(Greek Mythology) The Abyss
Chapter Twelve
During this period, Hermera's progress was rapid; she could endure nearly ten times longer in the illusion than before.
#About the Mysterious Perseverance of a Foodie#
#The Necessary Connection Between the Deliciousness of Food and the Speed of Training Progress#
Yes, actually, Hermera was working so hard simply because Tartarus promised her that if she could endure the required time in the illusion, he would cook for her personally.
A truly speechless reason. -_-|||
The following is a retelling of the plot →_→
Ever since Hermera learned that Tartarus was also a transmigrator, she began her inexplicable habit of continuously running into the abyss. For Tartarus, who was used to being bored, having a fellow transmigrator to chat with was quite welcome.
Yes, you read that right, Tartarus revealed his identity so easily.
To this, we can only say, power breeds arrogance.
This is what it means to be fearless. ←_←
As they chatted, he inadvertently revealed that he had studied cooking.
Then, Hermes, who had long suffered from the unpalatable food of Greek mythology, brightened, as if finally seeing light and hope in the darkness.
Meanwhile, Tartarus began to have a headache.
Before this, Hermes' attitude towards him was absolutely one of utmost respect, a attitude that never changed even after he revealed his identity as a transmigrator. He didn't even need to say a word; a single glance was enough to ensure her absolute obedience.
But now, Hermes, enduring his icy gaze and the lingering chill in the air, relentlessly pestered him to cook for her. Even if he threw her out of the temple, she would continue to squat outside, nagging and bothering his ears.
The obsession of food with a foodie is truly baffling; Tartarus simply cannot understand it.
"Please cook something, Your Majesty! The food here is inedible!" She was truly fed up. Not only were there no various seasonings, but the cooking methods were also so monotonous—couldn't she enjoy her meal?
"You don't have to eat," he replied, not wanting to cook at all; it was too unbecoming.
"You don't understand. For a foodie, delicious food is life itself," Hermera declared righteously. Although she was now a goddess and could live perfectly well without food, her appetite was always difficult to satisfy.
"I truly don't understand," Tartarus nodded, answering earnestly.
"Sigh... Thinking back to my great foodie nation with its eight major cuisines and regional specialties, the variety and flavors are incredible! It's a pity I didn't appreciate it back then and didn't get to try them all. Now I deeply regret it. I really miss the homemade steamed buns from the school cafeteria." After staying here for so long, she now finds even steamed buns delicious.
"I remember you used to complain about the steamed buns in your cafeteria," Tartarus said, directly pointing out the inconsistency in Hemera's words.
"Yeah, it's because they're not very aesthetically pleasing," Hemera replied matter-of-factly.
"Why should steamed buns need to be aesthetically pleasing? Aren't they all the same?" Tartarus thought that anyone who fussed over the aesthetics of steamed buns was just bored.
"No, actually, the steamed buns in our school cafeteria are quite unique. Not only are their shapes rather unconventional and free-spirited, but even their size is determined by the buns themselves." Who can understand the pain of not being able to clearly state how many steamed buns you ate and having to use your hands to gesture the total volume when asked about breakfast?
#Every school has one or more unique and quirky foods#
#Changing schools is like finally getting used to one kind of bad food only to have to switch to a new kind of bad food#
"Then what do you miss?" Your words sound like they're full of resentment.
"Because, no matter what, at least the taste is what a normal steamed bun should taste like. The shape may be a bit random, but at least the ratio of the largest to the smallest diameter isn't too far off from the general proportions of a steamed bun." So she doesn't complain about anything; she's already very satisfied and gratified that it's achieved this.
"The food here isn't that bad, is it?" Tartarus thought Hemera was exaggerating. After all, food offered to the gods was meticulously prepared by carefully selected, highly skilled culinary beings. Even with the limited development of the local food culture, it couldn't possibly be that bad.
"It's called regional taste difference." She admitted she just wasn't used to the taste of the food.
"I see." Tartarus conceded. He had no interest in arguing pointlessly with Hemera over such a trivial matter.
"So, Your Majesty, please agree." Hemera continued her efforts to persuade Tartarus to grant her request.
Tartarus sighed in exasperation. How could she bring the topic back after taking it so far? Couldn't she just forget about it? (No!!)
"Aren't you worried about my cooking skills?"
"Because I trust you, Your Majesty." Because I trust Your Majesty's obsessive-compulsive tendencies and perfectionism; you'll definitely do your best at whatever you learn.
"I don't want you to believe me at all, thank you. And besides, do you know how annoying you are?"
"Alright then."
"Your Majesty, please agree for the sake of how much I trust you... Huh? Your Majesty, you agreed." Hemera only realized Tartarus had agreed halfway through her sentence.
"..." If you weren't so annoying, do you think I would have agreed?
"Don't be too happy yet, I have conditions." Even if he agreed, it didn't mean he would let Hemera off so easily.
"...Your Majesty, what are the conditions?" Her intuition told her she was in trouble.
"Do you know about that illusion used for training?" Although it was a question, it was phrased as a statement.
"Yes." An illusion that left a deep impression on all the gods who had experienced it. It was said to be very effective, but the process was extremely grueling, a true test of a god's mental fortitude.
" "Good to know. If you can last until the time I set in the illusion, I'll agree, okay?" Since he'd been bothered for so long, the culprit should suffer a bit, right?
"...Okay." Could she say no?
However, for the sake of delicious food, she was willing to endure the illusion.
Chapter 12