Just as Zeus was about to say something to salvage the situation, Alaric spoke again on his behalf.
"The goddess is indeed perceptive. Now, while the Olympian gods are weakened, this truly is the perfect time to strike them down and plunder their wealth."
Alaric spoke with such admiration toward Hecate that she couldn't help but look a little pleased.
However, Alaric continued.
"And after that, what then?"
"What do you mean, what then?" Hecate looked puzzled.
"I mean, if we severely wound the Olympian gods and seize Mount Olympus from them, what does the goddess plan to do afterward?" Alaric asked carefully.
"Isn't that obvious? Of course I'll continue to do what the Goddess of Magic should be doing." Hecate replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
But Alaric shook his head.
"No, beyond your duties as the Goddess of Magic, you still have many other things you'll need to handle."
"Such as?" Hecate asked.
"Such as governing the sky, the sea, and the underworld. Dealing with the souls of the dead among mortals.
Resisting the suppressed Titans and the attacks of Typhon, progenitor of monsters. Responding to the prayers of millions.
Overseeing the movement of the sun and moon. Managing the turning of the seasons…"
Alaric went on and on, his unending list of responsibilities leaving Hecate utterly stunned.
"Wait, why would I need to do all that?" Hecate asked in bewilderment.
"Because once you defeat the Olympian gods and become the new ruler of the divine realm," Alaric explained, "all affairs of Greece will fall onto your shoulders, won't they?"
After hearing this, Hecate shook her head in frustration.
"That's far too troublesome. I don't want to waste time on such things. How would I ever have time to study magic then?"
"You're right," Alaric said smoothly, "and that's why I suggest you show leniency toward the Olympian gods. This way, there will still be others to take care of these burdens.
Otherwise, the entire Greek pantheon will collapse into chaos, and even you would feel unsettled by that."
Hecate fell into long contemplation at his words.
Just when Zeus thought she would still choose war, the goddess finally raised her head.
"Well, I must admit, you are right," she said, patting Alaric's shoulder with satisfaction.
"You always think of things I overlook. Very well, I will allow the possibility of negotiation, for now. But of course, the terms must satisfy me."
"It is my honor to be of help." Alaric smiled faintly, then turned to Zeus. The King of Gods felt his hair stand on end instinctively.
"I believe His Majesty the God-King will make his apology most sincerely, won't he?"
Looking at the human's smile and hearing his pointed words, Zeus held his tongue for a long while before finally nodding grimly.
"Yes. As long as the Olympian pantheon can bear the price, state it."
"Of course, we would never demand anything reckless or unrealistic," Alaric said with a convincing air.
"But since the Olympian gods have ruled Greece since the reign of Uranus, across three generations, surely you have amassed countless treasures.
No doubt among them are powerful artifacts, are there not?"
"…Yes," Zeus admitted reluctantly. "The Olympian gods have indeed accumulated much… though when it comes to artifacts, even we have only a few."
"As long as you have some." Alaric nodded. "Our demand is not excessive, we only ask for half of your treasury."
He said it casually, but Zeus nearly coughed blood.
Half!
That was half of Olympus's entire wealth!
Treasures hoarded since the age of Uranus, and now half would be stripped away. Zeus felt as if flesh were being carved from his body.
But when he thought it through, he restrained himself.
Was it worth losing gods in battle just to keep half a treasury? And even then, could they guarantee it would be preserved?
Hecate had just said she didn't want the hassle of ruling, which was why she relented.
But with her capricious nature, if provoked, she could just as easily lash out regardless of consequences.
Could half a treasury create new powerful gods? Certainly not.
So what use was it?
As though deeply wronged, Zeus finally muttered under his breath.
"Fine."
"Excellent." Alaric clapped his hands cheerfully.
"It seems His Majesty truly does bear heartfelt remorse toward the goddess. Then the next condition is that the God-King must apologize publicly."
"Apologize publicly?"
Zeus's face darkened, while Hecate's eyes lit up.
The truth was, Zeus's pride was second only to his lust, except when it came to Hera.
To force him to apologize openly was the same as slapping his face in front of all his rivals.
Those whom he had defeated in the past would seize the chance to mock him without mercy.
Yet strength was against him now.
Could he refuse?
From another angle, if a simple apology could resolve this matter, it was far cheaper than sacrificing more gods.
Besides, he had already promised half the treasury, what was an apology on top of that?
Zeus gritted his teeth harder than before and gave a fierce nod.
"Very well, I will apologize."
Alaric's smile widened.
"Good. It seems His Majesty truly is sincere in his regret toward the goddess.
With these two conditions fulfilled, I believe the goddess can demonstrate her magnanimity and grant forgiveness."
"Indeed, you're right," Hecate said with satisfaction. Her words brought Zeus a sigh of relief.
But the very next moment, Hecate's expression shifted again.
"However, I don't think that's enough."
"What?"
Zeus's brow furrowed even deeper at the sudden change.
What more could this willful goddess want?
Hecate glanced idly across the gods opposite her, then continued.
"You know, as the Goddess of Magic, it gets lonely. I am but one deity. Without any helpers, I occasionally feel rather… isolated."
As she spoke, she gestured toward the gods.
"My condition is this, from among your Olympian Twelve, I will take one as my subordinate."
Zeus's face twisted in fury.
"No, impossible! The Olympian Twelve are my kin. How could I allow you to take one away like that?"
His expression made it clear, if Hecate insisted, war would break out immediately.
Her good mood soured quickly at his defiance.
The two sides were on the brink once more, when Alaric intervened again.
"Not quite, Your Majesty," he said leisurely. "If I recall correctly, among the Twelve Olympians, isn't there one who isn't related to you at all?"