King Laius of Thebes knew from the prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother, so he abandoned him when he was just born. However, Oedipus did not die in the end, but was raised by a shepherd and later adopted by the King of Corinth. When Oedipus grew up, he became a very good person, but after knowing the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, Oedipus was worried that he would really do something bad to the King and Queen of Corinth, so he took the initiative to leave Corinth.
He knew that the king of Corinth was his biological parent, but because of this, his departure led him to Thebes. On the way, Oedipus met a man and had a conflict with him. In the end, he fought and killed the man. At that time, Oedipus did not know that he had killed his biological father, King Laius of Thebes. Afterwards, Oedipus solved the problem raised by the Sphinx.
This issue is almost known to everyone in the Greek world.
What animal walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?
Oedipus gave the answer, which is "man".
Morning, noon and evening respectively refer to a person's childhood, middle age and old age.
After solving this problem, the Sphinx disappeared, and Oedipus, who solved the Sphinx problem, was supported by the local people to become the king of Thebes. He married the queen of the previous king, who was Oedipus's biological mother, and finally gave birth to two children. Later, a plague suddenly broke out in Thebes. Oedipus asked the gods and, under the guidance of the gods, he searched for the murderer who killed the previous king Laius. In the end, he found that he had become the person in the prophecy who killed his father and married his mother.
Although this may just be a legend.
But this also left a mark.
The reason why a prophecy is a prophecy is that it includes everything.
A simple change cannot change the predicted situation at all.
What Pericles did was no different from what King Laius of Thebes did.
Chapter 8, Section 4: Is the prophecy true or false?
To put it bluntly, he wanted to solve the prophecy by his own actions, but in fact, all his actions were actually included in the prophecy. If the prophecy was really true, it would have predicted that Pericles would definitely do this, so this matter would definitely develop in that direction. Therefore, all of this was actually caused by Pericles' own actions, and no one could blame him. It was Pericles who caused Hilde to become like this.
After Hilde finished saying this.
Pericles shook his head helplessly.
"What's the point of saying this now?"
"...I just want you to know that now that Lord Poseidon has helped Athens overcome its difficulties, you should stop caring about this matter. Your hostility towards me is unnecessary. Really, because to me, you are just an ant that can be crushed to death at any time. So, I hope you can clearly understand this and think carefully about the future of Athens." After Hilde said this, he turned and walked away. However, after just two steps, Hilde seemed to have thought of something, so he stopped, turned around and continued, "By the way, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, I will find time to meet Rhodes. I am still very curious about what kind of person the hero who saved Athens is."
"you……"
Pericles panicked again.
If Hilde were to go see Rod, that would be a big deal.
Rhode was a simple-minded girl with a clean mind. If Hilde got involved, wouldn't it make Hilde completely change her mind? Therefore, Pericles really didn't want Hilde to meet Rhode, but just when he was about to say something, Pericles found that Hilde had already left the place with her guards in a very chic manner.
"Ugh……"
Pericles couldn't help but sigh.
I'm afraid things will get more complicated next.
A prophecy is a prophecy. If it is really a prophecy, then nothing can be escaped.
There is actually a second meaning behind Hilde's words.
That is, Athens has now overcome the difficulties. Poseidon's Rhodes saved Athens. Doesn't that prove that Athens has escaped from the prophecy? Doesn't that mean that the prophecy didn't actually work? Pericles also sensed what Hilde said, but he still had some doubts. Because no one knows whether Athens' future will be bright, but... if the prophecy is true, then no matter how hard he struggles, he probably can't escape it.
It is better to just assume that the prophecy is flawed.
For the future of Athens.
Think about it carefully.
Pericles shook his head helplessly, then returned with his men.
At this time, the hostess, Amphiaraos, walked out of the Athenian Spring Courtyard. She looked at Pericles's departing back, feeling helpless and flustered. This situation was equivalent to pushing Amphiaraos into a disadvantageous position. Soon, Pericles and the others would know that what she and Hilde had said was revealed by Amphiaraos. Then, in Athens, she would be considered untrustworthy.
An intelligence chief was considered untrustworthy.
That would be almost equivalent to death.
There will be countless people who want to come and kill Amphiaraos.
This Hilde... didn't we agree to keep it a secret? Why did he tell it to others?
Amphiaraos was so angry that she stamped her feet, but since things had come to this, she had to consider running away. So, Amphiaraos returned to the Spring Courtyard of Athens and ordered her closest servants to prepare to leave Athens tomorrow and go to her hiding place in Corinth, and then continue from Corinth to her vineyard in Kephallonia Island, where she would live for the rest of her life. In this way, there would be no problem.
And Hilde returned to the mansion.
Sophia stood at the door waiting anxiously.
After seeing Hilde come back.
She walked up to Hilde anxiously and said, "Sissi, you, you went today..."
"I know what you want to say, come in and talk."
"Um……"
Hilde pulled Sophia and walked into her room. At this time, Sophia said in a panic: "Sissi, how could you go to the Athena Spring Courtyard? It is a very dirty place, which is totally inconsistent with your noble status. This, this... I heard that you went there, and I was really worried. I was afraid that someone would do something dirty to you."
“Ah, it really is.”
Hilde smiled bitterly and waved his hand.
"When I first went in, there were a few men looking at me while they were tinkering with the pipes."
"Pounding the pipe? What does that mean?"
Sophia was a little confused.
"I originally thought you knew a lot about this kind of thing, but I didn't expect you to know nothing..."
"I don't want this either!"
"Okay, I won't joke with you anymore. The reason is this. I went to the Athenian Spring Courtyard to look for the owner there. You should have heard of her name, Amphiaraos. This person is the head of intelligence in Athens. She specializes in receiving Athens' politicians and dignitaries. Therefore, she knows almost everything about Athens. I have some questions I want to know, so I went to find Amphiaraos to see if I can get anything out of her."
"Ah, I see... Well, did you ask it?"
"Of course I did, although it took a little effort."
Hilde sat on the bed, resting her hands on the edge of the bed, and looked at Sophia in a somewhat casual manner:
"About the prophecy."
"Prophecy? You mean you..."
"Yes, that's it. I've always been curious about why this prophecy came about. I asked Aspasia, but she didn't know the details. She only knew about it from Pericles. Today, I asked Amphiaraus, and then I learned that... this prophecy actually came about before I was born. At that time, the high priest of Athens suddenly sensed the prophecy of the gods, and then told Pericles about it. Pericles didn't believe it at first, but when he saw my hair and eye color when I was born, he believed it."
"…So, what about this high priest?"
Sophia quickly noticed the most critical point.
"Yes, I have to find this high priest."
"But it's been seventeen years since this happened."
The fifth section of the eighth tune is too advanced.
Sophia did a quick calculation.
"The high priests of Athens are basically all over fifty years old, and they are all old men. If it is seventeen years, even if this high priest was only fifty years old at that time, he is sixty-seven years old now, so he is also an old man with gray hair. Now, is this person still alive?"
"It doesn't matter whether he's alive or not. Even if he's not, his children will definitely know something. The former high priest's assistants will definitely know something too. I want to know what this prophecy is about... What god gave it, and what the specific content is. I need to think about these questions carefully... Well, there's no rush for this matter. Let's see what happens later."
Hilde lay down on the bed.
Then he said to Sophia:
"Come here, stay with me for a while."
"Yes……"
Sophia walked carefully to Hilde and lay in Hilde's arms.
"Today is my first time to go to the Athens Spring Courtyard. Do you think the women in the Athens Spring Courtyard are pitiful?"
“…I don’t think it’s pitiful.”
Sophia hesitated for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Perhaps you don't know, Sissi, but most of the people in the Athene Spring Courtyard go there voluntarily, because women there can have enough food to eat and even live a decent life. If they are lucky, they can even be married to a wealthy businessman. After all, the women in the Athene Spring Courtyard are very popular. Many wives of powerful people actually came from the Athene Spring Courtyard, so many women want to go to the Athene Spring Courtyard."
"Too."
Hilde ignored this point.
In ancient Greece, there were actually no strict regulations regarding marriage and sex.
Everything is voluntary.
People would not be ashamed to marry a prostitute, but if she was a famous lady, marrying her home would bring honor to the family. The Greeks were more pragmatic. After all, the women in places like the Athenian Spring Courtyard were beautiful, well-spoken, and good at work. Needless to say, marrying such a woman home was a sure-win business. Of course, female slaves were another matter, but female slaves could also marry a rich man, have him pay them, buy them home, and live a good life.
No wonder there are so many people in that place.
Hilde felt as if his eyes had been opened.
How wonderful.
"Sissi, why are you asking?"
"I'm just curious. I've been there before. I went there today and saw those scenes and things. I felt it was very strange... I can't really explain this feeling, but... after hearing your explanation, I kind of understand it." Hilde held his chin and looked at Sophia lying in front of him, and asked, "But I personally can't accept such a thing. I have a strong possessiveness. Just like you, if others don't even think about touching you, I will definitely blow his head off."
"Xixi, don't worry."
Sophia smiled and said:
"I belong to you alone in this life."
"Well, that's good..." Hilde couldn't help but smile.
But Sophia changed the subject and sighed helplessly: "But you don't belong to me alone."
"Cough cough cough..."
"After all, His Majesty Xerxes is so powerful. Sigh, when you two were in the room, I always stood at the door and felt very uncomfortable. Although I know that it is too much to think so, I also have a desire to monopolize you. I also want to monopolize you... However, my thoughts are quite selfish... It is natural that you are liked by so many people, Sissi, and I am already very satisfied to be favored by you."
"You're saying that again."
Hilde held out her hand.
Gave Sophia a slap on the face.
"Remember, Xerxes's affairs are not a reason for you to feel inferior."
“Then I would care too…”
"What's the point of caring about it? You're still eavesdropping at the door. How about you come in next time?" Hilde thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something and clapped her hands and said, "Yes! Why didn't I think of this? This Xerxes is sometimes difficult to deal with, but she always thinks of herself as the one I conquered, hoping that I would give her orders or torture her... In that case, I don't know if you are willing, Sophia."
"Ah? What should I do?"
Sophia was also stunned.
What is Hilde talking about...
It feels like Hilde is doing something bad.
"That's right. You can join in when the time comes. You don't have to feel so bad about yourself, because Xerxes is a bitch in bed. When the time comes, I'm going to rest, so you can help me bully her. I think based on Xerxes's character, he will definitely not refuse." Hilde exhaled, then reached out and pinched Sophia's cheek. "How about it, is this okay?"
"well--!?"
Sophia sat up quickly.
"This won't work!"
"What's wrong with that..."
"Because... because, I, I am a..."
"Shut up. Who are you? I have the final say. You don't have the final say. Remember, you are the princess of the Byzantine Kingdom. You are the woman I have chosen to spend my life with. At the same time, you are my slave. You have to do whatever I tell you to do. Besides, what are you worried about... I am not sharing you with Xerxes. What I want is for you to take the whip and whip Emperor Xerxes like you are commanding him. Just think about it, isn't it exciting?"
"But, I..."
It was obvious that Sophia was not able to accept this high-end way of playing.
But it doesn't matter.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t accept it.
Just let it be. Xerxes may not agree with this matter anyway.
However, when talking about this issue, the doubts that had troubled Hilde before resurfaced. Xerxes was such a powerful person, but when he saw Hilde, he was as obedient as a little lamb, and wanted Hilde to be superior to him, and even treat him like a dog. Moreover, if it was only in bed, it would be fine, but in reality, he gave him unlimited help in politics and military.
But the geographical location of the Byzantine Empire.
It was destined that the Byzantine Empire would rise.
It must be the great enemy of Persia.
