Chapter 261: Hestia: The Black Sea? I Can’t Go! I Really Can’t Go!

"Huff~~~"

Hestia let out a long breath of relief. After working tirelessly for over a hundred years, she finally completed all the arrangements.

"So tired, so tired," Hestia said, stretching her limbs, with a mix of exhaustion and weariness in her voice. "After a hundred years of hard work, everything is finally in place."

As she contemplated whether all this effort would pay off, she couldn't help but shake her head.

To be honest, she was uncertain.

Or rather, there was no way to be certain. Even Hestia, despite following her mother's instructions and collaborating with Moirai and Mephistopheles, couldn't guarantee success. 

After all, the realm of the God-King is referred to as a miracle for a reason. Reaching this level by conventional means is nearly impossible, which is why it's so challenging.

Although Hestia, Moirai, and Mephistopheles had prepared everything, they still had to quietly wait for the outcome.

As for whether they would succeed or not, it was impossible to say. No one could be sure, and all they could do was wait passively. They had done everything they could, and now, even if they wanted to ensure everything went smoothly, they couldn't do anything more.

"It's time to go home."

Hestia muttered to herself as she returned to the Hades Temple and the underworld.

Though the entrance to the underworld was now located at the Hades Temple in the far north, making it much more cumbersome than in the past when returning to the underworld was as simple as stepping through a portal, the gods of the underworld took pride in it.

It's no joke.

"We have the Hades Temple, look at that! And what about you? Besides, Sparta has already started building a massive city around the Hades Temple. Just by looking at the scale of the construction, you can tell how much effort it's taking."

Because of this, both Poseidon and Zeus were put in a tight spot. They couldn't stand by idly—if Hades had built such an impressive Hades Temple, they needed to create something comparable. Otherwise, it would be a significant embarrassment.

While Sparta's achievements couldn't be replicated, that wasn't the issue. The critical point was the Hades Temple. At the very least, the Sea Emperor's Temple and the Heavenly Emperor's Temple had to be nearly as grand.

They needed to be at least eighty to ninety percent as impressive; otherwise, it would be a disgrace.

This is why, even after so much time, the Hades Temple was still under construction.

To this day, the Sea Emperor's Temple and the Heavenly Emperor's Temple have yet to be completed, as such a task is anything but easy.

However, none of this concerned Hestia.

Returning to the underworld, Hestia briefly sensed her surroundings but decided not to visit the Elysian Fields. Instead, she headed straight home. As soon as she entered, she collapsed onto her bed in exhaustion.

But no sooner had Hestia laid down than Rhea appeared suddenly, like a shadow looming behind her.

"Wuuu~~~"

Hestia let out a cute whimper and cried, "Mother, Mother, can I please rest now? I can't go on. I'm so tired!"

Hestia wasn't just complaining; she was genuinely exhausted.

From the establishment of the Hades Temple to the present, Hestia had been running around non-stop every day without a moment's rest. Whether it was seizing the Heart of Space or arranging the ritual of destruction, everything required high intensity and extreme precision. Even the slightest distraction could have been disastrous. It was just too exhausting, and Hestia really felt she needed a break.

"Hehehe~~~"

Rhea chuckled at Hestia's attempt to play the slacker, then gently said, "Not just yet. There are still two tasks left to complete. Once those are done, you can rest."

"Sigh!"

Hestia sighed in resignation, but she still sat up on the soft bed, swinging her pale legs under her white dress. "Mother, just tell me what the two tasks are. I'll take care of them, no problem."

Though Hestia often enjoyed slacking off, she knew that these tasks were hers to handle, and no one else could take her place.

Because of this, Hestia had to take care of things herself, which meant she had to get busy again.

Rhea spoke calmly, "Hestia, as you know, the World Tree in the underworld needs four sacred beasts representing earth, water, fire, and wind to advance further."

"Hmm!"

Hestia nodded. "My brother already acquired the Earth Serpent from you, which corresponds to the Ouroboros of creation. The seventy-two demon gods from the small world represent the pillar of heaven. He's now searching for the four sacred beasts of earth, water, fire, and wind."

"He has already obtained the Earth Mother Serpent as the earth-aligned beast."

"So what's the matter?"

Hestia asked curiously, "Mother, do you know where the water, fire, and wind beasts are?"

"I have some knowledge," Rhea replied, gently tapping her daughter's forehead. "I'm not sure about the fire and wind, but I do know something about the water beast."

"Eh?!"

Hestia's eyes widened in excitement, and she looked at her mother with eager curiosity, wondering what she knew.

"Wait!" Hestia suddenly questioned, "Mother, if you knew, why didn't you tell my brother directly? Wouldn't it be easier for him to capture or find it?"

"Me? …"

Hestia pointed to herself, puzzled. "Isn't it strange for me to do it? After all, wouldn't the beast you're referring to be at least at the level of a God-King? Am I really the right person for this?"

Rhea softly explained, "You're the most suitable because you represent your father. The location of the water beast is in the Black Sea, and aside from you, no other god is appropriate for this task."

"Huh?!"

"The Black Sea?"

"Mother, I can't go there! I really can't! That place is out of my reach!"

Hestia shook her head frantically, not out of reluctance, but because she genuinely couldn't handle this task.

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