Chapter 620: Zeus' Decision
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Zeus, unsure, pushed away the clouds with his hand and looked at Achilles in the Greek camp, but saw a scene that made him angry.
Achilles put on his horse and used a belt to penetrate the holes in the heels and ankles of Hector's corpse, tying Hector's body to the chariot.
"Smack. β
A whip exploded, and the chariot ran around the tomb of Patroclus, and Hector's body was dragged behind the chariot three times.
Hector's body was dragged out of gaps and marks, which was typical of corpse abuse.
The gods on the sacred mountain of Olympus were very sad and indignant when they saw this scene, and felt that Achilles' actions were too much and should not be forgiven.
Even Hera, who had always supported the Greeks, kept her mouth shut.
The gods had always been very taboo about the cruelty of corpses, and Achilles was undoubtedly guilty of public anger.
Zeus looked at Achilles in the clouds without saying a word, and his heart was already burning with anger.
"Iris, go and tell Thetis, that she should tell Achilles that the gods, including me, are angry at his wanton humiliation of Hector's corpse and his detention of it on the ship from redemption. Zeus commanded Elise, the goddess of the rainbow.
"Yes, honorable Zeus. With that, Elise turned into a rainbow and disappeared on Mount Olympus.
This time, the horn was sounded to summon the gods to gather, mainly to tell them that the three goddesses of fate would issue an oracle, and that someone among the mortals would become a new god.
This is a major matter, and Zeus's greatest doubt about mortal gods is Achilles.
Not only is Achilles the most powerful among mortals and closest to the gods, but more importantly, Achilles is the prophesied child of fate who threatens Zeus.
In the face of this threat, and all kinds of accidents, Zeus had already made up his mind, and said to Hermes: "Memnon has not yet arrived, and you send a wind to his journey, so that he can reach the battlefield of Troy as soon as possible." β
"I understand, terrible father. Hermes replied, sighing in his heart, even if Achilles had the afterglow of fate, he would definitely be consumed by killing Memnon, the son of the goddess of dawn.
Zeus was determined to quickly execute Achilles.
When the meeting was over and the gods dispersed, Hera called out to Apollo, who had just walked to the door of the hall and was about to leave.
"Your terrible father, Zeus is looking for you, come with me. Hera said.
Apollo followed Hera back into the hall, and when he returned, he saw Zeus, sitting on a throne of ivory and gold, with a pale face.
Zeus had already made up his mind, and said with a calm face: "Apollo, I allow you to kill Achilles with the hands of mortals at once, and if you can't, you can kill him with your own hands." β
"Yes. Apollo agreed.
With Zeus' permission, Apollo didn't need to be tied.
He had already been murderous to Achilles, but it had been inconvenient to do so, even if Achilles insulted Hector's corpse, Apollo had been patient and did not make a move against Achilles, and now that Zeus has permission, he doesn't have to be passive.
The palace of Thetis in the deep sea.
On the orders of Zeus, Elise quickly rushed to Thetis's palace.
"My dear Elise, what wind has brought you to me. Thetis said kindly.
"Thetis, it was Zeus who asked me to come. Elise said lightly.
The goddess of the sea couldn't help but change her solemn expression when she heard that it was Zeus who asked Elise to come to her.
"Zeus commanded me to come to you, to your son Achilles, and to tell him that the gods, including Zeus, were angry at him for wantonly insulting the corpse of Hector, and for keeping it on the ship and not letting it be ransomed. Rainbow goddess Elise said.
Thetis's face changed, she didn't expect Achilles to make this mistake, and what frightened her even more was Zeus's tone.
As soon as she was about to say something, the rainbow goddess Elise finished issuing Zeus's order, and her figure flashed, and she disappeared into the palace of Thetis in the deep sea.
Thetis remained for a moment, did not dare to delay, and immediately left the palace, and in less than a moment rushed to the barracks of Achilles.
Because she came stealthily, the soldiers outside the barracks could not detect her.
Achilles was sitting in the barracks in a daze at the moment, and he didn't even notice that Thetis had come in.
Theses slowly approached and sat down, and said gently, "My dear son, how long will you torment yourself with sorrow and sighs, and if you do not eat or drink?"
For what happened to Achilles, Thetis sympathized with her, but she was helpless.
Achilles looked at his mother and said, "Mother, although I have killed Hector and avenged my good friend Patroclus, I am not happy at all. β
"How much you miss your good friend Patroclus, but thankfully you're not blinded by hatred. Thetis straightened up and said, "My son, listen to what Zeus wants me to say to youβhe and the gods are angry that you have mistreated Hector's corpse and have kept it in the ship. β
"My son, let's ask for a good ransom and hand over the body. β
Thetis knew that if Achilles disobeyed the will of the gods at this moment, he would be greeted by the endless wrath of the gods, and even after death, he would not have peace.
Achilles raised his head and looked at his mother: "Mother, in that case, I respect the opinion of Zeus and the gods! Whoever gives me a ransom can bring the body back." β
After the gods sheltered Hector's corpse during the day, and now his mother's words, he figured out that if he still held Hector's corpse, the gods would definitely not allow it, so he simply was generous and handed over Hector's corpse, so as not to continue to offend the gods.
"My son, you will be glad at your decision today, and the gods will forgive you for your rash moments. Thetis said happily.
Just then, a herald came in and said: "Dear Prince Achilles, there is a man outside who claims to be Priam, the king of Troy, and he is coming with only an old man. β
"Oh, how dare he bring only an old man to the camp, and you invite him in. Achilles said.
"Yes. The herald slowly retreated.
Not long after, King Priam, guided into Achilles' barracks.
Achilles sat on a wool mat and looked at Priam who walked in, and saw an old man with gray hair and a lot of wrinkles on his face.
Priam walked into the barracks and saw Achilles sitting on a wool mat, and Achilles was staring at him.
With small steps, he walked up to Achilles, hugged his knees, kissed the hands that had killed many of his sons, and looked at Achilles' face.
Achilles and his friends looked at the old man in amazement, wondering why he had made such a humble gesture.
Know that Priam was the king of Troy and was revered even in the warring Greek camps.
The old man pleaded, "Holy Achilles, think of your father, who is as old as me, and who may be hated and threatened by his neighbors, and who is as isolated and fearful as I am, but who is always looking forward to seeing his son again, and for his triumphant return from Troy. β
"You are right, my father Peleus has sent several waves of messengers to hope that I will return triumphantly, and he misses me very much. Achilles said.
Priam listened to Achilles' words and continued: "Yes, your father Peleus misses you, and at least he can send a messenger to communicate with you, but what about me? When the Greeks came to the city of Troy, I had ten sons, all of whom were killed one after another. β
"I am the one who has lost the most in this war. And now you have taken the only son who can protect us, the city and the people. β
"These sons of mine, they will never come back, and when I miss them, what can I do but cry before their graves?"
"Holy Achilles, have mercy on me, I have lost ten sons, and I cannot bury the body of the only son who can protect us, how sad and desperate I am. β
"Therefore, I have come to your ship in the hope of redeeming my son Hector, and I have brought you a large ransom. β
"Son of Peleus, follow the counsel of God, and think of your father, and have mercy on me!"
Priam came to Achilles' ship this time, with the determination to become a benevolent man if he did not succeed, and spoke his heart.
The effect of Priam's words was so obvious that it aroused Achilles' nostalgia for his elderly father, Peleus.
Achilles gently let go of the old man's hand, helped the old man up, and said sympathetically: "Poor thing, you have suffered so much, and how bold you have shown to dare to come alone to my warship and meet a man who killed your son." β
"Well, I am willing to return Hector's body to you, for my mother has told me of Zeus's commands. β
"Moreover, I also understand that it was God who helped you and brought you on my warship, otherwise, a mortal, no matter how daring, would not have been able to come here. β
In fact, this is the main reason why Achilles agreed, how tight the Greek camp was, and this old man entered all the way without alarming anyone, this must be God's direct help - now, God's attitude has been very obvious.
No matter how confident Achilles was, he did not dare to oppose the collective will of God.
When Priam heard that Achilles had promised to return Hector's body to him, he was overjoyed, and he came here to ask Achilles to redeem Hector's body, not thinking that Achilles would easily agree to his request.
"Thank you, noble Achilles, very much for listening to my prayer and for promising me to redeem Hector's body. β
"The ransom I have brought will be given to you in full as a thank you for your kindness at this moment. β