The Greece Antagonist

"What are you doing?"

"Seems like, drinking wine..."

Hearing the messenger's reply, young Agrippina was both furious and excited.

Publicly humiliated her, the queen of the Roman Empire, yet instead of fleeing, he stayed in the city drinking wine, as if she was nothing to him!

However, this is good.

If these two fools had fled the city out of fear, or retreated to the residence of the Quirinus clan and the Pantheon, it would have been a bit tricky to handle them.

But now, no one can protect you!

Young Agrippina suppressed her excitement and immediately stood up from the pool, waving to summon several members of the Divine Blood Guard who had just recovered from their injuries:

"I just received a report that a group of vicious bandits has infiltrated Rome with the intent to assassinate me, the queen. Immediately head out with me to capture the assassins!"

Several members of the Divine Blood Guard touched their slightly aching arms, immediately understanding.

The so-called assassin was naturally the young Greek girl from earlier in the day.

Since she dared to attack the queen in broad daylight, the outcome was already destined.

After all, this queen was never known for her kindness or leniency. Enduring until evening to act was already an extraordinary grace.

However...

The head of the Imperial Guard showed a troubled expression, stepping forward to remind:

"My lady, that woman is not easy to deal with. Just us few..."

"Aren't there two hundred-man squads in the manor? Bring them all! I don't believe two mere Greek barbarians can cause chaos in Rome!"

The head of the Imperial Guard was startled by these words:

"They are all members of the Divine Blood Guard. Moving them without His Majesty's orders might be hard to explain later..."

"Whoever wants an explanation, let them come find me!"

Young Agrippina glared at her subordinate and snorted coldly,

"I, as the queen of the Empire, was slapped for no reason and lost my status in public. This cannot go unaddressed!"

Hearing the determination in the queen's voice, the guards feared being resented by their mistress, so they dared not speak further. They summoned the Divine Blood Guard from the estate, accompanying young Agrippina as she boarded the carriage to seek revenge.

~~

Meanwhile, in a certain residence.

Astraea threw the twentieth empty wine jar onto the ground, feeling the rising effect of the wine within her, a blush spreading on her delicate face.

She leaned back comfortably in her chair, rubbing her bulging stomach, unable to resist praising:

"Of all the wines I've tasted, your Ambrosial Honey Wine is still the best."

"I've already shared the brewing method with Cassandra. If you want more, you can ask her for it in the future."

"A few sips of wine to buy my freedom, no way!"

Astraea raised her chin, humming lightly, proud of her keen insight.

Luo En smiled without speaking, continuing to turn the carving knife in his hand.

Astraea curiously leaned closer and asked:

"What are you doing?"

"A gift for you."

Luo En said, raising his hand to place a finished wooden sculpture on the table.

It was a Roman-style statue of the Goddess of Justice, combining elements from the Greek goddesses Themis, Dike, and Astraea. The main figure was a blindfolded holy woman in a white robe, wearing a golden crown. In her left hand, she held a scale, placed on her lap, and in her right hand, she held a sword resting against a bundle tied with a snake. A dog sat at her feet, and on the table lay a scepter, some books, and a skull.

Each element had its own unique symbolic meaning.

The white robe symbolized moral purity and integrity; the blindfold, because justice relies on reason, not deceptive sensory impressions; the crown, because justice is supremely noble and the ultimate glory; the scales, representing fair judgment, where everyone gets their due in the face of justice; the sword, indicating severe punishment with no leniency, like the bundle with an embedded axe; the snake and dog, representing hatred and friendship, respectively, both of which should not affect judgment; the scepter possesses a commanding presence; the books contain the laws; and the skull signifies human life's fragility, while justice represents eternity.

After listening to Luo En's explanation, Astraea was captivated by the gift, unable to let it go.

Upon touching the back of the statue, she felt an unusual texture.

She turned the statue over, perplexed by a line of slender Latin letters:

"What does it say?"

"An ancient Roman legal maxim."

Luo En smiled, and under Astraea's curious gaze, slowly recited the original text,

"—To achieve justice, even if the heavens fall and the earth cracks!"

Astraea's heart trembled, as if she could hear countless resounding voices echoing from those words, envisioning countless fearless silhouettes.

What makes justice justice is its ability to protect the rights of victims. When the weak suffer injustice, they always hope for justice to descend like deities to save them, hoping justice will redress their grievances. However, many times, what they encounter is not impartial gods but exacerbated villains.

Justice cannot be awaited.

Only by physically pursuing it can this virtuous ideal stay by one's side and throughout the mortal world.

This is a lesson Astraea gradually learned over years of upholding justice.

Suppressing the emotions stirred in her heart, she suspiciously looked at Luo En:

"Why suddenly give this to me and write such strange words on the back?"

"For the sake of her envisioned justice, your teacher Themis once abandoned her divine position and stripped herself of her divinity. What about you? As her disciple, how much are you willing to sacrifice for this?"

Luo En propped up his chin, smiling serenely at this old friend.

Astraea was silent for a moment, then huffed softly:

"Rest assured, I won't betray my teacher's teachings. To practice justice, what needs to be done will be done, and what sacrifices need to be made will be made without hesitation."

"Including your freedom?"

"Including!"

Astraea replied earnestly, then puffed up in anger, glaring at Luo En.

She finally understood this guy feared she might renegotiate, so he strategically pressured her with words.

Only...

Astraea wrinkled her nose, muttering,

"The bet hasn't been decided yet, why do you act like you've already won?"

"Because the ones we've been waiting for have already left."

Luo En waved his hand over the wine cup, and the purple-red grape wine rippled with waves.

Inside reflected young Agrippina leading two squads of Divine Blood Guard, heading furiously towards them.

"I can't believe they would dare to do this! What do they take the law for?"

Astraea slammed the table, her face flushed with anger.

Luo En couldn't help but shake his head and sigh:

"I didn't expect this city to fall to such depths, with justice being a mere shell. How can a country be governed well amidst such corruption and lawlessness?"

"This goes beyond ordinary lawlessness." Astraea gritted her teeth furiously.

"Exactly, a strong hand is needed!"

Luo En slammed the table and declared,

"So, I've decided you'll be appointed as Chief Justice of Rome by the Pantheon three days from now. Since fairness is dim and justice has fallen, let you, the Goddess of Justice, rectify the nation's atmosphere and enact justice!"

"Three days later? Isn't that too soon?"

"Not too soon. Practicing justice shouldn't be delayed. Every second of hesitation might lead to another innocent suffering injustice."

"That's true, I agree to this!"

Astraea stood up abruptly, her blood boiling with excitement.

Luo En nodded contentedly, smiling:

"In three days, use the statue you have for the Pantheon's ceremony. I intend to erect it in Roman Square, promoting it as the icon of the courthouse."

The deity statue is an extension of divine will and a manifestation of divine power.

This sculpture, in terms of design and the meaning of its elements, perfectly fits the goddess's divine duties and authority.

Once it's promoted in different cities, as a subject of worship, the divine power of the Goddess of Justice will inevitably be greatly enhanced.

But why did he even prepare this?

Why was everything arranged so smoothly?

"Hey, are you hiding something from me?"

Astraea sniffed the air, sensing a conspiratorial whiff from this person.