Sure! Here’s the translated text in a comedic style:
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Thank you to everyone who gave comments and coupons! Episode 224
70. The End of the Magical Beasts and Conflict #2
—Alright, let’s do it this way. I’ll give you something worth twice as much as the reward that Jupiter promised. In return, spare my brothers and take that Jupiter guy out.
A three-headed beast, Cerberus.
He approached me, asking me to betray Jupiter and save himself and his brothers. It’s not unusual in the media to see someone trying to flip the script like that.
I had my own fun experience with this when I was in the Ant Cave owned by Yan-Mite in the Southern Forest.
The Ant Queen who tried to bribe me? I can’t even remember her name now, just her pesky face floating in my mind.
‘Let’s see what this guy has on offer.’
Being called a lawless beast and a vicious monster in this desert, it wouldn’t be strange for him to carry some magnificent treasure.
‘I hope it’s something edible.’
I didn’t show it on my face, but as I had these thoughts racing in my mind, I spoke up.
—What? Are you trying to bribe me? You think I look like a soft little beast?
I pretended to be disinterested. It would be a decent ploy for this Cerberus, now known as Spotty, who was facing d*ath and pain.
He was smart enough to recognize my strength and propose a deal. It’s best to shake things up a little.
—…
In fact, when Spotty realized communication was a dead end, he grumbled lightly and fell into a battle stance. I thought he’d make another proposal, but to my surprise, he gave up rather quickly.
‘But this should be enough.’
—Now, tell me what’s worth the price of that ship. Surely it’s something better than Jupiter’s treasure, ambrosia?
—Ambrosia… That’s right. The reason why that Jupiter fellow wants to snatch my brothers is because of the treasure I’m about to show you.
There was still a hint of a growl in Spotty’s voice. However, he soon turned his back on me and walked deeper into the cave.
—Follow me. I’ll show you.
So Spotty disappeared deeper into the cave.
‘I think he knows what ambrosia is. The fact he didn’t flinch or look flustered after hearing the name means he’s quite confident about the treasure he possesses.’
I felt a sense of anticipation bubbling up. As we moved deeper into the cave for a while, I stumbled upon a beautiful space bursting with lovely flowers and lush greenery, completely defying the grim expectations of a shadowy underground cave in the desert.
As I took in the beauty, towering white bones lay sprawled out before me.
—This is a grave, isn’t it?
When I asked, Spotty didn’t bother to look back and casually responded.
—Yeah, it’s the grave of Gryphon Typhon and Fire Dragon Kidna. Our treasure is right here. Right there.
Spotty’s three heads pointed towards where the Gryphon and dragon’s front paws intertwined.
‘Oh.’
Suddenly, I wondered why this cave, devoid of candles or glowing stones, gleamed like a disco ball. It was because of a single gemstone tightly held within the bones of the remains.
A small chunk no bigger than my fist. The bluish, shiny stone emitted a light so bright it made my eyes tingle.
—Pretty.
Even for someone like me who isn’t particularly fond of jewels, the radiant light and warmth emanating from it were quite compelling.
I could probably bring it to Leaf and Azidahaka, and they’d love it.
—That’s a beautiful gemstone.
Perhaps Spotty didn’t like my light, simple assessment, as he continued to elaborate.
—It’s not just a pretty gemstone. That’s nectar. A treasure known as the Eye of the Star.
—Ah, nectar.
—Do you know that name?
Spotty’s inquiry caught me off guard; I shook my head.
—Not really, just vaguely.
To be more precise, I only understood the name itself. The ambrosia and nectar consumed by the gods of Olympus in Greek mythology are, in fact, those things.
Yet, the items in this world seem twisted and warped compared to the common knowledge I hold.
Like items and their shadows.
Looking alike but mysteriously different.
While I fell silent, lost in thought, Cerberus, Spotty, cracked open his mouth again.
—This is a fragment of a star that fell from the heavens alongside ambrosia. They say the two fragments bring about incredible changes together.
—So, they were a pair from the beginning, huh?
—Exactly. Before that Jupiter fellow took ambrosia from us, they were indeed a pair.
—So, it means having both is what truly matters. I could just take you down right here and now and grab the nectar, then get my reward of ambrosia from Jupiter, right?
Cold, but rational judgment indeed.
Of course, doing so might grow a beautiful white tuft of fur on my conscience, but my name is White One, so what’s an extra fluff?
—You seriously think that? Jupiter will just hand you that treasure?
—Are you implying he wouldn’t?
—From the very start, putting our lives on the line for ambrosia was Jupiter’s scheme. He set an impossible condition in hopes of killing you. If it works out and you get us killed, Jupiter will grab that nectar without spilling a drop of our bl**d. And if it fails, you’re the only one who dies.
—So you’re saying Jupiter suggested a difficult journey just to k*ll me?
—Exactly. Think about it. Whether succeeded or failed, does Jupiter ever end up on the losing side?
He was right; no matter what, Jupiter wouldn’t lose either way. It’s possible he might want to k*ll me just so he doesn’t have to give away his daughter Chino after all.
—Even if you returned with our heads, he’d come up with excuses and keep delaying any compensation. He always does. Such a sly fox.
Cerberus Spotty seemed to have quite a few grievances against Jupiter and growled with rage.
—He didn’t even give us what was rightfully ours and tried to shove us into this dark corner. And now he’s licking up all our essence!
—What do you mean by that?
In response to my question, Spotty closed his six eyes, seemingly lost in deep memories.
—My brothers were like Jupiter’s dogs. Ready to bite, ready to release. We cursed born like this had no choice. He promised us that after everything was over, each of us would get our own territory to live in.
—So, that’s Nemea’s sand dunes and the Lerna Oasis and the stone mountains of Erementos. The territories you occupy were actually the promised rewards from Jupiter, huh?
—Yeah, we bled and fought for Jupiter and the Gryphons, pushing back his enemies. Yet, when we gained control of this desert through our bl**d, Jupiter didn’t even want to acknowledge our alliance and shoved us into the depths of this underground hideout. He even discarded his own brother, Pluto.
If the words of this beast were true, then Jupiter turned out to be the evil guy who took advantage of others then failed to honor his promises.
Of course, that’s only if it’s true, but I didn’t feel Spotty was telling lies.
—So, are you saying that Jupiter will try to exclude me from any rewards too?
—Perhaps not; he might not. But he’s definitely capable of that. He’s a greedy one. A big kid hoarding everything in his hands, unwilling to let go. Easily snatching from others while refusing to even give a proper reward. That’s his true self.
—Cough.
I didn’t know why my chest felt pricked while berating Jupiter, but I nodded.
—That sounds serious. Okay, I’ve made my decision.
—Did you hear me? Are you going to put Jupiter down?
—No, you both should talk it out and come to a compromise.
It’s better for those involved to sort their own issues out. My wise judgment left Spotty Cerberus in sheer shock.
—You want me to talk to Jupiter?
—Yep.
*
The news that the Nemean Lion had been defeated spread like wildfire in Cairo, turning the town into a festive frenzy.
Now that the Nemean Lion was gone, the trade of the local sand-sugar-salt was likely to pick up, and the stagnant economy of Cairo might regain a bit of life.
“High-quality copper ore glittering on the Erementos stone mountain is dazzling in front of my eyes. Can that white beast really take down the monsters?”
—Didn’t you see that guy playing with that shovel like a kid? I saw it with my own two eyes. He could really take down those monsters. He really brought down the Nemean Lion! Even the Gryphon guards couldn’t do that!
—Hehe, once we get our sand sugar from Nemea, we can make black sugar mint chocolate bubble tea again! That’ll make me super rich!
—You lunatic, who would pay for something like that! I’d rather buy a pineapple pizza from the Lerna Oasis. Hehe, I can munch on pineapple pizza again! Sweet!
“These fools were my friends? That’s it; I’m cutting ties.”
Beasts, merchants, and rock dwarfs celebrated the achievements of the white beast in various ways.
—Hey, that’s a doll! Where did you get it?!
—The Mole Mogu was selling it in the Desert of Patience. Doesn’t it look just like that white beast?
—I’ve got one too! My daughter wouldn’t stop yelling for me to rescue her, so I went into the desert and got it from the Mogu. The girls are going to fall over themselves for it. It was really cute!
“I heard in that black fairy tribe in the desert, they even worship the white beast as a god. The black jackals follow him around.”
—The black jackals?!
—There are rumors that he’s the king of beasts. Supposedly, he’s the son of the World Tree, Behemoth.
“Come on, with that small, cute body, king of beasts? That’s stretching it. Speaking of which, that lady’s long tail is really impressive. I should grab a mint chocolate with her sometime…”
—Get lost!
Chatter, chatter.
Two days after the white beast left the gates of Cairo.
It had been two days since the Nemean Lion was beaten.
The city of Cairo was pulsing with hope and anticipation. From the peak of the distant Olympus, Jupiter, observing all these events with keen eyes, fell into a bit of worry.
‘He really took out that lion? That vicious beast?’
The four monstrous beasts of the desert were incredibly problematic adversaries.
How many hunters and Gryphon guards had he sent to subdue them, only to face frequent failures and humiliation?
That those fiends were expelled by the white beast was something Jupiter should rejoice over, yet he ground his teeth, unable to feel the joy.
‘If this keeps up, I might end up having to give him ambrosia. And not only that, but my daughter Chino too…!’
To think that a little black male, wandering around wherever, ended up getting close to the little bird that often waddled around on his shoulder and back.
As Jupiter, he simply couldn’t allow that. So, he entrusted the impossible task of handling those four beasts to that little rascal.
The only issue was the white beast, White One, turned out to be far stronger than Jupiter had anticipated.
—Daddy, which dress do you think would suit my wedding? Is purple nice? What do you think, does it match well?
Next to him, his daughter Chino was exuberantly showcasing her youthful energy. He was momentarily lost in memories of his wife Juno.
‘My daughter will be protected by me. At this rate, it’s best to deploy the ambush Gryphon squad to handle him before things escalate…and heck, it might be best to deal with that annoying Azidahaka too while I’m at it.’
Finishing his thoughts, Jupiter shouted into the void.
“Hey! You there…”
—Lord Jupiter!
Just then, a Gryphon swooped in from the sky.
—Lord Jupiter! There’s trouble!
“What trouble? What’s going on?”
—That, uh, the white beast, White One at the gates of Cairo…
The Gryphon trembled in fear, unable to continue.
“What’s happened to White One? Hurry and tell me!”
[Author’s Note] If you enjoyed reading, please press the recommendation button at the top of the mobile screen! With just two seconds of your time, you can give a writer a happy day!
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Hope you enjoyed it!
