The Villain of Ancient Greece

Just as the two figures inside the house—, ne big, one small—braced themselves as if facing a deadly threat, Athena gave a calm smile and softly stated her reason for coming, addressing Lorne directly.

”Don’t be nervous. I’ve taken a liking to your potential. I simply wish to recruit you as my subordinate deity.”

Then, to lend more weight to her offer, the ever-prepared goddess of wisdom glanced toward Hestia on the side.

”My aunt is aware of this as well.”

”Huh? Oh, oh...”

Hestia, who was pulled out by her niece to guarantee, was stunned at first, then came back to her senses and nodded in a trance.

For some reason, the stove goddess seemed a little absent-minded, and her eyes always glanced at the clean and tidy kitchen and the lush and green nursery in the backyard intentionally or unintentionally.

Still, with two goddesses now vouching for her, Lorne and little Medusa clearly sensed Athena’s good intentions and couldn’t help but exhale in relief, the tension in their bodies easing slightly.

Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

It seemed their unusual identities hadn’t been discovered after all.

As the atmosphere gradually relaxed, Athena extended her hand with a graceful smile and issued her invitation leisurely.

”Alright then, come with me. Let’s return to Olympus.”

”So soon?!”

Hearing this, Hestia abruptly looked up, her face full of disbelief.

Athena turned toward her aunt, who had supposedly been informed beforehand, a puzzled look in her eyes.

”Too soon? Hasn’t this matter already been delayed by months?”

”Uh, what I meant was...”

Hestia’s eyes darted back and forth before finally settling on the kitchen and the stovetop.

”You came so suddenly—how about staying for dinner before you go?”

”No need. Things are too chaotic lately; nowhere is truly safe. Who knows when the next boundary breach will happen? It’s best to plan ahead, just in case.”

Athena shook her head lightly. As she spoke, a faint furrow began to form between her brows.

But...

Hestia’s gaze swept over the tall and small figures to the side.

She opened her mouth, as if about to speak.

But when she saw the hint of exhaustion deep within her niece’s violet eyes, she ultimately bit down on her pearly teeth, clenched her cherry lips, and said nothing.

The corner of Lorne’s eye caught the subtle change in Hestia’s expression, and a glint of understanding flashed through his gaze.

Thankfully, the effort over this period hadn’t been in vain.

”Let’s not talk about this anymore.”

At that moment, Athena, having smoothed out her unsettled emotions, looked up toward the other side with her usual composed smile.

”Pack your things. We depart immediately.”

”Wait!”

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

Just as Athena was about to turn and leave, she paused and looked back at Lorne behind her, her brows knitting slightly.

”What is it?”

”Thank you for your favor, but I still have to take care of my little sister.*

Lorne held little Medusa’s hand and looked softly at her slightly confused little face, wearing the expression of a deeply affectionate brother.

”She’s still so young. If I’m not by her side, I really don’t know how she’ll manage…”

”Then bring her with you.”

”...”

At that moment, Lorne, who had just put on an act of brotherly love toward little Medusa, froze slightly, a strained expression surfacing on his face.

”Th-that might not be appropriate.”

”It’s fine, I don’t mind.”

Athena blinked, her face showing a generous and understanding attitude.

I mind!

Roasted over the fire again and again, Lorne was beginning to crack. He could only subtly try to express a refusal.

”Anna is still young. Having her serve at your side might be a little improper, so…”

”So, what you’re really worried about is that her identity as a supernatural being might be discovered, and then she’d be punished?”

”...!”

”You went through such a long roundabout way, but isn’t that what you meant to say?”

The goddess of wisdom crossed her arms and looked playfully at the stunned Lorne.

Their eyes met and as Lorne noticed the subtle traces of amusement flickering in the depths of her violet gaze, the muscles on his face twitched slightly.

She had known all along!

”Although I’m not sure what method you used to conceal your strength and this child’s monstrous aura, don’t assume everyone’s a fool.

After so long, how could no one have noticed anything unusual? The wisdom of the gods isn’t something you can—”

”Noticed? Noticed what?”

Hestia poked her head in curiously, completely confused.

”...”

Athena’s lips twitched, and she wisely chose not to repeat the phrase ”wisdom of the gods.”

Fine, she took it back.

This was a… peculiar group. Their IQs seemed capable of fluctuating anywhere from -100 to infinity.

Then, her all-seeing gaze swept over half of little Medusa’s face, before cast a side-eye at a certain brat hiding her like stolen treasure behind his back and gave a faint snort.

”Judging from her hair and eyes, if I’m not mistaken, she’s a gorgon from the Isle of the Unseen, isn’t she?”

”Ah? So that’s what it is! No wonder she’s so cool to the touch and feels so nice to hug!”

Hestia suddenly looked enlightened, as if she’d discovered a whole new world.

Meanwhile, under the scrutiny of goddess of wisdom, little Medusa instinctively shrank further into the shadows behind Lorne, clutching his coat tightly.

Athena looked at the nervous little girl, and the chill on her face melted into a gentle smile as she softly reassured her:

”Don’t worry. No one here will harm you.”

”Mhm! That’s right! Nike can protect you too!”

The little goddess of victory chimed in from the side, patting her chest confidently to comfort her anxious companion.

As kindness flowed in from all sides, a hint of color finally returned to Medusa’s pale face and the tension that had stiffened her spine began to ease.

Seeing this unexpectedly warm reaction from both goddess and attendant, Lorne couldn’t help but voice his doubt:

”You don’t blame a ’tainted’ divine creature for entering your city and your temple?”

”What is pure? And what is impure? I’ve seen the vilest of gods and the noblest of mortals.”

Athena replied calmly, then turned her head, gazing through the window at the bustling figures on the street. Her eyes were deep and distant, and her voice dropped low:

”None of it is defined by blood or origin—but by the soul…”

Hearing the inexplicable trace of emotion in those words, Loren pursed his lips and gently reminded:

”But, she’s a monster...”

”Heh, even King Minos didn’t vent his anger on a cursed child born of a beast

out of personal resentment.

Do you think that my tolerance is not even comparable to that of an ordinary monarch?”

Athena let out a cold laugh, her purple eyes filled with displeasure, and she snorted coldly at a certain little bastard who had slandered her.

Even though his wife was defiled by a beast and gave birth to that minotaur—half bull, half man, a living symbol of disgrace, King Minos still did not unleash his fury on the innocent child, but instead chose to raise him.

Furthermore, to avoid any calamity that might be caused by this naturally demonic godspawn and human hybrid, he even summoned Daedalus and his son to build a labyrinth beneath the palace, where food would be delivered regularly, secretly raising the child in confinement.

Sensing the resentment in Athena’s words, Lorne broke into a cold sweat as he faced this loaded question, trying hard to dodge it while laying on the flattery thick.

”How could that be! If the superiors do what the superiors do, the subordinates will be able to do the same. The reason King Minos could be so magnanimous must surely have been inspired by you! It’s all thanks to your teachings! Even godspawns, who are scorned by the gods and others alike, can bask in your brilliance and be treated equally.

As someone inexperienced and simple-minded, I finally understand that your title as Lady Sovereign is well and truly deserved!”

Under Loren’s nonstop barrage of rainbow-colored flattery, Athena’s expression slightly softened.

Once her anger gradually subsided, she gave a half-hearted glance at the sweet-talking little rascal and said, with a tone of faint annoyance:

”There’s no need to lie so shamelessly. Not all gods and monsters are worthy of my approval.”

As she spoke, the goddess of wisdom turned her head toward the still slightly timid little Medusa, her gaze growing even more gentle.

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

”N-No, not at all, I really like everyone too.”

To be sincerely thanked by a god, little Medusa’s cheeks flushed red, and she became somewhat flustered.

Seeing the girl’s amusing reaction, Athena couldn’t help but chuckle softly, before she raised her hand and affectionately patted little Medusa’s head, murmuring under her breath:

”Such a good child...”

Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the window, casting a warm glow over the large and small figures facing each other, creating a picture of warmth and serenity.

(End of Chapter)