Chapter 8: Chapter 7: The Treasure Chest of Rivia Island
"Hera, are you mad?" Zeus angrily got up from the ground, his eyes burning with rage.
"If I'm mad, it's because you drove me to it!"
Hera didn't hold back, her beautiful eyes filled with fire as she responded to his gaze.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Who am I? Your wife, the queen of the gods, and the goddess of marriage. Yet I can't even protect my own marriage. You're out there every day, consorting with other goddesses, fathering countless children. Have you ever considered how that makes me feel?"
Zeus was stunned by her sudden outburst. After a moment, he coldly responded:
"You still don't understand my intentions. If I didn't love you, would I have made you my only queen? But you must know, you are queen because I am king."
As he dressed, he continued:
"Since I became the king of Olympus, Poseidon and Hades have both coveted my throne in secret. The Titans may have been defeated, but only a third of them were imprisoned in Tartarus. The rest are constantly plotting to restore their former glory. I need enough strength to maintain my rule."
"And what's the best way to gain strength? Through alliances and children. Over the years, I have courted many goddesses, but they have also become my supporters and given birth to powerful offspring. That is how the rule of Olympus has been stabilized."
Hera paused, then coldly laughed. "That's just your excuse. Are you saying I can't bear children, and you need those harlots?"
"Hera, you still don't understand me."
Zeus sighed and walked out of the room without saying more.
Once outside, a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Why seek other goddesses? Ha, both Uranus and Cronus were faithful, having children only with their queens. But when Mother Gaia instigated rebellion, the Twelve Titans overthrew Uranus. We, the six siblings, defeated Cronus, largely due to our mother Rhea's help.
They were too faithful, with only one wife and all their children born of one. When the couples split, it was easy to turn all the children against their fathers. I can't repeat their mistake. I must have children by different women, each bearing only one or two strong offspring. By ensuring there are conflicts among them, my rule remains stable."
"Hera, do you understand my painstaking efforts?"
After Zeus left, Hera sat alone on her throne, her face as cold as ice.
A crystal appeared in her hand.
She used her divine power, and the crystal showed the scene of Apollo slaying Python.
Watching the image intently, she seethed with jealousy:
"How could this happen? To have the power to kill Python at just ten years old... If he grows up, won't I be overshadowed by Leto?"
"Damn it! The sea is Poseidon's domain, and Zeus must have noticed something. If I act directly, he'll surely find out."
Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled someone.
"If he takes action, he can certainly deal with them in the ocean."
With a plan in mind, she summoned a nymph: "Go to the ocean and invite Achelous, the god of whirlpools and son of the ocean master, to see me."
...
On the island of Delos.
The recently arrived goddess of falling stars, Asteria, listened in shock to her sister's recounting of events, finding it hard to believe as she looked at her nephew, who had grown into a handsome young man over the years.
"My dear little Apollo, you actually killed Python! Even for me, dealing with Python would require considerable effort. And you're so young!"
She reached out to pinch Apollo's cheek, but he deftly dodged her hand, causing her to blink in surprise.
Leto said to her, "I'm afraid Hera will send more gods to harm them. I plan to hide with our parents for a while."
Asteria frowned. "It's fine for you and Artemis to go to our parents, but Apollo killed Python. He was Hera's pet and an Olympian-ordained deity. If Hera uses her authority as queen of the gods to summon Themis, she could bring Apollo back to Olympus for judgment. Although Themis is just, once in Olympus, Hera would control everything. We can't let Apollo go to our parents."
Leto's face changed with worry. "What should we do?"
Asteria thought for a moment, then smiled.
"We can have little Apollo stay with Hecate for a while. She is favored by Nyx, the goddess of night. No power from the sky, earth, sea, or underworld can reach her there."
Leto nodded. "That does seem fitting. It's just that I hate to trouble you."
Apollo, suddenly thoughtful, asked, "Is Cousin Hecate on the island of Levia?"
"Yes, I'll take you there right away," Asteria replied.
Apollo quietly opened his map, revealing numerous treasure chest locations. Four of them indicated high-level chests, and one showed a divine-level chest. Two were in Olympus, one on land, and two in the ocean. One was in Poseidon's palace, and the other near the island of Levia.
"Alright, let's leave before Hera can take action," Asteria said to Leto.
Leto and Artemis reluctantly looked at Apollo.
He smiled at them and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Asteria will take good care of me."
Artemis, her eyes slightly red, quietly held his hand. "While I'm with our ancestors, I'll work even harder. Next time we meet, I'll be the one protecting you."
"I believe in you," Apollo said with a radiant smile as he bid her farewell.
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Should i continue this novel?
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