“Let’s go.
There’s no need to watch here now.”
Hephaestus glanced at the many screens on the wall, and when he saw the images gradually evolving in a restricted direction, he couldn’t help but shake his head and said to Athena, “You can watch whatever you want later—but watching these things now can give you a sty.”
“Uh…”
Hearing Hephaestus’s words, Athena immediately showed a deadpan expression again.
She stared intently at the masked man, and the inexplicable stir in her heart completely vanished.
Is he treating her like a child?
Although she had just been born—and even if her time in the womb was included, she was only one year old.
But!
She, Athena, the Wisdom and War Goddess, had already received all sorts of knowledge and education while still in the womb!
Speaking of which, her mother was truly strange.
Who teaches their daughter how to have a harmonious and peaceful married life during prenatal education?
At first, she would blush—but after a year of education, she was completely able to maintain a calm mind.
For example, on the sixth row from the top and the thirty-seventh screen from the left on that wall—the position of Zeus, that old scumbag, pressing down on a goddess—is called [beep].
As for why [beep] is called [beep]?
Actually, [beep] is [beep].
Everyone might be surprised that [beep] is actually [beep]!
But that’s the fact.
Alright, this is [beep].
What are your thoughts?
Feel free to share in the interlude beyond the third wall~
So, after receiving all sorts of education, this masked man actually lied to her, saying that watching these things would give her a sty?!
Who was he looking down on?!
“Oh, ho?
You’re still not convinced, huh?”
Noticing Athena’s stubborn little eyes, Hephaestus immediately happily continued to rub the goddess’s head.
It had to be said—it was fluffy and silky smooth.
The feeling was truly wonderful!
Especially when paired with Athena’s expression of shame and anger mixed with helplessness toward him—it was like barbecue with iced cola.
It made one incredibly high.
Damn it!
This masked man!
Athena angrily puffed out her cheeks.
While feeling extreme anger toward this wanton fellow, she was also surprised by his hidden power.
If earlier she hadn’t taken Hephaestus seriously, allowing him to succeed—now she was clearly very serious, using all her might within the limited range—yet this guy’s hand was still stuck to her head just like before.
This made Athena feel that she had caught a glimpse of the masked man’s true strength.
Although her power was unrefined and still a bit immature because she had just been born—it was already enough to contend with Zeus.
Yet, despite her strength, she was helpless against Hephaestus’s hand.
What did this signify?
It was terrifying to think about!
Especially according to the memories her mother had instilled in her—while her mother Metis had praised her younger brother Hephaestus without reservation and even added multiple filters—however, in terms of strength, her mother Metis had always regarded him as a little brother who needed her protection and care.
While there was certainly an element of doting involved, this also indicated that the image Hephaestus presented to his mother was one of not being skilled in combat.
Athena felt enlightened once more.
Good heavens—she exclaimed good heavens!
To gain her mother’s affection, he actually hid his true abilities, pretending to be weak, helpless, and pitiful to gain her mother’s care.
This masked man is so cunning!
“Phew~ That was refreshing!”
Hephaestus, who had enjoyed himself, didn’t notice Athena’s gaze gradually sharpening.
He just felt that he shouldn’t tease her too much today.
After all, there would be plenty of time to play… oh no, to spend time with Athena in the future.
There was no need to be too greedy.
So Hephaestus put down his hand and called out to Athena, “Let’s go.
I’ll show you around the temple again and tell you about the other mechanisms you need to be aware of here.”
“What?
There’s more?”
Athena’s small mouth slightly parted at his words, and her gaze toward Hephaestus grew even sharper.
There are even mechanisms similar to this monitoring room?
How many arrangements has this guy prepared, planning ahead of time?!
Looking at the mask on Hephaestus’s face, Athena wished she had x-ray vision so she could see the smug expression on his face beneath the mask.
But don’t get too smug.
Even if their goals were the same—she, Athena, would not meekly comply!
Although this was her mother’s arrangement—she was not a good child who only listened to her mother!
She, the dignified Wisdom and War Goddess, also had her own pride!
“That’s right.”
Noticing Athena’s overly sharp gaze, Hephaestus somewhat bewilderedly rubbed the back of his head.
Why was this silly girl looking at him like that?
Was she so interested in small gadgets like air conditioners and record players?
But then again, for the gods, the small gadgets he had developed were indeed groundbreaking.
After all, in this environment where the only forms of entertainment were sex and binge eating—the pile of things he had created were indeed very novel.
However, he had only prepared these items for his own house and Metis’s temple.
Even Zeus didn’t receive such treatment—let alone other deities.
“Since you’re so curious—let’s go.”
Smilingly patting Athena’s little head, Hephaestus was calling her to leave the monitoring room together—when his peripheral vision suddenly caught a glimpse of Poseidon walking toward the Wisdom Goddess’s temple on one of the monitoring screens.
“Huh?”
Athena followed Hephaestus’s gaze and saw Poseidon on the monitoring screen, immediately furrowing her delicate brows.
“What’s he doing here?”
Athena had no good feelings toward Poseidon in her heart.
After all, since she was in the womb, she had noticed that Poseidon’s gaze toward her mother was a bit off—it was a greedy look like a hungry wolf, mixed with annoyance and resentment.
Athena knew that Poseidon had always harbored ill intentions toward her mother.
Because in Poseidon’s eyes, at least five-tenths of Zeus’s ability to ascend to his current position was due to her mother.
He believed that with her mother’s help, he could also succeed—and Zeus was simply luckier than him.
He must have fantasized more than once that if her mother embraced him, his position would be elevated.
So, why was Poseidon, with such thoughts, coming to see her now?
Could it be that he thought—
“Tsk—this old man is truly shameless.”
Just as Athena was pondering Poseidon’s intentions, she suddenly heard Hephaestus complain, “He actually wants to prey on a young one.
Does he even think he’s worthy?
To have such thoughts about a newborn child—Poseidon, you’re truly despicable!
You’re indeed Zeus’s true brother!”
“Ah?
You mean Poseidon is coming to—”
“Oh, that shameless fellow Poseidon is here to give you empty promises.
That old man certainly has a good plan.
He’s probably here to offer you the position of Queen of the Gods to help him conquer the world.
Tsk—not only does he want to freeload off your power, but he also lusts after your body.
He’s despicable!”
“Huh?”
Hephaestus, who had already seen the script, casually spoiled the plot—but he didn’t expect his words to cause such a huge stir in Athena’s heart.
This guy—has he already seen through Poseidon?