The Tale of the Golden Apple - (3)
Troy.
A city-state located on the Anatolian Peninsula.
In the past, there was a rebellion against Zeus led by Poseidon, Apollo, and Hera.
The rebellion failed due to Hades’ intervention. As a result, Hera was chained with anvils and shackles for a year...
While Apollo and Poseidon were sentenced to serve as laborers under a mortal king for one year.
The one who enslaved them during that time was none other than Laomedon, the king of Troy.
King Laomedon, audacious as he was...
Ordered the two gods to build the walls of Troy, only to refuse to pay them for their labor afterward.
“After all, you were working under Zeus’ orders, weren’t you? Why would gods need wages?”
“You insolent wretch!”
“Ha! Fine. Do you think you can mock us mortals? You’ll pay for this.”
Thus, Troy incurred the wrath of two Olympian gods.
Apollo unleashed a devastating plague, while Poseidon sent a powerful sea monster to torment the people of Troy.
While the sea monster was eventually defeated by heroes seeking to prove themselves,
The plague brought by Apollo was relentless, confounding even the finest physicians called from across the world.
“Haah... Is there truly no one who can resolve this divine punishment?”
“Your Majesty, it is impossible to oppose the god of the sun. Please, make a decision...”
“There is no other way. Summon all the princes and princesses! We must plead for Apollo’s forgiveness.”
Eventually, Troy gathered countless offerings and went to Apollo’s temple to beg for his mercy.
King Laomedon and his princes and princesses all bowed their heads in supplication until...
Whoosh!
“Oh, great Apollo!”
“Foolish mortal. Have you only now realized your sin?”
“I have committed a grave offense! Command me to do anything, but please, lift this plague from us!”
The Radiant One, Phoebus Apollo, descended to the mortal realm.
Though unimpressed by the numerous offerings, Apollo deemed the supplication sufficient and was about to lift the plague when... he saw the future.
Apollo, the god of prophecy.
Though not as all-seeing as Prometheus or Gaia, his predictions were remarkably precise.
From his tragic love affairs with Daphne and Coronis to his unfulfilled yearning for a true companion, Apollo sought solace in visions of the future.
His finger pointed at one prince.
“You there. Mortal prince, what is your name?”
“Me? My name is Podarces, oh great god of the sun!”
“Hmm. If you have a daughter in the future, bring the most beautiful among them to my temple. Then I shall forgive Troy.”
“Wha—? Yes, yes! Of course, I will do so!”
What Apollo saw was the far-off future, where a beautiful girl named Cassandra would be born.
Though it was not ideal to use prophecy for personal interests, Apollo acted according to his vision.
As Apollo disappeared with a smile, imagining the beauty of the future Cassandra,
The plague that plagued Troy vanished along with him.
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“Haah... Podarces! I name you my successor!”
“Father! But I have so many elder brothers and sisters—”
“A princess offered to Apollo must uphold the dignity of the gods! And should the god suddenly break his promise... well.”
Thus, with political cunning and a decision made for the benefit of Troy,
Podarces, the youngest prince, was named the heir and would be the one to offer his future daughter to Apollo.
Naturally, the elder princes protested, unwilling to relinquish the throne.
But no one dared to defy the will of the sun god, and with Podarces’ future daughter promised to Apollo, the matter was settled.
The king’s decree, the fear of Apollo,
And the belief that offering a princess to the sun god might bring divine favor to their nation swayed the people’s hearts.
After ascending the throne, Podarces declared Apollo the state religion of Troy and sent his daughter Cassandra to serve as a priestess at the temple.
Even in his later years, Podarces fathered many sons, among them...
“What? You’re saying you’re the god Hermes?”
“Yes. I am Hermes, messenger of the gods.”
One of those sons was none other than Paris, the prince of Troy who would receive the golden apple.
“...So, all you need to do is present this golden apple to the goddess you believe is the most beautiful among these three.”
“Gulp. Lady Hera... Lady Aphrodite... and Lady Athena...”
I watched as Paris, the young man receiving the golden apple from Hermes, carefully took it into his hands.
True to Hermes’ claim that he was the most handsome mortal alive, his appearance was nothing short of divine, rivaling the gods themselves.
The three goddesses, too, seemed to find him an appropriate judge for their dispute, their expressions showing a reluctant acceptance.
After observing him briefly, they began speaking, each trying to persuade him.
“Mortal, your name is Paris, correct? If you present that to me, the queen of the gods, I shall grant you the greatest wealth and power.”
Hera promised him unparalleled wealth and authority.
“Prince of Troy, if you give the golden apple to me, you will never lose a single battle.”
Athena offered him victory in all wars.
“And I can give you the most beautiful woman to be your own—something every man dreams of,” said Aphrodite with a knowing smile.
Wait a moment. If the decision comes down to what they are offering, wouldn’t it make sense to choose the highest reward?
At this rate, the question of “the most beautiful goddess” becomes irrelevant... Maybe I should add a word or two.
I took a moment to look at Paris before speaking.
“Remember that you are a prince of Troy.”
“...And who might you be?”
“That is not important. What matters is this: Do not be swayed by their promises. Make your decision carefully.”
The prince of Troy glanced back at the goddesses, who remained confident that he would choose them.
In my view, Paris had very few options.
Breaking the apple into three pieces to distribute it would be the worst decision. Choosing one goddess would be the lesser evil.
“Come now, it’s a simple choice, isn’t it?”
“Do you intend to pass up the chance to claim a beauty perfect for you?”
“Many pray for my blessings on the battlefield, and I am offering that power to you...”
If Paris had decided to claim he could not choose, bowing before the goddesses, I could have shielded him from their wrath—that would have been ideal.
But Paris’ decision was...
“I present this golden apple to the goddess of beauty and love!”
“Haha... Very well.”
He gave the golden apple to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love.
“...You will pay the price for this choice.”
“Whatever results from this decision will be your responsibility, mortal.”
With that, Hera and Athena, casting ominous warnings, left with Hermes.
Aphrodite, meanwhile, was elated, clutching the golden apple with joy, but Paris’ expression was far less certain.
“I grant you a charm that will allow you to win the heart of any woman. No mortal will be able to resist you.”
“......”
“Call upon my name when you find a woman you desire, and she shall be yours.”
“Then... would that include a married woman as well?”
What?! Is this man out of his mind? A married woman?
As my brows furrowed in disapproval, Aphrodite glanced at me before answering.
“Of course, but must you pursue someone who’s already wed?”
“You promised me, didn’t you? Please, I beg you, O goddess of beauty and love!”
“...Ah, yes. Very well.”
While I cannot interfere with rewards or punishments bestowed by other gods,
This man... Paris of Troy... was setting his sights on a married woman?
Fine. Let’s see what happens when you arrive in the Underworld.
* * *
Back in the Underworld, I immediately turned my attention to the mortal realm to track Paris’ movements.
The man was heading toward Sparta.
His path was a direct line, his purpose resolute.
And considering his earlier question about married women, there was only one target he could be aiming for:
Helen, the daughter of Zeus and queen of Sparta.
Renowned for her extraordinary beauty... and for the inheritance rights to Sparta gained after her brothers, Castor and Pollux, gave up their power to pursue heroic feats.
Countless suitors had vied for her hand.
If I remember correctly, they had all sworn to abide by her marriage, defending it against any interference.
In the end, some hero—I think his name was Men... something—married her.
I distinctly remember Zeus boasting about his daughter’s beauty, comparing her to the legendary Psyche.
Even Aphrodite herself took an interest in her because of those rumors.
So this reckless fool intends to claim Helen?
Does he realize he is a prince of Troy? Truly, I can’t fathom his mind.
Wait. Zeus did say that war was destined to happen regardless.
Currently, Greece is crawling with the next generation of heroes, raised on tales of Heracles and the prestige of Thebes’ training grounds.
Helen’s suitors, too, are heirs and kings of various city-states.
While the king of Thebes, where my temple stands, didn’t join the competition,
Anyone could predict the chaos that would follow if Zeus’ daughter were taken.
Even though Helen is part of Aphrodite’s reward and I cannot interfere with it,
Why should the people of Troy suffer for it?
If war breaks out, Athena, Hera, and Poseidon will surely turn against Troy.
The Greek heroes, though older now, still have their children to carry on their legacy. Troy would be crushed in an instant.
A city entangled in the gods’ schemes to rid the world of heroes...
While Paris’ actions disgust me, he hasn’t yet made his move on Zeus’ daughter.
Stepping back to consider the broader picture, it seems justice tilts slightly in Troy’s favor.
And since Poseidon is bound to intervene on one side, someone must balance the scales from the other.
...Zeus’ words to Hermes come to mind.
“Whoever that mortal chooses, chaos will follow.”
With that thought, I summoned Morpheus, the god of dreams.
“Morpheus. Deliver a prophetic dream to the king of Troy.”
“What shall I say?”
While I cannot intervene without cause or justification...
“Tell him this: If he builds a temple for me in Troy, a city that worships only Apollo, I shall help them weather the coming storm.”
This should change things.