Hercules's heart sank. Just as he was about to exert all his strength to break free from the restraints at his feet, another one of Perseus's items, the Invisibility Cloak, also started to cause trouble, constricting his limbs like a serpent.
At that moment, the blade of the Divine Artifact Harpe was already in front of his eyes. Hercules had no time for further thought. The Divine Power within his body erupted like a landslide and tidal wave, shattering both Divine Artifacts. At the same time, he grasped for the blade with one hand and threw a punch forward with the other, attempting a life-for-life strike to force his teacher, Perseus, to retreat.
However, the sense of emptiness that came from his palm and fist made Hercules's complexion change drastically.
Simultaneously, the cold and sharp blade of the scythe rested against his back.
The shadow behind him barely exerted any force, and the blade had already cut through Hercules's skin as tough as steel, bringing a slight sting.
"You've lost, Hercules..."
In the solemn proclamation, Perseus looked at his underperforming protégé and shook his head, not entirely satisfied.
Expert swimmers drown in water, and skilled warriors fall in battle. Often, the more proficient one is at something, the more likely they are to be blinded by their strengths, leading to misjudgment and mishap.
Hercules had relied too much on his own martial prowess, always believing that others would confront him in a straightforward and fair fight.
Little did he know, on the ever-changing battlefield, the mind is also a weapon.
"Teacher, is that really so? I suggest you take a look behind you," came the deep response. Perseus instinctively glanced aside, only to see three massive dog heads emerging from a grey and black Magic Circle Diagram, their rows of white fangs nearly poking his head.
Cerberus? Hercules had tamed this beast already?
Looking at the three dog heads eyeing his head and both arms with malevolent intent, Perseus shook his head and withdrew the Divine Artifact Harpe.
"It seems I've lost."
Hercules turned around and said earnestly.
"A loss is a loss, there's no excuse for me." Perseus waved his hand and spoke candidly, "It was already an advantage for me to fight you before you had fully recovered. After using all possible means and still failing to beat you, it proves that you have surpassed me. From now on, whether in martial arts or in temperament, I have nothing left to teach you."
"You will always be my teacher!" Hercules replied seriously, with a solemn expression.
Perceiving the genuine emotion in those words, Perseus's tense expression softened into a satisfied smile.
"Alright, go and do what you wish to do."
"And what about you?"
"Of course, I'm going back to report."
"But what if Father God blames you..."
"I have done what I could, but you have already surpassed me; failure was to be expected." Perseus paused for a moment, smiling reassuringly, "I expect that Father God will not condemn me for this."
Hearing his teacher's reply, Hercules clenched his teeth and made a solemn suggestion.
"Why not stay with me in Thessaly, and together we can fight off the invasion of the Giant Spirit Clan. After the battle, I will personally plead guilt with Father God!"
In his memories, his teacher was a very emotional person, who would even feel sorrow for the injury or death of unrelated ordinary people.
It was under his influence that Hercules did not see any difference between demigods and mortals and had always endeavored to clear the calamities for the weak.
Perseus shook his head and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I am different from you..."
Then Perseus raised his hand and patted his student's robust shoulder, his gaze flickering briefly as he lowered his voice to admonish.
"Remember, never die on the battlefield, never make divine achievements as a spirit..."
Having said this, Perseus's figure vanished into the morning mist.
Hercules, left alone, furrowed his brows deeply and muttered to himself.
"Different? What could be different between me and my teacher?"
"The difference is, you have a choice, he didn't..."
The deep voice came through the mist. Following the gaze of Cerberus by his side, Hercules looked at the figure emerging from behind the trees and couldn't help but frown and ask,
"Because he was granted divinity after death and achieved his divine status as a spirit, and now many things are beyond his control."
Luo En answered casually, lifting a strand of starlight in the fog, murmuring with profound meaning.
"'Stars' that illuminate the darkness are nothing but adornments for the 'sky,' their life and death flickering at the whim of 'the sky.'"
Upon hearing this, Hercules tensed up a bit, "Won't it cause trouble for the teacher to just go back like that?"
"There will definitely be trouble, but it should not be a big problem." Luo En patted Hercules on the shoulder and comforted him with a grave tone, "After all, he did what he had to do, and really had no way to take you back, His Majesty the King of Gods should not punish him too harshly..."
Reassured by Luo En's analysis, Hercules felt somewhat at ease.
Seeing that Hercules had calmed down, Luo En glanced in the direction where the purple-haired gentleman had left, and said solemnly,
"Alright, come back to the Royal Palace with me. I have some matters that require a discussion with you and Admetos."
With all these clues combined—the Divine Artifact that can cut through the immortal, the Winged Boots that tread on air, the one-time Aegis Shield, and the teacher Hercules kept mentioning—the identity of the visitor was all but obvious.
—Perseus of the Perseus Constellation!
Since he had found his way to Thessaly, that meant Zeus could no longer be kept in the dark about Hercules's defection.
To be on the safe side, it was best to prepare as soon as possible for the upcoming battle against the Giant Spirits.
"Alright! I'll take you there right now!"
Upon hearing about the urgent matter, Hercules immediately set aside his distractions and ran toward the Royal Palace with long strides.
Seeing Cerberus seemingly unwilling to return to the Netherworld, Luo En laughed lightly and extended his hand to bestow cognitive distortion imbued with spirituality on the circling Hellhound, cheekily entering the city with this top-tier Divine Monster at his side.