The petite goddess blinked, puzzled, teasing a chubby owl in her hands.
Gradually, her expression cooled, and she released the owl to fly away.
Though she didn't grasp Lucius's words, she sensed their veiled malice.
"My kin," She said, her face stern, eyes sharp, "have you come to return the 'Serpent' and face me in battle?"
She adjusted her silver hair, her aura as a Heretic God and Campione-level being radiating slowly.
Such pressure would choke even a Great Knight.
To Lucius, it was a mere breeze.
He'd already sensed Athena locking onto him with her aura.
Without it, he might've forgotten their agreement.
A fully restored Athena, a queen among gods, rivaled even Zeus or Odin.
Lucius had planned to bolster his power further.
But since she'd found him, there was no delaying.
Her patience was likely wearing thin.
"Want the Gorgon Stone? Follow me," He said, pulling it from his pocket and tossing it lightly.
The obsidian-like divine artifact instantly seized her attention.
"My Serpent—" Athena's night-like eyes widened, filled with longing.
Seeing Lucius turn and walk away without looking back, she transformed into a flock of plump owls, flapping after him.
Clatter.
Lucius landed on a deserted island, crossing his arms leisurely, awaiting the goddess.
Moments later, the owls reformed into Athena's petite, charming figure.
"You deliberately chose a place far from human settlements?" She asked, adjusting her knit cap, silver hair tousled by the sea breeze. "I didn't expect you to show mercy to humans."
"It's a contract," Lucius replied, back to Athena, unconcerned about a sneak attack.
"A contract?" She echoed, curiosity tempering her desire for the Gorgon Stone.
"I value their worth, and they serve my purposes," He said, feeling the salty sea breeze, his tone even. "An unspoken but binding contract I won't break lightly."
"I see. A peculiar yet admirable principle," Athena said. "Compared to the fools' spawn who steal our power, you're more worthy of the title 'Devil King.'"
"Though I don't know your true name, I wager you're an ancient king, wise yet tyrannical."
No… I'm just an ordinary person, Lucius thought.
Bringing Athena to this island avoided human settlements.
But it also limited her power compared to land.
No matter his strength or his foe's weakness, Lucius preferred enemies as weak as possible.
Changing venues to hinder an opponent? He'd do it without hesitation.
"My kin, it's time to return the Serpent," Athena said, extending her hand, her night-like eyes firm with resolve, hatred, and unmasked killing intent.
"If you seek mere amusement, return the Serpent. As the queen of gods, the ancient trinity, I'll grant you supreme entertainment."
Her lips curved slightly.
"That's your goal, isn't it?"
"Yes," Lucius admitted calmly.
He turned, took out the Gorgon Stone, and tossed it to her.
"Huh?" Athena's eyes widened in shock, her mouth agape at his decisiveness.
She caught the coveted "Serpent."
"Excellent!" She exclaimed, gripping the Gorgon Stone, feeling its weight.
Her dark eyes gleamed menacingly.
Her lips twitched with uncontainable joy.
No mistake—the goddess of serpents and wisdom knew her artifact.
This would restore her ancient form.
"I—" Her smile twisted with elation and rage, exuding malice and warped beauty.
"I'll reclaim my trinity form! Unknown kin, I swear I'll—"
"I provoked you to keep you in place, nothing more," Lucius interjected, eyes half-open, voice calm.
Athena's joyous smile froze.
Clatter. The Gorgon Stone slipped from her hand, hitting the ground.
"I figured as much," She said, removing her knit cap and tossing it aside, combing her silver hair.
Bending down, she retrieved her precious "Serpent."
"But you thought, 'Even if she guesses my plan, her anger will keep her where I want,' didn't you? I hadn't considered that."
Her fury seemed to vanish, her tone calm.
Her prior defeat stemmed from her incomplete state.
But a defeat in wisdom left her no defense.
Facing an enemy bent on making her pay was troublesome.
Lucius agreed.
"The goddess of wisdom, moving like a puppet on another's strings," Athena said, her tone self-mocking. "I've lost utterly."
"So—" Her eyes chilled, clutching the Gorgon Stone. "I'll take back that defeat!"
Why, despite trying to dampen her fighting spirit, did her hostility seem stronger?
***
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