Days in the Underworld

Inside the temple on Mount Olympus, Hermes witnessed the scene with a subtle expression and couldn't help but speak.

Incidentally, the seven-string lyre of Apollo, the god of light, was crafted by him and given to Apollo.

Upon hearing Hermes' suggestion, Apollo did not object; in fact, he nodded, showing an expression that seemed to agree, 'I also think that's a good idea.'

At this moment, the gods had already realized that everything had ended.

The outcome of the trial needed no further discussion.

Demeter felt the same way.

Her violet eyes watched everything unfold with a complex expression.

She was somewhat sad, yet also excited.

Sad because her daughter was ultimately by Hades' side, but excited because she had truly witnessed that fragile child create an unbelievable miracle.

He not only changed his fate but also painted such a beautiful picture, just like that night, making the gods turn their heads in awe once again.

Thus, ultimately, Promise, along with Persephone and Pegasus, arrived before Hades, who had been waiting for them for a long time.

The trial thus concluded.

Within the grand temple illuminated by divine fire, the goddess Hecate silently emerged.

She approached Promise, touched his ears and eyes again, restoring his lost hearing and sight.

The latter opened his emerald eyes, looked at the goddess before him, stopped playing the lyre, and quietly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, beautiful goddess."

Hecate did not respond, but this time she quietly watched Promise for a while before turning to leave.

"Promise..." Persephone, standing behind him, softly called out to him.

Even the Hades above, the lover she had not seen for a long time was now ignored.

Turning around at the sound of his name, Promise looked at the goddess.

At this moment, her face was filled with excitement, even covering her mouth, tears twinkling in her eyes... Naturally, no one could understand better than Persephone how difficult the path Promise had walked was.

Following him, she had wanted more than anyone for Promise to give up.

Seeing this, Promise instead smiled and asked, "Goddess Persephone, do you think this painting is still beautiful?"

The goddess paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

"That's great," Promise said with a relieved smile, apologetically adding, "I thought perhaps you were angry... I'm sorry for bringing you to the Underworld and for such an unpleasant experience."

When Hades, the God of the Underworld, heard this, even his face, which was as gloomy as ever, couldn't help but twitch.

He was still there...

"It's fine, no problem at all, I'm not angry, how could I be angry? I'm very happy, extremely happy, I..." As she spoke, Persephone stammered, unable to find the right words, then abruptly hugged the boy and began to cry right there in the temple.

Seeing this, Hades, the God of the Underworld, glanced at the unscrupulous guys who were peeping outside, and waved his hand to block their view.

"How stingy!" the gods cursed together.

...

Back on Mount Olympus, in the temple.

The gods, who had cursed almost together, looked at each other and then burst into laughter. At this moment they laughed very happily because the stone that had been blocking their hearts had finally disappeared.

Queen Hera was laughing too,

But unnoticed by anyone, her expression was slightly complex.

Especially when she looked at Athena.

Even though she had said she would never let Promise go to Athena.

And even now she still felt that she was Promise's goddess.

But having witnessed the trial and the miracle Promise created, those moments as dazzling as stars,

The not-so-foolish Hera had realized that Athena had always been truthful.

Among all the gods,

For this boy, who yearned to be a hero and desired a magnificent finale,

Athena truly was the most suitable goddess for him!

She couldn't let this continue...

Feeling a sense of urgency, Hera finally made up her mind and quietly left the temple without the other gods noticing.

And then she went to a place she thought she would never set foot in her entire life—the temple of her daughter, the goddess of craftsmanship, Hephaestus.

...

...

Three days later,

Promise was still in the Underworld, in the palace of Hades.

During these three days, he had a good stay in the palace of Hades.

And the nymphs of the Underworld were very hospitable, to the extent that it was almost overwhelming for Promise.

If not for Persephone always watching over him, Promise even wondered... not just wondered, he was certain they would have tried every means to devour him!

"Promise, Promise, where are you?" In the palace, just as Promise was wandering around, he heard Persephone calling him.

"I'm here, Goddess Persephone." After responding, he soon saw Persephone hurrying towards him, with Hades silently following behind her.

"My child, you're here." After quickly reaching Promise's side, Persephone expertly hugged him, checked to make sure he was alright, and then said, "How did you suddenly disappear? You're not allowed to leave my side again, do you know how dangerous it is here?"

Seeing Persephone earnestly speaking, Promise glanced at Hades.

At that moment, in the eyes of the god, he saw clear frustration, speechlessness, and a hint of jealousy...

Promise felt helpless about this.

If not for his firm protest during these three days, even consuming golden apples to outright avoid sleep, Persephone would have tried to sneak into his bed at night, practically wanting to stick with him all day!

Promise knew Persephone had no other intentions; she was just overly protective because of what happened the previous two days...

But Goddess Sister, you came here to find Hades, didn't you?!

Thus, a helpless Promise gave Hades a knowing wink, his face a picture of innocence.

This prompted Hades to glare at him irritably.

Ah, well, I think I better leave.

Feeling that things might soon become problematic if he stayed, Promise discreetly extricated himself from Persephone.

Without waiting for her to express her discontent, he quickly approached Hades and respectfully asked, "Honorable Lord Hades, have you found Eurydice?"

Eurydice was the wife of Promise's friend.

Upon hearing this, Hades, realizing Promise's intentions, quickly nodded.

"She's already found and will be here soon..."

Before Hades could finish,

"Promise?!" A voice full of surprise and incredulity suddenly rang out.

Then the beautiful nymph Eurydice, looking astonished, was brought over by a few other nymphs.

Eurydice naturally recognized Promise after all, she had been by his friend's side when Promise was studying, and even sang alongside him when he learned the lyre.

"Why are you in the Underworld, could it be..." Eurydice started, her face suddenly turning pale.

"Hehe, it's not what you think, you're really lucky," the nymphs quickly explained Promise's actions to Eurydice before he could speak, leaving her stunned and looking at the bot in disbelief.

Seeing this, Promise turned to Hades and said, "Thank you, Honorable Lord Hades."

"No problem, this was after all our agreement," Hades shook his head, his deep voice authoritatively replying to Promise.

Just as he finished,

"Hades, why do you keep doing this, didn't I tell you to speak softly and gently when you talk to the child? Do you understand?!"

Persephone, getting upset, moved closer and began to scold Hades, her harsh treatment of the lord of the underworld watched by the astonished Eurydice.

The nymphs, initially nervous, were now quite accustomed to it.

Hades stood there, unable to stop her nor let it continue, and ultimately could only look at Promise helplessly again.

Recognizing the situation, the boy tactfully nodded and said to Hades, "Then, Honorable Lord Hades, I will take Eurydice back to the human world..."

"Wait, you're leaving?!" Persephone suddenly turned her head to look at Promise.

Just as the latter nodded,

"Then I'm leaving too!" Persephone declared without hesitation.