"So, is this the reason you practically dragged me here the moment I stepped ashore?"
Inside the temple of the Goddess of Wisdom in Athens, Rovi withdrew his gaze from the three purple-haired little heads peeking from behind a gauzy curtain and turned his attention to the figure before him.
It had been some time since he last saw Athena, but her elegance was unchanged. A pure-white gown hugged her slender body, her legs crossed beneath the open hem. Seated gracefully atop her stone throne, the curve of her hips traced an elegant arc, narrowing upward into a delicate waistline before subtly swelling into the gentle contours above.
Her silver hair framed crimson eyes, and her charming face carried a gentle smile as she spoke softly, "After all, no one on earth but you fits this requirement."
Rovi pondered silently.
When the Argo had neared Athens, he'd received an invitation from the goddess seated before him now.
Athena's reason was simple—to secure the aid of "humanity's strongest" in the coming war upon Olympus.
Naturally, Rovi had no reason to refuse.
So the Argo anchored at Athens, with Heracles guarding the legendary vessel while Rovi and Atalanta entered the city to meet the Goddess of Wisdom alone.
"Zeus's prophecies have never been wrong. The cracks in Tartarus have widened to a point that can't be closed quickly. Even though he told us to wait, every deity knows that whoever gains the strongest hero's support in this crisis will hold the greatest influence afterward."
Athena's lips curved, bright and captivating. She stood gracefully, silk gown trailing, and casually settled herself opposite Rovi.
"So naturally, I came to you."
Her fragrance filled the air, yet Rovi remained thoughtful. "How many Titans are we expecting?"
"The exact number is unknown, but at least hundreds of divine-class giants, plus multiple Titans on the level of chief gods."
"Though you needn't worry—this battle won't fall solely on your shoulders." Mistaking Rovi's hesitation for concern, Athena leaned slightly forward, her flawless white dress accentuating her luminous skin. A fleeting blush crossed her beautiful face. "All of us gods will fight alongside you…"
"There's no need." Rovi dismissed instantly. His concern was actually that there might be too few Titans to successfully kill him.
But with hundreds of divine giants and multiple chief-god-class Titans involved, it should be dangerous enough.
"You can also rest assured," Athena continued softly. "After this war, you will become the only hero in Greece recognized unanimously by all the gods."
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?" She blinked playfully.
"Then we have a deal." Rovi finally smiled.
Then he froze, realizing just how close Athena had quietly moved. The figure beneath her white dress was now temptingly visible, her fragrance enveloping him, soft curves practically within reach.
Athena's cheeks were faintly flushed, her lips moist and softly glistening.
Rovi coughed abruptly, averting his gaze.
As if jolted awake, Athena quickly straightened her posture, returning to her seat with feigned dignity. "Don't misunderstand—I was merely checking your condition."
"After all, this upcoming war is no joking matter."
In a heartbeat, she'd shifted from flirtatious to solemn righteousness.
These goddesses…
Rovi's eyelids twitched slightly.
I definitely need to keep my distance from now on!
But first...
"I accept," Rovi said calmly. "But I have one condition."
"What is it?" Athena asked, startled.
"We won't wait for the Titans to climb out," Rovi smiled faintly. "Instead, we'll head straight down through that crack into Tartarus."
Athena's eyes widened slightly.
Even after Rovi left, casually saying, "I'll set off once I return," Athena remained stunned. In the worldview of the Greek Age of Gods, Tartarus had always symbolized ultimate terror. Even more feared by the gods than the Netherworld ruled by Hades—because Hades's domain was merely death, peaceful and final. Tartarus, however, represented endless torture after death.
It was a true hell, a place where the gods exiled their most vile offenders.
Yet Rovi... intended to enter Tartarus himself to halt the enemy's assault?
"He truly is the man I chose," Athena murmured, regaining herself with a dreamy smile.
If they didn't go to defend Olympus and instead descended directly into Tartarus… wouldn't that mean it would just be the two of them?
The Goddess of Wisdom sensed her opportunity for private intellectual exchange had finally arrived!
"Sister, sister—what's wrong with Lady Athena? She seems a bit scary—"
"Euryale, don't talk nonsense."
"But even you're shaking!"
"No, I'm not! The one shaking is obviously Medusa!"
...
Outside Athena's temple, Rovi paused on the broad stone path and turned his gaze aside. A girl who'd clearly been waiting there a long time stood watching him silently.
Atalanta still wore her cloak. Her catlike eyes flashed with annoyance the moment they met his gaze, before she stubbornly turned her head away.
Her entire posture practically shouted, You made me wait so long—I'm pissed!
But there'd been no helping it.
Despite Atalanta's unfavorable impression of Athena due to the goddess's previous argument with Artemis, Athena was, after all, one of the Twelve Olympians—a peer of Artemis and one of the three revered goddesses.
Atalanta had no choice but to wait outside respectfully.
Of course, what truly annoyed her more was…
"You're going into Tartarus?" she abruptly asked, unable to hold back.
Worry finally overcame her irritation.
"You heard?"
"It's not like you were whispering," Atalanta said flatly, pointing at the wall behind her.
With just a single wall between them, her keen ears had naturally picked up everything.
Since she'd already overheard, Rovi saw no point hiding it. "Better to finish things once and for all, isn't it?"
Intercepting the Titans in Tartarus would keep the other gods from interfering with Rovi's quest for death.
But even if that failed...
He could simply slip down into the Netherworld from Tartarus itself.
Hiding there for a thousand years or so, soaking in the aura of the Greek Netherworld until his life slowly faded away—by then, even if he were immortal, he'd probably be dead.
Wouldn't that be perfect?
Yet seeing Rovi's indifferent expression, Atalanta only felt her irritation intensify.
She knew perfectly well how strong this man was.
He was the Sage of Uruk, a legendary figure from a thousand years ago whose power rivaled that of the chief gods themselves, towering far above mortal limits.
But it still annoyed her.
She hated how casually he threw himself into danger, hated how carelessly he talked about deadly threats, hated how he treated his own life as if it meant nothing...
Annoyed—she was beyond annoyed!
Atalanta opened her mouth, baring her sharp fangs.
Rovi instinctively moved his hand back…
But this time, Atalanta wasn't aiming for his hand.
She was aiming for his lips.
Her lips pressed tightly against his, her sweet fragrance instantly enveloping him. Rovi stood frozen, stunned by the girl who'd suddenly tiptoed to kiss him.
If he doesn't care about himself, isn't it because he's lonely—living alone in this unfamiliar world a thousand years from home?
But you're my prey.
And I'll be right here...
Holding onto you tightly!
---
T/N: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT THATS UR FATHER!!!