```
However, this future was far too unpredictable for Hecate, who was an investor.
On one hand, Zeus and The Three Fates might not give him the chance to grow, and once they noticed and made their move, it would be a loss for Hecate;
on the other hand, if he truly grew into a "Divine King", it was uncertain who between him and Hecate would end up devouring the other.
Therefore, for various reasons, Hecate probably wouldn't wait until then to choose to harvest the "fruit".
And judging by the reaction of that Goddess of the Nether Moon previously, the most likely ti to "harvest" would be—when he beca the chief god?
At this thought, Luo En's mind conjured the image of a twelve-sided die illuminated on nine faces, his eyes narrowing slightly.
—Dice of Chance, inevitable Fate...
It turned out that from the conversation on War God Mountain, the second round of the gamble had already been in progress.
—I lose, the trajectory of destiny has been leveraged by in succession, your Authority of Chance has been indirectly strengthened, and at worst, you could take the opportunity to reshuffle while Zeus and The Three Fates deal with , and proceed to the next "sowing";
—I win, I successfully advance to the chief god, and you can take the opportunity to swallow that mature and strengthened Aspect of Chance from , giving yourself the capital to contend with The Three Fates...
However this plays out, you won't co out a loser, will you?
Realizing that from the very beginning he had not escaped the calculations of his ntor, Luo En suddenly felt a headache coming on.
What the hell? Asking for directions in the Netherworld turned from a straight path to being blocked at both ends.
If I lose, I will be dealt with by Zeus and The Three Fates;
If I win, I will be devoured by Hecate...
How do I even play this ga? This is ridiculous!
Luo En pondered for a mont, his glistening eyes turning towards the Queen of the Underworld across from him, showing a look of sincerity and seriousness.
"If possible, I would like to visit the Elysian Fields before I leave."
Persephone was silent for a while, her gaze sweeping over the black mark on Luo En's chest, and she slowly spoke.
"Tomorrow, I will host a banquet for my godmother."
Upon hearing this, Luo En's heart leapt with joy, and he nodded in understanding.
"Thank you!"
"No need, I am also considering it for linoe; as long as you live, she won't follow in Zagreus's footsteps."
Persephone gently shook her head, admitting candidly, then glanced at her still naive daughter with affection, painfully withdrew her gaze, and waved them off.
"All right, I will send a ssage to my godmother tonight and make so preparations. Just in case, it's best if you don't stay here overnight."
"Yes, rest assured, I will take good care of linoe."
Luo En quickly nodded earnestly and began leading linoe towards the exit.
"Take care of yourself, too..."
The soft, lingering voice ca from behind him. Luo En's figure paused briefly, he nodded gently, and then holding linoe's arm, he concealed their forms and strode out towards the garden.
In the quiet and empty great hall, the Queen of the Underworld, sitting at the dining table, watched the two fading figures in the mist for a long, long ti...
~~
By the river Styx, linoe frequently looked back at the garden hidden in the mist, murmuring hesitantly.
"Actually, staying in the Netherworld, with no worries about food or clothing, and with so many people serving, isn't so bad."
"If it's really as you say, would your mother go to such lengths to send you away?"
Luo En retorted with a light scoff, throwing a glance at the wavering linoe, and murmured introspectively.
"If you don't want to make things difficult for them, just follow obediently. When you're strong enough to control your own fate, it'll not be too late to return."
"Hmm..."
linoe nodded, no longer speaking, and stood quietly waiting.
Not bad, these few days Persephone didn't raise you for nothing, and my teaching wasn't wasted...
Luo En secretly gave this Goddess of Conspiracy a satisfactory assessnt internally, then withdrew his observational gaze, listened to the sound of water churning, and looked towards the ferry slowly approaching through the mist.
```
"It's you, long ti no see."
Ferryman Charon of the Underworld River looked at the familiar face of Luo En on the shore, revealing an exceedingly affectionate smile as he excitedly rubbed his hands together.
Imdiately understanding, Luo En raised his hand and tossed a long piece of the golden bough to Charon, smiling as he spoke.
"This is for our passage for two."
Charon hurriedly caught the golden bough emanating a rich life force, held it up to his nostrils, and greedily absorbed the vitality. His withered flesh and the traces of his decayed old state suddenly showed signs of burgeoning life.
Taking advantage of the mont the Ferryman of the Underworld River began his absorption, Luo En, pulling along linoe by the shore, boarded the ferry.
"Set sail, to the usual place."
"All righty, please hold on tight, we'll be there in no ti!"
Upon hearing the generous custor behind him speak, Charon quickly stuffed the remaining piece of the golden bough into his little treasury, lifted the pole, and steered the ferry directly downstream on the Styx.
On the way, in order to pass the ti, Luo En casually inquired about the recent situation of Sisyphus.
But upon hearing this na, Charon couldn't help grinding his teeth in anger, inevitably launching into a tirade.
"That bastard is truly despicable! He promised extra paynt, yet after returning, he didn't give a di!"
"The God of Death in charge of overseeing Sisyphus's punishnt is your brother, right? If it cos to worst, you can ask him to help collect the debt."
"Don't even bring that up, Thanatos, for so reason, took it all in stride after being locked up by that punk for so long and isn't even the slightest bit angry. Not only does he turn a blind eye from ti to ti to that kid pushing the rock, but he also occasionally brings him wine to drink, wine that's specially reserved for the gods during the grand offering ceremonies - I haven't even had a few tastes of it!"
The more Charon spoke, the angrier he beca, his red eyes almost shooting out flas.
As the Greeks feared death, the deities of the Netherworld seldom received offerings.
Additionally, with the Netherworld filled with deathly energy and lacking in living things, there naturally wasn't much of a supply of food and drink.
Only during the annual grand offering ceremonies, could the gods of the Netherworld obtain so communal offerings, including drinks and food, distributed by the God of Stove, Hestia.
In particular, the divine ambrosia ad originating from Crete, brewed personally by the priests of the Dionysian Sect to pay tribute to the gods, was quite sought after in the Netherworld.
Since Charon had no specific divine authority, he received very little each year, so he naturally abhorred Thanatos's wasteful behavior.
Listening to the verbal barrage from the Ferryman of the Underworld River, Luo En smiled aningfully.
"Perhaps, Thanatos wanted to offer the wines himself?"
Charon looked puzzled, "Offer them himself? Why? That rascal Sisyphus locked him up for good half a year! He got played and still offers treats; did he get kicked in the head by a donkey?"
Glancing at Charon, Luo En inquired lightly, "After being locked up for so long and then returning to his post, was Thanatos's authority over death affected in any way?"
Charon thought for a mont, and a look of surprise flashed through his eyes.
"It seems not?"
For a mont, the Ferryman of the Underworld River furrowed his brows, then added.
"Moreover, it seems to have gotten stronger!"
"That's where the answer lies."
The light in Luo En's eyes flickered as he spoke solemnly, "Death is always present but often overlooked by the living, its reputation unremarkable. Yet once 'death' veers off its destined course, causing unpredictable changes and a series of problems, people start rembering the renown of 'death'.
Like the Sun rising and setting day after day without anyone paying attention,
but if one day it stopped, and then it rose again, people's interest in it would surge like never before, giving rise to discussion and faith. The authority of death would naturally be enhanced."
Realizing the implications from Luo En's musings, Charon suddenly saw the light.
"Thanatos did it on purpose?!"
"Do you really think a re demigod could easily detain a Ruler of the Underworld for so long?"
Luo En asked in return, his gaze filled with mocking playfulness.
"I suspect, there's so secret deal going on between those two."
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain where Sisyphus gets his brazen confidence from.
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