Athena kissed Nyaa~

Dressed in black-themed clothes with golden tones in every ornament, her long hair was shiny black, she was very beautiful; Kuroka's appearance gave off the impression of true nobility.

However, it wasn't that alone which attracted the eye. The most striking aspect was perhaps the elegant aura she emitted from each hair of her body. A self-proclaimed person who naturally attracted all the attention and couldn't be tamed was now facing another person who could be said to have a high sense of self-worth. The two girls were in perfect balance, and Kuroka's face had an aggressive smile on her face.

"What's wrong, Reino? Why do you look like someone Medusa is staring at?"

Kuroka spoke so sweetly with the tone of voice that it could melt gold.

'I've been stared at by a medusa,' muttered Reino, But facing something that should make men feel good, Reino just sighed.

"That's because someone I thought couldn't show up actually did. Gosh, you obviously didn't come to chat, so why are you here?"

"Why? You can be so stupid sometimes, Reino. If a girl from afar takes a long and painful journey, it can only mean she wants to meet her lover, right?"

Kuroka approached Reino.

She wore a long-sleeved top with a black wool sweater, paired with denim jeans.

This modern-dressed woman in her twenties appears at an ancient temple.

Obviously, the two shouldn't have matched, but he didn't feel any discrepancy; Maybe because, wherever Kuroka went, she was the star of any event.

"Listen, Reino! Wherever and whenever, the only place you can be is only by my side nyaa~" Kuroka spoke and pulled Reino towards her.

"What are you doing? To suddenly appear like this, and even do something so shameless..."

"So? You know very well what happened between Reino and me, don't you? Disrupting a lover's reunion is something only insensitive girls do. Nyaa~"

Facing the rampaging Erina, Kuroka recklessly replied.

'Oi, stop saying things that will cause misunderstandings!' —was what Reino wanted to say, but he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Erina's smile scared him.

"This is a holy place for someone to reconcile the gods. I ask you to respect the sanctity of this shrine and to refrain from such despicable and shameless acts — Kuroka-san and Reino-sama. Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah, right, Kuroka, we should listen to her and do what she asks — you're not going to be messing around in the temple either, are you?" But the habits of the two Japanese teenagers were dispelled with a smile from Kuroka.

"'Playing' huh? That's not it, wherever we are whether it's Japan, Indonesia, Egypt, and Italy— when a couple recognizes their love for each other in a holy place, it means getting married, nyaa~?"

"This is not a wedding! Stop joking!"

Erina's eyes were terrifying; Her gaze was cold and it felt as if killing intent was coming from there. To be precise, her gaze was directed right at Reino's left arm. Namely, the part of his body that a naughty girl hugged tightly and gently rubbed against her chest.

"Reino-sama, can you please leave this temple? I have fully understood the true depths of your lust, and there is nothing more to say to you."

"Wait a minute, Erina! Give me a minute to silence this person."

Reino turned to face the unexpected guest, then spoke: "Kuroka, if you keep acting stupid, I'll really get mad—try being serious."

"Ahh, at least you turned serious. So different from the previous expression that was like a kitten nyaa~ Un, it's more like my Reino nyaa~." The smiling Kuroka let go of Reino.

She might have come here to help him; But even so, Reino wished she could choose another method to do it… It might be asking for something impossible, but he still grumbled about it.

"I just told Erina how I met that goddess a while ago?"

"Smart boy! For that, I'll give you an 'A'— but actually, I'm after the one who came here first." Erina's white and pale face made her very worried; There was no way his spiritual power would tell him it was a bad disease...

"Of course it's a [Heretic God]!"

"Of course!"

As Kuroka spoke, Erina also sighed and said the same thing. His bad feelings manifested, and Reino's mood grew even worse.

To that question, Kuroka could only shrug her shoulders.

'Well, humans never understand the methods of the Gods' — that was probably what she meant.

"To be honest, it might be my fault. I'm too optimistic, because of the gods, crossing seas and oceans is as easy as talking... Forget it, since it's already here; focus on how you can force it to retreat."

"Don't talk like it's not your problem."

"Umm, where is that [Heretic God] now? And its name. What is that name to be glorified?"

Kuroka nodded at Reino, the expression on her face saying 'alright, alright, I understand' — and then turned to face Erina.

"I heard your talk earlier. It seems that you have spiritual insight — that's perfect. Please predict the name of the approaching God."

"Prophesy? Do you mean hidden prophecy? Can she do such a thing?"

It made a huge difference whether one knew the true name of the God one was facing.

"...And that's how it is, so please help us? Ah, of course, this whole disaster was our fault, and I know it would be cruel for us to ask for your help, but still— help us."

Reino's words were truly sincere, and he bowed as he spoke.

Of course, everything was done to the Hime-Miko Erina.

Surprised, it looked like he was about to say something, but ended up just letting out a deep sigh.

"It's not that I have a choice, right? I just have to give it a try, Reino-sama, please stretch out your arms. You've met a [Heretic Goddess] before, what do you think of her?"

Erina's left hand held Reino's hand and muttered something quietly. Then she closed her eyes and began to speak very seriously. With this serious and pervasive atmosphere, Reino started to become anxious, and his entire body stiffened in anticipation.

"I believe... It was night. I don't know exactly who she is, but I feel she is the Goddess of the Night."

Goddess of Earth, a serpent, a Gorgoneion, Medusa. So far, all Reino had heard were the Keywords that defined him. Neither of them had elicited an instinctive response from Reino. The goddess he met might be a member of God of Night; Reino felt sure of Erina's words.

"Night... obsidian-like eyes, silver-haired goddess, young goddess... no, not young, not a goddess who lost her age and divine position... because she is young... so she is a [Heretic]..."

Erina mumbled loudly about the goddess no one had ever told her about.

So this is the power of spiritual insight… Reino was very impressed — it was almost as good as omniscience.

"And her divine name... that is, the name of that [Heretic Goddess] —— eh!?"

Erina suddenly opened her eyes in surprise but remained silent.

Reino and Kuroka looked at each other. If he was surprised, did that mean someone of the apocalypse level had arrived?

"What are you looking at? Who is it? Could it be a name you know?"

"Y, yes... but there must be a mistake. Because, well... this goddess should be the enemy of the Gorgons... of all the serpent gods; I know a lot about her."

"The God that even a Japanese Miko knows... Well, what's her name?" Kuroka asked. Her current piercing gaze had no trace of her previous playful pleasure.

"She is Athena. The goddess that Reino-sama met, the goddess who has arrived in Japan, her name is Athena. But that's impossible, isn't it?"

Medusa, the devil with a snake in his hair, whose eyes can turn other people to stone. And the hero who defeated him, Perseus. And the one who protected him, who guided him, was the Goddess who defended wisdom and war — Athena. At least, that's what Greek myth says… Why such a dangerous Goddess appeared, was something Reino didn't know.

…

Poseidon, the lord of the seas and storms is her mortal enemy. Such is the Greek myth. Actually, Athena did not hate the sea, because the sea and the land were a prominent part of the missing qualities of it and the source of its existence. What she hates is the sun. The shining light, the dazzling brilliance of the throne in the sky; This is the true rhythm for the queen of the night. But, it's annoying. At least not really threatening.

The sun is also the fire of the spirit, an essential part of life and death, enduring this brilliance is also a part of being queen.

-- No.

This way of thinking is wrong and right. Because she is still the [Heretic Goddess] Athena because she still hasn't regained her queen position. While pedaling the remnants of his memory, there were the moans of the mother, the reprimands of the queen, and the wisdom of the old granny. Within this once glorious shattered body, only remnants of the thought of attacking his father—king of the heavens, controller of the sun, Zeus.

Just a moment.

All she needed was to take back the ancient representative of the [Serpent], the Gorgoneion, and she would truly become 'Athena'. Standing above the wind and waves, she sought the scent of the [Serpent]. Where's that? Where is it waiting for him? In the East? In a land far to the East, what is with that person?

She smiled faintly.

The Gorgoneion was indeed near the scent of a familiar person.

In the end, he was the one who stole the [Serpent]. The last time she saw a Campione was a long time ago; Maybe hundreds, no, thousands of years ago. Facing her mortal enemy, Athena, in her aspect as the goddess of war, erupted with a bloodthirsty cry.

———————————

…

"Ahh... Le Fay, thank you very much."

Reino crawled out of the back seat of the very hasty car in a huff.

What fresh air!

Coming back from the brink of death, anyone would believe the same thing.

The look on his face must have been terrifying.

Even Kuroka, who had just come out, was also very pale; The uncomfortable look on his face was truly a rare sight.

"Absolutely not, because serving Reino-san and Kuroka-sama is my pleasure." Le Fay's smile bloomed on her face and got out of the driver's seat. She can act so casually after driving like crazy. So she's not normal either.

——After they found out about Athena.

Reino immediately exited the Nanao Shrine, Of course, it was to find the Goddess. After all, Kuroka might have found her location. Asking for it, Reino was not disappointed. Leaving the shrine, Kuroka immediately called Le Fay and the rest of the Vali team. Even though they said that they would follow after some preparations. Most likely the reason was trauma with Le Fay's driving skills.

'...I guess that's to be expected, huh?'

"...We don't have time. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be sitting in that death machine either, but the only way we can get to Athens quickly is by car."

Kuroka shouted loud enough for Reino to hear. The rare expression on her face was that fear.

"Does Le Fay even have an international license...? Forget it—there must be something wrong with the British licensing process!"

"If you're curious, she got her license in Indonesia."

So they both blame each other. Unfortunately, there was no point in crying because the milk had already been spilled.

So Reino and Kuroka consoled themselves with the old saying and entered the backseat. The moment when the two were wearing seat belts, the simple vehicle suddenly became a flash of lightning.

They might be there in about an hour?

It might have been even shorter, but their bodies felt as if they had been suffering for that long.

Also, even though it's automatic, the speed feels no different from Reino's previous experience.

The car that was traveling at almost a hundred kilometers per hour, managed to pass through the road without causing an accident, and because of that Reino almost cried with joy.

"It's been a long time since I smelled the sea breeze."

At least, that was what Reino thought when he saw the nameless stretch of sand far from Narashino city.

"Athena is nearby. Reino, come with me. Le Fay, wait here."

Kuroka spoke while writing the kanji in the air, Then she wrapped it in senjutsu. The word spun around, turning into arrows, circling for a while before stopping in a direction.

It looked like some kind of investigative magic.

Whenever she wanted to find something, Kuroka would often use this kind of spell; Actually, she probably did the same to find Reino at the Nanao Shrine.

"I see. Please be careful, okay? I'll be waiting for Big Brother and the others here."

Kuroka walked towards the shoreline, and Reino just followed her.

she walked with a definite purpose; It seemed she was very sure of where Athena was.

"Hey, does Le Fay always drive like that?"

Reino asked as he made sure Le Fay was out of sight.

It was past five o'clock.

The two of them walked on the orange bush near the sea.

Even though the breakwater sticks out into the water and the sea walls on the beach so you can't just plunge into the ocean, the view is still quite stunning.

"Of course! Le Fay is amazing—a person who drives like that but has never been in an accident or hurt anyone, a true natural genius at driving."

"I feel the same way... even if you didn't see her at first, isn't she really stupid? she doesn't know anything about herself at all."

"There's nothing wrong with that. Le Fay is smart, dedicated, hardworking, and even cute—she's basically perfect. Despite having four flaws, they're just minor issues."

...Let's not listen to the word 'smart', what do you mean by cute?

If the word 'cute' came out of Kuroko's mouth, it would be equivalent to 'deadly poison' to the average person.

"Just out of interest, can you tell me these four flaws?"

"Her driving is very dangerous, she has no talent in martial arts, her stews and soups are bad enough to make a boy cry from the smell, and even though her work is perfect, a big accident will happen once every three days —— this is four points."

'...These flaws are things that a knight and maid shouldn't have, right?'

'But Kuroka always chooses (at least, that's how I see it) entertaining and funny things in a simple and practical way. If so, that makes more sense.' The two of them discussed completely irrelevant topics as they walked together.

The meeting with the silver-haired girl — [Heretic Goddess], about ten minutes after that.

They didn't know how she got it, but she was wearing a light woolen jacket, miniskirt, and knee-high socks, and over her silver hair. She wore a knitted hat. The sea breeze shone through her glittering hair as if reflecting the brilliance of the moon.

— There is no doubt about that

This little goddess always made Reino think of 'darkness'.

"Long time no see, Campione. I'm happy with our reunion."

The girl spoke ancient sentences in a clear and feminine voice.

Reino replied with a snort, even coldly:

"Well, I'm annoyed, because you guys are interfering with people's peaceful and happy lives for no apparent reason. Also, I asked you to leave this place immediately? Frankly, you're annoying."

"For a child who ruffled the heavens to have such a moral tone, you truly are a unique Campione." she narrowed her eyes in response.

Even though Athena didn't give off a combat atmosphere, it didn't mean they could relax. The actions and thoughts of the gods are incomprehensible to humans.

"Let's test it first. Someone carries the title of god Athena—you'd better remember that."

Finally, the name comes from the person himself. Forget Greece, even among the states around the Mediterranean it is the greatest among the goddesses there. If only she had given another name…

"Campione of the East, reveal your name. Before our supremacy contest for the relic of the [Serpent], one must know the name of the opponent." Dark eyes that have no feelings. Athena spoke emotionlessly.

"Reino Barack, I should have no reason to fight with you."

"Indeed, but your comrades have already taken the Gorgoneion from the ancient metropolis. The... conjurers (magicians) have it ready, haven't they? Whoever takes the [Serpent] from someone, qualifies as one's enemy. Our fight is inevitable."

While she had ideas about magical organizations, she didn't care who they were at all; In her eyes, only Reino mattered.

"Reino Barack— an unusual name. A foreigner's masculine title, right? One will remember it well."

Unsurprisingly, Athena simply ignored Kuroka.

The girl by Reino's side understood, of course, and she slowly but surely created an opening, so that she didn't get in the way of Reino and Athena while muttering to herself quietly ——

Reino could see clearly that she was definitely not a match for the goddess. His gaze said, 'stop chatting and just beat each other up!' Of course, Reino ignored her and glanced around his surroundings.

There's no one around. Although there was nothing stopping people from coming here, except for Reino and Kuroka, there were no other humans — was it because of Athena?

Maybe she doesn't want unnecessary attention.

The divine aura only requires thought to influence humans.

As long as Athena was here, people would never come here. As long as the gods are around, they can and will change the actions and thoughts of humans around. Of course, most gods wouldn't be in the human realm, but there were some clear exceptions.

Those who were familiar with the gods called them [Heretic Gods]. "And if it pleases you, Reino Barack, I will ask you again. Where is the Gorgoneion now stored?"

"Please... do you think I'll tell you?"

"No, but I need confirmation. The part of someone who now longs for a clash of arms, confirms you as an enemy, thirsts to kill in the lust for war. But another part of me, the goddess of wisdom, wants to make this warning." Athena's dark eyes rolled into the abyss but seemed to flicker with excitement.

Reino thought he remembered seeing such a gaze before… Where was it?

"You are indeed a very different Campione. The power you robbed of my kind should not be small, but one's wisdom says that you are a very dangerous enemy, and one may suffer very deep wounds... like a trap that causes one to feel threatened."

Owl

Reino suddenly had that thought, a feeling of closeness suddenly rose in his heart. Athena's eyes looked very similar to that of an owl. The goddess in human form and the nocturnal bird certainly had completely different eyes. However, his instincts as a Campione told him that the two were the same —— but why?

"So, one will ask a question. How will your answer determine our future relationship? One of them is Athena, the goddess of martial and intellectual. You may either give up or face the challenge. Say, what is your answer?"

"If I could, I would also like to settle it peacefully, but..."

One cannot measure the power of a god.

One cannot describe the power of a god.

Even in her human form, Athena's power stored in her body was unfathomable. Even just meeting a god, just talking to someone, could cause a human's heart and mind to fluctuate.

Facing Athena who was already this strong, Reino was determined not to make her use even more powerful abilities.

Even so, Reino still wanted to avoid fighting; Can everyone find leeway in their hearts, and come to a conclusion without harming anyone? Facing such a shocking goddess, he conveyed this idea sincerely.

...this is terrible.

Facing Athena who was constantly approaching, Reino still weakened his surveillance.

"You're telling the truth. A battle between a god and a Campione can only bring both of them to grief—there can't be any real outcome. However, there is another way to resolve this matter."

Now they are hand in hand.

"I am truly sorry, Reino Barack. You are the most merciful and compassionate person, for a Campione. However, it is undeniable that you are a warrior, and even sadder, also a king. In your defense, one day later you can become a great hero, although sadly that day will never come—— forgive me."

Before he could finish speaking, she wrapped her arms behind his head. What is she trying to do? Reino didn't even have time to form that thought, as Athena rose on her toes and, with her cherry red lips, planted a kiss firmly on Reino's own lips.

"——?"

He was too shocked to even respond.

"One seeks the Gorgoneion. Rest in peace, Reino Barack. Your breath, your life is tightly held by Athena. Go through alone into the darkness of the earth and empty of the dead."

As soon as he kissed, Athena started her spell, and with it a terrible chill seeped through Reino's body —— damn.

This is a death spell. He felt every limb of his body turn cold, and the fire of life began to shrink. No, hang on. Why would the goddess of battle and wisdom know such a spell? Although the gods are numerous and rigid, they are meticulous to their specifications. For example, gods who had nothing to do with fire or mountains couldn't make a volcano explode, while those who weren't affiliated with water and sea couldn't overwhelm the place. So does that mean that Athena is the god of death?

"Just like the famous trick in front of the walls of Troy, you really have no defense... Hmm? Even though you have received the gift of eternal sleep, your eyes are very attractive."

Forcing his knees to bend, Reino continued to stare at Athena.

A goddess of wisdom and war, closely affiliated with the [Serpent], dweller in darkness; Reino could only wonder what the true face of the goddess was.

...That said, he remembered reading something at home before (when he was bored). In the West, the owl is a sign of wisdom, a messenger and symbol of the wisdom goddess Minerva, and some say that "Minerva's owl spreads its wings only with the fall of twilight." And Minerva is the Roman designation given to the Greek Athena. This goddess is related to snakes and owls —— who is she?

"A gaze filled with wisdom. How stubborn — or is it determination? But what a pity. Even with your willpower, without the will to give up all weapons is meaningless. Determination without strength is useless on the battlefield." Athena's tone conveyed the solace she found from Reino's useless struggle.

...His vision was starting to get blurry. But Reino will not give up, stubbornness is Garuda's true nature since long ago. "Sitaanana" is one of Garuda's abilities, literally meaning the 'white and green face'. Garuda has many names, each name describes his abilities. Reino now activated this ability, his stomach felt very hot as well as his throat, his face turned white then turned green. Reino felt his mouth full, unable to hold it in anymore. Reino spits out a thick black blood liquid from his mouth.

"This is why I hate snakes." Reino sat up as he choked on Athena's deadly poison.

And when he opened his gaping jaw, Reino carefully heard Kuroka's voice. Kuroka declared such a spell loudly, the strongest spell. Attack Athena intensely.

"She really is a wonderful woman." —Reino couldn't help but respect her. "Kuroka let her, I was really careless there. No, before that can you give me a drink. Her death spell tastes very bad.

Even though Kuroka was a very intelligent person, it wouldn't be easy to take on a god-class being so easy. Kuroka took a few steps back after hearing Reino's voice.

"Reino Nyaa~" Kuroka hugged Reino tightly as if she didn't want to be separated from him. "What will I do if you go to nyaa~? Shirone doesn't want to meet me nyaa~" Kuroka didn't seem to hear Reino's request, she kept bombarding Reino with her nagging while crying.

"Sorry to worry you, I'll be careful next time okay!!" Reino stroked Koroka who hugged him, then wiped away the tears that were on her cheeks. "Let's stop, my Koroka isn't that whiny. Before that, can you bring me something to drink? Athena's spell just didn't taste good."

"Who told you to kiss her nyaa~" Kuroka twisted Reino's waist. "I've never been kissed before~ you have to replace it twice later~"

"Okay…"

"Promise…?" Koroka looked at Reino expectantly, then stuck out her pinky finger at Reino "Promise~~ whoever breaks it will suffer for a hundred years~"

"As your wish, my queen" Reino stuck out her little finger while answering weakly.