The Little Golden Mouth

Before arriving at the gods' temple, Hermes had already known that this wasn't going to be a good situation.

Therefore, when Zeus, who had been extremely affectionate toward him, reached out for a hug, Hermes couldn't help but twitch his mouth and didn't respond to the gesture.

Was he serious? Did he think Hera was made of stone?

Didn't he see that Hera's glare was as hot as fire?

Hermes firmly believed that if it weren't for Hera's extreme self-control, the power of that glare alone could have scorched him.

"Ahem, ahem..."

When no response came, Zeus cleared his throat awkwardly and then, feeling embarrassed in front of his son and with Hera's sharp gaze on him, Zeus quietly closed his mouth.

In the past, Zeus would never have faced Hera in such a humble manner.

However, given that he was in the wrong, and with Poseidon present, and now that the two elder sisters were supporting the younger sister, even the King of the Gods had to consider the opinions of the other gods.

It seemed like he had messed up this time?

Watching Zeus' submissive reaction, Hermes' eyes flashed. His intuition told him that there was likely something more to this situation.

Since he wasn't sure exactly what had happened, Hermes had a strong feeling that being the first to speak up would make him an easy target. So, after asking if everyone was well, he quietly observed the other gods.

He ignored the glances the other gods threw his way.

After all, Hermes had already made up his mind. If they didn't speak, he wouldn't say a word.

"Before Hermes was resting in his temple, it was I who sent the raven to call him. Hera, please don't make it difficult for him."

Apollo stepped forward, smiling, blocking Hermes from Hera's fiery gaze. "Because Zeus has been making mischief again, and our clever Hera discovered it. To clear his name, Zeus sent you to testify for him."

Without being bothered by Hera's glaring eyes, Apollo shrugged and didn't care about the awkward glances Zeus was sending his way.

After saying this, the tall and handsome God of Light patted Hermes on the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Just say you don't know anything."

He said it loudly enough for everyone to hear, and naturally, the gods, being divine, understood it clearly.

"Exactly, exactly."

Poseidon, who loved to watch the drama unfold, immediately supported Apollo's idea, giving a hearty laugh.

As everyone knew, Hermes always had Zeus' back. If he helped cover for him, how could they not enjoy the show?

"So, Poseidon, how did you come to be here?"

At this question, Hermes was curious.

Since they had defeated the former King of the Gods, Cronus, together and, at Prometheus' suggestion, drawn lots to decide who would rule the sky, sea, and underworld, it was unlikely that either Hades or Poseidon came to Mount Olympus often.

Therefore, seeing Poseidon here made Hermes a bit confused.

"What's the harm? I just happened to see your father and a beautiful goddess bathing under the sun's rays at the Aegean Sea. Our esteemed Queen Hera, seeing this, came all the way from Olympus to the Aegean Sea. I thought something might be happening, so I came along."

Poseidon smiled lightly, explaining his reason.

Poseidon had simply come to stir the pot. When Hera caught Zeus in the Aegean Sea with another goddess, Poseidon, always looking for entertainment, didn't hesitate to grab Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and head to Mount Olympus.

"You all better shut up, or I'll throw all of you out!"

Hera's face turned from green to pale and then flushed red. Her gaze at Zeus became increasingly harsh.

Hermes was certain that if it weren't for Demeter and Hestia holding her back, Hera would have already torn Zeus apart.

The two goddesses exchanged glances and sighed, no longer attempting to mediate.

They had been trying to calm Hera for so long, and they were exhausted.

Even Demeter and Hestia were curious: what kind of woman had Zeus gotten involved with this time to make Hera so furious?

"Hey! You can't say it like that! Apollo, stop being reckless! Poseidon, you be quiet too!"

Zeus, though a bit flustered, said seriously to Hermes, "My child, as my subordinate, you should understand your father. Don't fear authority. Just tell the truth. I believe the Queen won't harm you."

Hermes: "…"

Hearing this, not only was Hermes speechless, but even the other gods looked at Zeus like he was an idiot.

Hermes wasn't Hera's biological son. The Queen of the Gods had no tender feelings for him, and calling him in was less about his testimony and more about sowing discord between father and son.

On the other hand, Zeus' words were one thing, but his eyes told Hermes that if he didn't comply, things would turn very ugly.

With all the gods' varying glances on him, Hermes seriously considered just kneeling before them all.

They were all such big shots—there was no way he could stand up to them!

Helping Zeus would anger Hera, and ignoring Zeus' plea would gain him no favors with Hera either.

It was a lose-lose situation.

"Well, I think there's been some misunderstanding?"

Blinking, Hermes decided to use his talent for dodging the heavy topics. Since Poseidon had already confirmed that Zeus had been caught by Hera with a goddess at the Aegean Sea, Hermes couldn't just ignore the facts.

He would subtly downplay things, and since the opportunity had been given to him, he felt he'd done enough to help his father.

"Exactly, there's a big misunderstanding."

It seemed that Zeus hadn't completely lost his wits. When he saw the opportunity Hermes gave him, he quickly took it.

Eyes rolling, Zeus came up with a quick excuse: "I was just discussing business with her, and with him."

"Discussing business? Since when did you, the God of Thunder, discuss business with the Sea Goddess? Now you're still trying to deny it?"

Hera, seeing Zeus trying to act nonchalant, was immediately engulfed with fury again.

The Queen of the Gods sneered. "You probably don't know! Before I rang the golden bell to summon the gods, that old flame of yours already came to Mount Olympus!"

"Impossible!"

Zeus' eyes twitched at the accusation, and he immediately denied it. "I've been on the mountain for days. I didn't see anyone."

"Alright, stop arguing!"

Looking at the married couple who were now passing blame on each other, Demeter slapped the table in front of her. "Zeus, just tell the truth. What exactly happened with you and Clymene?"

Upon hearing the unfamiliar name, Hermes, who had been staying quiet, instinctively looked toward Apollo.

Clymene, wasn't she a Titan goddess?

Sighing inwardly, Hermes could now understand why Hera was so angry.

Indeed, Zeus' infidelity was legendary, and he had always been involved with countless lovers.

Although Hera had always been angry, she had never fully stopped him—or rather, stopping him was impossible.

Over time, Hera had learned to turn a blind eye, unless Zeus got caught red-handed.

But Clymene was different. She was the daughter of the Ocean God Okeanos and the Sea Goddess Tethys!

Unlike Maia, the rain nymph, Clymene was a true goddess of the seas with significant power.

Clymene had once been paired with the Titan Iapetus, and they had four children, including Prometheus.

However, after the fall of the Titans, and with her husband imprisoned in Tartarus, this free-spirited sea goddess began to take countless lovers.

Rumor had it, she even had a close relationship with the current Sun God, Helios.

However, no one expected that her next target would be Zeus.

Hermes couldn't help but think: if Zeus had a child with Clymene, could it potentially be a child with the power of a major god?

Just like Apollo and Artemis, whose mother, the Night Goddess Leto, was also a Titan!

It was no wonder that Hera was so angry.

"Yes, exactly."

Upon receiving Hermes' questioning look, Apollo nodded, confirming the rumors. "Yes, in the Aegean Sea, when Hera arrived, Zeus was on the beach sunbathing with that goddess."

Hearing this undeniable confirmation, Hermes instantly closed his mouth. The words he had planned to use to cover for Zeus were swallowed back down.

Although it was true that he wanted to hold onto Zeus' leg, as a true god of Olympus, he understood that sometimes he had to take a firm stand.

Zeus and Clymene's affair was clearly reckless, and now if Hermes rushed to help cover for Zeus, once this was settled, Hera would come after him too.

Hermes didn't want to be the scapegoat. For now, he'd just pretend he wasn't even there.

"Do you still want to cause more trouble?"

"That's what I was going to ask you!"

"Boom!"

Just as another round of marital bickering started between the gods, there was suddenly a loud crashing sound from outside the temple.

This unexpected noise immediately silenced everyone present.

"What's happening?"

At Zeus' question, Hermes rolled his eyes internally but quickly rushed toward the temple's entrance.

"Bad news! The Sun Chariot has fallen!"

As soon as he reached the door, Hermes heard the three time goddesses who guarded the temple gates exclaim in shock.

With two golden flowers bursting in the air, countless golden flames lit up the sky, creating streaks of light that eventually fell into the embrace of the Earth Mother.