"...So. You are saying all of it was true?"
At Hades' earnest plea, Zeus of Olympus fell silent after hearing the whole story.
...Eirene and Astellon. For now, I had best leave them be. I cannot fight those two.
He then canceled every plan he had been turning over in his mind to keep them in check through curses and other schemes.
"Th-then... how will the matter of Eirene's guardian deity proceed?"
In the wake of this revelation, some of the gods revealed their greed. Though they were aware of the danger, they believed that if they could secure the position of Eirene's guardian deity, they could elevate their own authority.
Zeus, well aware of their intentions, fell into deep thought.
Due to the intervention of Nyx and Erebus, many gods had already withdrawn.
However, there were still those who remained, and they were among the most renowned names in the divine realm.
Because of this, the competition was only destined to grow fiercer.
"Hmm... what am I to do about this..."
Zeus swept his gaze over the gathered assembly.
Hermes, Athena, Ares, Artemis, and the others were already shouting over one another.
"Enough, all of you!"
He roared, his voice booming over the gods who were raising their voices in discord.
Startled, the gods fell silent and asked for his reasoning. Zeus answered them in a sharp, cutting tone, briefly halting the heated dispute. Then—
"...As for Eirene's guardian deity... I shall leave the choice to the party concerned."
He proposed a solution: the matter of Eirene's guardian deity, the very source of the gods' conflict, would be decided by the person involved.
***
"Mm... something feels suddenly ominous."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I don't know. I just keep feeling like I'm being left out of something..."
While I was playing with Noxia in the royal castle alongside Hippolyta, I felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
"If you're that worried, why not visit the temple for a while?"
Seeing my distress, Hippolyta, who was holding Noxia, suggested a solution.
"...Yes. I think that would help settle my mind."
I agreed, entrusted Noxia to Hippolyta, and stepped outside.
"But... where should I go? The ones I have the best ties with are Lady Nyx and Lord Erebus... but if I speak to them, I feel like something catastrophic will happen, and that frightens me... Ah. There was Lady Hestia's temple, wasn't there? But I don't know if it's all right to bother her over something so trivial... Hmm..."
Once outside, I pondered which deity would be best to visit. I passed by the temple of Apollo, the god of prophecy, which was still under construction, and headed toward the temple of Hestia, the goddess with whom I had developed a friendly rapport during our last meeting.
Upon arriving at the temple, I immediately offered a sacrifice, hoping to find some peace of mind, but—
"...Astellon."
"L-Lady Hestia?"
For some reason, Lady Hestia herself appeared before me.
And unlike our previous encounter, her expression was grim.
"W-what is happening...?"
"Astellon. Listen carefully to what I am about to say."
I tried to ask what was wrong, but Lady Hestia cut me off.
"Before long, a number of gods will come to see you. And they will try to force a choice upon you."
"What? What do you mean? A choice... as in what exactly...?"
"Recently, more and more gods have been watching this nation and you. Among those gazes are curiosity and interest, but there are also darker sentiments, such as anxiety and suspicion. Because of this, a council was held until just now. A council regarding this nation and you."
"Ah. Then..."
"But the tide turned quickly. Hades of the Underworld brought word that you have become the adopted son of Lord Erebus and Lady Nyx. Because of that, the other gods are wary of making a reckless move against you. Consequently... the topic shifted. It has become a matter of Eirene's guardian deity."
"If you mean a guardian deity, we have already served Lady Athena since the founding of the nation."
"I know. But the other gods intend to use this opportunity to replace her. This nation is simply too rich in resources to ignore."
"...Then this 'moment of choice' means... I am the one who must choose the guardian deity."
"Yes. I came in haste because they may try to pressure you into choosing without properly explaining the situation."
"...Truly. Thank you, Lady Hestia."
"It is nothing. It is just... I know how difficult this is for you..."
At those words, I found myself momentarily speechless.
"...I see... yes..."
"Astellon..."
Seeing me react differently than usual to this sudden turn of events, Lady Hestia looked at me with concern.
"...Still. This time, it's a little different."
"...Pardon?"
"Until now, I was always the one being chosen. But this time, I'm the one doing the choosing."
Lady Hestia's eyes widened slightly.
"To be honest... I'm not in a very good mood. I don't like the gods rushing in to covet the nation I worked so hard to build, and I'm irritated at being treated like some kind of tool."
"...Th-that is...!"
Lady Hestia hurriedly tried to interject, but I continued before she could.
"Still. Since it has come to this, I might as well make proper use of the situation."
"...Make use of it?"
"Yes."
I looked out from the temple and spoke firmly. "If the gods need me so badly, then I should make use of the gods as well."
"...Astellon. That is an extremely dangerous way of thinking."
"I know. But the safe road ended a long time ago."
"..."
"The son of Lady Nyx, the heir of Lord Erebus. I am no longer an ordinary human."
"...Then what do you intend to do?"
I thought for a moment before answering slowly.
"I'll set conditions."
"...Conditions?"
"Yes."
I began folding my fingers down one by one. "First, a guarantee of Eirene's autonomy. Second, the minimization of divine interference. And third... they must never lay a hand on my family."
Lady Hestia's eyes shook with shock once more.
"You intend to demand all of that from the gods?"
"Yes."
"...And if they refuse?"
"Then it's simple. No one gets chosen."
"...What?!"
"Our Eirene will move forward without a guardian deity."
As I declared this shocking decision with complete composure, Lady Hestia reacted more strongly than I had ever seen her.
"...You. Are you truly human? You speak so casually of a proposal that ordinary people would not even dare to imagine."
"Who knows. I'm not entirely sure myself these days. Besides... if any trouble arises, my adoptive parents will help me."
Just as I was speaking with Lady Hestia—
Boom!
A tremendous divine pressure descended outside the temple.
"...They're here."
Lady Hestia's expression hardened as she sensed the arrival.
"They're faster than I expected..."
I felt it too and slowly lifted my head.
At the temple entrance, I could sense the presence of several gods accompanied by a blinding blaze of light.
"...Perfect. Then... shall we see how the gods like to negotiate?"
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