[Greek Mythology] The Demons Under My Command - Chapter 39

The morning light, like crumpled silver foil, scattered all over the outlines of the Ktabo Valley.

Two clumps of hay, one on the left and one on the right, lay motionless among the iris flowers.

Twenty minutes later, seemingly unable to hold back any longer, one clump of hay stretched out half a small leg outside the grass and let out a huge yawn.

“How much longer do we have to wait for them to come?” Haystack A asked languidly.

“Hold on a little longer, almost there, almost there.”

“Why are there so many mosquitoes here? I feel like I’ve been bitten by two big lumps on my eyebrows.” Haystack B suddenly sat up.

Li Jia took off her “ghillie suit” and sneaked to the stream next to the irises, scooping up the icy cold water to pour on her face, hoping to cool down the swollen lumps.

“There’s no mosquito repellent or cooling balm here, so we can only use folk remedies, which are always effective.” Haystack A also took off her “ghillie suit” and walked over to Li Jia.

Li Nai used her fingernail to scratch a horizontal line above and below Li Jia’s lump, turning it into a “+”.

As expected, it was the universally recognized method for reducing swelling.

Putting the ghillie suits aside, these were the clothes Li Jia had asked the Goddess of Textiles to make. Garments woven from leaves and vines allowed the two of them to perfectly blend in with the flower bushes.

The two sat side by side on a rock by the stream, the water flowing past their feet, gently carrying a few petals of iris flowers in a slow turn.

To push forward the romantic progress between Zeus and Demeter, the two had set off for the Ktabor Valley with their supplies before dawn.

Because they arrived too early, they had to wait outside the valley for half an hour until the forest ranger came to open the gate and finally discovered them.

The ranger asked why they were so early. Li Jia replied that she had nothing better to do, and the early bird catches the worm.

Winslow greeted the ranger, saying she had two friends who wanted to visit the Ktabor Valley to see the irises. The ranger, having received small favors from Winslow in the past, was naturally willing and made a special effort to wake up and open the gate for them.

To his surprise, as soon as he opened the valley entrance, he saw two strangely dressed young girls squatting blankly on the stone stools at the entrance, a sight that was both funny and frustrating.

“But are you sure they will come today?” Li Nai suddenly looked up and asked, her gaze sweeping over the empty path deep in the valley, expressing her doubt.

“If they don’t come, wouldn’t all our preparation be for nothing?”

The irises there grew denser and bloomed more profusely, making it the perfect spot for a rendezvous.

Li Jia nodded: “I’ve already asked the System. The day they meet is today, and they should be arriving soon.”

She paused, then added, “Besides, even if we waited for the wrong day, it wouldn’t be a loss. These irises are truly beautiful.”

At this moment, the light had completely penetrated the clouds, scattering into every corner of the valley. The irises unfurled their petals under the sun, revealing the pale yellow stamens within, looking delicate and vibrant.

Looking at the beautiful scenery before her, Li Jia felt that the drowsiness from waking up early and the irritation from the mosquito bites had all vanished.

She stood up, brushed the dust off her body, and put her “ghillie suit” back on.

“Let’s go, continue to stake out and hide. Maybe our ‘seedlings’ will arrive in the next second.”

“Alright.” Li Nai smiled and followed. The two once again lay low in the iris bushes.

After waiting a while longer, a beautiful singing voice gradually approached. Li Jia pressed down on Li Nai, who was about to look up, mouthed the word “They’re here,” and kept her peripheral vision locked on the end of the small path.

The woman carried a bamboo basket, half-filled with freshly picked wild chrysanthemums. Her hair was tinged with light gold by the sunlight, and her footsteps gently crunched on the fallen leaves, making a “ga-zhi ga-zhi” sound.

The singing came from her mouth, an ancient tune about spring sowing. The end of the melody circled the irises, landed, and sank into the stream.

Li Jia quietly parted the grass leaves. The woman was even gentler and more beautiful than the portrait provided by the System data. Even the curve of her head as she smelled the flowers was soft.

Yes, the victim’s face was correct.

The next second, Li Nai tugged at Li Jia’s sleeve, signaling her to look the other way.

Another figure emerged from the bushes on the other side of the path.

The handsome man wore a dark gray linen shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, holding a sickle in his hand.

He was clearly prepared, stepping lightly, his gaze fixed on Demeter’s back. He had changed his appearance and voice, so no one would realize he was the famous Zeus.

Here they come! Here they come!

Li Jia and Li Nai exchanged glances, their hearts filled with excitement.

Li Jia was excited because the plot was moving forward, and Li Nai was thrilled because this was the first time she had watched this romance from a god’s-eye perspective.

Gossip is human nature.

The two had to pinch their palms with their fingernails to keep from laughing out loud.

Demeter seemed to sense someone approaching. Her singing abruptly stopped. The moment she turned around, she walked right into the man’s line of sight.

Both were startled. Two wild chrysanthemums slipped out of the bamboo basket and fell to the ground.

The sickle in the man’s hand tilted slightly, falling with a “pa-da” sound into the iris bushes, along with the “accidentally” scattered, shimmering seeds from his pocket.

The sickle was only $0.3$ meters from Li Jia’s neck, scaring her into a shiver. She secretly retreated a step backward.

Seeing Li Jia retreat a step, the haystack next to her also retreated a step.

The stream flowed, carrying flower petals in a spin. The unspoken awkwardness spread in the air.

Li Jia and Li Nai lay in the flower bushes, even their breathing softened.

This was more nerve-wracking than falling in love themselves. Even if a few more mosquito bites came, they wouldn’t feel the itch.

The man reacted first, bending down to pick up the sickle, but his fingertip accidentally touched Demeter’s hand, which she had reached out to help him pick it up.

The two pulled back as if burned, their cheeks flushing.

It was time.

Li Jia glanced at Li Nai. Li Nai gave an OK gesture and pulled the transparent fishing line she held.

Instantly.

A shower of rose petals fell from all directions. A rain of petals drifted down rustlingly.

Some flew obliquely away with the wind, some clung to her pale yellow skirt, and others floated into the nearby stream, spinning with the current, dyeing the green water a faint red.

Now pink bubbles were popping up everywhere. Seeing the protagonists gradually getting into the swing of things, Li Jia felt very pleased.

She and Li Nai had plucked all the flowers from Hera’s rose garden, filling four large bags, and had carried and arranged them here, truly sparing no effort.

The scent of roses filled the air. The man was the first to break the awkward silence.

“I… I heard a song, a tune I’ve never heard before. I was so captivated that I unknowingly walked here. I wanted to see what kind of person the owner of the voice was.”

The man’s voice was pure as wine, floating low into her ears, stirring a ripple in her heart.

Demeter pursed her lips, picked up the wild chrysanthemums on the ground, and smiled, “Then what kind of person do you think I am?”

“A beauty, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.”

Indeed, no woman dislikes hearing pretty words. Demeter’s ears instantly became hot.

The glib sweet talk made Li Jia and Li Nai’s teeth ache with sourness.

“Your seeds… seem very special.” Demeter’s attention was drawn to the seeds on the ground. She bent down and picked up a green seed.

Her fingertips rubbed the uneven texture. A hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes: “I have sown countless seeds, but I have never seen a seed that glows like this.”

“I found these in Xining. Even in the most barren and dry places in Xining, these seeds can take root, grow, and bear fruit.”

“Can you tell me more about the seeds?”

“Of course, beautiful lady.”

“I would be delighted to serve you.”

The two walked side by side toward the depths of the valley, their steps gradually slowing. Their conversation shifted from flowers and plants to the weather, and from the weather to their respective lives.

The man was always able to accurately pick up on Demeter’s cues, sometimes telling a funny anecdote from the field that made her laugh, and sometimes earnestly listening to her share her thoughts on planting.

Li Nai watched their retreating figures walking hand-in-hand, their forms completely swallowed by the dense bushes, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She whispered with a smile, “I didn’t expect Zeus to be quite the actor. He’s playing the farmer role convincingly.”

“What’s so strange about that?” Li Jia walked over from the side, a detached indifference in her tone, as if she were used to it: “In love, men are born actors, who will stop at nothing to play any role until they get what they want.”

“But once they get it, they quickly abandon it, just like that person said, he just…”

“Committed the mistake that all men in the world make!” Li Nai cut in before her, her tone carrying a hint of mockery, yet concealing a trace of subtle indignation.

Li Jia pursed her lips: “In my opinion, the sisters should slap them hard. Those who make mistakes must be punished.”

“There’s no need to blame them. After all, they just did what every woman wanted to do.”

“But someone needs to be brave enough to strike first.”

Li Nai sighed softly, looking again at the end of the bushes, which had already returned to silence, as if the romantic first encounter had never happened.

“As a god, Zeus possesses divine power. Even if those sisters and mistresses discovered his insincerity, what could they do? In the end, it could only be dropped.”

“Because he is a god.”

Li Jia walked to her side, following her gaze into the deep darkness. Her previously amused eyes instantly grew colder, and even the surrounding air seemed to sink.

“Therefore, women must hold power.”

Li Jia said word by word, her voice not loud, but carrying a firm, resounding conviction: “Resistance without power is nothing more than an egg hitting a rock. Accusations without strength will ultimately be drowned by the flood of power, unable to utter a sound again.”

Li Nai turned her head, staring blankly at Li Jia.

The setting sun’s afterglow happened to fall on Li Jia’s profile, outlining the lines of her jaw with exceptional clarity. The eyes that were usually lazy were now burning with fragmented light.

The wind blew through the valley again, and the leaves rustled, as if echoing her words.

When Li Jia and Li Nai hurried back to the hot spring stream, Hera and Artemis were already waiting at the door.

During the wait, Hera had countless times considered using the listening device to contact the little girl, but Artemis always smiled and advised her to endure, endure, and endure.

Too much supervision and too tight a leash will only cause resentment. Everyone needs their own private space.

How could they, as gods, be so impatient?

“Artemis, I wonder if you have ever heard a saying?” The blonde woman leaned by the wooden door and smiled, “If you constantly give in, the prey will run away on its own, Goddess of the Hunt.”

“If my capture makes her feel burdened, then I would rather she be happy and joyful, not bound by so-called relationships.”

Hera raised an eyebrow and said coldly, “Well, I’m not as generous as you. She can only have a good life by staying by my side.”

The blue-haired goddess stared into her satisfied red eyes: “Are you truly so happy to be bonded with her, Goddess of Marriage?”

Hera paused for a few seconds, raised her eyes, and looked directly into Artemis’s eyes. The golden glow of the sunset passed through the thin mist rising above the hot spring stream, coating her golden hair with a warm light.

Hera gently stroked her pinky ring. She had long since moved it to her ring finger.

Her tone actually held a slight hesitation: “The honor is mine. It is I who cannot live without her.”

Artemis was slightly dazed. This was the first time she had seen such a strong and cold person show a soft side.

Familiar footsteps, mixed with the sound of the girls laughing and playing, came from a distance.

Hera’s eyes instantly softened, the sharpness of a moment ago dissipating. She subconsciously stepped forward two steps to meet them.

Artemis saw them return, shook her head helplessly, but a smile flashed in her eyes: “You’re back.”

Li Nai looked up and saw the two at the door, her gaze locking onto the blue-haired goddess. She immediately shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.

She quickened her steps, ran over, and intimately linked arms with Artemis, sweetly saying, “Why are you here! Isn’t it not time to go home yet?”

Li Jia glanced at Hera, who seemed to expect her to do the same…

Li Jia still couldn’t bring herself to do it and slowly walked up to her.

Artemis pulled out a small wooden basket covered with gauze from behind her: “I was afraid you wouldn’t be used to the snacks at the hot spring stream, so I brought you some of your favorites.”

Hearing the word “snacks,” Li Nai’s eyes sparkled. The God Lord understood her best.

Li Nai’s true form was a penguin. Penguins like to eat sea fish and squid, but their residence was not near the sea. So, Artemis would go to Dongpo every now and then to buy some seafood for her.

Some of the fresh ones would be eaten the same day, and the rest Artemis would personally bake, turning them into small dried fish and dried squid to be kept in the basket as snacks.

Lifting the gauze, as expected, it was fully packed with dried fish and dried squid. Li Nai immediately pulled out a few of the meatiest and most plump ones and handed them to Li Jia.

Li Jia couldn’t refuse Li Nai’s gesture. She accepted them, chewed them twice in her mouth, and kept nodding, indicating they tasted good. She didn’t know if it was because she was hungry or because they were genuinely well-baked.

In reality, Li Jia loved meat the most. Seafood was just okay; she wasn’t particularly fond of it, for example, she didn’t like fish.

“Alright, save some room for dinner,” Hera mumbled, “What’s so good about fish?”

No one noticed the undercurrents flowing between the two goddesses.

The stove inside the house was warm, and Winslow had reheated the food on the table almost three times, finally waiting for them to return.

Hera and Artemis, as gods, did not need to eat.

But after taking in attendants, the steward Betty and Winslow at the divine residence had to prepare three meals a day, and sometimes late-night snacks. The God Lord would also join them for some meals, so they had to put in the effort.

Today, Winslow prepared roast lamb chops with mashed potatoes, plus a glass of refreshing lime fruit wine for each person.

When Winslow brought the dishes to the table, everyone couldn’t help but swallow.

In the center of each plate lay a piece of pan-fried, charred lamb chop, brushed with honey black pepper sauce. The edges of the fat were slightly curled from the roasting. Underneath, a layer of roasted vegetables topped with bacon bits was laid out. The cherry tomatoes had burst open, releasing their bloody juice, and the asparagus tips retained their crisp greenness.

Li Jia couldn’t wait to cut a small piece of lamb and put it in her mouth. The charred crispness of the outer skin mixed with the tender juice inside spread on her tongue. The scent of rosemary was hidden in every fiber, not at all overpowering the inherent sweetness of the meat.

Winslow was a born chef.

The last dish to be served was apple pie. The puff pastry was baked in flaky layers, crumbling at the touch of a fingertip. The apple slices inside were soaked in cinnamon and sugar, the edges slightly charred, and transparent sugar syrup was dripping out.

After the meal, Li Jia and Li Nai were slightly tipsy, unable to tell north from south. Seeing the little penguin already drunk and reverting to its original form, Artemis accepted Hera’s invitation to stay the night and took the little penguin to the guest room.

As for Li Jia, she was led back to the inner sanctuary.

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