'Why would Aphrodite try to discredit Olympus?!'

'Is this why all of her temples were intact?!'

'I don't understand....'

Alex was puzzled, perplexed, confused.

Aphrodite wasn't the most popular or benevolent goddess of the bunch, and following the results of the latest divine council, she might have wanted to enact retribution upon Olympus, but it wasn't logical to harm the very organization she was a part of, in Alex's opinion.

"Alexei-boy, are you coming?!" Hermes exclaimed from the corridor beyond the room.

Alex nervously stuffed the letter into his pocket and decided to keep this for himself for now.

'I'd presume Aphrodite has some trump cards up her sleeves...I'll keep this letter a secret as my own hidden trick against her..' Alex thought that he could use this letter to vilify Aphrodite and further distance her from his sphere if he kept it a secret.

"I'm here.." Alex reunited with Hermes.

Hermes was currently using his scepter to heal the women, who had bruises and wounds over their bodies.

"As it turns out, he was an even more disgusting fr*eak than we thought."

Alex nodded, but he realized his movements were a bit stiff.

'I'm so bad at hiding secrets...'

Hermes frowned slightly but he didn't say a word.

After that, they found that all of the guards gathered outside and confusion was visible on their faces.

"People, you were manipulated by a servant of jeopardy to rebel against your queen!"

Hermes was as resourceful as always, taking advantage of their confusion to bring them to Nephis' side.

Alex realized very early on that Hermes wasn't someone he should ever make an enemy out of.

He might not be the strongest, but he had other ways to manipulate events, people, and things to make them go his way.

'Actually, I don't think I've ever seen Hermes fight, so I don't even know if he's strong....' Alex suddenly caught on to the fact that the latter his strength extremely well, and very often, a cloud of mystery engulfed the space directly underneath his always-smiling face.

"Why are you staring, Alexei-boy~~?" Hermes asked playfully.

"Nothing, really, let's just go back," Alex shrugged and gave up.

Following their successful recruitment of the strong guards, they went back to the underground base where Nephis fidgeted around, anxiously awaiting a positive piece of news.

Fortunately, they had just that, and they informed her of everything that happened.

Alex didn't mention the letter, obviously.

Nephis suddenly kowtowed to Alex, and she said, "Lord Alex, you requested for a million temples?"

"No, that was just a jok-

"As soon as I am able to collect taxes again, I will personally order for the construction of temples to Your Honour in all of my lands." Nephis spoke very seriously, and her eyes exhibited her strong determination.

'Tax money to build a million temples for me? Now I sound like a tyrannous god.....'

Alex gave up, and Hermes' sarcastic proposal ended up turning into a concrete plan.

Nephis also proposed, "Lord, let us do a campaign to announce your accomplishment of taking back Kabura."

"That's a great idea!" Hermes interjected.

"I...don't know..." Alex was worried about Aphrodite's involvement in this matter.

He was already on unfavorable terms with her, and offending her, even more, didn't seem very wise.

Hermes took him to the corner of the base and whispered, "You're worried about her involvement in this, right?"

Alex frowned, but he knew who 'her' was.

He continued, "Alexei-boy, I know that witch very well, she plays around like this very often, and her male puppets make these sh*tshows for her to entertain herself, she doesn't care at all."

'Should I tell him about the letter....?' Alex was conflicted.

He had a doubt that this wasn't just an occasional play of hers, but something on a much larger scale.

He couldn't prove it, considering that the contents of the letter have been erased, but its sole existence was strange.

"Alexei-boy, if this works, this is going to promote you to the level of a very prominent minor god in Olympus, and you'll be one step closer to being able to defend yourself against Aphrodite."

"I think...you convinced me," Alex rubbed his head.

"Hermes?"

"Yes?"

"Take a look at what I found in Mar's room," Alex ultimately passed Hermes the letter.

Hermes examined the letter and frowned.

"It has that disgusting scent," Hermes stated.

He continued, "I understand, but Alexei-boy, I know Aphrodite very well. Whether you publicize your victory or not, she is going to take her revenge upon you."

Alex gulped.

"You'.....re right."

After that, they all left the base, and Nephis rode along on the same chariot as earlier.

To offer more credibility, Alex flew next to the chariot, and his large wings flaunted his supernatural status.

"My people, with the divine aid of the god of humanity, Lord Alex, I have taken back the city of Kabura from the traitors and the terrorists!"

As the chariot moved along the streets, there were many onlookers who observed Alex with reverence, and 'Queen Nephis' with admiration.

"My people, our next stop is the proper land, my birth city, and the place I deserve to live, Balkh!"

"From today on, our patron god shall be Lord Alex!"

It was domineering, and with the massive success attributed to Alex, Nephis stood like a true monarch.

The chariot stopped at the palace of Kabura, where Nephis will temporarily move before setting her eyes on the Imperial Palace, in Balkh, where the rebels have thoroughly consolidated their power.

Meanwhile...

___________________________________

There was an immense fortress near the sea.

The coast was dotted with sharp cliffs, and gargantuan waves slapped the cliffs every second or so, and the forces of the sea fought off with the earth for eternity.

The land was barren, and no crop would ever grow on the rocky soil of this place.

Inside the palace, a large and dimly lit hall hosted a throne made of wood branches.

Atop the throne, a woman sat, and her frowning eyebrows and sharp magenta eyes showed extreme displeasure.

Her platinum blonde hair glowed slightly under the dim light of a chandelier, and a man bowed in front of her.

The man had a pink glint to his eyes and moved lifelessly.

"Lady Aphrodite, Mar, one of your subjects in Kabura, has been murdered, and under a supernatural influence," The man spoke monotonously.

"That's alright, the one in Balkh is more useful than that debaucher anyways," Aphrodite smirked as if she was indifferent, but it was very clear that she was furious.

"Anyhow, did you receive a response from Hercules?" Aphrodite asked and bit her lips.

"Lady Aphrodite, Sir Hercules has approved of your negotiations and is heading from the Colosseum, in the city of Romulus, in Italia to our fortress."

Aphrodite nodded.

She then stared at the scholarly-looking man as if she was expecting something.

"Lady Aphrodite, you are as beautiful as the eternal moon and sun, and no god or goddess can ever rival your beauty."

"Hahahahahahahaha..."