Chapter 88: Persephone (13)
My daughters actually brought back someone real!
The queen trembled—caught between fear, wonder, and her overwhelming desire to secure the best for her son—
And let out a silent sigh.
She had only meant to praise her daughters and encourage them…
Who would have thought they would bring back a woman this extraordinary?!
Recognizing the divine aura around Demeter, the queen suppressed her rising panic and came to a single conclusion:
If such a special woman became her baby’s wet nurse,
What greater blessing could there be?
“Celeus, we must make her Demophon’s wet nurse.”
“What are you saying, my dear?”
“It’s obvious. That woman is of an extraordinary lineage. And even the mage serving her looks incredibly remarkable, doesn’t he?”
King Celeus nodded.
Now that she mentioned it, those two did seem unusually exceptional.
So the king made a decision—
Far beyond what he originally planned.
He would give that woman the most beautiful residence within the palace,
And assign elite soldiers to protect her from any danger.
And for the impressive mage, He would build a perfect workshop, fully equipped.
“These humans… They know how to seize blessings when they see them.”
“Seriously. Even if they sensed something, Going this far for a pretty widowed fortune-teller— Most people would say they’ve lost their minds.”
Demeter and Poseidon both had to admit:
In all their travels across countless lands, Nowhere had treated them this well.
Yes, they’d received many invitations before— But they were always things like:
“Become my concubine.”
“Serve as my court magician.”
“Work as the royal diviner.”
Nothing like this.
“…Fine. Taking care of their child isn’t so bad. Perhaps the Fates planned this from the start.”
At Demeter’s acceptance, Queen Metanira nearly burst with joy.
“Yes! Our child will truly grow up strong and healthy now.”
“If that’s true, then everything we’ve promised is well worth it.”
***
Just as Metanira believed, Demophon could only grow strong.
After all— He was being raised by not one, but two high-ranking gods.
(Though one happened to be hiding his true identity…)
And for some reason, Demeter decided to raise the boy not with human food, But with the drink of the gods ambrosia—infused with her own breath.
Every night, she secretly exposed him to the blazing fire of Hestia.
“Goddess, isn’t this a bit much…?”
Poseidon worried the child might grow into a new monster of the mortal world.
“Do not worry, child. I have a plan. This boy will one day prosper the earth in my stead— Even after the coming war.”
Poseidon faintly understood what Demeter was aiming for, But honestly?
He doubted it would go smoothly.
Even in his previous life, the more humanity multiplied, The more chaos followed.
Here, countless races besides humans lived together.
Imagine the disasters if the population exploded.
If it grows too much after the war… Zeus will probably start scheming again.
But Poseidon’s anxiety meant nothing to the king or queen, Who adored their son more each day.
The boy grew more beautiful and stronger—almost divine—by the day.
“Just as you said, that wet nurse is truly extraordinary.”
“I told you. Our child will surely become great.”
***
One day, Queen Metanira became curious—
How exactly was Demeter raising her son?
If I learn it, perhaps I can teach my daughters after they marry—
So they can raise strong grandchildren…
Thus, the queen boldly sneaked into the residence Celeus had gifted to Demeter.
Normally, this would have been a grave offense.
But the guards outside were the king’s own men—
So they pretended not to see.
The queen infiltrated the residence.
But thinking she could slip past Poseidon unnoticed was an impossibility.
“Oh? So she’s curious. What should I do, I wonder?”
Poseidon had many options— Block her, or let her continue.
Either would be fine.
And then—
—Don’t stop her. I want to see what that woman decides.
Her judgment will determine whether my plan is correct or not.
Demeter’s voice echoed in Poseidon’s mind.
“Tch… Honestly, Lady Demeter, you’re too cruel. If that woman makes even a small mistake, you’ll explode in anger again.”
—Silence! You’re always talking too much! You!!!
Queen Metaneira, unaware that Demeter and Poseidon had already detected her,
Walked straight into the room where Demeter was exposing the baby to fire.
“…Let’s see… How exactly is she raising my child?”
With great anticipation, she stepped inside—
Only to witness the horrifying sight of Demeter holding her baby over Hestia’s sacred fire.
AAAAH!!
“This fortune-teller is trying to burn my son alive as an offering!!”
Her child—being roasted over flames?
The shock was so great that Metaneira lost all reason.
She didn’t even notice that the baby looked perfectly calm, unharmed.
Just as she lunged forward to snatch her child—
A man’s voice spoke from behind her.
“Tsk. I told you this would happen, Lady Demeter. Why do you always insist on doing unnecessary things?”
“You’re getting more insolent by the day. Do you wish to be punished?”
“Do you remember how valuable the item I gave you was?”
“……”
Hearing the mage’s voice, the queen froze mid-charge, cold sweat sliding down her back.
Finally, her reason began to return, and she noticed many strange things.
W-wait… what…?
Her sanity restored, Metanira couldn’t keep up with the sudden conversation between Poseidon and Demeter.
D-Demeter…?
Was her baby’s wet nurse… actually the goddess Demeter?
Seeing the realization dawn on Metanira’s face, Demeter sighed and spoke.
“Very well. Since this fool decided to open his mouth, I must explain. The one before you is the lady honored by all races, The mistress of harvest and joy, The one who blesses gods and mortals alike— Demeter.”
—Ugh! Isn’t that a bit too self-absorbed? Mmph!!
Metanira was overwhelmed by Demeter’s divine presence.
The sight of the arrogant mage getting his mouth magically sealed shut behind the goddess—
She forced herself not to react.
She had no intention of being caught between gods.
Just stay quiet. Their relationship seems… unusual.
“Originally, I meant to bestow these blessings slowly upon your son Demophon, But circumstances have forced my hand.
You will now build a great temple for me.
In return, I shall teach you sacred rites—
Rituals that will protect your people from the great fire that will one day sweep the earth.
Ensure that every race upon the land can perform these rites.
And when Demophon grows,
He shall spread my power across the wounded world.”
With those words, the fortune-telling widow transformed back into the true Demeter.
The room filled with the sweet scent of barley and cool mint.
A soft golden glow spread everywhere—
The radiance of an immortal goddess.
Demeter then turned and left the palace, Leaving the queen kneeling on the floor, trembling.
As she exited, Poseidon—still disguised as the mage Njord—spoke politely:
“Sigh… I knew this would happen. Queen, please also arrange to transfer ownership of this palace to the Neptune family’s Njord. It technically belongs to Lady Demeter, but also to me. Understood?”
“Eh? What…?”
Metanira, still prostrated on the ground and overwhelmed by divine awe, Was baffled at the sudden demand for a property transfer.
This… doesn’t seem like the right moment for that…?
And indeed—
Just as the queen thought this—
Demeter, who had been walking away gracefully, suddenly turned back, Grabbed “Njord” by the ear, and dragged him toward the exit.
“You impudent child! Must you cause trouble even now?! Will you ever grow up?!”
“Aaagh! It hurts—let go!! Q-Queen! Don’t forget the ownership transfer!! Okay?!”
Even while being dragged out by his ear, The disguised Poseidon never stopped making demands.
The queen stared blankly, speechless.
She couldn’t believe what she had just seen.
“…C-could someone please pinch my cheek so I can wake up…?”
***
Meanwhile, once outside, Poseidon—still in his disguise as Njord—was being thoroughly scolded by Demeter.
“Honestly, do you think before you speak? Even in a situation like that, you had to behave that way?!”
“Well… yes, but… a mage like me must secure what I can while I can—”
“Ugh! You mages are all the same—selfish and ill-tempered. Is this all because of Circe? Huh?!”
“I’ve never studied under Lady Circe though.”
“Don’t talk back!!”
While the disguised Poseidon was being lectured harshly—
The queen, recovering from her shock, hurried to King Celeus to report everything she had seen.
“We must build a temple immediately! And we must spread the divine rites and rituals Lady Demeter instructed!”
Hearing the queen’s urgent words, King Celeus and his ministers did not doubt her.
After all, even they had been wondering if the abnormally fast and healthy growth of Demophon could be the work of a god.
Thus, they immediately began construction of a temple dedicated to Demeter.
They also connected it directly to the palace where she had been staying—
And began the process of transferring its ownership to Njord, as she had commanded.
***
For several years, while King Celeus and the queen were busy preparing—
The races of the mortal world looked upon the drying earth with growing concern.
“What in the world is happening?”
“I do not know… but it seems the gods have abandoned us.”
“How could it be that all lands on the surface are withering?”
Because of Demeter’s wrath, no seed sprouted.
Even if oxen plowed the land and manure was spread, nothing grew.
Yet Olympus had little room to calm Demeter’s anger.
All their resources were focused on anticipating Typhon’s awakening, Monitoring Hades and the Underworld, And tracking movements across the seas.
“Lord Zeus, the humans… they can no longer produce food.”
“It is not just humans. The dwarves and goblins under Lady Demeter have all disappeared underground, and other races can no longer sprout their seeds.”
“…Haa. But don’t we still have Demeter’s granaries?”
“Well… it seems someone has locked them.”
“……”
Zeus let out a deep sigh at the unfolding famine.
It was obvious the ‘someone’ who locked the granary was Demeter herself.
So this is what she was preparing for when she left for the mortal realm…
“Tch. I calculated that we could endure until the war with Typhon ended using Demeter’s granary stores…”
“Lord Zeus. While we may not be able to retrieve Lady Persephone immediately, isn’t there some way to negotiate a delay?”
“You have a suggestion, Pan?”
The god of nature and livestock, Pan—summoned because his abilities could at least imitate Demeter’s—spoke cautiously.
“Yes. Since we are nearly finished with preparations for minimizing battlefield damage… When the gods cannot watch over the mortals, someone must protect them. If we entrust the mortal realm to Lady Demeter for now… We could create a mediation point— Somewhere she can at least see Lady Persephone.”
“Hm…”
Zeus considered his answer.
Keeping a powerful goddess like Demeter bound to the mortal realm had its risks,
But given the situation, it would not be surprising if she stormed into the Underworld at any moment.
“A neutral meeting point… Certainly, at the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, they might be permitted to meet.”
“Yes. Lord Hades knows he is being unreasonable. He would at least allow them to see each other at the border.”
Zeus, realizing this was the best negotiation possible under the circumstances, nodded heavily.
“Very well. Go with Hermes. If Hades still refuses… At the very least, secure conditions that will allow Demeter’s granary doors to be opened. As for what comes after…”
At that moment—
A sharp blue gleam flickered in Zeus’s eyes.
_____________________________________________
TL Note:Hey guys, If you’re liking this novel, I’d really appreciate it if you could drop a 5-star rating and a quick review if possible. The novel’s rating is currently 3.7, and your support can make a big difference.
_____________________________________________
TL Note: Regular chapters update 5 per week on the site.
Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for early access:
- Plus Tier: 7 chapters/week per novel (21 total across 3 novels)
- Premium Tier: 9 chapters/week per novel (36 total across 4 novels)
All my other novels are included in the same tiers—no extra payment needed!
• Dream Breaker
• The Genius Shut-In Writer
• Regression of the Transcendent Psychokinesis User (Premium Tier only)
Link: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Vritratls?utm_source=search
For this novel specifically, check the collection under “Poseidon's Chronicle.”
Binge-read ready:
Plus Tier → 35 chapters available
Premium Tier → 74 chapters available
Your support keeps the chapters coming—thank you so much! ❤️
_____________________________________________