Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

This change to the environment could even penetrate the surface layer of the Spirit Realm, introducing ’color’ into that gray-white world. Therefore, with their current abilities, it was also temporarily impossible to completely conceal their movements.

However, the twins didn’t plan to conceal anything. As they entered the inner sanctum and saw the alert Demeter, Eros spoke up first, smiling:

"Demeter, how did that arrow feel? Although it was Poseidon who got hit, your experience should have been more intense, right?"

"—You?"

Boom—

With an intense shout, Demeter suddenly stood up.

Previously on Poseidon, she had indeed felt an odd power. It seemed that it was the influence of this power that made him so passionate towards her.

The Poseidon from the early part of the day and the one that came after were drastically different, a difference even the Goddess of Agriculture could perceive. However, it was fortunate that this power didn’t last too long; otherwise, she might have been taken back to the sea by now and wouldn’t have the chance to return here.

She had suspected that Poseidon couldn’t have been so brazen on his own; all of this had been someone else’s doing behind the scenes. And now, the instigator had the audacity to appear before her, flaunting this fact.

"Hmm, even if it was us, what then... what do you plan to do about it?"

Her demeanor appeared nonchalant, like an evil witch in a tower playing with the hearts of men, watching the angered Goddess of Agriculture, Eros spoke carelessly.

"A Golden Arrow, which ignites an intense love in the one pierced towards whoever the arrow marks—just as you’ve witnessed."

"But we have more than one arrow, and this time we just wanted to let you experience its power. Now that you’ve seen... or perhaps, would you like to try and see if you can detain us?"

"You!"

Demeter was shocked beyond belief by Eros’s arrogance. These two gods, emerging from nowhere, were so presumptuous. Clearly, she didn’t know them at all, but they had made their move in secret and were now brazenly threatening her.

In their conversation, she was utterly disregarded. This silent contempt made the Goddess of Agriculture feel insulted once again, yet she found herself without a way to respond.

In the Mortal Realm, she could not accurately measure the twins’ Divine Power, but since they could shoot ’arrows’ that affected the minds of the Principal Gods, even though she had not seen them herself, she assumed they couldn’t be too weak.

Demeter wasn’t confident she could effortlessly suppress them in the mortal plane, and Poseidon’s reaction had already proved the arrow’s potency.

"...What do you intend to do?"

Forcing down her irritation, unlike her ’grandmother,’ Demeter had never been ’rich,’ naturally resulting in less strong a desire to rebel.

When facing deities of equal power, it seemed there was nothing she couldn’t endure. The only time she ever erupted was aimed towards the reticent Hades. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Hmm, since you can recognize the situation, that’s for the best,"

Nodding with satisfaction, Eros didn’t continue the conversation. She circled on the spot and then took a slight step back, giving way to Volos, the true owner of the Golden Arrow.

Volos, in turn, made his demand without any courtesy to the Goddess of Agriculture standing before him.

"I want your Scepter, the Scepter of Wealth that was born with you."

"You want my Divine Artifact?"

Her expression changed; that artifact was still inserted in her throne atop Olympus, constantly emitting a force that influenced the world’s climate. Demeter hadn’t anticipated their goal to be the Divine Artifact, but she soon countered with a cold laugh:

"Don’t you know, as an artifact that was born alongside me, the moment it leaves my side, its power will gradually slumber, eventually returning to the mundane?"

"I know, which is why I only need it for a while. Once the harsh winter is over, it will still be yours,"

Volos replied evenly.

"So... it was for the sake of those earthly mortals that you’ve come?"

Realization dawned upon her, and Demeter seemed to understand something.

Despite not knowing her, they had plotted against her, which must have been due to some conflict between them. Now, it appeared that the source of it all was the widespread cold of winter.

"Although the outcome is slightly off the mark... you can understand it that way if you wish,"

Nodding his head, Volos continued:

"So, what is your response?"

"...I refuse."

Demeter did not agree to their request, contrary to the twins’ expectations.

"Have Hades return Persephone to me, otherwise, you can give up on your desires. I might as well stay with Hestia forever; you cannot threaten me!"

Her voice was intense as she firmly denied their request. But the next moment, Demeter’s tone softened.

Observing the twins before her, many thoughts flashed through the Goddess of Agriculture’s mind. However, ultimately, a sudden idea eclipsed everything else.

This catastrophe would eventually end, Zeus would not permit her to continue this way, and of course, compared to her, Hades would be under even greater pressure.

So...

"We could negotiate on this matter, provided that you swear not to use this power to harm me again, and in the future, you must also shoot an arrow for me."

At that moment, Demeter saw clearly.

She could not take revenge on anyone… but in this world, there were still those capable of confronting her brothers.

······

Underworld, the gates of Tartarus.

Within the chaotic time-space overlapping with the Underworld, unknown rules had somehow emerged, contributing to stability. However, their presence made this place even more dangerous because as these rules continuously shattered and reformed, they released a terrifying force that could horrify any mortal being.