The moment Aiwass vanished, Athena's presence appeared at the door.
Roy never locked his door. Some people wouldn't dare enter without permission even if the door were wide open, while others would push it open without hesitation, no matter how many locks were in place, giving you no time to react.
Athena was undoubtedly the latter.
With the faintest creak of the door, a petite and lovely girl stood at the threshold. She wore a chiffon dress, her delicate silhouette illuminated by the lamplight from inside the room, casting a slender shadow down the hallway.
The artificial light, which she found irritating, made Athena's night-like pupils contract slightly. Her expression remained impassive, yet an aura of solemnity and dignity radiated from her small frame, utterly disproportionate to her size.
"Is something the matter, Athena?" Roy asked, unsure of her purpose. He set down his quill and smiled at the goddess by the door before dimming the lamp on the desk, plunging the room into near-darkness, with only the faintest glow lingering in the air.
This small gesture warmed Athena's heart. Though it seemed like a trivial adjustment, it showed Roy's consideration—he knew she disliked artificial light and had acted accordingly.
"Roy!"
"Hmm?"
"Come here and hold me!"
"..."
Athena tensed, her thoughts in disarray. Even though she had prepared herself, for a famously chaste goddess, hesitation still lingered.
But Athena was still Athena after all. She wouldn't allow herself to be plagued by doubt. The brave and fearless goddess treated this operation as a battlefield engagement, much like in the myths when she stood alongside Father Zeus against Typhon's invasion of Mount Olympus.
Her delicate voice carried the clang of metal, firm and resolute, with the heroic bearing of a goddess standing proud. She spoke in a commanding tone to suppress the restlessness in her heart.
Roy's eyes glazed over momentarily, as if seeing a valiant war goddess clad in armor, steadfastly wielding sword and shield against a towering giant. But then he couldn't help but feel amused—such a majestic demeanor issuing such a command seemed rather comical.
Yet Roy didn't laugh. He acknowledged and walked over to pick Athena up, then returned to his seat, gently cradling her petite form in his arms. Watching the translucent jade-like pearls of her ears flush pink, Roy suddenly felt playful. He exhaled softly by her earring, his tone softening, "...This should be fine, right, Goddess-sama?"
Athena's ear tips trembled slightly as she felt a wave of bashfulness. Even the Goddess of Wisdom seemed to lose her composure in this moment, growing tense.
"What's gotten into you today, Athena? You're not quite yourself."
The changes in Athena today were too pronounced—anyone familiar with her would notice the difference.
Athena hesitated briefly. The instinctive shyness of womanhood made her want to evade the topic, but as the straightforward Goddess of War, she couldn't permit herself such circumlocution. She took a slight deep breath and exhaled. Though her appearance seemed youthful, she carried none of a child's milky scent—instead exuding an intensely mature orchid fragrance.
"Roy, you need knowledge and wisdom!"
She didn't phrase it as a question but stated it with absolute certainty.
Roy didn't conceal it either—there was no need. He nodded readily, "...That's right. I need sufficient knowledge and wisdom to decipher this riddle."
"If you complete this ritual, what are the chances of destroying the Last Steel?"
"Over ninety percent."
"That's practically absolute certainty."
"No, I dislike speaking in absolutes. The future is always full of unknowns—no one can predict all variables. Speaking too definitively means losing the initiative."
Roy shook his head slowly with a smile, yet his words carried absolute confidence and pride.
Athena felt greatly reassured. Roy's confidence alone conveyed his stance clearly. Having spent so much time with him, Athena knew Roy wasn't one for empty boasts or baseless claims.
"This one... can impart unto you the knowledge of war and wisdom!"
Athena lifted her chin as if casting off all restraints, declaring with resonant clarity.
"Wonderful! With your wisdom bolstering me, the likelihood of reversing and deciphering the ritual formula increases significantly."
Roy spoke joyfully, his tone tinged with excitement from his thirst for knowledge and wisdom. Having now seen clearly into his own heart, Roy knew that gaining more wisdom and knowledge would bring him happiness—whether for researching rituals or not.
His nature was 'wisdom,' and the only thing he sought was knowledge.
No wonder he had such a deep connection with Athena, Aiwass, and Solomon—all three were associated with wisdom and knowledge.
However, Roy, overwhelmed with joy, failed to catch the underlying meaning in Athena's words.
The goddess of wisdom secretly fumed. 'You're usually so sharp-witted—why play dumb now? Must I be the one to voice those unspeakable words to satisfy you?'
'Fine. Since I've taken the initiative, I might as well indulge you.'
With that thought, Athena gave a light push and slipped out of Roy's embrace. Turning her back to him, her night-like eyes shimmered with mist. After a brief hesitation, she bit her lip and tugged lightly at the sash around her waist—her gauzy dress pooled at her feet...
Her short silver hair complemented her snow-white figure, glowing with a soft jade-like radiance under the dim light.
Athena clenched her teeth and abruptly turned around, her slender body stretching gracefully, her flawless skin like polished snow, with delicate pink hues adorning her form.
"Well? Take my wisdom in the way you desire."
At this point, Athena seemed to have truly let go. She lifted her chin proudly, her night-dark eyes glazed with intoxication, her youthful body exuding an air of solemnity—like an unsheathed sword piercing straight to the heart.
Roy's breath hitched, his gaze momentarily dazed, but he quickly steadied himself and simply stared at Athena.
Under his unwavering gaze, Athena's cheeks gradually flushed. Her earlier confidence waned, and she shot Roy an indignant glare, her regal tone faltering. "W-What's with that look? Do you... disdain me? Or do you prefer Aphrodite?"
The goddess was mortified, even furious. The myth of the golden apple—awarded to the most beautiful goddess—had once pitted Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite against each other. It was proof that Athena wasn't entirely indifferent to her appearance.
Now, seeing Roy merely stare without action, his expression oddly unreadable, felt like an outright insult to a goddess who had offered herself so boldly.
"You misunderstand, Athena! I was just... caught off guard, stunned by your beauty..."
Roy's voice was gentle as he explained. To prove his sincerity, he stood and pulled Athena into his arms.
The warmth of her jade-like body, the intoxicating fragrance—it was enough to make one dizzy.
Roy inhaled deeply, burying his face in her hair, holding her tightly as he murmured by her ear, "...Truthfully, I've wanted this for so long—to hold you like this. But facing you, Athena, I hesitated. Who wouldn't feel unworthy before such a radiant goddess?"
Hearing his tender words, Athena's heart softened.
"But... are you truly certain, Athena? You won't regret this?"
"Hmph! I am Athena. Regret is beneath me!"
Her face flushed, the goddess spoke defiantly.
Roy chuckled softly, choosing not to expose her nervousness further, and simply lifted the goddess into his arms.
"Wait, Roy! Give the Gorgon Stone back to me first!"
"Hah, forget about the Gorgon Stone for now, Athena!"
"This is the imparting of knowledge, not the filthy thing you're imagining!"
Athena shouted in frustration.
"..."
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹