Whose Schemes Ran Deeper? 1/2

Athena remained silent for a moment, then looked at everyone with a cold and stern gaze.

"Let me give it a try."

Prometheus shook his head slightly, his expression indifferent.

"Wisdom Athena, I understand your good intentions and I know your plans."

But even if you show yourself or take action in secret, you cannot change Zeus's suspicions.

I may have dodged it this time, but there will be another.

Only when I am not around will Olympus lose its reason to continue attacking humanity.

Zeus may want to destroy humanity, but the other gods may not.

As the prophet pondered, he looked at the towering Mount Olympus, a mocking expression on his face.

Zeus was scheming, but wasn't he also considering things? They were in the same boat.

After a brief pause, Prometheus smiled at Athena, his tone slow and sincere.

"Although you and I are Zeus's nemesis, Olympus, that place of intrigue and scheming, will only bury your wisdom."

Besides, from now on, you'll be more important to humanity than I am!

The Goddess of Wisdom pursed her cherry lips, somewhat unwilling.

After spending several years together, Prometheus, like Chiron, became both her teacher and friend.

Since her birth, the Goddess of Wisdom has rarely tasted the bitterness of failure, nor does she wish to accept defeat.

"Wait a little longer, we're sure we have other ways!"

Looking at that pretty face that revealed stubbornness and pride, Prometheus remained silent for a moment, then gazed solemnly at his friend despite the age difference, speaking earnestly.

"I am in the open, with nowhere left to retreat, but you exist, and you are still a secret. You shouldn't be exposed so meaninglessly."

If you truly wish to help, and if Zeus is determined to destroy humanity, I beg you to preserve their fire!

Athena bit her cherry lips tightly, her expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, unwilling to back down.

"Alright, whether they are humans, your son, or your brother, we will protect them."

From the shadows, Samael approached gracefully, arms crossed, and calmly began to murmur.

Athena was taken aback when she heard Samael agree, and turned around in surprise.

"You didn't come here to stop Prometheus?"

"Nonsense, Medusa and I are here to pursue you."

Samael rolled her eyes at Athena and gave a snort of annoyance.

This girl was spoiled by him and never experienced the precarious environment of Olympus, so she has a somewhat arrogant personality, is very sharp-tongued, and doesn't know how to hide her talents.

As soon as he noticed that the girl's mood was unusual, he took Medusa, who seemed to have a knack for foreseeing the future, and followed Prometheus all the way, with the aim of waiting for Athena to come to him and bring her back, so as not to let her act on her whims and cause even greater trouble.

"The future of humanity is in your hands, old friend."

Hearing that his biggest worry would be taken care of by someone else, Prometheus breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile.

"Do you regret it? If you hadn't taken this lying down, you could have enjoyed yourself for a few more days."

The ancient snake sighed and looked up to ask.

"Whether human or deity, once they recognize the inevitable and irresistible power, they will inevitably have to endure what is destined."

Prometheus responded calmly, but when he looked at Mount Olympus, his brow furrowed with worry.

But before he could speak, Samael casually waved his hand.

"Don't worry, gifts from the gods often come with high value, I will keep an eye on them."

The prophet breathed a sigh of relief, his worries gradually dissipating. He nodded goodbye to his friends, took a deep breath, and strode towards Olympus.

As the figure of the half-teacher, half-friend gradually disappeared into the deep night, Athena turned to look at the fingers resting on her shoulder, bit her cherry lips, and looked indignant.

Why won't you let me try again?

"Face reality, Athena. In the face of absolute power, some struggles are futile, and some concessions are necessary."

Confirming that the Goddess of Wisdom could not keep up with Prometheus's pace, the ancient serpent patted her shoulder and murmured softly.

"I don't want to back down an inch!"

Athena raised her hand and slapped Samael's arm away, roaring angrily as her chest heaved violently.

"Athena, you are a goddess known for your wisdom and rationality. When did you become so impulsive and easily angered?"

It seems there's something wrong with my parenting style; it gave me the illusion that I was omnipotent.

Samael frowned and snorted, shaking his head in disappointment. Medusa, who seemed hesitant to speak, wanting to return to Mycenae to think about his next plan.

Just as the ancient serpent turned around, Athena's fair fingers gripped his shoulders tightly, knuckles white. Her head was bowed, her murmurs suppressed yet stubborn.

"I don't want to back down, not even a single step..."

This time, taking a step back means sacrificing Prometheus.

Next time, if we take a step back, perhaps it will be Karon -Chiron's turn;

The next step is Medusa, it's Tina, it's you!

Was Athena intelligent? Yes, very intelligent!

She certainly knew what a stopgap measure was. Prometheus had long been a thorn in her side, so exchanging herself for a chance at human development and preserving her secret was well worth it.

But she knew even more clearly that as long as she was alive and humanity existed, Zeus would not let it go, and divine punishment would return sooner or later.

She is very good at playing chess.

Whether it's the righteous Themis or the cunning Samael, they can all become pawns to protect her, if she so chooses.

Once you take that first step back and break through that line, for the sake of the so-called big picture, the remaining steps—the third, the fourth, and countless others—become less difficult.

Athena felt immense fear whenever she thought about that kind of rational analysis of the future.

Wisdom unconstrained by emotions is nothing more than a cold calculation of gains and losses.

It is rationality! It is wisdom!

Just as the goddess poured out her panic and helplessness, two fair arms gently pulled her into their embrace, just as they had used to lull her to sleep when she was a child. They patted her pink back and whispered tender words in her ear.

"So, these are what you're worried about..."

I'm sorry, I take back what I said earlier. Girl, I'm proud of you.

Samael gazed at the Goddess of Wisdom, who seemed far more down-to-earth, and felt a strange sense of pride.

Medusa, standing beside her, couldn't help but soften her gaze. The last trace of resentment in her heart vanished as the Goddess of Wisdom revealed her weakness and stubbornness.

Now, she believes that no matter what, she and Athena will never take the step of killing each other in the future.

As she was embraced and comforted, the Goddess of Wisdom's inexplicable fear and unease gradually dissipated.

Once the girl calmed down a bit, Samael raised his hand and placed it on the goddess's silver hair, rubbing it with a mischievous grin.

"You brat, don't think you're the smartest person in the world. We're just as good as you, being your adoptive father and teacher."

"I haven't lived enough yet, Prometheus is doing just fine."

Athena suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed, and immediately understood the unspoken meaning.

"Is this also part of your plan?"