“To Lord Zeus, I dedicate this Golden Pen, alongside my sincerity, to Lady Metis, who is trapped within your body.”
At the mention of the name Metis, the crowd began to stir.
It was only natural, as a priest dared to utter a name that none could oppose—the name of Zeus.
Even a slight provocation could trigger an explosion. Zeus bared his fangs, his eyes reddening with fierce fluctuation.
“This… insolent…”
The wavy, floating hair of Zeus lifted slightly as an electric current surged through his body.
Kwa-jjik!
Sparks danced in the clenched fist of Zeus.
The electric influence made my own hair stand on end, and I could feel the prickling sensation across my skin.
A situation so tense, a single mistake, and Zeus could hurl a lightning bolt at me.
Could the fate of the Twelve Labors protect me from Zeus’ lightning strike at such close range?
I couldn’t say.
Even if there was a 100% guarantee that I’d be fine, the moment the lightning struck, I’d probably wet myself.
And yet, I was reminded of the magnitude of how far I had pushed the boundaries of death.
But I was sure—I wouldn’t die.
In the worst-case scenario, I might get battered, but death was out of the equation.
Why?
Today was a day of celebration; the occasion of my promotion.
In the presence of numerous lower gods assembled before me, the promoted priest followed the traditional event protocol and offered Zeus a Golden Pen.
Would Zeus kill me for making this offering under everyone’s eyes?
On such a wonderful day, for what reason?
Clearly, no reason existed.
Isn’t this Zeus—the one who secretly shoots lightning bolts eleven times, treating it like a natural disaster, even in Mount Olympus?
He undoubtedly considers the opinions of those around him.
Therefore, I took advantage of this opportunity to bring up Metis.
If I had been alone with Zeus, without a doubt, I wouldn’t have mentioned Metis.
Gulping repeatedly, I kept observing Zeus’ reaction.
After about a minute, Zeus’ lifted hair began to calm down.
Worthy of his title as the King of the Gods, he quickly concealed his bewilderment and subdued his anger.
He had undoubtedly realized that numerous gods were observing from this place.
Indeed, my judgment was correct!
However, unlike Zeus who placed importance on his dignity, Hera, sitting beside him, was equally fiery-tempered.
“What nonsense is this!? How dare a lowly priest intervene in the affairs of the gods? How presumptuous!”
She leaped up, pointing her finger at me, fuming with anger.
Each of her expressions, gestures, and every movement clearly showed her disdain for me.
She immediately redirected her ire toward her husband, Zeus.
“Husband! Punish this disrespectful priest! Quickly!!”
“Grrrh…”
Zeus hesitated, looking around at the other gods.
Then, after staring again into Hera’s fiery gaze, he sighed softly and began to form lightning in his right hand.
Could it be… he’s really going to strike me with lightning?
In that moment,
The master of ceremonies, Hermes, suddenly intervened between us.
“Breaking news! A groundbreaking event! The choice of Ark is not Aphrodite or Athena but… Metis!”
“Could the great Metis truly reappear? A massive crisis for a jealous Hera! Something big is coming. Were you waiting for this? Yoo-hooohooo!”
He danced around like a war correspondent, cleverly relaying the tense situation to our audience.
After Zeus signaled Hermes with an irritated glance not to further provoke Hera, Hermes grinned and nudged Zeus from behind.
“Come now, both of you have much to say, let’s settle this on stage!”
Zeus, pretending to reluctantly comply, stepped up onto the stage.
Hermes turned his carefree gaze to me with a childish smile.
It was clear that I had no choice but to go on stage as well.
As I ascended, I glanced at Athena.
Seeing her mother’s name mentioned unexpectedly, her legs gave way, and she collapsed on the spot.
Even her always-held spear lay rolling on the floor.
In that brief moment our eyes met, I nodded, silently urging her to have faith. Standing courageously before Zeus, there was only one thing left—arguing the rationale.
The experienced Hermes had undoubtedly turned this rationale-based argument into a form of entertainment.
Very well, this is exactly what I hoped for. I’ll show everyone that words are far more powerful than lightning.
Unlike a one-on-one sword fight, you cannot kill your opponent to win.
Then what is the condition for victory?
The decision lies in the judgment of those who witness the duel.
Whether it is a beautiful sword display or a dirty and messy fight, as long as the audience empathizes, it is all good.
Kung!
The snake staff with sound amplification functions struck firmly against the stage floor.
Finally, Hermes stepped back a few paces, marking the start of the battle.
Zeus took the initiative.
“I, Zeus, am utterly perplexed. In this festival where everyone is celebrating, how could a male priest suddenly invoke the name of Metis and dedicate a Golden Pen to me? Truly deplorable.”
With his voice, rhetoric, and body language, Zeus was utilizing every tool available to persuade the audience.
As expected, a true King of the Gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus.
Now I shall challenge him.
“Excuse me, what exactly is so deplorable?”
“Isn’t it obvious? A long-standing tradition is collapsing right before our eyes.”
“There is no law prohibiting gifts to a third party besides the nominating deity.”
“Like hobbies that become passions, or habits formed from routine, the same goes for traditions. Ark, you should have followed tradition and gifted the pen to Athena.”
“…”
I didn’t immediately counter, actually, I didn’t plan to.
Seeing that, Zeus pressed further with his consecutive attacks.
“But you, with your limited connections with various gods, what justification could you possibly offer for giving a Golden Pen to Metis? Have you even heard her voice?”
“No.”
At my honest reply, the gods sighed loudly, slapped their foreheads, and vigorously shook their heads.
Taking advantage of the easily audible chatter of the audience, I glanced at their area.
The top row where the lower gods usually sat was completely empty.
Instead, countless gods had gathered in front of the stage, akin to the final encore of a concert, attentively watching and listening to our debate.
Zeus had already secured the lead.
“But the justification was created by Eros himself. He personally nominated me to the 8th rank and instructed me to gift the pen to his mother, Aphrodite.”
“Eros’s role is nominating. To give the credit to your nominator’s mother is not commendable, yet you use it as a flimsy justification? How laughable.”
“… Lord Zeus, have you forgotten?”
“What?”
When I turned my head to the side, Zeus seemed to be hypnotized, following my gaze.
At the intersection of our lines of sight,
Athena stood there, her hands clasped to her chest, gazing at us with a desperate expression, as if hoping for something intensely.
Zeus realized his slip at seeing Athena and quickly closed his eyes, releasing a brief sigh.
“Have you forgotten? Allow me to remind you. Metis is Athena’s mother!”
“That…”
“Athena is like Eros; one who nominated you and is also a deity of reason, suitable to our customs!”
“…”
“Isn’t the only difference whether Eros and Athena asked you to present the pen to their mother? The hearts of the two gods for their mother are equal!”
A reasoning battle is similar to boxing.
A straight punch does not knock the opponent down? Then a powerful combination of punches is sufficient.
“Furthermore, I made a solemn vow in front of Athena by the Styx River, vowing to bring back Metis. Is there greater justification elsewhere!?”
With a backspin blow, I countered Zeus’s counterattack, bringing him down.
Indeed.
From the start, I was deeply related to Metis, just as much as to Athena.
The relationship isn’t the crucial part.
Who could sever the oath sworn by the River Styx, which even Zeus had failed to do?
There is no stronger justification than this.
“Ugh…”
Clutching his beard, Zeus devised a comeback.
But it only led to futile results as his own beard was plucked strand by strand.
There isn’t a way out. To acknowledge his defeat would mean disclosing to the assembled gods why he imprisoned Metis.
Would the King of the Gods admit that he feared the prophecy of a powerful being born from her?
I don’t think so.
As I advanced towards Zeus for the final act, presenting him the Golden Pen once again.
“Will you accept it?”
“Hmm…”
Zeus, predictably, looked troubled.
He rubbed his chin, checking the reactions of a goddess below the stage.
The principal, of course, was his wife, Hera.
She was visibly restless with discomfort at the situation.
And she warned her husband with a glare, as if challenging him to acknowledge defeat.
“Hmm…”
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zeus.
Just like me during the third labor, his image flashed into my mind, pity swirling like mist.
I’ve beautifully overcome the mission.
King of the Gods, Zeus!
How will you escape this predicament?
Alright, show us your wisdom!
“Metis is not a deity!”
“She is indeed a deity, inheriting the bloodline of the Titans.”
“Metis is dead!”
“She lives, within you, Lord Zeus.”
Denial and falsification were employed.
Initially skilled with the sword, Zeus now resorted to throwing sand and poking to hinder his opponent.
There was strong justification from the beginning, exclusively on my side.
Even if Zeus tried, a battle of reason requires persuasion through logic, which isn’t possible.
Only the sorrow of Zeus trying so hard due to Hera’s pressure.
“Ah… Metis refused to accept the Golden Pen!”
Got you!
That was the statement I was waiting for.
This is where I truly pull Zeus off this stage.
“If so, could you kindly call forth Metis for a moment?”
“What?”
“I shall present this Golden Pen personally to Metis. If she indeed refuses my pen, then I will present it to either Athena or Aphrodite.”
“Ah…”
Zeus remained speechless, merely releasing indistinct groans.
At that moment, Hera, growing increasingly impatient with his hesitation, smacked the stage twice with both fists.
“Woman! Why are you hesitating?! Just do as that trash said! And then make a trap to lay curses on him!!!”
Impossible.
Every god has their eyes on this stage.
Would he truly summon the real Metis in this place?
Even if Metis refused to accept my pen, problems would pile up.
Would the gods not protest if Zeus tried to imprison Metis again?
It would be evident that this would spark strife in Olympus.
The god of order cannot disrupt order himself.
“Ah…”
Zeus, trapped in confusion, pretended to observe his surroundings while continually dragging time.
And suddenly!
A puddle appeared beneath Zeus’s feet, as if a sewer had burst.
Fumbling and stumbling, Zeus disappeared within the puddle.
“Lord Zeus has vanished!”
“What’s with this sudden puddle?”
The lower gods looked bewildered at the empty spot where Zeus has been, exchanging various opinions.
Hera immediately swiveled her head, glaring fiercely at someone.
“Poseidooooooonnnnn!!! Was this your doing?”
She attempted to charge at Poseidon, but the timing was too late.
Poseidon too, like Zeus, was already submerged up to the waist in seawater.
“Ho ho ho ho! Hera~a, don’t scratch Zeus’s bald spot too much.”
“Shut up! You sea monster!”
Ignoring Hera’s rage with a carefree shrug, Poseidon turned to look at me.
“Ark! This was thrilling again. I look forward to our next encounter! Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!”
With that booming laughter, Poseidon too submerged into the puddle and disappeared.
It seemed Poseidon had assisted Zeus in fleeing from his predicament.
And as evidence, Poseidon disappeared the same way to escape Hera’s wrath.
However, Poseidon?
How are we supposed to bear the brunt of her fury?
“Wha—t are you all still doing here!”
Hera screamed at the assembled gods around her.
“Everyone, fetch Zeus and Poseidon! Right now! Hephaestus! Hermes! Ares! You too!”
Terrified of Hera’s fury, all the gods swiftly left their positions.
At the sound of their names, the gods mentioned immediately made themselves invisible.
Eros found the entire situation absurd, so taking Aphrodite with him, he floated up into the sky.
It might be more chaotic than an evacuation frenzy during a war.
Demeter and Hestia, accustomed to such events, calmly approached Hera without blinking an eye.
Walking to the back of the hall, Hera gave me a final glare before leaving the city with the goddesses, issuing one last warning:
“Foul priest, don’t think you can easily escape my curse!”
“…”
“…”
Suddenly, I, Artemis, Athena, and Nike remained in the grand hall.
Relieved that today had passed without greater incident, I exhaled deeply.
“So, that’s that, huh?”
As I was about to check the promotion mark’s tattoo, Nike suddenly flew towards me and seized my collar.
Her action signaled the start of round two of the battle, reminiscent of the fight in Athena’s temple meeting room.
“I won’t accept it! Absolutely, I won’t accept it!”
The expression of Nike, the goddess of victory, was horrifying, completely unlike her normal self.
She continuously shakes her head, denying the reality.
“What exactly will you not accept?”
“Selling the name of Metis! Filthy creature! Monstrous one! Unclean being!”
“I did not sell anyone’s name.”
“Still lying! Do you think I don’t understand your plan to elevate yourself by shaking Athena’s heart?”
“You’re right. Athena is important to me. And I wish to be important to Athena. What is wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong with it, you ask? Plenty! You’re pure evil, using leverage to steal something precious from me. Fine! In the name of victory, I will rescue Athena from this evil!”
Whack!
I pushed her away and delivered a strong slap across her face.
Her fair cheek immediately swelled, forming the shape of my palm.
“Get a hold of yourself, Nike. Do not sully the lofty concept of victory with mere jealousy.”
“What do you know, you ignoramus! What could you possibly understand?! Athena was the first person I cared for, the first I respected! And suddenly, you come out of nowhere, planning to take her from me…?”
Crying out emotionally, Nike pulled out a hidden dagger from her robes.
Gripping the sharp dagger tightly with both hands, she rushed at me.
Target: my heart.
She was trying to kill me to exclude me.
When Artemis and Athena moved to intervene, I lifted my hand, stopping them.
This sharp blade, laced with such emotional residue,
Is incapable of inflicting even the smallest wound on me.
Taking a step toward the advancing Nike, I spoke slowly.
“Among the four of us here—Artemis, Nike, and me—who isn’t precious to Athena?”
Nike’s footsteps, as if shackled at the ankles, suddenly halted.
Yet, she didn’t give up.
Though resistance tried to pull her back, she tenaciously took another step towards me.
“Indeed, Nike, you might have been friends with Athena before anyone else. But why do you try to measure who values her more?”
“…”
Listen to this: Do you have the audacity to weigh Athena and her countless soldiers on a scale? Can you assign an order to what is precious?
“…!!”
Finally, Nike stopped just short of me.
She dropped the tightly held dagger.
A single tear that had pooled in her eyes rolled down her cheek and fell onto the dagger’s handle.
Athena who loves and cherishes everything around her deeply.
People around her are drawn to such Athena, admire her, and yearn for her.
That’s why Athena’s love should be extended infinitely, saying ‘Hey, you can be important to Athena too,’ rather than being monopolized by one person.
The precious connections without order are Athena’s true strength.
I had felt that during the battle on Mount Olympus when her cavalry moved with one mind and spirit.
Now Nike should have realized that.
“Nike…”
Athena, who had observed everything, ascended the stage and looked at Nike with a sorrowful gaze.
As she reached out to stroke Nike’s slumped shoulders,
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“Truly, a delightful comedy.”
A red-haired man perched on the ceiling mocked us with dry applause.
That male deity is…
