Chapter 86: The Emperor So Great He Became a God (1/2)

After concluding the fight in an overwhelming victory, Alex immediately went back to Balkh.

Then, he announced his victory to Nephis, who repeatedly kowtowed and thanked him.

”Lord Alex, I shall commence construction of a million, no, two million temples in your honor when I reach Balkh with my troops.”

Alex averted his eyes and didn't reply as it didn't seem he could dissuade her.

Hermes grabbed him and led them to a more discreet location.

”Assuming you were successful, that means you didn't meet 'her', Alexei-boy?” Hermes asked him with a sharp expression.

Alex shook his head and answered, ”I met a servant god of hers.”

”However, I am pretty sure Aphrodite is up to something very large.”

Hermes nodded his head and placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. He clenched the latter's shoulders and he declared, ”I will keep on the lookout.”

Tension filled the air and Alex felt stiff.

Alex frowned and nodded.

”Lords, do you wish to guide us on your campaign?” Nephis suddenly entered the room.

Her words relieved the tense atmosphere, and Hermes chuckled and replied, ”We'll be fine, we have a banquet to catch up to.”

Nephis nodded and bowed, and then she left.

”We should move, we should be able to reach our next stop before dusk,” Hermes stated.

”And where's that?” Alex inquired like a child who had unbound curiosity towards the world.

”Patliputra, we're invited to a banquet by the emperor there. I don't think you know him, his name is Ashoka.”

'Ashoka?' Alex contemplated.

'Isn't that...that arrogant prince's father?' Alex recalled the mortal he fought back in Olep, and how he almost shamefully lost.

Surprisingly, a sense of nostalgia enveloped him.

'I was so weak by then...and I didn't know anything about this place...' Like a flash of light, almost an entire year had passed since he consumed Ambrosia and set out to deliver the blessing in Abdera.

”What are you thinking about~~?” Hermes awoke him from his trance.

Alex rubbed his head and waved his hand, ”Nothing, let's just move.”

Following that, the two bid their goodbyes to Nephis, who now looked like she was 10 years younger than they first met her.

”I wholeheartedly thank you for everything.” Nephis bowed to the two of them.

Alex blushed and realized that it felt nice to know that his actions could now have a large impact on the world, and a positive one at that.

”Well, we've got to go.” Hermes enlarged the chariot to fit the two of them and sat upon one of the seats.

Alex followed along and the chariot hovered into the air and blasted in the eastern direction.

Nephis was waving at them, and Alex reciprocated.

”We're leaving Hellenia....” Hermes announced out of the blue.

”Really?”

”Yes, the only influence Olympus had beyond this place is through passing merchants and diplomats.”

”Do we have any pantheons to worry about?”

Hermes fell into deep thought and then put a finger up into the air.

He replied, ”Hindustan(1) is protected by Buddha, and even though all pantheons are authorized within his realm, wars between the pantheons are forbidden and will attract the extremely unlikely ire of Buddha.”