Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Chapter 449 - 121 Poseidon, Who Was Accidentally Targeted (Ecstatic)_2

In a simple demonstration, two children no more than ten years old released a golden arrow that made a resolute guard fall passionately in love with a rock, treating it as his sole companion. This terrifying spectacle not only sent chills down the queen’s spine but also convinced her of the visitors’ identities.

In the simple belief system of the people of Chaos, influencing a person’s thoughts is far more terrifying than killing a person’s body. With hardly any doubt, Metanira concluded that the newcomers were deities more powerful than Demeter. And through a brief conversation with them, the queen understood their intentions.

They were willing to assist her in her revenge, to inflict retribution on the Goddess of Agriculture—or rather, helping her achieve her vengeance would serve their purposes, which is why they had come.

A golden arrow could inspire irresistible love; a lead arrow could generate intolerable hatred. They laid the two arrows before the queen, allowing her to choose one and then decide on a target—of course, the target had to be related to her quest for vengeance.

"I want to know... can you bring Demophon back to life?"

Amid the smoke rising from the incense, the queen asked with hope in her voice. Although she had long contemplated revenge against Demeter, she would rather resurrect her child if possible.

That was far more meaningful than revenge. However, the two deities, looking like young teenagers, shook their heads together before replying one after the other:

"Although I would like to say, even if we could, we would not agree."

"Because we are not here to fulfill your wishes."

"But in fact."

"We indeed cannot do that."

As if they were of one mind, their alternating words carried no sense of division.

Watching the queen’s gaze turn from hope to despair, Volos and Eros continued:

"Because his spirit has also perished."

"At least it has not returned to the Spirit Realm."

"Divine Power can accomplish this."

"And nobody would call her to account for an individual case."

"Now, make your choice—this is your only chance."x2

The last phrase, their overlapping voices echoing in the room, carried a hint of reverberation. As hope died in the queen’s heart, the flames of hatred burned even more fiercely.

During her days of de facto captivity, Metanira also reflected on everything that transpired that night. Her child was killed, and perhaps her interruption was a factor, but the essence of the matter was the deity’s haughty attitude. Demeter had never truly poured her emotions into Demophon—not much, if any.

She had merely seen Demophon as her perfect creation and then, as a matter of course, sought to destroy this flawed creation. Therefore, the greatest punishment for such a being was to have her give birth to a truly shameful progeny that would bring her eternal disgrace.

"I choose the golden arrow, Prince Volos."

Clenching her fist, the queen said each word deliberately:

"I want you to direct it at the ugliest existence among the gods, then let him conceive a possessive emotion for Demeter."

"I want them to give birth to an equally ugly child..."

"There are no ugly True Gods, Metanira. Even the most ordinary-looking True God is hard to describe as ugly."

Unaware of the existence of Hephaestus, Volos carrying the golden arrow denied the queen’s statement.

"Then I demand the god with the most bizarre tastes, the one with a cruel and unbearable disposition!"

Grinding her teeth, Metanira even glanced at Eros beside her. Or more precisely, at the lead arrow he carried.

"If you could shoot her with an arrow and make her genuinely detest that god..."

"That is also impossible, you do not possess that ability."

Eros dismissed it offhandedly, his expression somewhat disinterested.

"Our arrows draw strength from revenge and cannot simply be shot without cause. If you were a deity, the hatred from the killing of your child would indeed suffice to wield both arrows, and their effects would be extraordinary."

"But unfortunately, you are just a mortal. So no matter how great your hatred is, you can only make one effective, and its impact will not be permanent."

"..."

Remaining silent, the queen finally calmed down a bit after being rebuffed repeatedly.

She looked at the twins before her, and an inexplicable sense of grief and indignation surged within her. Again, just like how Demeter had once looked down on her as if she were nothing, these two deities who had come to ’assist’ her were essentially the same.

They merely saw her as a tool... But perhaps she had long stopped caring about her own life, so watching them, Metanira couldn’t help but remark sarcastically:

"So why did you bother appearing before me? Do the gods need assistance from mortals?"

"Heh—"

With a disdainful laugh, Eros paid no attention to the queen’s words. Trivial mortals, pointless emotions... Of course, they might mean something to her, but Eros had no interest in understanding.

She drew a golden arrow from her twin brother’s back and tossed it before the queen. The hatred in the other’s heart didn’t escape her perception, so she was sure that the queen would not give up no matter what.

"We will satisfy you—drench the arrow with your blood, harboring a heart of vengeance. Once you have done this, we will carry out the latter part."

"What happens next is up to you—"

Hisss—

The golden arrow pierced the queen’s chest, but she seemed not to feel the pain. Blood gushing from her chest soaked the arrow, seemingly awakening the power contained within it.