Chapter 17

Chapter 17 – The Messenger Of Gods And Mentor Of Heroes

Chiron personally brought him, and both Zeus and Apollo stepped forward to deliver an oracle, making the boy named Dianes a person of great interest.

Hermes, too, heard the rumors and became intrigued, so he listened around and surprisingly found that many among the gods of Olympus had a favorable opinion of Dianes.

“The boy grew up in Passos, which has long been a place of worship not only for Father but also for Poseidon and Ares.”

The beautiful Passos in the northern Aegean Sea prayed for the safe voyages of fishermen and sailors to Poseidon.

And they prayed to Ares for courage to face numerous pirates and invasions from other kingdoms.

So, when asked if they knew a boy named Dianes from Passos, the first two gave a very unexpected response.

“The first person I visited was Lord Poseidon. When I casually asked if he knew about Dianes of Passos, he praised him endlessly... almost as if he wanted to adopt him as a son.”

Poseidon, the God of the Ocean.

Hermes’s first investigation target, the master of the Aegean Sea surrounding Passos, perhaps knew something.

When he casually mentioned Dianes of Passos, Poseidon couldn’t stop praising his martial arts and his reverence for the gods.

“Often, the child performs sword dances and spear dances by the nymphs’ seashore, and it seems he dedicated them to Poseidon. The dances were so graceful and beautiful that Poseidon once said he wanted to invite him to his deep sea palace to personally offer him a drink. Every time he performed his sword dance, Poseidon was pleased and gifted him with fish or artifacts, and he protected the Nereid nymph who was to be the child’s companion so that no one could harm her.”

He even offered all the fish and artifacts he obtained to the temple of Zeus, making Zeus inwardly envious of such a promising and devout follower.

It was evident how proud the god with the dark blue beard must have been.

“Ho... Such spear skills that even Poseidon admires...”

Indeed, Chiron, who had personally crossed spears with him, nodded in agreement.

His spear skills were like the wind itself. How could Poseidon not be pleased when these skills were dedicated to him?

Moreover, he did not selfishly hoard the gifts received from the god but humbly offered them to the supreme god, expressing gratitude to all the gods once again.

It was clear how proud and pleased the god of the rough sea was to have such a young and promising follower.

“And then, there’s my brother Ares. By Zeus, it was the first time I saw him speak so fondly of a human hero.”

Ares, the God of War, known for his rough and rugged nature, even among the Olympians.

He was a god who caused numerous incidents with his fiery temper, even among the other Olympians.

And such a god found someone admirable?

“What exactly happened?”

When told that Ares, the belligerent war god, was fond of Dianes, naturally, images came to mind of Dianes laughing loudly over the corpses of countless barbarians.

Or Dianes, dancing on corpses while draped in the blood-stained skins of wolves and jackals with their heads still attached, etc.

It seemed only natural, yet fortunately, Hermes shook his head.

“He offered wild boars and bears he hunted in a desperate struggle alone to my brother’s temple without hesitation. Not only that, he personally composed poems praising him and placed them on the altar. Ares was so deeply moved that he sent down flames to accept the offerings first in front of other priests. He even carries those poems around and brags about them! Yes, that Ares!”

Fortunately, it was not the scene of bloody madness Chiron had imagined.

Rather, the poems and offerings were so moving that even Ares was touched. Just how moving were those poems?

Curiosity suddenly arose.

“Oh, does that child have talent in poetry?”

“Yes, it is a uniquely styled poem, concise yet highly rhythmic, and its expressions are also unique and outstanding. Even Athena was very envious.”

Thanks to that, Ares, who was often seen as an uneducated war maniac, was grateful to the child for helping him gain a reputation as a well-rounded God of War.

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

Chiron felt both admiration and relief upon hearing that the new hero was talented in both literature and martial arts and was loved by the gods

How many heroes had met their ends tragically due to their own arrogance, earning the gods’ disdain?

Even Hercules was a constant worry due to his arrogance and birth. Dianes, however, revered the gods and diligently honed himself without such issues.

“And then... surprisingly, Father seems to have a very favorable view of Dianes, that child.”

“Zeus... are you talking about him?”

“No, I’m also a bit curious, so you don’t need to worry.”

Hermes waved his hand dismissively, clearly frustrated by the lack of any clues.

If even he reacted this way, there truly was no lead.

In that case... maybe?

“Uh, Lord Chiron?”

“What is it?”

With a slightly hesitant face, Hermes brushed his hair in the air and looked at him with concern.

“This might sound a bit funny, but considering that even Father is paying attention and being cautious. That child might be involved with greater beings than we imagine.”

“Greater beings?”

“Shh! Be careful. They exist and yet do not exist. Even Father Zeus reveres and fears them.”

Even Zeus himself fears them, and Hermes does not seek to know more.

There was only one such group.

The first gods, beings that embody the sky and earth, death and darkness.

Dianes was related to them?

“No way... No way that could be...”

If so, Dianes was more than just a mere human hero.

Though not yet granted divine status or responsibilities, if he truly were their child...

It would be something that could turn the whole world upside down.

“For now, it’s just speculation... Lord Chiron, please keep it as mere speculation.”

“Ah, understood.”

“You never know. As the child said, he might simply be from the Hyperborean clans beyond Olympus.”

Trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, Hermes joked, and Chiron reluctantly nodded in agreement.

“Well then... I’ll be off! Lord Hades has informed me that the Charon Coast is full again.”

“Oh dear, won’t you stay to see your sons?”

“Haha, they’ve come to see me so often that they complain if I’m not busy. So, I’ll be off then!”

-Ahahaha!

Leaving only the sound of his cheerful laughter, Hermes disappeared into the distance in an instant.

“...Phew. This is just...”

Hermes vanished like the wind, leaving behind a mystery, and Chiron, feeling complicated, could only stroke his beard.