11 CHAPTER 11

The troops of Tianma roared in response to Rhodes' call, their voices echoing like a tidal wave.

Rhodes stood at the forefront of the army, surveying the formation from left to right. The Pegasus troops were organized into twelve rows, each consisting of a hundred soldiers, totaling 1,200 soldiers. The soldiers at the head of each row proudly wore a badge of valor on their chests.

This badge was awarded only to warriors who had achieved great military feats for Asgard.

Rhodes recognized that these individuals were the captains of each column.

He nodded, then issued an order, "From left to right, divide the three columns into smaller teams. The most qualified among you will be the captains, and each team will head towards one of the four regions of Greece: east, west, north, and south."

Heimdall raised his longsword and inserted it into a groove, summoning a rainbow bridge of light before them.

Without hesitation, the army marched towards different areas as per Rhodes' instructions, their figures swiftly vanishing into the radiant path.

Odin observed Rhodes leading the troops, and he couldn't help but admire quietly, "Hela has truly cultivated a talent."

"God King," Rhodes approached Odin after assigning the Pegasus Army their tasks.

Odin casually seated himself on a chair, and then, with his spear in hand, rose to his feet.

"Are you a guardian chosen by the Midgard?" He asked with a warm smile, his eyes forming crescents.

Rhodes nodded, "Yes, Lord Hela elevated me to this position, granting me the opportunity to serve Asgard on the battlefield."

Odin nodded, then turned and called out, "Sig!"

Hela's bodyguard, Sig, swiftly came forward, half-kneeling at Odin's feet with his head bowed.

"I heed your summons, my King."

"From this moment onwards, you will follow Rhodes' command and join him in the search for Laufey," Odin stated firmly.

Sig trembled slightly, but without lifting his head, he replied in a deep voice, "Yes, my King."

Odin glanced at Rhodes with a slight smile. "Your parents are also within the Midgard. If you wish to protect them from harm, don't hesitate to use all your strength. Laufey is a formidable adversary, and I entrust the army to you."

With that, Odin turned and made his way towards the palace.

Rhodes remained unperturbed by Odin's words. Even without the King's encouragement, he was determined to save the atrium.

Once Odin's figure disappeared from view, Sig finally rose and approached Rhodes, his expression filled with awe and disbelief.

After a prolonged silence, he finally managed to utter, "The God King entrusted the army to you?"

Rhodes quirked a wry smile, feeling that Odin had shifted quite the responsibility onto his shoulders.

"It seems that way."

"My God King!" Sig extended his hands in disbelief, gently resting them on Rhodes' arm.

"I knew you were talented, but I never expected you to rise so swiftly."

Suddenly, Sig's demeanor shifted. He knelt down before Rhodes and declared, "Head of the Guard, Sig, awaits your orders."

Rhodes helped him to his feet, then turned and whistled to his Pegasus.

Hearing his master's call, the Pegasus extended its magnificent snow-white wings and approached Rhodes.

It wasn't that it couldn't bear the weight; Asgard's Pegasus could carry a mountain. It simply didn't seem to appreciate anyone but Rhodes riding on its back.

Rhodes stroked its mane to soothe its unease.

Once more, the Rainbow Bridge materialized before them. Rhodes and Sig mounted their Pegasus, preparing for the journey.

As they passed through the Rainbow Bridge, a visible shockwave rippled through the hall. The Pegasus shot into the bridge like a cannonball, creating a dramatic spectacle.

...

Athens, Greece.

In the bustling marketplace, pedestrians wore loose robes, their garments tainted by the yellowish dust on the ground, giving their flowing attire a rustic appearance.

Democracy had only recently been introduced in Athens, and its citizens reveled in the newfound power granted by their status.

Following the citizens, ragged figures with scorched faces and heavy black metal shackles on their feet moved hesitantly. They kept their eyes downcast, avoiding the gazes of the crowd. In this society, despite the advent of democracy, slavery persisted as a means of maintaining productivity. Slaves possessed no rights and could be traded at the whim of their owners.

"Hey! Look, it's a miracle!" Someone suddenly pointed to the sky.

In the vast expanse of the heavens, a rainbow-like light appeared, tearing through the white canvas.

The rainbow light descended upon the earth, resembling a celestial ladder.

Intrigued, someone tried to reach out and touch it, hoping to ascend to the heavens. However, their efforts were in vain.

A buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd as three figures emerged from the rift and descended within the radiant light.

Rhodes, Sig, and their Pegasus appeared before the startled onlookers.

The citizens took a few steps back in fear, while the slaves knelt to the ground, averting their eyes.

As the rainbow light dissipated, Rhodes, Sig, and the Pegasus stood before the astonished crowd.

Their curious eyes scrutinized Rhodes' bronze-colored armor and his long spear, while the Pegasus behind him stirred their imaginations.

"I wonder why the two of you from Asgard have descended upon our land?" Forbas, a man with a thick beard that nearly concealed his lips, inquired with great respect. He clasped his hands to his chest, exuding an air of friendship.

"My name is Rhodes, and I hope that the people of Athens can assist me in locating someone," Rhodes stated plainly.

Forbas looked at the peculiarly dressed duo and the majestic Pegasus, his eyes transfixed as he struggled to regain his composure. It took him a moment to respond.

"I apologize for our limitations, my lord," Forbas said, bowing his head in respect. He gestured towards the assembly of people behind him. "We are gathered here today to discuss matters related to the war with Egypt. We've suffered a series of defeats recently, and a plague has struck our land. To be honest, we are stretched thin."

Rhodes narrowed his eyes. According to historical accounts, Greece did indeed experience conflicts with Egypt during this period.

"Those in Egypt received assistance from a self-proclaimed apocalypse and employed sinister means to unleash the plague upon our people."

"Apocalypse?" Sig queried.

"The new ruler of Egypt. He possesses an army of formidable soldiers, and their appearance is akin to that of malevolent spirits from the depths of hell. I doubt they are human," Forbas explained, gritting his teeth and glancing downward. "They wield great power."

"This is impossible!" Sig rebutted sharply. "The Midgard belongs to Asgard, and if there are other Protoss intervening, we would surely take action."

Rhodes inquired further, "The apocalypse you mentioned, are some of his followers known as Plague and War, among others?"

Forbas nodded vigorously, "Yes, indeed! Our front-line warriors reported that some identified themselves as Plague and War, but we haven't heard of Famine and Death."

Rhodes pondered this information. It seemed that the enemy had only dispatched two individuals to the battlefield.

The citizens of Athens fixated their gaze on Rhodes, eagerly awaiting his response. One by one, they knelt before him, adopting a posture akin to humble servants.

"If you can request asylum from the gods of Asgard, we will do our utmost to aid you in locating this individual."

"But due to the constraints of our ongoing war, our resources are limited. Should the Protoss of the Aspen family choose to protect Athens, we shall comply."

Sig exchanged a glance with Rhodes and shook his head. "I have not heard of this new Protoss. The warrior known as Apocalypse may very well be a fabrication."

Rhodes smiled, providing clarification. "The original four followers of Apocalypse are not Protoss but mutants. In the region of Egypt, there exists a man named En Sabah Nur who is Apocalypse and their leader."

Upon hearing this, Sig's lingering doubts were dispelled. "We shall follow your lead."

Rhodes nodded in agreement to provide the Athenians with the asylum they sought.

"We are grateful for your generosity, surpassing even that of the gods of Mount Olympus," Forbas exclaimed, repeatedly bowing to Rhodes.

Rhodes couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Despite the Greeks' unwavering belief in the gods of Mount Olympus, when faced with the imperative of survival, belief often crumbled to dust.