[3rd POV]
Athena's gaze became somewhat complicated.
From the scene she had just seen, it seemed like the rough and wild God of War had angered the Goddess of Magic, and she had punished him with her magic.
However, when she remembered what Ares had said when she first arrived, the situation between them started to feel different.
Then, she began to consider more deeply.
'What if Ares actually asked for what happened earlier? What if he's already learned something from Hecate and is hiding it from the other gods on purpose?'
If she really found out that Ares was hiding his true strength, Athena would have to consider Ares a more significant threat than any other god, except for Zeus.
After Athena asked, Hecate merely yawned lazily and then pointed at Ares with a sigh, "This foolish apprentice of mine can't understand advanced magic, and he simply wanted me to help him train his magical resistance this way. What was it he said...?"
"As long as I build up enough resistance, it doesn't matter if you have magic or not!"
Ares' voice suddenly rang out, shouting from behind Athena.
"Mm, that's right."
Hecate nodded, then got up and picked a magical fruit from the small fruit tree on the side table, "If it weren't for the fact that he did a favor for my mother and hasn't caused any trouble recently, I would've kicked him out long ago."
Athena watched as the goddess lazily took a bite of the magical fruit, then turned her gaze to Ares, covered in dirt.
Even though she still had some doubts, Ares's current appearance definitely looked stupid right now.
Before Athena could think it through, Ares shouted from behind her, "My dear virgin little sister, what are you doing here to see your big brother?"
"Who are you calling your 'virgin little sister'?"
Athena's face darkened as soon as she heard Ares speak. She turned around to face the battle god, snorted, and then said.
"Zeus ordered me to create everything. The gods have all given me their respective parts of their concept to shape the new world. Now, the only one left is you."
"Ugh... so you're here to ask me for my concept?"
Ares tilted his head, looking at Athena.
"That's right."
Athena nodded.
"I'm not giving it to you."
Ares arrogantly placed his hands on his hips and retorted, "Why should I give it to you just because you ask? We still haven't settled that matter about you stealing my authority!"
"But this is Zeus's order."
Athena frowned and said, "Are you really going to disobey Zeus's orders?"
"I've disobeyed him before!"
Ares shouted, pointing to the sky, "This whole thing was his fault. Why does everything good have to go to you? Victory is yours, wisdom is yours, now even the credit for creation is yours. Oh, I, Ares, just don't deserve anything, right?"
"You arguing with me won't help."
Athena shrugged, "If you have a problem, go take it up with Zeus on Olympus. I can't make that decision, but you will give me part of your concept today."
"I won't!"
Ares cursed, pulling the flaming sword out of thin air, "Come on, let's see who's stronger. If you can force me to give it to you today, then fine."
Athena took a step back, clearly not wanting to fight in a battle with Ares in such a place.
If they ended up in a big battle like last time, Hecate would likely enjoy picking Athena's body up afterward to study her divine form. At that point, who knows what secrets she might discover about Athena's powers!
"How about this?"
After some thought, Athena decided to take a step back.
"This time, I'll take the lead for the creation and include you in it, along with Epimetheus and Prometheus. In exchange, you'll give me your concept. Deal?"
"You're including me?"
Ares paused his movements, surprised, "Will Zeus agree to that?"
"Zeus has entrusted me with this creation project. I'm the one in charge."
Athena replied, "As long as it benefits the creation, I can ask anyone for help."
Ares stood still, thinking momentarily, and then said, "Fine, I'll let it slide this time. But wait for me. I need to go change my clothes and clean up."
After saying that, Ares turned around and walked into the tree palace, disappearing from Athena's view.
Seeing Ares leave, Athena's gaze shifted to Hecate, who was casually eating fruit and watching the scene.
Noticing Athena's attention, Hecate wiped her mouth and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"I was just surprised by how beautiful Goddess Hecate looks."
Athena smiled, "Today, you look completely different from how you appeared at the Olympus banquet. You look even more beautiful now!"
"What? Don't you know it's rude to look at a woman without her makeup?"
Hecate replied, unhappy, "Say what you need to say, stop wasting time with pointless compliments."
"Then I'll get right to the point, Goddess Hecate."
Athena said, looking at Hecate and asking, "Can you tell me the coordinates of 'Hope'?"
"Hmm? So, you haven't inherited all of your mother Metis' memories?"
Hecate chuckled, "I thought you were just like her—'all-knowing and all-powerful.'"
"Of course not, otherwise, my father Zeus's actions would be pointless."
Athena replied humbly, "Compared to my mother, my wisdom is still much less. So, Goddess Hecate, can you tell me?"
"Do you think it's possible?"
Hecate rolled her eyes and responded, "Don't think I don't know what you're really after, Athena. I'm not interested in getting involved in the affairs of your royal family. If I really gave you the coordinates of that thing, Zeus would make sure to get rid of me no matter what."
Seeing the look on Athena's face as if she wanted to say something but couldn't, Hecate waved her hand dismissively.
"You already know who to ask about this matter. I'm just a magician who knows a bit of tricks. There are gods on this earth with the gift of forethought. If you need to ask something, go talk to them yourself. Now, off you go."
Athena wanted to try to convince her further, but at that moment, Ares, who had changed his clothes, walked out of the tree palace.
He adjusted his clothes, then turned to Athena and said, "I'm ready, let's go."
Seeing Ares' appearance, Hecate narrowed her eyes, subtly moving her fingers as she watched.
Athena stopped talking and said to Hecate, "Well, if that's the case, then forget it. My apologies for the disturbance, Goddess Hecate."
Afterward, the thoughtful Athena and the seemingly carefree Ares walked off together, leaving the forest behind.
After they left the barrier, Hecate waved her hand.
The barrier that the lightning had cracked instantly closed back up, returning to its original state.
Then, it seemed like the space shifted, and the surrounding terrain transformed from a basin into a flat plain.
After finishing all that, Hecate turned to look at the tree palace and said, "Come out, she's already gone."
"I know, my clone was following her."
From inside the tree palace, another Ares stepped out, his appearance and clothing exactly the same as the one who had just left.
Looking at this Ares, Hecate remarked, "I thought you would use your real body to follow her."
"Teacher, my intelligence is barely on par with that of an average god. I can't compare to Athena, a Goddess of Wisdom with almost supernatural intelligence."
Ares said, stretching his body before looking at Hecate, "So, I have to be cautious at every step and use methods like this to keep myself safe."
He looked at Hecate and added, "Also, I think I'm getting close. If I try a bit harder, the current will push it through and succeed. Let's go, teacher, let's continue."
To be continued...
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300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
A/N: Every 200 power stone, I'll drop bonus chapter...