Meanwhile,
After Thaumas had put his things away, he came out. As for the little maid? He had done everything he needed to do and owed her nothing, so there was no need to help her to the very end.
After sorting out his thoughts, Thaumas pushed open the doors and walked out.
Sure enough, they had already been waiting for him.
Hera was holding the bruised and battered Hermes as she spoke with Athena, looking extremely anxious.
When the doors opened and she saw that Thaumas was the one coming out, Hera flung Hermes to the ground without caring whether he lived or died, then ran straight toward Thaumas.
Hera lovingly pulled Thaumas into her arms, reached out, and gently stroked his head.
Looking at his sturdy body, Hera was filled with sorrow as she said painfully, "My child, Hephaestus didn't mistreat you, did she? And how did Athena and the others dare use Heavenly Fire to burn you?
"If you are angry, my child, I will help you teach them a lesson. You truly worried me to death. I have missed you day and night these past few days.
"Damn Hermes! Why did you bring my child here?"
Then she drew out her whip again and lashed Hermes viciously.
"Ah—! Save me! Thaumas!" Hermes screamed miserably, but struggling was useless. It only earned him more lashes.
"Ah—!"
Hiss~
How tragic!
Thaumas sucked in a breath. He finally understood just how ruthless Hera, the Queen of Heaven, could be. Before this, he had never had a concrete idea.
Still, Hermes, so you had this day too! Who had made him humiliate himself so thoroughly back then? You deserved it all!
Served you right for looking for amusement everywhere! Was I someone you could use for entertainment? You really deserved this!
And so,
As though he had not seen Hermes at all, Thaumas simply watched Hera vent her anger on him.
Come to think of it, could he have a turn too?
Whipping Hermes... that actually sounded pretty good. He wondered what everyone else thought.
"Don't worry, Goddess Hera. I'm fine," Thaumas reassured her.
Then he immediately added,
"Goddess Hera, you need not worry about me. Although Goddess Athena and the others used Heavenly Fire and Sacred Fire to temper me, I still survived by a Miracle.
"A hero must create one impossible Miracle after another! That is also a form of glory! And as my goddess, you have naturally gained honor because of me!"
Well, he was no good person. Better file a little complaint first.
"Hmm?! Sacred Fire! Athena, what is going on? What did you tell me?" Rather than calming down after hearing this, Hera turned and questioned Athena.
"Mm, I can explain. Queen of Heaven, it was merely a small accident.
"The Heavenly Fire prepared by Hephaestus had been mixed with Hestia's Authority. None of us expected that.
"But this child Thaumas created a Miracle, did he not? Just as he said, he has brought glory to you, Queen of Heaven Hera!" Athena hurriedly explained, while inwardly criticizing Thaumas for being so petty.
Wisdom had seen through everything.
Only then did Hera's expression gradually calm, though she still said coldly to Athena, "This time, I will let it go. But from now on, you are not allowed to approach my child!"
"That depends on whether the child is willing. What if we merely happen to meet by chance?" Athena spread her hands and said apologetically.
Seeing the situation, Thaumas immediately stepped forward. "Goddess Hera, you needn't worry. I was the one who asked Goddess Athena for help. After all, this goddess is known as the Mother of Heroes. If I wish to become a hero, I will certainly need her help."
"My child, what do you mean by that? Are you disgusted with me? Are you going to abandon me?" Hera suddenly asked sorrowfully.
The great Queen of Heaven Hera once again felt abandoned, just like when she had first been betrayed.
"Of course not. I am willing to swear upon my life that, for the rest of my life, you will be my only goddess! Great Queen of Heaven Hera," Thaumas said solemnly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hera immediately beamed with joy, while Athena's face darkened.
However, after pondering for a moment, Athena seemed to have thought of something. She slowly concealed her dissatisfaction.
Hera then said happily, "My child, since everything is all right now, let us leave quickly. A volcano is not a good place."
Although Hera was very happy now, she found it difficult to enjoy that happiness in a place where Hephaestus was present.
"Not yet, Goddess Hera." Thaumas refused Hera.
"Why, my child? Do you still have something to do?" Hera looked at Thaumas in confusion. This lay beyond her understanding; she did not know what else could hold this child here.
Even Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, could not help but glance sideways at him in surprise. She had clearly not expected this child to truly agree to Hephaestus's request.
What surprised her even more was that, judging from his bearing, he was preparing to face Hera directly.
I see. The Goddess of Wisdom was now very curious whether Hera's love for Thaumas could overcome her fear of Hephaestus.
Or perhaps, whether it could overcome the shame of abandoning her own child.
The Goddess of Wisdom widened her eyes. She had already missed too many good shows; she absolutely could not miss this one!
Even Hermes could not resist. Recklessly courting death, he opened his eyes and looked over with amusement. Though his swollen lips made the expression look utterly out of place.
"O goddess in whom I believe! Great Queen of Heaven Hera, I beg you to apologize to your daughter, Hephaestus!
"This is what I, as your follower, wish to ask of a god. In exchange, one day in the future, I will offer you a tribute," Thaumas said as though facing death without fear.
Athena's eyes widened, Hermes's mouth fell open, and Hera could scarcely believe her ears.
Someone actually dared say such words to Hera! Did he truly not know the relationship between Hera and Hephaestus?
"No... no, my child, I'm sorry. Anything but that. That is absolutely impossible!" Hera was in an extremely difficult position before painfully rejecting Thaumas.
"Why? My dear goddess? Why do you say that? Goddess Hephaestus is your biological child! Do you not love your own child?" Thaumas showed no mercy. He appeared respectful, yet pressed her step by step.
"This... my child, it is different. Although both of you are my children, Hephaestus... I truly do not want to see her! Do not make things difficult for me anymore, my dear Thaumas."
Hera's body trembled. She refused to accept reality, and there was even a trace of pleading in her voice.
It was clear that she truly feared Hephaestus, and also felt ashamed of what she had done.
Before you continue