Ultimately, Rovi had underestimated just how profound an impact Gilgamesh's late-life expansion had left upon the world.
The spread and influence of civilization was always a slow process. Many things seemed insignificant during a person's lifetime, yet after their death, they rapidly fermented, becoming something that influenced countless lives.
Gilgamesh was like this; Rovi was no different.
Today's Aegean Greek civilization had been deeply influenced by Uruk.
"No, please get up first. Stand up and talk." Rovi hurriedly pulled Chiron upright.
This wise centaur clearly possessed virtues uncommon in others of this era—namely, respect and reverence toward teachers.
After rising, he stood solemnly, not uttering a word, just staring intently at Rovi…
Does this mentor of heroes have something wrong with his brain?
Rovi felt goosebumps under this intense scrutiny. Quickly composing himself, he coughed, "Ahem, you mentioned a clay tablet just now?"
Thinking for a moment, he suddenly felt there was no longer any need to conceal his identity.
The name 'Sage Rovi' had apparently garnered significant attention already, along with the inevitable dangers.
So why continue hiding?
Might as well just roll with it!
"Yes," Chiron pondered briefly, then replied, "It was something left behind long ago by Uruk's Golden King, Gilgamesh, when he visited the borders of the Aegean Sea."
Precisely because of this clay tablet, Chiron had instantly recognized Rovi's name and his words, confirming his identity.
But Rovi had left behind numerous clay tablets in those days.
Drafts originally meant for harsh admonishment.
Plans for writing systems.
Then, the one Chiron obtained was…
"Gil, you bastard, what kind of bullshit are you doing? Oppressing your people—you're just a son of a bitch…"
"Stop, stop!" Rovi immediately covered his ears, face twisted in agony, urgently stopping Chiron's recitation.
When he wrote that tablet, he had just recently transmigrated, his thought processes back then vastly different from now.
Chiron looked puzzled. "Sage, are you alright?"
Clearly, Chiron had gotten hold of the discarded drafts of Rovi's harsh admonishments.
Question: how does it feel when your embarrassing past gets memorized and recited daily by others like sacred scripture?
Rovi felt like his toes could dig a two-bedroom apartment out of the ground.
That damned bastardl was really absurd, even finding something like this and scattering it everywhere…
Even more absurdly, Rovi himself couldn't resist laughing, choking midway through.
"Bwahahaha—cough cough cough…"
It's all that gold bastard's fault! When I find him, I'll scold him properly!
Rovi quietly noted this grudge.
"You… really okay?" Chiron appeared deeply worried. "Should I perhaps examine you? While not especially gifted, I do possess some skill in medicine—I can even handle some mental trouble…"
"You're the mentally disturbed one," Rovi shot back, rolling his eyes.
"Mentally disturbed? Such an excellent term! I must record this immediately—worthy of Sage Rovi, even casually spoken words carry profound meaning. No wonder you could write such world-shaking statements…"
Rovi suddenly felt his reputation as the "Sage of Uruk" would inevitably stick.
Gilgamesh, I'm going to kill you.
"Sage, I really think I should examine you after all. Mental illness cannot be underestimated…"
Enough, seriously enough.
Rovi stared blankly at Chiron, who had instantly transformed into a mother hen.
He felt he'd come to the wrong place.
Is it too late to leave now?
Just as he was considering this, a sudden shout burst from the side:
"Let go of Teacher Chiron!"
"If you've got something, come at me!"
Rovi froze, turning towards the voice. A tall, imposing youth stormed toward him, bare upper body rippling with powerful muscles. His dark hair swept back, revealing marble-sculpted features, radiating a fierce aura.
"Heracles? Why are you here?" Chiron was equally stunned.
"Teacher, don't worry—now, I can help you!" Heracles narrowed his eyes. He swept a glance over the fallen centaurs scattered across the ground, twitching in agony with bruised and battered horse-rears. His eyes reddened further with anger.
He knew well how deeply Teacher Chiron valued his kin—often solving trouble caused by them, frequently stopping their wrongdoings.
Without Chiron, this troublesome tribe of centaurs would've long since been obliterated by some deity.
Thus, in this situation, Teacher Chiron must've been coerced by this man—Heracles naturally assumed this.
The young son of Zeus was already impulsive by nature.
And prone to being overwhelmed by the divine blood inside him.
Not listening to anyone... Not hearing anyone's explanations, stubbornly believing only his own judgments.
Beat Rovi into submission.
Or... kill him outright.
That was his current thought.
Extreme self-centeredness—another expression of divinity.
Yet, as Heracles's teacher, Chiron knew how to steer him back toward calmness.
As long as he proceeded carefully and avoided angering him...
"Hmph—Bwahahaha! Another beast controlled by the blood within—where's this African wild boar sprung from? Charging about recklessly, are you performing some farce for my amusement?" Rovi laughed aloud, mimicking Gilgamesh's typical arrogant speech.
Chiron's face briefly stiffened.
What's he trying to do? Who am I? Where am I?
"Who the hell are you? What do you mean by that?"
The anger that had never died instantly surged fiercer. Though he didn't understand where "Africa" was, Heracles clearly sensed the mockery in Rovi's tone.
"Who I am is none of your concern," Rovi extended his hand, robes billowing, "Bring it on, big guy!"
"Right here, defeat me—or be defeated by me!"
"Come—choose!"
Rovi raised his palm, wind roaring fiercely around him.
Heracles, son of Zeus, greatest of the Greek heroes.
Rovi knew him well.
He was still weak now. Of course, Rovi never intended to perish at his current hands—but if enmity formed here…
If he couldn't become a hero, then—
Creating an opportunity to become a Demon King wouldn't be bad, either.
Though he spoke boldly, Rovi still maintained restraint.
…Always cautious of Gilgamesh's attempts at assimilation.
And besides, the insults he hurled were directed solely at the divine blood of Zeus within Heracles.
Toward the person himself, he still held genuine admiration.
On the other hand, doing this might also wake him up… make him realize the peril of relying too heavily on the gods' power.
If he eventually did become a Demon King, wouldn't he still need a 'Hero' to defeat him?
That's all he'd say.
And that's all he'd do.
Boom, boom, boom!
In the sky, clouds roared and lightning descended like spears, illuminating the forest and further darkening Heracles's expression.
The blood of the gods boiled within him.
The youth's impulsive pride and uncontrollable divinity flared simultaneously, shooting skyward.
"ROAR—!"
A beastlike growl emerged as his eyes blazed crimson. Bending his knees, he sprang forward, launching himself like a cannonball straight at Rovi.
Yet Rovi merely sidestepped, smoothly evading the charge.
He wasn't a close-combat fighter.
Yet superior physique and overwhelming reflexes allowed him instant responses.
And as he dodged, he lifted his leg and firmly kicked Heracles.
The charging figure instantly flew back, smashing countless trees. Rovi used that kick's momentum to flip gracefully backward, landing effortlessly.
Sparks of lightning illuminated his handsome face, his eyes lowered calmly, revealing nothing.
"I despise those who allow themselves to be controlled by gods."
His voice came naturally, always ready with an excuse.
Considering this man's deeds, Chiron seemed to grasp something.
Pointing to the heavens, cursing the gods.
That had always been Rovi's signature style.