Thessaly Camp, under the fluorite lamp.
The Goddess saw Luo En, the commander of the allied forces, squatting in the tent and couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief, "I'm glad you're here. Hearing that Thessaly has many needs, I have brought a batch of alchemy materials scarce in this place, weapons and equipment recently brought from Sicily, and some personnel from War God Mountain who can provide convenient support."
Luo En, looking at Athena who had traveled from afar, surprise flickered in his eyes, "You came yourself for such a trivial matter?"
In the midst of speaking, he pulled out a chair and motioned for the Goddess of Wisdom to sit down.
"I'm free anyway, always wanting to do something within my power for you," the Goddess answered with a light laugh, her gaze as gentle as water.
Hearing this considerate remark, Luo En felt warmth in his heart, but also a strange sensation he couldn't quite articulate.
"Ahem~" A soft cough interrupted the thoughts rising in Luo En's mind.
The smile on the Goddess's face faded, and she sat up straight at the table, adopting a serious demeanor.
"Actually, besides transporting supplies and personnel, there are two other matters I came to discuss with you."
As she spoke, a familiar sensation overwhelmed him, and the confusion in Luo En's heart dissipated.
Yes, now that's more like it.
Immediately, Luo En pulled up a chair, sat at the table, and looked curious, "What is so important that even you are concerned? Let's hear it."
The Goddess replied helplessly, "It's really nothing serious, mainly pertaining to the God of the Sea pantheon, something inconvenient to discuss in Athens."
As everyone knows, the prior Cretan civilization that prospered Athens met its destruction at the hands of the Sea God Temple and the Kingdom of Atlantis; their grudges go back a long way.
Moreover, many Minosians fled to Athens to settle down and passed down their bloodline, so the relationship between the Athenians and the Sea God Temple could hardly be considered harmonious, and many matters were not suitable for public discussion.
Subsequently, the Goddess rubbed her temples and said with a wry smile, revealing one of the purposes of her visit, "As you know, with a new godly war looming, and the Sea of Okeanos being a key direction of attack for Demon Ancestor Typhon and his army, some deities of the sea sensing danger have become restless; they are seeking a reliable ally to confront this crisis together."
Upon hearing this, Luo En paused slightly, answering instinctively, "Then they should go to Poseidon."
"But the character of His Majesty the Sea God..."
Hearing these hesitant words, Luo En understood the implication.
Plainly speaking, they didn't trust Lord Bo's divine quality.
Immediately, he inquired with interest, "Who is leading them?"
The Goddess candidly answered, "Nereus!"
That old man of the sea?
Luo En's gaze sharpened, his understanding clear.
As a representative of the Ancient Sea God Faction, this old Sea God always possessed the wisdom for self-preservation.
In the era of the Titan Gods, he married Doris, the daughter of the River God Okeanos and the Ocean Goddess Tethys from the Twelve Titans, without bursting a Gold Coin;
In the Olympian era, he sided with Poseidon and arranged his daughter to marry Amphitrite, circumventing the fate of his father-in-law Okeanos and mother-in-law Tethys;
Now, with the disintegration of the Olympian System, the resurgence of the Old Gods, and the imminent new godly war, this adept old sea deity likely sensed danger approaching.
But among the many forces entering the fray, Typhon is a brute who recognizes no relations, siding with him is akin to delivering oneself up; Kronos is not much better, hardly the better choice...
Originally, as his son-in-law, Sea God Poseidon would have been Nereus's best backer.
However, the battle of Crete Island and his daughter Thetis's experiences had unveiled Poseidon's true colors to him.
Plus, with the gods of Olympus no longer a united entity, continuing to align with the Sea God Temple would not guarantee that the good son-in-law wouldn't use him and the entire Ancient Sea God Faction as cannon fodder in the face of crisis.
After all, it wouldn't be the first time for similar things to have happened.
Thus, after considerations, Nereus turned his thoughts towards the currently thriving War God Mountain, and his other good son-in-law.
—Indeed, none other than Luo En, currently the head of the allied forces.
Realizing his father-in-law's goal, Luo En raised an eyebrow and looked seriously at Athena before him, speaking calmly, "Taking them in is not a problem, but does Thetis know about this? I'd like to hear her take."
At that, the Goddess snorted, "If she doesn't allow, will you refuse?"
"Of course!" Luo En didn't hesitate to reply, a cold smirk spreading over his face, "Given how they used Thetis as a shield in the past, do you think I would not take the opportunity to vent for my wife? The world isn't so accommodating!"
"Rebuffing such fine military support is not a sensible decision," the Goddess plainly stated, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"If everything were about sensibility, gains, and losses, then I should have married Zeus!" Luo En rolled his eyes and retorted sarcastically, then coldly snorted without reserve, "Besides, they are asking me, I'm not asking them! If they had any dignity, they could very well become pawns under the Sea God Temple and face off against Typhon's Demon Army for Poseidon and me!"
Hearing Luo En's novel humorous phrasing, the Goddess couldn't help but cover her lips with her hand and laugh lightly.
"Marry Zeus? I can't believe you'd say that!"
Then the Goddess paused before continuing in a huff, "Rest assured, Thetis has already agreed, and that's exactly why she specially sent me to discuss this matter with you."
After all, despite past grievances, that Ocean Goddess could not bear to see her once kin turn into cannon fodder in the upcoming war of the gods.