Of course, even if he were to send these three little ones out, Samael would still have Gaia vouch for them, ensuring their safety.
As for the remaining Typhon offspring, the ancient serpent had no intention of letting them go just yet. After all, they were children he had watched grow up. The Hydra, the Colchis Dragon, the Chimera, and the others—none of them had much of a future to look forward to. Keeping them restrained under joint custody was far better than releasing them outright, only for them to be slaughtered the moment no one was watching.
Hearing Gaia's goodwill in arranging places for the Typhon offspring, Medusa sighed in relief and bowed her head in gratitude.
With Samael's advance warning severing the ties between the Arima Caverns and Typhon;
with the assigned divine beasts showing obedience to the Olympus triumvirate;
and with the promise of protection from this Primordial Goddess...
With these three safeguards in place, it was almost certain that as long as the little ones in the Arima Caverns behaved themselves, they would not be dragged into disaster. Even if Typhon and Zeus went to war, there would be no reason for anyone to come after them.
But while Medusa felt relieved for her siblings, Samael's worries only deepened—for her. Though both she and Athena carried dual primordial divinities, Medusa's Earth Mother bloodline was even closer to Gaia herself. Yet Gaia's response to her was strikingly indifferent. Compared to Athena, the true-blooded heir of the God King, Medusa—born of an incomplete creation and a monster mother—was clearly less favored.
"The three-headed dog Cerberus and the Harpy will remain here for now. They shall depart only after I have sent word to Poseidon and Hades."
"However, the golden apple tree in the Sacred Garden of Olympus is now blooming and bearing fruit. It urgently requires a guardian. You, together with Ladon, shall defend it and take full charge in my name."
The Earth Mother upon the rock throne paused briefly before speaking in a calm, thoughtful tone.
The violet-haired goddess furrowed her brow. The Sacred Garden of Golden Apples, though nominally belonging to Olympus, was actually located on Mount Atlas in the far west. A round trip there and back would take months. Offering up Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon, was already sacrifice enough. She had no interest in playing the role of a laborer for Olympus.
Gaia's voice deepened, a meaningful smile spreading across her face.
"Representing Olympus, the three daughters of the Night God, tasked with taking over the Sacred Garden, will arrive in seven days."
With a flick of her finger, the goddess conjured an arch-shaped light sigil before Medusa. At its swirling center was a direct link to the Sacred Garden of Golden Apples in the far west.
Even from the small gap that opened in the Magecraft array, a thick surge of earth's essence poured out. Overflowing vitality condensed upon the branches, ripening into a handful of golden fruits that glowed with tempting luster.
Seeing Medusa still frozen in place, Athena shot her a sly wink. Noting that Gaia made no move to intervene, she cleared her throat and spoke.
"Until the three daughters of the Night God arrive, the entire Sacred Garden belongs only to you and Ladon. Understood?"
Medusa's expression turned strange as she glanced uncertainly at Gaia, the Mother Goddess.
"Full administrative authority, including disposal of the golden apples?"
The Goddess of Beginning sighed at the surprise in Medusa's expression upon receiving such a gift and answered with patience.
"Yes, the Sacred Garden is theoretically yours for these seven days."
"You may attempt to consume the golden apples to complete the immortality missing from your bloodline, making yourself whole."
Complete immortality? Medusa's heart surged with excitement, her eyes shining with genuine gratitude. Among the Gorgon sisters, she alone lacked eternal life—a flaw she had always carried.
Gaia met Medusa's thankful gaze, pausing before her tone sank slightly.
"The golden apples aren't entirely suited for you. To use them means to give up shortcuts and start anew. The path ahead may be long."
"But if you're willing to bring your sisters here, I could help you perfect yourself through a more ideal form."
Medusa shook her head firmly, a strange lightness on her face.
"No. The golden apples are the best path for me. Thank you for your gift—it saves me from harming my sisters."
Gaia's lips curved into a faint smile, an inexplicable satisfaction in her heart. With a meaningful pause, she watched Medusa walk toward the Sacred Garden.
"Very well, child. Go. What you gain will depend on yourself."
Just as Medusa was about to step into the vortex leading to the Sacred Garden of the Golden Apples, she suddenly turned back, raising her head toward Gaia on her stone throne.
"May I bring one companion with me?"
Gaia hesitated for a moment before nodding softly. She then watched the girl turn back, grab a dazed Samael by the arm, and drag him into the vortex.
At once, the Earth Mother wiped away the glowing sigils, leaned back against the stone throne, and closed her eyes to rest. The passage would open again in seven days, when Samael and Medusa returned.
…
Left behind in the temple, Athena, bored beyond measure, glared furiously at the stone wall where the light patterns had vanished. Her teeth ground audibly.
They didn't bring me? How outrageous!
The Goddess of Wisdom cracked her knuckles, casting a sinister glare past the stone gate at a hulking figure strolling through the plaza, broad and solid as a young bull.
Achoo!
Cerberus sneezed violently, a sudden chill creeping up his spine. For some reason, unease gnawed at him.
…
Meanwhile, on Mount Atlas, within the Sacred Garden, a dull thud echoed as something heavy hit the ground.
The hundred-headed dragon Ladon, teleported into the clearing, clutched several chunks of pried gemstone ore. He picked a comfortable spot, half of his heads snoring while the others kept a paranoid watch on his loot—stolen straight from Gaia's doorstep—counting it over and over like an obsessed miser.
Samael and Medusa, however, could only stare in awe at the colossal apple tree rising at the garden's center, its golden branches heavy with radiant fruit.
Smack!
The ancient serpent was the first to shake off his daze. Scowling, he smacked Medusa on the head.
"I know you meant well, but next time, don't act on your own!"
The purple-haired goddess frowned slightly, unconcerned.
"What's the big deal? It's just one more golden apple, right?"
The ancient serpent shook his head firmly, flicking her forehead with a clawed finger, his vertical pupils narrowing.
"Fool! The most precious thing here isn't the golden apples!"
The Sacred Garden's greatest treasure wasn't the golden apples? What else could it possibly be?
Confused, Medusa followed Samael's gaze. When her eyes finally locked onto it, her crimson pupils shrank sharply. Her voice came out dry.
"You mean…"
"Of course, the Golden Apple tree itself!"
Samael laid a hand against the towering trunk, sensing the profound divine power flowing within it—the same essence that originated from Gaia herself. His voice was low, heavy with meaning, his eyes full of awe.
"This is a manifestation of Gaia's divine authority of abundance. It symbolizes the succession of the Earth Mother's power."
"Silly girl, remember what she said before you left?"
"Your true trial has begun, and you only have seven days!"