Seeing the birth of Apollo, Ares did not enter Delos Island to disturb them.
At this moment, he acted like a warrior who only cared about his recently acquired victory and spoils, perfectly fitting the persona of Ares, the simple-minded God of War.
However, after he had packed everything using Python's snakeskin, Artemis came to the beach.
She was not alone; she was supporting a beautiful woman in black, who held a golden-haired infant with a delicate, doll-like face.
When Ares looked at them, he noticed that Artemis's body had reverted from her adult form to that of a little girl. It was clear that the Goddess of the Hunt had only forcefully accelerated her growth to protect her mother and brother. Now, after confirming that Ares harbored no ill will, Artemis no longer needed to maintain that state and had returned to her original white-haired loli form.
Leto, holding Apollo, and Artemis approached Ares. She then curtsied slightly, bowing, and gratefully said, "Noble Ares, son of Zeus and Hera, thank you for your help."
"It's nothing, I just couldn't stand that mindless monster," Ares said, forcing a ferocious grin. "Besides, it was a good hunt."
In front of other gods he couldn't fully trust, especially under Zeus's watchful eye, Ares felt he still needed to maintain the basic persona of the God of War.
"Nonetheless, thank you again," Leto, as the gentlest goddess on Olympus, softly thanked Ares once more.
"After this period, Hera shouldn't send anyone to bother you anymore. You can live on this island for now," Ares said. "Later, Zeus should send someone to pick you up."
With that, he hoisted the spoils left by Python, bid farewell to Goddess Leto, Artemis, and Apollo, and then ascended into the clouds, flying back to Olympus.
As soon as he landed, Ares was invited by someone sent by Zeus.
Upon arriving at the God King's Hall, Ares finally met the King of Gods. Perhaps to distinguish himself from younger generations of gods like Ares, he had transformed himself into a majestic middle-aged man with white beard and hair, seated on the God King's throne, which symbolized the highest authority in this world. Below the throne stood Prometheus.
Upon seeing Ares return, Zeus immediately smiled and praised him, "Well done, Ares. I didn't expect you to proactively protect your younger siblings. You truly are my son."
Upon hearing this, Ares felt a bit annoyed, but he tried hard to show the hearty, simple-minded smile on his face.
"Of course, father," he said gruffly. "I am the God of War of Olympus!"
"Good, good," Zeus raised his hand and said, "I want to give you a reward. You have Python's skin and bones, right? How about your elder brother Hephaestus forges you a set of armor and a new weapon? What do you think?"
Ares showed ecstatic joy and nodded, "That works!"
So Zeus gave his orders, and Ares handed over Python's snakeskin, bones, and other items to a lower-ranking god nearby, instructing him to send these materials to the Fire God's Hall.
During this time, Zeus also walked down from his throne. He approached Ares, intimately placed a hand on his shoulder, and then whispered,
"Ares, did Asteria not return with you?"
That old lecher.
Ares, of course, knew why Zeus was asking this question. Clearly, besides the gentle, black-clad Goddess Leto, he had also taken a liking to her sister, the Meteor Goddess Asteria.
Now Ares understood why, even after the danger to Goddess Leto and her two children was resolved, Asteria was unwilling to revert to her original form.
So he shook his head and said,
"No, Goddess Asteria is still acting as the floating island."
"Is that so? I see." Disappointment was evident on Zeus's face.
His expression was overheard by Prometheus, who stood nearby. The latter quickly advised, "Zeus, Hera is still furious. You shouldn't stir up more trouble now."
"I know, I know."
Zeus's face showed a look of disinterest. Clearly, he no longer had the energy to pursue a romance with the Meteor Goddess.
He turned and sat back on his seat, then continued:
"I have seen it; my two children, Artemis and Apollo, both possess extremely powerful divine power and are qualified to become chief gods of my Olympus. Alas, the twelve great god positions are already full. Even if Oceanus gives up his position, it would only provide one more. What should we do?"
"Zeus," Prometheus bowed his head and said, "We can find a way for Helios to give up his position."
"Helios, indeed," Zeus said. "But he is still the Sun God, holding a crucial position in the world. How can we make him willingly give up his position? Ares, Prometheus, you two, do you have any ideas?"
He said, looking at Ares and Prometheus.
Ares knew that Zeus was deliberately testing him. After all, this kind of task was clearly not something Ares, the God of War, could accomplish. Zeus could have just discussed it with Prometheus alone.
But Zeus insisted on involving him, which indicated that the matter of Metis had made Zeus, who had just gained the God King's position and not yet secured it, uneasy. He probably now suspected every one of his children. If anyone showed potential to seize the God King's position, they might follow in Metis's footsteps.
Therefore, Ares diligently maintained his persona, gruffly shouting,
"What's so difficult about that? I'll just go and chop him down for you!"
With that, he directly drew his Flame Sword and, pretending to be serious, was about to walk out of the hall, intending to go to Helios's temple and chop off his head.
Prometheus looked at Ares's retreating back, his eyes flickering, and he didn't stop him. Instead, he watched him with interest.
[Is he not stopping me because of what I asked him about the prophecy earlier?]
Finding that Prometheus did not stop him as he had expected, Ares steeled his heart and continued to walk out of the temple.
[If I'm going to put on a show, I'm going all out. If he doesn't stop me, I'll really chop him. Let's see who breaks first!]
Just as Ares was about to walk out of the God King's Hall, finally, Zeus spoke:
"Ares, come back! How can you do such a thing!"
Ares stopped upon hearing this, turned his head, and stated emphatically, "Father, this is the fastest way!"
"Come back when I tell you to come back!"
Zeus slapped the armrest of his throne, then pinched the bridge of his nose, somewhat annoyed.
Seeing that Ares had finally obediently returned, the subtle vigilance in his eyes towards Ares dissipated, replaced by a feeling of vexation.
"Prometheus," Zeus asked the God of Wisdom beside him, his voice suppressed, "Why didn't you stop Ares?"
"Ahem, I couldn't stop him, Zeus," Prometheus said, feigning grievance. "Only a God King with power like yours can command the unruly God of War, isn't that right?"
"You're right," Zeus changed the subject. "Then this task is yours, Prometheus. Go persuade Helios to yield his position to the future Apollo."
"Alright," Prometheus bowed confidently, clearly already having a countermeasure in mind.
"Alright, you may all leave. Ares, you can collect your reward from your brother later." Zeus waved his hand, then held his forehead, a trace of pain on his face. "I need to rest. Do not disturb me later unless it is important."
Seeing this, Ares and Prometheus exchanged a knowing glance, then both assented to Zeus and left the God King's Hall.