Lorne faintly caught onto something contradictory in that, and looked quietly at the goddess of wisdom.
"Besides representing Zeus to invite Hestia to the divine festival, what else did Artemis come here for?"
"Seems she heard that King Minos has an excellent hunting dog?"
Athena spoke casually, like it was just some rumor she picked up.
In an instant, Lorne understood what she meant, and blurted out a sincere evaluation.
"Sinister!"
"Hmm?" Athena tilted her head slightly and glanced back at him.
"I meant to say you are farsighted! Your foresight spans the ages! Truly worthy of the title Goddess of Wisdom!"
Lorne quickly corrected himself with a solemn look of admiration.
"Cut it out!"
However, Athena was clearly already immune to this. She gave Lorne behind her a sideways glance and reminded him grumpily.
"Keep a good eye on that dog of yours. If I'm not around, at a critical moment, it might just save your life."
Since it concerned his own neck, Lorne nodded seriously.
He naturally understood what Athena meant.
After all, Artemis had just finished a hunting contest against Athena, hosted and judged by him, and emerged victorious in the end.
As long as the goddess of the hunt retained some modesty, she wouldn't go so far as to forcefully demand that golden hunting dog again.
And as long as he didn't do something stupid, like offering up the dog on a silver platter, when real trouble came, that golden hunting dog, something Artemis had her eye on, could play a huge role and in turn, win her assistance.
Besides, according to the agreement from the hunt, he was supposed to serve as Artemis's guide and companion afterwards.
If something happened to him during that period, Artemis, as the goddess of the hunt, would also lose face.
Therefore, as long as Artemis stayed on Crete for even one more day, his safety would mostly be guaranteed.
Sorting through his thoughts once more, Lorne suddenly felt Athena's silent concern for him and at the same time, couldn't help but admire how the goddess of wisdom had more scheming layers than a beehive.
Immediately, Lorne pointed to the darkening sky and asked, "So, how long should I keep coaxing her?"
Athena smiled faintly, leaned elegantly against a tree trunk, and admired the lake view. "No rush. It's rare for her to win against me—let her enjoy it a bit longer. By the way, hasn't the prey not been cleaned up yet?"
The two exchanged a glance, and simultaneously showed a knowing, mischievous smile.
Completely unaware she had been jointly played by both of them, the goddess of the hunt was currently squatting in the messy hunting ground, busily skinning prey, cutting meat, tying bundles, loading carts... and doing it all with great enthusiasm.
During the wait, Athena didn't forget to issue another reminder.
"Although Artemis seems to have a pretty good impression of you now, it's best if you don't get too close to her, or too involved."
"Understood! Crete is my home!"
When it came to taking sides, Lorne naturally gave a firm and clear commitment.
"That's not the reason..."
Athena rolled her eyes at Lorne's show of loyalty, her gaze flickering meaningfully.
"Don't be fooled by how normal she seems on the surface, deep down, that woman's a bit crazy. If you get too close, be careful you can't handle it..."
Crazy?
Hearing her words, Lorne blinked in surprise.
Well...recalling how Artemis was sometimes gentle, sometimes gloomy, sometimes merciful, and sometimes deeply vengeful in mythology..
Although he knew that she was troublesome and didn't want to get close to her, hearing the reminder from
Athena, he felt like he was still underestimating her danger.
Thinking about it, his eyes took on a more cautious look toward the goddess of the hunt.
Seeing that Lorne took her advice seriously, Athena stretched lazily with satisfaction and stood up.
"Alright, it's about time, we should be heading back."
However, just as the two were about to rejoin Artemis, a thunderous roar exploded in the sky.
Fiery light with sea-blue and bird-shaped patterns blazed fiercely over Mount Olympus.
In an instant, all the ease and relaxation vanished from Athena's face, replaced by a gloomy expression.
"Tch, here we go again! Looks like I'll have to return to Olympus."
Seeing the strange signs in the sky, Lorne immediately understood that this was most likely the unresolved aftermath between Crete and the Oceanus Sea.
When it came to disputes between the main gods, he currently had no power to intervene and could only silently watch Athena, who stood at the forefront, set out again.
"Oh right, here's the thing I promised you last time. Keep it safe—it might come in handy. If you don't understand it, I'll teach you more about it later."
Before leaving, Athena handed a golden belt to Lorne, gave a few final instructions, then spread her golden wings and transformed into a giant owl, vanishing into the dusky sky.
Just as Lorne held the item in his hand, still a little dazed, a surprised whisper came from behind him.
"God of War's battle belt?"
Artemis had arrived at some point, as she looked quietly at her designated guide for the near future, her silver eyes flickering with interest and amusement.
"To give you something she won from Ares himself... seems she's quite fond of you."
It's not that she gave it to me because she won it, but that she won it for me...
Lorne thought back to the promise made before the battle, feeling the pure divine power of war contained in the belt, corrected her in his heart, and stared into the distance where that golden figure had disappeared with a complicated look.
---
At the same time, in Atlantis, the Sea God's Temple—
A deep blue figure formed from gathered seawater opened his eyes, looking down upon the hunter-clad youth prostrating at his feet before a cold and solemn voice echoed through the grand hall.
"I will stall that woman at Olympus. Before she returns, you must get it done!"
"I understand, Father God..."
Within the deep blue water-light, a face that looked honest yet bore a hidden gloom slowly lifted.
A flicker of resentment and hesitation passed through his eyes.
"But... I worry that some people on the island might delay your grand plan, so—"
"Are you teaching me how to do things?!"
Instantly, a cold snort from above sent a bone-chilling aura crashing down as a pair of eyes from the void stared down with eerie scrutiny at the trembling blood kin below.
"Do you know how much effort I've spent just to keep you alive?
Put away your useless little cunning!
If you want to win, go and fight for it yourself! If you delay the matter, or if my schemes fail because of your incompetence, you know the consequences!"
"Understood, Father God! I swear I will not fail your trust!"
Seeing the thunderous wrath gathering above him, the hunter, with his face marked with rustic simplicity, did not dare hesitate and hastily swore an oath with firm resolve.
Only then did the oppressive atmosphere in the hall slightly subside, replaced by a ghostly, lingering warning.
"Remember... this is your last chance...!"
The hunter pressed his head deeply into the ground.
Only after that deep blue water-light in the hall had completely faded did he dare lift his head even slightly.
At this moment, that previously honest face was already twisted with malice and resentment.
Those bastards on Crete... just wait. This isn't over!
(End of Chapter)