Though Rovi had stayed only a short while, his impact on Heracles was enormous—
During those mere three days, Heracles had constantly pondered why Rovi could become so strong, while Rovi, in turn, deliberately shaped the young demigod's growth.
Of course, if Chiron hadn't explicitly told Heracles after Rovi left that the man was indeed the founder—the very Sage Rovi from Uruk himself—perhaps Heracles wouldn't have been influenced so deeply.
Indeed, the blame lay with Chiron, who couldn't help mentioning Rovi repeatedly in front of Heracles, his face brimming with undisguised admiration each time.
"In the end… it's all my own fault, huh?" Realizing everything, Chiron could only smile bitterly.
But Heracles had already left.
After three years of rigorous training, the illegitimate son of Zeus had truly matured, now setting out upon the path desired by the king of gods himself.
...
"Father Zeus has mentioned you to me before."
Meanwhile, near the city-state of Athens, within the forested mountains, though trees remained lush, birds and beasts had long fled following Rovi's earlier feat of lifting mountains. Amid the gentle rustle of leaves stirred by the breeze drifted only the soft, crisp voice of a young woman.
Rovi stood calmly, watching the silver-haired goddess emerge from the shadows, unsurprised by her appearance.
After all, it was she who'd revealed Hermes's location.
"And so?" Rovi raised an eyebrow. "Lady Athena?"
Did Zeus mention I'd beaten him up before?
Though that wasn't entirely Rovi's doing alone.
"Zeus said you're the wisest mortal in the world; the city you built remains humanity's most perfected civilization, and the clay tablets you left behind overflow with profound wisdom." Athena spoke sincerely, not hiding her admiration. Clearly, when Zeus had described Rovi to her, he had not yet encountered Tiamat and Rovi within the Imaginary Sea.
Athena's approach was simple.
Praise upon first meeting was always the best way to open a person's heart.
Just as Hermes had tried earlier—most Greeks of this era were still pure-hearted, and the god of trickery had only recently invented the concept of deceit. Being unable to suppress delight when praised was entirely understandable…
"And then?" Rovi asked again.
Then…what?
Athena momentarily failed to respond.
"The words you've spoken…aren't they just stating the obvious?" Rovi yawned slightly. "Do I really need you to tell me how great I am?"
Athena's words choked in her throat.
Just like Hermes earlier… even this goddess hadn't anticipated such shamelessness could exist in the world.
Though her intellect was no less sharp than Hermes's, she still stumbled momentarily.
Yet she didn't grow discouraged, smoothly continuing: "Obvious, but also true, isn't it?"
"If one person praises falsely, it's mere flattery. But when praised by thousands, tens of thousands—it no longer matters what's true or false. Even the false can become true."
Rovi understood clearly.
The goddess cared little for what he'd done in the past. Instead, she was offering to help him achieve whatever he sought next.
Even if it meant making something false into truth.
His expression grew a bit more serious. "Indeed, wisdom is far more admirable than mere trickery."
"In matters of wisdom, you are superior to me."
"Of course."
"…"
Was this what they meant by killing a conversation outright?
Once again, Athena's words stuck helplessly inside her chest.
Fortunately, Rovi didn't intend to end things there: "But enough of the trivial matters. Why have you sought me out, Goddess Athena?"
"What can you offer me? And what do you want me to do for you?"
"O Sage, you seek opportunities to form bonds with gods, do you not?" Athena no longer spoke in riddles.
Rovi was searching for the chance to forge contracts with deities—to earn their recognition, become a "hero," and write his legend upon Greek soil.
Rovi had never concealed his intentions.
"I can help you," Athena said plainly. She raised her hand, lightly brushing aside snowy silver hair to reveal her delicate features, crimson eyes gazing directly into Rovi's own. Her voice carried deep sincerity: "I am the goddess of wisdom. I am willing to forge such a contract with you—"
"What's your price?" Rovi thought for a moment without refusing outright.
"You must know of the war between Athens and Sparta?" Athena spoke directly. "Athens is the city-state which worships me. Sparta belongs to the god of war, Ares."
Both the goddess of war and the god of war, Ares, had overlapping domains, each occupying a seat among the Twelve Olympians.
Thus, their respective cities frequently clashed, fighting wars for reasons such as belief.
They were conflicts between human city-states—but also proxy wars between gods.
"You want me to help you win this war," Rovi grasped immediately.
"Exactly, Sage Rovi," Athena smiled gently, blinking once. "If you help me attain victory—"
"Then, as Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, I promise you, whatever you seek, I shall fulfill to the utmost of my ability."
Saying this, the goddess revered by Athens gently lifted the hem of her pure-white dress, performing an impeccably graceful courtesy.
Her dress swayed gently, fabric cascading down to reveal porcelain skin at her chest, pale legs subtly crossing to highlight elegant curves beneath the folds of her skirt.
The goddess's face was utterly serious, manners perfect…
"This request is one I've never before made to anyone," she said quietly.
Evidently, this proxy war with Ares meant a great deal to her.
"This battle will determine, for the next hundred years, the rights over all conflicts upon this land beneath Zeus's gaze."
A battle of divine authority and earthly interests.
Athena's price was undoubtedly high—originally, she had pinned her hopes on Zeus's son, Heracles. But now, encountering the far more suitable Rovi, she naturally wouldn't let this chance slip away.
She clearly valued him far above Heracles—even willing to "sell her beauty."
Yes, her courteous gesture was merely a graceful excuse to display her charm.
Athena, after all, was famed throughout Greece for her beauty.
She hoped this would let her bargain more favorably.
Yet Rovi didn't immediately accept; instead, he slightly furrowed his brow. "Ares is a god, correct?"
Ares was indeed a god.
And among the Twelve Olympians at that…
"You should know my story, Lady Athena."
"I studied once within Uruk's pantheon and received the teachings of priests who worshipped countless gods."
"To me, gods carry extraordinary significance."
"So—"
"It'll cost extra."
"…"
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