Chapter 199: Divine Servant Soldiers – The Craftsman God and Expertise in the Fight Against Demons

The eastern part of the palace complex.

Here are numerous metal cages used for imprisonment, and in most of them only a pile of human‑shaped skeletons remain.

However, six "prisoners" are still alive; judging from their physiques, which are two sizes larger than ordinary humans, it is easy to guess they are Olympus's Divine Servant Soldiers.

But now they wear tattered clothes, are as gaunt as skin over bone, with crippled limbs—hardly the appearance of soldiers.

In the center of this area stands a crude forge.

"Ding… Ding…!" The intermittent clanging of hammering comes from the forge.

A gaunt "blacksmith" missing both legs sits in a wheelchair, holding a hammer with one hand, expression blank and feeble as he forges.

Shelves around the forge are stocked with a dazzling array of weapons and armor.

The "blacksmith" is unkempt, and his face and exposed skin are covered with fierce scars.

All these traits identify the "blacksmith" as the Craftsman God Hephestus, one of the Twelve Major Gods and the husband spurned by Afu luo di te.

At that moment.

The two Holy (Blood) Angels who pursued the demon into this area cause a clatter with their magnetic boots on the floor tiles, instantly startling the Divine Servant Soldiers locked in the cages.

Even though their bodies are crippled and extremely weak, they still force themselves to stand, fixing an angry and resolute gaze on the two Holy Angels.

It seems they regard the Holy Angels as the demons who abuse them.

Hephestus, hearing the footsteps drawing nearer, temporarily halts his dull forging and turns his head to look at the two Holy Angels.

?

When it sees the Chain Sword, the Explosive Arrow Gun, especially the Thunder God Hammer III Power Armor, its hollow eyes regain a sheen, as if these weapons and armor have rekindled its interest.

At the same time, Hephestus does not display the hostility of the Divine Servant Soldiers, because he has realized the two newcomers are not demons, which leads him into contemplation.

Conversely, as for the Holy Angels, the moment they entered this area they used communications to report.

Thus, without waiting for Hephestus and the Divine Servant Soldiers to be overly suspicious, they also saw two OriginalBodies entering the area, and the Artemis who made them stare in disbelief.

One Divine Servant Soldier missing its left lower leg and right forearm releases its left hand from the metal railing and, before losing balance on its single leg, slaps its left cheek hard.

"Bang!" a very loud sound.

Pain radiates from the cheek, indicating it is now conscious.

The other soldiers are equally excited, for Artemis's arrival gives them hope of rebirth.

As for Artemis, she looks on with respect, gazing at each surviving soldier.

Honestly, it did not expect that besides OriginalBodies and Astate, there would also be Divine Servant Soldiers capable of resisting the most primal desires, ignoring Afu luo di te's temptations, refusing to fall into corruption.

This once again reshapes its understanding.

Hephestus is uncorrupted; he can understand, after all his brother is gentle, loves peace, and is also one of the major gods.

Regardless of the six Divine Servant Soldiers' strength, such will alone earn Artemis's highest respect.

Along with the ever‑silent Lai'ang, Shengjilesi, and the two Holy Angels, they cannot help but feel admiration.

Because the Other Dimension and demons are not only enemies of humans, but of all intelligent species.

Finally, Artemis walks into the forge and stands before Hephestus.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Griffin.

【Anomaly detected: Hephestus's physical body is in a weakened state; 400 points can be spent to execute Spiritual Energy plunder.】

"Oh? The Craftsman God is still alive?"

After hearing the system alert, Sui Bian, overlooking Xila Island, mutters to himself.

He had thought the fallen Afu luo di te had already sacrificed or killed Hephestus.

Finding him still alive is certainly an unexpected delight.

But the Craftsman's Spiritual Energy is indeed weak; only four hundred points are needed for complete plunder, no wonder Afu luo di te is so displeased.

"Sir."

At that moment, the Red Queen standing to his left reports the discovery of the six Divine Servant Soldiers and Hephestus, along with the remaining intel on the underground palace.

While listening to the Red Queen's report, Sui Bian asks the system: "System, after I plundered Artemis's Spiritual Energy she can still create the purifying Moonwater, what about Hephestus?"

"If I completely plunder his Spiritual Energy, does he still have the ability to forge divine weapons?"

【Yes, even if his Spiritual Energy is plundered, Hephestus still retains the ability to forge.】

Receiving the system's affirmation, Sui Bian immediately says: "Plunder."

【Deducting 400 points for plunder, the host's remaining points are 260.】

Plundering…

Plunder complete, the host has obtained all of Hephestus's Spiritual Energy.

When the system's voice ends, Sui Bian again feels power filling his entire body.

Today, he has spent a total of 2100 points to plunder Medusa, Artemis, and Hephestus.

Although only 260 points remain, his Spiritual Energy has surged unprecedentedly, his aura expanding greatly, and his ten "biological sons" have also achieved a qualitative leap.

And shortly after the plunder is completed.

"Sir," the reporting Red Queen asks Sui Bian: "Artemis, by her divine authority, swears that Hephestus and the six soldiers are neither corrupted nor fallen. How should you handle these seven anomalies?"

From the bridge, Sui Bian can easily discern the situation in the underground palace, personally confirming Artemis's words are true.

"Hmm…" he muses to himself: "The company seems to need a team dedicated to the Other Dimension."

In fact, he already intended to, once Astate reaches a certain number, select the absolute elite to form a special squad specifically to combat demons.

And Artemis has purifying ability; those six Divine Servant Soldiers' steadfast will, unafraid of corruption, seems to meet the criteria for joining this team.

But Sui Bian needs a more detailed plan.

As for Hephestus, he was Sui Bian's original goal, a "treasure."

With this Craftsman God present, OriginalBodies' powered armor and weapons can be fully upgraded, and various equipment can be forged for elite troops.

However, before that, he needs Artemis to ask Hephestus what exactly the Olympian gods have encountered.

He then says to the Red Queen: "First dispatch technical personnel to carry out standard cleaning and destruction procedures, and Shengjilesi and the Holy Blood Angel will be responsible for guarding."

Then have Lai'ang and his Dark Angel lead Artemis, Hephestus, and those six soldiers back to the surface.

"Yes." the Red Queen replies.

After ending the conversation, Sui Bian uses his Spiritual Energy to envelop the entire Xila Island, first erasing all connections of the underground palace and the other dimension, while providing shelter for the technical personnel preparing to enter, giving them an absolutely safe environment.

(End of Chapter)