"Haa… haa…"
It took Athena quite a while to regain her composure. With a belly that was noticeably rounder than before, she cast Akuto a helpless glance.
She had to admit that, because of the difference in body structure, the sensations she experienced in her triune form were indeed different from those in her loli goddess form.
Even so, Akuto really was a rather mischievous man.
Teasing her was one thing, but he had also taken the opportunity to tease the silver-haired shrine maiden who had barged in. Couldn't he see that the poor girl was already so embarrassed she could barely move?
To ordinary people, Liliana was unquestionably a great knight.
But in the eyes of Athena, the Earth Mother Goddess, what great knight?
If one carried the blood of a Divine Ancestor, then one was essentially a shrine maiden.
That was all there was to it.
"S-Sorry for the interruption!"
Realizing that her impulsive entry had interrupted the interaction between Akuto and Athena, Liliana chose not to press further.
After glancing at the symbiotic entity still moving rhythmically, she hurriedly fled Akuto's room.
Once Liliana left, Akuto finally stopped pretending and opened his eyes, wrapping his arms around Athena's slender waist.
Seeing that he had awakened, Athena—who had been leaning over his face—slowly lifted herself up.
When Metis rose, Akuto's face—the one she loved and hated in equal measure—came into view.
Athena immediately leaned down and kissed him without hesitation.
"Akuto, if I wished to take that shrine maiden as my attendant… you wouldn't object, would you?"
While kissing him, Athena asked for Liliana's allegiance.
"Oh? Liliana? Why do you want her? Is it because you saw my memories and realized that in the original timeline you liked teasing her quite a bit?"
Akuto asked curiously.
"Well… that's part of it."
Athena smiled faintly.
"But besides that silver-haired shrine maiden, I also want the blonde knight in the neighboring room."
The blonde knight she referred to was obviously Erica.
"Well, Akuto? If you agree, I wouldn't mind letting them join us as well~"
Athena knew Akuto's preferences very well, so she directly offered this as a condition.
Aside from Liliana, Athena actually appreciated Erica too.
In the original storyline, Erica had once dared to attack her and even managed to wound her.
In fact, Erica's efforts had played a role in Athena's eventual defeat.
Because of that, Athena did not mind bringing Erica under her command as well.
While gently stroking the goddess's thighs and calves through her blue stockings and enjoying her kisses, Akuto thought for a moment before replying.
"In principle, all the women around me are equal."
"But I also know that true equality is impossible."
"I'm fine with you taking Liliana and Erica under your wing—but only on one condition."
"You must first tell them that I will try to treat everyone fairly, and that they have the right to refuse."
"If they still agree after hearing that, I won't object."
"Oh? For someone so domineering, you do have your decent moments."
"Very well. I'll act according to that condition."
Athena gave a soft promise.
"Are you two finished talking?"
Suddenly Metis could no longer tolerate Athena monopolizing Akuto and directly joined the fray, leaning in from the other side to kiss him.
"Athena, don't you think you're being a little excessive? Taking half of Akuto is one thing—but claiming all of him like this is too greedy."
"That's right… Athena really is a bit too much…"
Even the timid Medusa gathered the courage to join in from the opposite side once Metis started the challenge.
Normally Medusa would not dare oppose Athena, but if Metis took the lead, she could muster the courage to follow along.
"You two…"
Athena snorted proudly.
"Yes, I'm domineering. What about it?"
"If you're so capable, then bring your true selves out of mythology."
Even so, Athena did not force them back into her body.
She had already realized that Akuto enjoyed this situation very much. His heartbeat—and the movements of the symbiote—had clearly grown faster and stronger.
Since Medusa and Metis could not shake her leadership anyway, she simply allowed them their freedom.
Of course, the two of them were aware of this as well.
And yet…
They were enjoying it just as much.
One could only say that Akuto's succubus bloodline was frighteningly effective.
…
By noon.
When Athena appeared in the dining hall, every pair of eyes turned toward her.
She wore a flowing white Greek-style silk robe. Her beauty seemed to gather every attractive quality a woman could possess, while her long legs moved with the grace of moonlight itself.
Beside her walked another woman whose appearance rivaled Athena's—and whose aura of temptation might even surpass hers.
The two walked side by side.
Athena held Akuto's arm like the mistress of the household, displaying her absolute authority.
At that moment, everyone understood one thing.
The man named Akuto had truly conquered a goddess.
And he had even kept the goddess by his side.
After finishing their meal, Athena walked straight toward Liliana.
"O shrine maiden, I have a question."
"Would you be willing to become my personal shrine maiden, while still maintaining your status as Akuto's knight?"
"If you agree, I will grant you my divine blessing."
…
A few minutes later, Athena successfully took Liliana and Erica under her command and bestowed her protection upon them.
The two first asked for Akuto's opinion.
After some hesitation, they ultimately accepted Athena's offer.
The reason was simple.
They both wished to grow stronger with Athena's help—and in doing so, assist Akuto more effectively.
Even though Akuto had told them he possessed methods to strengthen them himself, they still accepted Athena's invitation.
Because they knew that in both strength and charm, they were far inferior to the goddess Athena.
Given that gap, they had no intention of competing with her.
Instead, they simply wished to support Akuto as best they could.
After all, the triune Athena was far too powerful.
Her beauty alone rivaled that of a love goddess, and on top of that she could divide into three forms.
Erica felt that even if she teamed up with her maid, they would still lose.
So she surrendered gracefully.
Later, Athena explained her reasons to Akuto.
"Akuto, in order to honor the promise between us, I will temporarily leave your side for a while."
"During that time, I will search the human world for relics of other Earth Mother Goddesses or Queen Goddesses from different pantheons."
"Through them, I will establish connections with the goddesses who remain in the divine realm."
"As for these two, they will serve as the shrine maidens linking you and me."
"With them at your side, even when I'm not present, you will still be able to draw upon part of my power."
Although the promise had been made the previous night when Athena had been overwhelmed by Akuto's persistence, a promise was still a promise.
And Athena was not a goddess who would break her word.
If she had promised to help him establish connections with other goddesses, she would fulfill it.
Besides, she was now completely certain of Akuto's love.
She had no fear that another goddess would surpass her.
From another perspective, if other goddess queens also submitted to Akuto…
Wouldn't that mean Athena herself had ultimately won the contest of the strongest goddess queen?
"I see."
Akuto raised an eyebrow.
Technically speaking, he had already exchanged for a "Break-Rank Chess Piece" the previous night.
Which meant Athena's effort was actually unnecessary.
Still, he was deeply touched by her sincerity.
Helping him connect with other goddesses had only been a casual promise—and one she had agreed to under pressure.
Yet she had taken the initiative to fulfill it before he even reminded her.
That alone showed how seriously Athena treated her vows.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Athena suddenly spoke in a solemn tone.
"What is it?"
"I don't mind how many women you find while I'm away."
"But every night I will return to be with you."
"You must leave enough time and energy for me. Otherwise…"
She clenched her elegant hand tightly, as if she were gripping Akuto's symbiote itself.
…
After spending a while longer together, Athena finally bid Akuto farewell.
Before she left, Akuto handed her a Queen Chess Piece.
"Oh?"
"So earlier I thought you were still unable to fully transmit your power here. It seems you have far more freedom than I expected."
Athena had already seen Akuto's memories, so she knew about the Break-Rank Chess Piece.
She simply did not know where such a power originated.
She knew Akuto still kept certain mysteries hidden.
But she had no intention of forcing the truth.
When she entrusted him with her divine authority, she had already chosen him completely.
As for the hidden source of his abilities…
Perhaps it was some kind of power like Reality Manifestation or High-Dimensional Extraction.
"Ah, right."
After accepting the chess piece, Athena suddenly remembered something.
"You didn't give me this piece last night… was it because once I received it, my power would increase greatly—and you wanted to conquer me more easily first?"
She licked her lips, revealing a dazzling smile.
"Never mind. There's no need to answer."
Before Akuto could speak, Athena stepped forward and sealed his lips with a goddess's kiss.
To her, Akuto's stubborn pride as a man was rather adorable.
(End of Chapter)
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