What is a Daughtercon? It seems to be a term for someone who can't be comfortable without their daughter nearby, feeling like the world loses its color when she leaves their sight. Cyd looked with exasperation at Demeter, who clung soullessly to his thigh.
"Demeter-sama, please maintain your image!" Cyd urged.
Ever since hearing the phrase "a daughter married is like water spilled," Demeter had been demonstrating her anguish by withering the surrounding land and stubbornly clutching Cyd's thigh.
"I know you need blessings. I'll grant you anything if you help me!" Demeter pleaded, looking pitifully at Cyd. "Do you want the ability to turn stones into gold?"
"I don't need such abilities, and I can't bring your daughter back from the Underworld," Cyd replied, flexing his ear. "If your daughter willingly stays in the Underworld, I can't bring her back."
"My daughter wouldn't want to stay in the Underworld! There are no flowers, and it's gloomy!" Demeter insisted firmly.
"How about this—I'll help you find out what your daughter really thinks," Cyd suggested, raising a finger. "That's something I can do."
Demeter was momentarily taken aback, but she regained her composure. However, she continued to cling to Cyd's thigh.
"Then I won't trouble you further," Demeter said, swiftly resuming her dignified demeanor, though still holding onto Cyd.
"About this..." Cyd gestured to Demeter's grip on his thigh, which he couldn't break free from.
"Let me grant you the Blessing of the Earth's Harvest," Demeter said, attempting to conceal her awkwardness. She stood and quickly placed her finger on Cyd's left wrist, causing a brown crystal to glow.
Cyd raised an eyebrow, noting Demeter's expression. It seemed she wanted him to forget her undignified behavior, but he decided to let it go. After all, she was reasonable compared to other gods he had encountered.
"What would you like to say to your daughter?" Cyd asked, rubbing his left wrist.
In the end, nine months out of the year together isn't too much to ask for.
"Remember to eat, don't get near that dog—it's dirty! Don't feel lonely in the Underworld. Even without flowers, be happy. If Hades bullies you, tell me..." Demeter began, her words tumbling out like a record player.
"Wait a moment!" Cyd interrupted, raising his hand. Though it wasn't polite to interrupt a god, he had to stop Demeter before she rambled all day. "I believe you say these things to your daughter regularly."
"Of course, I say it every day!" Demeter responded proudly, patting her chest.
"Say something you haven't said before," Cyd suggested, rubbing his forehead.
He could understand why Persephone might leave early. Hearing the same words every day would be overwhelming, even from a loved one.
"Something I haven't said?" Demeter tilted her head.
"Something you've wanted to say but couldn't," Cyd indicated his heart.
After a moment of thought, Demeter sighed and whispered in Cyd's ear, "Tell Persephone, I..."
Cyd chuckled. Demeter's words weren't the endless nagging he expected but heartfelt love. Although the previous conversation wasn't ideal, it was clear she cared deeply.
"I will deliver your message," Cyd promised, raising the corners of his mouth. "Even if it means entering the Underworld, where only the dead can tread."
"Thank you."
"How do you plan to enter the Underworld?" Medusa asked suddenly after they bid farewell to Demeter.
"There must be a way," Cyd said, snapping his fingers. "In this world, anything is possible, even for the living to enter the realm of the dead."
"What are you going to do?" Medusa yawned. "Getting there by dying isn't an option."
"I'll ask someone for help," Cyd shrugged, then looked towards the distant farmland. "But first, let's help the goddess clean up the mess."
Because of Demeter's earlier actions, the village's crops were nearly destroyed. The villagers had pleaded with Cyd to help, given that Demeter was partly responsible. Cyd could also test his newly acquired Blessing of the Harvest.
The brown light climbed up Cyd's arm, giving him a sense of change and new life appearing in his vision.
"Grow," Cyd commanded, lifting his left hand and snapping his fingers.
In the next instant, a massive explosion engulfed the farmland, with dust blocking the sun and making Cyd's expression harden.
He was momentarily stunned by the explosion but quickly realized it hadn't harmed anyone. Instead, the crops had grown explosively from the earth.
"What's that?" Medusa asked, brushing away the dust as it settled.
"It's... crops!" Cyd exclaimed, eyes wide as he saw the enormous cabbage in the field.
The explosion was likely due to the crops growing at an unprecedented speed.
"Can these really be eaten?" Cyd wondered, unsure if the mutated-looking crops were safe.
The villagers didn't seem to share his doubts. Despite being frightened by the explosion, they rejoiced, embracing the oversized cabbage.
"They're probably edible," Cyd concluded, smiling as he turned to leave for the forest.
"That hero truly succeeded! Where is he?" the village head asked, running from the village with trembling hands.
"He's probably left," a young girl said softly, looking down with her fingers intertwined. "Such a great hero, as pure as the Hero of Pure White in the stories."
"Yes!" the village head agreed, clasping his hands in prayer. "May his journey be smooth."
The villagers followed his example, praying earnestly. The young girl smiled slightly, her silver hair gently fluttering.
"You'll surely become the greatest hero."
Meanwhile, Cyd, now far from the village, sneezed as he made his way towards the sea, with Medusa following close behind.
4o