Numb with Victory

In the bushes, the stars were dim and the long night was silent.

Samael stopped in the woods several hundred meters from his cave entrance, pacing back and forth, glancing occasionally at the cave entrance that was faintly lit and whose aura was Magecraft shielded.

A feeling of uncertainty and anxiety was brewing in his heart, making him somewhat restless.

"Smack!"

Overcome with increasing agitation, the ancient snake raised its hand and slapped its forehead, trying to clear its head.

However, due to this unexpected move, the figure behind him stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his head, pulling it into his embrace.

A pair of soft hands gently patted his back to comfort him, and cherry-red lips murmured softly, as if humming a gentle lullaby to soothe the unease in the ancient snake's heart.

Samael raised his head slightly and met Tina's pure eyes, which were filled with worry, and felt even more guilty.

To be honest, he was single in his previous life and had never had any experience raising children.

He originally intended to cultivate Athena as a bargaining chip. She was a flag bearer who followed the will of heaven and rebelled against Olympus, and a key piece to help Tina control the Greek world and restrain her divinity.

Everything should have been this way.

However, as time went by, Samael's complex emotions were uncontrollably poured into this girl.

The more time he spent with someone, the harder it became for him to cut ties, and the harder it was for him to take advantage of them without any scruples.

Even during the daytime life-or-death crisis, he alerted Zeus in advance, directly or indirectly putting the Serpent Mother, Themis, Tina, and himself in danger.

Although Athena's life and secrets have been saved, there is no doubt that the road ahead will be even more difficult.

His concern for this girl had gone beyond what a chess player would show to a chess piece.

Unbeknownst to him, he gradually strayed from his original intention of helping the Mother Goddess return.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault..."

Samael buried his head deep in that all-encompassing embrace, unable to face the ever-pure and comforting look on Tina's face, and murmured with guilt.

"Good boy/girl..."

"It's no good... it's no good..."

Tina blinked her pure, Cross Star Pupils and gently stroked Samael's head. Although she was somewhat confused and didn't understand what she meant, she still tried her best to comfort him, albeit haltingly.

It's such a failure. Even when I'm being a bad person, I'm not bad enough.

Samael smiled bitterly, feeling utterly ashamed.

"I've let you down, Tina..."

However, after the Origin Goddess sensed the loss of the soul in her arms, she cupped the drooping face in her hands and looked firmly into his eyes.

"Samael... I like it!"

That unwavering support and affirmation warmed the heart of the ancient snake, dispelling its bitterness and anxiety. It then raised its hand to stroke the back of Tina's head and smiled freely.

"I suddenly realized it's been a long time since I combed your hair. Come on, sit down and let me comb it for you."

Tina's eyes sparkled, and she nodded enthusiastically. At Samael's beckoning, she obediently sat on a rock by the pool, letting her shadow wash her hair, comb her hair by the water, and patiently arrange and tie each strand of her long hair.

She didn't understand what the person behind her was worried about or felt guilty about.

She was already content as long as she could see Samael by her side every day when she woke up.

Yes, just being there for someone is enough.

Ideally, Athena shouldn't leave even when she grows up.

Although she rarely lets herself be hugged anymore, she still likes to come closer and whisper secrets.

However, the most frequent comments were negative about Samael; one shouldn't think about it, one should protect oneself.

Also, I hope to see Anna, Echidna, and the others every day...

Themis liked it too, and so did Daphne!

Sitting in front of the pond, Tina counted on her fingers and soon realized that she didn't have enough fingers.

That's too much, isn't that greed?

But I still hope everyone will stay and not leave me alone again...

Unconsciously, the Cross Star Pupils that drooped onto the water's surface vaguely saw a reflection enveloped in pure white solitude, slowly approaching.

Her consciousness seemed to be soaked by the still water, her senses were gradually stripped away, and an inexplicable fear came over her, causing Tina's shoulders to tremble.

However, as a pair of fingers gently grasped her cold, soft hand, the warmth and connection seemed to pull her out of the deadly whirlpool of the deep sea.

"You've finished combing your hair, it looks beautiful! We still have some time, how about trying your favorite ear cleaning?"

Samael looked at his work with satisfaction, leaned forward, and pressed his face close to Tina's beautiful face, asking softly.

"Um!"

The Origin Goddess nodded emphatically and obediently lay down in front of the ancient serpent's lap.

For some reason, Tina's face was turned away from the pool, her eyes fixed on Samael, her ten fingers gripping his clothes tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white.

Meanwhile, in the empty cave, the figures of the two goddesses, divided by a chessboard, intertwined in the shadows.

Themis took a deep look at the little beast baring its teeth and defending its territory, and couldn't help but find it amusing. She raised her hand to stroke its head, which was held high like a fighting rooster.

"I raised your mother, and she has entrusted you to me. It is my responsibility to protect you."

"Athena, I'm willing to do this adventure for you."

"Furthermore, just as you cannot change his concern for Medusa, some trust cannot be shaken by a few simple provocations."

The Goddess of Wisdom, whose gloomy memories had been stirred up, pursed her lips, then brushed away the fingers that were stroking her head, sat back down, pushed the knight a step further, and snorted irritably.

"Playing chess with you is no fun, I'm not playing anymore!"

Themis instinctively looked down and was horrified to see that her King was already surrounded, with iron-hoofed chariots in front and a deadly abyss behind.

The Goddess of Justice reviewed the events in her mind several times and couldn't help but admire Athena's ingenious and interconnected plan. As she looked up, she was filled with satisfaction.

"Impressive, I lost. Your chess skills have far surpassed mine."

Then, Themis seemed to realize something and couldn't help but feel confused.

"Since I'm no match for you, why does Samael say he's still teaching you chess?"

Due to her natural talent, this Goddess of Justice has completely surpassed her teacher, Samael, in chess games.

Athena stretched and puffed out her chest, but when her gaze fell upon the astonishing curve opposite her, she lowered her head in frustration, rested her chin on her hand, and answered absentmindedly.

"Him? I could beat him when I was eight, I could give him a three-step head start when I was nine, and I could play against him with my eyes closed without any problem when I was twelve..."

"Uh, then why..."

"Do you think I'm stupid? If I beat him, the gap will be too big, and he won't want to play with me anymore..."

The Goddess of Wisdom smiled, her eyes narrowing, like a little fox who had stolen a chicken. Then she spread her arms wide and swayed towards the quiet night, preparing to welcome her foster mother.

Themis stared at the intricate chessboard, stunned and rooted to the spot.

It seems that ever since she displayed her overwhelming chess skills, there has been little progress in this kind of game between her and Samael.

The Goddess of Justice smiled wryly General's Pawn piece on the board and murmured something.

"Metis, Athena is wiser than you, than me, even than Zeus ..."

"I'm afraid that apart from that guy, no one else can control this child."