From the moment negotiations began, Wayne had noticed Athena's subtle movements, and her words further hinted that she and Zeus weren't of one mind.
More crucially, he discovered Athena had concealed her true strength—not overwhelmingly powerful, but nearly on par with Andros beside her.
Last time, Grindelwald had claimed Athena and Ares were at most on his level. It seemed he'd been deceived.
Finally, there was the historical context.
In any version of the myths, how could Athena not wish for Zeus's death?
"This looks rather interesting," Wayne smiled playfully. "I hope you can bring me a surprise."
"Not necessarily a surprise, but certainly some assistance." Athena lowered her arm; her series of seemingly casual movements had actually been covert spellcasting.
It was simple to deceive the other minor lackeys, but to fool Andros required extreme subtlety.
She had also wanted to test Wayne's perceptiveness. Now it appeared he had noticed long ago.
However, for now, she couldn't act—she needed to deal with Andros first.
"Athena, are you betraying the divine realm?" Andros looked at her with a complex mix of emotions. They had a good relationship on Olympus, but he'd never realised Athena harboured such ambitions.
"What constitutes betrayal?" Athena retorted. "Have Zeus, Poseidon, and Hera ever treated you or me as one of their own? Your power has long surpassed Ares's, so why is your palace in the outermost ring?"
"Only harming one's own constitutes betrayal."
"But if we were truly their own, why not send just the two of us? Why these watchers?"
Andros fell silent, finally saying after a long pause, "I don't care about status. I've obtained the divine realm's treasure, the Golden Apple. I'm already content."
"I'm not seeking to seize power either. I'm saving Olympus. They stand no chance against Lord Lawrence."
Athena's shocking declaration even caught Wayne off guard—he hadn't expected her to reveal her hand so openly.
"Greece is your country, too. Do you want to see Zeus tyrannising the people? You know Zeus's character best. You've refused many times to help him with his dirty work—he's long held a grudge."
Finally, Andros could take no more. He rose and walked out.
"I know nothing. Do as you wish."
Watching his retreating figure, Athena smiled.
Leaving was a form of support. No reaction was still a reaction.
Now, only Wayne and Athena remained in the room as the 'aware' occupants.
"Lord Lawrence, let me first explain the current situation on Olympus." Athena crossed her legs, drawing Wayne's lingering gaze.
'Those legs are longer than some people's lifespans.'
Athena either didn't notice his attention or didn't care, continuing calmly, "Actually, Olympus's situation is quite similar to what I've investigated in the wizarding world."
"Broadly divided into divine pure-bloods and half-bloods like us."
"Zeus, Poseidon and the others are pure-bloods. They hold the strongest inheritances and possess divine artefacts as their trump cards."
"As for half-bloods..." Athena gave a self-deprecating smile, "We're just errand runners. If there weren't too few purebloods to inherit all the legacies, we'd never have gotten our chance to rise."
"Even so, Zeus has always been wary of me, along with Apollo and his siblings."
"So that's why you've been hiding your pseudo-Legend status?" Wayne asked.
"Exactly. If it were exposed, I'd probably die in an 'accident' within days. Might even get framed on you." Athena ended with a joke.
Wayne nodded gravely. "Given what you've said, that's entirely possible."
"That's why I must resist. Only you can help me." Athena looked at Wayne earnestly.
"Zeus and Odin's plan is to wait until most of their people break through to Legend before surrounding and killing you. You must already know this, since... Nibelung is already under your command, right?"
Boom!
An overwhelming aura erupted instantly. Wayne's previously indifferent gaze turned sharp, making Athena feel like a lone boat on stormy seas, about to capsize at any moment.
Outside, Andros sensed it too and instinctively tried to charge in, only to be pushed back by an immense force. Without turning his head, Wayne cast a Body-Bind Curse, freezing him in place.
Wayne slowly approached Athena, who had collapsed into her seat, looking down at her with an eerie calm:
"Knowing too much is often a mistake. I believe someone as intelligent as Lady Athena understands this principle."
"This... this is my sincerity." Athena forced out the words, her face flushed. "I believe cooperation should be without reservations."
"What qualifications do you have to cooperate with me?" Wayne remained unmoved. "Orynix at least controls a divine domain. You're just an ostracised pseudo-Legend."
"I can provide you with information."
"Unnecessary. A flock of worthless chickens—no matter how they strut, they're still clowns."
Athena's eyes flashed with shock. She hadn't expected Wayne to be so resolute, as if he might crush her completely the next second.
She, who had always believed everything was under control, finally panicked.
But the title of Goddess of Wisdom wasn't unearned. Having studied Wayne thoroughly before coming, she finally recalled her remaining value.
"You want to eliminate all the Legends in one sweep? Besides divine domains, I know the whereabouts of some hidden powerhouses."
Wayne's oppressive aura finally receded slightly.
"Hidden Legends? Do tell."
"Is this the start of our cooperation?" Athena asked calmly.
"You're in no position to set terms."
"No, I am." The woman stubbornly widened her eyes, looking up at the youth. "Because I'm not afraid to die, I fear nothing. You and Zeus are destined to be enemies. Even if you kill me, you'll still fulfil my goal by killing Zeus."
"Still trying to bargain?" Wayne sneered. "You may not fear death, but you must have a weakness—otherwise you wouldn't seek my cooperation. Why not just wait quietly for me to kill Zeus?"
"Let me guess... an Olympian god? Perhaps one of your subordinates?"
Watching Athena's rapidly changing expression, Wayne smiled.
"See? Now we're getting somewhere."
"I originally intended to eliminate only the ringleaders, but because of your presumptuousness, I've decided that not a single soul on Olympus shall be spared. Every egg shall be shaken, every earthworm split vertically in half. How does that sound to you?"
"No!" Athena screamed involuntarily.
"Then cooperate properly. Tell me everything you know, including how you discovered my connection with Nibelung."
Faced with the demon-like Wayne, Athena ultimately yielded.
"I deduced it all myself."
"Orynix is cautious by nature. While joining the Tribe is one thing, he wouldn't actively offer strategies without his own calculations."
"Nibelung's communications with other divine realms have recently become frequent. With only two major powers in this world, it was easy to deduce his connection with you."
"I don't understand why you waited until everyone became Legends to make your move, but according to my investigation, you're neither mad nor foolish."
"No matter how unbelievable it seems, there can only be one truth: you possess absolute confidence in overwhelming us with strength."
Wayne couldn't help but applaud. "Very clever, and quite perceptive. So why act foolishly now?"
'Who knew you'd be this ruthless?'
Athena screamed inwardly, but dared not show it.
From her investigations, she knew Lawrence came from the kindest Hufflepuff house. Though Lawrence had some mutations, he was generally decent to his own people.
She had come to surrender voluntarily - who could have guessed she'd nearly lost her life?
"What about the hidden power you mentioned?" Wayne demanded like interrogating a criminal.
"Hera encountered a Fairy Queen at the North Pole, immensely powerful. Zeus wanted to invite her to join Olympus but was refused."
"You must have heard of her - Morgan Le Fay, the legend of these very islands. Don't know how she ended up at the North Pole."
Wayne revealed an inscrutable smile.
Searching everywhere with no success, yet here it comes without effort.
He had been trying to track Morgan down, but Avalon's protection was too powerful, leaving him with no leads.
So she'd fled to the North Pole.
Morgan, if you're so afraid of death, how did you manage to oppose Merlin back in the day?
"Anything else?"
After obtaining Morgan's exact hiding location, Wayne tried to extract more information.
"Zeus, Poseidon, Hades - these are the three god-kings of Olympus. Aren't you curious why only two remain now?"
"Stop beating around the bush and speak," Wayne waved impatiently. Except with his own people, his patience was always poor.
'Brute!'
Athena cursed inwardly but obediently continued: "Hades was killed by a human wizard in ancient times and made into a Horcrux. His lineage was severed there."
"Wait, that wizard was Herpo?" Wayne interrupted.
"Correct, Herpo the Foul," Athena nodded. "He occupied an ancient ruin called the Deadlands, but was later jointly killed by the previous generation of Zeus and Poseidon."
"They forcibly activated divine artefacts, destroying the Deadlands along with him, which caused their own deaths not long after."
"Why mention him if he's dead?" Wayne frowned.
He had thought Herpo might have survived until now, but it turned out he was long gone.
"Because not long ago, Poseidon recruited a Legend who became this generation's Lord of the Underworld. I overheard this information accidentally from the Pantheon - they plan to keep the Lord of the Underworld hidden temporarily, and after dealing with you, they'll ambush other divine realm powerhouses.
"And..." Athena looked at him meaningfully, "This person... has significant connections to you."
"Salazar Slytherin..."
"You actually know?"
This time, it was Athena's turn to be surprised.
"After all this time, he actually ended up in Olympus?" Wayne looked at her, his eyes softening considerably.
'This is a lucky star - I've gotten information about both people I most wanted to find from her mouth.'
"State your conditions. I can cooperate with you."
Athena looked pleased and quickly said, "I hope you can spare Apollo and his sister, along with our followers."
"Acceptable, but you must clarify Slytherin's situation for me."
Athena looked somewhat troubled. This information was something she had overheard in the first place, and investigating further would be dangerous.
But she had just experienced Wayne's firmness and didn't dare refuse him.
Eventually, Athena decided that fortune favours the bold and agreed to his demand.
Looking at the furniture his aura had destroyed, Wayne waved his hand and restored it to its original state. Only after leaving the room did he release his suppression on Andros.
Before the other could even ask, Wayne spoke first: "Athena is fine. We just had a minor disagreement. I have matters to attend to today - I'll treat you to drinks tomorrow."
Peeking inside, Andros saw Athena nodding at him before feeling relieved. He said to Wayne:
"I'm available anytime."
"Then until tomorrow."
After speaking, Wayne Apparated away. He needed to tell Grace about Slytherin's information.