You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

"Ah~ Hoo..."

Yawning, Iori leaned wearily against the rock, her eyes half-closed, wanting to take a nap.

Strangely enough, he was already virtually immortal, impervious to swords and blades. Hot water, and even the heat of magma posed no threat to him. As a body sculpted by the Third Law, his energy was so abundant that he didn't need sleep to recover.

But he still maintained his previous routine, in terms of clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Perhaps subconsciously, these were not troublesome things, but rather a way of enjoying life.

Theoretically, this body should not have consumed anything, but after soaking in the hot spring for a while, waves of fatigue washed over him, making him gradually sluggish.

My eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and my limbs became weak. My body and mind relaxed together.

"Sera... is she really not going to let this go? Never mind..."

Feeling the warmth of the rising steam in the spring, Iori smiled and slowly drifted off to sleep.

A pretty figure appeared at the entrance of the men's bathhouse... and I was stunned.

Sera was wrapped in a bath towel, her hair was wet and dripping with water, her skin was delicate and smooth with a pinkish glow, and there was a tenderness in her eyes, making her look incredibly alluring.

She originally intended to sneak in and ambush someone, but was stopped at the door.

"I am subordinate to the gods and have an obligation to protect my contractors. Is it strange that I am here?"

Yes, that's true, and it makes perfect sense, but—

"Go and get dressed before you say such things, Athena!"

Chapter 523 Just Smile.

A single silver strand of hair swayed in the darkness, seemingly transforming into countless threads that wove into a Roman-style long robe, tied at the shoulder with a gold ring, accentuating the goddess's beautiful, slender figure.

Perfect – even as a woman herself, Sera couldn't help but be captivated by this beauty.

That was the ultimate embodiment of mystery and nobility. The temperament and elegance that ancient Greek artists had tried countless times to recreate on marble found its best form in Athena without any need for embellishment.

Compared to the cold and taciturn child form, the grown-up Athena is clearly more "lively," not only with richer and more vivid facial expressions, but also with a wider range of emotions, revealing many of her previously hidden psychological fluctuations.

Sera felt that this change was probably due to the completion of her divine status. More accurately, it wasn't that Athena "changed," but rather that she returned to her original state.

As an ancient earth goddess, Athena may have a pure side, but she is not lacking in charm and maternal instincts. She is not only the "mother" who has guided countless heroes, but also a goddess who can compete with Aphrodite and Hera for the golden apple.

The girl's previous appearance was more like the result of being stripped of the "snake" and left with only "wisdom" and "victory," because in many myths, the "snake" is closely related to desire, women, and reproduction.

The Christian mythology, as a relatively recent development that only began to take shape in the Common Era, has provided a very concise summary of this point:

The devilish image that tempts others, the embodiment of desire, whether it is the evil in the Garden of Eden or the red dragon in the apocalypse, is basically related to "snakes".

Athena is now Iori's subordinate goddess. Strengthening her is equivalent to strengthening one's own power. Iori herself is confident enough to control this stubborn goddess, so she never hesitates to give her "rewards".

For example, she had come into contact with the Gorgon Stone, the Brain in a Vat, and even the Chaldea's [MC].

It can be said that Athena is currently only bound by the contract. Once she becomes independent, her strength will be much greater than it was in "Godkiller"!

However, having experienced so many other worlds, the Goddess of Wisdom's vision is no longer limited to "Campione!" or its parallel worlds. Her gaze has long since left the vortex of conflict between "gods and demons" and turned to a much broader world.

(Incidentally, among the many alternate worlds, the one that shocked her the most was not "Heroic Age" with its high level of power, but "Re:Creators," which even led her to philosophical reflections for a while. However, she later discovered that it was just a supernatural phenomenon based on a "collective unconscious of humanity," and she was relieved.)

It must be said that these experiences brought her many gains and truly changed many of her perspectives. For example, her attitude towards Iori changed from cold and sarcastic to stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, and in the end, all she could think about was how to subvert her superior…

This is not admitting defeat, but rather a roundabout way of fighting back!

Her master-servant status was unshakeable. No matter how much she complained, she would eventually have to submit to Iori and serve him wholeheartedly. In the end, she would only be labeled as "tsundere".

Not only will it fail to cause Iori pain, but her act of "revenge" will also incur punishment, subjecting her to endless torment with evil spells beyond the virgin goddess's imagination, while she must maintain her outward dignity and composure and never beg for mercy—it's practically self-torture!

Who knows how long these hellish days will continue...

Originally, Athena would not have given in. She had an unimaginable sense of pride; otherwise, she wouldn't have persisted in wandering the earth, waiting for the day when she could turn the tables on the Father God and the God of Steel, even though many of the Earth Mothers had resigned themselves to their fate.

However, as she was taken around by Iori, stayed in this man's shadow, and followed him through all sorts of novel adventures... her thoughts gradually began to change.

Since there's no way to resist, why not take advantage of her master-servant relationship with Iori!

She couldn't get rid of Iori, but conversely, wouldn't Iori also be unable to leave her?

As the saying goes, "Death cannot separate us," this is the closest relationship, even surpassing that of husband and wife.

Then things become simple: perhaps she cannot defeat Iori as a warrior, but as a woman, she is confident that she can tame this beast!

Just like Queen Omphal who manipulated Hercules, Medb who commanded many heroes, and Cleopatra who captured Caesar—

So many famous heroes and kings still fell at her feet.

Athena was naturally different from those immoral women, but her charm was even greater, and Iori was no less lustful than Hercules and others.

This will naturally come at a price that is difficult to talk about for a generation, but she will win in return!

Trading her divine status as a virgin for the ascension of the goddess of victory was a difficult but necessary decision for Athena!

Don't forget, besides her pride, she also possesses a competitive spirit rarely seen in the entire mythological system!

After being "humiliated" by Iori so many times, Athena's mindset has long since changed. Now she is willing to give up her pride to get ahead of Iori!

She will use her irresistible charm to make men her captives, just like poor Tom the cat, to be played with at will. Then she can use Iori however she wants, and that will be her revenge!

And these eyesore women!

Let them bite their handkerchiefs in resentment, silently shedding tears for what they cherished being taken away.

Haha, sorry, this man is already mine!

...Strange, why would I have such a thought?

When did I begin to feel jealousy towards these women... no, hostility, definitely not jealousy!

A strange thought flashed through Athena's mind, but she shook her head and cleared it away.

Seeing her arrogant and dismissive attitude, Sera was instantly speechless with anger:

I've never seen a philanderer act so self-righteously!

"You must have come to the wrong door. This is the men's bath. There's only 'my' Iori in there."

"You, a goddess of such purity, would never want to spend your time with men, would you?"

"Men's bath?"

Athena glanced at it: "I'm going into the women's bath."

"Ok?"

Sera glanced at it, her lips tightening slightly:

The curtains on the two doors had been switched at some point.

"Stop trying to be clever, Athena!"

What kind of shameful play involves mixing up the men's and women's baths? That kind of clichéd plot hasn't been popular for ten years—although there seems to be a retro trend now, I'm here and I absolutely won't let you succeed!"

"I do not understand what you're saying."

Athena frowned. "Try stopping me if you dare!"

Her face held a kind of "I'd rather force myself on her" kind of courage, which chilled Sera to the bone.

No, only this woman...

"Alright, but you are Iori's authority. You should understand the consequences of rebelling against the mistress, right?"

"...We are all women with wisdom."

Athena subconsciously touched her lower abdomen and said with lingering fear, "Let's not let others interfere in our conflict. Let's settle the score in a more elegant way."

"Fine, I'm not in the mood for it anyway."

Sera, head held high, showed no stage fright whatsoever: "Whatever it is, let's have a competition!"

The two exchanged a glance, as if an electric spark had flashed in the air, and then walked away together, their destination unknown.

...Iori, who was soaking in the hot spring, was dumbfounded. He never expected that he wouldn't be able to eat a single piece of meat on such a good day. What a pity!

But what can he do? The two of them had a car accident; he couldn't exactly go out and invite them to join him for some group sex, could he?

With no other choice, Iori sighed deeply and this time, instead of pretending to be asleep, she truly fell into a deep sleep.

Under the cover of night, two women who considered themselves exceptionally intelligent were engaged in a game that seemed utterly meaningless to outsiders. But from the darkness, a graceful and beautiful figure emerged and returned to the makeshift camp.

She first glanced curiously at a spot where the magical energy was clearly fluctuating, wondering why Sera and Athena, who clearly had no connection, were playing games there like best friends that night.

But she didn't dwell on it too much and then put the prey she had caught that day aside.

As a subordinate deity of Iori, Athena's "dwelling place" is Iori's shadow, and the goddess of wisdom is quite happy to stay there.

Hippolyta usually transforms into a bracelet and wears it on Iori's wrist, but her element is "wind," and she is a free-spirited hunting goddess, so she doesn't always sleep and goes out to wander when she has nothing to do.

In any case, Iori can return in the form of wind and thunder with just a thought, so it won't delay the battle.

Today, she keenly noticed that Sera's gaze towards Iori was different. As an inexperienced but knowledgeable disobedient god, she naturally understood the woman's next move, so she consciously went out hunting and only returned now.

Call ~

The moment she removed her hood, her long, honey-colored golden hair flowed out, most of it braided into a shiny, thick braid, with a few strands hanging down on each side, combining heroism and gentleness. Her appearance was no less than that of Athena.

"It's so noisy. I really hope she can be honest with herself soon."

Hippolyta murmured something.

Unlike the stubborn Athena, she accepted the fact that she belonged to Iori from the beginning and served her wholeheartedly.

From her own perspective, she not only didn't dislike Iori, but she also greatly admired, respected, and even longed for him. Whether as a warrior to a hero or as a subordinate to a king, she believed that Iori was someone she should follow.

Besides... that man's looks and demeanor are quite good, aren't they?

As a child of the Amazons and a war goddess of nomadic peoples, Hippolyta was not an ascetic, nor would she deny her own feelings.

Regardless of their origins, they all share a tradition of "bringing powerful men home as mating partners," with Amazons even going so far as to abandon their lovers after the fact...

Of course, her own views were more like those of a pure warrior, so she didn't pay much attention to that kind of thing.

Hippolyta felt that Athena, like her, had also come to accept Iori deep down, but simply didn't want to admit it, which was why she had the above sentiment.

"This damp smell, mixed with a hint of sulfur... is it a hot spring?"

Hippolyta's eyes lit up. As the goddess of wind, it was necessary for her to stop and rest occasionally.

Based on her senses, her master, Aizen Iori, seemed to be in that direction as well, which made her hesitate slightly.

But she felt relieved when she reached the door.

Oh, so there are separate baths for men and women. That's really thoughtful.

……

A tall figure slowly walked in through the mist, her steps light and humming an unnamed tune, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

The cloak and belt were already loosened, and he was removing his equipment as he walked, but for some reason, he felt uneasy...

Seemingly unaware that there were already people in the bathhouse, they leisurely untied their towels and walked towards the hot spring.

The thick steam subtly revealed the contours of her body, a healthy physique brimming with youthful vitality and feminine charm. Despite years of exercise, there were no stiff lines; it was as if she were wrapped in honey.

Ok?

who is it?

Even in her sleep, Iori sensed someone approaching, and it was someone extremely familiar. She opened her eyes in a daze.

While taking a bath, he put himself in the mindset of an ordinary person, and at this time he did not even turn on night vision, so his vision was quite blurry.

Sera? Athena? Wait a minute...

Iori quickly recognized the other person's identity. While surprised, she also had a slight doubt about her presence: Didn't she know there were people inside? Didn't the two outside tell her?

Oh, those two ran away...

It seems I haven't been discovered yet. So what should I do now? Make a sound to alert the other person, or remain silent and hide? The latter seems a bit creepy...

Just as Iori was lost in thought, the female war goddess slowly walked over. She hadn't yet noticed Iori, who had blended into the environment and completely concealed her aura.

Although it could sense that the owner was nearby, this was normal—the men's and women's baths were only separated by a bamboo wall.

The female military goddess was in a pretty good mood today. Normally, she wouldn't waste a lot of time on such things, but now she inexplicably wanted to fully enjoy herself.

For her, as long as her body is kept clean, it doesn't matter whether she takes a shower or a bath. Relaxing in a hot spring is a rare and precious experience.