Mad Mountains 2/5

Several days later, at Mount Parnassus.

Samael led Medusa, Athena, Ladon, Cerberus, Harpy, and others to the foot of Mount Sumeru. Looking up at the towering, cloud-piercing peaks, a wild and heavy atmosphere enveloped them.

Located at the border of the three provinces of Phocis, Phthiotis, and Boeotia, this area runs from northwest to southeast and consists of limestone mountains in the Bandus Mountains of central Greece.

In Greek Mythology, the most famous event associated with Mount Parnassus is the birth of humankind.

Legend has it that Pandora opened the box, and humanity fell into depravity. The Olympian Gods then unleashed Great Flood to destroy the old humanity, which no longer possessed virtue.

Deucalion, a descendant of Prometheus, and his wife Pyrrha built an ark and escaped by chance. They ended up here and received help from Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess, who helped them recreate new humans with stones near her temple.

Clearly, the hidden temple on Mount Parnassus has an extraordinary connection with the Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess.

Samael came to visit this grandmother of the Greek World.

However, as they approached the end of the journey, night fell. After a brief discussion, the group decided to rest for the night in a mountain hollow to recover the energy depleted from their long trek.

Outside, Athena Medusa, these two sworn enemies, seemed to have a very good understanding.

One side was responsible for finding firewood and gathering food, while the other side built a camp, inscribed defensive spells, and sprinkled medicinal powder to repel insects and beasts.

After settling in, the two goddesses drew lots to determine their order of taking turns keeping watch at night.

Furthermore, they thoughtfully assigned the weary Samael to the last group so that the ancient snake could rest beforehand.

Samael, lying in the camp, looked at the two figures sitting side by side by the campfire, earnestly discussing tomorrow's exploration plan, and felt quite gratified.

Indeed, these two are natural enemies and have often fought and sabotaged each other because of Xiao Xi.

However, judging from Typhon's previous invasion and this recent expedition to Mount Parnassus...

In truly critical moments, Medusa and Athena can support each other and rely on one another.

Sisters may quarrel within the walls, but unite against external threats. While this relationship may not be entirely harmonious, it is quite remarkable that they restrain and discipline each other according to the severity and urgency of their feelings.

It was worth it for the teachings he, the Serpent Mother, Tina, Themis, and Chiron took turns imparting.

Seeing that there was nothing to worry about, Samael decisively closed his eyes to rest, letting the two girls work out together on their own.

The ancient snake slept very soundly.

When he woke up refreshed, he led his silly dog Cerberus to switch shifts with Athena and Harpy in the final round. At the warning line at the mountain pass, there was a different kind of scenery.

Samael, leading the hellhound, stepped forward with great interest to examine it.

Yes, these two grayish-white stone sculptures in the shape of giant wolves must be Medusa's masterpiece.

The giant's corpse over there was scattered in pieces on the ground. Some parts showed signs of frost, scorching, corrosion, and cutting. The hundred-headed dragon Ladon, who had been awakened, must have used this guy as a target to experiment with Magecraft.

The two giant bats nailed to the rock wall were killed with a single blow from bronze spears, their force piercing the rock, undoubtedly the work of Athena.

As for Harpy's spoils, Samael's lips twitched slightly as he gazed at the sizzling, oily wild boar meat roasting over the campfire.

This bird is still the same as always; it never misses a chance to find food, no matter the time.

Seeing the two pieces of wild boar meat skewered on spears, their skin crisp and golden brown, almost overcooked, he took one off and prepared to offer it to his lips, wanting to taste the treat the students had given him.

However, just as the wild boar meat was about to enter its mouth, the ancient serpent twitched its brow and smiled gently at Cerberus.

"You've worked hard these past few days. Here, have something to eat first."

After a moment of hesitation, Samael crouched down, gently stroked Cerberus's head, and offered the boy a piece of wild boar meat skewered on a spear.

Smelling the enticing aroma of the sizzling meat and the rich magic contained within, the hellhound howled excitedly, then pounced on the sizzling meat, tearing and swallowing the delicious smoked meat.

After wolfing down the half-portion of pork, Cerberus licked his gums as if he hadn't had enough.

Half an hour later, the ancient snake glanced at the silly dog circling around him with longing in its eyes, and patted its fluffy head with a smile.

Hmm, it seems this isn't some alchemical residue that Athena deliberately created; it's actually edible.

Then, the ancient snake picked up the wild boar meat it had pierced with its spear, sat on a rock, and enjoyed it with peace of mind.

However, considering that this silly dog had tested the poison for him, Samael still spared some tough bones to appease the eagerly waiting Cerberus.

Completely unaware that it had been unwittingly tricked, the hellhound continued to happily follow the serpent around.

During the tedious night watch, Cerberus's three heads actually amused themselves, tearing at each other with expressive faces, quite like the spirited essence of the three sled dogs.

At daybreak, everyone got up and gathered to Shiki head up the mountain to search for the Mother Goddess hidden within.

However, before the temple could be found, a considerable number of gods, monsters, and demons that inhabited the area were dragged out in a chaotic mess.

However, Samael and his men released all the residents who had been disturbed by the misfortune.

After all, it's a bit unreasonable to say that after killing the monsters that attacked them in the mountain valley, they should search the entire mountain and slaughter all the monsters that have been stirred up.

Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess, is the goddess of the earth and also the goddess of life. Who knows if these demonic beasts are under her protection?

But three days passed, and they searched almost every limestone rock and every cave entrance, but they still couldn't find the mysterious building on Mount Parnassus.

Samael himself even doubted whether the mythological account was wrong.

"Don't you think these gods and monsters dwelling on Mount Parnassus are too weak?"

However, with Athena's prompting, Samael suddenly realized the truth.

It's a bit too much for these idiots, who are used to being tormented to the point of ecstasy, to occupy such a large space.

Therefore, Gaia must exist, but this goddess of the earth is not someone anyone can meet at will.

Helpless, Gu She gestured to the two maids behind him.

Athena Medusa each summoned Goatskin Divine Shield and a time scythe. The two artifacts rubbed against each other, and the surging ripples spread in all directions.

"Boom!"

Moments later, clouds gathered and descended from the sky, forming a thick fog that seemed to seal the area off. The mountain trembled, and the entire Mount Parnassus was torn apart, revealing a narrow passageway leading to the interior.

Once the tremors subsided, Samael took a deep breath, stepped into the abyss, and headed towards the dark and deep earth's Abyssal Layers.

But as they ventured deeper, the Serpent Eyes focused, stabilizing its vision. The scenery reflected in the stone walls on either side of its eyes made Samael gasp.

Wow, this place inside the mountain is insane!