Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Speaking in a deep voice, Heracles looked at the demon in front of him, which was nothing like he had imagined, and spoke frankly.

Indeed, the story of Oedipus had surprised him, but he had seen similar things more than once on his journey.

Looking at the mortal realm, he could find the most noble of men, as well as the most despicable. He could find the most honest, and also those who were full of lies.

In comparison, when the great hero set foot in this ancient valley that had existed for over a thousand years, an inexpressible insight was transmitted to his heart through the unique order of the Sphinx's domain.

Here lay the wisdom and longing of countless heroes of the mortal world amassed over a millennium, coupled with greed and fear.

Countless mortals have viewed this place as a challenge for the wise, a step on the ladder to fame, yet none have truly defeated the master of this domain.

Oedipus was the closest one, but he too had failed.

Therefore, Heracles intended to take over his work and return the Sphinx and the Golden Scales back to the side of the Goddess of Law.

Incidentally, to erase the delusions of those in the mortal world who sought fame, ensuring this place would no longer become a tool for them to fool the world.

"...Is that so?"

"Well then."

"Young human, according to the rules, as long as you decide to challenge, I must grant your request."

"But let me remind you one last time, if you can't answer any of the three questions, even if I don't wish to kill you, under the guidance of the rules, you will inevitably die."

The expression on the Sphinx became slightly more serious, but it still lay on the ground, not bothering to rise.

In front of it, the great hero nodded again, thankful for its reminder.

"Alright, let's begin then."

Speaking indifferently, as Heracles affirmed, an invisible force emanated from the Sphinx, enveloping the entire valley.

The laws of this place seemed twisted; a tiny fraction rapidly amplified, while the vast majority became almost non-existent.

This was the domain of the Sphinx, a mighty abnormal power that could rival the Unbreakable Body of the Giant Lion, the Undying Body of the Nine-Headed Snake. Even a True God would fail to break it, and Divine Power could not alter these rules of Order.

The stone scales at the entrance of the valley also trembled slightly, as if being pulled by a force of the same origin, involuntarily responding in kind.

"Mortal, as you desire, the great Wise Demon, the Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a human, will give you three questions, and the wager is the life of both you and me."

"The first question, mortals look up to observe the star cluster, hence they know of the vastness of the sky; they look down upon the Earth, thus they know of the breadth of the land."

"So young human, tell me, how many stars are there in the sky? How many pebbles are there upon the Earth?"

"Hehe, mortal... even though you have killed more than one of my brothers, I don't care about the lives of those who know only slaughter. So, in honor of your courage, let me remind you—"

"The stars in the sky may rise anew at any moment, only the great Mother Night knows how many adornments are upon her hem... and the Earth's pebbles may split at any moment, only Gaia knows how much dust lies upon her brown cloak."

"Cherish your opportunity to answer; do not respond carelessly. If you answer one, I will consider that you have answered my question; this is the privilege I grant you."

"But if you cannot answer, then you are merely another arrogant fool."

"I won't give you another chance... the remaining two questions will be the epitaph that you write for yourself."

Every word seemed to turn into a rune, as if an ancient contract was thus signed.

In front of the Sphinx, the brow of Heracles slightly furrowed.

Merely the first question, and the great hero already felt the pressure.

He wasn't unprepared for this journey through the valley.

The book in Prometheus's possession, which contained countless pieces of knowledge, was one of his reliances, after all, the rules of the Sphinx had never prohibited the contestant from consulting books.

However, as soon as the first question was presented, Heracles knew it was impossible to find the answer in a book.

Even if it was a truly all-knowing tome, the solution I see at this moment might be correct, but in the next moment, at the edge of the world a celestia body might shatter or a new star be born.

"...Lord Sphinx, before I answer your question, don't you think there is a flaw in your question?"

"You said only Mother Night knows the number of stars, only Mother Earth knows the count of pebbles. Then how would you judge the accuracy of an answer? That seems to contradict what you said, doesn't it?"

"There is no contradiction, because in fact, I don't know the answer either," a sly smile crept onto the Sphinx's lips, eyes slightly widening: "But my ignorance doesn't mean 'Order' doesn't know."

"I am only responsible for posing the question, but I do not judge the answers. Since I have become a contestant, I cannot be the judge."

"Just as the divine powers of a deity can influence the natural laws of the world, so can my abnormal power."

"Within my domain, as long as it judges your answer to be right, then even if you are wrong, you are right."

"Conversely, if it judges you to be wrong, then even if I think you are right, you are still wrong."

"Beings may err, but Law never errs."

"Even you, young human, have any more questions?"

"I do."

Thoughtful, the Great Hero asked again: "Then what if even your rules cannot determine right from wrong? How would you judge then?"

"If that's the case, then you've won a round. Because conquering the rule is also a way to win."

"I see..."

Muttering softly, Heracles's expression gradually relaxed.

A test of wisdom? Maybe it is, but it's more a test of the way of thinking.

The Sphinx's riddle doesn't define a time limit for answering, and theoretically if one had an endless lifespan, one might be able to count the stars in the cluster and answer in that very moment before new stars emerge, but that is the most basic solution.

Conversely, if one thinks differently, providing an answer that the rule cannot verify, then one might solve the puzzle from another angle.

For instance, the simplest way, the Great Hero could just pray to the Night Goddess Nyx and then falsely claim to have received the answer from the Goddess, subsequently giving any arbitrary number. Whether the answer is true or false, it has become true in reality.

After all, as the question itself claims, the Master of Eternal Night knows the answer, so whatever she says must be true, even if it's false. And whether Heracles actually received a response from the Goddess is also something the Sphinx's rules cannot verify.

If the judge were a living person, they would naturally not accept such sophistry; but facing a rule, this could very well be the solution to the problem.

Of course, seeing the Sphinx's half-smiling expression, the Great Hero knew that it must have also thought of this method, but it still posed the question.

Because both know, if Heracles really answered the question this way, then he would indeed solve one puzzle.

But in contrast, another more terrifying question would then smack him in the face.

Using Primordial Gods as an excuse to lie... this is the Chaos present when gods lived.

Thinking about those kings and heroes who suffered horrible fates due to impulsive bragging, it's clear that whoever dares to do so is gambling their life on the Goddess's magnanimity.

To such a person, the Sphinx would not mind letting him win a round in advance.

"How about it, have you thought of an answer?"

Smiling, the words of the Sphinx seemed enticing.

"It seems you've got an idea, right?"

"How clever you are, human, different from your kin... Come on, speak your answer."