Seeing the two figures, one large and one small, in the room acting as if facing great enemies, Athena smiled calmly and softly explained her purpose to Luo En.
"Don't be nervous, I have taken an interest in your talents, I merely wish to recruit you as my lesser deity."
Thereupon, to bolster her persuasiveness, the Goddess of Wisdom, who had come prepared, turned her gaze to Hestia beside her.
"Aunt is also aware of this matter."
"Ah? Oh oh..."
Hestia, who had been pulled out by her great-niece to vouch for her, was initially startled, then regained her composure, nodding vaguely.
For some reason, the Goddess of the Hearth seemed somewhat distracted, her eyes constantly casting unintentional glances towards the clean and tidy kitchen, as well as the lush and verdant seedbeds in the backyard.
Yet, in the end, there was the dual assurance of two goddesses.
Luo En and Little Medusa felt the overt goodwill emanating from the Goddess of Wisdom and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, their on-edge nerves slightly relaxed.
Thank goodness, it was just a false alarm.
Their unique identities seemed to have also gone unnoticed.
As the atmosphere eased, Athena smiled and extended her hand, graciously extending an invitation.
"All right, let's go, follow me back to Olympus."
"This soon?!"
Upon hearing this, Hestia suddenly looked up, her face filled with astonishment.
Athena turned her head to look at her aunt, who was in on the plan beforehand, her eyes showing surprise.
"Soon? Hasn't this matter been dragging on for months already?"
"Well, what I mean is..."
Hestia's eyes darted around, then she glanced at the kitchen and hearth.
"Since it's all so rushed, why not eat something before we go?"
"No need, there's been too much happening lately, nowhere is really peaceful, and we don't know when the next critical moment will be, it's better to make plans early, just in case."
Athena gently shook her head, and as she spoke, furrows gradually gathered between her brows.
But...
Hestia's gaze swept over the two figures, large and small, and she opened her mouth, as if to speak.
But seeing a trace of weariness in the depths of her niece's purple eyes, she clenched her teeth, bit her cherry lip, and remained silent.
Luo En, catching the subtle changes in Hestia's expression out of the corner of his eye, flickered with a trace of realization.
Fortunately, the efforts of this period had not been in vain.
"Let's not speak of this anymore."
At this moment, Athena, having calmed her restless heart, raised her head to look at the opposite side, her face bearing her usual smile.
"Pack up, we depart immediately."
"Ah? So that's it! No wonder it feels so cool and comfortable to hold her!"
Hestia suddenly realized as if she had discovered a new continent, surprised.
Under the scrutiny of the Goddess of Wisdom, Little Medusa, hiding behind Luo En, couldn't help but shrink back into the shadows, tightly gripping Luo En's hem.
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Athena looked at the small girl quivering slightly and showed a gentle and thawing smile, softly assuring.
"Don't worry, no one here will harm you."
"Yeah, that's right! Nike can protect you too!"
The little Goddess of Victory also patted her chest, comforting her tense companion.
As kindness swelled around her, Little Medusa's somewhat pale face finally regained some color, and the tension that stiffened her back due to being on guard gradually relaxed.
Seeing this unexpected behavior from the master and servant, Luo En asked in amazement what had been puzzling him.
"You don't blame the unclean mythological creature for entering your city and temple?"
"What is pure? What is impure? I've seen the most despicable deities as well as the most noble humans."
Athena spoke lightly, then turned her head to look through the window at the busy, ordinary figures on the street, with a gaze profound and distant, her voice lower.
"All this is not determined by bloodlines or origins but by the soul..."
Hearing the unexplained melancholy in her words, Luo En pursed his lips, softly reminding.
"But she is a mythological creature..."
"Ha, even King Minos didn't let his personal grudge affect a child born with a magical curse. Do you really think my tolerance is even less than that of a mortal monarch?"
Athena scoffed, her purple eyes brimming with irritation, and she coldly snorted as she looked toward a certain rascal who had slandered her.
Even though his wife had been defiled by a beast, giving birth to that monster with the body of a bull and the shame it symbolized, King Minos still did not direct his anger toward the innocent child; instead, he chose to raise it.
Furthermore, to prevent any disaster that might arise from this naturally malevolent mythological creature intermixing with humans, he summoned Daedalus and his son and had them build a Labyrinth beneath the palace, where he secretly sustained the child with regular provisions.
Hearing the resentment in Athena's words and facing this life-and-death question, Luo En couldn't help but sweat from his forehead as he tried to sidestep it while forcibly praising her.
"How could that be! Leaders lead by example, and the followers emulate. The reason King Minos could be so magnanimous must surely be due to your influence! It's all thanks to your good teachings! It's a wonder that even mythological creatures scorned by the gods and others can bask in your glory and receive equal treatment. I, who am so shallow and external, have finally understood why you rightfully bear the name of the sovereign mistress!"
Under the barrage of Luo En's rainbow-hued flattery, Athena's expression eased slightly. When the anger in her heart had cooled, she glanced disdainfully at a certain glib little rascal and spoke with irritation.
"You don't have to be so insincere, not all mythological creatures can win my approval."
Having said that, the Goddess of Wisdom turned to look at the still slightly timid Little Medusa, her gaze growing ever more tender.
"Anna, thank you for taking care of my people these past few days. It seems they really like you..."
"No, not at all, I like everyone too."
Being thanked so earnestly by a deity, Little Medusa's cheeks reddened, and she became somewhat flustered.
Seeing the little girl's amusing reaction, Athena chuckled lightly, raised her hand to affectionately stroke the top of Little Medusa's head, and whispered softly.
"You really are a good child..."
The sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window lattice, casting warm light on the figures of the little and big, enveloping them in a cozy atmosphere and creating a beautiful scene.