"You don't think my husband would make the same mistake as Kronos, do you?"
Metis glanced at Samael in surprise before letting out a scoffing laugh.
"Child, after what happened, you can't even set foot on Mount Olympus. And yet you want to help me—under Zeus's very nose?"
Samael's smile deepened, his voice low.
"Walking into Olympus would be walking straight into a trap. I've no interest in that, nor would I risk Themis. And I certainly don't trust His Majesty the God King's generosity."
"But what if it's here?"
The Goddess of Wisdom froze, suddenly lifting her head.
"You mean..."
The ancient serpent's lips curled into a grim smile, his gaze drifting toward Metis's rounded belly.
"We could take the child out right here."
At the same moment, Samael lifted a hand, gently brushing through the emerald hair beside him as he whispered,
"Tina, do you remember what I asked you earlier? Can you do it?"
"Aa!"
The goddess larva nodded firmly, her eyes clear. As her wings beat rhythmically, the emerald glow of her life authority flickered.
Metis immediately felt the surge of vitality flowing from Tina resonate with the child stirring in her womb. Clearly, the baby had reached maturity and was nearly ready to be born.
Mother of Genesis, power of the Origin Goddess.
Such overwhelming authority was more than enough to bring a child into the world.
That was why Samael had signaled Themis to draw them all into the Star Court's barrier—to prepare for Metis's delivery.
As contractions rippled through her body and the life force within grew stronger, the Goddess of Wisdom's face turned pale. She bit down hard on her lip, her expression twisted with conflict.
"Your Majesty, Queen of the Gods, this is your only chance to ensure the child lives."
"If you refuse, now is the time to walk away."
Samael kept his gaze straight ahead, his voice solemn.
"Roar!"
The starlight above trembled as a furious bellow echoed from outside.
Themis gripped her sword hilt tightly, her face tightening as the vast and solemn authority of order spread outward. Countless stars rose, covering most of the marsh in their glow.
"It's the Hecatoncheires! He's sensed the change in the surrounding space and is heading here!"
"Fifteen minutes—that's the absolute limit I can delay his perception!"
"Metis, make your decision now! Any later, and it'll be too late!"
Metis pressed her lips together, shutting her eyes in pain. When they opened again, they burned with determination. She clutched her foster mother's wrist with desperate strength.
"Aunt… help me!"
Themis let out a long breath and nodded heavily. Beside her, Samael—without waiting for the Goddess of Justice to speak—patted Tina's back, giving her a firm nod.
Though not fully conscious, the Mother Goddess's larva understood the urgency. Her small face tensed as she stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Metis's belly.
Instantly, waves of emerald life force poured into her. Already on the verge of labor, Metis immediately began regular contractions.
A muffled groan escaped her lips. Her face was pale, and her tightly clenched teeth had already bitten through her bloodless lips.
Without hesitation, Themis swung the Golden Scales, splitting the starry sky to conceal Metis and Tina within a sea of drifting constellations.
As the only male present, Samael naturally remained outside.
"It hurts… she's drawing out my divine power…"
"Relax, relax! Focus and match your rhythm to the surrounding ether!"
"Auntie… am I going to die…?"
"Don't talk nonsense! The next mana tide is coming—push! Push!"
"It hurts too much… I don't want to give birth anymore…"
"Aaa..."
From within the sea of stars came the suppressed cries and groans of the Goddess in labor. The two attending her comforted and encouraged her in their own ways.
Samael, listening faintly from outside, twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn't expected that beneath all her masks, the Goddess of Wisdom could be this fragile and childish—no different from any other woman giving birth.
"Boom!"
Just as Samael waited anxiously, violent tremors erupted from the eastern reaches of the starry sea. The sky thundered as though struck by a thousand fists.
Countless stars flickered and died, and even their own barrier shook on the verge of collapse.
"Hurry! The Hecatoncheires is almost here!"
The ancient serpent bared his teeth, shouting a warning to those inside.
"Almost! The child is out—just need to separate the divine essence from the mother!"
"Aa—done!"
The reply rang out from within, and after a brief silence, a sharp infant's cry filled the air, echoing through the celestial glow.
At the same time, two-thirds of the Star Court's light shattered. Amidst the turbulent ether, Samael could already make out the colossal figure charging toward them.
Moments later, the starry barrier collapsed. The Hecatoncheires, towering dozens of meters tall, stumbled forward, finding himself before a waterside treehouse.
"Didn't I tell you to wait outside? What are you doing here?"
Inside, the Queen of the Gods sipped tea, her hand stroking her slightly rounded belly as she frowned with a cold snort.
"You… just… vanished…"
The giant peeked inside, confirming nothing unusual, muttering in confusion. He could have sworn her aura had been severed moments ago, as if something strange had taken place.
"I was talking privately with my aunt. Must I report to you?"
Metis narrowed her eyes, her expression icy.
"His Majesty… told me… to guard… your… safety…"
The Hecatoncheires scratched his head, replying haltingly.
"I'm perfectly fine. Don't disturb me while I'm with my aunt. Out!"
The Goddess of Wisdom waved impatiently. But the giant, face clouded with doubt, lingered stubbornly, as if determined to remain her bodyguard after the earlier disturbance.
"Tsk. Fine. I'm not well, and I'm in no mood."
"If you're so eager to come in, you'll handle the negotiations."
"Finish the task, and I'll put in a good word for you with His Majesty."
Metis rose from her seat, her gaze lingering on the giant outside the courtyard with playful amusement, even as Themis looked on in faint surprise.
"Of course, if you mess it up, I'll still help."
"But the best I could do is persuade Zeus to give you a slightly better cell in Tartarus Prison."
That cursed name alone made the giant freeze, recalling endless, freezing days and nights spent in darkness. He shuddered and staggered backward.
"One last time. Get out! If there's a problem, I'll handle it with him!"
"Otherwise, face the consequences!"
Under the cold violet gaze, the Hecatoncheires—haunted by his memories—let out a low growl before obediently turning away, retreating step by step toward the outer marsh.
...
(50 Chapters Ahead)
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