After a long silence, Lorne raised his head to meet those star-bright eyes, responding earnestly.
"..For gods, mortal kingdoms hold no meaning."
He was someone aspiring to ascend to godhood, so, naturally he was not interested in worldly kingship.
Then, as if remembering that he didn't lick enough, Lorne pressed his lips together, looking seriously at Athena before him.
"..Of course, if you want me to marry her, I will.."
The unexpected answer and the gaze laced with complex emotions caught Athena off guard as she averted her eyes, smiling faintly and shaking her head.
"..That's between you two. I can't manage that much."
Noticing the slight upward curve at the corner of the goddess's mouth, Lorne let out a relieved breath, inwardly wiping sweat.
The key to this question wasn't really about making him choose, it was about his attitude.
If he agreed, it would mean he'd been scheming all along with ill intent.
If he refused, it would seem like he was being duplicitous, hiding something.
So, facing this classic female attitude test, tackling it with a rational, problem-solving mindset was a death sentence.
To break through, he had to toss the responsibility back, answering a question with a question, letting her decide.
For example, leaving it to Athena to decide whether he should marry the high priestess.
Of course, beforehand, he had to make it clear that he had no personal feelings for the priestess...everything was strictly business.
From the outcome, though Athena hadn't gotten a clear answer from anyone, and he hadn't given explicit instructions, she seemed in a good mood now.
"..Sit first. Let's talk about something else."
Hearing that heavenly invitation, Lorne's taut nerves finally relaxed, his heart filled with gratitude.
Thankfully, back when he worked at that game company, to attract a broader client base, the higher-ups had him add romance and nurturing elements to various game projects.
While researching, he'd encountered all sorts of relationship death-trap questions.
Otherwise, facing these consecutive pitfalls, his car would've flipped into a ditch before he took a few steps.
After navigating countless obstacles, Lorne finally sat down safely.
But before he could catch his breath, Athena across from him rubbed the newly fired wine cup in her hand, looking at him with a half-smile.
"..By the way, a secret cult worshiping Dionysus, the spirit of wine, has recently risen on Crete. Any ideas?"
"..Isn't that normal?"
Lorne smiled too, standing to fill Athena's cup.
"..Music, poetry, mountains, beasts, conflict, slaughter, intrigue… whether good or bad, all have hordes of worshippers. So it's no surprise what humans believe in.
After all, this is a world plagued by beasts, disasters, and gods and monsters everywhere.
Humans could die at any moment.
Since tomorrow's uncertain and they don't know if they'll wake from sleep, whatever they worship, as long as it makes them happy, is fine."
Athena nodded, seemingly in agreement.
She raised her cup in a toast to Lorne, then tilted her head back, downing the blood-red wine in one gulp.
Lorne raised his cup in return, drinking his wine with equal flair.
The two set down their cups, sharing a smile, as if reaching some consensus.
True, there were countless named and nameless cults on earth.
Compared to those worshipping death, plague, or Titan evil spirits, often demanding sacrifices, the Dionysian cult, mostly made up of ordinary folk, was as docile as a lamb.
Their greatest rebellion was hiding in the mountains, tearing off their social masks, drinking and singing to their hearts' content, and unleashing themselves.
As long as they didn't threaten mainstream thought, who would care about the fleeting amusements of mortals?
"..Looks like you've chosen your path."
Hearing Athena's meaningful murmur, Lorne couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
Getting no response, Athena merely smiled indifferently, raised her cup, and poured more sweet wine down her throat.
Setting the cup down, she looked seriously at Lorne.
"..In that case, I'll personally preside over the Dionysus festival in half a month, celebrating with the people."
"..?"
"..And as promised, I'll help you ascend to godhood!"
"..!"
'Wha..
A faint murmur echoed in his ears as he gazed at Athena, who elegantly raised her cup and drank, his eyes filled with surprise and emotion.
A conscience!
The conscience of the gods!
He'd nearly forgotten about this, she'd not only planned it long ago but was actually following through!
If, according to the wisdom goddess's arrangements, the Dionysus festival became Crete's official sacrificial celebration, tens of thousands would flock to Knossos.
As the primary object of worship, the spirit of wine [Dionysus] would inevitably reap a massive harvest of faith.
By then, his ascension to godhood would be just around the corner.
After briefly stating the date for fulfilling the promise and the specific plans, the wisdom goddess at the table set down her cup and turned toward the backyard.
"..Auntie, I'm hungry. Let's cook."
"..Coming, coming! I'll prepare right away!"
Hearing Athena's call, Hestia darted in through the back door, eagerly heading to the stove.
Having just confessed to poaching, she owed her generous niece some necessary compensation.
—She had to give it her all and serve well!
The hearth goddess swore inwardly while grabbing the spatula and knife with gusto.
"..I'll help too!"
Equally moved, Lorne stood at once, wanting to repay the generous wisdom goddess in the living room the same way.
But before he could leave his seat, a crystalline, slender hand gently pressed his shoulder, exerting an unshakable force.
At the same time, that exquisite face curved into a faint smile.
"..You don't need to."
"..Hm?"
"..Your divinity is still too weak, and your control isn't refined enough.
Even with my help, igniting the divine flame and forging a godhead to complete ascension won't be enough with just that."
Athena patted Lorne's shoulder, continuing earnestly.
"..So I've specially given you half a month to prepare."
"..Prepare?"
Lorne swallowed, vaguely sensing something off.
"..Exactly. I plan to put you through intensive training over these two weeks, building your strength to withstand the pain of divine fire and the impact of godhead forging."
The wisdom goddess gazed at Lorne, her good intentions clear.
"..Time is short. We'll start tonight."
Seeing the radiant smile on Athena's face and the deep sincerity in her eyes, a chill shot from Lorne's tailbone to the top of his head.
Run!
In an instant, Lorne ducked and bolted for the door without hesitation.
But his vision blurred as space twisted and reversed around him.
In a daze, Lorne, who had been running forward, inexplicably appeared in the empty backyard.
At the same time, a sealing aura enveloped the area, perfectly isolating the backyard from the world, forming an independent miniature garden.
Looking at the mysterious glowing runes around him, Lorne suddenly remembered.
Besides producing Minotaur warriors, Crete was famous for the Minotaur labyrinth…
And as the great mother goddess of the Minoans, one of Athena's titles was...the Mistress of the Labyrinth.
Add her alias as the goddess of magic, and this dual-wielding wisdom goddess was clearly an expert in foundation-building and spatial reshaping magic.
"..No rush. We have all night. We'll take it slow."
Athena comforted him gently, casually plucking a branch from the nearby flower bed.
Lorne's eyes widened at the sight.
Because it was covered in sharp thorns…
"..I appreciate the kindness, but maybe another day?"
Lorne refused politely, sweating profusely, his voice trembling with horror.
"..Ascending to godhood and inheriting divine duties allow no slack or oversight."
But Athena shook her head lightly, her tone gentle yet firm.
"..This is all for your own good!"
Staring at the thorny whip slowly forming in the wisdom goddess's hand, each spike glinting coldly, Lorne shed tears of emotion and offered heartfelt praise deep in his heart.
—I believe your ghost!
(Chapter End)