Nicias wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Lord Hera, this..."
"Why, Hilde came here in person to take a look, and you're so nervous?"
"Lady Hera, it's not true, it's just, alas... who knew that Hilde would come here alone."
“She has the confidence.”
Hera frowned and said coldly, "Is it really because of her that she came here casually? Even if I go out in person, I may not be able to defeat Hilde now. However, she left, which means she also knows that I am here."
"Indeed, if it weren't for Lady Hera, she would probably appear in front of me right now."
"of course."
Hera snorted.
He looked at Nicias's nervous expression.
He sneered with disdain: "Do you regret your decision to resist Hilde now?"
"My lady goddess, there is no..."
"But you have actually been doubting my words. Or rather, the whole of Athens is doubting you, so you are also doubting me." Hera directly pointed out what Nicias was worried about. "Although I have been staying here, I know that the Athenians have been discussing your decision. More than half of them do not agree to defend. Hilde has scared them out of their wits, making them ignore their piety to the gods. Do they want to use surrender to save their wealth and lives?"
"Lord Hera, please calm down."
The 2nd section of the 9th tune gives up all illusions
"Well, that's fine."
Hera waved her hand and stood up.
She walked with an elegant and noble step, her hands gently placed on her chest, and her head held high as she walked to the balcony.
Nicias's house is in a good location. From here, looking west, you can see the core of Athens, the Ares Hill. At the same time, it is located on a high ground, and you can also see many scenery of the eastern city of Athens from here. Now, you can see many soldiers and civilians holding torches, preparing for defense, and transporting weapons and supplies from the warehouse to the temporary military camps around the city wall.
"After all, Hilde is an existence that even gods are worried about. It is normal for you mortals to feel fear."
"Yes, Lady Hera..."
"But she will be punished soon."
Hera gently turned the ring on her finger.
"Tomorrow, I will appear on the walls of Athens."
"Tomorrow?"
"Well, aren't you worried that if I don't show up, the Athenians won't believe you? It doesn't matter. I mean what I say. Since I said I would show up to give you an explanation, then I will definitely show up." Hera smiled and looked at the city of Athens outside. "During this period of time, you have been able to withstand the pressure and persist until now. I have to praise you a few words."
"Lord Hera, this is what I should do."
Nicias heard Hera say this.
It also made me feel a little more relaxed.
but……
He always felt that Hera seemed to have something else in her words.
"Nicias, do you want to know our plan?"
"If Master Hera feels that I can also have the honor of knowing the gods' plan, then please let me know."
"Okay, I'll tell you now..."
——————————Dividing line——————————
Hilde slowly landed in the military camp from the air.
Seeing this scene, Sophia, who was waiting anxiously, rushed over.
"Sissi!"
"Well, I'm back safely."
Hilde touched Sophia's head lovingly, then held her hand and said, "Don't worry, they don't have the guts to arrest me."
"A monarch of a country flies over another country's territory to conduct reconnaissance. This is really Hilde's style." Xerxes couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's a pity that I can't fly. If I could, I would go with you to take a look."
"Don't worry. If we defeat the Olympians, I'll catch you a Pegasus."
"Hahahaha, really? I'm waiting for your good news."
"Don't talk about this for now, I have something serious to tell you."
Hilde took Sophia's hand and walked into her own tent.
Other generals also walked in and lined up on both sides of the throne.
On the left stood Alcibiades, Sitalces, and Tomyris, and on the right stood the commanders of the various legions. It can be said that almost all the generals of this expedition have gathered here. As for Sophia and Xerxes, they stood on Hilde's left and right. After Hilde drank a sip of water, the smile on her face gradually disappeared and she became much more serious.
"Everyone."
Hilde glanced around.
"We have to give up all illusions."
"I just flew over the sky of Athens and found something special. Athens is preparing for a city-wide resistance. They have mobilized far more soldiers than their regular troops, and now at night, they are still preparing supplies for the front line. This means that they already know we are coming, and most importantly, they have no intention of surrendering, but intend to defend the city to the death."
"Then fight!"
Sitalses pounded his chest.
"I am willing to lead the troops and be the first to climb the city wall! The bravery of the Thracians will surely satisfy Your Majesty!"
"I'll take the lead!"
Tomyris also volunteered to take a step forward.
"The warriors of Scythia, even without horses, are braver than the Thracians!"
"Hmm?" Sitalses frowned and looked at Tomyris next to him, "You, little dwarf, what are you talking about!"
"Who are you calling a dwarf?"
Looking at the two of them, they were on the verge of a fight.
Hilde knocked on the table and said coldly, "Both of you go to the side and have a rest."
"Yes……"
Hilde didn't even speak aloud.
Just a cold word made Tomyris and Sitalses feel her anger.
So the two of them quickly stepped back and didn't dare to continue talking nonsense.
Seeing this scene, Xerxes pursed his lips and winked at Sophia.
Sophia also reacted quickly. She hurried to Hilde's side and said softly, "Your Majesty, Lord Sitalses and Lord Tomyris are just anxious to serve the country. Your Majesty, please don't be too angry."
"I know, I haven't finished what I'm saying yet, why are you in such a hurry?"
Hilde looked at Tomyris, whose head was drooping.
He said helplessly: "Tomyris, you have led the cavalry on a forced march all the way, and you have worked hard. However, you and your Scythian cavalry may have more difficult tasks to deal with. Therefore, I am afraid that I can't let your cavalry abandon their horses and participate in the siege."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Tomyris bowed.
He didn’t say much.
And Sitalses glanced at Tomyris, he did not get proud, but lowered his head and asked: "Your Majesty, what are your specific arrangements?"
"Now, what is certain in the city is that, in addition to the oracle Nicias, Nicias' god, Hera, is also in the city. In other words, this time, a god will also participate in this battle to defend the city. Therefore, this battle is completely different from the battle in Thebes. I don't need to explain... In the last battle with Apollo, even the King of Thracian, you should know how terrifying they are."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Everyone knew how dangerous this battle would be.
Since the other party has a god in charge.
"So, with Hera here, the Athenians will never surrender. But we can't attack the city tonight. Tomorrow, I will send an envoy to contact the Athenians. By then, I will be able to find out what we should do next and the other side's movements through the envoy."
"Yes!"
"You guys go back and have a good rest first."
Hilde waved her hand.
The other generals left the king's tent first.
Finally, only Tomyris was left standing in front of Hilde.
"What's the matter, Tomyris?"
"Your Majesty, Lady Artemis, what will she do?"
Chapter 3 of the Ninth Tune: Tomyris's Concerns
Hearing Tomyris mention Artemis' name.
Hilde just raised his head.
"Lady Artemis...her attitude is quite complicated right now. You know, it is unlikely that she will fight directly with her brothers and sisters. She is a very kind god. She is not willing to take action against us, but her attitude towards her relatives is the same. Therefore, this time, unless the situation is extremely critical, Lady Artemis will stay behind."
"Yes, can I go see her?"
"Of course, this is your freedom."
Hilde seemed to have sensed Tomyris's concerns.
"You don't have to be overly restrained. Although you are now a general of the Byzantine Kingdom and my subordinate, you are still the oracle of Lady Artemis. You can still freely go to Lady Artemis and say whatever you want. But, remember one thing."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"We have a huge conflict of interest with the Olympian gods. That is why we cannot trust everything the gods on Mount Olympus say."
Hilde slowly closed her eyes.
He said in a casual manner:
"You can judge for yourself."
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hilde has made it clear.
Tomyris also knew that no matter what happened next, she would have to carefully consider what Artemis said. This also meant that in Hilde's heart, she didn't really believe that Artemis was on Hilde's side. Therefore, Tomyris knew very well that if Artemis really said something that conflicted with the interests of the Byzantine Kingdom, then how should Tomyris think and decide?
After a salute.
Tomyris left the king's tent.
She went straight to a special tent behind the king's tent.
"Lady Artemis."
"You came?"
I saw Tomyris come in.
Artemis seemed surprised.
"Is the military meeting over?"
"Yes, it's over." Seeing the smile on Artemis' face, Tomyris felt better. "Your Majesty has told us the strategy for the future battle, as well as the specific situation that Your Majesty just discovered when he went to the sky above Athens. In other words, the battle will probably begin tomorrow."
"What's going on?"
Artemis walked up to Tomyris.
He took her hand and came to his bed.
After Tomyris sat down, Artemis asked anxiously, "What is the current situation?"
"Your Majesty discovered from the sky above Athens that the Athenians had no sincerity in negotiating. They had mobilized all the available troops in Athens and concentrated all their strength to defend the city of Athens. In addition, the Athenian oracle Nicias was with the goddess Hera. In other words, Athens' determination to defend the city was probably an order from Hera. This battle was inevitable."
"Um……"
Artemis nodded.
