Karl smiled faintly as he felt the delicate bodies of the two beauties in his arms tremble.
Meanwhile, Hera, Queen of the Gods, and Gaea, the Earth Mother, were deeply affected by Persephone's accusations. Hearing the Queen of the Underworld describe their actions so harshly only caused their conflicting emotions and desires to intensify, making them even more eager for Karl's favor.
Hera and Gaea raised their heads and looked at Karl with adoring eyes.
There was even a trace of longing and pleading in their gazes.
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, also felt her emotions surge after hearing Persephone's words. As a goddess whose divine authority encompassed love, beauty, passion, and desire, the scene before her only stirred her heart further.
Karl looked at the two women in his arms and nodded.
Hera and Gaea immediately understood.
They rose from Karl's embrace, straightened their divine garments, and walked toward Persephone.
Slap! Slap!
Hera and Gaea each struck Persephone across the face without hesitation.
Their combined presence instantly silenced her.
Although the two had appeared gentle and affectionate while beside Karl, neither was weak.
Hera was the Queen of Olympus and possessed Skyfather-level power, while Gaea was one of Earth's ancient Elder Gods and stood even higher in seniority.
Their long-held positions of authority gave them an imposing presence that ordinary gods could hardly withstand.
"Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, how dare you!"
Hera stared coldly at her.
"What I do is none of your concern. Olympus is already a thing of the past!"
"And Zeus?"
Hera sneered.
"Do you even know how many women he had over the ages? If he could betray our marriage again and again, why should I remain loyal to him after his death?"
"If he's dead, then he's dead. At least I never have to look at him again."
"As for why Olympus was destroyed, don't pretend you don't understand!"
"It was Zeus who invaded Asgard after Odin's death. He even dared set his sights on Frigga, the former Queen of Asgard. Had he stayed on Olympus instead of provoking people he couldn't defeat, would any of this have happened?"
Karl froze slightly after hearing that.
So that had also been one of Zeus's motives?
He had originally assumed Zeus had attacked Asgard solely because Odin was dead and he wanted new territory.
It seemed he had underestimated the old Olympian's habits.
Karl briefly thought of Frigga.
Although she remained beautiful and graceful despite her age, Karl had never looked at her that way.
She was Thor's mother.
That alone was enough.
Hera continued coldly.
"If you want someone to blame, blame Zeus and the rest of those fools for overestimating themselves!"
"They chose their own deaths."
"I don't care whether you call me shameless or disgraceful."
She stared directly at Persephone.
"I'm happy with my current choice."
"And stop pretending you're somehow different from the rest of us. Every woman here understands our current situation."
Persephone covered her reddened cheek and glared furiously at Hera.
Then Gaea stepped forward.
"Persephone."
Her voice regained its ancient, ethereal quality.
"You have even less right to judge me."
"Not even Zeus possessed that right."
"I existed long before most of Olympus."
"By seniority alone, you should address me as Mother."
Gaea's expression turned colder.
"If you want to know why the Olympian pantheon ended this way, then think carefully."
"Why did Hades and Ares repeatedly clash?"
"Why did Zeus continually allow conflicts among the gods to worsen?"
"Why did the number of fallen gods continue increasing while fewer new gods appeared?"
"Olympus had already been rotting long before Karl destroyed it."
Her pale-blue divine gown swayed gently as she spoke.
The golden ornaments around her waist, wrists, and neckline only emphasized her ancient dignity.
"Heh..."
Persephone suddenly laughed.
"What beautiful excuses."
Her voice was filled with contempt.
"In the end, you've still submitted to the enemy who destroyed Olympus!"
"You two shameless women!"
"I'm ashamed to have ever stood beside you!"
She turned sharply, intending to leave.
But before she could take more than a few steps, Aphrodite appeared behind her and restrained her again.
Persephone's eyes widened.
"Aphrodite!"
"Let me go!"
Aphrodite remained calm.
"Not yet, Persephone."
"You cannot leave."
Her eyes flickered strangely.
"You are the gift I intend to present to the God-King."
"Only after he decides what to do with you may you leave."
Persephone stared at her in disbelief.
"You—!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Let me go!"
Then realization suddenly flashed across her face.
Her eyes widened even further.
"I understand now..."
"You want to join them!"
"So that's what this is!"
Persephone laughed angrily.
"You shameless woman!"
"Goddess of desire!"
"You intend to offer yourself to him as well!"
Aphrodite's expression barely changed.
Karl, however, finally remembered something.
When Aphrodite had first entered the hall, she had deliberately introduced herself not only as the Goddess of Love and Beauty, but had emphasized the aspects of her divinity connected to desire.
Then she had knelt before him with that meaningful smile.
Karl hadn't expected Aphrodite to be so direct.
He slowly rose from the throne.
Walking between Hera and Gaea, he placed an arm around each woman's waist.
Both immediately leaned closer to him.
Karl then turned his gaze toward Persephone.
The Queen of the Underworld still wore her long black gown, her expression filled with anger.
Golden light flashed within Karl's eyes.
Persephone's body immediately froze.
The next moment, she slowly floated into the air under his control.
Her voice was sealed at the same time.
Karl had heard enough of her curses.
Still holding Hera and Gaea, Karl finally turned toward Aphrodite.
The Goddess of Love immediately lowered herself to her knees.
"God-King..."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Aphrodite is willing to pledge herself to you."
"Everything I possess may be placed at your disposal."
"I only ask that the God-King grant me his favor..."
She lowered her head deeply.
For the first time, genuine nervousness appeared in her expression.
After all, she was Aphrodite.
One of the most beautiful goddesses in all of Olympus.
Throughout countless ages, gods and mortals alike had desired her.
A smile from her could stir obsession.
Countless men had fought merely for the chance to gain her attention.
...
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