Chapter 27 Wish
The God of Light always likes to speak in riddles.
We should have gone straight back to Arcadia.
After all, she was forced to plan the Pythia Contest with Apollo.
Hermes realized this and instantly felt a pang of regret.
But then she thought again, there was the triangular cauldron she had been longing for here. Wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity to steal it and make Apollo regret it along with her?
It's his own fault for dragging her down with him!
Hermes glanced back at the swan chariot she had blocked, her gaze lingering on the man who was resting with his eyes closed for a few seconds.
She simply accelerated and flew to Delphi even faster than them.
She had no desire to continue playing these little tricks on that bastard Apollo; it was simply a waste of her energy and time!
The wind whistled past, and with the help of her winged shoes, Hermes arrived at her destination almost instantly.
She stepped into the temple and saw the bronze cauldron placed upright before the statue of the god of light. Its deep blue flames burned fiercely and never went out. It was sacred and attractive, and she longed to see it.
This is the most important thing!
"So how are you going to steal it? Your Highness, this is the territory of the villain Apollo."
[That's easy! Our Highness is so powerful, he'll just carry it back to Arcadia tonight under the cover of darkness!]
[Idiot, how could that be? You'd definitely get caught red-handed!]
【You're the idiot! You don't believe our Prince?!】
[...]
Tokei and Apistoni chirped on, chattering like birds, which was completely out of character for their snake-like forms.
Hermes stroked the little heads of the snakes on the scepter, and then saw the priestess come out of the inner hall.
"Good day, Your Highness." Priestess Pitya smiled, carrying a tray full of cups. "Thank you for your hard work. Here is some freshly prepared honey water, please enjoy."
“Thank you, Grandma Pythia.” Hermes took a cup; it was indeed hot. It seemed she had benefited from the triangular cauldron again. “However, Apollo and Hebe haven’t returned yet; we may have to wait for them a while longer.”
During the conversation, she tried to take the plate and help Pita carry it, but the other party refused.
"I'll take care of it. Please go in and rest for a while."
Therefore, Hermes had no choice but to give up.
Apollo and Hebe had not yet arrived at the temple. As she sipped her sweet honey water, she approached the triangular cauldron, whose surface was decorated with patterns depicting the heroic deeds of the god of light in slaying the giant serpent Piton. It looked very cool.
LOL, after she stole it back to Arcadia, she changed all the patterns and replaced them with her beating the God of Light.
As for how to steal it?
Hermes looked at the scepter of two snakes in her hand, and her scrutinizing gaze made the snakes coiled around it tremble involuntarily.
[Your Highness?]
Hermes looked around to make sure Pythia wasn't in the hall, then said softly with relief, "Do you think he'll find out if I conjure up a brand new bronze triangular cauldron that looks exactly like this thing and try to switch it out?"
[Your Highness is that amazing! There's definitely no problem at all!]
Yes, yes! And with us here, this perfect plan will absolutely succeed!
Hearing the snakes' words of comfort and encouragement, Hermes smiled.
She was confident she could replicate a new triangular cauldron, but she feared the fake wouldn't escape the discerning eyes of the God of Light.
Moreover, the sacred fire in the real triangular cauldron was planted by Helios, the sun god, and Themis, the goddess of justice, and was able to recognize the bodies and souls of all living beings.
Hermes could not guarantee that her illusions and divine powers would completely deceive Apollo.
If she really stole this thing in that way and he found out... wouldn't he take her to Mount Olympus for public execution again?
After all, she started out by stealing his sacred cow.
Hehe, thinking about it makes me feel a little accomplished~
No, no!
Now is not the time for complacency!
Just as Hermes shook her head to clear her mind, Apollo and Hebe finally returned.
"Sister!" The young goddess of youth ran straight to Hermes, threw herself into her arms and snuggled against her, "I missed you so much, sister!"
"Sweetie, little Hebe, I miss you so much too~"
It's only been a short time since we parted, and the little cutie is already missing her? Looks like she's doing a pretty good job as an older sister!
Unlike that annoying guy...
Hermes gently rubbed Hebe's little head in her arms, and glared fiercely at Apollo, who was strolling towards them.
He nonchalantly accepted her wolf-like gaze, raised his hand to stroke the raven feathers on his left shoulder, still displaying his usual calm and collected demeanor.
It's getting more and more irritating to look at.
“The seas are dangerous.” But Apollo still chose to strike up a conversation with Hermes, “The same is true for Triton.”
Whether the sea area is dangerous or not remains to be seen, after all, it is the kingdom of Poseidon, the sea god.
But what does this have to do with that handsome mermaid prince? She had just met him and had a very good impression of him.
Although Apollo walked straight into the inner hall without glancing at Hermes, she felt that he was implying something.
The God of Light always likes to speak in riddles.
"Really?" Hermes stopped looking at Apollo and puffed out her cheeks in a huff. "So, Brother Apollo, are you trying to persuade me not to go to the sea anymore?"
"I'm going anyway! What's it to you?"
I accidentally blurted out my true feelings.
Whether it was intentional or not doesn't matter; she simply wanted to infuriate Apollo.
Who cares what he's really thinking? Does this arrogant guy really think he's her supervisor? That she'll necessarily listen to him?
If it weren't for the Mother Goddess wanting her to be a good child, she wouldn't even bother to pretend in front of him!
The snakes were thrilled to hear Hermes's inner thoughts and unanimously agreed.
[Yes! That's the kind of toughness you need, Your Highness! We'll always support you!]
Defeat the villain Apollo! Princess Hermes will prevail!
Amidst the cheers of the snakes, Hermes grew increasingly arrogant, a smug look on her face.
Unexpectedly, Apollo nodded and said, "Alright, then go ahead."
……ah?
Hermes was astonished.
That's his reaction? Isn't that a bit too bland?
It wasn't the furious outburst she had imagined!
"Before that, don't forget your two competitions."
Hermes: "...No, how did that become my competition? It was clearly yours and the Sea Emperor's!"
"No."
Apollo stood at the entrance to the inner hall, turning his head to look at her. His hazy blue eyes gleamed with an unusual light—did he still know to look her in the eye?
"It's between you and me."
After speaking, he walked into the inner hall, his figure gradually disappearing from sight.
The crow, equally annoyed, was still flapping its wings and cawing incessantly.
Hermes was left petrified in place.
What did that guy mean? What does "it's between you and me" mean?
They were clearly just the organizers of the competition, don't make it sound so ambiguous!
Apistoni: [...Is it possible that Your Highness is overthinking things?]
Tokei: [Why do I feel like Apollo is mocking our prince?]
Who cares!
What does what he does have to do with her?!
Hermes snapped out of her jumbled thoughts and decided that there was no time to lose; she would begin her plan to steal Apollo's Tripod that very night.
Before that—
"Sister, what are we going to do now?" Hebe, who had been nestled in her arms, peeked out from between her arms, her innocent, large golden eyes showing curiosity and anticipation. "Are we going to search for treasure in Brother Apollo's temple?"
As dusk approached outside, the last rays of the setting sun began to appear, casting a warm glow through the gaps in the tall stone pillars, a blend of gold and red.
Hermes steadied herself, leaned close to Hebe's ear, and whispered, "Yes, dear little Hebe."
"Let's party all night tonight!"
Just then, when Hermes tentatively went to the inner hall to ask Apollo if he wanted to discuss the competition matters again, he declined after drinking a mouthful of honey water, saying he was too tired that day.
He seemed to have spoken to the priestess Pythia, who then quickly went deeper into the corridor, and even the raven had long since flown away.
Apollo even told her to leave, telling her to hurry back to Arcadia so he wouldn't have to see her off—after all, those winged shoes were too useful.
Seeing this, Hermes felt a surge of frustration return to her chest.
I really don't know what he has to be tired of. All he did was go to Arcadia and Olympia and then go into the sea to resolve the conflict between Athena and Poseidon.
She didn't think he was more afraid of getting into trouble than she was.
Just as the nine Muses returned to Mount Parnassus, the mountaintop echoed with the songs and laughter of the goddesses of the arts. Hermes suddenly remembered that there was something important to do.
"Brother Apollo!" She darted over and grabbed the cloak of the god who was just about to return to his bedchamber to rest. A grin appeared on her face again. She was always good at disguising herself. "Think carefully, have you forgotten something?"
Forced to turn around and face the brat again, Apollo said, "That's what I should be saying to you, Hermes."
What?! Why is this guy in such a hurry to get rid of her?!
Under the shocked gaze of Hebe, who was running after her not far away, Hermes clutched Apollo's cloak, widened her eyes, and started to act spoiled: "I don't care! You promised to grant my wish! Anything!"
"I want it now, and you have to give it to me!"
"Otherwise, I'll tear down your temple!"
She is really childish and annoying; sometimes she says and does things like she's crazy.
Even so, Apollo still couldn't truly get angry at Hermes.
It stemmed from a thought he couldn't understand.
Apollo's gaze swept over the delicate, white hand that Hermes was tugging at his cloak, before finally settling on that pretty, lively face and those captivating, swirling emerald green eyes.
"Then speak your wish, Hermes." The God of Light sighed, annoyed that she had once again so easily manipulated him. "Just don't make it too outrageous."
After all, she was the goddess of deception and theft, and he knew perfectly well that she coveted his things—whatever they might be.
After receiving the God of Light's approval, Hermes instantly beamed with joy and loosened her grip on his cloak.
"Really? That's great!"
Hermes completely let go of Apollo's cloak, stretched out her arms and hugged him, and to his astonishment, she affectionately wrapped her arms around his neck—this time she could do it without him having to bend down.
Because she has not only grown up, but also has the help of wing shoes, she can fly as high as she wants and do whatever she wants to him.
Including the things in the Temple of Light that he had warned against touching!
Hermes figured it out. Even if Apollo discovered her petty theft, it didn't matter. She could just carry the triangular cauldron and run away. She didn't believe he could outrun her, nor did she believe he would actually catch her again and take her to Olympus to be questioned in front of the gods.
Then they would hide the triangular cauldron in a place he couldn't find, using it to blackmail him and teach him a lesson he would never forget.
Get ready, Apollo!
[Wait, wait, Your Highness, what are you doing?!]
Is this what I should be seeing?!
"How about..."
Hermes brought her lips close to Apollo's ear, and as her hot breath fell on his ivory ear, it turned a light pink, as delicious as a peach.
"Why don't we build another temple dedicated to Gaia, the Earth Mother, on Mount Parnassus?"
The snakes were petrified. They were just making a request; there was no need for them to do such strange things!
They were terrified! They thought their prince was really going to be kidnapped!
Apollo: "..."
How on earth did she manage to say such rude and infuriating things with such an ambiguous gesture?
For a fleeting moment, he genuinely thought she would—no, he couldn't think about it anymore.
Apollo calmed his turbulent emotions, raised his hand and pressed it against Hermes' face, who was still clinging to his neck, forcefully pushing the wicked little thing away.
"Oh, so you're planning to grant my wish anytime soon? My dear brother Apollo!" Hermes, who had been pushed away by him, put her hands behind her back, tilting her head and smiling mischievously with a hint of cunning.
But her skin was indeed soft and firm, with a warmth that made him feel embarrassed, and it was completely flawless. Up close, she really did inherit the excellent genes of Maia and Zeus, and was quite perfect.
Yet she doesn't lose her own agility and vitality.
He's probably had enough of looking at this kid every day, but why can't he control his heart from fluttering for her now?
The frantic, incessant pounding of his heart came from within him and reached his ears.
It was as if the tolling of bells and drums had been going on for a long time, making him feel both dazed and invigorated.
"That was my original plan."
Apollo awkwardly looked away, a few strands of golden hair, as bright as sunlight, fell on the corners of his eyes and the sides of his face, softening his originally cold and arrogant features.
He doesn't want to confront Hermes head-on right now.
"I will also set up a special shrine for Themis in the soon-to-be-built Gaia Temple."
She is so cunning; she is always seeking to gain enormous benefits, just to satisfy her own selfish desires.
Apollo turned and left, his once imposing figure now appearing as if he were fleeing in disarray.
He knew that her source of power was Gaia, and that she would soon travel to Crete to find the powerful creator god.
Hermes, who was left behind by Apollo, burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. She never expected that her usually serious and earnest brother Apollo would have this side to him; it was so funny!
Things will surely get even more interesting after tonight, won't they?
The god of fraud and theft never gives up on the treasures he has his eye on.
At this moment, the goddess of youth, who had been silently watching the two of them from a distance as if she had been invisible, bit her lower lip and finally mustered up the courage to walk towards the goddess of girlhood.
“Sister Hermes.” Hebe nervously clasped her hands in front of her, her innocent and adorable round face filled with cautious emotions. “Do you love Brother Apollo? That must be love, right? You two looked so strange just now…”
Hebe recalled what Hermes had said to Triton on the shore.
So she's really curious now.
Hermes, who was asked this question, was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and patted Hebe's little head, which was definitely thinking wildly.
"No one would like him! That guy will definitely spend his whole life with that stinky, black crow!" Hermes scoffed, cursing the detestable Apollo without a care. "Before that, I'll turn him into a penniless pauper who's good for nothing but glittering gold!"
Therefore, tonight, this notorious thief, famous throughout Olympus, will make her grand reappear.
【Oh yeah~ Long live His Highness Hermes!】
The snakes also adore their goddess today.
[Author's Note]
There was a little accident before, sorry my little cuties qwqqqq
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