“So, Zeus has already created the weapon to deal with the Gigantomachy?” Chiron asked calmly within his cave, addressing the Goddess of War, Athena, who stood before him.
As the son of the great Titan Cronus and Philyra, even Athena had to show him sufficient respect.
“Yes, the Son of God has been born, destined to face the Gigantomachy.
The Moirai have delivered the prophecy; though we do not yet know how the war will ultimately arrive, the omens suggest that a hero possessing human blood will help the gods achieve victory.” Athena replied respectfully to the good-tempered centaur.
Chiron nodded in satisfaction, but then smiled and told Athena she didn’t need to be so formal in his presence.
This was Mount Pindus, not Mount Olympus where the gods resided; it must be exhausting for Athena to constantly maintain the image of a model student.
Chiron’s friendly words allowed Athena to let out a breath.
She then admitted she had been incredibly busy handling various matters, and even she hadn’t expected Hera to complain so much about this situation, to the point of losing sight of what was truly important.
“This matter was a necessity for Father; he wasn’t exactly whispering sweet nothings or falling in love with Alcmene.
He simply explained the cause and effect to her plainly, and then this happened.
What’s the big deal?
Only Hera would take it so seriously.” Athena had completely relaxed, sprawling out in her seat.
Chiron looked at the Goddess of War, who belonged to the generation of his nieces, and sighed helplessly.
This child was excellent in every way, but the pressure from the outside world prevented her from showing her true self in public.
Zeus doted on her, which only made her hold herself to even higher standards.
“After all, your father’s reputation precedes him; everyone is well aware.
I still remember the matter with Perseus as if it were yesterday.
However, for a Great God, it truly isn’t much.
Human lives are too short, while the lives of the gods are far too long.
Many things are but a brief, momentary impulse of pleasure.” Chiron stood up, moving his four legs toward the table.
He poured a cup of warm water and handed it to Athena.
Athena took a few casual sips; although gods did not require such sustenance, the act of eating and drinking itself held meaning for them.
“If you keep talking like that, I’ll start thinking about the Europa incident.
I can only say that Father acts like an old prankster sometimes.
Europa was even more ridiculous; she clearly saw through Father’s disguise at a glance, yet she was willing to play along with him.
Does love really turn people into that?” Athena recalled those past events, which were mostly amusing stories about her father.
She found them interesting and, likewise, saw no problem with her father’s methods.
Chiron smiled slightly.
As a sage and a wise man, he had no further comments on his brother’s behavior.
Come to think of it, over ten thousand years had passed since Zeus defeated Cronus and seized the Great Crown; so much had happened in the interim.
The civilization of Atlantis was shattered by the white destruction.
Afterward, the gods came to Greece and established a new civilization.
Staying with humanity until now, even Chiron had to marvel at how long his life had been; he had experienced too much.
“So, why don’t you go find a man to fall in love with?
Honestly, hearing that title of ‘Virgin Goddess’ makes me uncomfortable.
Love is a part of life; even the noble gods need such emotions.
Lacking them forever isn’t a good thing for you~” Chiron teased Athena, and a proud, noble expression appeared on her face—one might even say it carried a hint of disdain.
“Hmph~ How many men in this world can compare to my Father?!
Or my brothers?
Much less surpass me?
You know as well as I do that if it came to a fight, I could pin down my valiant brother with one hand tied behind my back.
If he hadn’t been so reckless and greedy for glory ten thousand years ago, how could we have been so utterly defeated?!” As Athena spoke, her body suddenly trembled.
She was remembering the battle against the white destruction.
In that fight, her noble True Body was destroyed, and even her ability to produce Nanomachines was stripped away.
The precious Athena Nanomachines were now a dwindling resource.
If there was anything the gods of Olympus feared, the powerful white destruction was certainly among them.
Their twelve True Bodies paid a heavy price for underestimating the enemy, and in the end, it was a human Holy Sword Wielder who used the holy sword of the stars to completely destroy the white destruction.
Chiron sighed; that event was long past.
The Great Fleet of Olympus had lost the ability to leave this planet because of that battle, and could only merge with the concepts of the planet itself to become local deities.
This also caused Zeus to change his way of doing things.
He would respond to and guard against any spark that threatened their world ahead of time.
This time was the same; upon receiving the prophecy that the gods would need to rely on the power of a human hero to win the Gigantomachy, he acted immediately, without hesitation or delay.
And now, regarding that born Son of God…
Chiron recalled what Athena had just told him about the name Alcmene gave the child—it was Heracles, right?
Honestly, despite Hera exhausting every effort to take his life, he was given such a name.
It was quite humorous.
However, with the triple enhancement of Zeus Nanomachines, Hera Nanomachines, and Athena Nanomachines, this child’s future was destined to be limitless.
He would become the most brilliant Son of God on this earth, a powerful demigod, and an invincible warrior.
“When the time comes, that child will surely come to you.
I’ll leave his care in your hands.” Athena had full confidence in this, and Chiron nodded slightly, indicating he would do his job well.
The gods had already provided the innate investment for Heracles; the postnatal cultivation would be the work of this sage.
Chiron was quite confident in this regard, as his teaching was practically hellish.
As long as one could endure it, they would surely achieve a greatness that could not be overlooked.
Athena rose from her seat, and Chiron escorted her to the cave entrance.
The two were chatting and laughing along the short path, but when they reached the entrance, they froze.
An infant in swaddling clothes had been placed there.
Athena and Chiron couldn’t help but widen their eyes.
This was impossible; this shouldn’t be happening.
Who could have placed a human infant here without either of them noticing?
It was a terrifying thought, one Athena didn’t even want to contemplate.
But she approached anyway and gently picked up the child.
For a moment, Athena was surprised…
because the child’s previously closed eyes were now open.
He was looking at Athena as she held him and let out a laugh.
“This…
Chiron, can you?” Athena asked without turning around.
Chiron laughed heartily and said it was no problem at all; he happened to have no students lately, and raising a child would be a good way to pass his leisure time.
“However, since you were the one to pick him up first, Athena, you should be the one to name him.
I won’t overstep on this matter.” Chiron left the task to Athena, and after a moment of thought, she gave the name she had chosen for the child.
“Asterios…
let us call him Asterios