After Artemis spoke her part, Zeus nodded and turned to Aphrodite.

"What about you, Aphrodite?"

The goddess stood up and arrogantly spoke.

"I believe this was an issue that didn't need to make its way to the sacred Divine Council and could have been solved personally between the two of us. As for me, I am pretty sure the lives of mortals aren't protected by your decree, even if they inhabit your 'sacred forest' and I had no prior knowledge of your 'protection.'" Aphrodite emphasized certain terms to mock Artemis.

'What an Aphrodite-like answer.' Alex thought this was ridiculous.

She first established an unreasonable argument to avoid accountability and then feigned ignorance to pretend she didn't have any part in this. By trivializing the problem, Aphrodite tried to make Artemis look like a whiny child who made a mountain out of a molehill.

As she finished her speech, the gods got talkative and were discussing the issue between them.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar goddess raised her voice, "May I speak?"

Zeus approved, "Demeter, speak."

Alex looked at 'Demeter'.

She had very similar features to Persephone, who was seated next to her, except her skin was a bit lighter in tone.

Demeter stood up and stated, "I err on the side of Aphrodite, as I think any issue concerning mortals does not belong in this council!"

When she halted, the temperature of the room suddenly got chilly and ice formed around her seat.

Persephone, who was next to her, frowned and exclaimed, "Mother!"

"Daughter, you have no part in this." Demeter silenced Persephone.

Zeus nodded and asked the group, "Does anyone else wish to speak before we cast votes?"

At this, no one stood up and Zeus continued, "Then, each of you shall vote for Aphrodite or Artemis to end this controversy."

The gods nodded.

Unexpectedly, Ares commented, "To be fair, I wouldn't vote for Aphrodite even if she were completely in the right."

Most of the gods stayed silent, and Alex thought they had no sense of humor. Though he could perceive Hephaestus, who was in a corner of the room, and Hermes laughing.

Aphrodite who was the victim of the onslaught looked on spitefully at Ares. If looks could kill, Ares would no longer be immortal.

Zeus harrumphed and the voting session seriously started.

The King of Gods himself voted for Aphrodite.

Hera voted in favor of Artemis and stared at Aphrodite with a cunning smile that made Alex wonder if she really voted because she thought Artemis was the victim here or if it was driven by her personal opinions.

Poseidon voted in favor of Aphrodite, as did Demeter.

Hermes and Ares also voted for Artemis.

The rest of the gods all refrained from voting.

"It's a...draw, we can't continue," Zeus commented.

Artemis looked frustrated by this, as she exclaimed, "Aren't you all ashamed of yourselves? Taking neutrality or the side of that witch, you're all amoral and heartless beings!"

Aphrodite was giggling as she watched Artemis break down.

Somehow, as if driven by his hate for Aphrodite and injustice, Alex stood up.

"Grandfather Zeus, may I speak?" Alex said.

Athena glared at him, implicitly telling him that he should sit.

This time, Alex would stand up, as he was sick of taking the sidelines. Zeus stared at him confusingly and nodded.

Alex went to the space in the center of the room and exclaimed, "I believe any who voted for Aphrodite have no shame as gods."

"In my short time as a demi-god here, I have seen the norms of Olympus, and one of the fundamentals of your dignity as a deity is abiding by your values."

"In our case, Artemis here is very reputed for being a protectress of young girls. YET, Aphrodite has dared to touch upon that reverse scale of Artemis, committing a crime that would be on the same level as stealing Grandfather Zeus's thunderbolts and proclaiming yourself as the god of the skies."

When he said that, the room immediately turned chaotic. Zeus launched one of his thunderbolts and screamed "Silence!"

However, Demeter stood up and exclaimed, "Preposterous!"

Alex then perceived three sharp ice arrows coming in his direction, sent by none other than Demeter.

They were fast, but using his precognition and swiftness, he evaded them, and the arrows hit the wall of the room, causing it to crack.

Alex sighed in relief as he barely avoided the deadly ice arrows.

Persephone clenched her fists, stood up, and screamed at her mother, "Mother! I refuse to have you acting this way!"

Demeter unexpectedly, slapped Persephone and scolded her, "Don't you speak to me that way? I won't let my daughter protect an audacious demi-god who thinks he can tell us what to do."

When she hit Persephone, Hades, who was next to her, said, "I think he's right. I am voting in favor of Artemis. AND. DEMETER. DON'T. YOU. TOUCH. MY. QUEEN."

Demeter harrumphed as Hades' deathly aura came into contact with the chill that emanated from Demeter and this conflict was only interrupted when Zeus ordered Demeter.

"Demeter, you are not welcome in the divine council any longer. Scram."

Alex didn't expect this outcome, as he watched Demeter leaving the room while she sent him an icy glare.

Zeus then smiled at him and said, "I like your reasoning, kid. I'm changing my vote to my daughter Artemis."

"But! Zeus!" Aphrodite was shaking profusely.

Poseidon also changed his vote to Artemis.

Athena, who was previously on the side, grabbed him by his arm, and said: "I'm voting for Artemis."

She then whispered to Alex, 'We'll talk later.' historical

Persephone, who still looked astonished at the slap her mother gave her, then voted for Artemis.

As Aphrodite watched the outcome of this council instantly change, she looked delirious and clenched her fists.

"Well, everyone voted for Artemis then? I think we can conclude today-

"You can't do this to me, Zeus" Aphrodite interrupted Zeus.

Hera, who was pretty silent for the entire council, spoke up, "He can, why wouldn't he? Do you have some sort of hidden arrangement with my husband?"

Aphrodite couldn't retort and just stood there with her mouth wide open.

"It's all his f-fault.." She stuttered as she glared at Alex.

Alex didn't hear or see anything of it, as he was currently being heavily scolded by Athena.