The former site of Saitenguu. No, it couldn't be called a former site—ruins would be more accurate.
Aslan stepped out of the void.
Several figures amid the rubble suddenly turned and looked toward him.
At that moment, Luo Hao and Guinevere showed expressions of relief. Only Lancelot sighed briefly after a startle.
In the eyes of all three, Aslan's appearance already explained the final outcome.
However, the power fluctuations above had been quite shocking, making them feel as if Earth might accidentally vanish.
At that time, Athena also emerged from the Netherworld. Aslan asked in a cheerful tone.
"Have the Greek Gods been dealt with?"
"Of course. I've exacted the Earth Goddess's revenge and seized the authority of the Greek King of Gods."
The corner of Athena's mouth lifted, and she spoke with great delight.
Though defeating Zeus and the others was inseparable from the blessings of another Athena.
But wasn't that other Athena still Athena? Wasn't defeating Zeus Athena's achievement?
Borrowing power from another self—what kind of foul was that?
Aslan nodded and glanced at the Netherworld behind Athena.
"Now our plan only leaves the Heretic Gods hiding in the Netherworld."
Mythology had been seized almost entirely, especially after Athena defeated the Greek Gods.
And the forging progress of the Pseudo-Mythology had reached ninety-five percent.
After this, they only needed to clean up Heretic Gods like Susanoo hiding in the Netherworld, and the final step could be completed.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A few days later, Mount Lu (Lushan).
After defeating the King of the End, Aslan openly resided in a small monastery on Mount Lu.
For several consecutive days, Aslan and Athena advanced their plan together.
Athena, Luo Hao, Lancelot, and the other God Slayer all cleared the involved Heretic Gods in the Netherworld, sending them to slumber in the "mythology" Aslan specially created for them.
Because this was a collective action, coupled with the Goddess of Fate's guidance, all remaining Gods in the Netherworld had been purged.
Additionally, Aslan's plan to introduce magic technology was progressing steadily.
Though it had only appeared in the world's view for less than a month, its development speed was already catching up to modern technology standards.
After all, the Campione world was a modern society with a complete system, where power was tightly held by God Slayer.
In Aslan's view, this level was sufficient. The age of magic had begun.
Pushing further would be impolite and easily expose his little schemes.
Morning, beneath a pine tree on Mount Lu, Aslan lay on Guinevere's lap, gazing deeply at the sky.
His vision pierced the outer appearance of reality, seeing the empty mythology in the Netherworld. The Gods were all sleeping peacefully there.
A scene like this was far more terrifying than Ragnarok (Twilight of the Gods).
"By the way, isn't mythology too quiet now?"
Aslan sighed, then smiled and shook his head.
"Forget it, quiet is better. Too lively isn't good either."
"It'll get lively sooner or later."
In the form of a sixteen-year-old girl, Athena wore a Greek-style white robe and an olive wreath on her head, appearing beside Aslan.
"It's estimated that after they accept that fictional mythology and faith power gathers again, the Gods will awaken once more."
"At that time, it will be a battle between Gods and humans."
Athena shrugged and sighed. She could see Aslan was playing a grand chess game, one beyond imagination.
"So, now it's time to observe this world and return."
Aslan shrugged, speaking indifferently.
Once this world was observed, nearly all Gods in mythology—except those he protected—would be absorbed by their counterparts in the Little Garden.
This was also one of Aslan's ways to avoid detection during this Historical Transition Period.
Athena didn't refute, even falling somewhat silent.
In the end, escape was impossible? Though mentally prepared.
Athena self-deprecated.
"True, we should prepare to face that person."
Aslan paused upon hearing this, understanding who Athena meant. The Athena in the Little Garden.
Since borrowing the blessing from Aslan, she had entered this state, isolating herself…
How could the other Athena be this strong?
Aslan sighed slightly, reaching out to pat Athena's shoulder.
"Relax, the other Athena's situation isn't much different from yours now. She also has to be cautious of an even stronger Athena."
Athena turned to him in confusion, seemingly doubting her life.
(No way. Buddy, are you serious? Are there that many problematic Athenas?)
She thought the War and Wisdom Goddess in the Little Garden was strong enough, but Aslan was telling her there was an even greater one?
Yet the next second, Athena felt somewhat gleeful.
At least she wasn't unlucky alone.
"I don't care about that."
Athena shook her head, then smiled at Aslan.
"I just want to ask you one question. Namely, how many existences will be offended by my Trinitarian Spirit Status."
Aslan looked at Athena with a very strange expression, speaking with slight embarrassment.
"Haven't I told you?"
"Told me what?"
Athena tilted her head, asking in slight surprise.
The corner of Aslan's mouth twitched several times, then he sighed.
"You just need to know that no matter how small or brief the mythology, in the Little Garden it at least corresponds to a mid-to-high-tier Pantheon."
Small Pantheons? They didn't even qualify for consideration, unworthy of leaving a trace in Human History.
"So what?"
Athena laughed at this point.
"It's impossible for every Athena in every mythology to have Four-Digit power, right?"
Aslan opened his mouth, his expression extremely odd.
Seeing this, Athena's eyelids twitched. She said with a somewhat embarrassed face.
"No way, right?"
Aslan nodded slightly at this point, correcting.
"Not Four-Digit, but basically Legendary Four-Digit, with an upper limit of Three-Digit."
This time, Athena's expression directly twisted somewhat. She muttered to herself.
"Surrounded by wolves? No wonder you want to send me to the other Athena."
She herself barely remembered how many Athena identities existed in other mythologies. But most named mythologies had her persona.
Athena suspected her very existence was an unimaginable bomb.
With a hole this big, could Aslan really bear the pot upon return?
Wouldn't the Little Garden Athena immediately strangle Aslan?
If she remembered correctly, Aslan and Athena seemed allied…
At this moment, Athena seemed to understand why those Two-Digit entities would choose to destroy this world if those words weren't hidden.
As Athena fell silent, Aslan said with a smile.
"Enough, ignore that. Let's talk about something else. By the way, how's the optimization of Dark Christmas and the Circle of Usurpation?"
"Optimized as per your request, reaching the stage of seizing and granting Authorities without side effects."
Speaking of this, Athena's face showed clear confusion.
"But shouldn't the Little Garden have more mature methods for seizing and granting Authorities?"
"There really isn't one for this. After all, authorities are engraved in Spirit Status, and any method involving Spirit Status is strictly forbidden in the Little Garden."
At that point, Aslan said with a disgusted face.
"This is also one of the few rules made by the Heavenly Army that's still humane."
"Then what about you??"
"I'm just planning to host a Gift Game. Planning ahead so I can provide a perfect solution later."
Aslan said with a mischievous expression.
The corner of Athena's mouth twitched. As expected, she worried in vain.
This man's boldness far exceeded her imagination. He wasn't afraid or intimidated at all.
Of course, his methods were also chained, especially that Unofficial History method.
It gave Athena chills. And if she remembered correctly, since Aslan arrived in the Little Garden, it had never been peaceful.
"But what about you? Has the fourth-generation Greek King of Gods Spirit Status been condensed? Has the authority been integrated?"
"Even if it's just a prototype integrated King of Gods authority, it might get one free authority and reach Four-Digit Outlier."
After all, as long as it's a God, natural Gods and Buddhas are granted Four-Digit Spirit Status upon arriving in the Little Garden. Artificial Gods and Buddhas get Five-Digit Spirit Status.
Even embarrassing existences like Japan's Eight Million Gods, as long as they're Gods, are Five-Digit.
And if it's an existence in mythology with a corresponding empty Spirit Status in the Little Garden? It will directly occupy the Divinity, becoming the corresponding God.
For example, Loki in the Little Garden is dead. If Loki from the Campione world went there, this Loki would directly gain Loki's Divinity and ascend in one step.
Most Five-Digit entities in Little Garden Pantheons come from this. The so-called Million Pantheons are the same.
Of course, their combat power is somewhat embarrassing—more so than Shirayuki-hime.
The fourth-generation Greek King of Gods Spirit Status should at least get Four-Digit Outlier for free.
Of course, provided Zeus and Athena don't object. Otherwise, it could easily trigger a Divinity war.
"Hopefully it works."
But Athena didn't have much confidence in directly jumping to Four-Digit Outlier.
She really couldn't imagine an existence like the Little Garden's Central Core having a bug like this?
No, why call it a bug? It's clearly a Feature!
If Aslan knew what Athena was thinking, he'd definitely defend it that way.
Thinking this, Athena couldn't help asking.
"How much longer until the Little Garden observes?"
Aslan thought for a moment and looked at Guinevere.
"Wait a bit more. Until Lily and the others have a basic understanding of the Little Garden. And I also need to teach Guinevere Poet Spirit Status knowledge, right?"
"I understand."
Athena nodded, leaving only Guinevere gazing at Aslan with affection, and Aslan resting while guiding Guinevere in learning Poet knowledge.
Of course, this was very serious teaching. In fact, the Poet status in the Little Garden is very high. Both Gods and heroes need Poets.
After all, poems written and sung by Poets can often enhance influence to a certain extent, boost Spirit Status, and spread merits.
Sometimes, the price of a Poet's poem is no less than ordinary divinity.