Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

The next day.

Before the troops set out, the provisions must be prepared first.

Although the wars of the mythological era did not have such strict requirements, the vastness of the earth bridged it with the future generations.

In just half a month, the oracle from Olympia spread throughout the mortal realm.

For the first time, the War God personally led the army, intending to reclaim the prisoner through war, executing the one who had humiliated him in the battlefield.

Meanwhile, the response from the pagan kingdom quickly returned.

In response to Ares' demand, they unceremoniously called him a fake god and declared that if he dared to set foot on the land illuminated by the Lord's radiance, they would weave defeat into a crown, replacing the War God's useless brass helmet.

At that moment, all eyes from the East were drawn to the land, and the war in Athens seemed overshadowed.

For a thousand years, this was the first time a deity had acted against that monotheistic nation.

So much so that when Ares' army marched eastward, countless believers spontaneously gathered under his banner, hoping to contribute to the strength of all gods.

"This is my summoning power, my sister, you need not worry for me. Compared to the mortal battlefield, Mother Goddess' annual bath is more deserving of your attention."

"Every one hundred and twenty years, the Mother Goddess holds a feast after rejuvenating, sharing the Holy Fruits from her garden with the gods."

"Once you have arranged it for her, it can also serve to celebrate my victory."

...

Mortal Realm.

Nafplio.

The milky white hot spring bubbled from the ground, blending with the mountain springs.

A golden cup floated on the spring, the pale blue liquid staining the surrounding droplets.

The war in the mortal realm grew ever more intense, the aura of weaponry seemingly beginning to permeate the wilderness.

But here, around the city-state known as Nafplio, everything remained as peaceful as ever.

Because of the Canaus Spring, neither martial disasters nor chaos had ever disturbed the tranquility here.

Drip...

Drip...

Swish...

Holding the golden cup, Hebe waved her hand.

The faint golden sacred power flowed through her body, drying the water traces on her.

Not long ago, the words of her elder brother Ares seemed still vivid in her mind.

Back then, he had just drunk the nectar she brewed, brimming with fighting spirit amidst the multitude.

Hebe could only hope his words would become true, just as he said, Mother Goddess' feast was imminent.

"The waters of the heavens, the waters of the earth, the waters that are neither celestial nor terrestrial, the essence of the four oceans."

Holding the golden cup, Hebe murmured softly.

"I, Youth Goddess Hebe, bless thee with my supreme authority."

"When you flow through my golden cup, I bestow upon you youth; youth melts into your waters, returning purity to the bather…"

"O Canaus Spring, you are my symbol, the bathing place of Heavenly Empress Hera."

"Here, the great Mother Goddess cycles, coming as a bride and leaving in the form of a maiden."

"Guardian of marriage... Young maidens pray to you for happiness."

"Protector of marriage... Wedded wives pray to you for fidelity."

"Your daughter presents offerings to you, purifying anxiety, fatigue, and aging, restoring you to virginity and youth..."

Hebe's soft whispers were accompanied by the silent trembling of the law.

This was a ritual that would last for days here, finally welcoming the mistress of Mount Olympus, Heavenly Empress Hera, to bathe here at the start of spring when all things come alive.

This steadfast and loyal goddess rarely left the Mount of the Gods, yet this was a place she visited annually.

Even the mortal realm had long sung praises, celebrating the great Kanassos Holy Spring.

"...But Erwin, few know that, unlike other legendary springs, Kanassos Holy Spring was originally nothing special."

"Demons from hell once said that at the midpoint of the nine-layered hell, in the Central Court, there is a Divine Spring that purifies everything; Goddess of Beauty Aphrodite also has a spring that restores her virginity. She bathes in the seawater of Paphos, with the Three Graces dancing for her, emerging from the seawater as if reborn."

"But only Hera is different. At first, it was just an ordinary spring, like any other spring on earth, with no special properties."

"Until one day, the Youth Goddess Hebe was born, and so the changes followed."

On the unnamed desolate mountain, an oak staff struck the ground.

With the respectful support of his student, the old man slowly made his way to the peak of the desolate mountain.

His murky eyes gazed into the distance, where not far from Nafplio, the goddess was chanting her verse.

"You see, this is a god... This is the power of a god."

"Powerful and unique, elusive and unreplicable. Even their birth brings subtle yet tangible influences to the world, transforming the spring alongside them."

"The Heavenly Empress gave birth to the Youth Goddess, and Hebe returned her true youth."

"So, Erwin, do you understand now?"

Pointing his staff into the distance, the elder smiled as he asked.

But beside him, the middle-aged man had long been tense and speechless.

"Teacher... I..."

"No... Are we really going to..."

"Haven't we done it before?"

the elder countered, but Erwin merely shook his head.

"But it was just a disregarded ancient god, and he had been completely drained of his strength by Typhon!"

"But this one..."