[Greek Mythology] The Demons Under My Command - Chapter 41

The Viridia Altar was located in South Marsh, and late October was exactly the harvest season for that land.

It was the day of the Harvest Festival.

In the western homes of South Marsh, golden ears of wheat woven into wreaths hung on every doorstep. The rich aroma of wheat beer drifted from earthenware jugs, and children darted through the crowds holding sweet cakes, their laughter spilling over the entire street.

Li Jia held Hera’s arm, curiously taking in everything around her.

Sunlight fell upon Hera’s gilded hair, giving her cold profile a soft halo that drew many curious glances from passersby, who quickly looked away when their eyes met hers.

Hera had concealed the color of her own and Li Jia’s pupils and their appearance; Artemis had done the same.

“Look over there.”

Lina gently nudged Li Jia with her elbow, tilting her chin towards the Viridia Altar.

Li Jia followed her gaze and saw Demeter, dressed in a white robe embroidered with wheat patterns, her abdomen slightly rounded, standing before the altar accepting the worship of the populace.

Her expression was gentle; she occasionally bent down to answer questions from the farmers. When her fingertips brushed over the offered grains, the kernels instantly became plump and lustrous.

The man, whose appearance had been altered, stood not far behind her, similarly enjoying the offerings of the subjects.

In contrast to Demeter’s humility, his expression was haughty, a smug smile playing on his lips, clearly relishing the adoration.

“It looks like Demeter is truly infatuated.”

Lina whispered, “She actually brought him to the Viridia Altar.”

When a goddess brings a non-divine male consort to stand by her side, the significance is undeniable. If the marriage is registered, her husband becomes a God-Husband, taking his wife’s surname and managing her internal affairs. If not registered, he is simply the goddess’s companion.

The decision rests solely with the goddess.

There is no concept of “unwed pregnancy” for the gods; the right to conceive a new life is a female privilege.

Demeter is the mother of this land. Her child, upon birth, would be the darling of South Marsh, born into natural wealth and fortune.

Li Jia remained silent, merely tightening her grip on Hera’s hand.

Hera noticed her tension, turned her hand to grasp Li Jia’s palm, and gently rubbed it in a comforting gesture.

After the worshipping crowd had somewhat dispersed, the man slowly walked up to Demeter and attentively offered her a cup of warm honey water.

When Demeter accepted it, her earlobes were slightly flushed, her demeanor less like the distant goddess and more like a bashful young woman.

The man’s gaze towards her grew even gentler, and he murmured something that caused Demeter to lightly chuckle.

The sunlight falling on their intertwined figures created an illusion of peaceful domesticity.

“Your Majesty, could you introduce me to the Goddess of Agriculture? I have some questions about seeds that I’d like to ask her.”

She knew that if she went to see Demeter alone, she probably wouldn’t even get through the gate of her temple. This was the only way to approach her, at least to let the goddess know she existed.

Hera looked up at the two smiling figures before the altar, her voice utterly calm: “Yes, but we must wait until she finishes her duties. After the noon ceremony of the Harvest Festival, she will have a half-hour rest period.”

The tension in Li Jia’s shoulders subtly eased, and the dampness in her palm was soothed by the warmth of Hera’s touch.

Lina raised an eyebrow beside her and teased in a voice only audible to her and Li Jia: “Lucky your mind works fast. Only the Harvest Goddess cares most about matters of the fields.”

“Hehe, did you bring the thing I asked you to bring?”

Li Jia asked. Lina shook her backpack to reassure her, indicating that she was well-prepared.

Artemis leaned against a nearby oak tree, her silken blue hair draped over her shoulder. Her gaze swept over the ordinary silver ornament hanging from the man’s waist, which clearly did not belong to a god. She added faintly, “He really is thorough, even hiding the aura of a god completely. Demeter is truly…”

She left the thought unfinished, yet the meaning was clear enough.

Hera led Li Jia toward the side hall of the altar, which served as the resting place during the festival intermissions.

“When you meet her later, speak only of the seeds,” Hera stopped, raising a hand to smooth Li Jia’s wind-tousled hair. “Do not elaborate on anything else. You do not need to answer any questions she poses, either. I am here for you.”

Li Jia nodded, unconsciously twisting her sleeve with her fingers.

She could see the wheat ears wrapped around the side hall’s columns gently trembling with Demeter’s aura, reflecting the agricultural goddess’s soft inner state, which even her divine power could not conceal.

Before long, the hymn of the ceremony concluded.

The handsome man led Demeter by the hand, and they walked into the side hall together. They looked up and saw Hera waiting there.

Upon seeing Hera, the man recalled Poseidon’s wretched state, a wave of fear washing over him. He instinctively hid behind Demeter.

Demeter was momentarily startled, assuming the man feared the divine presence. She then said flatly, “Goddess of Marriage, what wind blows you to my side?”

When her gaze fell upon Li Jia beside Hera, a gentle curiosity entered her eyes.

“This is Li Jia.”

Hera spoke, her presence exuding the natural pressure of a deity, the sense of oppression spreading throughout the surroundings, causing the man’s face to grow paler.

“She asked me to bring her here; she has some questions about seeds she wishes to ask you.”

Li Jia immediately stepped forward. Her gaze briefly paused on Demeter’s rounded abdomen before she spoke sincerely, “Goddess of Agriculture, I once saw a type of wheat seed in the North Lands that is resistant to frost, but I am uncertain if it can survive in the soil of South Marsh.”

“I heard you command the secrets of all growth, so I implore you to enlighten me.”

Demeter was somewhat surprised to see Li Jia.

It was her.

The girl who had chosen Hera during the selection of attendants at the temple.

Demeter had a strong impression of her. Seeing Hera’s obvious concern for her, a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

However, in addressing Li Jia’s question, the shyness born from her interaction with the man vanished, replaced by the goddess’s dedication to her duties: “Northern wheat seeds are cold-natured, and South Marsh is warm. Direct planting would likely make it difficult for them to flower. However…”

Demeter lightly raised a finger, and a wisp of pale, woody divine power condensed in her palm, forming a plump grain of wheat: “If soaked in my divine power for three days, and then cross-bred with local South Marsh seeds, it may be possible to cultivate a new variety.”

Li Jia received the wheat grain, feeling the warm, moist touch of divine power on her fingertips, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At the very least, she had succeeded in making Demeter remember her name.

“I am grateful for the Harvest Goddess’s help. I also have something I wish to present to the Harvest Goddess.”

Li Jia said, instructing Lina to present the improved farm tools and blueprints from the backpack to Demeter. Li Jia was confident that Demeter, as the Mother of the Earth, would appreciate this gift.

“The people of Spring City have seen their harvest increase severalfold this year thanks to improvements in their farming tools. I hope the people of South Marsh can achieve the same.”

Demeter’s gaze settled on the curves of the improved tools, her pupils slightly contracting in pleasant surprise.

The blades of the tools were ingeniously designed; the angle of the plowshare was better suited to turning the local soil than the current South Marsh implements, and the handle of the sickle had anti-slip grooves. Even the accompanying blueprints contained notes on usage for different soil types.

“These…”

When Demeter looked up, her gentle eyes held a genuine brightness: “Did you conceptualize these?”

“I worked with the artisans in Spring City to collaboratively improve them,” Li Jia answered truthfully, not rushing to take sole credit: “I have seen their usefulness in the fields and know they can save a great deal of labor.”

“That is thoughtful of you.” Demeter’s voice was warm with a smile, and her gaze toward Li Jia softened completely: “This gift is more to my liking than any offering.”

The man hiding behind her grew increasingly sullen. He had assumed Demeter’s attention would only be on him, but he never expected a lowly attendant to steal the spotlight with a few farming tools.

He forced down his displeasure, poked his head out, attempting to interject, but met Hera’s icy stare and swallowed his words.

“If the Harvest Goddess doesn’t mind, I can have the artisans from Spring City come over to teach the people of South Marsh how to use these tools.”

Li Jia pressed her advantage: “They have also improved the wooden seed drill, which allows for more even sowing of seeds.”

“That would be excellent.”

Demeter agreed instantly. Li Jia seized the opportunity to obtain her contact information for future communication regarding farming tools.

Hera took Li Jia’s wrist and turned to leave. Artemis and Lina followed closely behind.

As they exited the side hall, Li Jia looked back and saw the man helping Demeter walk towards the altar. The sunlight still fell upon them.

Yet, that illusion of shared affection, having witnessed Demeter’s genuine smile when discussing the farm tools, was now clearly marred by a sense of discord.

Zeus could not accept Demeter’s fondness for farming implements superseding her feelings for him.

“Looks like the trip wasn’t wasted,” Lina leaned in toward Li Jia and whispered, “At least you’ve made an impression, and Demeter already has a favorable view of you.”

Li Jia patted Lina’s arm and murmured, “Haste makes waste. I can sense that Demeter is not easily consumed by romance.”

Artemis, who overheard this, turned and added, “Demeter’s temples are always built amidst the wheat fields, not upon palaces. She is a goddess who always prioritizes agriculture—why would you think she’s a romantic fool?”

Li Jia gazed at the gradually blurring figures near the altar, a faint sigh passing through her heart. “But the world always loves to fabricate emotional entanglements for female deities, as if their achievements and deeds are dull without the addition of a male character.”

“They forget that the Goddess who governs abundance brushes her fingertips across ten thousand acres of fertile land, her heart filled with the welfare of her countless subjects.”

How could such a goddess, with responsibility etched into her very being, be easily trapped by romantic affairs?

Hera heard Artemis’s question and, seeing Li Jia’s slightly dazed expression, slowed her pace to walk beside her.

Her voice carried a cool indifference: “Those people are accustomed to measuring the divine with their own narrow viewpoints. Some glories do not require romance to embellish them.”

“Pay them no mind. Under absolute authority, there is only absolute obedience.”

As she spoke, the four had already stepped out of the side hall. The wind outside brought with it the fresh fragrance of the wheat fields.

Li Jia took a deep breath. The minor disturbances inside the hall seemed to be cleansed by the cool breeze. She looked up at the golden waves of wheat rolling in the distance.

She suddenly understood. Demeter’s smile never belonged to a single person; it only belonged to the land and the people she protected.

Back at the hot spring stream, Li Jia gradually became more acquainted with Demeter. Li Jia offered Demeter many suggestions to help her manage her fields and increase agricultural output.

Demeter was overjoyed. Problems that had plagued her for decades were cleverly solved by Li Jia in just a few words. She slowly began to understand why this child held such a special place in Hera’s heart.

This child was worthy of affection.

“System.”

Li Jia called out to it in her mind.

「Master, is there something you need?」

“When will Zeus cheat next?”

「Wait, let me check the progress…」

A rustling sound, like turning pages, could be heard.

「Since the Master and the target have registered their divine marriage, successfully preventing Hera’s anger towards Demeter as the Queen, the probability of the Spring Goddess being born is one hundred percent.」

「Whether Zeus cheats or not will not affect the birth of the Spring Goddess. The child is already within Demeter’s womb. Master, why are you insisting on matters outside the plot?」

“System~”

Li Jia called out to it sweetly.

The system was struck as if by lightning, its virtual body trembling. It felt like its electric waves were being knocked out of alignment.

「Master, please act normal!」

“Please help me, please, tell me when Zeus will cheat next? Can you bear to see a kind and simple girl deceived by a hypocrite? Or are you two in cahoots?”

「Who is in cahoots with him! I am an upright system!」

“Just as you said, the child is already in Demeter’s belly. This is an open-book exam; I can get a perfect score with my eyes closed. If that’s the case, why can’t I strive for perfection and let Demeter see the true face of the scumbag sooner?”

“Do you still have the auxiliary function for creating virtual characters that you used last time?”

「Yes… yes, I do, but there are not enough points in the points store -_-. My accumulated points were all used up to purchase the auxiliary function last time.」

“There’s a points store?”

Li Jia keenly picked up on the detail, blinking her eyes and softening her voice to a gentle pitch: “How is it that I didn’t know there was a points store?”

The system’s electrical waves buzzed. How did she manage to trick the information out of it without realizing it?

Initially, it hadn’t intended to tell Li Jia about the points store because its point balance was constantly negative. The success rate of the hosts it managed was as high as 99.9% failure.

It was like knowing the top student gets a scholarship, but for the student with the worst grades to consider it—was it necessary?

Since its performance was always last, one more failure and it would have to be recycled and rebuilt.

Operating on the principle of “betting big to win big.”

The system immediately opened the Task Ranking of the Transmigration Bureau.

It found that this Western mythology task had the highest point value on the task list. The second highest was an immortal cultivation novel, but the female protagonist was a “furnace cauldron”…

So the system decisively chose the one with the highest difficulty coefficient.

At least the host was a person.

The system hadn’t expected Li Jia to be so proactive. Moreover, the point value for this task was the highest, immediately covering all its previous debts and even leaving a small surplus.

The points store had many things available for exchange, including repair fluid. Repair fluid could provide energy for anything, and even without completing tasks, having repair fluid meant the system would never shut down.

It could be understood as an electronic product’s version of retirement insurance. All systems shared a common goal:

Accumulate enough repair fluid and retire early.

After using some points for the auxiliary function exchange, its private stock was already running low.

Before the task was fully successful, a small portion of the point value would be awarded based on task progress, which could be seen as a deposit. Only upon full completion of the task would the corresponding final payment be transferred to the system’s personal account.

The system agonized for a moment. Indeed, Li Jia’s task progress was flawless. If she continued as planned, receiving the remaining point value was only a matter of time.

The small portion it had already received was enough to pay off all its debts. It couldn’t imagine getting the full point value; wouldn’t it be able to wash its hands (or rather, its circuits) and retire immediately!

Thinking this, the system chuckled foolishly to itself. By the time it finished its daydreaming, it saw Li Jia’s displeased face.

After much mental deliberation, deciding that sometimes you must spend money to make money, it steeled its resolve and allocated half of its remaining points for the exchange.

Because it only had half the point value, the auxiliary function could only be half-exchanged.

System: I still need to save some for myself. As the saying goes, relying on mountains will fall and relying on people will run away. A system must rely on itself.

The system cleared its throat and spoke earnestly to Li Jia:

「Master, I have used my last points to exchange for the auxiliary function for you, but because the point value was insufficient, only half was exchanged. You will need to drive and assist the other half yourself.」

Li Jia expressed some doubt regarding what the system said.

“What do you mean?”

「I have already exchanged half of the auxiliary function for you. I will send the time, location, and person of Zeus’s next infidelity as data into your mind shortly. However, how to advance the plot and guide Demeter to discover it will rely on you.」

「Master, do you wish to activate half of the auxiliary function?」

“Yes.”

Half is better than none.

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