"We Elites Aren't Idiots."

At these words.

Saum stopped hesitating and carefully inspected the Plasma Rifle in his hands.

A few seconds later, Saum turned to the assembled Elites and said, "The weapon is fine. Everything is normal."

"Excellent." After hearing Serena's translation, William folded his arms across his chest and looked toward Athena, who stood not far away, before saying to Saum:

"Then, General Saum, it's time to prove whether our Goddess really is a 'god.'"

"Very well." Saum immediately agreed and raised the Plasma Rifle, aiming its muzzle at Athena.

"Fwoosh! Fwoosh!"

Blue plasma bolts let out their distinctive sound as they screamed toward Athena.

And yet...

Athena simply stood there with her hands on her hips, completely refusing to dodge the plasma bolts flying at her.

The plasma bolts struck not only Athena's golden armor but also her exposed skin—even her face and hair.

Yet Athena suffered no substantial injuries at all. Her skin was not burned, and not even a scratch was left on her armor.

"Argh~!"

"Argh~..."

Upon witnessing the scene before them, all the Elites present let out astonished roars, marveling at Athena's "divinity."

As the primary users of the Plasma Rifle, the Elites naturally understood its power best.

Saum had fired nearly thirty plasma bolts in succession, stopping only when the Plasma Rifle overheated.

Thirty plasma bolts were enough to strip an Elite's armor of its Energy Barrier and kill a veteran Elite with superhuman physical abilities.

Yet Athena had not even moved as she endured all thirty plasma bolts. Even if it was some kind of ultra-advanced defense system, it was still far beyond the Covenant's technology.

Combined with the illusions and Colossal Transformation she had displayed earlier, everything was enough to prove that she truly was a "Goddess."

"Argh..." Looking at Athena, who still wore