Athena's cute little face appeared normal, but Yusei could sense her emotions were fluctuating.
Athena was very docile, leaning semi-reliantly into Yusei's embrace, allowing him to hold her, just like a little kitten that loves its owner's arms.
Athena was once the Queen of the Gods, ruling over all deities. But later, she was betrayed, not only losing her throne but also being degraded into an ugly monster, her Divine Core lowered.
In the past, no male god dared to pursue her because she was powerful.
Later, still no male god dared to pursue her because she had been degraded into the ugly monster, Medusa.
She had always been alone, always very lonely, with no one accompanying her. The only companions she had were the snakes.
Yusei's 'confession' that day had truly moved her deeply. For the first time, she felt that she was cared for, that someone still liked her.
Liked her beautiful appearance, liked her intelligence and wisdom, liked her personality.
As mentioned before, Yusei's looks were definitely the type Athena appreciated. But what was most attractive about Yusei wasn't his good looks, but the ever-present confident smile at the corner of his mouth.
No matter what difficulties or problems he encountered, they seemed to have no effect on him, and he remained composed and unruffled.
She still remembered the first time. She was just about to test her Death Incantation when she saw Yusei, someone she admired. So, she directly gave him her first kiss along with the Death Incantation.
Originally thinking that having this Campione she admired die from her first kiss was an honor for him, she never expected Yusei to turn the tables and subdue her instead.
She still hadn't forgotten the scene of him calmly and composedly restraining her.
Although she felt humiliated and disgraced at the time, thinking back now, it seemed somewhat sweet.
Athena had made up her mind. Rather than pursuing power and seeking revenge against Zeus, it was better to stay by Yusei's side and enjoy the love he gave her.
Wasn't her initial self always lonely? Wasn't this very scene what she had always pursued? A man worthy of her, listening to her thoughts, accompanying her, and their future children.
Perhaps, giving up power, staying with him for a long time, and bearing offspring was what she truly wanted to do now.
Gradually, as she nestled in Yusei's embrace, Athena made a decision in her heart. Her cute little face became serious.
Under Yusei's surprised gaze, she took the Gorgoneion, which represented the [Snake], from her pocket and returned it to Yusei.
"Yusei, you take this. I want to be with you forever. I don't need this thing anymore."
Yusei stared blankly at the Gorgoneion Athena had pressed into his hand, puzzled, "You don't want to reclaim your power? What does this have to do with us being together?"
Athena shook her head and explained, "If I reclaim my power, I'm afraid my temperament might become cold and aloof, that I might no longer be the current me. Even if I can gain power, my feelings for you might become indifferent."
"For the current me, Yusei, you are more important than this."
Looking at Athena's serious little face, Yusei was speechless. He never expected that his casual words to coax Athena had led to this.
Athena seemed to have genuinely developed feelings for him, truly fallen in love with him.
'A god-human romance... But Heretic Gods aren't in their true body, are they? Just projections of power...'
As if seeing through Yusei's thoughts, a rare blush spread across Athena's cute face. She stammered, "I-It's... it's fine. As long as I am careful now, I can exist in this world for a very long time."
Yusei looked at Athena's cute face, stroking his chin, but his mind was immersed in the system.
'System, I want to ask, if I have Athena sign the God-Servant Contract, does it contract her current power projection or her true form?'
[It prioritizes the current power projection, which will devour the true form.]
The system's reply was simple and clear, but this answer delighted Yusei.
This meant that once the contract was signed, the Athena before him would no longer be a Heretic God, but a true deity, the true form's existence.
Thinking this, Yusei felt the time was right. He gently pulled Athena into his embrace, holding her like a cute doll.
"Athena, I have a method now that can allow you to devour your true form's existence. Are you willing? Are you willing to shed your identity as a Heretic God for me?"
Athena was enjoying snuggling in Yusei's embrace. Hearing his words, she was momentarily stunned, then nodded.
"I just want to be with Yusei forever. No matter what method, I am willing to try it."
Yusei kissed the corner of her mouth and took out a parchment contract, handing it to Athena.
Athena took the contract and quickly scanned through it. With her intelligence, she finished reading all the content rapidly.
"Signing this contract will free me from my bonds and let me be with Yusei forever?"
"Ah, that's right. At that time, you will devour your true form in your current state, completely becoming a true goddess. But pay attention to the details, this is a master-servant..."
Before Yusei could finish his reminder, he saw Athena unhesitatingly use her finger as a pen, signing her name on it with her divine blood.
Ancient Greek's divine script was inscribed. This was the text from the time Athena was the Queen of the Gods, very ancient and possessing sacred properties.
The text used by the Queen of the Gods. Athena signing it represented her determination.
After the parchment was signed, it transformed into two streams of light that merged into Yusei and Athena's bodies.
Yusei felt fine, only sensing an inexplicable connection now linking him and Athena.
Athena, however, immediately felt her true form in the divine realm being completely drawn and silently merging into her current body.
Her body began to change. Because her current form was originally incomplete, absorbing the Gorgoneion would only make her 'Heretic God' state become a complete Heretic God.
But now, after absorbing the power of her true form, the Divine Core and Divine Power, her current body underwent an immediate transformation.
Under Yusei's watchful eyes, her body grew at a visible rate, quickly transforming from a petite loli into a graceful young woman.
It wasn't just her height that changed, the most significant change was her figure, which developed from a child's to a woman's.
Although there's physical growth, by the time her transformation ended and she became her complete form, she was still wearing the original wool sweater and mini skirt.
If it were the previous flat-chested figure, it might have been fine, but now she had grown up...