Chapter 55: Hera: He chose me

In the kingdom of Calydon,

As the flawless goddess brought her chosen hero before everyone, a star fell from the night sky and landed in front of them.

Pegasus, flapping his silvery wings, carried Promise and Athena away from the kingdom of Calydon under the gaze of all.

This was Athena's gift to Promise, a story that would undoubtedly be sung by bards and spread throughout ancient Greece.

The hero favored by the wise goddess Athena, riding the fallen star.

"Hehe, are you happy? How does it feel to be the center of attention?" On Pegasus' back, Athena sat sideways behind Promise, the night breeze stirring her silver hair.

She smiled at Promise and said, "Do you feel that you are one step closer to becoming the hero that everyone knows and sings about?"

"...Goddess Athena, you remembered all along."

"Of course," Athena nodded and replied. "After all, it was our agreement... I will witness you becoming the brightest star of this era and prepare the grandest finale for you at the end of your journey."

"But the gift I give you today is not over yet."

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Promise.

When she embraced him, bringing their bodies close together, she gently held Promise's hand, which was gripping the reins.

"Let the entire kingdom witness you becoming the most brilliant meteor in the night sky and falling to the earth."

Catching the silver meteor was Athena's oracle to Promise.

She told him that taming Pegasus would allow him to defeat the Calydonian boar.

What Athena didn't say at the time was that ever since Promise met the fate goddess Clotho and made it to this trial's end, it was the moment when Promise truly grasped the meteor!

Because before that, he had already faced the wrath of the moon goddess Artemis and changed the fate of the giant stag Actaeon.

And when facing Pegasus, he broke the prophecy given to him by the fate goddess and created a future that the goddess of fate could not believe!

From that moment, this matter had already reached its conclusion.

The hunt for the Calydonian boar was no longer a trial for the hero but a reward given by a goddess to this boy who aspired to be a hero.

To make this boy the focus of all attention and have his name widely known throughout ancient Greece!

The prophecy of the fate goddess was, in a sense, accurate and unchangeable, unless the most special deity in Greek mythology intervened.

Because the work of the three goddesses of fate essentially equaled writing a predetermined program for the world.

But Promise was one who had been abandoned yet favored by the goddess of fate.

Therefore, his destiny was never entirely certain from the beginning, only a possibility.

In the trial that no one, neither gods nor men, believed he could survive—except for Athena—Clotho's prophecy showed that in a hundred observed futures, Promise's fate was always to fall, without exception!

In fact, even Athena could not see a future where Promise survived at the time.

The future she later showed Clotho was one that he achieved, which she then successfully captured from countless possibilities.

At this moment, Athena sat on Pegasus, closely pressed against Promise, holding his hand together on the reins.

And then, under the gaze of the Calydonians who had been watching them, as well as several gods, they became a falling meteor in the night sky, heading towards the Calydonian boar.

Thus, the Calydonian hunt, which should have involved dozens of heroes, saw all its future glory and legends bestowed upon Promise alone!

That night, everyone witnessed a meteor falling to earth, and they also witnessed the birth of a new star.

"Quite breathtaking, isn't it?" Atalanta suddenly spoke, turning to Meleager, who was watching the scene from afar. "But... actually, this scene pales in comparison to the moment he caught the meteor a few days ago."

Atalanta, thanks to the moon goddess Artemis, was the only human fortunate enough to witness that event.

Meleager remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "He is really close to achieving it... becoming the hero that everyone on this continent knows."

"And then, having a grand hero's finale?"

After Atalanta said this, the two of them fell silent for a while.

After a while, Meleager couldn't help but sigh, "In many ways, Chiron is really confused!"

"That's right," The hintress nodded, agreeing with him for the first time. "Letting him come down from the mountain, your teacher was indeed quite confused!"

"But in fact, it's mainly because of Jason!"

"Jason?" Atalanta tilted her head.

"Yes, only that fool would bring Promise down from the mountain... Beautiful huntress, if you meet him in the future, don't hesitate, just punch him!" Meleager said earnestly to Atalanta.

The latter thought for a moment and then surprisingly nodded, "Yes, if I meet him in the future, I'll do that."

...

...

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"So, it's over just like that?"

As Pegasus ran at full speed, transforming into a falling meteor aimed at the Calydonian boar, it wasn't long before Promise dismounted and stood on the forest clearing, looking at the now lifeless boar.

Promise was momentarily dazed.

Even at the end, he hadn't gotten a clear view of the entire Calydonian boar.

"Of course, after all, I made my entrance," Athena responded with a smile.

"So... the fates of Actaeon, Meleager, and the others are also resolved?" Promise hesitated for a moment and then looked at Athena with confusion.

"Yes, it's all settled now. But for the specifics," The goddess paused, glancing towards the distant temple of the fate goddess, "you'll have to wait for the petite goddess of fate to come find you herself."

"I see."

Hearing this, Promise's expression relaxed, and he nodded, saying, "Then I can finally rest easy. Now I can continue to seek revenge and issue my challenges... By the way, Goddess Athena, can I meet Heracles now?"

With his mind at ease, he turned to look at Athena again, recalling the words she had once said.

Promise wasn't usually impatient, but these were the twelve labors of a hero destined to be famous worldwide!

And after transforming into a heroic spirit, it meant having twelve lives!

He wasn't asking for much.

Just participating in three or four tasks would suffice, giving him a few extra lives!

"Don't be so hasty. Although your friends' matters are resolved, haven't you noticed something missing on our side?" Athena said, winking at him and pointing to the moon.

Promise naturally understood her hint.

The painting for the moon goddess Artemis!

Without resolving this, the capricious goddess wouldn't wait until his summoning as a heroic spirit to tighten the noose; she would hunt him down now and lock him up!

"So, you still need to find..." Athena was about to instruct Promise to seek out Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen, while she would hold off Artemis.

But before she could finish, Promise's eyes lit up, interrupting her, "Yes, the painting for Goddess Artemis, Goddess Athena, I've already figured out how to present it to her!"

Athena was taken aback, seeing Promise's determined look.

She remembered this expression well, knowing that every time Promise showed such resolve, it always led to some significant event...

"Are you saying you can now present the painting to Artemis?"

Athena naturally grew curious and pursued further.

"A painting made with brushes and canvas would not suffice, but..." Promise looked up at the night sky's stars with determination and said, "If it is a painting imprinted in the eyes and the world, I can create it now!"

"And thanks to you, Goddess Athena, I have all the conditions met!"

Promise continued speaking, seeing the slightly bewildered look on Athena's face, "Because of tonight, everyone in Calydon knows me now, and they owe me a huge favor!"

"This way, they will be entirely willing to help me present that special painting!"

Hearing this, Athena, with her beautiful golden eyes, quietly swallowed the words she had originally prepared to say.

"Have you thought this through?" She then seriously asked Promise, "Are you truly certain that this painting will satisfy Artemis and make her give up hunting you?"

"...No, I'm not sure," Promise thought for a moment, then shook his head before the goddess, but he looked at Athena earnestly, "But I believe that this painting is the best I can create at this point."

"If, under those circumstances, Artemis is still not satisfied and continues to hunt me..."

Promise reached out and grabbed Athena's hand, with a mock-crying expression that almost made the goddess laugh, "Goddess Athena, I would truly have to rely on you!"

Seeing this, Athena barely held back her laughter and was about to comfort Promise with her divine demeanor.

"Ah-hem!"

When, a loud cough suddenly interrupted them causing them to startle.

Both of them instinctively turned their heads to see Queen Hera, her face completely dark, standing there.

Beside her was the moon goddess Artemis, who looked innocent and curious, her blue eyes wide open in curiosity about the painting Promise had mentioned...

Wait a minute, I'm not Zeus!

The feeling of being caught by Hera as if she were catching a mistress was utterly bewildering to Promise.

Coming out of his daze, Promise saw the clearly angry Hera and then looked at Athena, who now wore an awkward expression.

He was utterly confused.

"Athena, you..."

Just as Hera was about to angrily say something, Athena interrupted her with a seemingly cheerful welcome, "Ah, Hera, you're here! Just in time!"

"Did you see Promise's performance just now? Surely, after tonight, his name will spread across the continent. This means you, Hera, will gain even more glory."

"And did you bring any golden apples? I'm out of them, you know. Promise here is so delicate, like a newborn baby. Without enough golden apples, I fear a gust of wind might blow him straight to the underworld."

Not just Hera and Artemis, but even Promise was stunned by what he heard.

As he processed her words, he looked at the Goddess of wisdom with a strange expression.

Now he understood why she hadn't given him a golden apple last night—it turned out she didn't have any left.

And although he knew from the start that the golden apples belonged to Hera, watching Athena ask for them so straightforwardly and then give them to him felt oddly strange.

Hera, who had also snapped out of her daze, looked at Athena walking towards her with a beaming smile.

Instead of being angry, she found herself amused by Athena's antics.

She crossed her arms over her chest, slightly raising her head as she looked at Athena with her amber eyes under the forest's moonlight.

Go on, keep acting!

At this point, who are you pretending to be concerned about for my sake?

Seeing this, Athena was momentarily stunned, but she quickly realized what was happening and turned her sharp gaze towards Artemis standing next to Hera.

At this moment, Artemis was wholly focused on Promise, her curiosity piqued, ready to step forward and ask him about the painting they had just discussed.

But then she noticed Athena's piercing look.

Frightened, she instantly hid behind Hera, turning her head away with an expression that screamed, "I don't know anything."

Seeing her like this, Athena understood.

This foolish goddess had messed things up again!

With a sigh, she looked at Hera.

Noticing this, Hera's lips curved into a slight smile, and she slowly spoke, "Athena, I suddenly remember some things. For example, you were present during the matter with Jason and Promise...

In other words, you knew from the beginning but kept silent about me mistaking Promise for Jason... Isn't that right?"

Oh, snap!

Athena's getting caught!
This is quite exciting!
This was Promise's most genuine thought at that moment.

But before he could settle in to enjoy the drama.

"Yes, that's correct." Athena nodded, admitting it straightforwardly.

"When did it start?" Hera narrowed her eyes slightly. "You've been watching over that child, always thinking of taking him away from me!"

Hearing this, Promise felt like the imaginary fruit he was holding had just fallen to the ground with a splat.

He stood there, stunned, staring at Athena's back, then at Hera, who was glaring at her.

Wait, wait, hold on a minute!

'You guys are talking about me, right?'

Athena has always been kind to him,

Promise could definitely feel that.

However, because he knew that Athena was known as the mother of heroes and because of the oath, he didn't dwell too much on it.

At most, he just found it a bit strange that he did to not see Hera for so long...

"When did it start? Hmm... let me think."

What surprised Promise even more was that Athena admitted it quite straightforwardly at that moment!

Not only that, she even turned her head to wink at Promise before looking back at Hera, tilting her head as if in thought.

Finally, she smiled and said, "I think it was from the very beginning. From the moment I heard the prophecy of the fate goddess Clotho."

"Prophecy?" Hera frowned slightly at this.

"That's right," Athena nodded, smiling at Hera. "Hera, you might not know this, but in Clotho's prophecy, you weren't the only one who could gain glory from Promise's existence. I... was also one of them!"

Athena's words were shocking to both Promise and Hera.

Promise had thought he was just about to enjoy some juicy gossip, but instead, the gossip fell to the ground and landed on his foot!

Hera hadn't known that there was such a hidden secret in Clotho's prophecy.

And she certainly didn't expect Athena to steal Promise with such righteous confidence!

Meanwhile, the true culprit behind this situation, the gentlest of the three fate goddesses—Clotho—was sitting in the temple of fate, looking utterly bewildered.

She had been sitting there quietly for several days... to be precise, ever since the day Promise caught the falling star and Athena helped her see that future.

Since returning, she had been sitting quietly in the temple of fate, pondering the matter that had brought her so much shame—Promise's situation...

......

"Do you know what Promise really wants? Endless wealth, supreme kingship, or the most beautiful woman in the world? ... No, these are not what this child pursues."

Athena chuckled and told Hera the fact that she had not known until now.

"What he pursues is to become a star in the sky, and eventually streak across the sky like a brilliant meteor, leaving the whole world with a magnificent ending."

"And the only god who can fulfill that child's wish and do it to the best of his ability is undoubtedly me...only me, the goddess of wisdom, Athena."

As she spoke, the goddess raised her head proudly towards Hera, her waist-length silver hair moving slightly in the night breeze.

When Promise looked at her beautiful back, he suddenly understood something.

At this moment, when Athena said these words, she was not only speaking to Hera, but also to Promise herself.

She, the goddess of wisdom, Athena, was more qualified and capable than the noble queen Hera in front of her to be the goddess that he believes in!

Hera was shocked, and it was obvious, after all, her feelings were fully expressed on her face at this moment.

She was shocked by the desire of Promise and shocked by Athena's determination!

Then Hera's expression gradually became uglier.

Her amber eyes stared at Athena as she bit her lips and said angrily, "Athena, you should know that all the gods in Olympus now know that Promise is my child and believer!"

Because of her love for Promise and the prophecy of Clotho, the goddess of fate, she had already told the gods about him in a boastful manner.

Just like when Athena first got the painting, she couldn't wait to show it off.

"Well, so what?" Athena's smile remained unchanged, and she answered slowly and elegantly,
"Anyway, I am still more suitable than you to be the goddess of this child, and I am also the goddess who can obtain the glory from this child as seen by the goddess of fate."

"...Since you understand that I have informed the gods of my promise, then you must understand that unless this child betrays his marriage and completely betrays me, he will be my believer for the rest of his life!"

Hera replied with a grim expression, but at the same time she was unable to effectively refute Athena's words.

But at this moment, she seemed to have thought of something, and turned her amber eyes, looking at Promise.

Her eyes briefly paused for a moment on the boy, who had tied his hair up and looked more eye-catching.

As if realising something, the goddess finally laughed.

That smile was filled with a hint of smugness and pride as she glared at Athena and snorted, "And Athena, don't forget, that child became my believer by his own choice.

In other words, between you and me, the child chose me from the beginning!"

Hearing this, Athena subconsciously glanced at Promise, and the latter was so scared that he quickly turned his head away, fearing that Athena would ask further questions.

After all, since he couldn't lie, Promise could only nod.

Between Athena and Hera, he actually chose Hera at first... To be precise, he probably still thinks that way even now.

Although Athena was the mother of heroes and this was more suitable for Promise, she was a virgin goddess after all.

Moreover, after the initial meeting, Promise really felt that she was not necessarily better than the moon goddess Artemis in some senses...

But Hera was different.

Although she was willful and jealous, as long as you don't step on her landmines... to be more precise, as long as you don't step on the landmines in marriage.

She was really easy to talk to.

At least when he gets summoned as some Heroic Spirit, she would definitely not run out and strangle him!

"Is that so, so what?" Athena withdrew her gaze from Promise and greeted Hera with a smile again.

And this scene made Artemis so excited that she even wanted to take out her silver bow and silver arrows and shoot a few arrows on the spot to cheer everyone up!

If Promise were to turn his head at this moment, he would find that Pegasus wasn't even eating grass.

Because the melons here were not as delicious as the ones in front!

"You are indeed the goddess of that child now, but have you done anything for that child? Do you know what Promise has done recently? Do you know that the goddess of fate has once again made a prophecy about him, and that is... a prophecy of death!"

Looking at Hera, who was stunned again, Athena's lips curled up slightly.

Well, she had to admit that the reason why Hera didn't know all this was because she deliberately concealed it.

But so what?

"Hera, you know nothing. You have done nothing for this child. You, a goddess, actually don't care about him at all!"

The simple answer was, Hera...you can't do anything!

"I, I... No, I, Promise, listen to my explanation, it's not like that!" Hera said to the boy in a panic,
"It's not that I don't care about you, I have always cared about your affairs, but the decision of that trial that day... Yes, you still remember the trial of Themis.

In order to resurrect those people, I made a deal with Hades to give him a grand marriage, so I have been busy all this time..."

"Ahem." Athena interrupted softly, and said leisurely: "Hera, there are some things that you can't just tell children."

The latter choked up, then looked at Athena angrily again and raised her voice angrily: "Athena, whose fault do you think this is?"

Seeing this, hearing this, and eating the melon until this point, Promise couldn't help but tilt his head.

He finally realized that Goddess Athena had been deliberately guiding Hera and angering her little by little.

Based on his understanding of Athena, he knew that she must have her own plans for doing this... To put it simply, she had dug a trap for Hera at some point in time, and now all she had to do was wait for her to jump into it!

The reason why he reacted was very simple.
After all, it seemed that he had been jumping in such pits for the past six months...

Perhaps she had sensed Promise's thoughts, so Athena took the time to look at the boy, and after their eyes met,

She also winked quietly at him...

"But all in all, Hera, you really didn't do anything, right."

As she spoke, Athena turned around and walked lightly to Promise' side.

She stretched out her finger and gently poked his face, then rubbed it, and said with a smile: "My dear child, don't believe in this useless goddess, believe in me instead.

I, Athena, will give you everything you want~~"

"Athena... take your dirty hands off my believers!" The furious Hera could no longer bear it, and ran over quickly, grabbed Promise, and held him in her arms.

She glared at Athena and said, "Listen, Athena, he is my believer; I will never give him to you!"

"Hey, but you have obviously done nothing..."

"That's because I didn't know!" Hera interrupted Athena's spell.

"That means, if you knew, you would definitely be willing to work hard for this child?" Athena tilted her head and said in surprise.

"certainly!"

The moment Hera nodded, Promise, who was being protected in Hera's arms, knew that she was finished...

"That means you are willing to see your daughter for this child."
Well..as expected, just as she said this, Athena showed the dagger to Hera and said slowly: "God of Craftsmen - Hephaestus!"

......

......
　　

After a long time,

Pegasus flew towards the stars in the night sky again.

Athena still sat behind Promise.

The night was over, and she needed to send him back to Calydon.

By the way, just answer the little confusion in the boy's heart.

"That's great, Promise. This way, you'll finally have a place to put your brush and canvas."

Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen, hated Hera, the queen of Olympus.

Thus, under normal circumstances, considering the fact that out of all her believers, she cared the most about Promise, it was impossible for him to obtain the artifact from the God who was despised by Hera.

The only exception was if Hera, the queen of Olympus, were to ask in person.

Under normal circumstances, this was simply impossible.

After all, the proud Hera would never bow her head to anyone.

What's more, among all the gods, Hera was most afraid of Hephaestus... the daughter whose legs she broke with her own hands before abandoning her.

Because when Hephaestus grew up and returned to Olympus, he personally made a very beautiful throne for Hera, and then after she sat on it, he gave Hera a painful lesson that she would never forget in her life...

"It may be a bit presumptuous, but Goddess Athena, may I ask, Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen...is she a goddess?" Promise couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Well, she is a goddess, but she is also a god." Athena seemed to have guessed that he would ask this question, so she smiled and replied: "This is not a secret among the gods. You don't know it because you children have only seen her godly side.

She accepted the marriage of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, and from that day on, she transformed herself into a male god.

Promise nodded thoughtfully after hearing this, but he was not too surprised, because he remembered clearly that Zeus once turned into a woman to pursue a nymph...

"Thank you, Goddess Athena." After coming to his senses, he naturally expressed his gratitude to Athena for this matter.

"No need, after all, this is what I promised you from the beginning, and tonight is the time for the reward I promised, and Hera showed up at the perfect time.

At the same time, because of this, I am not angry tonight."

angry?

Why are you angry?

Just as such, doubts popped up in his mind.

Athena, who had been sitting obediently behind Promise, suddenly leaned over to the boy's ear and whispered, "Well..because, in your choice between Hera and me tonight, you didn't actually choose me, but... Hera!"