[Greek Mythology] The Demons Under My Command - Chapter 38

After receiving the plot points, Li Jia took out her earpiece and called Lina.

Lina was delighted to receive Li Jia’s call, asking what her good girlfriend needed.

Li Jia told Lina about the plot points the System had shared with her. Lina was aware that Li Jia had a strategy mission to complete.

Without a second thought, she agreed. After hanging up, Lina went back to her room, spent half the day packing a small cloth bundle with a change of clothes and some snacks.

She slung the small cloth bundle over her back and headed towards the Water Mirror Palace  which was located deep in the Expose Grassland .

At that time, Artemis was sitting on a soft couch by the window, holding a scroll of yellowed ancient texts between her fingers. The moonlight fell upon her through the carved window lattice, making even her hanging strands of hair glow with a gentle light.

Hearing the “shoo shoo shoo” sound of footsteps, she smiled.

Artemis knew it was her who had arrived.

The corners of her lips curled up. As she lifted her eyes, she saw a little ball of fluff—a penguin—pouncing into the room, its round body carrying a small cloth bundle nearly half its height. A hint of understanding flickered in her eyes.

Artemis lowered her gaze to look at her, then took a crescent-moon-shaped name tag from her sleeve. The silver surface glowed with a faint blue light, and she handed it to the penguin.

Bending down, she whispered softly into its ear, “You can’t give this one away again, okay?”

“Lina, you can’t accumulate so many favors for me.”

After speaking, she gently flicked her little head.

The little penguin clutched the crescent-moon name tag, its face flushed, hot from the tips of its ears to its neck. Its little flippers clutched its clothes, and it didn’t even dare to raise its head. So, she knew everything.

It was fortunate that Lina usually switched to the form of a fluffy little penguin at night; otherwise, if she had appeared in her human form now, it would have been truly embarrassing.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to the Hot Spring Stream.”

Artemis said this as she carried the little penguin onto her Spirit Deer Star Chariot.

Every God Lord’s mode of transportation is related to their soul-body and divine power.

Artemis’s mount was pulled by a group of silver white-tailed deer. The leading doe stood in the center of the chariot, acting as the primary guide, while the remaining seven spirit deer formed the team, responsible for pulling her chariot.

The blue-haired goddess stepped onto the Spirit Deer Star Chariot. With a light flick of the reins, the deer stepped onto the starlight and began to move.

As the chariot drove through the night sky, silver starlight spilled out from beneath the wheels, tracing long star trails across the dark heavens.

The star dust fell onto the blades of grass in the Expose Grassland, like a scattering of crushed diamonds, escorting the goddess holding the little penguin all the way towards the Hot Spring Stream.

The little penguin lay in Artemis’s arms, looking at the receding starlight below, and couldn’t help but exclaim softly, “It’s so beautiful!”

The blue-haired goddess smiled and agreed, “Yes, the moonlight is so beautiful.”

The Spirit Deer Star Chariot stopped at the entrance of the Hot Spring Stream. Artemis politely used her divine sense to tap the wind chimes at the door.

The woman lying on the bed in the deep inner chamber opened her eyes, sensing the inquiry of Artemis’s divine power.

After receiving permission, the door to the Hot Spring Stream opened on its own. Artemis entered, holding the little penguin, and the door automatically closed.

“It’s so advanced! It’s an automatic door,” the little penguin exclaimed.

Although Artemis didn’t understand what she meant by “automatic door,” she could likely infer from the literal meaning that Lina was shocked the door opened automatically.

After a moment’s thought, she explained, “Every God Lord’s residence has a magical restriction placed upon it. If one does not have the owner’s permission, they cannot take a single step inside.”

“Then can’t someone pry it open or dig a hole to sneak in?”

Artemis pinched her chubby cheek and smiled, “No. If anyone forcibly enters, the restriction of the Hot Spring Stream will burn them to ashes.”

Lina nodded, and raised her short flipper-like hand to give a thumbs-up $langle)$

This expressed her affirmation for this kind of incredible, nuclear-missile-like defensive equipment.

“Then why doesn’t the Expose Grassland have one? If it did, and I gave my name tag to Li Jia, why can I still go in and out of the Expose Grassland freely?” the little penguin asked, blinking in confusion.

“The restriction on the Expose Grassland only limits humans; it doesn’t limit animals. Animals can live freely in Expose, far away from those poachers.”

“Just like the time I found you in the Elven Valley, though I didn’t expect you to willingly return to my side.”

“Lina.”

“As for why, that’s a secret. In any case, you have a new name tag now.”

Artemis finished speaking and ruffled the gray patch of fur on top of Lina’s head.

Lina didn’t think too deeply about it. In any case, she had a new name tag, and the new one was even prettier than the previous one. Perhaps afraid that she might give it away again,

This time, Artemis had used her divine power to engrave her name, Lina, on the back of the crescent-moon tag.

It couldn’t be rubbed off no matter what.

Her hands in penguin form were too short to reach her neck, so she glanced at Artemis.

Artemis understood immediately and placed it around her neck. Lina held the shiny name tag, completely enchanted by it.

Her fluffy head rubbed against Artemis’s finger, her eyes full of joy.

Now, she would never lose her name tag again.

Artemis carried the little penguin to the inner chamber, where Hera was waiting at the door, holding a sleepy-eyed, wobbly Li Jia.

“I apologize for disturbing you so late.”

Artemis set down the little penguin and offered an apology to Hera. Li Jia wasn’t fully awake and was swaying. Hera patted Li Jia’s back to make her clear-headed and stand up straight.

Hera said calmly, “Li Jia invited Lina to visit the Hot Spring Stream herself, so there is no such thing as a disturbance. Furthermore, she spent most of the past semester studying at your place. If anyone is causing a disturbance, it is us disturbing you.”

“Exactly! How can we only ever go to your house to play? You all have to come to mine, too!”

Seeing Lina, Li Jia immediately sobered up. She walked up to Lina, holding her short flipper, giving off a “we’re best friends” vibe.

“How many days will you stay?”

The task Li Jia had asked Lina to help with would take a few days to complete. She lifted her big, sparkling eyes to look at Artemis, her tone pleading, “I like Lina very much. Hunter Goddess, could you please let her stay with me for a few more days?”

Hearing this, the little penguin immediately shook its fluffy head, its eyes looking at Artemis filled with anticipation.

Artemis pinched the gray fur on her head, a smile hidden in her eyes: “Since it is your request, I will grant it. Just don’t take her out to cause trouble.”

Li Jia immediately cheered, pulling Lina’s short flipper. Lina’s round body swayed slightly as she was pulled, and her other little flipper was also raised high in celebration.

After sending Artemis off, Li Jia declared that she would not be sleeping with Hera in the inner chamber for the next few days; she wanted to stay with Lina in the guest room.

Hera smiled helplessly, momentarily unsure whether inviting her friend over was a good or bad idea.

It was only for a few days, which would pass quickly. So, she consented and asked Winslow to prepare and clean a guest house for the two of them.

During the day, Hera would go to the Wedding Temple to handle affairs, with Dorin accompanying her. Li Jia wrote Winslow a dozen extremely complicated new recipes to keep her busy, thus sending her away.

The entire Hot Spring Stream was left with just her and Lina.

The two of them cautiously locked the door and hid under a wool blanket. Since it eventually became too hot, they abandoned the blanket consultation and moved to conduct their “secret plotting” under the bed instead.

Li Jia wrote down all the information the System had given her on a piece of paper.

Characters: Zeus (- Perpetrator), Demeter (- Victim)

Location: K’tabor Valley

Mission Requirements: Advance the emotional progression between the perpetrator and the victim, as much as possible (pull up the sprouts to help them grow), then ensure the victim sees the true face of the scumbag early (cut the sprout with one knife), and finally provide post-breakup psychological counseling and postpartum care.

Lina even drew a mind map and put a big ‘X’ over Zeus’s name.

Upon learning of Demeter’s predicament, Lina was furious and was determined to see this through with Li Jia.

Since the plot setting made it impossible to prevent Demeter and Zeus from meeting and falling in love, they could only heal Demeter’s wounds and provide psychological guidance afterward.

Lina was, after all, a psychology master’s degree student nearing graduation. She deeply understood that if emotions could not be adjusted, one would fall into a dead end, which is why so many people are tortured by love and live with regret.

After making several revisions, the general direction was set. Li Jia tucked the paper into a crack beneath the bed.

With the plan set, Li Jia was due to visit the Spring City of Fragrance as usual.

After bonding with Hera, Li Jia gained half of Hera’s divine power. Correspondingly, she needed to bear half of Hera’s responsibilities.

Hera knew she was a “lazy fish”  who was unwilling to travel around and manage affairs, so she excused her from the Wedding Temple duties and designated the Spring City of Fragrance to her.

Hera could tell that the little girl enjoyed wandering around the capital city to eat and shop. She would love this city and would take good care of its citizens on Hera’s behalf.

Lina also wanted to visit the Spring City of Fragrance, so Li Jia notified Winslow the day before to join them.

As soon as the two of them crawled out from under the bed, they heard Winslow’s booming voice from outside the door: “Are you two ready? The carriage is prepared. If you dawdle any longer, the city gates will close!”

Li Jia and Lina hurried out. Winslow was leaning against the carriage. Seeing them, she held up her money bag and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll cover all the expenses today.”

Lina changed into her human form during the day—a big-eyed, adorable girl. Once the three of them became familiar with each other, they were not quiet individuals.

They fully opened up their conversation, chatting about everything under the sun, naturally including all sorts of gossip which helped their relationship warm up.

The three rode the carriage into the Spring City of Fragrance. The smell of food wafted from the shops lining the streets, tempting Li Jia’s appetite. However, they had serious business to attend to, so eating could wait.

The residents of the Spring City of Fragrance all recognized Winslow and Dorin. Hera had never shown her true face, and since Li Jia followed Winslow, they all assumed she was part of the Wedding Temple staff.

Li Jia loved going to the Spring City of Fragrance with Winslow to enjoy good food, wander around, right wrongs, lend a helping hand when needed, and solve problems along the way.

Just past the street corner, the copper bell of the blacksmith’s shop jingled. The old blacksmith held the design plans Li Jia had left last time.

Seeing Li Jia, he immediately came forward and happily presented three slingshots to her: “I thought Miss Li Jia had forgotten about this, but this is the first time I’ve seen a tool for shooting down birds.”

“Also, Miss Li Jia, the prototypes for the improved sickle and the curved-shaft plow you gave me last time are ready. You can check what needs to be improved.”

Li Jia leaned over to examine the farming tools, her fingers running over the curve of the plowshare: “The moldboard needs to be polished smoother to reduce soil adhesion, which will save more effort.”

She casually pulled out a new blueprint, which showed a simple pulley with a bearing: “I trouble you with this too. This will save the villagers half the effort when drawing water for irrigation.”

“No problem!”

The old blacksmith quickly took the blueprint: “The pulley design you gave me last time has already helped a great deal. The rate is the same as before—three-fold the original price!”

“The payment must be sufficient,” Li Jia said with a smile, handing over the gold coins, “but you can still keep the blueprints.”

Solving problems with modern science would be much more efficient. Li Jia majored in industrial design at university, so drawing simple, beneficial tools for the people was easy.

The income sources for the citizens of the Spring City of Fragrance relied mainly on tourism and agriculture. It was a famous tourist city combining forest and hot springs. Its abundant hot spring resources and high forest coverage attracted many visitors.

Li Jia drew blueprints for improved farm implements like the curved-shaft plow and sickle, guiding the blacksmith to forge them, and created simple pulleys from wood and rope to assist with heavy lifting and irrigation.

This helped them improve their efficiency, and improving efficiency was equivalent to increasing their income.

Instead of speaking in abstract, intangible terms or shouting empty slogans, doing something useful was better. Li Jia was genuinely helping them.

The citizens of the Spring City of Fragrance knew that Hera had an extremely devoted acolyte.

Everyone liked Li Jia and did not despise or discriminate against her because of her acolyte status.

Leaving the blacksmith’s shop, Winslow pulled them into a dessert shop. As soon as they sat down, they overheard the next table talking about a rumor in the K’tabor Valley: “Did you hear? The Agriculture Goddess has been visiting that side of the mountain lately. It seems like she is waiting for someone.”

Li Jia and Lina exchanged a look, both understanding what this meant.

Lina poked the honey cake on her plate: “It looks like this will be very interesting.”

Winslow, with a mouthful of honey cake, mumbled indistinctly, “What’s interesting? Do you want to go to the K’tabor Valley?”

“If you want to go, I can help you talk to the right people. I know the game warden in the valley; I can have a word.”

Li Jia gave Lina a look, then turned to pull Winslow’s left arm, looking pitifully: “That would be wonderful! I want to take Lina to see the K’tabor Valley. I heard irises bloom everywhere there.”

Lina was quick to play along, pulling her right arm: “Winslow, you’re the best!”

However, this was not untrue. Li Jia had seen records in the data provided by the System stating that irises were planted along the stream in K’tabor Valley and that it was also Demeter’s favorite flower.

The plot points also hinted that Zeus often used the iris flower patches as a cover to meet Demeter.

Encircled by two sweet and soft young girls, who wouldn’t be swayed?

Winslow was indeed completely won over, gulping down her cake quickly: “Irises! They are in full bloom this season, pink and purple ones spread out by the stream.”

She slapped the table and agreed: “I’ll go talk to the game warden right away and ask him to save you a good spot for viewing the flowers in advance.”

After eating their fill, Li Jia also made a trip to the Weaving Workshop. She had sent a letter to the Goddess of Weaving the night before.

It contained two sets of clothing blueprints and measurements she needed, and she also included two blueprints for modern, sexy swimwear styles, which she considered a favor to the goddess.

Li Jia received the clothes, holding them up against herself. They fit perfectly. She thanked the Goddess of Weaving and left the workshop with a beaming smile.

Although the Goddess of Weaving didn’t understand why Li Jia wanted two sets of such unusual clothing, she felt the girl’s ideas were always unique.

Aesthetics itself is a very personal thing, and not changing one’s aesthetics because of others’ opinions is a kind of beauty in itself.

Winslow wasn’t interested in flower viewing, so she stayed at the Hot Spring Stream to house-sit. Li Jia now had the ability to protect herself. To be precise, apart from the gods, ordinary mortals truly couldn’t do anything to her.

Winslow had spoken to the game warden for them, who would open the entrance for them ahead of time tomorrow morning.

During the blooming season, there was a designated time for entering the K’tabor Valley (noon to dusk) to prevent the flowers from being maliciously trampled.

Winslow instructed Li Jia to be back before dark. Li Jia confirmed that she received the instruction and promised to return before Hera found out.

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