The Greece Antagonist

Luo En couldn't help feeling some regret and immediately pressed for answers.

"Then what should I do?"

"What else can you do? You can only hope that you will truly keep your promise, refine the judiciary, construct order, practice justice, and with this faith, repair her damaged divinity, and one day awaken her!"

Athena continued to pour divine power into the comatose Themis to stabilize her wounds, her voice growing colder.

"So, from the moment she swung that sword, she had already made her choice?"

Luo En was taken aback, then looked astonished at the comatose Goddess of Justice.

"Then why did she say she wanted to take me to see Zeus?"

"If we didn't speak that way, would you get the message? And if she really wanted to offer you to Zeus, would she have bothered to invoke that divine authority in the first place?"

The more Athena spoke, the angrier she got, turning her head to glower at the instigator behind her with a dark expression.

"I told you long ago that schemes have their limits. Relying too much on your own cunning without the support of absolute strength will sooner or later cause big troubles!"

"You dared to lie in Hera's bed and thought to use this as a means to lever the Divine King's authority, really believing that your head is harder than the thunderbolts of Olympus? Or do you think that everyone else is a fool at your disposal, with not a single person seeing through the malice you hide?"

"This time it was Themis who took the hit for you, barely shielding you from all the suspicion and consequences. What about next time? You don't think your tricks will win every time, do you?"

Hearing that heart-wrenching inquiry, Luo En was left speechless, a deep sense of guilt welling up inside him.

Indeed, he had depended too much on his cunning and forgotten a crucial truth.

The execution of justice requires blood to be spilled.

He had escaped punishment with his own slyness, but someone else always had to pay the price.

Looking at the bloodless face of the Goddess of Justice, Luo En couldn't help but mutter under his breath.

"Such an important matter, why didn't she say so?"

"Were you honest with her?"

Athena turned her head and bluntly retorted.

Luo En had nothing to say, and could only mutter indignantly.

"I just didn't find the right opportunity, did I?"

"Opportunity?"

Athena glanced at the petitioner, her gaze laden with meaning.

"In the second trial, do you remember what was different about her face?"

Luo En thought for a moment, looking at Themis's pale face, he murmured.

"She took off that blindfold..."

"With that blindfold on, she couldn't see the faces and identities of the disputants, thereby avoiding bribery, not needing to fear power, she was the Goddess of Justice untainted by personal feelings; taking off that blindfold, she was just Themis, a woman who, for the sake of trust, a promise, broke the taboo for you."

Athena sighed, her expression complex as she slowly uncovered the mystery.

"She gave you a chance, but you chose the worst response..."

So, what she really wanted was not a lofty justification, but an honest one?

But the secrets he carried were too many, too weighty, not to be lightly spoken.

Luo En recalled the disappointment in Themis's eyes and fell into silent contemplation.

Athena waved her hand, breaking the heavy atmosphere around them, and spoke solemnly.

"Forget it, instead of regretting, you'd better think about how to keep your promise in the future, and use less of your so-called cleverness."

Luo En nodded earnestly, etching this lesson into his heart.

Then, Athena manipulated the Labyrinth's authority, carefully concealed the now temporarily stabilized Themis, and turned to gaze at the disintegrating starry sky and the anxious figure pacing in the dense forest.

"Let's go, she didn't make it to the finale, I'll have to play out the second half."

~~

"The private matters between you two, Aunt Themis has already heard, and she wants to tell my father!"

Listening to Athena's definite reminder, Hera's complexion turned pale, and she couldn't help but look at Luo En, just released from the Stellar Court, with a sinking heart.

The cat was out of the bag, but she and Zeus had already completed the division of marriage and divine authority, so she wasn't too afraid of her husband, the King of Gods, calling her to account.

But as for her young lover, that might not be the case. The King of Thessaly, Ixion, who had once harbored improper thoughts about her, was still imprisoned in Tartarus Hell, undergoing eternal divine punishment, unable to live or die.

Fortunately, Athena then shifted her tone, bringing good news.

"However, I stopped her, persuaded her earnestly, and made her give up on the pursuit."

What a good child!

Hearing this, Hera looked at Athena with eyes full of gratitude and affection.

Since Athena was the daughter of the first queen, Metis, she herself was a newcomer.

Moreover, as such a lonely and unsupported girl, Hera rarely targeted Athena, and their relationship was relatively harmonious.

Unexpectedly, this insignificant kindness had actually helped Hera at a critical moment.

However, before Hera could enjoy her happiness for too long, Athena added a condition in a soft voice.

"Of course, her agreement to conceal for you comes at a price."

"What price?"

"Henceforth, you must end your affair with Luo En and no longer entangle with him."

Hearing the demand that Athena made on her behalf, Hera's expression immediately darkened, and she showed her unwillingness.

"Why should I?"

"You brought a lawsuit against your husband for his unfaithfulness, and Themis, your aunt, agreed to preside over justice for you, making a judgment that was biased in your favor when it came to the division of divine authority. But you have been unfaithful within the marriage as well, so, for fairness, the previous affair should be ended."

Athena explained the reasons in detail and then looked solemnly at her stepmother, whose face was changing with emotions.

"Of course, she did this also for your own good."

"For our good?"

Hera frowned, not understanding her meaning.

Athena then brought Luo En into the discussion, speaking earnestly and gravely.

"I know you are fond of him, but there are no walls in the world that can block everything. This time Themis noticed something, and I could stop her, but what about next time? If my father comes, can you guarantee his safety, guarantee that you will not be punished?"

"..."

Hera opened her mouth but was lost for words.

Indeed, she had never thought about this issue.

Zeus could have his way unscrupulously because no one could punish him.

But it was different for herself; once her infidelity was exposed, His Majesty the King of Gods needed only to wave his hand to crush her little lover to death and make her suffer greatly.

"I understand your dilemma, and I believe in your sincerity regarding your feelings. But your love is too heavy for him now; being obstinate will only harm each other, leaving regrets that can't be mended."

Athena patted her stepmother's shoulder, her eyes full of sincerity and honesty.

"If you want to maintain this relationship with integrity, at the very least, you also need enough strength to protect yourself, to protect the one you care about..."

"Athena, you're right, I have been rash," Hera said, her mind suddenly clearing, looking gratefully at her foster daughter who was so considerate of her, thanking her repeatedly.

Then, the queen of the forest glanced at the young lover with whom she had entangled this calamitous romance, recalling every moment spent with him, but eventually, she turned her head resolutely and entrusted Athena in a soft voice.

"Take care of him for me..."

"Yes!"

Athena nodded solemnly, watching her stepmother summon her chariot and depart heavily toward Olympus.

As the shooting star in the sky vanished from view, the Goddess of Wisdom reflected on Hera's flickering gaze before her departure, then turned with a smile that was not quite a smile toward Luo En at her side.

"It looks like she really put her heart into you."

"But I have no desire to be the queen."

Luo En replied indifferently, then turned to Themis, who was hidden in the Labyrinth, and let out a helpless, bitter smile.

"And with so many debts on my back, do I have any other choice but that path if I want to pay back what I owe, principal and interest?"

He now understood why Themis had insisted on taking him to see Zeus; most likely, it was to make Hera retreat and stop entangling him.

Athena glanced sideways, asking playfully.

"Do you regret it?"

"No regrets!"

The same question, the same answer; the two in the forest exchanged a smile, an unspoken understanding forming naturally.

"So what should I call you? Sister?"

"Whatever you like."

Athena smiled unconcernedly, her eyes calm.

"You're not them, and you don't need to become anyone else, just be yourself."

Then, the Goddess of Wisdom looked defiantly at the rebel in front of her plotting against Olympus and declared with commanding conviction.
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"After all, no matter how you choose, I will win in the end!"