The Greece Antagonist

Seeing the two figures, one large and one small, in the room acting as if facing great enemies, Athena smiled calmly and softly explained her purpose to Luo En.

"Don't be nervous, I have taken an interest in your talents, I merely wish to recruit you as my lesser deity."

Thereupon, to bolster her persuasiveness, the Goddess of Wisdom, who had come prepared, turned her gaze to Hestia beside her.

"Aunt is also aware of this matter."

"Ah? Oh oh..."

Hestia, who had been pulled out by her great-niece to vouch for her, was initially startled, then regained her composure, nodding vaguely.

For some reason, the Goddess of the Hearth seemed somewhat distracted, her eyes constantly casting unintentional glances towards the clean and tidy kitchen, as well as the lush and verdant seedbeds in the backyard.

Yet, in the end, there was the dual assurance of two goddesses.

Luo En and Little Medusa felt the overt goodwill emanating from the Goddess of Wisdom and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, their on-edge nerves slightly relaxed.

Thank goodness, it was just a false alarm.

Their unique identities seemed to have also gone unnoticed.

As the atmosphere eased, Athena smiled and extended her hand, graciously extending an invitation.

"All right, let's go, follow me back to Olympus."

"This soon?!"

Upon hearing this, Hestia suddenly looked up, her face filled with astonishment.

Athena turned her head to look at her aunt, who was in on the plan beforehand, her eyes showing surprise.

"Soon? Hasn't this matter been dragging on for months already?"

"Well, what I mean is…"

Hestia's eyes darted around, then she glanced at the kitchen and hearth.

"Since it's all so rushed, why not eat something before we go?"

"No need, there's been too much happening lately, nowhere is really peaceful, and we don't know when the next critical moment will be, it's better to make plans early, just in case."

Athena gently shook her head, and as she spoke, furrows gradually gathered between her brows.

But…

Hestia's gaze swept over the two figures, large and small, and she opened her mouth, as if to speak.

But seeing a trace of weariness in the depths of her niece's purple eyes, she clenched her teeth, bit her cherry lip, and remained silent.

Luo En, catching the subtle changes in Hestia's expression out of the corner of his eye, flickered with a trace of realization.

Fortunately, the efforts of this period had not been in vain.

"Let's not speak of this anymore."

At this moment, Athena, having calmed her restless heart, raised her head to look at the opposite side, her face bearing her usual smile.

"Pack up, we depart immediately."

"Wait!"

The plan was interrupted again, this time by a male voice.

Athena, who was about to turn and leave, turned her head to look at Luo En behind her, frowning slightly.

"What is it?"

"Thank you for your kindness, but I need to take care of my sister."

Luo En took Little Medusa's hand, gazing gently at that somewhat bewildered little face, his expression one of deep sibling affection.

"She's still so young, if I'm not by her side, I really don't know how she would get by…"

"Then bring her along with you."

"…"

At that moment, Luo En, who was portraying an image of deep brotherly love towards Little Medusa, suddenly stiffened, and his face contorted into a forced expression.

"That, that wouldn't be right."

"It's fine, I don't mind."

Athena blinked, her demeanor one of open-minded acceptance.

I mind though!

Feeling increasingly cornered, Luo En struggled to subtly convey his reluctant stance.

"Anna is still young, letting her serve at your side may lead to some improprieties, so..."

"So, you're worried that her monstrous identity might be discovered and then she'd be reprimanded?"

"...!"

"You've gone in such a big circle just to say this, haven't you?"

The Goddess of Wisdom, arms crossed, looked amusedly at the flabbergasted Luo En.

As their eyes met, Luo En noticed the subtle teasing that was almost imperceptible in the depths of those purple eyes, and involuntarily, his facial muscles twitched slightly.

She had known all along!

"Although I'm not sure how you concealed your own strength and the child's alien aura before, don't take everyone for fools. After all this time, how could no one have noticed anything out of the ordinary? The wisdom of the gods is not something you can..."

"Discovered? Discovered what?"

Hestia curiously poked her head out, her face full of confusion.

"..."

The corner of Athena's mouth twitched, and she decisively refrained from mentioning "the wisdom of the gods" again.

Alright, take back what I said. This is a miraculous group whose IQ might fluctuate between -100 and limitless.

Immediately afterward, the piercing gaze of the Goddess of Wisdom swept past the half-hidden face of Little Medusa and glanced disdainfully at a certain little rascal who was hiding her like guarding against thieves, letting out a soft snort.

"Looking at her hair and eye color, if I'm not mistaken, she must be Medusa from the Formless Island, right?"

"Ah? So that's it! No wonder it feels so cool and comfortable to hold her!"

Hestia suddenly realized as if she had discovered a new continent, surprised.

Under the scrutiny of the Goddess of Wisdom, Little Medusa, hiding behind Luo En, couldn't help but shrink back into the shadows, tightly gripping Luo En's hem.

Athena looked at the small girl quivering slightly and showed a gentle and thawing smile, softly assuring.

"Don't worry, no one here will harm you."

"Yeah, that's right! Nike can protect you too!"

The little Goddess of Victory also patted her chest, comforting her tense companion.

As kindness swelled around her, Little Medusa's somewhat pale face finally regained some color, and the tension that stiffened her back due to being on guard gradually relaxed.

Seeing this unexpected behavior from the master and servant, Luo En asked in amazement what had been puzzling him.

"You don't blame the unclean mythological creature for entering your city and temple?"

"What is pure? What is impure? I've seen the most despicable deities as well as the most noble humans."

Athena spoke lightly, then turned her head to look through the window at the busy, ordinary figures on the street, with a gaze profound and distant, her voice lower.

"All this is not determined by bloodlines or origins but by the soul..."

Hearing the unexplained melancholy in her words, Luo En pursed his lips, softly reminding.

"But she is a mythological creature..."

"Ha, even King Minos didn't let his personal grudge affect a child born with a magical curse. Do you really think my tolerance is even less than that of a mortal monarch?"

Athena scoffed, her purple eyes brimming with irritation, and she coldly snorted as she looked toward a certain rascal who had slandered her.

Even though his wife had been defiled by a beast, giving birth to that monster with the body of a bull and the shame it symbolized, King Minos still did not direct his anger toward the innocent child; instead, he chose to raise it.

Furthermore, to prevent any disaster that might arise from this naturally malevolent mythological creature intermixing with humans, he summoned Daedalus and his son and had them build a Labyrinth beneath the palace, where he secretly sustained the child with regular provisions.

Hearing the resentment in Athena's words and facing this life-and-death question, Luo En couldn't help but sweat from his forehead as he tried to sidestep it while forcibly praising her.

"How could that be! Leaders lead by example, and the followers emulate. The reason King Minos could be so magnanimous must surely be due to your influence! It's all thanks to your good teachings! It's a wonder that even mythological creatures scorned by the gods and others can bask in your glory and receive equal treatment. I, who am so shallow and external, have finally understood why you rightfully bear the name of the sovereign mistress!"

Under the barrage of Luo En's rainbow-hued flattery, Athena's expression eased slightly. When the anger in her heart had cooled, she glanced disdainfully at a certain glib little rascal and spoke with irritation.

"You don't have to be so insincere, not all mythological creatures can win my approval."

Having said that, the Goddess of Wisdom turned to look at the still slightly timid Little Medusa, her gaze growing ever more tender.

"Anna, thank you for taking care of my people these past few days. It seems they really like you..."

"No, not at all, I like everyone too."

Being thanked so earnestly by a deity, Little Medusa's cheeks reddened, and she became somewhat flustered.

Seeing the little girl's amusing reaction, Athena chuckled lightly, raised her hand to affectionately stroke the top of Little Medusa's head, and whispered softly.

"You really are a good child..."

The sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window lattice, casting warm light on the figures of the little and big, enveloping them in a cozy atmosphere and creating a beautiful scene.