"Of course, all of that was just a joke."
Seeing Algol's expression shift as she looked at him warily, Aslan waved his hand helplessly.
He naturally understood how troublesome the Sole God Spirit Status was, and with his current relationship with Athena, Aslan wouldn't genuinely set her up to die.
"You scared AI-chan. AI-chan thought she picked the wrong person again."
Algol looked at him with satisfaction.
"Truly the person AI-chan chose. Both heart and appearance are beautiful."
Though her relationship with Athena was poor, she knew she was bound to Aslan in some sense. She had bet everything she had left on him.
With such a huge stake, Algol was also very worried about whether she'd chosen the wrong person.
Even if her relationship with Athena wasn't good, she'd accept it, turning a blind eye to their current temporary alliance.
Unimportant things, or even things that could embarrass Athena, she'd be delighted to see.
But if he truly set Athena up to die, especially when Athena hadn't greatly offended Aslan.
Then Algol would have to doubt Aslan's character.
"I plan to use this world to help Athena deduce the possibility of becoming the Fourth-Generation King of Gods and assist her in completing the Fourth-Generation King of Gods Spirit Status."
"AI-chan, don't you think the Trinitarian Athena Spirit Status is a perfect embryo?"
Aslan pinched Athena's chin, gently wiping off the words he wrote on her face, turning Foolish Adina's face toward Algol as he spoke.
"Theoretically, Athena only lacks one Authority to become the Fourth-Generation King of Gods."
"After all, the Trinitarian Goddess Spirit Status itself is majestic. As long as she obtains an Authority symbolizing the King of Gods and alters her fate, she can become the Fourth-Generation King of Gods."
"That Authority could be the Sky, the Cycle of Life, or Lightning."
"Of course, it could also be all of them. Who knows, we might create an overpowered Spirit Status."
"Anyway, it's not finalized yet, so it's not much different."
After all, under the coercion of Saint Seiya's Athena, Athena had set her Two-Digit path.
Unless she could defeat Saint Seiya's Athena.
But Little Garden's Athena likely couldn't even beat Saint Seiya's Athena's reincarnation.
Yes, that's Sasha, who started with a Lightning Speed Punch.
If she couldn't beat the reincarnation, let alone the Original Body.
Aslan's expression gradually turned shameless.
"This kind of Spirit Status change definitely can't be hidden. Trinitarian Athena involves too many Spirit Statuses. Egypt's Neith, Babylon's Inanna…"
"Under others' pressure, Athena would have to give up this Spirit Status."
"After all, Athena's gains are too great. AI-chan is currently sealed by Athena, and Metis's Spirit Status is likely in Athena's or Zeus's hands."
"So, under the Gods' pressure, Athena would have to voluntarily release the seal and free you."
"Then, offense and defense switch. It'll be Athena begging you to come out…"
Aslan's voice, like a devil's whisper, echoed in Algol's ears.
Imagining Athena humbling herself, admitting her mistakes, and begging her to be released from the seal, Algol felt utterly delighted.
Her breathing couldn't help but grow heavier.
Her heart stirred. Algol was truly stirred.
This meant she could freely trample Athena's head and do as she pleased, while Athena could only endure.
Medusa's Spirit Status was in her hands, and Athena would have to free her to clear suspicions.
But with Athena's character, she wouldn't give up a path right before her.
"Ugly woman, this time AI-chan finally has your weakness."
Algol looked at Aslan with eyes full of appreciation.
"AI-chan admits, you've moved AI-chan's heart."
"What about you, Foolish Adina, what do you think?"
As he spoke, Aslan lowered his head, looking at the still-hanging Athena. He didn't need to hide everything he said from her.
For Aslan and the others, everything they said was meant for others to know.
And in Little Garden, Information Blockade was a mandatory lesson.
The most advanced information blockade was: even if you say it openly, what others hear might not be what you said, without the slightest anomaly.
Athena sneered.
"Does this servant have any other choice?"
Facing an existence that could swallow everything she had with a light breath, having utility was the best outcome.
She was also terribly unlucky. Such existences, even if not one or two, likely every alternate identity of hers in other Pantheons wasn't weak either.
Thinking of this outcome, Athena felt her future was bleak.
Her best option now was to seek Aslan's protection for a slim chance of survival.
"But there's one more question. What will be this servant's fate in the end?"
Athena raised her head, staring into Aslan's eyes with owl-like eyes.
"Hmm~, based on my understanding of the other Athena, you'll likely become her avatar or a substitute-like existence."
Aslan thought for a moment. Honestly, Little Garden's Athena's character wasn't bad.
Her character could be considered good among Gods. You'd at least get three warnings before a beating, and she'd tell you before hitting.
Compared to other Gods and Buddhas with unpredictable moods, Athena was like an angel.
For minor issues, Athena was too lazy to care.
"Of course, your self-identity can be maintained."
"If you're worried, I can make you a homunculus body, guaranteeing strength no weaker than your current power."
Athena stared at Aslan's face, suppressing her emotions, and said.
"Then this servant has no issue. As long as this servant can complete her revenge against the Steel Gods."
After all, she didn't lose out. At least she could have fun before dying.
Experiencing the treatment of the Fourth-Generation Greek King of Gods was pretty good.
"But one more thing. This servant isn't your toy or captive. This servant wants to join your plan as a partner."
Athena said word by word. This was the last shred of her existence.
"That's a given."
Aslan rubbed his hands, untying the rope without hesitation, lowering Athena, and simultaneously signaling Lancelot with his eyes to fetch a chair.
How could our esteemed partner still be hanging from the ceiling beam?
"Foolish Adina, please sit. Let's continue discussing cooperation."
The corner of Athena's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Hearing "Foolish Adina" reminded her of the humiliation she just endured.
"So, can you not call this servant Foolish Adina? This servant has her own name…"
But before the words came out, Athena fell silent.
It seemed… she really didn't have a usable name. If her guess was correct, every alternate identity of hers likely corresponded to at least one Great God as strong as Algol.
"I can't call you Little Athena, Medium Athena, Big Athena, right?"
Aslan threw the problem back to Athena. After all, this little Athena currently had no suitable title.
Only the name Foolish Adina truly belonged to her.
Hearing this, Athena was truly speechless. Was the competition for the name Athena that fierce?
Even three Athenas—small, medium, and large?
It could only be said, the future wasn't bright.
"Whatever~~. This servant doesn't care what you call me, as long as it's not Foolish Adina!"
"Fine, Foolish Adina. No problem, Foolish Adina."
Athena looked at Aslan helplessly, leaning back, truly giving up.
Do whatever. She didn't care anymore.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Greenwich, London, Witenagemot.
A four-story red-brick building, newly built in the Victorian era, rarely lit up brightly at night.
This was Witenagemot's headquarters. It typically didn't support nighttime operations, but due to the unexpected darkness enveloping the world, their core members held an overnight meeting here.
"Was that darkness confirmed to be caused by a Heretic God?"
"It can't be confirmed, but the only certainty is the whole world suffered."
"Can we confirm which Heretic God? Even just a name would do."
"We've contacted the Hime-Miko, and they're performing Spirit Vision, but the appearance and disappearance were too quick to confirm useful information."
"Then, can we contact the Black Prince?"
"We've confirmed with Royal Arsenal's people. The Black Prince is also searching for clues about that Heretic God."
Though Witenagemot and Royal Arsenal were rivals, in truth, Britain was the Black Prince's territory.
Their rivalry was essentially one of the Black Prince's amusements.
Personally, their relationship wasn't bad, especially regarding Heretic Gods.
After all, only God Slayers could face Heretic Gods, and God Slayers were Devil Kings roaming the earth, Walking Disasters.
They could only cooperate with God Slayers.
The only thing to be thankful for was that the Black Prince was still easy to talk to.
"Chairman, what should we do about this now?"
"No need to do anything. The Council can't track the movements of Gods and Kings. They can only help clean up the mess. Now we can only hope the King and God don't fight in our territory."
"Otherwise, it'll be a headache."
"Chairman, are we really doing nothing?"
"Doing nothing isn't an option either. What if the King comes after us? Send the information to the Special Advisor. Let that White Princess confirm it again with Spirit Vision."
"Yes, Chairman."