stonecrandall Page 69
Page 69
You are well aware of Jupiter's thoughts at this moment. More than Dione's advice, she is worried that she is not capable of meeting your expectations.
Do you know what to do at this time?
“Then let’s give it a try. Now I can only rely on you, Jupiter.” Quinn encouraged his adorable doll. “Does Dione know you better than I do? You’ve been with me for far longer than you’ve been with Dione, haven’t you?”
This kind of simple and direct encouragement is far more effective than any words, and Quinn himself has enjoyed this kind of motivation.
“…Then I’ll try.”
Inspired by you, Jupiter decided to give it a try.
[You and Jupiter have reached the highest peak in Rome. Under your gaze, Jupiter's seemingly human-like body suddenly transforms into a thick, gray mist. You know that these are spreading nanomachines. Although Jupiter is an artificial god created by you, her body itself is a mechanical creation no different from the Greek mechanics. She surrounds you and soars into the sky.]
That was a completely different experience from when you rode in the Moon Goddess's shuttle. Jupiter's ascension was like a swaddling swaddle, protecting you tightly within a cloud of nanomaterials. Your vision was covered by gray nanobots. When your vision cleared up again, you saw the unique landscape of the Moon.
You immediately praised Jupiter's abilities and watched as Jupiter, who had been hesitant, regained his confidence.
You've arrived on the moon and are attempting to reach the lunar maria via the same route you've taken before. But this time, before you even reach the other side of the moon, the lunar surface of UO has already appeared before you.
"We meet again. Outer... well, now I should say the youngest son. You've come to fulfill your promise, haven't you? After all, I see you've brought a decent fighting force with you."
Seeing the familiar blonde appear before him, asking for his help in sealing the Planetary Vanguard, Quinn breathed a sigh of relief. If Moon UO wasn't willing to step in, he would be truly doomed. Fortunately, Moon UO was clearly not on the same side as the Greek Mecha Gods; she was focused on preventing the Planetary Vanguard from reviving.
Jupiter, who brought Quinn to the moon, stared warily at the lunar UO that had suddenly appeared before her. She could sense its power and even regretted her previous decision.
But the Moon UO didn't care about Jupiter's reaction. She stared at Quinn calmly, waiting for Quinn's response.
“Yes, I already know about the Titans sealed in Hell, but the God-King doesn’t want me to get involved. I need your help.”
此言
Chapter 160
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Moon UO's face. "The Greek Mechs are not on the same side as us locals. It's normal that they can't understand our thoughts. I'm glad you haven't been influenced by them. Not long ago, some voices were whispering in my ear, afraid that you would cooperate with the Mechs. I told them that they were just worrying too much. Now it seems that I was more farsighted."
"Gaia?"
The Moon UO smiled without saying a word.
Quinn immediately broke out in a cold sweat, somewhat relieved that he still had some rebellious spirit left. After all, if he hadn't thought about rebelling against the Greek gods, he might have ended up on Gaia's blacklist the next day, especially since he was already being watched by Alaya, the human restraint force...
If you're on two blacklists with the same level of suppression, then even with a simulator, you won't be able to survive, right?
but……
"Why did Gaia only contact you and not me directly?"
Quinn thought about it for a while, but couldn't recall seeing any prompts or pop-ups from the simulator recently, so he asked out of curiosity.
“She has sought you out, more than once, but you are still too young and haven’t learned how to listen to the voice of the planets.” The voice of UO on the Moon was particularly gentle. “You still need to strengthen your spirituality. Only individuals with sufficient spirituality can hear the voice of the planets. But you can rest assured that until you have fully learned how to communicate with the planets, I will act as your mouthpiece. You can come to me anytime you need me, because, compared to those Greek mechanics, I am the one you can trust.”
[The Moon's UO has launched a scheme against you—to win you over]
Chapter 152 Your Plot Has Been Exposed
What you're saying sounds scary. I feel like you're trying to manipulate me.
Quinn watched the Moon UO who had suddenly started to get closer to him, acting like a caring older sister. He was already on high alert. As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch. He was all too familiar with this kind of thing. After all, he was a master at playing this game.
Both the British sisters and the Greek god of war succumbed to his opportunistic and overly attentive advances.
When Morgan was isolated and helpless, Quinn offered her unwavering loyalty as an ally; when the Greek gods were at their weakest, Quinn played the role of the most perfect believer in their hearts—these were all things Quinn herself had done. And now, when it was Quinn's turn to need help, the Moon UO immediately transformed into a caring older sister. This was truly...
They arrived just in time.
Quinn ate the candy thrown to him by the Moon UO without hesitation, a sweet smile on his face. "Then I'm really counting on you. If you need anything in the future, just come to me. I can only rely on you now."
Didn't you say that I was the only person you could rely on?
Jupiter, standing to the side, hesitated to speak, but the Moon UO, with a broad smile, couldn't help but hum and nod.
[The Moon's UO's attempts to win you over were quite clumsy. This legendary character, ranked in the top tier of the Type-Moon power rankings, may be very powerful, but she clearly lacks understanding of human relationships. You simply spoke to her in a way that suited her tastes and gained her trust. It's no wonder that in the original Type-Moon history, she was defeated by humanity and driven away from Earth. However, she has now shown a rather terrifying side.]
Yes, you've noticed that the Moon UO has changed because of your arrival. She's trying to learn everything about humanity, and she's become more human than when you first met her. This clumsy attempt at winning her over is the very foundation of her search for friends. You can hardly believe how much effort some old magician will have to expend to send this Moon UO back to the moon when she eventually comes to Earth.
[But you have no time to think about such things in the future. The most important thing now is to deal with the Titans and thwart the Greek gods' intention to continue the Age of Gods. You know very well that if the Greek gods are only interested in continuing the Age of Gods, then you are the only one on Earth who has the ability to stop them.]
The Greek gods favor you above all humankind. In their eyes, you are the embodiment of humanity. You must demonstrate the resolve of humankind and make the gods realize that they cannot decide the future of humanity. The Titans are the best breakthrough point. You must defeat this great enemy of the gods without the assistance of any deity, showing them that even without divine protection, humanity can continue to thrive on earth.
[You and UO on the moon exchanged information about the White Colossus and the Planetary Vanguard, and finally came to a conclusion that after the White Colossus was defeated, its remains were broken into several pieces. The largest piece is sealed on the moon, and some fragments are also preserved deep in the Greek underworld. The Titans that have been resurrected this time may be one of those countless fragments.]
To defeat the white giant, you'll need a weapon powerful enough, such as Zeus's thunderbolt, a star-forged holy sword, or... a demonic sword born from the essence of the moon.
[The Moon's UO is willing to provide you with this demonic sword called "True World," granting you the authority to use its power. In return, you will owe her a favor, which she will collect from you when she needs it in the future.]
[You know this price is incredibly heavy, but you have no choice but to accept it. You don't want your disciples, your wife, your city-state to be destroyed by the Titans. You don't want to see this history develop down the path of the Lostbelt, ultimately becoming a flawed product that needs to be cut out. The frozen ending of Britannia is an insurmountable obstacle in your heart. You have made up your mind.]
Under Jupiter's half-understanding gaze, you signed a contract with the Moon UO.
[You have obtained a special treasure—the True World. This cold, massive cross-shaped sword, as tall as a person, is said to possess power that transcends time and space. When the end, known as the finality, arrives, the King of the Moon will appear wielding this sword to end all destiny. Even though the end of destiny has not yet arrived, this weapon is enough to destroy everything on the surface of the earth.]
[You have gained a special buff—the Primal Contract. You have entered into a blood pact with a life form known in the magical world as "One of the Primals." This contract is both a gift and a curse. While the contract is in effect, the "world" will find it more difficult to detect your whereabouts until the contract is completed. Until then, you will have the right to use the "True World."]
[You have been placed under special surveillance by "Lunar UO". Due to your "Primordial Contract", all your movements will be monitored by them.]
Looking at the greatsword in his hand, identical in appearance to the one wielded by a certain Servant in FGO named "Moon Cancer" during her third ascension illustration—a sword seemingly formed from condensed moonlight—Quinn found it hard to describe his mood. While this weapon was undoubtedly the most outstanding in the entire Type-Moon universe, possessing power no less than, and perhaps even surpassing, Excalibur, it…
Why do I feel like I'm developing more and more like a world boss?
Quinn glanced at the trait "Single Manifestation" on his character panel, then looked at the True World in his hand, and finally his gaze settled on the smiling face of the Moon UO, who seemed to be looking at something happy. He could only comfort himself in his heart that it was all just an illusion.
Once I've dealt with the Titans and made the Greek Mechs give up their idea of continuing the Age of Gods, and obediently end the Age of Gods and return to sleep in the Inner Sea of the Stars, everything should be fine. At that time, I can end this simulation and return to the modern era, prepare for the establishment of Chaldea, and then go to Britannia to rescue my daughter who is still sitting on the golden toilet.
By comforting himself in this almost hypnotic way, Quinn finally calmed his unease. Having obtained what he wanted, he immediately bid farewell to the Moon UO, "Then we'll meet again someday, Jupiter, we should go."
Upon hearing Quinn's command, Jupiter, who didn't want to be an outsider on the moon for even a second longer, didn't give the lunar UO a chance to speak. She immediately disintegrated and attacked Quinn.
Chapter 161
En enveloped it, disappearing from the lunar surface like a cloud, leaving only the moon UO watching the "father and daughter" depart from its territory.
When Quinn opened his eyes again, he had already returned to the Roman court.
Just as he was about to go find Hercules and give this good student a good talking-to about not leaving Rome for a while, a large face that looked exactly like Jupiter's came close to him. It was Dione.
At this moment, she stared angrily at Quinn and Jupiter, her azure eyes reflecting the True World in Quinn's hand, which for a fleeting instant seemed to surge with endless lightning.
"Why won't you just listen to me?"
A mechanical voice, devoid of any emotion, emanated from her mouth, causing the entire palace dome to tremble like thunder.
Looking at Dione standing before him, Quinn knew that this childish game was over. The King of Gods was the King of Gods after all, and nothing on the Greek continent could escape His eyes.
Your plot has been exposed.
Chapter 153 I Entrust My Fate to You
"Why? I've already arranged the most suitable future for you. You should have obediently been a good Roman king, waiting for Hercules to clear away all the dangers on the Greek lands, watching Rome become the greatest nation. We showered you with all our favors..."
Dione stopped pretending; she had no desire to continue. The lightning in her eyes revealed her divinity, while her emotionless, cold tone confirmed the mechanical nature of the other party.
The entire city of Rome trembled under this divine influence. All the Roman residents looked in terror at the sky, which had suddenly turned from a clear day to one filled with dark clouds. The lightning bolts churning among the clouds were a sign of the gods' wrath. Everyone hid in their houses in fear, closing their doors and windows and not daring to look out at the outside world.
Only those with deep and intimate ties to Quinn vaguely guessed that this change might have originated from their closest loved ones, who anxiously rushed out of their homes toward the Roman palace, fearing that arriving too late would lead to some unfortunate outcome.
Prior to this, another thunderbolt had already struck within the Roman court.
Jupiter shielded Quinn behind her as if she were a formidable foe, keeping a close eye on her every move as her nominal "foster mother." The resentment she had felt when confronting the Moon UO, which had shown no hostility, had fueled her resentment and caused the doll to unleash an unprecedented competitive spirit, enabling her to fearlessly compete against the strongest being on this land.
This feels amazing! Finally, someone has given me a chance to demonstrate my worth!
Hehe, come on, Mother! Once I crush you, I will be the only and strongest being in the Mediterranean world!
The doll's rare display of intense competitiveness went unanswered by Dione. In the eyes of this woman, a priestess in disguise but the embodiment of the darker side of divinity, only Quinn remained. She couldn't understand why this human she loved so much would repeatedly defy her will. Not long ago, he was so obedient and adorable, the most pleasing person in all of Greece, but now…
“I don’t need this kind of pampering.” Quinn grabbed Jupiter’s shoulder, suppressing the puppet whose blood of the Greek gods was stirring within it. “I will deal with the Titans and personally deal with any enemy that threatens humanity. Children will always grow up, and you can’t be humanity’s parents forever.”
"Europa..."
"I am the King of Rome."
Your plot has been exposed, but Dione still tries to persuade you. You, however, remain steadfast in your beliefs despite your old friend's advice. You reject her good intentions and demand that she address you by your official title. You know you can no longer remain in Greece as the favorite of the gods, but you have no regrets. You are fulfilling your promise to Perseus, a promise from one man to another, a promise from one teacher to one student.
Your will caused Dione to retreat, the thunder in her eyes to dissipate, leaving only a dejected figure as she left the Roman court.
Moments later, Atalanta, Hercules, Medusa, and her two sisters appeared before you. These people who cared about you most rushed to ensure your safety. You were touched because even in your most dangerous moment, there were people willing to come to your side. This showed that you left behind more than just fame in Greece; you also earned genuine gratitude.
[Faced with the worried looks of these people, you offered words of comfort, persuading Atalanta and Heracles to leave the court, assuring them that you had only had a minor conflict with the gods and that it would not affect the safety of Rome or yourself.]
[Because you have never deceived anyone, Atalanta and Heracles believed your words, and Medusa's two sisters also felt that you could handle your conflict with the gods. After all, you had a similar precedent. They left one by one under your gaze, but Medusa remained in place.]
"You're lying again." Once everyone else had left, and only Jupiter and Quinn remained in the Roman court, Medusa whispered, "What are you planning to do this time?"
"When have I ever lied to anyone?" Quinn looked at Medusa in astonishment, who was clearly distrusting him. "Since when have you started to distrust me like this?"
"From the moment you first arrived on the Isle of No Return." Medusa's eyes reflected Quinn. The passage of time had left no trace on Quinn. Over the decades, Medusa had witnessed the aging and death of many humans, but Quinn remained unchanged. "I just don't understand humans very well, but you... we've been together for so long. I can still tell what kind of look you have when you try to deceive someone. The more you want to lie, the more you make eye contact with others to prove that you're not lying."
Oh no, she really understands me.
Quinn was speechless; this was indeed his old habit.
Medusa saw right through you. The tricks you used to fool Morgan, who had the bewitching eyes, were completely ineffective against a woman you'd lived with for decades. You were surprised, and at the same time, a lot of vulnerable emotions welled up inside you. You felt a little nostalgic for this time.
So you began to confide in Medusa, a privilege that even Morgan had never enjoyed.
Medusa listened quietly to your conflict with the gods, to your plans. She couldn't understand why you wouldn't accept the gods' goodwill. In her eyes, it was entirely beneficial to you; sacrificing one person for the prosperity of all Rome seemed like a worthwhile deal. Given your character, you should have agreed to this transaction, or at least... that's what you would normally do.
But you have changed. To be more precise, you no longer need to measure everything solely by self-interest. You are strong enough to accomplish what many people cannot achieve in their entire lives, and naturally you possess a level of capriciousness that ordinary people can only have.
You haven't forgotten your initial idea: to create your own heroic tale far surpassing Hercules'. Now, it's time for you to take the final step.
[What story could endure more than that of a hero whose great deeds originated from the grace of the gods, who ultimately transcended their blessings, defeated an enemy even the gods could not defeat, and protected his country, wife, friends, and students?]
You confess to Medusa that you've decided to go to Hell to defeat the Titans, but the Greek Mechs certainly won't let you embark on such a path so easily. You need her help, and you beg her for it.
I entrust my fate to you, my wife.
Medusa remained silent. This was the first time you had so humbly pleaded with her. She knew that her choice would determine your fate, and whatever the outcome, she would have to bear this heavy responsibility.
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Chapter 162