Chapter 23 The Messenger
Because the nightmare came true.
Previously, Hermes was always taken to Olympus by Apollo, but now she no longer needs to rely on anyone. Having become independent and powerful, she possesses substantial resources.
She no longer needed to scheme and plot every moment; every god, elf, and human she encountered would greet her, and she would no longer feel inferior because of her lowly birth.
Even in the realm of the gods on Olympus, she possessed her own palace.
Hephaestus, who returned with Hermes, knew that Maia had once lived here. Considering his relationship with his foster mother Thetis, he thoughtfully renovated Maia's former residence, making the mountain goddess's palace, which had been untouched for a long time, even more stable and magnificent, and dedicated it to Hermes, who was now one of the twelve Olympian gods.
Meanwhile, Hera, the queen of the gods, dispatched more than a dozen nymphs to take care of Hermes' new residence every day, and also sent mountains of various treasures to welcome her back to Olympus.
Thus, the gods were well aware of the importance of this Olympian goddess; her father was Zeus, yet she was favored by Hera.
Moreover, Apollo, who seemed to have a close relationship with her, brought Hephaestus back from the sea, so that Hera would no longer treat him, Artemis, and Leto coldly.
Ever since the gods saw the newborn Hermes at the banquet that day, Olympus has undergone a complete transformation.
That's really intriguing.
For the Pythian Games, Hermes and Apollo traveled to the Olympian abode. They heard from the human craftsmen of Arcadia that Athena had gone to great lengths to build the sailing ships and had even sought out Zeus, the king of the gods.
After receiving Athena's design drawings, people built many small boats to lay the foundation for later large-scale projects, until the completion of large sailing ships capable of sailing and communicating with people from other places. However, none of the ships could be used at sea. No matter how much people offered sacrifices and prayed to Poseidon, the sea god, the surging waves would still crash ashore, mercilessly destroying or even completely ruining the ships anchored in the harbor.
Hermes had heard about this from the nymphs while shepherding sheep, and she had also heard the fear, sorrow and prayers of mankind in the temple.
At that moment, as Periuse, whom she had appointed as high priest, gently comforted the humans who had come to worship, Athena appeared in the rear hall and told her that she, Pallas Athena, would personally resolve this matter for these poor children.
“But I didn’t expect Uncle Poseidon to be so opposed to humans going to sea,” Hermes said on the way to Zeus’s abode with Apollo. “It would be beneficial to both sides, wouldn’t it? Humans would get more food and learn more about places outside their homeland, and Uncle Poseidon would be worshipped and offered more offerings by humans, who would constantly pray for his blessing when they went to sea.”
This is a fairly simple principle—mutual help and mutual benefit.
Does Poseidon, the sea god, not care about any of this? The choices he makes, amidst both fear and adoration, perplex her.
“It’s not your fault. Before you were even born, the Sea God had a dispute with Athena.” Apollo looked ahead and calmly recalled the vivid memory. “At that time, Athena had the same idea as you. She encouraged people to build fishing boats and go out to sea to fish. The Sea God was furious and destroyed all the humans and fishing boats that appeared in the sea. Later, the matter was left unresolved.”
Hearing this, Hermes paused, and the snakes coiled around the scepter sensed her sadness.
She thought to herself, no wonder Athena was so supportive when she learned that she had suggested the Arcadians build sailing ships.
“The ocean is the domain of the Sea God, just as the underworld is ruled by the King of the Underworld, and the sky and the earth are ruled by the King of the Gods.” Apollo lowered his eyes and glanced at Hermes, who was looking down and seemingly lost in thought. “Gods are selfish, no matter what the reason.”
Just like us.
Hermes couldn't help but retort, "Isn't that too absolute? Although I am selfish, I believe there must be other gods who are different, such as Athena and Prometheus, who are always thinking of humanity and tirelessly traveling all over the earth!"
She had heard her mother tell the story of Athena and Prometheus creating a new generation of humans from silver, and she had also witnessed Athena's love and grace for mankind. Therefore, she chose to use these two as positive examples at this time.
Apollo hadn't expected this girl, so adept at disguise, to so frankly express her negativity and so unreservedly belittle herself. So he pursed his lips slightly, his eyes shimmering with emotion.
He replied, "Athena and Prometheus fell in love with the humans they created themselves; that is their selfishness."
As for Hermes's personal motives?
There were too many for him to count.
The King of Gods' palace was next to the Queen of Gods' palace. It was taller and more magnificent than the others, and countless servants came and went there.
Hermes wanted to go directly up the white high steps to find Zeus, but Apollo grabbed her by the back of her clothes.
I've lost count of how many times he's treated me like this.
She stopped and turned around, a helpless smile on her face: "Actually, you could have just told me directly, Brother Apollo, and I would have listened to you obediently."
Upon hearing this, Apollo glanced away slightly and withdrew his hand.
The lingering heat on his hands was of unknown origin, whether from her or himself.
"...I'm sorry, it was my rudeness." Apollo's voice became somewhat deep, sounding both sexy and strange.
It's truly incomprehensible; he seems to have genuinely grown accustomed to this behavior that is so completely out of character when he's around her.
“There is one thing you must understand, Hermes,” Apollo said slowly, leading Hermes to a corner. “It was the Queen of the Gods who gave you the opportunity and fulfilled your wish.”
He was implying something.
Hermes looked at him, blinked her big eyes a few times, and transformed from a child into a young girl.
Damn it, I don't like being looked down upon by him. I want to be a little taller!
So Apollo saw Hermes grow bigger and bigger until finally he looked down at her and she looked down at him.
She should be thankful that the scepter of two snakes didn't grow into a gigantic object along with her.
As for why Hermes didn't experience the scene of being looked up at by Apollo as she had imagined? Because he couldn't be bothered to argue with her.
"Are you sure you want to meet Father God in this state?" He closed his eyes expressionlessly, not wanting to look directly at her white thighs.
Very good, Hermes has returned to her normal girl form; she is no longer childish.
However, his impression of that brat was becoming more and more profound.
"Brother Apollo is so annoying," she muttered under her breath.
[Yeah, that annoying Apollo!]
Why don't we steal his temple when we get back?
Apistoni and Tokei stood up for their prince.
Apollo ignored the brat's complaints and led her up the steps into the palace of the god-king amidst the salutes of his attendants.
They crossed the long corridor and saw Zeus sitting on his throne, with Aphrodite beside him. Both gods were smiling, but the atmosphere between them was somewhat strange.
It seems that Zeus and Aphrodite had a very interesting conversation just now... Wait, why was Aphrodite in Zeus's palace?
Speaking of which, where is Athena?
"Oh dear, isn't this Apollo and..." The goddess of love and beauty turned her head slightly, chuckling as she looked at the girl who had captured her attention even more than before, "...our little Hermes~"
Hermes flew over first and bowed to the two on the steps in greeting.
"Almighty God-King!" Her voice was clear and melodious, full of captivating vitality. "Greetings, charming Sister Aphrodite!"
The clever little devil, as expected, did not call Zeus "father god".
Apollo stepped forward and stood beside her, placing his right hand on his chest in salute with her.
“Like a fragrant and tempting fruit~” Aphrodite stood up and walked towards Hermes. “Little one, how did you grow up so much?”
She reached out and touched Hermes' cheeks, lifting that beautiful, rose-like face to let those unforgettable emerald green eyes look directly at her.
Of course, she wouldn't miss the two snake spirits from dear nature. Oh, even they were watching her intently, which pleased her greatly.
"Finally, a lovely child has appeared on Olympus," Aphrodite thought with delight.
"Ah! Sister Aphrodite!" Hermes hadn't expected such affection from her. When that alluring, fragrant hand touched her and she met the goddess's stunning face, she blushed involuntarily, her composure faltering. "Because I want to grow taller, so..."
Damn it, the allure of the goddess of love and beauty is too strong! Could it be the magic of that golden belt?
Absolutely! I've heard that Aphrodite's golden belt possesses the power to bewitch all living beings!
[This is terrifying, I actually wanted to kiss her fingers and toes...]
【Ugh! That perverted Tokei!】
【Isn't that what you think too, Apistoni!】
Not to mention the snakes, even she was willing to submit to the alluring goddess. The embodiment of love and beauty was truly a terrifying existence.
Hmm? Why does it feel like the temperature around me has suddenly gotten colder?
Hermes shuddered.
Noticing the cold gaze from the God of Light beside her, Aphrodite paused and lowered her hands.
“A lovely reason and a lovely child~” But Aphrodite still deliberately said it in a flirtatious tone.
Hermes stammered as she called out "sister" again, her face as red as a ripe apple, steam rising from her head.
"..."
My goodness, Apollo's eyes are getting even more profound, this is really interesting!
The goddess of love and beauty smiled, covering her lips.
Just then, Zeus finally spoke.
"My fine children, you have come for Athena, haven't you?" The King of Gods sat leisurely on his throne, still holding the thunderous scepter that crackled with electricity.
How could he have known?
Hermes, recovering from Aphrodite's charm offensive, answered Zeus before Apollo could.
“Yes, you are truly all-knowing, my greatest father god.” She began her cunning flattery again, this time even using a title related to blood ties with peace of mind. “My brother Apollo and I are worried about the athletic games at Delphi. We thought that perhaps our wise sister Athena could help us!”
Apollo nodded and continued her words: "Hermes is right, great Father God. We heard that Athena came looking for you, so we followed her."
“Oh, it’s about that…that’s true.” Zeus said with a smile, still bearing the guise of a god-king, thus appearing both majestic and clearly showing paternal affection. “However, she left before you.”
Upon hearing this, Hermes and Apollo exchanged a knowing glance, which shocked the snakes—so why was their Highness so perfectly in sync with that bastard God of Light?!
It felt like we were telepathically connected! We didn't even need to explain it to each other!
"You should all know this as well. Athena desires that mankind be able to sail on the seas, and this has happened before." Under the watchful eyes of his children, Zeus continued in a storytelling tone, "But I told Athena that it was a private matter between her and Poseidon. After all, the sea is the domain of the sea god, isn't it?"
After speaking, Zeus shrugged, appearing indifferent and unconcerned.
Apollo remained silent.
Aphrodite turned to look at His Majesty the King of Gods, a dark light flashing in her beautiful emerald eyes.
The goddess of love and beauty was born from the waves of the vast ocean. She inherited the will of the ancient god of love, Eros. When she emerged barefoot from a giant seashell rising from the sea, every god and spirit in the world praised this goddess who was born at the peak of her life, and eagerly followed her as flowers bloomed wherever she went.
However, what many may not know is that Aphrodite inherited more than just the will of the creator god who ruled over love and desire. After all, she was born from Uranus, the castrated king of the gods.
Upon hearing Zeus's words, Hermes understood that Athena must have gone to the sea and was perhaps having another argument with Poseidon.
She thanked Zeus and prepared to leave Olympus with Apollo to search for Athena in the sea.
But once again, the God-King's leisurely voice echoed from the throne.
"By the way, Hermes, my proudest daughter."
Hermes paused in place, awaiting the Father's instructions.
She had a bad feeling—she felt that a nightmare was about to begin.
"Would you mind becoming my right-hand woman and helping me fulfill my wishes, Hermes? This should have been Iris's task, but I believe my powerful daughter surpasses her countless times!" Zeus rested his cheek on his hand, still wearing a loving smile as he faced his children who were watching him. His gaze lingered for a moment on his daughter's winged hat and scepter of two serpents. "Go and retrieve the golden chain that Aphrodite lost in the deep sea. Oh, and also resolve the conflict between Athena and Poseidon."
When Zeus uttered these words, Hermes felt as stiff as a stone, the damned stone of the Pythia Race.
Because the nightmare came true.
“From this moment forward, you are the messenger representing my will, Hermes.”
Damn it, things are getting worse and worse!
Hermes bit her lower lip, recalling Apollo's words before they entered the palace.
—It was the Queen God who gave you the opportunity and fulfilled your wish.
He had subtly warned her not to provoke Hera.
“Of course, dear Aphrodite.” Zeus’s gaze shifted ambiguously to another important being beneath him. “My wish is your wish.”
Aphrodite responded with a slight smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
For a moment, Apollo paused, his pale blue eyes foreseeing a new future.
In that future, Aphrodite would be forced to marry Hephaestus.
as well as……
Apollo was uneasy and couldn't help but glance to the side, where he saw Hermes gripping the scepter of two snakes tightly.
[Author's Note]
According to Baidu: One day, while Aphrodite was bathing by the sea, she accidentally dropped her most precious ornament—a gold chain—into the ocean. She was very sad and asked Zeus for help. Zeus sent Hermes to the bottom of the sea to find the gold chain. Hermes quickly found the gold chain and brought it back to Aphrodite. Aphrodite was very grateful and invited Hermes to her palace.
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