Chapter 240
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 240
Chapter Title: The Journey Begins
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Blazing castle.
Crashing timber.
Shattering stone.
Echoing screams.
Scorching flesh.
Blood droplets scattering like spring rain.
Steel shrieking in agony.
All of it together formed pandemonium—the all-too-common war of this mortal world.
Though from my perspective, it was merely a small-scale local skirmish over a tiny fortress. By this era's standards, though, it qualified as a fairly major preliminary battle.
As the morning sun rose, the fortress flames that had shot skyward began to die down. Seeing the banner of Thespiae, now burned to cinders, replaced by the flag symbolizing the Hero's Forest—a hoof and leaves—finally put my mind at ease.
"They're doing a fantastic job. This is good enough for me to head out without worries."
Dozens of eyes and ears I'd placed in the sky relayed the exploits of the sprout minions I'd raised. Especially impressive was Jason, displaying his innate tactical genius and the sword arts I'd passed down to him. It was a most satisfying report.
"With such a tough fate from birth, he isn't swayed by the killing intent of the Wind Blade Sword—in fact, he wields it effortlessly as his own will..."
The Nine Prison Sword, composed of sixteen sword principles: Eight Flames and Eight Chills.
And from that, the Ten Prison Sword—ten derived arts and the foundation of the Nine Prison Sword.
Among them, the one Jason had learned was none other than the Wind Blade Sword from the Ten Prison principles.
The murderous gale of the Wind Blade Prison, slicing through a criminal's flesh, served as the superior footwork, swordsmanship, and internal art he'd mastered.
However, as one of the Ten Prison Swords with the thickest killing intent and embodying extreme swiftness, I'd worried he might succumb to it and surrender to his inner demon.
Yet even amid boiling rage and slaughter, he remained cool-headed, never forgetting his duties or goals, staying focused. It gladdened me that my judgment had proven correct once more.
"Now I can move freely without concern."
A few days ago, when leaving Tegea, I'd checked on Atalanta and Heracles.
Atalanta was finally catching her breath as the bureaucrats returned, with my help and her warrior unit comrades normalizing state affairs. Suddenly left with free time, she'd clung to me right up until departure.
In the end, she only let go after passing out from exhaustion, allowing me to set off.
Heracles, too, was utterly absorbed in the martial arts I'd taught him, his mind elsewhere.
The guy once called a womanizer and drunkard, obsessed with women and wine, had even forgotten about eros to immerse himself in training. Fresh from that sight, I had no worries there either.
And it wasn't just a simple fling with Atalanta.
I was very much looking forward to seeing how much they'd grown by the time I returned.
"Anyway, shall we get going?"
-Neigh!
As if reading my intent, the white horse standing quietly behind me sidled up and puffed warm breath on the back of my neck.
One of the treasures gained from negotiations with Poseidon, this pristine white steed surpassed even Lu Bu's Red Hare.
I'd named it White Wave, for its galloping form resembled a cascade of pure white surf.
Hesthias, dispatched with Asclepius on Chiron's orders, had marveled endlessly while crafting its bridle—a treasure worthy of being called a divine steed, not merely a horse.
Fashioned by Poseidon, father of horses, from sea foam, this divine beast displayed abilities beyond my expectations. Thanks to it, this journey promised to be quite comfortable.
"That's right, time to run. Show me what you've got."
-Whinny!
I scratched its jaw with a grin, and it sparkled its blue eyes in response—a sight that never failed to inspire awe at its spirit nature.
No need for spurs; a light shake of the reins, and it neighed powerfully, pounding the earth as it charged forward.
"Hyah!"
-Whinny!!
My destination: the Sea of Trials, the western edge known as Oceanus's domain—Erytheia Island.
The path led over sea, so if possible, it would be a chance to see Nesneria after a long while.
Imagining her smile upon reunion, I truly began my first journey.
The fastest route west across the distant sea from my current position was, of course, through Olympia’s grand harbor.
The city from which the Olympics derived their name—a place I knew well. Even now, at regular intervals under the gods' blessings, it hosted grand tournaments encompassing all of Greece, the holy ground of sports.
At the same time, it was the only major port where one could secure passage to the outer sea Oceanus, brimming with peril and opportunity.
-Whinny!
"Yeah, yeah. Breathing fresh air after so long has you excited too."
After watching Jason and the Pesa Arkaines' exploits, I'd immediately turned the horse's head. White Wave had galloped without rest.
Three days into traversing Arcadia with the Taygetus Mountains stretched like a wall to our side.
Ahead lay the Erymanthus Mountains to the north of Arcadia.
This range divided my destination Elis—home to Olympia—the northwestern Greek Achaia, Messenia of the Hero's Forest, and Arcadia. Once called the most vibrant mountain range.
While racing along the mountain path, a clear stream caught my eye. Seizing the chance, I let White Wave drink and refilled my empty waterskin for a break.
"Whew... These mountains make riding anything but easy."
Of course, compared to the Central Plains' Heavenly Mountains or Great Snow Range, they were mere neighborhood hills—gentle and rolling.
But on a long journey by horse, viable paths were surprisingly few.
"Neigh?"
"Huh? No, no. It's not you getting in the way."
White Wave tilted its head, blinking wide-eyed as if shocked at the idea it was a bother. I hurried to soothe it.
Horses were smart, sure—but a spirit forged by a god? No wonder it understood every word. I chuckled wryly.
"Hmm..."
Checking the map for distance and route, I'd run hard, but hadn't come as far as expected.
As mentioned, mountains abounded, paths were rough, and detours plentiful.
Worse, Iasos's tyranny had razed not just Arcadia's villages but sizable cities too—no rest stops remained.
"At least Jason swept the nearby bandits while subduing Thespiae."
The Erymanthus Mountains, bordering the seas, inland, and three major polis alliances, had teemed with people and goods—once the liveliest range.
But now? Past glory. Arcadia, the largest alliance, teetered under Iasos's rule, halting trade flows.
Seizing the gap, the other two turned predatory eyes, preparing to dip into Thespiae's invasion.
Bandits exploited the chaos, swarming the mountains. Arcadia suddenly faced enemies on all sides.
Yet after Thespiae retreated, Jason and Ereanea pondered and launched warrior training raids, purging the Erymanthus bandits.
They planned to resume trade and alliances with the two unions once Thespiae was settled.
"No hassles, so that's a relief."
The mountains had been cleared recently; the nearest village still lay abandoned in ruins.
Except those near Taygetus supported by the Hero's Forest, every settlement and outpost along my path was scorched. After camping at Taygetus's end, I'd been roughing it outdoors for two straight days.
"It's got its own charm, though."
Having lived over a hundred years, with my later decades wandering the Central Plains.
Greece's mild climate year-round and gentle terrain made it an ideal travel spot.
Once my divine duties were done, I could tour leisurely, like a pleasure trip.
"And it'll take at most a month no matter how I roam—no pressure, right?"
-Neigh!
Ah, back when I'd half-retired and set out wandering, driven by a vague urge to see Lake Dongting. I'd packed light and left Daisan, only to regret it sorely.
Pouring internal energy into leaps over mountains and earth—yet the road never ended. How disheartened I'd been.
A thousand li a day was child's play, but against the Central Plains' vast, hellish scale? Dodging eyes via mountains, tangled in troubles—years one way.
By contrast, Greece was pocket-sized from my view.
Cross borders in three days? Mountains in under one?
What could be more comfy and casual?
"This is a proper tour. A tour."
Gods' blessings stocked mountains with boar, deer, bears—prime game. A short forest detour yielded nymph-guarded springs and streams aplenty.
Greece was truly blessed for travelers.
"White Wave, go graze and fill up."
"Neigh!"
I unfastened the reins, and it licked my face excitedly before vanishing into the woods.
True to its spirit nature, left free during rests, it fed itself—and sometimes scouted campsites.
"Gotta get Brother something nice later."
Bidding farewell to this clever divine steed—saving those bratty twins hadn't been wasted—I prepared camp.
Three decades roaming the Central Plains honed my skills; soon, a crackling fire, snug tent, and bubbling pot formed a fine wilderness setup.
"Rabbit from yesterday, grain flour, salt... Oh, where's the wine?"
Rummaging my gear from the last outpost, I pulled out wine (Dionysus Collection, 32-year vintage) for a side drink. As I set the table to eat—
-Whinny!
A urgent cry from the woods froze my hand.