Sweet Talk
“……What?!”
“That’s, that’s absurd!”
The paladins exclaimed in shock, their faces pale.
Athena declared,
“This body has been chosen by Lady Athena.”
“Chosen by Lady Athena……?”
The citizens murmured, the paladins were bewildered.
The plaza quickly fell into chaos.
“Lady Athena has declared that Lady Hera and Lady Aphrodite rushed this matter. Originally, Lady Athena was also qualified to participate in this selection. Surely, Lady Hera and Lady Aphrodite were aware of this.”
Although these were dangerous words to be spoken by a human, they were Athena's words, so there was nothing that could be done.
Especially since it was Athena herself speaking.
“However, Lady Athena, believing herself to be too busy to attend, entrusted this vote to the two goddesses. But my Goddess made time to guide me here.”
“How can we be sure that you have received Lady Athena’s power……”
Thump!
“Would this be proof enough?”
She placed a shield on the ground.
The Aegis.
Even if they didn't know what it was, the moment they saw it, any paladin would recognize its significance.
‘I see. So the shield is small enough to carry around easily.’
Until just now, Athena had been hiding it on her back, concealed by her mantle. The shield was that small.
“I am qualified. Add me to the candidates.”
“Even if that's true, the voting has already begun…”
“Oh my. Are you the one to decide that?”
Athena instantly cut off Charon's rebuttal.
She looked at Lupina and Bruna.
“Lady Hera and Lady Aphrodite, do you have anything to say?”
“Uh, well, that is……”
Bruna instinctively looked at Lupina, whose mouth was dry as she waited for Aphrodite's arrival.
Meanwhile, Athena thought,
‘I don’t know who this child is, but this is a golden opportunity for me.’
Sybil’s existence was proof enough that Hera and Aphrodite’s choice was wrong. Sybil was clearly more beautiful.
However, the appearance of Carla, possessed by Athena, was comparable to Sybil’s.
Therefore, Athena had to participate in this vote to prove that the Goddesses were not wrong.
Of course, that would be achieved through Athena’s victory.
‘Frondier must be here somewhere.’
Athena had now revealed herself to Frondier.
In other words, she was prepared to die.
‘But Frondier doesn’t want war. As long as the vote is in progress, I’m safe.’
The best outcome for Frondier would be for the vote to be called off, but it was better for it to proceed than to end.
However, he couldn’t wait forever.
The Gods were coming here from the Falind continent.
‘Frondier, I apologize for possessing Carla, but this is important to me too.’
Until Athena's arrival, Aphrodite's victory was certain, but now that she was here, victory belonged to Athena.
No matter what magic Lupina possessed, she couldn't defeat Carla.
‘The Golden Apple is mine.’
“……Since the two Goddesses seem to have consented, I shall.”
Just as Athena was about to continue,
[That’s enough.]
Athena's face hardened at the voice.
No way, she went that far?
Athena narrowed her brows and turned her gaze, and there she stood.
[Let’s do this properly, Athena.]
It was Aphrodite.
Not possessing anyone else, but Aphrodite herself.
The only advantage Aphrodite had, bound to this land due to her injuries.
Unlike the other Gods who needed vessels, she was already here.
Since it was impossible for Lupina to defeat Carla, she appeared in person.
However, the moment she appeared,
‘There you are.’
It goes without saying that Frondier's eyes turned cold, and
‘You’re playing a dangerous game, Aphrodite.’
Athena smiled, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Tiers starting at 10$ per month and you can access upto 40 advance chapters! Choose your tier by clicking the 'Support me' button! Join our discord server for latest release updates and novel discussions. Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones. Happy reading!