Though the decision had been made to strike back, charging in with absolutely no warning was out of the question.
The chaotic situation gripping Southern Europe right now was the chain reaction caused by the Sword King's sudden demise.
Melusine didn't exactly feel guilty about it, but she wasn't blind to it either.
The rise of various cults and criminal elements had stirred up no small amount of turmoil.
Melusine's goal was simply to boost her own fame and recognition; she had no desire for her actions to bring disaster upon ordinary people.
Besides, when it came to so-called 'recognition,' a positive image would naturally be more beneficial.
With that in mind, this upcoming battle couldn't be a hasty 'let's go' or a simple 'let's kill.'
Although Athena was a benevolent goddess in legend, in her current state as a Heretic God, her first reaction upon learning they would fight was to rush over quickly.
It was only after Melusine tactfully expressed her wish to avoid major chaos that she nodded with a placid expression.
After all, it just meant giving the mortals a bit of time to brace themselves and reposition. A couple of days made no difference to her.
"After you obtain the Gorgoneion, what do you plan to do next?"
Melusine suddenly asked.
For Athena, the question didn't even require thought. "To slay those fools who oppose us... that was the original intention. But now, this one no longer holds that desire."
"Oh?"
Her answer piqued Melusine's curiosity. In the original story, Athena's actions had always been rather unpredictable.
"If I must say, my actions are all to prevent the advent of the Last King." Athena stated expressionlessly.
"The existence of the Last King is an even more hateful foe to us Earth Mother Goddesses."
"Not only does he inflict wounds upon the leylines that take a long time to heal, but he also causes us Earth Mother Goddesses to be degraded, reduced to a state far more miserable than my current one."
Earth Mother Goddesses slain by the Divine Sword of Salvation are reborn as Divine Ancestors, and typically forced to serve the Last King as their master.
Though they are transcendents superior to humans, their power and souls become diminished compared to their divine state due to this degradation.
Athena could not remain indifferent, whether to the damage the Last King inflicted upon the leylines or his persecution of Earth Mother Goddesses.
Given the chance, she would even seek a way to kill the Last King.
But...
Things were a bit different now.
Athena's pupils, dark as the night sky, reflected Melusine's image.
"You are the Dragon of the Planet, born in symbiosis with the planet's leylines. You are a comrade fighting alongside this one, and also the being this one values and cherishes most."
"If there is anyone most capable and with the best chance to defeat the Last King, then this one believes it is undoubtedly you."
Her words were incredibly direct. Melusine naturally understood.
This was a good thing. Though Melusine had seen plenty of beautiful girls, Athena was certainly one easy on the eyes.
Especially in this world, the only ones who could treat her as an equal, without that sense of distance, were these Heretic Gods and Devil Kings.
After all, their mouths were notoriously tough until the very moment of death; they never considered themselves inferior to anyone.
And among the Heretic Gods and Devil Kings, the one she could communicate with best was, well, just Athena.
Even if Athena's 'whimsy' sometimes left her exasperated, at least being together didn't require her to put on airs.
There was absolutely no feeling of constraint.
Though Erica also tried her best to relax around her, it was still fundamentally different.
"Then it's settled." Melusine said. "If you appear anywhere else carelessly, you'll definitely end up fighting a God-Slayer. That would break my promise. So, you're not to go anywhere except by my side."
"This one will not go elsewhere." Athena nodded, a faint smile appearing on her usually expressionless face.
By now, Melusine had given up trying to fathom the thought process of this Heretic God.
Unlike Athena, who headed straight for Melusine's room, Erica, after hearing Arianna's account, first went to see Liliana.
After all, it was a task she'd been given, and a headache-inducing one at that.
Compared to Arianna and Liliana, Erica's understanding of Melusine far exceeded theirs.
From the very beginning, she never saw this as a 'test' or 'trial.'
In her mind, it was simply that Lady Melusine, because of her, had given Liliana a way out. Essentially, she was letting her off easy.
But precisely because of this, Erica couldn't afford to be presumptuous or take the favor for granted. Handling this punishment properly was crucial to her.
The only problem now was... how exactly should she handle it?
If the punishment was too harsh, wouldn't that make her seem completely unfeeling, forgetting past ties? But going too easy wasn't an option either.
Having been scrutinized like merchandise by Erica for a good while, Liliana, whose emotions were already complicated, finally couldn't hold back.
"Why do you just stare? Aren't you the one to pass judgment on me?"
"If it were that simple, would I be this troubled?"
Erica said airily. "You've really dropped a troublesome problem in my lap, Lily."
Even though this was instigated by Voban, Erica, feeling the pressure, had no qualms about sharing that burden with Liliana.
That was the logic here: when the lord shows favor, the retainer doesn't necessarily share in the credit; but when the lord faces a problem, the retainers must share the punishment.
From start to finish, Liliana hadn't tried to defend herself.
Now, hearing herself called 'Lily,' she couldn't help but shudder slightly, but had no further reaction.
She used to think that nickname was a taunt, a sign that Erica looked down on her and didn't see her as a rival...
Erica's mind worked quickly enough. Soon enough, she came up with a punishment she deemed acceptable, and then escorted the silver-haired knight to Melusine's door.
Just as Melusine and Athena finished their conversation.
"Lady Lancelot, Lady Athena, I have devised a way to discipline this offender." Erica pressed Liliana to the floor, kneeling herself on one knee.
"Perfect timing. We also have a use for her." Athena frowned slightly at the title 'Lancelot,' but quickly returned to a calm, unreadable expression. "First, state the result of your deliberations."
Athena...? Wait? Athena, wasn't she the deity associated with the Gorgoneion that the Wolf King mentioned? Why was she here?
Had she already allied with the Heretic God Lancelot? But the Gorgoneion's aura was elsewhere in the villa...?
Completely lost, Liliana simply gave up trying to understand.
"Yes." Erica bowed her head in acknowledgment.
"Liliana has been raised since childhood with the strict codes of knighthood. Death wouldn't be a sufficiently painful punishment for her. To break a knight, reputation is a far more fatal weakness than life."
"Furthermore, Liliana possesses strong potential as a witch. I propose we take her into our service."
"Let her bear the shame of betraying her master while simultaneously using her to retaliate against Marquis Voban's insolence."
Having finished, Erica cautiously looked up to gauge Melusine's reaction.
This was the best she could come up with in such a short time—adhering to Lady Melusine's merciful approach by letting it go lightly, while also ensuring social death, allowing for redemption through service as a subordinate, and finally, saving face by slighting Marquis Voban.
"Good." Athena simply nodded at this, deeming the matter unimportant. "This one and Melusine have also discussed this matter and reached a decision."
"In three days, we will arrive at the Balkan Peninsula. His life will be the price paid for this insolence."
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.