
Ares looked at Jason, then at the several Heroes behind him who clearly showed resentment and anger on their faces from being "represented," and then said to him:
"You should still accept them. Although Ephialtes couldn't return, his mission was successfully completed."
He tapped the table, showing the Heroes the diagram drawn on it, which was identical to the map of the Pallene Peninsula drawn by Ephialtes.
Jason still wanted to politely decline. At this moment, Ares suddenly changed his expression and said, "You don't accept my reward, but you accept everything Athena gave you. Are you looking down on me, Ares?"
"Dare not, dare not." Jason quickly shook his head.
"Then accept it!" Ares's expression softened again: "You don't need to dwell on Ephialtes's matter, that's my problem. Your mission is now complete. Next, everyone except Heracles, you may leave."