Chapter 23: The Four Virgin Siblings

[3rd POV]

Artemis is different from Athena.

Zeus had no inappropriate thoughts toward her and felt no need to be wary of this daughter who cared little for power or position.

He simply viewed her as a beloved and adorable daughter. In fact, Zeus didn't need to guard against Artemis, as the Goddess of the Moon had no interest in the position of the king of the gods.

For Artemis, the position of the King of Gods, which required managing all of creation, might actually be a hassle and get in the way of her hunting.

Therefore, aside from all other factors, Artemis is actually the daughter that Zeus loves the most.

As for Hestia, there's no need to say much. As the eldest of the third generation of gods, she possessed great authority even before in front of the three god-kings. 

Even Poseidon, who had often had thoughts about her, was forced to behave like a younger brother when in her presence.

Thus, under the strong request of his most beloved daughter and the most respected elder sister, Zeus had no choice but to agree. 

The two goddesses swore an oath on the thunderbolt in his hand, officially becoming virgin goddesses under Zeus' protection.

With their interruption, Aphrodite's search for a husband was interrupted again. 

Seizing the opportunity, Hera, filled with jealousy, suggested to Zeus that Aphrodite should marry their son, Hephaestus.

Under the pressure of the king of gods and the queen of gods, Aphrodite had no choice but to agree.

She reluctantly married Hephaestus, whom she believed was "ugly." After Ares swore to be the god of virginity, Aphrodite didn't have many options left, and Hephaestus was the only choice.

By marrying Hephaestus, at least she could still enjoy the luxury of the gods on Mount Olympus. 

Later, when the human world became more prosperous, Aphrodite would have plenty of opportunities to meet other handsome men.

However, if she married Hades and descended into the underworld, it would become much more difficult for Aphrodite to roam freely.

In fact, if she married Hades, she probably wouldn't dare to cheat easily. 

The thin, seemingly modest King of the Underworld might seem quiet, but his position as one of the three great god-kings was not to be underestimated. 

The gods on Mount Olympus secretly believed that the God of Death was even more terrifying than Poseidon, the God of the Sea.

So, after Aphrodite nodded in agreement, the goddess of love and the excited Hephaestus immediately began their wedding ceremony in front of Zeus and Hera, in the presence of the gods, celebrating their union.

"Look at them, they're so happy." 

Ares said, holding his cup of wine as he spoke to Athena, Artemis, and Hestia.

Athena glanced over and replied, "Yes, they look so happy... Aphrodite's expression right now looks more like she's attending a funeral."

"How can you speak like that?" 

Ares said, looking at Athena with a frown, "You're the Goddess of Wisdom, how can you talk someone like that?"

"Hmph, I'm just stating the truth." 

Athena replied coldly to Ares, "Also, don't speak to me so casually. We're not that close yet."

"Sigh, Athena, this is where you're wrong." 

Hestia said with a slight frown after hearing Athena's words.

"You and Ares are children of Zeus, you're siblings, and you two are also the strongest gods among the fourth generation. Since that's the case, you should get along well and set a good example for the other brothers and sisters."

"Exactly." 

Ares said, "Athena, even though our battle isn't over, we're all Gods of Virgin now—you, me, Artemis, and Hestia. I think the four of us should come up with a group name. How about we call ourselves 'The Virgin Four Sisters'?"

After saying that, Ares laughed heartily, slapping Athena's back with force, making her spine thud loudly.

"What kind of ridiculous name is that?" 

Athena said, trying to endure Ares' rude behavior, and patiently responded.

"Then how about 'The Virgin Four Brothers'?" 

Ares suggested with a grin.

"Hah—" 

Athena felt like her head might explode. She pressed her hand to her forehead and said to Hestia, "Sorry, Hestia, I think I need to go rest for a bit."

"Alright, you go ahead." 

Hestia said, noticing that Athena was clearly not in a good mood and didn't try to stop her.

After watching Athena rub her temples and leave, Ares excused himself from Artemis and Hestia and then went by himself to a corner of the banquet hall.

Ares sat there, eating, while watching Hephaestus and Aphrodite's wedding.

"Why don't you try to talk some sense into your quiet brother?" 

As Ares was watching, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him. He turned to see Hecate, who had appeared out of nowhere.

She was holding a cup of wine, and although her makeup had been ruined by laughter earlier because of Ares, she had quickly fixed it.

"I tried to talk to him." 

Ares shrugged at his magic teacher, "But he wouldn't listen."

"How did you try to talk to him?" 

Hecate asked, looking at Hephaestus, who had a big happy smile on his face, completely captivated by Aphrodite's charm.

"I told him, 'The peaceful path you long for may end up covered in frost every night and morning'" 

Ares said with a sigh, "After I said that, he got really angry and sent me away."

"That sounds kind of poetic, but when you think about it, it's really harsh."

Hecate said, thinking for a moment, "If someone said that to me at my wedding, I'd definitely hit them."

"But what I said is the truth." 

Ares replied, gesturing toward Aphrodite with a nod, "Look at her face, all serious. Who's going to believe she won't cheat in the future?"

Hecate glanced at Aphrodite, and at that moment, Ares saw a flash of magic in her eyes. 

Then, she looked at Hephaestus with a somewhat pitiful gaze, "An honest man... such a tragic fate."

Seeing her reaction, Ares' eyes lit up, and he asked, "What was that just now? Clairvoyance?"

"It's a type of magic that mimics the Mystic Eyes." 

Hecate replied, "I just mimicked the ability of clairvoyance to see into the future and look at God of Fire's future."

"Teacher, I want to learn that." 

Ares said earnestly, bowing his head.

"You're still a bit lacking in skill. I will teach you when you have reached a certain level of magic.

Hecate rolled her eyes, "Morever this clairvoyance isn't omniscience. Even if it is true clairvoyance, it only shows the most likely future based on what's happening now. The future always changes depending on different individuals' choices and the development of events. Not even the most powerful restraints can control it completely."

"Is that so?"

 Ares asked with disappointment, but he quickly cheered up again.

Based on the information he had gathered from various gods, Ares knew that Zeus would soon send Prometheus and Athena to begin creating humans on Earth. 

At that point, Ares would need to plan out the magic he would require for it and ask.

"By the way, teacher, do you have any magic that allows you to transfer your consciousness into another body?"

To be continued...

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200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter

A/N: Every 200 power stone, I'll drop bonus chapter...