The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 786: Pranked the Praetorians...

"W-What did you say?" Aeteos asked, completely taken aback.

"How is it that you know that specific name?" Marnes inquired further.

’Blast it, why did I open my mouth...’ I couldn't help but lament internally. I had no idea how to steer this conversation, but luckily, I wouldn't need to.

"Ahahahahaha! Oh, you should witness the expressions on your faces right now! Apollo, we absolutely got them!" Rhapso exclaimed, then practically skipped over to my side.

"Rhapso?" Phoebe questioned, seeking an explanation.

"Hahaha! Oh, Apollo, will you tell them, or shall I! Oh no, I’m going to tell them, it’ll be far more amusing. You see, on our journey here, Apollo inquired about methods to break the ice with you both. I happily obliged. Marnes and Aeteos are, of course, creations of Vulcan, but to truly startle them, I suggested calling Vulcan by the name from his very first marriage: Hephaestus. It would undoubtedly shock them to their core. And my prediction was spot on! Oh, the look on your helmeted faces was priceless!"

The twins exchanged glances, processing Rhapso’s revelation for a brief moment before erupting.

"Hahaha!" They then delivered synchronized, forceful slaps to the back of my armor, their laughter echoing.

"Oh, that was a brilliant prank. I genuinely thought, ’By the very gods! How could this mortal possibly know that name? It has been erased from all historical records!’ Rhapso, you mischievous imp!" Aeteos guffawed.

"And that fake-out! ’Oh no, am I vocalizing my thoughts? Darn it, I am.’ Absolutely priceless! I truly believed you were foolish enough to blurt out your deepest inner thoughts. We are going to get along swimmingly, dear Apollo." Marnes added, mirroring his brother’s amusement.

Aeteos then gave my armor another resounding slap. "However, be cautious, young Sentinel. While we embrace a rather free spirit, others within our order might find offense in invoking the forsaken name of a deity. Therefore, if you would be so kind, please exclusively use Vulcan moving forward?"

"Oh, and do not allow Rhapso to manipulate you. She truly is a delinquent," Marnes chimed in, delivering another friendly smack.

I glanced at Rhapso, then back at the two brothers, emitting a forced chuckle. "Heh – Yes, I will certainly be more considerate in the future. My apologies for that.

"Enough jesting," Phoebe declared, her gaze sweeping over the assembled group. "Apollo, your arrival took several days, so I presume you require sustenance? We have some provisions here. Help yourself and be prepared to depart within the hour."

"As for you two," she addressed the twins, "it's time to concentrate. Commence your meditation."

The duo thumped their chests with their fists in acknowledgment. "Yes, leader," they affirmed in unison before swiftly moving to the opposite side of the camp.

Phoebe then observed Nerissa and Rhapso in silence for a moment before turning her attention back to me. "Oh, and one final matter, Apollo, if you permit?"

I gestured for her to proceed.

"Is… Is your Sapphire present?"

I shook my head. "No, I regret to say she is not. Nerissa specifically requested I leave her behind. I could summon her, of course, but it would likely take her a full day to reach us."

"Oh…" I sensed the disappointment in Phoebe’s voice before she quickly regained her composure. "No, that is quite alright. By the time your companion arrives, our mission will already be concluded. See to your needs, and I shall attend to mine."

Phoebe then departed. Once she was out of earshot, Nerissa and I simultaneously turned our attention to Rhapso.

"Did I perform well, Apollo? I had to react swiftly. Fortunately, in this instance, I am perceived as something of a 'brat' among the elder Nymphs, so they readily assumed I was merely playing a prank. However, if you intend to maintain secrecy going forward, I would strongly advise against vocalizing your ancient thoughts aloud. Um, I apologize for bringing it up, even though you cautioned against it."

I gently patted Rhapso’s helmet. "No, you handled it admirably. I was merely taken by surprise. Your quick thinking truly saved me, as I would have struggled to concoct a plausible excuse. So, thank you."

"Hehe, I live to serve, Apollo," she replied with a tone that sent shivers down my spine, prompting me to swiftly change the subject.

"So… Food. Where might I find it?"

...

Nerissa observed Apollo as he unreservedly devoured his meal. A subtle smile graced her lips as she watched him. She made no attempt to suppress it.

Apollo possessed knowledge that she herself only learned after the recent incident: Hephaestus. He had adopted that name after his wife’s infidelity with the ultimate betrayer, seeking a fresh start. However, this also sparked further contemplation within her.

Apollo clearly knew the gods by their intimate appellations, confirming his divine nature beyond question after his confirmation. The only lingering uncertainty was his exact identity. Naturally, she harbored a deep hope that he was her goddess, Apollo. Yet, even if he wasn't, her unwavering loyalty to him would remain undiminished. Her allegiance to Apollo had begun to solidify long before she uncovered the truth about his reincarnation.

This feeling was distinct from the faithful devotion she held for her creator goddess. Her relationship with Apollo felt… different.

It was earned, built upon trust, mutual respect, and the bonds of friendship. Its foundations were solid. Now, with the most recent modifications, it felt even more profound than what she shared with her goddess...

She recoiled inwardly at such a blasphemous notion, but if this Apollo was indeed her, was it truly blasphemy?

Her eyes followed as Apollo swiftly consumed a four-thousand-calorie sustenance ration, then tore into another without any pretense of refinement. Such an ungraceful manner of eating was something her Goddess would never permit...

He then downed the next one, and her thoughts were interrupted by his speech.

...

"Oh! I know you were being completely honest with me earlier, but I don’t think it was right for you to reveal Skaja’s secret like that. She didn’t give her consent. I sensed she was concealing something, it was quite evident, even to me. However, you shouldn’t have told me about Artemis. Because now I have a multitude of questions regarding that entire situation, but it isn’t your place to provide the answers." I stated, reaching for the delectable chocolate-flavored brick in Rhapso’s hand before devouring it, much like the nine others before it.

"I apologize, Apollo. I’m aware of how much you value privacy, and I should have realized that extends to others as well. It’s just that with… everything that occurred. I got carried away. It won’t happen again," Nerissa confessed, lowering her head.

"Hey!" I retorted sharply. "Don’t start acting all subservient towards me now. I’ve already told you, we’re maintaining the status quo. Especially considering that both of you could easily defeat me if you so chose."

"*Gasp!*" Rhapso suddenly exclaimed from the side, then turned her attention to me. "That’s right, isn’t it! You’ve caused Nerissa to undergo two blooms through proxy! Could you do the same for me? I am genuinely the weakest combatant physically among the Praetorians. If I were to suddenly receive a significant power boost, I could defeat everyone and mock them! Oh, please! I’ll do anything, such as performing the rites of marriage!"

My attention shifted to Rhapso, intrigued. "Yes, you mentioned those rites earlier. What exactly are they?"

Rhapso removed her helmet, pushed her blonde hair back, and offered a smile. "So! All of us Nymphs, the females anyway. Are virgins. For reasons unknown, we never inquired, as the gods disliked previously 'used' individuals. Upon our creation, we are bestowed with a sort of seal upon our private parts.

They function normally, but suppose you were overcome with desire earlier and decided that our oral affections were insufficient and attempted to penetrate our lower regions; our Psionics would react with extreme force, and well… you wouldn’t have that appendage anymore."

A shiver ran down my spine at the image, but Rhapso continued.

"However, there exists a method to circumvent this. Such unions were uncommon in ancient times, apparently, and there were instances of Nymphs falling in love with… we used to refer to common individuals as mortals back then.

When such affections were directed towards a mortal, they were required to obtain permission from their goddess to perform the rites of marriage. This ritual ceremonially unbinds them from the gods' service and ushers them into the loving embrace of their chosen partner. Upon the completion of the rites, the Nymph and their mortal share a connection of Psionic essence, or rather, the soul. That single mortal then gains the ability to introduce their 'finger' into the 'honey pot.'

Or at least, that’s what Maia conveyed to me. But without the gods present, we bypass the need for their blessing and can simply proceed with the rites. Though, this has never occurred since the disappearance of all the gods."

I was about to pose further questions, as this topic piqued my interest, resonating with my familiarity with other forms of Psionic subjugation. But Rhapso then leaned even closer, her beautiful face tilted upwards towards me, her white eyes glistening.

"Have you inquired because you are interested? Because the moment we depart this world, I am prepared to undergo them!"

An instant feeling of a dangerous aura emanating from the other side of the table alerted me, prompting the most sensible course of action. I picked up another brick and stuffed it into my mouth, miming that I was unable to speak.