Chapter 593 - 84: Deceiving the Witch
Shen Fei was naturally also looking for what to eat next; let’s just say these Greek demigods are much worse off compared to the Professionals on Blue Star.
Once Professionals reach Tier Three, they almost no longer need to eat.
Of course, eating is still possible, but there’s no need to eat for the sake of nutrition.
But in Ancient Greece, it’s not like that; as long as you haven’t achieved godhood, you have to eat. On the road, Shen Fei and the others were almost always eating dry rations, and they could only get a decent meal in the occasional city along the way.
And then, just at that moment.
Thin mist suddenly arose around them, seeming to isolate the surroundings, and Shen Fei stood up instantly with a vigilant expression.
"Who?"
Shen Fei raised the shield in his hand, along with his long saber.
At this moment, a figure walked out, a petite girl with pointed ears, long pink hair, rainbow-colored pupils, eagle wings on her back.
"Let me introduce myself, I’m Calypso," Calypso said with a smile at the corners of her mouth, waiting for the frightened expressions from the people in front of her.
This malicious amusement, she hadn’t changed a bit.
But Shen Fei merely watched Calypso with a wary expression, "I’ve heard about you, the witch that my ancestor once encountered."
Shen Fei frowned slightly, wondering why Eros hadn’t appeared yet. Though Calypso wasn’t a true Divine Spirit,
just a demigod, her strength was hard to grasp.
If not handled properly, escape is certainly an option, but to rely on her power to solve Scylla might not be possible.
Calypso’s expression changed when she heard Shen Fei’s words, "What did your ancestor say about me?"
Calypso felt a bit expectant; though she hated Odysseus, he was after all a man she had once fallen in love with, so naturally, she wanted to know how Odysseus evaluated her.
Moreover, she didn’t expect that after all these years, Odysseus had actually documented his meeting with her.
"My ancestor said you were a mischievous but kind witch; if it weren’t for your help, he wouldn’t have been able to return home."
Shen Fei naturally made it up, since Calypso, being a witch with a capricious nature and a love-focused mind, could be a terrifying thing—unless, of course, that love happens to be directed at you.
That’s why both Shen Fei and Athena had originally thought of making Calypso fall in love with Shen Fei to deal with Scylla.
Of course, if a Divine Spirit personally descended, they could surely solve Scylla as well, yet the problem is, leaving aside that Scylla is Phorcys’s daughter,
although these old gods have long been pushed into the dustbin, and their ’Divine Authority’ has been supplanted by Poseidon, their power in the ocean likely doesn’t even match that of a sea nymph with a hint of Divine Authority nowadays.
But there are still many connections; having a Divine Spirit personally solve a Sea Siren would be both embarrassing and a loss of face.
And once a Divine Spirit took action personally, it would certainly cause other Divine Spirits to be wary, touching upon Zeus’s taboo against Divine Spirits taking action themselves.
Calypso, not yet a full-fledged Divine Spirit but a witch with means to deal with Scylla, was the best choice.
"Kind..."
Calypso murmured, her playful expression softened a bit, but she quickly forced a stern look and coldly said to Shen Fei, "They are each on opposite sides of the island, you have only one chance.
At your speed, you can only save one, and the other one will forever become a pig left on this island."
"I do know they both have feelings for you, who will you choose to save? It’s indeed exciting."
Calypso watched as Shen Fei’s expression changed dramatically, feeling a joyfulness in her heart.
Calypso let out a silvery laugh, while Shen Fei said incredulously, "Why are you doing this, when my ancestor praised and admired you so much in the records!"
This was naturally an act; Odysseus hadn’t praised her that way, he considered Calypso at best a passerby in his journey home.
If not for her helping him through the Menashe Strait, she might not even have been mentioned in the "Odyssey."
Just like in cities Shen Fei traversed along his journey, where people learned about him slaying the War Bull, it wasn’t unheard of for Greek maidens, young matrons, or even noblewomen to want to have a tryst with him.
Even when heading to Aia Island, he encountered sea nymphs who wanted to befriend him.
This was quite normal in Greece; after all, imitation from above to below, and besides the three Virgin Gods and the Queen of Gods,
there wasn’t too much emphasis placed on such matters; whim dictated their actions.
Fortunately, Shen Fei’s status as a priest from the Artemis Temple shielded him from much of it. Even some sea nymphs dared not offend Artemis.
Let alone Shen Fei, Odysseus had encountered countless women who threw themselves at him. Yet, it wasn’t recorded.
They might have even been forgotten after a night together.
Upon hearing Shen Fei’s words, Calypso merely snorted coldly, "Back then, he chose Scylla, I let him go — I really am a kind person."
"Witch, could you let my companions go?"
Shen Fei assumed Calypso would at most turn them into pigs, or use some other method, never expecting this ’jester’ act.
Choose one of two, whom will you save.
However, this was within their estimation, actually before leaving the temple of Athena, Athena offered plenty of strategies to deal with Calypso.
The things Calypso might do based on her character were all within Athena’s schemes, the reputation of the goddess of [Wisdom] was well-deserved.
Even though Athena didn’t possess the [Prophecy] Divine Authority, she did have [Wisdom] Divine Authority.
Intelligence combined with ample information and reasonable deduction essentially equated to [Prophecy], didn’t it?
All subsequent reactions were based on Athena’s analysis of Calypso’s character and likely choices.
Upon hearing Shen Fei’s plea, Calypso turned colder, "No, you must choose one. If you choose neither, it won’t just be turning into pigs.
But both will die."
That incident from back then remained a thorn in her heart; even though many years had dulled it,
whenever it was brought up, it felt like a dull thorn stabbing at her heart.
Even though she didn’t harbor as much malice toward Shen Fei as before, it wasn’t enough for Shen Fei to bargain with.
After all, she was a witch; how could she possibly go back on her word?
Calypso mumbled in her heart.
Shen Fei spoke in torment, "They both saved my life; if they die because of me, I wouldn’t be able to live either."
"If the witch holds resentment for my ancestor’s departure back then, and this is why you defy your own kindness, I can exchange my own life as penance.
In return for their safe departure."
Calypso’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing Shen Fei’s words, "You’re willing to trade your life for their freedom?!"