Chapter 12 Music Battle
“Yes,” he said, “and that’s not all.”
Hermes adopted the two green snakes who depended on each other for survival, and she decided to take them with her wherever she went, as they were creatures of Arcadia, and let them coil around her scepter as her power and symbol.
She gave her former nameless companions new names: Tokei, meaning profit, and Apistoni, meaning trust.
Before completely erasing Apollo's divine power from the scepter, if we can prevent him from even touching it, then that would be considered a success, right? Because this scepter has white wings and a winding blue snake, it looks more like it belongs to her no matter how you look at it!
Apollo could not punish or kill the two snakes at will, otherwise he would be considered narrow-minded and contemptuous of living beings.
Moreover, the ownership of this region is nominally still in the hands of Artemis.
Hermes wasn't sure if her idea was powerful, but the thrill of taking a shortcut was undeniable. She watched with amusement as Apollo expressionlessly used his divine power to heal her snakebite, and all the anger she felt from his mockery and torment a while back vanished instantly.
He'll surely forgive her, won't he? After all, she gifted him two musical instruments she invented, helping him solidify his position as a musical god.
"Hermes." The God of Light glanced sideways at the brat who was still secretly gloating. Even though he was annoyed by her cunning and mischievousness, he could only helplessly let her be. "When are you going to change your wicked nature?"
It wasn't because she was too good-tempered; after all, the scepter was a gift from him, even though he had given her a small trial.
The God of Light is always grateful and repaying kindness. How could he possibly remain indifferent to the deceitful god who once gave him a homemade musical instrument to solidify his divine office?
He handed over the golden flute, his pale blue eyes calmly watching Hermes put down the scepter of two snakes and accept the instrument she had created herself.
Hermes stared at the flute in her hand for a long time, then tilted her head and said, "Brother Apollo?"
Isn't this the gift she gave him back then?
“Play a piece with me.” Apollo no longer looked at her, but his beautifully shaped lips still uttered those words: “Then I will take you to Delphi.”
After he finished speaking, without waiting for her reply, his slender, jade-like fingers gently plucked the delicate strings of the violin in his arms. The soft, rhythmic music began to play, seemingly carrying some distant expectation, and its ethereal sound resonated throughout the entire grassland.
In fact, Hermes really liked Apollo playing the harp. She always knew that he was elegant and rational. When the tall and handsome embodiment of light leaned calmly against the tree with scattered light spots and quietly plucked the seven-stringed harp, she would admire him as the master of music, and at the same time, she would involuntarily imagine that perhaps his true nature was gentle.
Because those slightly drooping, hazy blue eyes were so beautiful, and those straight, chiseled noses were so handsome.
Damn it, it's still glowing! My eyes are going to be blinded!
Hermes shook her head, snapping out of her daze. She didn't want to be impressed by the stingy Apollo's good looks, and she certainly didn't want to be outdone by him in any way.
So she brought the flute in her hand to her lips and blew it.
Unlike Apollo's gentle melodies, Hermes' music is cheerful and lively, full of a joyful feeling.
He was engrossed in playing his seven-stringed harp and still didn't look at her.
However, the speed at which he plucked the strings gradually increased, and as the musical style approached that of Hermes, she opened her eyes wide, feeling that this guy was definitely mocking her arrogantly again, so she deliberately slowed down the flute playing, just like Apollo had done before.
This is outrageous! The music Apollo played has returned to its elegant and melodious state, as if it's deliberately going against Hermes.
With this in mind, she played the flute until her face turned red and her neck became thick, and the rhythm gradually became wild, but it did not deviate from the range that the flute could bear.
We will never admit defeat to Apollo!
And so they began their musical duel. Surprisingly, despite their diverse musical styles, they somehow complemented each other perfectly, creating a wonderful and natural sense of freshness, as if they were missing a dancer to entertain them.
The off-white cows grazed on the grass, enjoying the performance by the two deities, their tails swishing back and forth – they were incredibly happy.
The two green snakes coiled around the scepter stared in disbelief at their master.
I had thought Hermes and Apollo would have a bad relationship, after all, last night she tearfully and bitterly told them about his shortcomings such as stinginess, arrogance and temper... but today Hermes and Apollo played such beautiful music together, and they seemed to have the feeling of being partners who had known each other for many years.
—This relationship is really quite 'bad'!
Finally, Hermes was the first to stop playing. Although she wasn't out of breath, she still felt a little tired. Apollo, as expected of the god of music, could easily master all types of music, and even quickly decipher and learn the rhythms she had deliberately disrupted.
Pshaw, what's so great about that!
Hermes placed the flute back on the open ground next to Apollo and watched him end the duet with a short, soft, and fragmented final note.
"Hmph." She crossed her arms, turning her face away, unwilling to meet the gaze of those blue eyes that finally glanced at her. "As expected of Brother Apollo, your playing is truly melodious and beautiful. Of course, I still think I'm the best!"
Unexpectedly, Apollo nodded, revealing an expression of agreement: "Indeed."
The God of Light raised his eyebrows and smiled, looking quite pleased with himself, which stunned Hermes, who couldn't help but steal glances at him.
This guy actually admitted outright that she was better than him?
Hermes's heart seemed to be experiencing a raging tsunami.
Oh no! Why is he flashing again?!
My eyes are practically blinded by the light!!!
Apollo ignored Hermes, who was inexplicably baring her teeth and claws, searching for enemies in the void. He stood up, stepped out of the shadows cast by the leaves, and looked up at the clear sky.
Perhaps Helios, driving the chariot of the sun, is right here.
“I’ll take you to Delphi.” Apollo lowered his head, and once again his eyes fell upon the girl who always surprised him. “I think my punishment should end now.”
"……ah?"
Hermes paused her search for enemies in the void, staring blankly at Apollo, whose words were cryptic.
At that moment, a strange sound came from the distant horizon.
A magnificent chariot, pulled by a flock of elegant and beautiful swans, is speeding towards us. Its seats are covered with a gold and red wool blanket, which shimmers brilliantly in the sunlight.
Hermes suddenly sensed the approaching presence of an unfamiliar deity.
"Good day, Your Highness Apollo, Your Highness Hermes."
She turned her head and saw nine beautiful goddesses appear beside her and Apollo.
The goddesses stood respectfully with their arms placed in front of their abdomens and their heads bowed. They wore brightly colored long gowns and shawls, and all of them looked alike, extremely beautiful and elegant.
The nine Muses were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, and also servants of Apollo.
Mya, the mother, had mentioned these noble and elegant goddesses of the arts.
“You shall remain here and wait,” Apollo said casually, then walked toward the swan chariot parked not far away. “Follow me, Hermes.”
He glanced sideways at the brown-haired girl who was still standing there, stunned.
"Didn't you want to return to Olympus?"
Upon hearing this, Hermes immediately snapped out of her daze, picked up the scepter of two serpents from the ground, and ran towards Apollo, who was already riding in his chariot. She didn't forget to turn back and wave goodbye to her nine sisters and the herd of cattle.
"It was a pleasure to meet you all! Beautiful ladies! And adorable cows! See you next time!"
The muses waved and smiled at the lovely little girl; they had all heard Hermes play the music and therefore had a great fondness for her.
The cattle chewed on the grass while watching the girl's departing figure.
As Hermes boarded the chariot and approached Apollo, she felt the chariot lift into the air, pulled by swans carrying them to the distant holy land of Delphi.
But right now, that's not the most important thing.
Hermes turned to look at the God of Light, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.
"So...you're going to help me return to Olympus?" She paused, her tone becoming cautious. "...Brother Apollo?"
Upon hearing this, Apollo slowly opened his eyes.
He turned his head and met those clear, clean, emerald green round eyes.
“Yes,” he said, “and that’s not all.”
[Author's Note]
Hermes: Playing the flute wildly
Apollo: Playing the lyre wildly
Bystanders Snake and Cow: Stop fighting! Stop fighting!
Muses: If we're going to fight, let's go to Olympus! (Laughs)
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