At night, near the battlefield outside the Pallene Peninsula, the Snake-Footed Giants, who had achieved a great victory today, reassembled on the smoke-cleared battlefield.
They dismantled the forts left by the Gods' Legion, built a huge bonfire on the ground, and lit it. This bonfire was taller than a mountain, and when it was lit, almost the entire Greek World could see the firelight rising in the distance.
The Snake-Footed Giants sat around the bonfire and began to discuss the gains and losses of today's battle.
The Giants, along with the "Military Advisor" Ephialtes, discussed for a while, and then the leader, "Strongman" Alcyoneus, concluded:
"Overall, today was a great victory for us against the gods. The gods' army was routed, and the War God fled into the Underworld. Olympus now has little defensive strength... The only regret is you, Enceladus."
As he spoke, the eyes of the Snake-Footed Giants, along with their leader, focused on the silent "Trumpeter" beside them. In today's daytime attack, according to Ephialtes's plan, after forcing the War God's troops to a point where they couldn't fight for a short time, the main army would have had enough time to directly advance and launch a direct assault on Olympus after a forced march.
However, it was this reckless, arrogant, impulsive, and belligerent Enceladus's thoughtless charge that disrupted the Snake-Footed Giants' offensive pace. Several Snake-Foot Giants involved in encircling the War God's troops were sealed by the Magicians in the War God's army precisely because of his attack.
He himself even fell into a disadvantage during his brief clash with the War God, allowing Olympus's War God to seize an opportunity, sever his left arm, and bring shame upon the Snake-Footed Giants.
Now, facing the reproachful gazes of his fellow tribesmen, Enceladus lowered his head in shame, reaching out to cover his empty left arm. He could have chosen to regenerate his left arm, but he suppressed this regenerative ability himself. He felt it was a disgrace and a sin, something he should bear.
However, after glancing at his left arm, Ephialtes said:
"Enceladus, you'd best let your left arm regrow now. We still have to attack Olympus."
"No, I won't let it regenerate until I get my revenge on that War God."
Enceladus firmly refused Ephialtes's request. He replied:
"This is a disgrace I must bear!"
"I don't care about that. You've already disrupted our original offensive rhythm. In the upcoming battles, we'll still need you to contribute and atone for your mistakes."
Ephialtes seemed to have no interest in the "warrior's dignity" that Enceladus desired. He looked down at the map he had drawn in front of him and replied without turning his head:
"Do you think this was the most difficult War? Wrong. Olympus, which we are about to attack, is the most difficult place to fight. The King of Gods, Zeus, holds lightning there, and his combat ability is superior to our leader, Alcyoneus. Moreover, the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, is in command there. This Goddess, in ancient times, directly defeated today's War God with her power and seized the divine office of victory that rightfully belonged to him. She will certainly be much more difficult to deal with than Ares."
"Don't worry, I won't hold you back."
Enceladus said firmly.
"You say you won't, and you won't? You said today you'd chop off the War God's head for us to offer as a sacrifice, didn't you? Where's the head?"
Ephialtes sneered in response:
"Who knows how pathetic you'll be on the battlefield tomorrow? Maybe that Athena will instantly kill you with some strange method as soon as you step onto the battlefield."
"You—"
Enceladus roared:
"You're insulting me!"
"Yes, I am insulting you!"
Ephialtes looked fearlessly at this Giant, who was immeasurably taller than himself:
"Shouldn't your embarrassing behavior today be insulted by us?"
"Little bug!"
Enceladus roared furiously:
"I can crush you with just one finger!"
With that, he extended his palm, ready to press down on Ephialtes's head. However, just as his hand was raised, his head was struck violently, half of it shattered, and his massive body crashed to the ground.
Porphyrion, the second-in-command of the Snake-Footed Giants, casually put away a thick, long, round-headed staff, then said indifferently:
"Enceladus, today is your fault. Listen to the 'Military Advisor.'"
As he spoke, Enceladus's head rapidly regenerated. He climbed up from the ground, not saying a word about the fatal blow he had inexplicably suffered, nor daring to look at Porphyrion and Alcyoneus, and silently moved to the side.
Ephialtes glanced up at him, then lowered his head, and as if to himself, said:
"If you really don't want that arm, then go and get that blade, and stick it into the flesh of your left arm. Do you think I care about that arm? All I want is the combat power of your left arm."
Enceladus, who had already silently begun to regenerate his left arm, paused at these words. He hesitantly looked up, glanced at Ephialtes, then quietly turned and walked towards his severed left arm.
Only after Enceladus had left did Ephialtes turn to Alcyoneus and say:
"So, Leader, shall I continue to arrange the next operation?"
"You may."
Alcyoneus nodded and asked:
"Military Advisor, how long until we attack Olympus?"
"Speed is of the essence in war. The sooner, the better."
Ephialtes replied without hesitation:
"In my opinion, it's best to set off first thing tomorrow morning and, upon arrival, immediately launch a strong assault. There are only four main gods on Olympus now, which is when the gods are at their weakest."
"Is there such a rush?"
Porphyrion couldn't help but ask:
"Now that the War God is trapped underground by us, the gods on Olympus don't really have much power to bring forth, do they?"
"That's true, but there's still a Goddess of Wisdom on Olympus now."
Ephialtes replied without hesitation:
"Believe me, do not underestimate the terror of this woman. Given time, she could even defend Olympus by herself. She was once captured by Typhon, so she specifically studied this problem, and our only solution against her is not to give her too much time to set up contingencies."
"I understand."
After hearing Ephialtes eloquently explain the advantages and disadvantages, Porphyrion said no more and returned to his position.
"Then it's decided. Everyone rest well today, and tomorrow morning, we'll set off for Olympus!"
Alcyoneus raised his arm and shouted:
"Let us pull him from his throne and shatter him with his own lightning!"