In the Underworld, inside Hecate's magic workshop, the Moon Goddess, wearing slippers, threw a stack of papyrus directly at Ares's face, who was sitting cross-legged on a soft bed.
"Here, the Atlanteans have taken the bait. The experimental data and debugging measures for the Mechanical God are all here. See for yourself."
"Thank you, teacher."
Thrown by Hecate, Ares, who had been daydreaming and simultaneously communicating with several small accounts in different places, came back to his senses. He thanked Hecate and then asked:
"So, does the 'Divine Art' magic foundation work?"
"I can only say that idol worship might be surprisingly effective for mortals," Hecate smacked her lips. "But I still find it more convenient to directly manipulate fragments of the gods' authority."
"This is inherently a low-end application of magic, reducing operational difficulty and magic power requirements, specifically prepared for mortals."
Ares neatly stacked the papers but did not look at them. Instead, he said:
"Then, teacher, you should go rest first. You've worked hard these past few days. I still have some things to deal with. I'll look at these once I'm done."
"What are you busy with? Are you still creating that all-female warrior race, the Amazon, that you mentioned before?"
Hecate asked, puzzled:
"I remember helping you create the first generation of Amazons, didn't I?"
"That's already done."
Ares replied:
"I'm currently busy confronting Athena."
Just as his main body spoke with Hecate, in Athens, Ares's divine power clone stood beside a group of taciturn Spartans, confronting Athena, who stood beside the Athenians.
Next to the Athenians were many wooden crates. Two of them had been opened, revealing exquisite weaponry inside. However, looking at these fine weapons and equipment, Athena showed displeasure.
"Ares, what is the meaning of this?"
She questioned her brother:
"The deal my people and your people agreed upon earlier regarding those Pelasgians—your people must exchange the best weapons and equipment or manufacturing technology from Sparta. Are the Spartans trying to renege on the deal?"
"How am I reneging? You need to show evidence when you speak; don't you dare slander me."
Ares also responded angrily, hands on his hips:
"I've given you the goods, all the best weapons and equipment. How can you say my people are welshing?"
Athena glanced at the contents of the box, then fumed:
"You call this the best weapons and equipment? Are these things for humans?"
Ares also looked into the box upon hearing this. The box contained only bronze weapons. In terms of craftsmanship and materials, they were indeed the best in the Greek World at the time. However, these weapons were all made of bronze, with no other materials.
The daggers were fine; although heavy, they could be used as slightly shorter two-handed greatswords. But even the spears and shields were made entirely of bronze, which was utterly absurd.
Pure metal polearms could not possibly be used as weapons by ordinary people. If the Athenians were to use these weapons in battle, they might not even be able to lift them when the enemy approached.
Ares clearly knew this, but he deliberately showed an innocent expression, looking at Athena, and retorted:
"These aren't for humans? Look at these weapons, how damn well-made they are! I'm telling you, Sparta's craftsmen were personally trained by my elder brother Hephaestus! You indiscriminately beat my elder brother, the God of Fire, back then, and now you dare to come out and slander his craftsmanship? Do you really think there's no one in this world who dares to stand up against you?"
Nonsense! You've been targeting me ever since I was born!
Athena was furious inside. She gritted her teeth, enduring patiently, and said word by word:
"How many times do I have to tell you, you imbecile? No mortal in this world goes to battle with pure metal shields and spears!"
"What do you mean, no!" Ares pointed at Athena's nose and loudly exclaimed, "You're talking nonsense! My Spartans, they all use these kinds of weapons on the battlefield! They just recently, right under your noses, slaughtered Poseidon's Atlanteans, making them abandon their armor and cry for their mothers! What now? The Atlanteans are gone, and you pull up your pants and want to go back on your word?"
Athena did not speak, but she cast a glance, and an Athenian warrior behind her immediately understood, stepping forward and shouting:
"Respected Ares, I do not believe there is any mortal in this world who can lift such heavy weapons to fight!"
"What? You don't believe it? Good! You there—" Ares casually pointed at a Spartan warrior to step forward, then commanded, "Come, you show him how a Spartan fights with such weapons."
"Understood."
This Spartan warrior, like the others, was taciturn. Hearing his god's command, he stepped forward without a word, approached the box of weapons, reached out, and easily picked up one of the bronze spears.
The Spartan warrior effortlessly twirled the heavy spear in front of the Athenians, leaving them dumbfounded.
Just then, Ares reached out again and said to the questioning Athenian:
"Just looking at it, you probably won't believe it. Come, sir, you can come up and feel the power of these weapons directly. Of course, if anything happens, we Spartans bear no responsibility, since you were the one who asked for the inspection."
"I…" The Athenian looked at the Spartan warrior whose biceps were larger than his head, then looked at the God of War opposite him, and sweat broke out on his forehead in fear:
"Great God of War, I think it's not necessary. I believe you…"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I've told you to come up, and you're not coming up. Are you looking down on me, huh?"
Ares raised his voice, fuming:
"If you ignore me, I'll throw a tantrum! Then I'll have my Spartans flatten your Athens and capture your wives and daughters as slaves!"
"Goddess, save me!"
Hearing Ares's threat, the Athenian immediately knelt down in fear, but he knelt before his own goddess.
"Tsk, weakling." Ares scornfully pursed his lips when he saw the Athenian's reaction, then turned to his followers and said, "Do you see? This is Athena's follower, can't even draw a mere 300-pound longbow. Everyone, don't be like such a weakling."
"Alright, Ares, stop messing around with me here."
Athena raised her delicate eyebrows, ignoring her follower. She pointed at a bronze pillar that wasn't in the box but was carried by the Spartans and leaned against a nearby stone, continuing to ask:
"I won't even mention what's in the box, but what's the meaning of this pillar? Is this a decoration you're giving me?"
"Decoration your head! Can't you tell this is also a weapon?"
Ares said to the Spartan warrior who had stepped forward to perform: "You tell her what kind of weapon this pillar is."
"Yes." This Spartan warrior was clearly not eloquent. After receiving Ares's command, he racked his brains for a long time before finally saying to Athena:
"This is a weapon that only our strongest Spartan warriors can use. To this day, only two Kings, the High Priest, and the Grand Commander among the magistrates can use it. I am still too weak to be worthy of such a first-rate weapon."
"I understand, you don't need to say any more."
Athena pinched the bridge of her nose, then waved her hand:
"I don't want to argue with you. Consider this your win for now. Leave. I don't want to see you right now."
"Hmph, what do you mean I won? It was your fault to begin with!"
"Yes, yes, yes, just get out, I beg you."
After much persuasion, Athena finally got the triumphant Ares to leave Athens with a large group of Spartans. After the God of War departed, her expression slowly returned from anger to calm.
"Goddess, did we really just let them go?"
The Athenian leader asked with some displeasure.
"What else? If you want to go reason with these Spartans, go ahead, I won't stop you."
Athena answered casually, not even wanting to look at her follower.
"Uh…" The Athenian leader immediately swallowed all his reluctance.
"Are we just going to let Ares be so arrogant?" At this moment, a priestess of Athena nearby also said with some dissatisfaction, "You are clearly the strongest fourth-generation main god."
"Don't talk about this anymore. Take these weapons to be reforged," Athena said calmly, looking in the direction Ares had left. "Just ignore him. He doesn't have many years left to live anyway."