[A/N] Support & Read Up to 10 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
[A/N] For More Chapters - Drop Some Power Stones! 💎💎
...
High above the distant Mount Vesuvius
A miniature sun hung suspended, its surroundings periodically flashing with golden torrents sparked by rapier thrusts and crescent moon-shaped sword beams that tore through all things.
Below, the volcano, caught in the crossfire of the battle, erupted with increasing ferocity, spewing forth lava and volcanic ash that painted the distant sky a dark, crimson hue.
This was the devastating scene that greeted Haru and Athena as they emerged from the underground temple.
"I couldn't sense any fluctuations of battle while we were underground. What did you do, Athena? How could you conceal it from my senses?" Haru turned slightly, his gaze meeting Athena's bright eyes as he questioned her.
"When we entered the netherworld, I also turned the entire underground temple. That's why you couldn't sense anything from the outside."
"However, because the netherworldization was activated through the Hera pillar, those of us on the ground could still perceive the outside world through this divine artifact," Athena replied, a gentle smile on her face as she addressed Haru's question.
"I see, that makes sense." A slight smile played on Haru's lips, his expression cheerful. He had just obtained the complete Earth Authority and had also taken advantage of a certain situation. Haru was in excellent spirits, even the mouthful of volcanic ash he had just ingested failing to dampen his mood.
"Whoa, those three auras over there... one Sun God, one beautiful Earth Mother Goddess, and that idiot, Doni!"
However, having a mouthful of ash was definitely unpleasant. Haru turned his gaze towards the chaotic battlefield, malice evident in his eyes.
He raised his right hand, and Gram, the Dragonslayer, materialized. Gripping the sword's hilt, he channeled his magical energy into the blade, aiming it at the Sun God, preparing for a long-range attack.
Unseen, the power of heaven and earth extended towards the battlefield, enveloping the Sun God, guiding him towards a future as a human shish kebab. Doni was, after all, Haru's friend, and the Earth Mother Goddess was under Athena's protection.
Therefore, the Sun God, the only one he didn't know, was about to become Haru's punching bag, literally....
"So, it's just Mithra who descended? Good. Steel's reaction is still within my expectations," Athena murmured, tilting her head slightly, her dark eyes fixed on the three combatants in the distance. A bright smile graced her lips.
Haru, about to unleash his attack, paused abruptly, turning to look at the serene, moon-like Athena beside him. "That Sun God is Mithra?"
He was filled with questions. According to the original timeline, the one who should have descended upon Naples was the Dragonslaying hero, Perseus.
But the magical energy of the Hera pillar had been entirely used to summon the Earth Mother Goddesses and was now depleted. The serpent hadn't appeared, so logically, no god should have descended.
"I brought you here for three reasons. The first was to obtain the Authorities of the Earth Mother Goddesses."
"The second was to support Perseus and prevent her from being killed. And the third was to dispel the madness that would contaminate Perseus upon her descent and make her the first subordinate Goddess of our pantheon," Athena explained softly.
Haru rubbed his forehead, a troubled expression on his face. "The first two are fine, but the third, dispelling the madness... we don't have a way to do that, do we?"
"We do. Can't you simulate and nullify the powers of the Earth Mother Goddesses? Nullify Perseus's power and then infuse her with the power you've simulated."
"With both the control of her divine power and the control of her mythology, we should be able to keep her firmly in our grasp," Athena said, a glint in her eyes as the Authority of Wisdom calculated the probability of success. A pleased smile spread across her face.
"Wait, what did you just say? Perseus? That Earth Mother Goddess is Perseus? And she's fighting Mithra?" Haru stared at the battle in the sky, speechless.
So this is Athena's way of revenge? Turning her enemy from a Steel hero into this..... Primordial Earth Mother Goddess? That's quite a dramatic approach.
Wait a minute, this method! Haru's face suddenly darkened. "Athena, that infusion of divine power… it requires a kiss, right? You want me to kiss Perseus?! Kiss a gender-bent god?!"
"Don't worry. I've altered the mythology, setting the timeline before the myth of the hero Perseus was established. So, once recognized by humans, the goddess Perseus will become the prototype for the hero Perseus who appears later."
"In other words, the concept of her originally being a goddess will be etched into mythology, and the Perseus who descends later will naturally be a pure Earth Mother Goddess... You really do have unnecessary hang-ups, Haru."
Athena looked troubled. To satisfy Haru's hang-ups, she had to expend a considerable amount of divine power, forging ancient ruins and spreading the altered mythology, both overtly and covertly, to gain human recognition.
Because of this, her divine power had been depleted recently, and she couldn't protect Perseus's growth. That was why she needed Haru to come to Naples and protect the newly born Earth Mother Goddess Perseus.
"...As long as she's a real woman, I'm fine with it," Haru said, patting his chest and sighing in relief, shamelessly admitting his hang-up.
"Haru, try to let Perseus kill Mithra. That way, she should be able to usurp the Sun God's Authority. How foolish of Mithra, killing his own followers to temporarily resist the madness, but leaving himself with a weakness that will lead to his complete disappearance if he's defeated. As expected, steel-wielding heroes are all brainless..."
Haru smiled wryly as he watched Athena's rant. Even though the young goddess looked adorable while cursing, it ruined her image. Give me back my cute little girl!
"If it's about letting Perseus defeat Mithra, that's pretty easy for me." Haru grinned, and with a wave of his hand, Gram vanished, replaced by a golden sword. He chanted the divine words.
"I know you, Mithra. Your homeland is Persia, isn't it? You belong to the Zoroastrian faith. As the god of good in their dualistic belief system, you wield the power of contracts and light."
"Words are light, words are swords. Fear me, Mithra! Fear me, wielder of the Sword of Wisdom!"
Haru's Incarnation could simulate the divine symbols of Steel heroes, provided he had come into contact with their divine power.
Unfortunately for Mithra, Haru had mastered the Sword of Wisdom, the divine symbol of Mithra's subordinate, Verethragna, four days ago.
The Sword of Words in Haru's hand vanished.
On the battlefield, Perseus dodged the attack of the solar corona and lunged at Mithra again with a swift thrust.
As Mithra prepared to counter, the power of heaven and earth descended, immobilizing his divine body in the sky. Then, the Sword of Words struck him.
"Verethragna's Sword of Words?! No!!"
His divinity struck, his power and Authority instantly sealed, unable to move, Mithra roared in shock and rage.
Perseus's figure was reflected in Mithra's eyes, his expression filled with utter despair.
Then, he was engulfed by a torrent of Perseus's supersonic thrusts.
...
Support and read 10 Advanced Chapters, Ahead of the Rest!!
https://p@treon.com/dragonnx
[Replace '@' with 'a' to Access Patreon Normally]
There is 6 more exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon page!