Politics Never Dies

Artemis walked with purpose, her mind still preoccupied with the conversation she'd had with Aphrodite. Despite the goddess of love's antics, Artemis found herself reflecting on the prince of Hell, Charlomaine. It wasn't unusual for her to be intrigued by powerful beings, but this was different. Her thoughts were interrupted as she arrived at her office, where her handmaidens were busy with their tasks.

Athena, who had been in the midst of working with them, turned her attention to Artemis. "Shadow clone, your job is done for the day," Athena said, her tone clipped but polite. The clone nodded and dissipated, leaving the original Athena to handle her own business.

Artemis took a seat behind her desk, eyeing Athena with a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation. "So, how's the investigation into the prince's activities going?" she asked, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of frustration.

Athena, who had been tidying up some documents, looked up and met Artemis's gaze. "Progressing. Charlomaine is quite the enigma. His ambitions for Hell could potentially shake the balance of power among the gods and demons. It's a delicate situation."

Artemis leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "And what about his connections with the Greek gods? Has that been explored further?"

Athena sighed, clearly exhausted by the politics of it all. "I've been working on it. The Olympians are divided on how to approach him. Some see him as a potential ally, while others view him as a threat. It's complicated."

Artemis nodded thoughtfully. "Complicated indeed. But we must tread carefully. If we're not careful, we could end up causing more chaos than we're trying to prevent."

Athena agreed. "Exactly. That's why I'm trying to maintain a balance. It's not just about the immediate concerns but the long-term implications for all realms involved."

The room fell silent as both goddesses contemplated their roles in the ever-shifting landscape of divine politics. Artemis finally broke the silence. "I suppose I should consider my next steps carefully. I don't want to be drawn into conflicts that could be avoided."

Athena looked at her with understanding. "We all must navigate these treacherous waters. Let's hope that our efforts will lead to a resolution that benefits all parties."

Artemis stood, signaling that their meeting was coming to a close. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the update, Athena."

Athena nodded, watching as Artemis left the office. As the door closed behind the huntress, Athena returned to her own thoughts, knowing that the wheels of politics continued to turn, regardless of her wishes.

Athena sat at her desk, her eyes scanning through the files and documents. Her thoughts drifted back to the technique of shadow clones, a concept that had become incredibly useful in her work. The technique, introduced to her by her brother Apollo, had a rather unusual backstory.

Apollo had spent some time in Japan, immersing himself in the culture and picking up various aspects of it. When he returned to Olympus, he brought with him a collection of manga, including one titled *Naruto*. It was this manga that sparked his interest in the concept of shadow clones, a technique he found fascinating.

Curious about Apollo's new interests and inspired by the manga, Athena decided to explore the technique further. She spent hours studying the principles behind it, experimenting with different variations, and eventually perfected the ability to create shadow clones in reality. These clones proved to be an invaluable tool for managing her vast responsibilities, allowing her to multitask and handle complex tasks more efficiently.

Athena smiled to herself as she remembered the day Apollo had first introduced her to the manga. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it had led to significant advancements in her own capabilities. Despite the initial skepticism she had about the weab-like tendencies Apollo displayed, the results spoke for themselves.

As she continued reviewing the files, Athena couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Apollo's unconventional gift. It had opened new doors for her, allowing her to juggle her divine duties with greater ease. The shadow clones had become more than just a technique; they were a testament to how even the most unexpected influences could lead to profound innovations.

With renewed focus, Athena returned to her work, appreciating the blend of ancient wisdom and modern influences that shaped her approach to managing the complex and ever-evolving realm of the gods.

Athena then looked at the sky. I wonder what Annabeth is doing, maybe I can see.

She then connect to one of her, many, many, many owls, in camp half-blood

Athena closed her eyes, focusing on her connection with one of her many owls stationed at Camp Half-Blood. The owl's vision and senses were intertwined with hers, allowing her to observe and interact with the mortal realm through its eyes.

The scene before her shifted as she accessed the owl's perspective. Camp Half-Blood came into view, bustling with activity. She saw campers training, engaging in various activities, and enjoying the summer weather. The camp had a lively and energetic atmosphere, filled with the sounds of laughter and the clanging of weapons.

As she scanned the area, her gaze fell upon Annabeth Chase, who was deep in conversation with her friends. Annabeth appeared focused and determined, discussing plans for an upcoming quest. Her gray eyes shone with the same intelligence and resolve that Athena had always admired.

Annabeth's friends, including Percy Jackson and others, were gathered around her. They were engaged in a strategic discussion, likely planning their next move. Athena could see Annabeth's leadership qualities in full display as she took charge of the conversation, offering insights and solutions.

Satisfied with what she saw, Athena pulled back from the connection, her thoughts turning to her daughter and the important role she played at Camp Half-Blood. Annabeth's dedication and strength were a source of pride for her.

With a thoughtful smile, Athena refocused on her own duties. It was reassuring to see Annabeth thriving and making a difference. She continued her work, feeling a renewed sense of connection to her mortal daughter and the ongoing legacy of her divine influence.

Athena then thought to her self. I wonder if she will like Charlomaine. Hearing what she said her face turned red. Why was that the first thing that came to my mind. He face went even more red. And why I did I think she would like him or not, why am I sounding like devious mother who is wanting to show her boyfriend to her daughter.

Athena paced in her office, her mind racing with the implications of her recent thoughts. The idea that Annabeth might meet Charlomaine had sparked an unexpected reaction within her. She couldn't deny that the thought of introducing Charlomaine to her daughter, or even considering him in a personal context, had triggered an intense and embarrassing response.

Her face remained flushed as she continued to grapple with her feelings. The idea of Charlomaine as a potential romantic interest for Her felt absurd and unsettling, given their vastly different worlds and her own established role as a divine figure. She struggled to reconcile these thoughts with her usual composure and rationality.

Meanwhile, across the Olympian realm, Aphrodite sensed the surge of emotion and, despite being in a different part of Olympus, couldn't help but chuckle at the unintended consequences of her earlier comments. The goddess of love had a knack for stirring up emotions, even among the most composed of deities.

Athena took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain control. "Get a grip, Athena," she muttered to herself. "You're a goddess, not a lovesick mortal. This is absurd."

She shook her head, trying to focus on her responsibilities. The notion of Charlomaine being a romantic interest was clearly a distraction. Athena resolved to put her personal feelings aside and concentrate on the tasks at hand, reminding herself of her primary goals and duties.

As she composed herself, she resolved to address the matter of her personal feelings with more clarity. Whether or not Charlomaine had any place in her personal life, it was crucial for her to maintain her focus on her divine duties and the broader implications of her actions.

Meanwhile back in Hell Charlomaine was in his castle going to his work.

Charlomaine sighed and took a deep breath before a thought came to his mind. Hey system did my harem protagonist skill Ex effect, Athena.

[Funny you should say that....yes]

Charlomaine just looked at system and just softly spoke. Reverse it.

[ Can't do it is just something that happens ]

Charlomaine's eyes narrowed as he processed the system's response. He muttered to himself, "So it's permanent, then."

The system's tone was neutral but unyielding. [Affirmative. The effect of your harem protagonist skill is beyond reversal once activated. It's woven into the fabric of interactions with those affected.]

Charlomaine shook his head, frustration clear in his expression. "This is just perfect. Not only do I have to deal with political intrigue and resistance, but now I have to navigate the complications caused by my own skills."

He took a deep breath, trying to refocus. "Alright, if Athena is involved, I need to handle this carefully. I can't let this distraction get in the way of my plans."

Determined to move forward, Charlomaine resolved to continue his work and manage the unintended consequences of his abilities as best as he could.

Charlomaine looked at the skill. How does they skill even work

[ Will it amplifier any type of romantic felling of any female to you, no matter how small it is it can be big and keep growing, this also works if some let's say what Draco did claims you, it will give her Romantic felling to you, this only works on female who actually have real Romantic feelings ]

Charlomaine absorbed the system's explanation with a mix of curiosity and concern. "So, this skill amplifies any romantic feelings a female has towards me and can even create them if someone claims me, as long as those feelings are genuine."

He frowned, considering the implications. "That means Athena's feelings were genuine, and now they're just intensified by this skill."

Charlomaine leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "I need to manage this carefully. Athena's involvement complicates things, but I can't let it disrupt my plans. I'll have to be cautious about how I handle this situation and ensure it doesn't affect my position or goals."

With renewed focus, Charlomaine turned back to his work, determined to navigate the challenges ahead while managing the unintended effects of his harem protagonist skill.

Charlomaine looked at the system. You know something I want to yest out the window, system

[ You can try ]

Charlomaine just looked at the system, as he had a tick mark. Why do you have personality, as good as it is, it is also frustrating

Charlomaine sighed and shook his head, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. "Of course, a sassy system is just what I needed right now."

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Alright, system, let's focus on what needs to be done. I'll deal with the unintended consequences of the harem protagonist skill and manage the growing complexities of my role here."

Charlomaine refocused on his tasks, determined to handle both the unexpected romantic entanglements and the political intricacies of his position.

Charlomaine leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, system, if this harem protagonist skill is affecting Athena, does it mean I have to prepare for more divine interest?"

[Oh, definitely. As the skill amplifies any romantic feelings, the more prominent your presence becomes, the more likely it is that other divine beings might take notice.]

Charlomaine groaned. "Great. Just what I needed—more complications. How many divine entities are likely to be affected?"

[It depends on their current feelings and proximity to you. The more they interact with you, the more likely the skill will influence them.]

Charlomaine rubbed his temples. "Fantastic. And there's no way to turn it off or limit it?"

[Unfortunately, no. Once the skill is active, it operates continuously. You might be able to mitigate its effects by actively managing your interactions.]

Charlomaine sighed heavily. "So basically, I have to be extra careful about how I interact with female gods and powerful entities. Got it."

[Precisely. Be mindful of your actions and words. The skill will amplify any existing romantic inclinations.]

Charlomaine stood up and began pacing the room. "This could turn into a diplomatic nightmare. I have to keep my relationships with these entities professional and balanced, or I risk a lot of trouble."

[Indeed. And remember, this skill doesn't differentiate between genuine affection and mere admiration. It will amplify whatever feelings are present.]

Charlomaine nodded, trying to process everything. "Alright, let's think this through. If Athena is already affected, who else might be next? Aphrodite seems to have an interest in meddling."

[Yes, Aphrodite's involvement might exacerbate the situation. Her influence could spread the effects further.]

Charlomaine groaned again. "So, I'll need to be on guard not just with Athena but also with any other deities who might become interested."

[Correct. The skill's effects are gradual but persistent. Being aware of the potential ramifications will help you manage them better.]

Charlomaine paused, thinking about his current situation. "What about the political landscape? Belial mentioned unrest among other princes. How do I balance that while dealing with divine affections?"

[Balancing political and personal matters will be crucial. You'll need to handle the dissent in Hell while managing the diplomatic intricacies of divine interactions.]

Charlomaine ran a hand through his hair. "I suppose I'll have to delegate some responsibilities and ensure I have a clear strategy for both realms."

[Exactly. Efficiently managing your time and resources will help mitigate the risk of being overwhelmed.]

Charlomaine took a deep breath and sat back down. "Alright, system. Let's get a plan in place. I need to address the political unrest in Hell, manage my relationships with divine beings, and make sure everything stays under control."

[Understood. I will assist you with tracking interactions and potential issues related to the skill.]

Charlomaine nodded, feeling a bit more in control. "Thanks, system. I'll need all the help I can get. Let's make sure we handle this with the precision of a master tactician."

[Agreed. Together, we'll navigate these challenges and ensure everything proceeds smoothly.]

Charlomaine took another deep breath and turned his attention back to his tasks, determined to manage both the divine and infernal aspects of his complex role.

To be continued