“Go, go, go!!
Don’t come looking for me again for a while!”
Under Hecate’s furious voice—caused by her shattered worldview—Hephaestus was pushed out the door.
BANG!!
Looking at the door that had been rudely slammed shut, and recalling Hecate’s expression of doubting her own divine existence, the corners of Hephaestus’s mouth beneath his mask curved further upward.
Who would have thought—who would have thought.
This truly was a wonderful discovery.
Although Hecate’s so-called faith was quite perfunctory—merely a verbal “Praise the God of Fire”—Hephaestus genuinely felt that some kind of link had been established between him and Hecate.
Even though this link was fragile and fleeting, like a candle in the wind, Hephaestus still successfully used it to “pour” some things into Hecate, allowing her to successfully use the Miracle: Sunlight Spear.
Ah, no—that shouldn’t be called Sunlight Spear.
Recalling the golden lightning talisman in Hecate’s hand… hmm, it would indeed be more fitting to call it Miracle: Sunlight Toothpick.
However, this result completely shattered Hecate’s worldview.
After all, throughout all of Greek mythology, it was never stated that praying to a deity could grant power.
At most, a deity would appear, offer some hints or help, or perhaps lend a piece of equipment—and that was all.
For Hephaestus, being able to wield a lightning spear just by saying “Praise the God of Fire”—that was truly a first.
Hecate was shocked.
Hephaestus was also satisfied.
Because according to his previous feeling, the Miracle: Sunlight Toothpick used by Hecate didn’t consume any of his own power.
Originally, he had been a bit worried that he might be like a Wi-Fi router—the more people connected, the more bandwidth would be used.
But it turned out there was no impact at all.
However, it was also possible that Hephaestus couldn’t feel it because the link was too thin.
But overall, today’s discovery gave Hephaestus a brand new understanding of the power he possessed—and made him more confident about future changes.
Of course, even if he wasn’t 100% sure—if something really happened, he would confront it head-on.
He was just a King of the Gods—Zeus.
What hadn’t he experienced in his previous life?
What Lords of Cinder hadn’t he cut down?
Do you know the Sun King?
He chatted and laughed with him—and even used his most skilled lightning spear to blow him up!
If this Zeus dared to betray his sworn sister, then he would create two Incarnation Rings—one for Zeus and one for his sister Metis!
Then he would tie up Zeus and hand him over to his sister… ah no, at that time she should be called his brother—hand him over to his brother to dispose of as he pleased!
Hephaestus looked back at Hecate’s temple—where the door was tightly shut—then turned and left.
The main purpose of coming here was accomplished.
Next, he had to complete the secondary purpose: he needed to search the vast lands of the Underworld for minerals and building materials that met his requirements.
Olympus – Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom
“My love, I must go.
This world needs me.”
The great King of the Gods, Zeus, released his beloved Queen of the Gods.
Because of the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, he had to leave his gentle haven—but he had to do so.
For he was the King of the Gods.
He was Zeus.
“Farewell, my love.
I will await your return—and then we shall experience this beautiful time together again.”
The understanding Queen of the Gods did not try to keep the King of the Gods.
She generously released her husband and encouraged him to complete his mission.
The King of the Gods looked back thrice with every step.
The short distance to the door took him a full ten minutes to finally leave—and the Queen of the Gods watched him the entire time.
This deep and ardent love made the King of the Gods feel happy—yet at the same time, a trace of inexplicable irritation arose in his heart.
Finally, as the door closed, the King of the Gods’s reluctant expression instantly transformed into one of relaxed joy and intense anticipation.
“My beautiful Leto—I’m coming!”
Whispering his lover’s name, the King of the Gods strode out of the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom.
But he did not know that after the door closed—not only had his expression changed, but the Queen of the Gods inside had also changed her expression.
“Just a little longer.
Just endure a little more.
It will be soon.”
Metis sat by the bed, gently stroking her swollen belly.
The smile on her face was still as gentle as water—but her hollow eyes appeared particularly chilling.
“Soon we will be together forever.
Even if you have many more lovers—ultimately, only I will be able to be with you.
Won’t I, my adorable daughter?”
Metis’s abdomen pulsed—as if making some kind of response.
This caused Metis’s eyes to gradually regain their luster, and the smile at the corner of her mouth took on a hint of lofty mockery.
“Your father is still a bit foolish.
Does he really think that any goddess would lose herself because of his sweet words?
He still overestimates himself—and underestimates me.”
“I’m willing to listen because I like to listen.
That’s all.”
“So, my daughter—you will inherit my wisdom and your father’s strength.”
“On the day of your birth, your name—Athena—will resound throughout Olympus.”
“You must remember: true strength lies in the coexistence of wisdom and power.”
“I believe you will use this power cautiously.”
“But you must always remain humble—and not get lost in this power.”
“One day, your father and I will find a beautiful, secluded place to live in retirement.”
“And you—”
“—will be crowned Queen of the Gods!
Eh?!
Why are you kicking me?
What, are you not happy about being Queen of the Gods?”
“No, my adorable daughter—are you still not satisfied with my handsome, honest, and considerate younger brother?”
“Eh?
You’re really not satisfied?
Be careful—my brother might take a liking to another goddess!”
“Oh, ho?
You don’t care?
If you don’t care, why are you kicking my belly?
Whose temper is this?
You’re not this delicate—neither your father nor I are?”
“Ouch!
You’re still kicking!”
“Alright, alright—you’re not delicate.
You’re tsundere.
Tsundere is fine, right?”
“What?
What does tsundere mean?
It probably means you’re very cute—that’s what my adorable brother said, hmm!”
“Eh?
Saying I keep talking about my brother, brother, and don’t dote on you, my daughter, but favor my brother?”
“Heh—isn’t that normal?
You’re just the crystallization of my and your father’s love.
Can that compare to my gentle, considerate, and sensible brother?”
“Ouch!
You’re kicking again!
You ungrateful little thing—be careful, I won’t give birth to you!”
“Ah, it hurts!
You’re getting into it!”
“Athena!!
I am your mother!
You listen to me!”