Her audacious and teasing nature was momentarily subdued. Aphrodite, currently feigning sleep, undoubtedly displayed a captivating beauty enough to make one's heart pound.
Gone was her usual boisterousness, leaving only a serene sleeping face. At this moment, she shone truly pure and moving, like an angel.
The girl was clad only in underwear that complemented her light golden hair, meticulously designed. Her figure was indeed excellent—no, 'excellent' wasn't a strong enough word to describe it.
Despite being at an ambiguous age, somewhere between a girl and a young woman, her petite and delicate frame had a slender waist, yet it showcased an illogical, voluptuous figure. Her flawless, exquisite face exuded a pleasant fragrance.
Her ample bust, despite the delicate fabric, seemed on the verge of bursting from her bandeau top, resembling ripe apples or peaches.
The curves from her waist to her eyebrows were also perfect. She possessed an artistic beauty; if one gazed directly, it felt particularly alluring.
Such a girl, possessing a figure that could only exist in a game, was clutching Seiya, sleeping beside him. She suddenly shifted, unconsciously turning onto her side, as if instinctively wanting to be closer to Seiya.
What should be done at this moment? Ultimately, Seiya merely draped a blanket over her.
"Wake up, stop feigning sleep," Seiya said, delivering a slap to her still-healing backside.
At that moment, this Goddess of Beauty finally opened her eyes.
"How boring, Pegasus." Aphrodite turned over in bed, propping her chin with her right hand, and gazed at Seiya, who was already fully dressed. "My presence like this isn't meant to deliberately tease you, but are you truly completely unmoved?"
"And then you'd record it," Seiya retorted, raising an eyebrow. "You're my subordinate God; don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
Although he rarely exercised his privilege as the Great Incarnation of Amaterasu in Fusou after the very beginning, if he wished, he could completely re-establish his dominion over night in this country.
What about the five Nakano sisters, Mai Sakurajima who debuted as a child star, the everything-girl from Sakurasou, the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya Group, the Snow White of the Shogi world...? Indeed, if he desired, the Yukinoshita mother and two daughters would appear at his bedside that very night, and then, in front of him, they would all shout in unison, 'Dango is the best in the world!'
Of course, if he had a peculiar taste, even having the Emperor Showa serve him while Liu Lu Xuelian stood guard at the door would be no problem.
This was the supreme and unparalleled power that a Demon King possessed on his own territory.
"Fine, don't say anything then. You're so heartless, as if I specially came here to tempt you only when Athena is absent." Aphrodite sighed. "I'm actually genuinely concerned for my good friend; I even sacrificed my looks to lull you to sleep. Anyone in any God domain could tell you I'm very sentimental. I know, I didn't expect your devotion to Athena to be so profound, truly tear-jerking, admirable, and touching."
"That's not how you use idioms," Seiya couldn't help but correct her.
"Close enough is fine, friend. Being too serious won't make you popular with Goddesses, you know." Aphrodite nudged Seiya's waist with her elbow, her smile radiant.
Seiya was speechless for a moment. How did such a God-domain delinquent become one of the Twelve Olympian Gods? Wouldn't it be a bit embarrassing to bring her to the Greek Gods?
But seeing the scene when she summoned eleven God avatars, he figured other Gods probably didn't dislike this beautiful Goddess who spoke with such 'bro-like' camaraderie.
"Then what about you? Has your body fully recovered?" Aphrodite leaned closer to Seiya, looking at the Saint who was brimming with divine power. "Is the Authority you usurped from Heracles (Melqart) related to life?"
"It touches on it slightly," Seiya said.
The Authority was an auxiliary Authority for the Cloth, but the truly powerful strength he gained from Melqart was the second protagonist-level Cloth after the Pegasus Cloth.
But for now, it wasn't the stage for it to truly shine. Its real opponent should be the Triune Goddess: For this potentially strongest Disobedient God Seiya had ever encountered, the only consultable subject was another Earth Mother God in God-talk who considered herself her fated rival, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite.
"Although we've now figured out what she wants to do, the hidden Authority she possesses can fully protect her safety." Aphrodite shrugged her shoulders. "If she doesn't actively appear on the earth, I'm also powerless. Don't look at me like that. Now we can only wait for her to complete her entire plan and finally appear before you herself."
Aphrodite gazed at Seiya's face, wanting to find expressions of anxiety and frustration there.
Seiya faintly recalled the words the God King Melqart had once spoken.
However, what Seiya didn't expect was that this waiting period would stretch to three months.
On Christmas Eve in Tokyo, Akihabara's streets and alleys were adorned with twinkling colored lights and charming reindeer statues. In front of every mall, the figure of Santa Claus giving out small gifts was indispensable.
Whether it was the maid cafe 'Gagaya' or the high-end restaurants in Ginza, all enthusiastically promoted Christmas Eve dinners. Young couples walked hand-in-hand, girls holding carefully cultivated red roses from greenhouses, passing through the streets with joyful chatter. Even the buskers in the subway passages played the melody of 'Ode to Joy' with unusual effort.
"Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright...
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!"
In this land where Shintoism, Buddhism, and various other emerging religious sects divided the religious landscape, Christianity, having traveled across the distant oceans, had shallow roots. Yet, on this very night, whether devout believers or lovers lost in romance, all stood up in unison as this holy melody neared its end, their faces filled with anticipation for future happiness.
And among them, one pair—or more accurately, one group of lovers—attracted many gazes.
Erica, dressed in a striking red Christmas stocking outfit, intimately clung to Seiya's left arm, her face overflowing with pure joy and contentment.
To his right, Seihoin Ena earnestly closed her eyes, making a wish with deep sincerity.
"What did you wish for?" Seiya tilted his head and asked her.
"Ena wishes," Seihoin Ena gently leaned her head on Seiya's shoulder, her voice soft and clinging, "that every year on this day, I can be by Seiya-sama's side, just like this moment."
At the intersection, several missionary priests did not disturb them, but rather enthusiastically handed out small Christmas gifts to passing couples and children. Seiya also received one.
He opened the small gift box; inside lay a buttock tied with a golden ribbon. He whistled, the clear sound exceptionally distinct in the bustling air.
Seiya stood beneath the giant Christmas tree laden with gifts, before him Akihabara's tireless clamor and unceasing flow of people. The cold air was filled with the unique, ambiguously warm and fragrant scent of the festive season. Every clinging figure, every young face, was filled with beautiful anticipation for tomorrow.
For some reason, at this moment, Athena's figure appeared with striking clarity in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that she should appear right then, stand before him, and as always, wish him "Merry Christmas."
-
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