[FMMIKA] Chapter 313: Setback

And so, the exploration of the Mount Olympus came to an end.

As Artorius and his others left the temple, a deafening sound echoed behind them. The once well-functioning temple crumbled into ruins in an instant, as if someone was controlling it.

"It should be a triggering mechanism, not someone's doing." Artorius quickly judged.

Neither he nor Scathach sensed any enemies around, despite their best efforts.

If someone could be undetectable by both Artorius and Scathach at close range, then he would have to acknowledge their skills.

"Just a forewarning..." Scathach said and glanced to Artorius, who was still holding Stheno in a princess carry, seemingly reluctant to let go. "It seems like you've got yourself into something, Artorius."

"Just a minor thing..." Artorius replied. "With so many enemies to deal with, what are mere Greek gods compared to them?"

"..."

While the others didn't seem to be particularly moved by Artorius's words, Stheno, held in his arms, opened her eyes in surprise, and looked at him, not believing what she just heard.

In response to her gaze, the flawless smile of the Dragon Emperor.

'More dazzling than any god...' Stheno couldn't help but think as she witnessed the scene.

In their era, Stheno had seen many handsome and extraordinary men. Although the Greek gods were not the brightest, being gods, their level of handsomeness and beauty was incomparable to mortals.

Among those demigod heroes, there were countless men as brave and skilled as the gods.

Stheno had seen many such men. After witnessing their foolish actions, she had developed aesthetic fatigue, thinking that men were just like that.

But now, Stheno realized she was wrong.

'A man like this...'

'Domineering, yet gentle...'

'Kind, yet evil...'

'With a beautiful face and a dazzling soul...'

'No, no, it's not right. We've already agreed to be together forever, me, Euryale, and Medusa. Just because he's so outstanding, so perfect, we can't just...'

"..."

"Intimate already."

"She fell so quickly."

"Understandable, after all, she is an ancient Greek."

Everyone except Artorius cast disdainful glances at Stheno, who was blissfully snuggling in his arms, completely ignoring her surroundings and everyone.

And so, the events involving the Greek gods came to a temporary conclusion.

Perhaps someday in the future, Artorius would have various entanglements, cooperation, wars, and slaughters with the Greek pantheon. But for now, he and his group needed to focus on the upcoming war.

In the next moment, within the Golden Palace of the New Roman Empire, the Dragon Emperor switched into work mode.

"The aid supplies destined for Rome have been successfully transported. Excellent." Artorius accessed crucial Imperial documents through electronic data.

Information regarding the empire's current economic data, civilian statistics, military, and technological intelligence was swiftly analyzed, summarized, and presented before the Dragon Emperor.

Empowered by cutting-edge technology, the Pendragonius Empire progressed rapidly. During Artorius's journey to Rome and Olympus, the empire adhered to its original plan, expanding its territory to the east.

To preserve history, Artorius abandoned plans for a northern offensive, even though the Sarmatians and Samaritans in the north were no match for him.

In the west, Nero, already allied with him, was a force to be nurtured. Therefore, Artorius only faced the unexpected revival of Alexander's empire.

The direction of the attack was eastward, crossing the Taurus Mountains, particularly through the renowned Syrian Gates, launching an assault on Syria.

The south was the ocean, and attacking Egypt and Libya across the sea was a strategic option, given the technological and naval advantages of the Pendragonius Empire.

In these few days, the Imperial forces, both land and naval, unleashed a torrential attack.

Elite naval forces equipped with ballistae, Greek fire, polearms, and ramming prows, along with modern square formation troops, armored cavalry, and crossbow-armed infantry numbering in the tens of thousands, surpassed the armies of this era. They advanced toward Syria with high morale, impeccable military discipline, and world-class logistics, even swiftly subduing Armenia along the way.

Armenia, originally a buffer zone in this era, found itself crushed between the Roman and Persian empires, a victim of shifting allegiances.

Destroying Armenia at this point was historically inaccurate, but...

"I may not have the power to alter the grand scheme, but on a smaller scale, it's a different story."

Artorius confirmed the situation.

"Incorporate Armenia into Rome. Consider it laying the groundwork for altering the history 'before my birth' for the future of the new human history."

The once formidable Kingdom of Armenia, facing such a force, crumbled without a fight. The Imperial forces then easily occupied the Caucasus Mountains and the northern grasslands beyond.

However...

This mighty, invincible, era-transcending force faced minimal gains in the actual confrontation with the 'Macedonia'.

They couldn't breach Syria by land, nor conquer Egypt by sea. After opening a third front, the Imperial forces moving south from Armenia to Mesopotamia unexpectedly suffered a significant setback.

It was a bizarre turn of events.

If Artorius didn't understand the nature of this Alexander's Empire.

"Servant."

"That 'Alexander' I once encountered in the Fourth Holy Grail War."

"In this damned world, he's become even more powerful."

After gathering intelligence, Artorius made that judgment.

The one resisting the empire's formidable navy at sea was Demetrius the Besieger—the second monarch of the Macedonian Antigonid dynasty.

In Egypt, blocking the empire's landing, was Ptolemy the Savior—the founding monarch of the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty.

In Syria, it was Seleucus the Victorious.

In Mesopotamia, it was none other than Alexander the Great himself and his 'companions.'

Perdiccas held sway in India.

From this intelligence, it was clear that the abilities of the 'Servant Alexander' had greatly improved.

The Noble Phantasms he possessed weren't just the 'Army of the King (Ionioi Hetairoi)' but more like the 'Kingdoms of the King.'

The Servants revived under Alexander's command not only served as an army but also acted as generals and governors, securing territories for him to conquer the world.