Behind the third line of defense, inside the hastily erected tents, monsters, heroes, gods, and countless other figures hurried in and out, all moving at a frantic pace.
"How are the reinforcements from each side?"
"About eighty percent of the fighting strength the nearby city-states can spare has arrived. They're camping outside the city for now. But our losses are heavy, and the troops are worn down. Nearly half need rest and treatment."
"Teacher Horse, you, Asclepius, and Orpheus, gather the Magi and healers from the Academy of Athens. Also requisition the priests and ritualists from Delphi and form a medical team. Start treating the wounded immediately.
"Inner-city security can be loosened a little. Anyone who still has the energy will rotate in three shifts for defense.
"As for the missing alchemy ingredients, go to Daphne and the three Nyx Goddesses. Have them lead the nymphs from the Arima Caverns to collect and deliver supplies. We just cleaned out the Sacred Garden, so that should tide us over for now."
"Got it. I'll take care of it right away!"
Sage Chiron nodded seriously and immediately led a group of students off to start receiving and treating the wounded.
Daphne, having been assigned as well, hurriedly beat her wings and rushed after him with her sisters in tow.
Samael continued flipping through the emergency tallies and situation reports on parchment while speaking with the familiar faces in the tent, assigning tasks and laying out solutions.
"Thebes' reinforcements ran into scattered enemy harassment?
"Heracles, Castor, Pollux. Take the rested Sparta soldiers and go meet them. Remember, your priority is to cover their withdrawal. Don't get dragged into a prolonged fight. Every bit of strength matters right now."
Heracles thumped his chest with a grave nod, took the parchment, and glanced through it. He paused, then looked at his friend bent over the work. The hard lines of his face softened.
The Theban group seemed to be half militia, half civilian. And among them was his wife, the one he'd fallen out with completely.
Heracles raised a hand, motioning for his three sons, now returned to him, and left to carry out the order.
The Spartan twin swordsmen gathered a good number of their divine-blood guards and clustered behind Heracles, clearly intent on backing up one of their own.
"Iolcos has fallen? A huge wave of refugees is pouring in? That fast?
"Caenis, I'm giving you three Pegasus squads. Go escort the refugees. Athens is too far. After you reach the valley behind the third defensive line, settle them there. There's no such thing as an absolutely safe place anymore."
"Hah, Theseus, you finally remembered me! If I stayed with this bunch of coastal types any longer, I'd start growing moss!"
The dark-skinned warrior rolled her shoulders and stretched her waist, practically vibrating with impatience to get out of the Thessaly camp. With orders in hand and excitement written all over her face, she hurried off to gather her unit.
The sea demigods who'd been insulted for no reason glared. If Peleus and Telamon hadn't held them back, that foul-mouthed brat who couldn't open her mouth without offending someone might've been swarmed on the spot.
She's going to get herself killed by that mouth one day.
Samael rolled his eyes at Caenis as she strutted off, then raised his head and looked toward the Thessaly group.
"A breach has opened up near Iolcos. To keep those things from swinging around our flank, the coastal interception and harassment missions are yours."
"Yes, Your Highness…"
Peleus rose and nodded. Facing the figure surrounded by Athena, Medusa, and Themis, he used a title that fit the situation.
At this point, every human city-state was following the orders of Athens and War God Mountain. And this Theseus was not only Athens's new king, but also the master of War God Mountain. Taking the seat of leader of the Greek city-states and the human allied army was only natural for him.
"Little Nine, go with the Mother of Serpents to the forest behind the mountain. Keep the magical beasts of the Arima Caverns in line. If any of them won't behave, consider it an extra meal for you."
"Hiss!"
"Boss, take a few familiar faces and slip out to the nearby harbors and hilltops. Set up hidden sentries and keep a tight watch on the Storm Sea. Report to me every ten minutes."
"Understood!"
"Stheno, Euryale, I heard you brought in a craftsman from Daedalus's line. Have him repair the city walls. Any materials or manpower you need, report it to Themis first."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You just love ordering people around…"
"Athena, pull the troops together. In two hours, I want a clear count of how many people we can actually use."
"Don't worry. Leave it to me!"
...
Everything moved forward in an orderly way. In barely half an hour, the piled-up issues in both the front and rear were dealt with one by one, and the flow of people coming in and out of the tent gradually thinned.
Medusa, who was also badly drained and had been deliberately kept in the tent to recover, stared a little blankly at the person at the desk. Sometimes he frowned and thought, sometimes he issued orders, sometimes he flipped through parchment reports and broke down the situation.
Without even looking up, Samael finished approving the last parchment on the table, the one concerning weapon and armor losses and resupply, then tossed it to Sisyphus.
What? I'm supposed to take War God Mountain's token and go squeeze supplies out of Hephaestus?
And he didn't even write down quantities. So how much I can get depends on how good I am at talking, huh?
Sisyphus's mouth twitched. With a helpless sigh, he headed out of the tent.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Ana?"
That calm question reached Medusa like a clap of thunder.
Panic flickered across the goddess's face. She looked flustered, hands at a loss, and stammered.
"N-no… nothing… It just feels like I'm back at the divine tower in the royal palace of Uruk."
"It is kind of nostalgic. That place taught me quite a lot."
After a few quiet words of reminiscence, Samael cleared the desk, stood, and walked to the sand table set up inside the tent to analyze the broader situation.
"Mm. It really is lucky you used to be Uruk's Shepherd King, Samael. You've got the experience to handle emergencies, and the city-states are willing to trust you. Otherwise, this would've been a mess."
Medusa steadied herself. A nostalgic smile rose to her lips, and her deep violet eyes sparkled.
Even after hundreds and thousands of years, warm memories like those never truly faded. Compared to Greece, this girl clearly still preferred the atmosphere of Uruk.
Samael made a few subtle adjustments to the troop placements on the sand table, then tossed a written order to the fat owl on the shelf that was preening its feathers.
The little fellow had once delivered golden apples, and it was obvious someone had spoiled it with snacks until it got round. It blinked its still-bright eyes, clamped the bamboo tube in its beak, and flew off to deliver the message to its mistress, Athena.
"Alright. Most of what we can handle here is arranged. The rest has to be checked on-site. Come on, walk with me."
Samael let out a long breath and gestured behind him. Medusa pressed her lips together, nodded, and followed in small steps.
The moment they stepped out of the tent, a smooth, warm touch like polished jade settled into Samael's palm.
He glanced down at the slender, boneless hand, a half-smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Medusa's cheeks flushed red. She tried to pull back as if shocked, but her fingers were held firmly…
The tent flap lifted, and two figures walked out side by side, fingers interlaced, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Along the way, the city was battered and scarred. Humans and gods alike hurried from place to place, and the air was thick with anxious, stifled tension, like a storm about to break.
Even on this "walk," Samael spent most of the time reallocating resources and putting out fires. There wasn't much room for actually taking a breather.
Halfway along the defense line, outside a camp that received divine-blood heroes and guaranteed supplies and lodging, a loud commotion rose at the gate.
"Only those with proven merit are allowed in here. You think you can just slip past?"
The already-irritated gatekeeper shoved a disheveled, travel-worn man back impatiently.
"I really am someone with merit!"
The young man's face was sallow. He argued through clenched teeth.
The gatekeeper glanced at his empty hands and looked even more disdainful.
"You don't even have a decent weapon. You say you are, so you are? Who's going to prove it? I've seen plenty of people like you trying to game the system."
"I…"
The young man's face tightened in embarrassment. In the end, he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and turned to leave without another word.
"I can vouch for him. He has the right to go in…"
The sudden, familiar voice made the young man freeze. He turned toward it, his expression turning stunned, and he stammered.
"L-Lor… Th-Theseus-sama…"
"Long time no see, Jason…"
Samael smiled faintly and gave a calm nod.
...
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