Chapter 68: Chapter 68. Peace, Peace
I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero - 68. Peace, Peace
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If you want to get along well in Greece, never get involved with beautiful women. The more beautiful the woman, the more trouble she brings! This is not an alarmist statement; Greek mythology is full of tragedies caused by women.
Although he did not regret it, the trouble Atalanta brought him was already more than he could handle.
"Absolutely not!"
Cyd shook his head firmly.
"Hmph, you are quite... What?!!!" Aphrodite's mouth dropped open, her face full of disbelief. "Why!"
"Because it's troublesome," Cyd replied earnestly.
"What kind of reason is that!" Aphrodite was on the verge of losing her mind. "But I am the most beautiful woman in the world!"
"Even if you say so," Cyd scratched his face.
"In the end, you are the shallowest of the three of us," Athena laughed. "Does he lack women? Never. Princesses, huntresses, his journey is never short of them."
"Don't make it sound like I'm always surrounded by women," Cyd rolled his eyes.
And don't forget, you three are still vying for the title of the most beautiful goddess. If the world's most beautiful woman is chosen, would you even send yourself over?
"But I am the most beautiful woman in the world," Aphrodite was unwilling to give up. She couldn't understand why any man would refuse this condition, convinced as she was that men are creatures ruled by their lower bodies.
"Well, the outcome is decided," Athena extended her white hand towards Cyd. "Give me the apple."
"Why?" Cyd blinked.
"Didn't I win?" Athena's expression froze. "You refused Aphrodite's offer, you don't care about wealth, and the only thing left is my wisdom. Even if it's not much use to you, it's still useful!"
Cyd had a strange look on his face.
Is it really that important who is the most beautiful?
Athena, who had always maintained a rational stance, even claimed that her wisdom was not that useful just to step on the other two and get the apple.
And the other two were showing expressions of agreement.
"This isn't a contest of who is more beautiful, is it?" Cyd tossed the golden apple in his hand. "It's not about who offers the best benefits."
From a personal perspective, indeed, giving it to Athena is more valuable. A beautiful woman brings no benefit beyond temporary pleasure. Oh, and they can bring disaster. Wealth that rivals kingdoms can indeed provide a comfortable life, and a beautiful woman can be won over, but it's the same principle. Here, anyone could be a thief. In comparison, Athena's wisdom is much more useful; with wisdom, one can also obtain wealth and fend off enemies.
If we compare it using circles, Athena is undoubtedly the outermost circle, and Aphrodite is the smallest middle circle.
But here's the problem: his goal this time is a blessing. If he gives the apple to any one of these three goddesses, will the other two be jealous? At the very least, he won't get the blessing this time.
How to make these three overly eager goddesses give up the apple in his hand and willingly bless him... That might be a bit difficult.
Moreover, there's a mischievous fellow wanting to watch the fun.
"Then hurry up and choose," Hermes smirked, tapping the table.
"Ummm... Can I say a few words?" Cyd placed the golden apple on the table. "If you still insist on me choosing afterward, I'll give the apple to the goddess I consider the most beautiful."
"Fine," Athena and Hera exchanged glances and nodded.
"Get on with it," Aphrodite waved her hand impatiently. "If you choose me, the world's most beautiful woman is still on the table."
"Okay, actually I think this contest is fundamentally meaningless."
As soon as Cyd finished speaking, the surrounding gods gasped in shock, and Hermes's eyes widened.
"Are you saying..." Athena narrowed her eyes, "we're being ridiculous?"
Aren't you being ridiculous?
Not just Cyd, but the other gods showed the same expression.
"What kind of expression is that?" Hera raised an eyebrow.
"First of all, everyone wants to get this apple inscribed with 'For the most beautiful goddess,'" Cyd pointed to the apple with its deliberately provocative inscription. "But I can't understand why."
"Exactly, shouldn't this apple go directly to me?" Aphrodite earnestly patted her chest.
"Ummm... You three are all very confident in your beauty, right?" Cyd bluntly ignored Aphrodite's narcissistic comment.
"Of course." ×3
That's what makes this difficult...
"But isn't it strange? Why do you have to fight over this apple?" Cyd tilted his head. "Why do you need this unknown apple to prove your beauty? Shouldn't your beauty be obvious to all? Does it need proof?"
The best way to deal with these self-absorbed goddesses is to go along with them!
"Wise and war goddess Athena, your beauty lies in your wisdom that transcends gender. Whether man or woman, child or elder, they are all drawn to you. Isn't this the best proof? Far more valuable than this empty inscription, isn't it?"
Athena, initially dazed, calmly smiled after hearing this.
The wise goddess had returned.
"Queen Hera, you are the most noble person in this world. Beauty is just one of your many attributes. You possess far more valuable things than this golden apple. You don't need to lower yourself for an unknown apple."
Hera lifted her chin.
Seeing Athena and Hera's satisfied expressions, Cyd quietly sighed in relief. These two were originally smart. Smart people could naturally see the intention behind the golden apple. After their moment of irrationality, the problem was how to end it. Their pride would make them stubbornly hold on even if they realized something was wrong. He gave them the perfect way out, allowing them to end the foolishness without losing face.
But Aphrodite was serious. She genuinely believed that holding the golden apple would make her the most beautiful goddess in the world.
Luckily, Aphrodite wasn't smart. Dealing with fools is always easier than dealing with the wise.
"Aren't you the embodiment of beauty?"
A simple rhetorical question gave Aphrodite an epiphany, making her so pleased that she temporarily forgot about the golden apple and indulged in self-admiration.
"Now..." Cyd held the golden apple in his left hand. "Who wants this golden apple?"
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A/N:
Since many responded with 'Yes,' I have restarted the translation. Don't worry, I will update with two chapters every day.
If you want to read an extra 20 chapters (though there are just 3 extra chapters for now), just visit my Patreon: patreon.com/kurato6180.
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