"How can you say something like that and expect us to believe you? You have no power to control the Grail Fragments. If you did, this whole search through the floors would make no sense. Some of the demons or monsters would have destroyed them already. The only reason they've all remained intact until now is that they can't be destroyed."
Vanya spoke sharply, while Persephone scoffed.
"You think you know this tower, but in reality, it seems you don't know anything at all, do you?"
The woman teleported as if by magic onto a pillar near the temple entrance and pointed toward the horizon.
"There's nothing beyond those walls. You're being led to your deaths. You think these fragments are part of something divine or something along those lines. Well, I can guarantee you they're nothing but pieces of NOTHING, and powerful people like... me can reduce them to nothing."
She returned to Vanya's side, holding a piece of what appeared to be a Grail Fragment.
"Want to put that to the test?"
Everyone broke into a cold sweat at that moment. Erika had even considered attacking, but she hesitated. She knew she wouldn't win.
Yumi could sense that the fragment in the woman's hands really was a Grail Fragment.
"She's telling the truth, Yumi-chan?"
Rayner had sat down, having grown bored with all the talking.
"Yes, it's a fragment..."
Yumi looked nervous and pale, but Persephone approached her and patted her on the shoulders.
"Relax, girl. Just stick to our agreement, and my fragment will be safe and sound."
"What about the others? Is there one in every temple?" Erika asked.
"That would be nice, but you're not that lucky. There are only fragments here and in Zeus's temple."
"Then why do we have to fight all seven of them?"
Rayner stood up.
"Because it's an established 'system'! I don't even know how it works, but we can only hand over the fragments if you make it through the temples."
"So, if you hadn't been willing to make a deal, we would have had to fight you. And in that case, we wouldn't have stood a chance, would we?"
Vanya stated, her anger at the circumstances growing.
"Hehe, looks like 'fate' has been kind to you by making me the first one here."
"No. Or maybe this whole setup was intentional. You were placed here specifically to give us an advantage against the other gods, so we'd have at least some chance of winning."
"Hahaha! Yeah, that could be it! But don't forget, you still have to defeat my siblings. And even though I've given you a few tips... your chances are still slim."
"I don't give a damn about the odds! I'm gonna kick all their asses because we're already wasting too much time! Douglas said two hours, but I think way more time has passed. He's probably pissed as hell by now!"
Rayner said, swinging his spear as he headed toward the temple he intended to challenge.
"We really have talked too much here. I wish you luck, but don't forget our deal. If you succeed, I want you to help me get out of here."
Persephone teleported away once again, returning to her throne at the far end of the temple, positioned in the center and surrounded by statues of seraphim, with a globe of the Earth in the background.
"If you were our ally, I think we could conquer this tower easily," Yumi said, trying to persuade the woman, though she soon realized how pointless the attempt had been.
"Hahaha! If I could, I swear I would. But I doubt it's possible for me to leave this place or ascend to another floor. Still, I'd be grateful just to get out of this temple!"
After that, the four of them headed toward the next temple.
The one who greeted them there was a beautiful woman with long red hair. She bore a slight resemblance to Persephone, but she was far more beautiful. Her breasts were enormous and perfectly rounded, and her legs looked shapely and smooth. Her features were almost intoxicating, like those depicted in Renaissance paintings. She was the kind of woman whose beauty alone could leave someone utterly paralyzed.
After all, she was none other than the famous goddess of love.
"So you're the famous Aphrodite. Well, are you going to let us pass, or are we simply going to annihilate you?"
Erika's attempt to provoke the woman seemed to have little effect. Aphrodite merely laughed indifferently.
"Is that what people out there are saying to try to make me come out? Well, I couldn't leave even if I wanted to. But, girl, I could kill you just by moving my fingers, even from right here."
Aphrodite moved her index finger, creating a hole in Erika's shoulder. Erika staggered backward, bleeding, before collapsing and rolling across the floor.
Rayner prepared to attack while Yumi healed her, but Vanya stopped him.
There's no way we can win by fighting her. This seems impossible! If what Persephone said is true, then the thing that affects her must be women more beautiful than she is. So...
"You may be stronger, but that's all you have going for you. You're the goddess of love, right? But in our world, out there, you'd be nothing. Not compared to Yumi here. Men nowadays prefer delicate Asian women. If you were a goddess over there, Yumi would humiliate you."
Vanya hoped her bluff wouldn't work, but Aphrodite seemed to foam at the mouth with rage, the veins on her face practically bulging out.
"You wretched bitch! How dare you spread such slanderous lies?!"
I have to keep this going. It's our only chance.
"You know you'd lose. That's why you're so pissed off, right?"
"HAHAHAHA! You're just trying to provoke me! ME, lose to... HER?!"
Aphrodite glared angrily at Yumi, but at the same time, it was clear that she felt insecure and bewildered.
"Then let's do this. Find someone from this floor who can serve as a judge and bring him here. No manipulation, no threats. Let's see whom he chooses: you or Yumi. If he chooses you, we'll accept defeat. But if he chooses Yumi, you'll let us pass."
Obviously, this isn't going to work. There's no way it could be that easy...
Vanya made the proposal already expecting the answer, but she was surprised when Aphrodite agreed with a smile.
"EXCELLENT! I'll prove to you blasphemous mortals that a little girl like her could never DEFEAT ME!"
"Okay, but how are we supposed to find someone on this tower floor who can serve as a judge?"
Rayner scratched his head as he looked at Vanya, while Erika appeared to have fully recovered from her injury.
"I can't leave my temple, but I can bring a mere piece of meat here. Just tell me where to find one."
Aphrodite replied as Yumi tried to concentrate on sensing someone in the surrounding area.
"But, man, not every floor even has someone who can serve as a judge. This is going to be tough..."
Rayner sounded unconvinced, just like Vanya, who had made the proposal out of sheer desperation.
"Huh? Then why are you suggesting some man from outside? Isn't there one right here in front of us?"
Aphrodite pointed at Rayner and looked at him. He glanced at the women around him before pointing at himself.
"Me? B-but Yumi is part of our group, and..."
"Exactly! He could lie since he's part of the group. That wouldn't be fair..."
Vanya tried to get Rayner out of this predicament, knowing the situation was hopeless. But Aphrodite approached him and placed her hand on his chest.
"Well, well... Even if he is part of your group, let's go ahead with the challenge. Let's see... Which one of us can give him an erection first? If you win, I might even help you against Dionysus."
Rayner broke into a cold sweat, his eyes seeming lifeless.
After all, he had already become aroused the very moment he laid eyes on Aphrodite.