“What’s the matter?”
“Your ear…”
They say birds hear what is said by day and mice hear what is said by night.
Because there were many eyes watching us, I leaned close to Artemis’s ear and quietly whispered the plan I was thinking about.
“Artemis, can you give me ten bottles of Nectar?”
“What for? Where are you going to use it?”
Even Artemis, who had been smuggling Nectar for a thousand years, became quite sensitive when she sensed I wasn’t planning to drink it.
She too must know the importance of Nectar, having hidden it away herself secretly all this time.
I pointed upwards with my finger and grinned.
“To return it.”
“To whom? Arc, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
The abstract conversation whispered in low tones soon made Artemis feel restless.
She furrowed her brows as if drawing a WiFi signal on her forehead and pressed me for the main point.
“The management of Nectar is under the jurisdiction of Hebe, the goddess of youth. The Nectar storeroom exists only in Olympus, the celestial realm.”
“Arc… You don’t mean…?”
“That’s right. On the day of the general assembly in Olympus, I plan to file a voluntary return of the lost Nectar.”
Wouldn’t Hebe be quite impressed if a human abandoned selfishness and returned Nectar of unknown origins?
That would be the perfect opportunity to ask for a small wish—to tour Olympus.
“But, Hebe is an extremely cold goddess towards humans. Given how many humans have secretly consumed the Nectar, her distrust towards them runs deep. Do you think she’ll buy it easily?”
“Hahaha, don’t worry about that. I’ve got a plan.”
Artemis’s concern was valid.
What if she suspects me and presses me on where I found the Nectar?
Heh heh heh.
I have a great alibi recently, don’t I?
It’s simple: say I found ten bottles of Nectar during my exploration of Rios’ tomb while completing Apollo’s trial.
It’s a place even the gods who were watching me couldn’t see, making it easy to use as an alibi for the source of the Nectar.
After all, it’s a 500-year-old tomb.
If I claim I encountered ghosts there, no one would doubt it.
Confident in my answer, Artemis crossed her arms and nodded as if understanding.
She then moved on to the next concern.
“Well… the problem is whether Hebe will honor your wish to see Olympus.”
“You mean there’s a chance she’ll take the Nectar and just wash her hands of it?”
“That’s impossible. If it’s done that way, the gods’ authority diminishes and the matter would move to the Rewards and Punishments Committee.”
The relationship between humans and gods is like the left and right foot.
When one foot moves forward, the other must follow—Artemis emphasized that they are mutually indispensable.
“If so, what’s the problem? Bestowing Olympus sightseeing upon a meritorious human isn’t particularly difficult, right? It’s been done several times in the past.”
“The problem is you, Arc.”
She calmly pointed at me with her finger.
“Me?”
“Yes. Didn’t you tell me that Hebe is the daughter of Hera? Would she allow you, who opposes her mother, to tour Olympus? If I were in her shoes, I’d just replace it with another reward.”
“Hmm… That’s true…”
There’s no point in deciding everything while I’m still unsure how Hebe feels about me.
It’s better to secure the big picture and adapt flexibly to the details on the day itself.
“Anyway, just ascend to Olympus. I’ll accompany you after that.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“And… Here, take this.”
Artemis brought a neatly folded piece of cloth from behind a chair in the dining area and handed it to me.
A glance revealed it to be a male tunic and sandals popular in ancient Greece.
I held it up against my body, and it seemed to fit my size quite well.
“You can’t wear that business shirt in Olympus. If you want to ascend to the celestial realm, you need to wear appropriate formal attire.”
“Never thought Olympus had such strict rules.”
“After the time Olympus almost fell, everything has become conservative. Anyway, this is my reward for treating me kindly.”
She added that tteokbokki must be offered as tribute, and if shared among priests without her getting any, the donor risked turning into a sieve.
“Thanks, Artemis. I’ll take good care of it. This is the first time you’ve ever given me a gift.”
“Hmph! J-just so you know, this isn’t particularly meant for you. If priests don’t dress properly, it reflects badly on me as a goddess, so I gave it to you. Don’t misinterpret it!”
“Yes, yes.”
As if scripted, Artemis fired off words similar to those I’ve heard before.
She even completed the act by blowing a raspberry-like sniff, crossing her arms, and sharply turning her head away.
Adding the bonus of slamming the door as she left.
Ugh…
Why does she make such a fuss just for giving a single gift?
Even as I muttered under my breath, I couldn’t help but grin at the joy of receiving my first present from her.
“Hehehehe…”
They say love makes one alike.
When I laughed, I was startled to realize I was mimicking her laugh.
Still, that was a minor detail.
I clasped the tunic and sandals close to my chest, careful not to let any dust touch them, and headed back to my quarters with a light step.
*
On the day of the emergency general assembly in Olympus, at dawn.
Artemis, dressed in a stunning gown, left ahead towards Olympus after telling me to wait for her.
Before parting, she looked me up and down approvingly as I wore the tunic and sandals she had given me.
I didn’t have much time to spare, so I took the Nectar and some spare money from her and headed off from the bar temple.
To reach Olympus in the celestial realm, one must first go to Mount Olympus.
Originally, it was named Aries, but because it’s the only way to Olympus, almost everyone on the continent refers to it as Mount Olympus.
Mount Olympus is a towering peak at the center of the continent, its highest summit touching the clouds.
Yet, due to the frequent visits of many pilgrims and followers, it has unusually well-developed transportation.
Thanks to this, one doesn’t need to tire oneself reaching the temple at the peak on foot—ascending by carriage is enough.
“Sir, we’ve arrived at the summit of Mount Olympus. Look, the Olympus Temple.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I nodded off due to fatigue and tension, quickly reaching my destination.
I handed the carriage fee, along with a tip, to the driver.
“Thank you kindly. I hope your wishes come true.”
With a warm smile, the driver set off downhill after picking up the next passenger without delay.
I immediately entered the temple and stated my business.
A priest informed me that Lady Hebe was currently managing the temple and directed me to wait in Room 29.
Ordinarily, worshipers must pray in the rooms where statues of gods reside, conversing with divine voices only, but I was fortunate enough to meet her in person.
Upon entering a fairly spacious room, the first thing that caught my eye was the mural on the wall.
It depicted the cycles of human life and d*ath, from infant to old age, and the back view of a goddess carrying a large jar to the gods.
Room 29 was unmistakably dedicated to Hebe, the goddess of youth.
Even the number 29 likely referred to Hebe, I guessed.
At that moment, there was a click, and the door opened—Hebe, the goddess of youth, entered.
“You sought me out?”
Her voice penetrated my ears coldly.
Hebe, who greatly resembled her mother, Hera.
Just by observing her upturned eyes, one might find it hard to distinguish Hera from Hebe.
Her passionate red hair was intricately braided, with the braid extending past her waist.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Hebe, the goddess of youth.”
I bowed prostrate in greeting.
Yet, Hebe merely regarded me with an uneasy gaze as if my presence itself annoyed her.
Since she was at the celebration of rapid promotions, I could easily tell what she thought of me.
First, I must clear away this prejudice.
I took out ten bottles of nectar from my bag and placed them at her feet.
“I found this lost nectar on the mortal plane and have come to return it.”
“Ho… W-where did you…?”
Hebe gasped, recognizing the contents of the glass bottles as the divine nectar.
Just as losing a single b*llet would cause an uproar in an army camp,
Losing even a single bottle of nectar triggers serious issues.
After all, it ensures the dead rise again.
I began relaying the story I had prepared.
“Recently, while completing Apollo’s trials, I visited the city of Hestia, Heryon. There, I explored Lios’s tomb and discovered these bottles of nectar in the maze.”
“Is that the entire truth?”
“The gods overseeing Apollo or myself can confirm it.”
“Hmm… Very commendable. It’s only fitting that those who know how to forsake greed be rewarded. State your wish.”
Hebe didn’t delve too deeply into the details.
Her eyes were fully focused on the ten bottles of nectar returned to her.
Perfect.
Now for the real point.
“I wish to ascend to Olympus, the celestial realm, even if for a single day.”
“Hmm? Olympus?”
“Yes.”
“That might be… Arc, you’ve been drawing quite a lot of attention recently. Mother’s wrath is intense. It might be too ambitious for you to tour the celestial realm.”
“That’s precisely why.”
I reached into my bag again and pulled out a small picture frame, showing it to Hebe.
Inside the frame was a poorly drawn image of the Iclina flower, the very same Iclina flower I had encountered during my second labor.
“The Iclina flower does not grow on the mortal plane but is as common as weeds in Olympus. Its meaning is ‘reconciliation,’ as I understand.”
“What of it?”
“During the special promotion celebration, my tone was too harsh. While I have no plans to back down about the Metis matter, I do regret not being more courteous and considerate of Hera’s position and standing.”
“Hoho…? So you, Arc, intend to ascend to Olympus, pluck an Iclina flower, and present it to our mother?”
“Yes. I wish to apologize for my disrespectful tone. Could you kindly assist me?”
Hebe, who had been stern ever since entering the room,
Her lips curved slightly upwards as I demonstrated my sincerity in repentance, improving her mood.
Simultaneously, the cold gaze she initially directed at me melted away like snow.
It seems the gods of Olympus do have simple sides as I had anticipated.
They react in the most base and lowly ways when attacked rudely,
Yet when asked for forgiveness, their hearts soften without much resistance.
“That’s right. I promise before you, Hebe, that I will ascend to Olympus and dedicate the Iclina flower to Hera. Whether she accepts it or not…”
“Uhuuhee. Mother is someone who values communication. She’ll forgive you.”
“I hope so too.”
“Very well. For that reason, I would send you up multiple times if needed. Arc, kneel!”
“Thank you, Hebe.”
As she firmly pressed her thumb to my forehead as if stamping,
A light like spreading paint radiated from my forehead.
In an instant, my body transformed into light and shot upward to the heavens.
Alright, Olympus here I come!
