Hera looked at Bolos, who more and more resembled that foreign god, and felt her head ache.
"I just hope your adult appearance won't look too much like that foreign god."
She knew Zeus well—knew just how deeply he hated that god. But Bolos was the perfect child granted to her by that very being, and judging by his features, he most likely would resemble him even more when grown.
She understood clearly that Bolos and Zeus would never have a good relationship.
All she could do was try her best to secure Bolos's interests.
Although Bolos wasn't her biological son, she unquestionably favored him over her real child, Ares.
Part of that was due to Bolos still insisting on drinking milk every day at over five years old. Another part stemmed from Hera's defiance toward Zeus. The more Zeus disregarded Bolos, the more Hera pampered him.
As for Ares—he had been taken away by Zeus shortly after birth, supposedly to be raised into a mighty God of War like Apollo.
Now his personality was that of a complete brute. Hera, even when she wanted to discipline him, didn't know where to begin.
The more she thought about it, the more infuriated she became.
She was so intelligent, and yet her child had been shaped into such a simpleton by Zeus's teaching.
And as for Artemis and Apollo, what was so great about them anyway? Hera had heard Zeus praise their talent in countless settings.
But her Bolos also had outstanding talent, no less than any other Divine Beings.
"By the way, Bolos, have you truly decided on those two Divine Offices?"
After Bolos had more or less had his fill, Hera brought up the important topic.
"Yes—God of Opportunity and Creation."
Bolos still decided not to change his Divine Office, avoiding unnecessary disruption.
Especially after having seen the Prophetic Oracle and hearing from Hera that the reason Zeus had brought Artemis and Apollo to Olympus earlier than in the myths was due to a warning from the Fates.
All these things served as warnings—he shouldn't be too reckless in this world.
With his current strength, he was far from being a match for Zeus, let alone standing against the inevitable fate of this world.
"Then let's set the ceremony three days from now. I'll have Zeus prepare a grand investiture to announce your existence to all the gods."
"Hera, how about we skip that?"
Bolos refused. He was only here to receive a Divine Office—doing it quietly would be better. Such grandeur would only invite trouble.
One good thing about Greek Myths—or Western fantasy worlds in general—was that from the moment he could speak, Bolos had called Hera by name, without needing to say "Mother," and Hera didn't mind.
In fact, no Divine Beings really cared about how they were addressed.
But Hera was always one to enjoy face and grandeur. Especially when everyone constantly praised Artemis and Apollo, she felt the need even more to have Bolos stand in the spotlight.
She wanted the gods to know that her firstborn son, Bolos, had matured far faster than Artemis and Apollo.
The most talented descendant on Olympus wasn't Leto's children—it was hers.
Only in front of the gods could Bolos's future benefits be truly secured.
So, despite Bolos's objections, she stuck to her decision.
No matter how much Zeus disliked Bolos, he wouldn't deny her—Queen of the Gods—such a public affair.
And so, word spread throughout Olympus Divine Realm: three days from now, the Queen of the Gods would bestow a Divine Office upon her firstborn son.
Many Divine Beings connected to Olympus were invited to Mount Olympus to attend the feast.
Two days later, the news reached Hephaestus.
He was in the middle of crafting jewelry for a sea goddess when he suddenly heard the news and was stunned.
"Queen of the Gods' firstborn, Bolos? Could you tell me more about him?"
The sea goddess, one of the thousands of daughters of the Lord of the Ocean, Oceanus, was among those who often gathered to gossip about various Divine Beings.
Seeing the interest from this incredibly skilled yet "old" blacksmith, she began to explain.
"Bolos is Hera's firstborn. It's said he was born right when the King of the Gods, Zeus, brought Artemis and Apollo back to Olympus."
"At that time, the divine couple had a massive quarrel. The Rainbow Goddess was so frightened she summoned the Goddess of Justice, Themis, to mediate. Only then did the King and Queen reconcile."
"Perhaps for that reason, the King of the Gods has never liked Bolos as much as Artemis, Apollo, or even his second son with Hera, Ares."
"According to some handmaidens in Olympus Divine Realm, when Zeus is on Olympus, he most enjoys hosting banquets. But Bolos has never once appeared at any of them."
"So, most of the gods assumed that the Queen of the Gods' firstborn wasn't favored by Zeus."
At this point, the sea goddess clicked her tongue. "But now it seems those rumors were wrong. Zeus has actually invited the gods to witness Bolos receiving a Divine Office? How can you say he doesn't like him?"
"Wait, I'm not done—where are you going?"
Before she could finish, the "old" blacksmith had already stormed out, breathing heavily and leaning on a cane.
"The jewelry is finished. Once the flames are out, you can take it. This news is too important—keep your things!"
The "old" blacksmith, Hephaestus, quickly found Tethys and told her what he had heard.
Tethys sighed. "I heard too. What are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to Olympus. I want to see my cruel mother. I want to find out who has replaced me—who has taken my parents' love!"
Tethys, ever wise, paused and said, "You can go. But not like this."
"How should I go, then?" Hephaestus asked, confused.
"If you're going to Olympus, Zeus and Hera must first acknowledge your identity and give you the treatment you deserve."
"Otherwise, what's the point of going? Just to vent your rage?"
"Please teach me!"
Hephaestus realized she was right. If he didn't reclaim what he deserved, he'd be wasting the suffering he'd endured.
"We need to invite several Divine Beings and gain their support before we go to Olympus. And we must appear at the most critical moment."
A gleam of wisdom flashed in Tethys's eyes.
After Metis's death, she had become known as the most intelligent goddess of the sea.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。