The Greece Antagonist

Chapter 180 The Ancestor Arrives, Justice Ensues (5.7k, total of 8.3k for the day completed)_3

But due to the influence of the Dionysian Sect spreading, the acts of worship and assembly in secret by the common folk continued unabated despite prohibition.

Therefore, in fury, Pentheus declared the Dionysian Sect a heretical cult that bewitched the masses, and he severely hunted down its followers, casting them all into prison.

Even his own mother, for participating in the Dionysian Sect's secret "Joyful Banquets" with a group of noblewomen, was also locked up.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Neither the warnings of Tiresias, the blind seer of the temple, nor the persuasion of the old king, Cadmus, could change Pentheus's firm stance against the Dionysian Sect.

Thus, as an ordinary person, the old farmer was well aware of his own helplessness, able only to grumble temporarily and do whatever good deeds were within his capability.

"Young man, you hide here for a few days. Once it's confirmed that there's no danger, you can leave. I will go home and get you something to eat."

After offering his humble shack in the fields to the rash stranger before him and giving a few simple instructions, the old farmer turned and walked toward his home in the village.

Gazing at the receding figure of the elderly man, and at the sinister silhouette of Thebes in the distance, Luo En, as the leader of the sect, narrowed his eyes slightly.

~~

Nightfall, within the resplendent golden palace of Thebes.

The king, Pentheus, burly in stature yet with a hint of youthful immaturity that made him appear impetuous, sat on a throne wrought of gold, scrutinizing the new batch of the God of Wine's followers brought before him.

Among them were the old and the young, including even members of the divine-blooded nobility.

Seeing this, Pentheus could not help but become infuriated and reproach sharply.

"What madness has possessed you to band together and follow a lowly false god? A bunch of weak fools and hysterical women! Have you forgotten the heroic blood that runs in your veins?

Thebes is the land of the brave! Our citadel is built upon the great deeds of slaying dragons and the bones of our enemies!

And this false god you wish to worship wears a crown of grapevines on his head, not a helmet; he wears cumbersome robes, not armor; he holds a ridiculous wine cup, not a sword or spear. Do you really expect to go into battle and drink your enemies to death?"

Hearing the relentless scolding, the gathered crowd remained indifferent.

"Your Majesty, if I recall correctly, slaying the dragon and building the city were the achievements of your grandfather, Cadmus, who advised you not to mistreat these innocent followers of the Dionysian Sect."

A deep voice came from the crowd, causing the young king on the throne to turn red with rage.

Pentheus searched for the source of the voice, ominously glaring at a certain blond-haired, blue-eyed young man among the crowd.

"Damn you, what is your name? Who are your parents, and where is your home? Why do you embrace this new cult?"

The young man shrugged his shoulders fearlessly and calmly replied,

"My name is Polydorus, my hometown is on Crete Island. My parents are ordinary folk, with neither cattle nor land. My father taught me only how to fish, for that skill was his wealth. Later I learned to sail, to know the stars, to observe the winds, and I knew where the best harbors were, so I became a navigator. Once, while sailing for Thilos Island in the Aegean Sea, I was captured by a band of barbaric pirates.

I thought I was surely doomed, but as it turned out, there was a Heavenly God on board as well.

He said, "Do not fear, my friend, for you have not sought to harm me, and you are a righteous man.

If you are willing, take me to Crete Island. Once we arrive there, you can become my disciple, spreading my teachings to the world:

Let he who is unjust continue to be unjust; let he who is filthy continue to be filthy; let he who is righteous continue to be righteous; let he who is holy continue to be holy... For the gods will punish the wicked and protect the good."

The Merciful One will even grant those wretched pirates three opportunities to repent."

In the silence that ensued, the "disciple" gazed up at the youthful and vigorous face of Pentheus, deep in thought.

"So, what is your choice, Your Majesty?"

"Enough, I have no patience for your drivel!"

"It's not too late to mend your ways..."

"How dare you, a lowly charlatan, presume to lecture me? Shut your mouth!"

Pentheus on the throne glared with ice-cold eyes, fury rising as he stood up from his seat, and with a big sweep of his hand.

"Guards, seize him, subject him to all manners of torture, then cast him into the dungeon!"

The soldiers in the great hall, upon hearing the command, immediately grabbed ropes and instruments of punishment, ready to tie up the presumptuous young man amidst the people.

However, a gust of wind blew through, leaving the soldiers entering the crowd dazed and confused.

By the time they regained their senses, the supposed criminal they were to arrest had vanished.

Meanwhile, a deep murmur resounded from the pitch-black night sky.

"The first time..."

Pentheus looked at the palace doors that had been blown open by the wind and the empty square beyond the windows, his expression fluctuating between dark and light, as he exploded in furious roars at the bewildered soldiers.

"Bring him back! Go catch that damned trickster and bring him back to me!"

The soldiers snapped to attention under the king's scolding, rushing out in a panic to search for the fugitive criminal.

Meanwhile, the believers who had witnessed the scene were beside themselves with excitement.

A saint! It must truly be the saint!

The God of Wine must have known that we were treated unjustly and sent someone to rescue us!

At this moment, the followers, who had begun to waver and fear under oppressive power, had their faith solidified once more. They brought their hands together in a prayerful gesture toward the kind and just deities, praying with fervor.

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