(Greek Mythology) The Abyss
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"Aether and Hemera are getting married," Tartarus confirmed with Denise.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Tartarus was somewhat surprised. Of course, he wasn't surprised that Aether and Hemera were getting married, but rather that this day had come so quickly. He had always felt that with Aether's reserve and Hemera's slowness, they still had a long way to go.
He picked up the mirror and looked. Cronus and Rhea were married, Oceanus and Tethys were married, Hyperion and Theia were married… Coeus and Phoebe's wedding was also being prepared. Some of the married couples even had children. Was the world changing too fast, or had he simply fallen behind? He remembered he had only taken a nap; why had the world changed so much when he woke up? (Don't you even think about how long you slept?)
It's said that quite a few things happened at Kronos and Rhea's wedding. It seems he needs to develop his intelligence network. He doesn't want to miss any good shows like this time. He can't just sit there with the mirror waiting, can he? Although the Mirror of Life has a replay function, a replay is nothing compared to a live broadcast. He can't even cause trouble if he wants to. (This is the key point, isn't it?)
Rewinding the scene in the mirror, he finally found the reason why so many gods were getting married: a hapless guy who transmigrated into the body of the God of Growth, Chris, with a system.
Indeed, quite unlucky. Other people's systems, even if they don't guide their hosts to conquer the world and reach the pinnacle of life, at least have some high-end, sophisticated goals for their hosts to achieve. But in Chris's case, it's become a matchmaking system that makes the host bring others together, and perhaps to match the title of "matchmaker," this one is also very effeminate.
Tartarus was now quite pleased. Finally, there was a male god who looked even more like a goddess than himself, and this one was even more unfortunate than Tartarus. At least Tartarus was still a boy, at a time when his gender characteristics weren't yet clearly defined, so even if his overly refined features made him appear androgynous, it wasn't too bad.
But Chris's appearance was the extremely beautiful type. To say he was as delicate as a lotus emerging from water wouldn't be an exaggeration; he inadvertently revealed a hint of allure. Of course, this was absolutely not his intention; it was merely the illusion his face created for the viewer. A male god with such a misleading face—how pitiful! Tartarus even began to feel sorry for him; it was truly unfortunate.
Speaking of this matchmaker, Eros, did you know a god is stealing your business?
However, this matchmaker was clearly far more efficient than Eros, the god of love, achieving remarkable results in just a few centuries, forming a stark contrast with Eros and powerfully highlighting his inaction.
The marriage of Aether and Hemera was also arranged by Cres, who went to Hell specifically to complete his mission—quite a feat indeed.
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Because of Aether and Hemera's marriage, Hell was unusually lively, with preparations in full swing. However, Tartarus was basically not involved; no one expected this omnipotent and indifferent ruler to help, although his help was limited to verbal instructions.
But unfortunately, Tartarus wasn't idle either. He said things like, "If Hades can build the Elysium, then Your Majesty, as the Lord of the Abyss, you can certainly build an even bigger and more beautiful place, right?"
Only Hemera could say such a thing; no one else had such a thick skin.
"You want an Elysium." Tartarus's tone was somewhat subtle. If he built an Elysium, would that be copyright infringement?
"I just want a place as beautiful as the Elysium, not actually named Elysium. Besides, Your Majesty, don't you think it's cruel to make a god of light live in the dark environment of Hell?"
No, he didn't think it was cruel at all. He could tell how well Hemera adapted by how lively and cheerful she was.
"Then what name do you want?"
After thinking for a moment, Hemera sincerely told Tartarus, "What do you think of Eden?"
Not good, my dear. Do you remember this is Greek mythology, not Hebrew mythology?
"Eden? Do you think you're Eve?"
"Uh… how about Eudora?" Hemera quickly changed her name. She had absolutely no interest in being tricked by a serpent.
"You didn't choose this yourself, did you?" Tartarus said with absolute certainty. "…This…that's not it," Hermella admitted somewhat awkwardly. "My mother once said that if a god's name wasn't something they were born with, she wanted to name me…um…that's all I could think of."
Hermella silently wept inside. Being terrible at naming things is truly unbearable!
Eudora, a lovely gift, beautiful and joyful.
For a mother, her children are naturally the most adorable gift from heaven, and a mother's greatest wish is for her children to have a bright and joyful future.
"Then Eudora it is. However, building Eudora is fine, but I absolutely will not give you any more wedding gifts."
"It's okay, I can take Eudora as a gift. And, Your Majesty, are you really not going to give her anything?" Holding a large bag of seeds, Hermella smiled sweetly, her obedient appearance quite deceptive.
Could he strangle this pushover?
"Go back once you've chosen the seeds. Nix wants you to try on dresses." Tartarus dismissed her, no longer wanting to see Hemera wandering around in front of him with this docile, obedient look—it was simply irritating.
"Your Majesty, why do you have so many seeds that only grow on the earth?" Ignoring Tartarus's question, Hemera asked curiously.
She had wanted to ask this question when she saw the cabinet full of neatly categorized seeds; their vibrant life force seemed utterly out of place in Hell.
Could he tell her that Gaia actually had a habit of giving away seeds, flowers, and anything else related to plants? Tartarus remained silent.
"Are you leaving or not?"
"Okay, okay, I'm leaving right away." She replied listlessly. She really didn't want to try on dresses. Her Mother Goddess was always exceptionally picky at times like this, never satisfied, and then endlessly making her try on dress after dress. Hemera felt she was starting to develop a fear of marriage because of it.
—This is the dividing line for the construction of Eudora—
Not far from the Temple of the Night, a transparent barrier separated a space where a magnificent palace and exquisite gardens gradually took shape under the infusion of divine power.
To build so lavishly using divine power directly—only Tartarus would dare to do this. Few gods could afford such extravagance. But considering Tartarus even created Hell, this wasn't so bad.
Casually scattering the seeds and watering them with the Water of Life, Tartarus didn't care whether the different kinds of flowers looked good mixed together; it wasn't his choice anyway.
Don't ask him why he had the Water of Life. Gaia was actually quite thoughtful; having given him the seeds, she certainly wouldn't forget the Water of Life.
Tartarus frowned, sensing the drain on his divine power. This explained his dislike for converting divine power into other attributes, especially opposing ones. While the cost was negligible to him, it didn't mean he was willing to expend several times the power – it would be a waste.
With such a commotion outside, how could Nyx not notice? Coming out to investigate, he immediately understood.
"Brother, thank you so much," Nyx said, somewhat embarrassed.
"It's nothing. Has she chosen her wedding dress?"
"No, she only tried on a few before making an excuse to leave." Nyx was a little annoyed. The wedding date was set, the invitations sent out long ago, and now she hadn't even chosen a dress. He was anxious and worried, while Hemera seemed completely unconcerned, as if she weren't the one getting married.
"If she doesn't want to, then forget it. Choose one yourself, as long as it looks good. I trust she won't object."
Don't think Tartarus is flattering Hemera. This really means: (Since) she doesn't want to, (considering her preferences) just let it go. Choose one you like, as long as it looks good (comfort doesn't matter), I trust she won't object (and if she does, shut up).
Nyx, being the god whose thinking is closest to Tartarus's, immediately understood and quickly extrapolated in his mind, "Sigh, children are harder to manage when they grow up. I, as the mother, have to worry more."
His expression was loving, his tone gentle; he was the epitome of a tolerant and doting mother. A true actress.
Hemera, with two cunning people eyeing her, should I light a candle for you, or light a candle, or light a candle?
Chapter 28