Chapter 30 Outrageous
...That brat really will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
That is to say, it's outrageous.
Hermes stared at the two men in front of her; they had both come for her, and the feeling was somewhat exciting.
Especially since she was caught by Apollo again and had her things stolen... What to do? She seems to really enjoy outsmarting him. He is the famous god of light and prophecy, he must have a ton of treasures, right?
She was determined to steal everything from him!
but--
“So, Sister Perius,” Hermes shifted her gaze from Apollo to the nymph, “what brings you here? Is it because of humans?”
Seeing that Hermes actually ignored him and turned her attention to an unknown nymph, Apollo frowned slightly, feeling a heavy weight in his chest.
He clearly felt it necessary to first question this untrustworthy brat about how he could betray his trust by stealing and hiding his sacred bird, the raven.
But he didn't say anything, he just waited quietly.
Because she chose the nymph fairy first.
"How strange," Apollo thought. "Why am I always getting distracted by Hermes?"
He then looked down at the instrument that Hermes had placed in the corner by the tree. It was the same kind of reed flute that she had once given him, except that the one she used was made from a scepter.
That's even stranger.
His mood suddenly improved a little.
At the same time, Peripera heard the words of the goddess she worshipped, and her feigned calm instantly shattered, her expression becoming even more horrified.
“Hoo…” Peripera took a deep breath, tears streaming down her reddened eyes like broken pearls. “You don’t know, I, I…”
Under the watchful eyes of the two great gods, the poor nymph finally revealed the secret that was too difficult to utter.
“I’m pregnant.” Peripera sniffed, looking even more upset. “I wasn’t sure at first, but before I came to see you, I felt it kicking my belly.”
After these words were spoken, Apollo remained silent, but Hermes' eyes widened, her surprise evident.
"Pregnant?"
Hermes's gaze was now entirely focused on Periope's belly, which was indeed slightly bulging.
Moreover, she did indeed sense signs of an unborn life the moment she appeared there.
But this doesn't make sense at all. Perioppa didn't have an affair with anyone, and she was a priestess in her temple. How could she possibly be pregnant?
Seemingly noticing Hermes's suspicion, Peripera became so anxious that her face and neck turned red. She clutched her slightly protruding belly with great force, as if she wanted to strangle the little life in her womb before it was even born.
“No, I can’t let this little bastard crawl out of my belly,” Peripera murmured, her beautiful face gradually contorting. “I have always remained chaste. Before being loyal to you, I served the goddess Artemis. How could I be pregnant out of nowhere?”
"This must be a monstrous creature, a monster! I can't let this monster be born! I must kill it! I must destroy this damned monster!"
Periope roared and raised his fists to pound his vulnerable belly, his frenzied appearance as terrifying as a madman.
But she is clearly gentle and kind by nature.
Hermes, who coexisted with the creatures of nature, was well aware of Periope's self-loathing. So she stepped forward and grabbed his raised fist, meeting his purple eyes filled with terror and pain.
She thought, "I won't let my treasure be destroyed."
Besides, how could Perioppa possibly give birth to a monster? Even if it really does end up like that, so what?
If Peripera believes in, serves, and depends on her, then she will take full responsibility for him.
“I believe in your innocence, Sister Perius. The child in your womb is not a wicked creature or a monster. Besides, I am here.” Hermes looked directly at the poor nymph, her heart aching at the sight of her sorrowful and melancholy appearance. “Pregnancy is a long and painful process. If you really don’t want this child, then tell me, and I will find a way to get rid of it for you.”
Hermes did not suggest that Peripera keep the child and give birth to it. Her first action was to calm her down and ask her what she really thought.
In fact, Hermes sensed that the little life inside Peyoppe's belly possessed the same natural attributes as her, but it was vague and she couldn't tell whether it was weak or strong.
But the process of carrying a child can indeed be a burden for women. Seeing how crazy Peripera was just now, she couldn't bear to let her bear such pain and responsibility.
Although she was also born to her mother, Maya, that was Maya's own choice. That's why she values Peripor's personal thoughts so much at this moment.
If Peripera insists on not having the child, she will find a way to eliminate it in a way that will no longer cause the child pain.
For some reason, at this moment, Hermes thought of Triton, the son of the Sea God and the Sea Queen, who had told her just yesterday that his mother was often melancholy and weeping.
She did not want to see the person she cherished end up like that.
Upon hearing Hermes' words, Peripera covered her face and wept bitterly, "I...I don't know, I don't know, Your Highness..."
"I didn't do anything, so why am I pregnant out of the blue? This must be a curse, right? This is outrageous! How can I ever face you and my sisters again..."
Hermes wanted to comfort Peripera, but she heard the voices of the snakes instead.
"That is nature's child, Your Highness. It's best not to let her kill it."
If our perception is correct, perhaps it will one day become a very powerful deity.
Apistoni and Toki are serpent spirits. Long, long ago, no, even now, serpents are a symbol of matriarchal deities.
They belong not only to nature, but also to the earth.
Hermes always knew this, which is why she chose to take in the two green snakes and make them her own symbol.
Just as she was hesitating about what to say to Perius, who was kneeling sadly, Apollo, who had been silent beside her, suddenly spoke up.
“It is indeed not a monster.” The God of Light and Prophecy said calmly, meeting the gazes of the other two. “On the contrary, it possesses everything and is an extremely powerful deity.”
Hermes was stunned upon hearing this.
The reason was that Apollo's words were so similar to what the serpents had just said to her!
“Was that a prophecy?” Hermes couldn’t help but ask. “Did you foresee such a future, Brother Apollo?”
Peripera lowered his tear-soaked hands and looked at the god of light before him, who possessed prophetic abilities, with a bewildered and uneasy expression.
She seemed to be praying, and she also seemed to be hoping.
Apollo replied without the slightest hesitation, "Yes."
In an instant, Peripera's tense shoulders and nerves relaxed, and she took another deep breath, this time with a sense of relief.
Hermes glanced thoughtfully at the seemingly unfathomable Apollo, then smiled at the nymph who was still kneeling on the ground with her head bowed.
"The decision of what to do is entirely up to you. This child originated from your womb, so its life and future are in your control."
Hermes knelt down, cupped Periope's cheeks in her hands, and gazed earnestly and sincerely into those violet eyes that were staring at her in a daze.
"If you don't want it, I'll take care of it for you; if you want it, then I..."
She paused for a moment.
"Then I will join you in becoming the mother of this child and raising and educating it."
Perius opened her eyes wide, while Hermes raised her head, still smiling as she looked down at the God of Light above.
She had always intended to use him.
As for how to use it, or how many times, none of that matters.
“Perfect timing! Doesn’t Brother Apollo’s temple have a unique treasure?” Hermes looked at Apollo’s expressionless, handsome face and smiled. “I’ve heard that the Triangular Cauldron of the Temple of Light at Delphi can identify the bodies and souls of all living beings in the world.”
"Perhaps you could take my sister Periope to see her, dear brother Apollo?"
...
...That brat really will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Apollo rubbed his temples, utterly helpless.
Unbelievable! Her selfish desires and ambitions burned even brighter than the sacred fire within his triangular cauldron.
He said coldly, "Excuse my bluntness, but there has never been a precedent of a pregnant woman stepping into the sacred fire within my cauldron."
The implication is that if Peripera were to go in and try it, there's no guarantee she wouldn't come out unscathed like Hermes did.
"Ah!" Hermes exclaimed in disappointment. "Alright, then let's see what Periuse decides!"
In other words, if Perioppa is indeed prepared to give birth to the child in her womb, she will still take her to the Holy Land of Delphi and place the newborn baby into the sacred fire.
Hermes' mind was made up, and not even ten horses could pull her back.
Apollo saw through it, and was therefore even more helpless.
He rubbed his temples again, feeling that he had never had a peaceful moment since he met her.
Finally, Peripera mustered up her courage and said that she wanted to try being a mother.
Hermes respected Peripera's decision and gently placed her hands on her belly, infusing her divine power into the womb that was nurturing a new life.
She kept her promise and would share the responsibility of raising and educating the child with the nymph, becoming the mother of the child who would eventually be born.
For some reason, when Apollo saw this scene—the tender look in Hermes' eyes as she looked at Periope and her belly—he felt a heavy weight in his chest.
As if crushed by a heavy boulder, he instinctively did not want to see such a scene.
But I can't quite explain why.
This feeling of unease prompted Apollo to speak to Hermes: "Now it's my turn, you despicable, shameless, and wicked thief."
Apollo stared coldly at Hermes's furrowed, surprised face.
“Give me back my raven, you despicable, shameless, and wicked thief.”
He even repeated that long string of nonsensical titles.
"Otherwise, this time I'll be the one to tear down your temple."
Hermes: "..."
In other words, can you please stop being so childish?
Damn Apollo.
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