How could one describe the god standing before him?
He was Zeus, after all, so naturally he was handsome, with white hair and golden eyes.
He didn't look the least bit disheveled or like someone who had been imprisoned.
And looking the young man in front of him, who had broken into the kingdom of gods and created such a noisy and magnificent theater, disrupting everything he had originally planned, the king of gods Zeus was not angry at all.
In fact, there wasn't even a trace of condescension in his gaze.
In the dim glow of the candlelight, Zeus smiled softly, holding a glass of wine in his hand and looking at Promise, as if he were welcoming an old friend who had finally arrived after a long journey.
In fact, Zeus was quite familiar with this young man.
After all, over the past two years, Promise's actions in this era had been more than just active, they were nearly legendary.
Still, despite his pain, Promise managed to force himself to stand and, step by step, approached Zeus, bowing respectfully once he was close enough.
Zeus's golden eyes gleamed as they studied the boy, and after a moment, he smiled and said, "It seems the others' descriptions of you were right; you are delicate, like a flower. Yet, you possess qualities that even the Goddess of Justice, Themis, couldn't help but acknowledge, tilting the scales of judgment in your favor."
He paused, then continued with a light chuckle, "This leaves us unable to harbor any dislike toward you. Instead, we feel only boundless affection."
As he spoke, Zeus gestured for Promise to sit down across from him, continuing, "So, child, there is no need for fear. I've been aware of everything you've done since you left the mountain. You are my wife's most loyal follower, my daughter's dearest hero, and, moreover… you have helped me more than once."
To be honest, it wasn't that unusual for Zeus to have a good impression of the boy.
After all, even if the initial passion was gone, it was great to know that the person he had once loved were actually protected by Promise, and had even gained Hera's forgiveness.
And more than one goddess, how could he not feel some affection for the boy?
Yet, as Promise looked at Zeus, who smiled gently at him, he remained calm and composed.
In fact, the kinder Zeus seemed, the more composed Promise became. After all…
Zeus, please stop being so nice. It's freaking me out!
I'd rather you glare at me with anger or disdain—I could handle that.
'But this soft, kind look you're giving me is making me want to turn around, go back out, and fight Athena for another hundred rounds and die!'
I'd rather die than deal with this!
"But, O glorious King of the GodsI have rashly entered the kingdom of the gods without your permission. Please, forgive my transgression," Promise said respectfully, trying to maintain his composure, though inside he was screaming...
Zeus please act a bit more normal.
Though come to think of it, what's 'normal' for Zeus anyway?
The normal Zeus, well... would he be really Zeus?
"It's no matter. After all, you came here to rescue me, didn't you?" Zeus said, his golden eyes taking a deep look at the boy in front of him.
With just that single glance, Promise knew that Zeus had seen right through his intentions.
But this was no surprise as he had already expected such outcome, after all the other party was Zeus.
So, Promise did not panic, and replied in a steady voice, "Nevertheless, a wrong is still a wrong. As a mere mortal, I entered your realm without an invitation and deserve punishment."
As these words left Promise's lips, Zeus finally looked at the boy in front of him with a hint of strangeness in his eyes.
He originally thought that his meeting with him would not bring him much surprise.
After all, over the past two years, he'd heard so much about Promise that it had nearly become tiresome, so he had initially assumed he knew everything there was to know about this boy.
But in that moment, Promise had piqued his curiosity again, making Zeus take another long look at him.
Looking at this delicate boy who looked like a poet or a gentle painter than a hero, Zeus's eyes softened even further and his voice became even more gentler as he saud, "Child, you realize what an extraordinary feat you've just accomplished?
You've even fulfilled one of my heart's long-held wishes. You've shattered her perfection, freeing me from the constant worry and fear I've had for her."
"That wasn't my strength," Promise shook his head and said. "I merely borrowed the powers of two esteemed deities, and it was only with the assistance of the great goddess Hecate that I was able to succeed at all. Moreover..."
Moreover, if it hadn't been for that final statement where Promise declared that the arrow symbolized his "heavy love" for Athena, he couldn't have done nothing.
After all, Athena, the goddess representing wisdom was naturally not stupid, how could she take the blow with her face?
She would have blocked it with her shield long ago.
"But no matter how it happened, the result is undeniable," Zeus continued. "My flawless daughter was defeated by you… And who could have imagined that the perfect Athena would one day fall to the very child she cherishes the most? Hahaha!"
Having said that, Zeus could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
He took a few big gulps of the wine, and it was obvious that he was very satisfied with what had just happened.
"So, child, you need not bear any burden. I, Zeus, King of Olympus, hereby forgive all of your actions and recognize the greatness of your achievements on this journey. Therefore…"
Zeus, still laughing heartily and full of satisfaction, looked at the young man before him and said, "Speak your wish, and whatever it may be, I will do my best to fulfill it!"
Upon hearing this, just as Promise lifted his head to respond, Zeus interrupted him with a wave of his hand, still smiling warmly.
"I'm truly delighted this time," he said seriously.
"So, don't hold back. Tell me your heart's desire, whatever it may be. Even if you wish to become a god, marry a goddess, or even pursue my daughter, this time, I can grant it to you!"
Hearing his words, Promise was really shocked.
To be honest, even if the gods outside heard this, they would likely be just as stunned.
It was clear from Zeus's offer just how pleased he was with the events that had transpired and how much he recognized Promise's worth.
After his initial surprise, Promise quickly calmed down again.
He began to think seriously, carefully considering what Zeus had said.
After some thought, he raised his head, his clear green eyes meeting Zeus's golden gaze as he smiled softly, and said,
"Thank you, merciful and great King of the Gods. And please forgive me for my impertinence.
Even in light of your generous offer, I still feel unworthy of asking for a wish after having caused such chaos in your realm. If I must express a wish, then let it be for your forgiveness for all the disrespect I've shown until now."
Zeus wasn't angered by this response.
Gods can sense falsehood, and he knew that Promise's words were sincere and not just a polite remark.
And he also saw that the boy had indeed thought about it for a long time.
Therefore, Zeus only asked curiously, "So, is there truly no wish that you hold in your heart?"
"Of course I have desires, great King of the Gods," Promise replied with a smile. "I am, after all, just a mere human. Naturally, I have longings in my heart.
However, none of them require me to waste your generosity. Because…"
"Since leaving the mountain and meeting the noble Queen Hera, wise Athena, and the others, all my deepest wishes have already been granted by them."
When Promise said this, Zeus immediately recalled the vows—the promises made between the bot and the gods.
"To become a great hero and have a glorious end?" He answered, looking at the boy, who nodded to his words, still smiling.
Promise really had no need to ask anything more of Zeus.
After all, everything he had wanted was something he had already gained from the gods he had met along his journey.
If there was anything else he truly needed…
Indeed, the only thing left was that one painting.
The portrait of Zeus, King of Olympus.
However, Promise wasn't foolish enough to bring that up now, and Zeus certainly wasn't about to offer it.
After all, judging by the current situation, what would that painting depict? The king of gods, Zeus imprisoned?
Compared to the paintings of the other gods Promise had made, such an image would stand out unfavorably.
If he really dared to paint such a picture, it would be surprising if Zeus didn't hurl a few thunderbolts at him in response.
"Let Poseidon give you the painting," Zeus said after a moment. "This time, he flooded the entire court of Olympus—surely one of the most glorious moments of his life."
Promise considered the offer, and this time, he didn't refuse and accepted Zeus's generosity with a calm nod.
But..
"But.."
Who would have thought that Zeus, who had been smiling the whole time, would say something very sharp this time, "I gave you such a grand wish to fulfill. I thought, at the very least, you'd ask me to pardon Athena and Hera for their rebellious actions."
Though he was still smiling at this moment, there was now a sharpness in Zeus's gaze as he scrutinized Promise.
The latter remained silent, knowing full well that the best answer would be to defer to Zeus's judgment as the King of the Gods. However...
"If possible, I truly do hope, great King of the Gods, that you can find it in your heart to forgive them," Promise said, voicing his wish.
As soon as he uttered those words, the room fell into complete silence.
Outside, the stage beyond the floor-to-ceiling window remained lively and chaotic. .
But within the quiet room, tension filled the air.
Suddenly, Zeus lifted his head and looked past Promise, asking, "Why have you come?"
Promise, feeling a bit puzzled, was about to turn around when a familiar, tender and soft voice reached his ears reached his ears.
"Fate has already revealed that future…"
It was a delicate voice, attempting to sound imposing, though it was still gentle.
The soft patter of small, bare feet echoed through the temple as the Goddess of Fate, dressed in a classical Athenian robe, appeared.
A few strands of white hair peeked out from under her hood, and in her hands, she held the crystal orb of destiny.
"When the sun is swallowed, and a storm of darkness sweeps across the world, and the great kingdom of the gods teeters on the edge, a hero will rise to face the monsters seeking to destroy it.
And he will offer them the fruit of victory…"
She spoke softly, and under Promise's surprised gaze, she came to his side and stood beside him.
Raising her head, her blind, white eyes—cursed by fate, seemed to meet Zeus's gaze.
She appeared to be staring directly at him, yet at the same time, it was as if she was peering far beyond, into the distant future.
"And that hero will paint a portrait for himself, a painting he has been waiting for a long time—one that will be the most beautiful of all."
When the king of gods Zeus heard this, his expression finally changed.
And Promise also looked at her in a daze.
Both of them knew exactly what such a painting would represent.
"And at that moment, the first vow will reach its end, and the hero will fulfill… his promise to the goddess."
...
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