The Hero Tries to Persuade the Queen of Heaven (Extra Update)

Meanwhile, After Thaumas finished packing his things, he stepped out. As for the little maid? He had done what he could; he owed her nothing, so there was no need to see it through to the end.

Clearing his thoughts, Thaumas pushed open the heavy doors and walked out.

Sure enough, they were already waiting for him.

He saw Hera clutching a bruised and battered Hermes, deep in conversation with Athena, looking quite anxious.

When the doors opened and Hera saw it was Thaumas who emerged, she tossed Hermes to the ground without a second thought and ran straight toward him.

Hera pulled Thaumas into her arms with a pained expression, reaching out to gently stroke his head.

Looking at his sturdy physique, Hera's face was full of sorrow as she said mournfully, "Child, did Hephaestus mistreat you? And how dare Athena and the others use Heavenly Fire to burn you?

Child, if you feel angry, I will help you punish them. You worried me to death; I have been thinking of you day and night these past few days.

Damn you, Hermes! Why did you bring my child here?"

With that, she pulled out her whip and lashed it fiercely at Hermes.

"Ah—! Save me, someone! Thaumas!" Hermes shrieked, but resistance was futile; it only invited more lashes.

"Ah—!"

Hiss~

How miserable.

Thaumas drew a sharp breath. He finally understood the ruthlessness of the Queen of Heaven, Hera; he had never had a concrete concept of it before.

But Hermes, you finally got what was coming to you! Who was it that made him look like a fool back then? It's all deserved!

Letting you find amusement at my expense! Am I someone you can toy with? You really had it coming!

And so, Thaumas acted as if he didn't see Hermes, simply watching as Hera vented her rage upon him.

Come to think of it, could he have a turn too?

Lashing Hermes... that actually sounded quite pleasant. Wonder what the others think?

"Don't worry, Goddess Hera, I am fine," Thaumas reassured her.

Then, he immediately added:

"Goddess Hera, you need not worry for me. Although Goddess Athena and the others used Heavenly Fire and Sacred Fire to calcine me, I miraculously survived.

A hero is meant to create one impossible miracle after another! This is a form of glory, is it not? And as my goddess, I have naturally brought you honor through this!"

Well, he wasn't exactly a saint; time to drop a little report.

"Hm?! Sacred Fire! Athena, what is the meaning of this? What did you tell me?" Hera's anger did not subside; instead, she turned to confront Athena.

"Well, I can explain this. Queen of Heaven, it was merely an accident.

The Heavenly Fire prepared by Hephaestus was tainted with the power of Hestia, which none of us anticipated.

But this child, Thaumas, created a miracle, did he not? Just as he said, he has brought you, Queen of Heaven, Hera, honor!" Athena hurriedly explained, while inwardly rolling her eyes at Thaumas's pettiness.

The Goddess of Wisdom had already seen through everything.

Hera's expression finally calmed, though she still said coldly to Athena, "I will let it slide this time, but you are not to approach my child again!"

"That depends on whether the child is willing. What if we just happen to run into each other?" Athena spread her hands and said apologetically.

Seeing the situation, Thaumas immediately stepped forward and said, "Goddess Hera, you need not worry. I requested Goddess Athena's help; after all, she is known as the Mother of Heroes. If I wish to become a hero, I cannot do without her guidance."

"Child, what do you mean by this? Are you rejecting me? Are you planning to abandon me?" Hera asked, suddenly filled with sorrow.

The great Queen of Heaven, Hera, felt abandoned once again, much like the first time she had been betrayed.

"Of course not. I swear upon this life that you shall be my only goddess for all eternity! The great Queen of Heaven, Hera," Thaumas said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Hera beamed with joy, while Athena's face darkened.

However, after thinking for a moment, Athena seemed to realize something, and she slowly suppressed her dissatisfaction.

Hera then said happily, "Child, since everything is fine now, let us leave. A volcano is no place to be."

Although Hera was very happy now, the presence of Hephaestus made it difficult for her to truly enjoy the moment.

"Not just yet, Goddess Hera," Thaumas refused.

"Why, child? Is there something else you must do?" Hera looked at Thaumas in confusion; this was beyond her understanding, and she could not fathom what else could keep this child here.

Even the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, could not help but glance over, staring at Thaumas in surprise. She clearly had not expected this child to actually agree to Hephaestus's terms.

What was more, judging by his stance, he was prepared to face Hephaestus directly.

I see. The Goddess of Wisdom was now very curious: could the Queen of Heaven, Hera's, doting love for Thaumas overcome her fear of Hephaestus?

Or perhaps, could it overcome the shame of having abandoned her own biological child?

The Goddess of Wisdom widened her eyes; she had already missed too many good shows, and this one was not to be missed!

Even Hermes could not help himself, risking death to open his eyes and look toward them with a grin, even though his swollen lips made the expression look incredibly jarring.

"O Goddess whom I worship! Great Queen of Heaven Hera, I implore you to apologize to your daughter Hephaestus!"

"This is what I, as a believer, wish to pray for from the divine, and in exchange, one day in the future, I shall offer you a tribute," Thaumas said with the resolve of one facing death.

Athena's eyes widened, Hermes's mouth fell open, and Hera could hardly believe her own ears.

To think someone would dare say such a thing to Hera! Could he truly be unaware of the relationship between Hera and Hephaestus?

"No... no, child, I am sorry. Anything but that is absolutely impossible!" Hera was in extreme distress, then painfully refused Thaumas.

"Why, my dear Goddess? Why say such a thing? Goddess Hephaestus is your own flesh and blood! Do you not love your own child?" Thaumas was relentless; appearing respectful, he was in fact pressing her step by step.

"This, child, it is not the same. Although you are all my children, Hephaestus—I truly do not wish to see her! Do not make things difficult for me anymore, my dear Thaumas."

Hera's body trembled, unwilling to accept reality, her voice even carrying a hint of pleading.

It was evident that she truly feared Hephaestus, and felt shame for the things she had done.