Chapter 579 - 70: Demigod?
"Athena."
When Artemis thought of this name, a hint of caution appeared in her eyes. Even the father god was somewhat afraid of this goddess known for her wisdom.
Regarding her half-sister born from their father’s head, who was endowed with the divine authority of "Wisdom" from birth, and especially because of a past prophecy.
The father god forcibly limited Athena, fearing she would overthrow him later, thus granting her the divine authority of "Peace" and making her the goddess of peace.
Yet, Athena’s presence is always amidst many wars.
Though known as the goddess of "Peace," she possesses part of the "War" divine authority and connects "Peace" with "War" just like she connects "Fertility" and "Moon" now.
This alone reveals her "Wisdom."
It can be said that in the Mortal World,
Athena’s faith is one of the most widespread, second only to that of Father God Zeus and Celestial Empress Hera.
The divine authority she gathers is incredibly formidable.
As for why use the ’Hunting Festival’ to replace ’Human Sacrifice.’
According to her, since humans were her creation, and war was unavoidable, even reducing mortal casualties from war slightly was beneficial.
Moreover, the ’Hunting Festival’ could increase Greeks’ devotion to Artemis, especially since at that time Artemis was already annoyed by Ares.
She thought of replacing it at her whim, as she didn’t possess the divine authority of "War." Changing ’Human Sacrifice’ to ’Hunting Festival’ wouldn’t grant her any "War" divine power.
But now she realized it.
If it were the other gods, they might not even care, but Ares, this guy.
Ares’ character was naturally extremely domineering.
The divine authority of "War" had already largely been divided by Athena, and Artemis replacing ’Human Sacrifice’ with ’Hunting Festival’ only added fuel to the fire.
Having Athena overpower him was one thing, but now Artemis also got involved, thus spoiling everything...
Artemis hadn’t completed her contemplation when Shen Fei interrupted, "My deity, that blasphemer’s plan is to use flames to burn the Artemis Temple, could it be related to the Fire God?"
Shen Fei guided Artemis’ thoughts towards Hephaestus.
If it were merely a world without divine spirits, this might have been a madman’s plot, but in a world with divine spirits.
It made Shen Fei speculate whether this might be a grand ritual; there has to be a divine spirit behind it directing.
"That cripple?"
Artemis’ thoughts were interrupted by Shen Fei, upon hearing his words, she frowned slightly, "I have no enmity with that cripple. During the Trojan War..."
As she spoke, Artemis hesitated, "I once turned the quiver he gifted me into a Nymph’s cage, used to imprison the Nymph."
Nymph?
After two months of learning, Shen Fei also understood what a Nymph was; Artemis’s companions in the forest and also mythical elves.
Nymphs were fallen elves.
Suddenly Shen Fei came up with a thought, cautiously inquiring, "Was there any significance to that quiver?"
Artemis seemed to open up and didn’t care that her interlocutor was merely her priest, coldly saying, "That guy’s wife became Ares’s mistress, yet he dared not channel his anger against Ares.
He instead sought to reclaim what belonged to a God of Men from other goddesses. That quiver was crafted at my request when he made the Moon Bow to express his love to me.
He did not expect such an outcome, and he was too weak. Since his wife was taken from him, he should have reclaimed her.
Instead of seeking a sense of existence from others!"
Artemis didn’t mention how she had once even scolded Hephaestus, to avoid affecting her image before her followers.
Shen Fei understood.
According to Greek mythology, Hephaestus himself was an honest and cowardly man.
An honest man going mad indeed might lead to many unexpected actions.
"My deity, in that case, shall I have someone capture that blasphemer?"
Artemis felt a bit irritable. This involved two gods, maybe even Athena’s handiwork behind the scenes.
If so, it involved three gods.
The key is Laxsis’ prophecy, which even her father god found hard to reverse.
Even if she now knew her faith being destroyed was very likely related to Ares and the others, she couldn’t easily change it.
Or she alone could hardly accomplish it.
"Let me think, for now, watch over that blasphemer. You’ve done well this time, plus with your written scriptures, they will become one of the holy texts of the Artemis Temple.
This is your blessing."
Artemis casually dropped a touch of divine power onto Shen Fei, who felt his mastery of Magic elevated by two tiers.
Simultaneously, his strength surged, as if some force was unlocked.
In an instant.
Artemis was slightly taken aback as she discovered her power hadn’t enhanced this priest’s strength, but rather unlocked the original power within his body...
"Demigod?"
Artemis looked at Shen Fei, eyebrows furrowed, "What’s your name?"
"Shen Fei."
Shen Fei naturally used the Greek phonetic translation.
"Shen Fei..."
Artemis slightly frowned. This wasn’t a demigod’s name; typically, a demigod’s name symbolizes the source of their divine power.
Like Hercules’ name, also known as ’Hera’s Glory,’ signifies that although he’s a son of Zeus, he once received Hera’s strength.
But there is also another possibility, perhaps casually a god united with a mortal, giving birth, much like her father god, with countless sons, though those renowned are the few.
Others remain unknown; only those who genuinely become heroes are sons of Zeus.
Possibly, Shen Fei shared a similar fate, merely becoming her priest by chance, his inherent divine power activated by hers.
Artemis gently placed her hand above Shen Fei’s forehead, while Shen Fei wasn’t worried about revealing anything, as this place was covered by Blue Star Heavenly Dao’s power.
Which indicated the overseer was Blue Star.
If Blue Star Heavenly Dao wanted to pry into his memory, it would have already done so thoroughly.
"Mastering so many skills, along with strength incomparable to a demigod?"
Artemis exclaimed with amazement, realizing back then only Hercules had such power.
Even Achilles had the strength of a demigod only because his mother had dipped him in the Nether River.
But Shen Fei now possessed such power.
"Even my father couldn’t easily produce such a demigod unless he is a true divine spirit, or perhaps he is a Son of Titan, though a demigod still comparable to divine spirits."
Artemis entertained many thoughts, looking at Shen Fei with an inquisitive gaze.