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

When she was about to enter the hot spring, she saw Iori soaking in it openly through the mist.

When Iori is calm and composed, she hardly lets her aura out, so she only realizes Iori's presence when she can clearly see the other person. By then, the distance between them is already quite short.

"...Oh, what a coincidence, you're taking a bath too?"

"...Should I scream?"

With one arm crossed over her chest, her swollen, white breasts peeked out from the edge, impossible to completely conceal, while her other hand reached out and placed a towel around her waist.

Hippolyta blinked, appearing quite calm.

"Are you sure you want to ask me something like this?"

"That's true, after all, I'm the woman... I'm sorry, I don't know what kind of expression to make at a time like this."

Chapter 524 was accidentally leaked.

Hippolyta's calm reaction made Iori feel somewhat embarrassed.

Just smile—in this kind of situation, that's practically a perverted declaration, isn't it?

"Um, even more shy? Like a young girl?"

Iori gave an awkward smile.

Hippolyta tilted her head and actually began to ponder. As a non-human god who had walked among mortals for hundreds or even thousands of years, she had not had much contact with them, but she had silently watched them develop modern civilization and was very familiar with some popular elements.

But how to put it, she really couldn't empathize with him.

"I can not understand."

Hippolyta calmly wrapped a towel around herself, then walked to the side and sat down, untying her braids and letting her long, golden hair hang down. She combed her hair by the pool, completely ignoring Iori soaking in it.

"Did I come to the wrong place, or... ah, is this the work of Athena and Sera? Those two really like you."

"..."

Iori's expression was subtle as he sat up in the pool. The two were supposed to be in a very romantic and ambiguous state, but the female war goddess's frankness left him unsure how to react.

"Uh, right?"

“I haven’t had much contact with Sera, but I can see the bond between you two. It’s a very classic princess and prince combination, which is truly enviable.”

Hippolyta expressed her envy, but then abruptly changed the subject: "I also once played the role of 'prince,' but it was just a facade. Guinevere's heart was entirely with Prince Rama."

Even in this role of 'guardian knight,' I couldn't carry it out to the end. In the end, I still lost to the Demon King and failed to protect my princess..."

Should I apologize?

Iori relaxed, placed her hand on the cool stone slab, and smiled at Hippolyta, making no attempt to hide her admiration.

……appreciate?

That's just a nicer way of putting it.

Iori didn't know what the "appreciative but not lewd" gaze often seen in fantasy novels looked like, but he was indeed looking at Hippolyta from a man's perspective, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

That beautiful yet powerful, well-proportioned body was not a work of art, but rather a collection of feminine charm that could arouse desire.

In such situations, a so-called "pure gaze" is rather impolite.

"No, this is how a demon king should be. You were just doing what is befitting your status."

Hippolyta simply tied up her wet, long hair, then sat on the shore and dipped her calves in the water.

"Guinevere's tragedy was caused by her own obsession, and also... my inadequacy."

Do you like that ancestral god?

Iori was somewhat surprised. "I thought you were just using the Arthurian legend as a template, and that the real relationship was different."

"Mythology can also affect divinity, especially since for a long time I was not disobedient, but a guardian knight, relying on the legend of the Round Table as a commandment to remain in the world—naturally, I would also bear the corresponding mark."

Hippolyta shook her head: "However, my feelings for Guinevere are not romantic love, but affection and pity, the true feelings of a knight for a princess."

If I were a male god, the situation might be different—for them, possessing the heart and soul of a goddess would be a matter of course.

"I see."

Iori nodded, but then she thought of Saber and Guinevere from Type-Moon—also a lesbian marriage, and the Knights of the Round Table, whose members were all twisted fans…

Is this really typical of British mythology? Even the fan-made content is brimming with BL (Boys' Love) vibes!

"What did you mean by 'envious'?"

Iori asked curiously, "Is it my relationship with Sera, or the power I possess?"

"No warrior doesn't yearn for power!"

Hippolyta answered without hesitation, but after a moment's pause, a look of sadness appeared on her face.

"But there also needs to be a reason to wield the sword."

"These two are indeed inseparable."

Iori agreed, saying, "Without a firm enough belief, it's impossible to find the right direction or gain the strength to move forward."

Human beings are driven by desires, whether it is the pursuit of material enjoyment or the yearning for spiritual fulfillment. People will make changes because of "I want this".

It could be a noble and righteous reason, or it could be pure greed, because power does not change because of its color.

"I am a failure."

Hippolyta said softly.

After saying this, she closed her mouth and quietly watched the ripples that occasionally appeared on her forehead, falling into silence. This female war goddess didn't usually communicate with people. Unlike Athena, who liked to outwit and outmaneuver Iori, she seemed more compliant and without any worries.

But in reality... she is just as sensitive, it's just that as a soldier she's not good at expressing herself.

"I'm a man, I'm fine"—this statement also applies to her.

Actually, Iori could understand her feelings to some extent:

As a hero of steel, she lost to Iori;

As a warrior's companion, Rama pierced through the false glory;

As a guardian knight, she was powerless to help Iori suppress Guinevere;

As a divine power, her importance is second only to the White Horse.

This is undoubtedly a devastating blow to a proud warrior.

Now that things have come to this, she no longer has much of the will to continue fighting. All that remains is "loyalty"—to exist as a weapon, a tool, as a subordinate god bound to Iori.

Although this was not what Iori wanted, he did indeed take everything from Hippolyta.

Of course, if Iori were a pure demon king, a ruthless monarch, he wouldn't need to consider Hippolyta's thoughts at all.

After all, no matter what the female war goddess thinks, as long as she is sharp enough as a spear and can pierce the enemy for Iori, that is enough.

However, Iori happens to be a rather "meddlesome" person.

"You are not a loser, you have just failed before."

Iori met Hippolyta's gaze as she looked up, her deep eyes making the female war goddess somewhat dazed.

"Now that you've followed me, your battlefield will no longer be the grasslands, but countless other worlds. Your future life will be far more exciting than the past."

Perhaps you failed to protect Guinevere, but she didn't become unhappy because of it; on the contrary, she was freed from it, wasn't she?

"Guinevere... if she's happy, then that ending isn't so bad."

"Yes, you are too."

Iori's approachable smile captivated the female warrior, stirring her heart.

"Don't be bound by the past. Just like abandoning the name Lancelot, let those burdens become memories and keep them in your heart. You need to travel light when facing the future."

Hippolyta pondered: "Travel light?"

"Hehe, that's not what I meant by you being like this."

"Iori said with amusement."

Hippolyta glanced at him and subconsciously adjusted her towel. She hadn't cared before, but now she seemed to feel Iori's gaze.

"Like Athena?"

"Ok?"

Iori asked in surprise, "Her?"

"Although Athena may be resentful towards you, she is a wise woman who already knows where she should go in the future and has no attachment to the past."

Hippolyta pondered for a moment, then said, "I think she seems to be enjoying her life right now."

"Oh?"

Iori raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

The female war goddess said in a complicated tone, "But I'm a bit slow on the uptake... If I were just a weapon, instead of being in this free state, maybe it would be better?"

"...Is there anything I can do to help?"

Iori thought for a moment, "To be honest, I can also fix you into a divine artifact, or change your mind."

After all, Hippolyta at present is only his power.

"If I had to say... I want to know what human emotions are like."

"Ok?"

"right……"

Hippolyta looked directly at Iori and spoke her truest thoughts: "Gods are spirits bound by mythology. Although powerful, they are like the Heroic Spirits in Chaldea, beings that are 'complete'."

There may be many forms, but the essence will not change... except for humans.

They are born weak and vulnerable, driven by fear and desire, but this also makes them full of potential.

From weak to strong, from frail to resilient, from naive to ruthless, from ignorant to cunning—the characteristics of the human race are strikingly consistent in various works of art.

They are far less "unique" than dwarves, elves, or orcs, but all worldviews assume they are full of possibilities and a race adept at creating miracles.

"Perhaps, the reason why humans can kill gods is not just due to good luck, but also because there is something in their souls that can surpass the gods—I want to know!"

Hippolyta and Iori exchanged glances: "I want to gain human emotions, even if it means being born as a human and losing my current power... I want to know what kind of emotions a strong person like you carries on your sword, and how heavy they are."

"That's it..."

"I know this request is unreasonable."

Hippolyta lowered her eyes, holding no hope.

Her identity is "Power," and for Iori, a weapon imbued with emotion is not necessarily a good thing.

Besides, what if her strength actually decreases?

"That's a good idea."

However, to her surprise, Iori readily agreed: "Absolutely. You are aware of this, and even have the resolve to abandon your divine body... Your level is already higher than many Steel Gods."

Iori quite agreed with, and could even be said to admire, Hippolyta's idea.

"But specifically... how should we do it?"

“Athena has a secret technique for sealing her divine nature, similar to the reincarnation of a god. However, if this technique is applied, it seems that her personality will also undergo a significant change.”

It seems that Hippolyta's decision was not impulsive; she had indeed thought about it for a long time and even consulted Athena.

"As a subordinate god, I have no way to cast such a spell on myself; I can only do so with your consent."

"Personality?"

"It should be the result of the release of long-suppressed emotions, the so-called true face after peeling away the divine status."

"Oh~"

Iori closed her eyes and, in a trance, connected with her own power, the Wisdom of the Sky. She discovered that such a secret method did indeed exist, and its effects were similar to those described by Hippolyta. However, it had a slight side effect: like the elixir of rejuvenation, it could cause her personality to "rejuvenate," becoming a state that matched her appearance.

"Then it's decided, and I hereby declare—"

"Ugh?"

Hippolyta was taken aback. "Now? Here? Wait a minute..."