Athena's expression was subtle, because judging solely from the scene just now, it looked like the crude Ares had angered the Moon Goddess and was punished by her magic. However, when she connected it with Ares's words she heard upon entering, the dynamic between them changed.
However, the Goddess of Wisdom thought a layer deeper: if their actions just now were initiated by Ares, then had Ares already achieved mastery under Hecate and was deliberately concealing this from the gods?
Her inquiry was merely a probe. If she truly uncovered any clues about Ares concealing his strength, then Athena would have to elevate Ares's threat level to be among the foremost of all gods, second only to Zeus.
However, after she inquired, Hecate simply yawned languidly, then pointed at Ares and sighed:
"This foolish disciple, he can't understand profound magic, so he simply wants me to use this method to help him train his magic resistance. How did he put it, again?"
"As long as I stack my resistance high enough, it doesn't matter if you have magic or not!" Ares's voice boomed, shouting from behind Athena.
"Hmm, exactly." Hecate nodded, then got up and picked an immortal fruit from a small fruit tree on the nearby tree table. "If it weren't for him having been kind to my mother, and not having caused any destruction during this time, I would have swept him out long ago."
Athena watched Hecate languidly bite into the immortal fruit, then turned to look at the soot-covered Ares. Although she still harbored suspicion, Ares certainly looked like a fool in his current state.
Before the Goddess of Wisdom could ponder further, Ares clamored behind her, "My virgin second sister, what brings you to your brother?"
"Who's your virgin second sister?" Athena's face immediately darkened upon hearing Ares speak. She turned to look at Ares, then snorted and said, "Zeus commanded me to create all things. All the gods have given me the concepts they govern as gifts for the new heavens and earth. Now, only you haven't given me a concept."
"... So you've come to me for a concept?" Ares tilted his head, looking at Athena.
"Exactly." The Goddess of Wisdom nodded.
"This lord won't give it to you." Ares belligerently put his hands on his hips and retorted, "Why should I give it to you just because you ask? We're not done with you snatching my divine authority!"
"This is Zeus's command." Athena frowned. "Are you going to defy even Zeus's words?"
"It's not like I haven't opposed him before!" Ares pointed at the sky and roared, "This matter was originally his fault. Why do you get all the good things? Victory is yours, wisdom is yours, and now even the credit for creation is yours. Oh, I, Ares, am just not worthy, right?"
"Arguing with me is useless." Athena spread her hands. "If you have an issue, go find Zeus on Olympus. I can't make the decision, but you must give me that concept today."
"I won't!" Ares cursed under his breath as he drew his Flame Sword from thin air. "Come on, winner takes all. If you have the guts, make me give it to you today."
Athena took a step back, clearly not wanting to fight Ares to a mutually destructive end in this place. If she were to fight Ares to the state they were in on the day of their duel, the Moon Goddess Hecate, who was present, would likely happily collect Athena's body and thoroughly research her divine form. At that point, who knew how many of her secrets would be exposed to the Moon Goddess.
"How about this?" After much thought, the Goddess of Wisdom decided to retreat to advance. "Ares, let's both take a step back. This time, I will be in charge of the creation of all things, and I'll include you, having you participate in the creation activities with me and Prometheus. In exchange, you must hand over your concept. Can you agree?"
"Let me join?" Ares stopped his movements upon hearing this. "Zeus will agree?"
"Zeus designated me to be in charge of this creation, so I am the supreme person in charge." Athena said, "As long as it benefits the creation, I can ask anyone for help."
Ares stood still, pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, I'll let you off this time. Just you wait, I need to go back and change my clothes and wash up."
With that, he turned and walked into the Tree Palace, disappearing from Athena's sight.
Seeing Ares leave, Athena focused her gaze on Hecate, who was sitting nearby, eating immortal fruit and watching the show. Noticing Athena's gaze, Hecate wiped her mouth and asked:
"What are you looking at?"
"Just marveling at Hecate's beauty." Athena smiled. "How is it that Hecate looks so vastly different and more beautiful today than at the Olympus banquet?"
"What? Don't you know it's rude to look at a woman's bare face?" Hecate retorted impatiently, "Spit it out, whatever you have to say, don't waste my time with this useless babble."
"Then I'll be direct, Hecate." Athena requested of Hecate, "Could you tell me the coordinates of 'Hope'?"
"Oh? So you didn't inherit all of your mother Metis's memories?" Hecate then laughed, "I thought you were 'omniscient and omnipotent' like her."
"Of course not, otherwise wouldn't my father Zeus's actions be meaningless?" Athena humbly replied, "Compared to my mother, my wisdom is still very shallow. So, Hecate, can you tell me?"
"Do you think that's possible?" Hecate rolled her eyes. "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking, Athena. I'm not interested in meddling in your God King family's domestic affairs. If I really told you the coordinates of that thing, that old man Zeus would definitely kill me at all costs."
Seeing the hesitant look on Athena's face, Hecate waved her hand again and said, "You already know who to go to for this matter. I'm just a magician with a few tricks. There are already gods on this land who possess the divine authority of foresight. Whatever you want to do or ask, go discuss it among yourselves. Farewell."
Athena still wanted to persuade her further, but at that moment, Ares, now in fresh attire, emerged from the Tree Palace. He adjusted his collar and said to Athena, "I'm ready, let's go."
Seeing him, Hecate narrowed her eyes and subtly gestured with her fingers, while Athena also ceased her words and said to Hecate:
"In that case, then let's leave it be. I apologize for disturbing you, Hecate."
After speaking, the troubled Athena and the seemingly carefree Ares, who looked like a mischievous child going on an outing, left the forest together.
After they walked out of the barrier, Hecate waved her hand, and the barrier, which had been cracked by lightning, immediately closed up as before. Then, space seemed to shift, and the surrounding terrain transformed from a basin into a flat plain.
After doing all this, Hecate turned to look at the Tree Palace and said:
"Come out, she's gone far."
"I know, my clone is following her."
Inside the Tree Palace, another Ares walked out, identical in appearance and clothing to the "Ares" who had just left.
Looking at this Ares, Hecate said, "I thought you were going to follow with your main body."
"Teacher, my intelligence is only barely that of an ordinary person; I can't compare to a Goddess of Wisdom like Athena, who is so intelligent she's almost demonic. So I can only be cautious everywhere and use this method to naturally stand in an invincible position." Ares stretched his body, then looked at Hecate and said, "Moreover, I feel that with a bit more effort, Electric Current Propulsion will be successful. Come on, Teacher, let's continue."