Caught off guard, Hera was struck full in the face by a barrage of arrows. After a crackling series of explosions, her porcelain-white skin was coated in soot, leaving her dusty and utterly disheveled.
Hmph, little girl, you thought he was Russell? You'll have plenty of time to cry later!
Hera shot Artemis an angry glare, swept up her black robe to cover herself, and flashed out of the secret chamber.
"That foolish woman was far too easy to fool. You said you were Zeus, and she actually believed it."
Watching Hera flee in disgrace, Artemis felt as accomplished as if she had driven away a temptress. Her waist no longer ached, her legs no longer hurt, and even her intelligence seemed to have risen.
"Uh..."
Russell felt offended. He had no desire to be compared with Zeus, knowing full well that he was not even worthy of carrying Zeus's shoes.
He changed the subject. "Why did you suddenly come in? According to the plan, it wasn't time for you to make an appearance yet."
Artemis glared at Russell irritably. "The plan never said Hera would be naked."
"Well, plans can't keep up with changes!"
Russell waved a hand and brushed past the awkward subject in two sentences. Taking Artemis's small hand, he placed the Authority of Marriage in her palm.
"This is..."
Artemis's expression turned complicated. Ascending to the heavens in a single step, living together as a devoted couple—it was all within reach, yet she simply could not bring herself to take it.
"The Authority of Marriage. Merge with it, and I'll marry you as the Queen of Heaven. Then you can share my power."
Russell frowned as he spoke. "We have the Authority of Marriage, but no one has released the Titans imprisoned in Tartarus. We need