The Greece Antagonist

Yet upon closer inspection, the villagers looking at each other were filled with confusion and astonishment.

Soon, whispers and hisses erupted from the crowd.

"That's it?"

"What in the world is he playing?"

"I could do better than that..."

Hearing the villagers' ignorant discussions and frivolous judgments, Apollo, who had been standing on stage awaiting cheers and adoration, suddenly turned dark in the face, and a fire ignited in his heart.

However, before he could lose his temper, Midas, seeing that things were not going well, quickly stepped forward and announced publicly.

"The contest is over, and you may now cast your votes on who you think has the better music."

With that, he ordered two urns representing Pan and Apollo to be brought onto the stage, then handed out a stone with special symbols to the spectators outside.

As the gates opened, the villagers, who loved a good show and were never afraid of a big scene, swarmed forward and, according to their tastes, cast their stones into the jar representing Pan.

And there were only a mere handful of people standing on Apollo's side.

Among them, the nymphs and muses accounted for the majority.

Finally, as the voting came to an end, Midas simply looked at the dramatic difference in the number of stones between the two urns, announcing the result without having to count them.

"In this contest, Pan is victorious!"

Seeing their favored performer win with ease, the villagers let out a raucous cheer, tossing foliage and garlands toward Pan on the stage while completely ignoring Apollo.

They could not appreciate the nobleman's affected playing and knew nothing of high art.

To them, Pan's rustic tunes, emotionally intense yet straightforward and singable, were the real art!

Watching his side of the area thin out, while the villagers beside him continuously cheered and praised Pan, Apollo managed to maintain his composure despite his face growing darker, his teeth grating loudly, and anger swelling in his heart.

What did these bumpkins know about art? They were just making arbitrary judgments!

Even though Apollo was discontent, faced with the undeniable outcome of the vote, he had to reluctantly accept the result of the contest.

"Your musical prowess is not bad."

The God of Light tried to squeeze out a stiff smile, feigning magnanimity with his praise. Then he prepared to leave the stage and get away from this place of humiliation as fast as possible.

However, Pan approached him with an awkward smile, rubbing his hands together apologetically.

"Lord Apollo, since I've won, about last night's wager..."

"Out with it, what do you want?"

At this moment, Apollo, not in the mood to deal with this goat-headed fool, coldly snorted and asked without a thought.

Since he had already accepted Pan's gift and hospitality, repaying a favor was the least he could do.

Now, all he wanted was to get as far away from this humiliating spectacle as possible.

But upon hearing Apollo's public acceptance, Pan's face lit up with joy, and he excitedly pointed to a Muse with a voluptuous figure, wearing a laurel crown and a dance dress.

"I wish to marry this Muse from your retinue; please grant her to me as my wife!"

Terpsichore, one of the nine Muse goddesses presiding over dance and chorus, was always outstanding in stature and figure, exuding sultry charisma, with many admirers.

However, upon hearing Pan's proposal, both Apollo and the Muse goddess changed color.

"Presumptuous!" The God of Light erupted in rage, his piercing gaze landing on Pan like knives, showing undisguised disgust.

Hearing this, Pan drew himself up, defending himself: "Lord Apollo, that's not fair to say. You promised me last night that if I won, you'd grant me one wish of my choosing."

Upon hearing this, Apollo's handsome face turned red, nearly exploding with rage.

No wonder this animal had been so obsequiously kind; he had decided on his course of action from the start.

As every piece clicked together in his mind, Apollo's gaze filled with murderous intent and the fury of having been duped.

Under the might of his divinity, Pan couldn't help but feel weak, retreating in fear.

But then, bolstered by the sight of the beautiful Muse, he steeled his heart and stirred up the audience nearby.

"The game you won, I gave you everything that was due. Why, when it's your turn to lose, you want to renege? Everyone is watching! Can you not accept defeat gracefully?"

"Exactly, exactly!"

The villagers, clueless about the actual situation, heckled Apollo with a mixture of scorn and mockery.

The proud God of Light, enraged, his face turning shades of green and purple, shouted furiously.

"I'll challenge you to another round!"

"No, no, that's enough. It's fine that I won."

Pan shook his head repeatedly and went straight toward the chosen Muse.

Even though he had won a round, there had been an element of deception involved.

The judges, being villagers, were used to the sound of his flute and naturally were not moved by so-called sophisticated music.

But if Apollo became cautious and selected a new set of judges, he might not be able to win against this God of the Arts fair and square.

Better to take home the beautiful Muse quickly and enjoy the pleasure of her company.

"Nine!"

The sudden murmur made Pan stop in his tracks and look back, confused.

"If you can win another round, I will bestow all nine Muses upon you!"

The God of the Arts declared coldly from the stage, shocking everyone present.

The nine Muse Goddesses, standing behind Artemis, incredulously turned to their Chief God, seeking a hint of jest on his face.

However, they were disappointed.

Apollo was serious.

"As long as we compete again in my way, and if you can still defeat me, they will all be yours!"

The grim God of Light reiterated the condition from the stage and then coldly turned his gaze to the mocking villagers all around.

"The judges will still be them!"

At that moment, the hearts of the Muses grew cold as they looked at their Chief God with disappointment and a sense of distance.

Because Apollo's stubborn decision to have a rematch was not out of concern for his sisters, but an inability to accept his own defeat!

Luo En among the crowd, catching the subtle change in the Muses' expressions, curved his lips in pleasure.

This God of Light was even pettier than he had expected, unable to handle even the smallest setback.

He must win back, at all costs, what little he lost.

Initially, Luo En only intended to stir up discord between Pan and Apollo, but now he had reaped an unexpected reward.

The Muses, being used as bargaining chips, had become disillusioned with Apollo's inherent pride and callousness, and under the chill of realization, they were gradually drifting away from their Chief God.

So, little Goat, you'd better work harder.

Luo En swirled his wine glass, his eyes teasing as he looked at Pan as though he was looking at a dead man.

By the way, as a token of gratitude for the hospitality, he reciprocated by sharing his newly brewed fine wine during the feast.

For the gods wish to drive someone to ruin, they first make them mad.

"Apollo!"

At the same time, even Artemis, as his older sister, could no longer bear to witness it and was about to stand up to scold him and put an end to such absurd behavior.

However, the God of Light on the stage was unmoved, staring intently at Pan across from him and the jeering audience below.

"Are we competing or not? You only get one chance."

"Gulp~"

Pan couldn't help but swallow hard, his eyes already captured by the beauty of the Muses, and, unable to suppress the restlessness in his heart, he nodded vigorously.

"We'll compete!"