Though the decision had been made to strike back, charging in with absolutely no warning was out of the question.
The chaotic situation gripping Southern Europe right now was the chain reaction caused by the Sword King's sudden demise.
lusine didn't exactly feel guilty about it, but she wasn't blind to it either.
The rise of various cults and criminal elents had stirred up no small amount of turmoil.
lusine's goal was simply to boost her own fa and recognition; she had no desire for her actions to bring disaster upon ordinary people.
Besides, when it ca to so-called 'recognition,' a positive image would naturally be more beneficial.
With that in mind, this upcoming battle couldn't be a hasty 'let's go' or a simple 'let's kill.'
Although Athena was a benevolent goddess in legend, in her current state as a Heretic God, her first reaction upon learning they would fight was to rush over quickly.
It was only after lusine tactfully expressed her wish to avoid major chaos that she nodded with a placid expression.
After all, it just ant giving the mortals a bit of ti to brace themselves and reposition. A couple of days made no difference to her.
"After you obtain the Gorgoneion, what do you plan to do next?"
lusine suddenly asked.
For Athena, the question didn't even require thought. "To slay those fools who oppose us... that was the original intention. But now, this one no longer holds that desire."
"Oh?"
Her answer piqued lusine's curiosity. In the original story, Athena's actions had always been rather unpredictable.
"If I must say, my actions are all to prevent the advent of the Last King." Athena stated expressionlessly.
"The existence of the Last King is an even more hateful foe to us Earth Mother Goddesses."
"Not only does he inflict wounds upon the leylines that take a long ti to heal, but he also causes us Earth Mother Goddesses to be degraded, reduced to a state far more miserable than my current one."
Earth Mother Goddesses slain by the Divine Sword of Salvation are reborn as Divine Ancestors, and typically forced to serve the Last King as their master.
Though they are transcendents superior to humans, their power and souls beco diminished compared to their divine state due to this degradation.
Athena could not remain indifferent, whether to the damage the Last King inflicted upon the leylines or his persecution of Earth Mother Goddesses.
Given the chance, she would even seek a way to kill the Last King.
But...
Things were a bit different now.
Athena's pupils, dark as the night sky, reflected lusine's image.
"You are the Dragon of the Planet, born in symbiosis with the planet's leylines. You are a comrade fighting alongside this one, and also the being this one values and cherishes most."
"If there is anyone most capable and with the best chance to defeat the Last King, then this one believes it is undoubtedly you."
Her words were incredibly direct. lusine naturally understood.
This was a good thing. Though lusine had seen plenty of beautiful girls, Athena was certainly one easy on the eyes.
Especially in this world, the only ones who could treat her as an equal, without that sense of distance, were these Heretic Gods and Devil Kings.
After all, their mouths were notoriously tough until the very mont of death; they never considered themselves inferior to anyone.
And among the Heretic Gods and Devil Kings, the one she could communicate with best was, well, just Athena.
Even if Athena's 'whimsy' sotis left her exasperated, at least being together didn't require her to put on airs.
There was absolutely no feeling of constraint.
Though Erica also tried her best to relax around her, it was still fundantally different.
"Then it's settled." lusine said. "If you appear anywhere else carelessly, you'll definitely end up fighting a God-Slayer. That would break my promise. So, you're not to go anywhere except by my side."
"This one will not go elsewhere." Athena nodded, a faint smile appearing on her usually expressionless face.
By now, lusine had given up trying to fathom the thought process of this Heretic God.
Unlike Athena, who headed straight for lusine's room, Erica, after hearing Arianna's account, first went to see Liliana.
After all, it was a task she'd been given, and a headache-inducing one at that.
Compared to Arianna and Liliana, Erica's understanding of lusine far exceeded theirs.
From the very beginning, she never saw this as a 'test' or 'trial.'
In her mind, it was simply that Lady lusine, because of her, had given Liliana a way out. Essentially, she was letting her off easy.
But precisely because of this, Erica couldn't afford to be presumptuous or take the favor for granted. Handling this punishnt properly was crucial to her.
The only problem now was... how exactly should she handle it?
If the punishnt was too harsh, wouldn't that make her seem completely unfeeling, forgetting past ties? But going too easy wasn't an option either.
Having been scrutinized like rchandise by Erica for a good while, Liliana, whose emotions were already complicated, finally couldn't hold back.
"Why do you just stare? Aren't you the one to pass judgnt on ?"
"If it were that simple, would I be this troubled?"
Erica said airily. "You've really dropped a troubleso problem in my lap, Lily."
Even though this was instigated by Voban, Erica, feeling the pressure, had no qualms about sharing that burden with Liliana.
That was the logic here: when the lord shows favor, the retainer doesn't necessarily share in the credit; but when the lord faces a problem, the retainers must share the punishnt.
From start to finish, Liliana hadn't tried to defend herself.
Now, hearing herself called 'Lily,' she couldn't help but shudder slightly, but had no further reaction.
She used to think that nickna was a taunt, a sign that Erica looked down on her and didn't see her as a rival...
Erica's mind worked quickly enough. Soon enough, she ca up with a punishnt she deed acceptable, and then escorted the silver-haired knight to lusine's door.
Just as lusine and Athena finished their conversation.
"Lady Lancelot, Lady Athena, I have devised a way to discipline this offender." Erica pressed Liliana to the floor, kneeling herself on one knee.
"Perfect timing. We also have a use for her." Athena frowned slightly at the title 'Lancelot,' but quickly returned to a calm, unreadable expression. "First, state the result of your deliberations."
Athena...? Wait? Athena, wasn't she the deity associated with the Gorgoneion that the Wolf King ntioned? Why was she here?
Had she already allied with the Heretic God Lancelot? But the Gorgoneion's aura was elsewhere in the villa...?
Completely lost, Liliana simply gave up trying to understand.
"Yes." Erica bowed her head in acknowledgnt.
"Liliana has been raised since childhood with the strict codes of knighthood. Death wouldn't be a sufficiently painful punishnt for her. To break a knight, reputation is a far more fatal weakness than life."
"Furthermore, Liliana possesses strong potential as a witch. I propose we take her into our service."
"Let her bear the sha of betraying her master while simultaneously using her to retaliate against Marquis Voban's insolence."
Having finished, Erica cautiously looked up to gauge lusine's reaction.
This was the best she could co up with in such a short ti—adhering to Lady lusine's rciful approach by letting it go lightly, while also ensuring social death, allowing for redemption through service as a subordinate, and finally, saving face by slighting Marquis Voban.
"Good." Athena simply nodded at this, deeming the matter unimportant. "This one and lusine have also discussed this matter and reached a decision."
"In three days, we will arrive at the Balkan Peninsula. His life will be the price paid for this insolence."
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.
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