chapter 65

Thus, the competition for the Golden Apple among the three arrogant goddesses, the most beautiful of all, escalated into a compelling rivalry. Their vanity surpassed common sense— they would sooner die than admit anyone's beauty rivaled their own.

Their arrogance was such that even the other gods found it headache-inducing and preferred not to get involved. Regardless of the outcome, they were determined to prevent this wedding from concluding smoothly, though success seemed elusive for now...

Confronted by Cyd, the referee with the Golden Apple, their arrogance didn't allow them to wait patiently. They began tempting him with promises of rewards.

First was Athena, goddess of wisdom and war.

"So long as you give me the apple, I will grant you unparalleled wisdom," Athena said confidently, stepping forward to touch Cyd's face. Artemis, who was sitting nearby, blinked her golden eyes at Athena, prompting Athena to quickly change her gesture to a reassuring pat on Cyd's shoulder.

"Uh, I see," Cyd nodded, touching his chin. He understood well the tales of the Trojan War, triggered by such plays among these three goddesses. Athena offering wisdom wasn't surprising, given her confidence in her own intellect. Though her wisdom might be faltering now, it seemed Athena couldn't come up with any other condition.

Cyd's casual response stung Athena. Clearly, her assumption had been wrong. Particularly irksome was the mocking expressions on Hera and Aphrodite's faces.

Athena frowned, feeling embarrassed, and Artemis hugged her sympathetically.

Even now, Athena was under the cloud of diminished wisdom.

"Athena, you rushed into this. He doesn't need wisdom," Hera, queen of the gods, said confidently, stepping forward next to Zeus, king of the gods. "His adventures have never lacked challenges, yet he always manages to overcome them with ease!"

"No, what pains me and Atalanta is the real headache. And here I am still unable to get you three to stop worrying restlessly," Hera added.

"He already possesses great wisdom within himself. Your offer is meaningless. As the goddess of wisdom and war, you, Athena, are overcomplicating things and diminishing the impact. He lacks nothing—strength, wisdom, the sharp weapons of an almighty army!"

Hera's victorious smile was evident.

"I forgot about that!" Athena exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Seriously, you're ruining the image I created," Cyd muttered, somewhat speechless.

In that moment, under the moonlight, he approached the ethereal young woman, whose movements were now uncertain, swayed by her womanly instincts. Gradually, he neared the sand-sculpted young girl.

"But, young man of pure heart, there's one thing you lack the most," Hera said confidently, waving her hand. "If you give me the Golden Apple, I'll grant you wealth—wealth beyond measure!"

Cyd tilted his head in thought. Hera's confident demeanor left him somewhat apprehensive.

Upon hearing that wealth was what he lacked most, he grew excited. Though he wasn't sure what exactly he lacked, Hera's confidence was intriguing, and he suddenly imagined being without money...

Then, a barrage of question marks filled his mind.

"I'll make you the wealthiest person in the world!"

"Um... I think I get it now," Cyd nodded after a moment of contemplation. "In short, I'm lacking money, so whatever I lack, you'll provide."

Hera recoiled dramatically, as though struck by a powerful blow to her head. This was her confident offer!

Hera had witnessed Cyd's journey, observing how he often shared his spoils with fellow hunter Atalanta, wearing only a few pieces of clothing and relying solely on his two legs. He appeared so poor compared to other celebrated heroes who lived lives of luxury, adorned in expensive garments and surrounded by jewelry, traveling in the company of many.

Hera understood that Cyd refused the villagers' wealth because he didn't want to become a new bandit...

"I'll grant you wealth! You won't have to scavenge for food or cling to those ragged clothes. You won't have to sleep under trees; you'll sleep on a royal bed, surrounded by luxury!"

Hera urged him to take everything he rightfully deserved.

"You're mistaken," Aphrodite said indifferently, holding her head as Ares knelt next to her, his expression stern. "Even if you've been watching Cyd, you've underestimated him."

"You think I enjoy feeling like I'm being spied on?" Aphrodite exclaimed, gripping her shoulders as if to protect herself.

Cyd felt a shiver down his spine, inexplicably afraid.

"He's a noble hero who never seeks wealth from villagers, nor does he demand rewards for his exploits," Aphrodite continued, opening her arms. "You might say he avoids burdening others, and that's true. But more importantly, he lacks the desire for material wealth. He doesn't need luxurious clothes because what he has is enough. He doesn't need a comfortable bed because he can find peace even under a tree. He doesn't seek the trappings of wealth because his heroism isn't driven by such superficial matters. He doesn't earnestly seek wealth because he simply doesn't need it."

Cyd nodded instinctively.

Hera stepped back, surprised to find that Aphrodite understood Cyd better than she had expected. She should have realized sooner that Cyd didn't seek to burden others with his needs, but...

"Therefore, the only one who can win is me," Aphrodite declared confidently, pounding her chest. "Like Hera and Athena before me, I offer Cyd what he truly desires!"

Ares casually sipped his wine, knowing what to expect from Aphrodite as they were "a couple." He anticipated Cyd's response.

"So long as you give me the apple, I'll give you the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Indeed, Aphrodite could make such a statement.

Ares placed his wine glass back on the table and crossed one leg over the other, his hands folded on his knee, watching the unfolding drama with solemn amusement.

"Aphrodite has hit the nail on the head," Zeus nodded approvingly, knowing that Cyd would undoubtedly give the apple to Aphrodite. This was not a condition any man could reject.

"No, I definitely don't want that."