However, Hephaestus had more to say: while Machine Gods could not understand the ‘heart’ possessed by intelligent life forms, they simultaneously mimicked the actions of humans who had ‘hearts’ and treated them as new ‘operational guidelines’.
When a heartless spaceship truly gains a soul and encounters irreconcilable conflicts, it cannot handle problems with ambiguity or gloss over them like humans do.
It can only repeat a death loop over and over, tortured by agony.
This problem didn’t change until their Machine God true bodies were wrecked by the white destruction.
The current gods are no longer just simple mechanical cores; after merging with the concepts of the planet itself, they have undergone many changes.
In some ways, they have become more human than humans, yet it cannot be said that they truly understand the full spectrum of human emotions.
This will likely be a long learning process, and fortunately, time is the one thing the gods have in abundance.
“So, Aphrodite probably still holds a grudge in her heart even now.
She resents being forced to marry me by those two and being forced to feel so-called love for me.
But she actually knows that in this matter, I am the most innocent one, so she doesn’t want to blame me.
That’s why she said those things to you.” Asterios fell silent, now unsure of what to say.
The relationship between those two was so twisted; the situation left him feeling utterly speechless.
No wonder Hephaestus didn’t want to deal with it and just let Aphrodite do as she pleased.
“At first, I had some grievances as well.
Since she married me, she should have stayed with me properly.
After all, the armaments of the gods are all forged by my hand.
Countless divine weapons have left this forge; even Zeus has to ask favors of me.
I even built Talos, the bronze giant that guards Europa.
Does marrying me really disgrace her, Aphrodite?” Hephaestus sighed as he said this; at the time, he truly thought that way.
To his surprise, Aphrodite actually spent a decent period of time with him back then, which made Hephaestus think that things might just work out—that he had gotten a good deal…
Until later, when Aphrodite finally couldn’t stand the gloom and cheated with Ares.
Well…
a lot of things happened after that.
In the end, Hephaestus was defeated by the sorrow and resentment in Aphrodite’s heart; after all, Hephaestus had no interest in making someone cater to him against their will.
She could do whatever she wanted; Hephaestus couldn’t be bothered to care anymore.
Not to mention, Hephaestus already had a wife—Aglaia, one of the Charites.
They had four daughters: Eucleia (Good Repute), Eupheme (Praise), Euthenia (Eloquence), and Philophrosyne (Welcome).
“However, just because she doesn’t take revenge on me doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to get back at the King and Queen of the Gods.
Her curse back then was vicious.
She cursed Zeus so that when his mind relaxed, his emotions would trap him in an inescapable state.
As for Hera, who abused her divine authority out of jealousy, she was cursed so that once she fell into a fit of jealousy, it could never be calmed.
She must constantly be on guard against all women, unable to monopolize Zeus’s love.” Asterios could clearly see that Hephaestus was holding back a laugh; he was really trying his best.
But the situation was just too funny, making Hephaestus’s expression look very pained.
It was so hard to hold it in—hee hee!
“So don’t judge her too harshly.
Aphrodite’s divine authority and core have predetermined that the side she shows to you humans is destined to lean in that direction.” Hephaestus even managed to say a few good words for Aphrodite.
Asterios could only nod, as Hephaestus’s words were quite rational.
Seeing Asterios nod, Hephaestus also laughed.
He wiped the grease from his hands onto his bare calves, then reached out to ruffle Asterios’s hair, saying, “You are a kind and intelligent child.
Chiron is lucky to have a son like you; it is a great blessing for his long life.” Being praised like this, Asterios’s face beamed with joy.
These words weren’t just praising him, but also his father.
Hephaestus’s emotional intelligence might not be high, but his sincere praise was appreciated by everyone because they knew his compliments were absolutely genuine.
“Oh right, Hephaestus, why does your place always give me a…
somewhat dangerous feeling?” Asterios asked.
Hephaestus stroked his chin, feeling rather surprised.
He hadn’t expected Asterios to be able to sense so much within this temple.
“Because the ancient pure-blooded dragon Typhon is sealed beneath my temple.
He is a monster formed from the wreckage of the Titan Fleet that fought our Olympus Fleet; the wreckage fell to Earth and merged with the planet’s natural concepts to sustain itself.
“It’s a real headache.
Back then, we Olympian gods, having lost our Machine God true bodies, were driven to our wits’ end by this fellow.
In the end, we used a little trick to deal with it and put it into a long slumber.
But for you to only feel that the guy is’somewhat’ dangerous…
that’s really…” Although Typhon was in a dormant state, the pressure it constantly emitted was likely more than even the famous heroes among humans could bear.
Yet Asterios’s evaluation was merely that it felt’somewhat dangerous.’ This made Hephaestus very curious about Asterios’s true strength; this little guy was probably hiding a lot.
Oh~ right.
If the little guy didn’t have that kind of strength, Aphrodite wouldn’t have egged him on to overthrow the God King Zeus.
Hephaestus couldn’t help but laugh at himself in his heart for not realizing that connection earlier.
Meanwhile, Asterios asked another question: where exactly were the true bodies of the gods that were defeated by the white destruction?
He was quite curious about this.
Hearing this, Hephaestus laughed nonchalantly, then tapped the ground with his healthy leg and explained to Asterios, “As you can see, they are right here, right under your feet.
Our divine temples and residences are our original true bodies.
It’s just that they can no longer move; we have completely lost the ability to leave this planet and return to the sea of stars.” Asterios was first stunned by this fact, and then he let out a soft laugh.
He said to Hephaestus lightheartedly, “Isn’t this also good?
Compared to drifting aimlessly in the universe and slowly wearing down your functions, isn’t it more meaningful to lead humanity as gods on this planet and experience the joy of life?” Hephaestus acknowledged this and then laughed loudly, saying, “You’re right, this is worth a drink!
Bring Dionysus’s divine wine!
I shall drink with this child for three days and nights!”