Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Previously, in the fight for the title of the most beautiful goddess, she had clashed with Athena and Artemis. Now, she found an opportunity.

She really didn't believe the other party dared to openly confront the Divine King with violence...

Whizz—

"Ah—"

"Who is it? Show yourself!"

With a scream, just as Phoebe stepped into the Zodiacal Star Domain, a streak of light tore through the sky and pierced her palm in an instant.

Even though the wound healed quickly due to the Divine Power, the pain inflicted by the injury was very real.

Scanning the place where the streak of light fell, and looking at the figure that emerged, Phoebe's face was full of disbelief.

She never expected that the one who ambushed her was the manifestation of Athena's companion Divine Artifact, Victory Goddess Nikki.

"Nikki, is it you?"

"You, a weapon not even of Intermediate Divine Power, dare to come here to stand against me?"

"...I didn't want to come, either."

Spreading her hands helplessly, Nikki said innocently:

"How about we stop fighting and just wait here, anyway—oh, you're such an annoying old woman!"

The starlight brightened, ignoring the words of the Victory Goddess, Phoebe directly mobilized her Divine Power and crushed forward without any fancy moves.

Having enjoyed a millennium of faith, as a deity of great divine power, she could not possibly be stopped by such an opponent.

Seeing this scene, Nikki had no choice but to quickly retreat while screaming internally.

"Athena Athena Athena..."

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die..."

"You sent me here, she's trying to take your stuff, hurry and come out to beat her to death, you can't abandon your loyal weapon—"

[But I'm busy now]

Without any external ripples, the characters leaped out from the depths of the Victory Goddess's memory, spontaneously forming this line of text.

Vaguely, Nikki seemed to see a hint of a smile from it.

Seeing this, angry, the Victory Goddess could not help but rebuke loudly:

"Help, it's over, the Goddess of Wisdom has abandoned her weapon... boohoo, someone save me, anyone—you, are you going to make a move?"

Instantly stopping her fake crying, a smile appeared on her face.

At this moment, although no one else noticed the slightest trace, as Athena's most adept weapon, Nikki only felt a familiar hand seemingly holding her being.

In an instant, an immense power seemed to be bestowed upon her, as if with a mere movement, an entire Star Domain would shake... but in response to her inquiry, Athena just displayed another line of text.

[No, I still have matters to attend to]

[Now, I'm lending you the strength of one hand... this is enough to handle Phoebe]

Gods cannot easily lend powers to each other, but between a deity and her companion Divine Artifact, they could.

The two are essentially one entity in a sense, just like only when holding the Arrow of Thunder is Zeus the complete Thunder God; only when holding Thor's Spear is Athena truly the King of All Victories.

Yet, feeling this reassuring power, Nikki still tried to refuse this unreasonable request.

"Don't do this, Athena, I'm just a weapon!"

[...]

"Alright, truly an irresponsible master."

Silently making a jab, the Victory Goddess looked at Phoebe rushing towards her.

The mental exchange seemed long, while in reality, it wasn't even a breath's time.

Holding herself, while saying she didn't want to fight, at this moment, Nikki only felt excitement…

Does anyone really think a Divine Artifact representing [Victory] doesn't want to battle?

"Come on, old woman, today I just want to beat you to death, or be beaten to death by you!"

Wielding her long spear, the Victory Goddess shouted words she couldn't remember where she heard them, laughing as she charged at Phoebe.

Standing in the distance, Aether and Hemera did nothing but silently watched all of this unfold.

As two seasoned homebodies, they only wanted to stay on the sidelines, not intending to get involved in these divine conflicts.

So what if they stood with the winning side, would it let them become great divine powers?

If not, then let it be.

They were not like Phoebe, driven mad at the brink of the starry sky; whether in the Underworld before or now amidst the stars, their days were quite good, having no need to court disaster.

...

Within the Underworld.

The God of West Wind, Zephyrus, walked into the palace of Hades, looking at the couple seated on the throne.

Queen of the Underworld Persephone, once a weak Seed Goddess.

But now, from her presence, Zephyrus only felt a grand majesty.

Has the Queen of the Underworld, sharing Hades' authority, grown stronger herself?

The God of West Wind did not know, but he was only here to deliver the Divine King's command.

"Prince Zephyrus, is Zeus planning to defy the pact once made with us brothers?"

On the throne, with a gaze deepening, Hades casually questioned the Divine King's envoy in front of him.

"Not at all, Your Majesty."

Bowing slightly, the God of West Wind displayed what seemed to be great politeness.

Yet, his next words tore apart the facade of warmth.

"His Majesty the Divine King is the Guardian of Vows; how could he break the agreement once made with you and the Sea Emperor together?"

"But you also know, not long ago, a being from the Abyss, the sinful Ancient Serpent, brutally attacked the esteemed Lord Poseidon... and to this day, there's no trace of the adversary."

"For this, the Divine King has been restless day and night, worried about you as the only brother he has left in the mortal realm."