He was undoubtedly a hero akin to Hercules, but unlike Hercules' hands stained with blood, Cyd, known as the Hero of Pure White, seemed to avoid taking lives, instead bringing bountiful harvests.
"Um... Cyd-sama, could you spare a moment?" Facing the incessant teasing of the elderly, Cyd felt somewhat helpless.
Thrown out of the Underworld by Hades eight days ago, Cyd knew intimately that Atalanta's pursuit of Hades led to another island exit, an escape even Atalanta couldn't accomplish in over ten days. That was the situation.
"Village chief, allowing your crops to flourish comes at a price. Your land's nutrients will be depleted. Perhaps this year I can enhance your harvest, but next year's yield might be halved," Cyd argued earnestly, urging the elderly man who gripped his clothes tightly.
Naturally, Demeter's blessing was a miracle that required no cost or feasibility issues. However, Cyd disliked such a reputation, increasingly demonized by rumors that exaggerated his feats wherever he went.
To prevent such rumors—"Cyd is more powerful than the gods themselves"—from endangering lives, Cyd would silence them before they spread too far, at least preventing them from exaggerating further. He didn't want to be dependent on others; the joy of achievement from his own hard work was most fulfilling.
What was worse, each exaggerated rumor about his actions meant that sharp hunters would track him down through rumor mills.
"I'm human, not a god. I can't exist forever, nor can I help you every time," Cyd pulled his hand away firmly. "I don't want my goodwill to encourage laziness."
A spark of realization flashed across the village chief's face. Why worry about tomorrow when today was so good? Perhaps less was more.
But Cyd disappeared before the chief could kneel and plead for his miraculous aid.
"Puff—" The sound of rushing wind followed the sudden appearance of a youthful figure with a hoe on his shoulder. The hat he wore bore wings.
"What are you doing, listening to them?" The youth seemed puzzled.
"I know he's a good person, but..." The village chief sighed. "We aren't."
With a shake of his head, the village chief returned to the village.
The youth discarded his hoe and adjusted the winged hat on his head.
"Why help them after hearing that?" Suddenly, Cyd's voice echoed in the once-empty space.
"And who are you?" Hermes quipped as he placed a hat on the youth's head.
"Don't forget, I'm the god Hermes," he added, recalling that Cyd had been given a compass. "Though I know you're here, I'm not sure if you're making faces at me."
"I wouldn't waste my time on such boring matters." Cyd removed the helmet gifted by Hades.
"But I would!" Hermes smiled mischievously.
Cyd glanced at the crystallization of Hermes on his left wrist. He couldn't lie; he was indeed tempted.
"No need for that expression," Hermes waved his hand. "Little fellow?"
"I helped get rid of a rather troublesome individual," Cyd scratched his head.
"A woman?" Hermes chuckled.
"What are you doing here!" Medusa's voice suddenly joined in.
"Is it really her?" Cyd furrowed his brow.
"You think I'd lie?" Hermes teased, pointing to Cyd's left wrist. "Even to a god?"
Cyd was puzzled. Hermes wouldn't ask him to do something good; there must be a catch. But he couldn't resist the temptation to gain three blessings at once.
"I suppose..." Cyd sighed as Hermes smiled before him.
"Must come," Hermes grinned.
Cyd covered his face. "Right, you're right. Because they've designated me to go."
"Exactly," Hermes patted Cyd's shoulder. "And you can't ignore the awkwardness of the situation."
"I have to go," Cyd lifted his helmet slowly.
"You might get three blessings if you go," Hermes threw casually.
"Deceitful!" Cyd protested.
"No one can deceive you, not even a god," Hermes smirked.
Cyd hesitated. Zeus, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Athena, and Hera had already blessed him. The remaining five blessings were enticing, and he knew he couldn't resist three blessings at once, despite the pitfalls.
"I must," Cyd muttered, Hermes smiling wider before him.
"You really can't resist," Hermes smiled as Cyd walked toward him.
"Exactly," Cyd replied, covering his face.
"I forgive the old man's few vices," Hermes said, suddenly holding Cyd's shoulders with his right hand and Medusa's shoulders with his left. "Little fellow, say goodbye to her."
"Why can't she come?" Cyd frowned.
"She probably doesn't want to go there," Hermes's gaze drifted.
"What do you mean?" Medusa grew uneasy.
"She was rejected," Cyd gently stroked Medusa's head.
"Yeah, it was tough, but I managed to handle it," Medusa closed her eyes.
"Right, Medusa, you should return to those two fellows for now," Cyd earnestly held Medusa's shoulders with both hands. "I have to go where you might not want to go."
"I'll stay by your side," Medusa reached for Cyd's clothes.
"He's headed for Mount Olympus," Hermes couldn't hide his seriousness.
"!" Cyd was taken aback. This was escalating quickly!
Medusa's expression stiffened. "He's going to see Athena."
"I can...I can..." Medusa hesitated.
As a monster, she was supposed to be vanquished. If she followed Cyd to Olympus, his hero status would be compromised, especially in front of Athena. If she couldn't get Athena's blessing...
"No need to force yourself," Cyd patted Medusa's head, knowing her relationship with Athena made her reluctant to go inevitable.
"It's uncertain," Hermes said, not downplaying the magnitude of the situation.
"I'll wait for you," Medusa lowered her head.