Little Garden 251-255

Title: The Star Holy Sword That Specifically Targets Shiroyasha

Verethragna flashed a satisfied smile at his plan’s success, then charged at his opponent, the Golden Sword in his hand slashing toward the Star Holy Sword in Aslan’s grip.

*BZZZ!*

The Sword of Wisdom that seals Divine Authorities cleaved toward the Star Holy Sword!

In an instant, the surrounding environment underwent a subtle change.

A dream-like world overlapped with reality.

And within this dream, Verethragna rushed forward, brimming with the joy of victory already in sight.

But the next second, Verethragna, clutching the Golden Sword, froze.

“This?!”

In the dream vision, he saw the target of his attack. Thirteen tall, majestic figures piercing the heavens sat around a round table.

Behind those silhouettes, a golden sun hung high in the sky, overseeing everything.

Even the shadow of this world carried terrifying power.

And among the many silhouettes, the only one he could clearly see was Aslan.

At this moment, Aslan slightly bowed his head, as if he had discovered Verethragna’s presence.

Then, countless lights gathered in Aslan’s hand, forming a golden sword.

— It was the sword that saves the world!

— It was the Star Holy Sword that, once drawn, would surely face an enemy strong enough to destroy stars!


Verethragna looked down at the Golden Sword in his hand, then up at the Star Holy Sword in Aslan’s.

He fell silent for a moment, then showed a relieved smile.

“To fight an existence like this—even if I die, I will have no regrets!”

Countless golden lights surged toward Verethragna like a waterfall!

*BZZZ!*

Everything returned to calm.

Outside, the corner of Aslan’s mouth twitched helplessly.

He had just wanted to fight Verethragna gallantly, to put on a show for Pandora.

But who knew the opponent would arrogantly choose his Star Holy Sword as the sealing target.

It should be known that the Star Holy Sword’s thirteen restrictions were the strongest seal!

The Halloween Queen had spent a fortune upgrading the Star Holy Sword into a treasure meeting Little Garden standards, nearly sacrificing all of Avalon.

Aslan had once heard Scathach say that to remake this Star Holy Sword, the Halloween Queen referenced and used the technology the Takamagahara Pantheon employed to forge Kusanagi.

Combining the partially constructed worldview from King Arthur’s era, the Spirit Status of all Round Table Knights, the original Little Garden Excalibur, plus portions of the Halloween Queen and Scathach’s Spirit Status.

Only then was this Star Holy Sword created, capable in extreme conditions of unleashing breakthrough power from the Three-Digit level.

Of course, “extreme” here referred to facing extraterrestrial enemies aiming to destroy all human history on Earth and Little Garden. Only when all restrictions were released could Three-Digit breakthrough power be unleashed.

But essentially, if such a non-human-history extraterrestrial enemy recognized by Little Garden’s Central Core appeared, Two-Digit would have acted long ago.

And if Two-Digit couldn’t handle it, the Winds of Decadence would.

If even the Winds of Decadence couldn’t… Grandpa, please come in~~

One reason the Geocentric Theory could destroy worlds was because of extraterrestrial enemies.

And now that the Geocentric Theory had been surpassed, extraterrestrial enemies were virtually impossible.

This made Aslan always feel this Holy Sword was specifically made to target Shiroyasha.

And with the Halloween Queen’s poor sense of humor, this possibility genuinely existed.

Spending immense effort and resources just to annoy Shiroyasha.

Though it was a Three-Digit breakthrough attack, for Shiroyasha who had reclaimed the Geocentric Theory Spirit Status, it might be more of an insult.

Of course, besides that, the Star Holy Sword was an absolute Divine Artifact from any perspective. Whether used in the Lower or Upper Layers, it could unleash extraordinary power.

It was a Divine Artifact just below Another Cosmology.

All that could be said was Verethragna was truly bold to think of sealing the Star Holy Sword after surpassing its thirteen restrictions.

But could something like this be considered God-slaying where the weak defeat the strong?

Aslan blinked, looking at the frozen Verethragna before him.

And in Pandora’s judgment, was the opponent dead or not?

The power output just now didn’t exceed Five-Digit at all. It was merely on par with regular Artoria unleashing Excalibur in a Holy Grail War.

But that occurred in the illusion realm where restrictions manifested.

As expected, a fight was still needed.

Aslan sighed, took the Holy Sword, and gently stabbed Verethragna.

Then, as if it were the final straw breaking the camel’s back, with just a light touch, Verethragna’s figure crumbled into sand.

After a gentle breeze, he vanished, blown away by the wind.

At this moment, just as Aslan was about to fabricate his battle story with Verethragna, he felt a very slight drowsiness and a summoning intent.

As if with just a little resistance, this feeling could be severed.

Sensing this, Aslan realized the Mother of all God Slayers—Pandora—had arrived!

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Boundary Between Life and Death, Underworld!

This was a world overlapping reality, a strange realm akin to the spirit world.

As one of its inhabitants, Pandora who mastered the Circle of Usurpation once again sensed mythological fluctuations.

It was the special reaction that only occurred when a Heretic God died at human hands.

“Has a new child been born again?”

A figure looked up at the false sky of the Netherworld.

It was a petite girl reminiscent only of a child.

Her long purple hair parted on both sides, extremely short in height but wearing a thin white dress.

Yet unlike her youthful appearance, her face radiated devilishly captivating beauty.

Pandora, the handmaiden given by the Gods to humanity, the first woman, mother of mankind, joint mother with fools.

She was also the key figure in the Campione world who gave new life to humans who slew Gods, transforming them into Devil Kings.

Currently, sensing the new child’s location, in a flash of thought, Pandora arrived in a stone forest.

This stone forest corresponded to Sardinia’s location in the outer world.

In the Underworld, distance meant nothing. As long as desired, she could go anywhere. Similarly, as long as she wished, she could also see the outer world’s scenery.

But now Pandora paid no attention to the outer world. She simply let the Circle of Usurpation hidden in her body resonate with the God Slayer outside, preserving the new child’s life.

Because now Pandora had something more important.

“Greetings, ancient Persian War God Verethragna.”

Before Pandora stood Verethragna in tattered clothing and expressionless, bound by illusory chains.

Facing Verethragna’s indifference, Pandora felt no particular surprise—she merely smiled.

“It seems my child gave you an unpleasant experience.”

Losing to a human was shameful for a God. Few Gods could bravely become victims.

Most Gods would only curse the newborn God Slayer with their greatest curse before the Circle of Usurpation activated.

“If you don’t mind, could the War God become the next victim for my new child?”

Pandora smiled, but was already prepared to act.

At this moment, the numb Verethragna, due to mythological connection, finally regained some awareness.

He looked at Pandora in surprise but said strangely.

“Mother of fools, why are you here?”

Pandora blinked oddly, then asked in wonder.

“Bestowing the most beautiful blessing upon the newborn child is my duty.”

“Newborn child?”

Verethragna was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

“Are you sure you didn’t see wrong? That’s your new child?”

“Hahaha, who knew the Mother of fools would one day become a fool herself.”

“Witch, open your eyes and look closely—is that your child?”

Pandora looked at Verethragna with a strange expression, nodded slightly, then crossed through the Underworld to gaze at Aslan.

“Indeed, the one who killed you is human, and he looks very nice~”

Pandora wiped drool from the corner of her mouth.

“I’m touched—finally someone considers me human.”

A man’s voice sounded beside Pandora. Aslan wiped moved tears from his eye corner.

Since arriving in Little Garden, he had lost his human identity, speeding down the non-human path.

But how many knew the pain in his heart?

Why? Why? Little Garden was so unfair to him!

Sakamaki Izayoi with the Third Perpetual Motion Machine in his body, Kasukabe Yo using Genome Tree to simulate different creatures’ abilities—they could all be called human.

But why not him?

Aslan emotionally patted her shoulder. Because of this one sentence from Pandora, he would protect this Pandora.

Even if Jesus came, it wouldn’t work! He said so!

But sensing the abundant Divinity in Aslan’s body, Pandora’s movement froze.

Such powerful Divinity, and carrying a Savior’s aroma. Was this the King of the End?

But wasn’t the King of the End Rama?

Then what was this one? Pandora looked at Aslan with held-back tears.

“I’m going to die, I’m going to die!”

“Could another world’s King of the End have come hunting me?”

“Is there still time to surrender now?”

“Is there a foolish child coming to save mother?”

Pandora’s heart wailed madly.

(Mother dies, you’ll never get new Divine Authorities again!)

“Hmm? Why not continue? Keep the ritual going?”

Aslan said somewhat strangely, reminding Pandora that he was currently still a human awaiting reincarnation—he still needed to become a God Slayer.

“Do you desire My Divine Authorities so much? Take them—as payment for showing the unknown King a farther path!”

Verethragna laughed loudly, then voluntarily released his Divine Authorities, shattering his Divinity and returning to mythology.

“Take them, take everything—as the price for My arrogance!”

-

Title: Tell Me, Is He Saving This World or Not!

“Wuu~”

Pandora tugged at the hem of Aslan’s clothes with a sobbing voice and said,

“I’m sorry, the usurped Divine Authority cannot be transferred into your body.”

(What now? He won’t chop me with his sword, right?)

Pandora’s heart panicked to the extreme. As an Earth Mother Goddess, meeting a Steel Hero was basically encountering her natural enemy.

If not for Verethragna already defeated and bound by the Circle of Usurpation, she normally wouldn’t even dare appear before such a Steel Hero.

From Gaia, Mother Earth, to Rhea, Goddess of Time, and finally Pandora—she had never won against Steel Gods.

Continuously oppressed and bullied to this extent, in the end she could only retaliate by creating God Slayers.

“Then, since I’ve lost one Divine Authority, how will you compensate me?”

Aslan looked at the trembling Pandora with a mysterious smile.

Gazed at by Aslan’s blue eyes, Pandora shook like a little rabbit targeted by a giant dragon.

“I surrender. Can you not kill me? For the sake of us both being Gods—after all, if I’m killed, what about the Heretic Gods in various parallel worlds?”

The birth of God Slayers wasn’t coincidence, and Pandora didn’t have the ability to extend the Circle of Usurpation to all parallel worlds.

In fact, the Circle of Usurpation’s birth and God Slayers’ existence on Earth were results permitted by the planet and mythology.

There were always Gods who disobeyed their myths, ambitiously descending to Earth to alter mythology and gain freedom.

But the arrival of Gods, manifesting as Heretic Gods, caused severe damage to Earth. Especially Steel Gods. Their arrival drained Earth’s spiritual energy and brought various disasters.

And God Slayers bore the responsibility of cleansing Heretic Gods.

Pandora hoped Aslan would spare her based on the duty she carried.

At this moment, Aslan spoke in an extremely calm tone.

“So what, but what does that have to do with me? Tell me, how exactly should you compensate me for losing this Divine Authority?”

“Aren’t you the Savior? Where’s your sense of responsibility?”

Pandora said with held-back tears.

“I’m not this world’s Savior, and since when did you get the illusion that I’m not saving this world?”

Aslan rolled his eyes at Pandora.

(Otherwise, what do you think I’m doing right now? Isn’t it to prevent this world from being sunk by those Two-Digits?)

(Forget who brought this danger for now.)

(Tell me, am I saving this world or not!)

This was a multiverse-saving achievement.

Aslan looked at the nearly vanishing, unclaimed Divine Authorities, then flicked a Magic: The Gathering card to store this Eastern War God’s Divine Authorities.

Though useless to him, and a hot potato to others.

But for Kalki, it was a great item, fully capable of helping develop Another Cosmology.

Maybe he could sell it at a good price to the Sun Kings group.

Almost forgot—he could also extort Indra.

Who told him to be unlucky? Verethragna happened to be Indra’s alter ego.

Moreover, he also had Indra and Vishnu alter egos in Hinduism.

This Divine Authority’s incarnation portion came from Vishnu’s alter ego.

One stroke, two islands crossed—perfect!

“Didn’t you not lose this Divine Authority?”

Pandora raised her head, looked at Aslan, and said coaxingly.

“That… can we call it even? I really have nothing, truly can’t compensate.”

“That’s true, you indeed have no assets to compensate.”

Aslan pinched his chin, looking at Pandora with interest.

He could see Pandora was telling the truth. The Domain of Immortality had no foothold for her. She didn’t even own real estate. Her only daily pleasure was observing the real world through the Underworld, watching her children.

Namely, the other God Slayers.

As for Divine Authorities and Divinity? She had changed from Gaia to Pandora—what Divine Authorities or Divinity did she still have?

She even had to operate the Circle of Usurpation herself.

At this moment, Aslan glanced at Pandora.

Seeing this, Pandora unconsciously looked at her slender body and said with slight fear.

“You… you don’t want me to pay with my body, right?”

Pandora looked at him with a slightly flushed face. If she really had to pay with her body—

(Seems I wouldn’t lose either? This man looks exactly like King Arthur from Legends of King Arthur.)

As a mythology compiled by witches, Arthur contained many witches’ fetishes. Though in mythology, witches’ incarnation was Morgan.

But Morgan was also interested in Arthur’s body.

“If it’s you, it’s not impossi—”

*THUNK!*

Pandora’s words weren’t finished before being cut off by Aslan’s hard flick.

“You’re daydreaming!”

Aslan slightly flexed his wrist.

“I mean, work to pay off the debt. Just work for me for a thousand years, then the matter’s settled.”

Hearing this, Pandora was shocked. She hadn’t expected the other party to ask her to work off the debt.

Though not paying with her body—slightly a loss.

But at least she survived, right?

Pandora couldn’t help asking hesitantly.

“Really? Just a thousand years is enough?”

“If you want to work for free, that’s also fine.”

Aslan looked at Pandora somewhat strangely, not understanding how she could be so happy despite being exploited.

Pandora’s small eyes immediately sparkled.

At this moment, Aslan realized Athena and Lancelot, who went to capture Melqart in Sardinia, had returned.

Without saying anything, he directly left the Underworld, leaving only Pandora looking awkwardly at his back as he departed without hesitation.

“Am I that unattractive?”

Pandora showed an expression doubting life.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Real World, Sardinia.

Erica watched Verethragna easily killed by Aslan and muttered softly.

“God-slaying… is actually this easy?”

From Erica’s perspective, Verethragna only drew the Golden Sword, ran two steps, then froze.

His youthful face still showed a satisfied smile from his plan’s success. Time seemed to stop on him.

Then, until gently pierced by Aslan’s sword, his body crumbled, turned to sand, and was blown away by the wind.

“If I’d known, I would’ve done it myself—”

But Erica’s words weren’t finished before her mouth was covered by Liliana.

Liliana showed a terrified expression and said to Erica with slight disbelief.

“Erica Blandelli, do you know what you’re saying?”

Fortunately, Aslan had just gone to the Underworld. Otherwise, based on Erica’s words, Liliana wouldn’t be wrong to execute her on the spot.

Even Red Copper Black Cross wouldn’t escape the consequences.

“Let her go, Lilli.”

At this moment, Aslan returning from the Underworld looked at Erica with interest and said to Liliana.

Hearing Aslan’s voice, Erica’s entire body froze. From feet to head, all limbs stiffened.

Done for? This time truly done for—heard by the King.

She really hadn’t expected Aslan to return this quickly.

Normally, shouldn’t it take some time after slaying a God to receive Divine Authorities?

“However, since you said you could do it too, maybe I can give you a chance.”

Coincidentally, Athena and Lancelot had captured Melqart and were on their way back here.

Hearing this, Erica suddenly widened her eyes, looking at Aslan with slight fear.

(No way? Making me fight a Heretic God?)

Though she was somewhat arrogant, she knew what kind of monsters Heretic Gods were.

But this happened because she misspoke. To not drag Red Copper Black Cross down, Erica had to accept Aslan’s grace.

“Very well, thank you for the opportunity you’ve given.”

Erica knelt on one knee and said sincerely.

But her heart was extremely bitter. As expected, teasing Liliana too often—karma came.

Liliana beside her also looked at Erica with slight pity.

She looked at Aslan hesitantly. Though Erica loved teasing her, that was how they got along.

Erica was also her childhood playmate. Calling her a childhood friend wasn’t wrong.

Seeing Erica about to sacrifice her life for misspeaking, Liliana was still slightly hesitant.

“King, isn’t this punishment too excessive?”

Liliana knelt on one knee. She hoped Aslan would retract his words.

Making Erica face a Heretic God directly—she would die, definitely die!

Aslan said with a smile: “How can this be called punishment? This is clearly giving her a chance to become a God Slayer.”

Liliana opened her mouth but didn’t continue. Speaking for Erica was already due to their good relationship.

(Erica, fight on your own. I’ve tried my best.)

(You really have to force me to die, Devil King?) Erica thought with a smile on her face.

She didn’t even dare curse inwardly now.

At this moment, Aslan suddenly looked up into the distance and said.

“They’re here.”

The sound of horse hooves rang out. The honey-haired Valkyrie carrying the silver-haired loli rode a white horse back victorious with war spoils.

The massive figure dragged behind them, tattered and unconscious, was the Heretic God, King of Gods Melqart.

After a fierce battle between Athena and Lancelot, they finally captured Melqart alive without injury.

“This is the Semitic Sea King of Gods Melqart? Triple Goddess Athena? And Steel Goddess Lancelot?”

Erica saw the truth for the first time, and then her face changed.

(The King can’t possibly want me to fight these three Gods, right?)

Instantly, Erica felt unwell all over.

-

Title: Do You Want to Become a God Slayer?

As if sensing Erica’s thoughts, Athena glanced at her briefly, then ignored her.

“How’s the situation?”

Athena, who had somehow appeared beside Aslan, asked softly.

“Already succeeded.”

Aslan smiled and nodded.

Erica and Liliana beside them thought Aslan was talking about successfully obtaining Divine Authorities after God-slaying.

But in truth, Athena was asking Aslan if he had successfully captured Pandora.

And Athena, now receiving a clear answer, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, capturing Pandora was the most troublesome part of Athena’s plan.

Though that goddess was equal to her as an Earth Mother, she hid in the Underworld in divine form. Yet the Underworld connected to countless parallel worlds and was a spiritual realm.

With no concept of location or distance, capturing her while hiding in the Underworld was extremely difficult.

Even Athena, if she wanted to capture Pandora, would be impossible without centuries of planning.

Thinking this, she said with slight pride.

“As expected of the man this servant likes. However, this servant also successfully captured that annoying Steel God alive.”

Though not without Lancelot’s help—the Steel Goddess—the main power came from Athena herself.

As an Earth Mother, she had defeated, even captured alive, Melqart—the Steel God and King of Gods possessing Sky Divinity.

For Athena, this was a very good start, an achievement worth boasting.

At this moment, Erica beside them watched the scene with a slightly strange expression.

(This tone—is she whining or asking for praise? Isn’t this goddess a Heretic God? How can she get along so well with the King?)

But at least she could confirm one thing: she wouldn’t be beaten by a group of Heretic Gods.

Though the end result was no different.

Whether one or three, she still couldn’t defeat them—only be crushed.

“Good work.”

Aslan praised casually.

Hearing this, Athena’s smile brightened.

“But how should we handle him? With the poison this servant put in his body now, he’ll only be controlled for a few more minutes.”

Athena pointed at the unconscious Melqart being dragged by Lancelot’s white horse.

Killing him was easy—just replace the poison with death.

But capturing and controlling him alive was extremely troublesome, especially for a Steel God with strong physique and abundant vitality.

Ordinary poison at best worked once or twice, controlling for a short time.

Right at that moment, the unconscious Melqart suddenly opened his eyes, but he was very cautious and made no sound.

The poison was still in his body. This was when he was weakest—even weaker than after being severely injured fighting Verethragna earlier.

He carefully controlled Divine Power and Authorities to break down the poison in his body.

At this moment, Aslan suddenly said meaningfully to Erica.

“Do you want to become a God Slayer?”

Erica desperately wanted to say “Sorry, I was wrong” but her genius aura since childhood, becoming a Great Knight at sixteen, the pride from a title just one step below Paladin at humanity’s peak—

Made her unable to utter words begging for forgiveness.

Moreover, Aslan had already been very merciful—the challenge target given to her was an unconscious Heretic God.

Who knows, she might really have a glimmer of a chance to become a God Slayer.

Why could the Sword King do it, but not her?

Did she not even have the courage to swing a sword at an unconscious Heretic God?

Thinking this, Erica took a deep breath, drew her beloved sword Cuore di Leone with spatial magic, gritted her teeth, and charged forward.

Melqart’s figure was extraordinarily massive—15 meters tall, with muscles looking like molten copper. It seemed with just a little force, he could easily crush Erica’s head.

Not to mention the abundant Divine Power and terrifying Divine Might enveloping him.

For ordinary people, just standing near him required bearing terrifying pressure.

Even Erica felt it. Though her talent was among humanity’s best, she lacked the God Slayer talent of being fearless against Divine Might.

She now had to gather all her strength just to raise her sword.

(Is this a God?)

Erica took a deep breath and reminded herself inwardly.

The God was unconscious now—at least he wouldn’t wake for ten minutes. This was her chance.

For the sake of becoming a God Slayer!

Gathering courage, Erica chanted the incantation.

“Eli Eli lama sabachthani? Oh Lord, why hast thou forsaken me? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”

Golgotha—this was the calamity chant sung by the dying Holy Son, words of hatred and despair blessed upon the sword.

“Golgotha—she even learned this?”

Diana watching couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration.

“At sixteen, talent like this might have stepped into the realm of miracles.”

“Talent?”

Athena turned and glanced at Diana.

“Miracles?”

Aslan also turned.

Diana suddenly couldn’t speak anymore.

At this moment, Erica raised her sword, fighting Divine Might, and finally walked before Melqart, reaching a distance where she could attack him.

She raised her sword high and slashed down with all her strength.

“Shallow memory, but that spell can indeed injure Gods.”

Athena said with slight surprise.

Though thanks to the Holy Son’s spell, Erica was indeed praiseworthy.

Perhaps if Erica trained a few hundred more years, she could frontally slay Gods like Luo Cuilian?

“But when could Gods be killed so easily?”

Athena said coldly and flatly. Current Erica only qualified to injure Gods.

Just when Erica rejoiced that Melqart was still unconscious—

Melqart sensed danger, unconsciously raising Yagarish in his left hand, blocking Erica’s Golgotha-infused slash.

“Just this? Still want to injure this old man? Even if you want to slay a God, you should send someone brave, right?”

Melqart couldn’t help mocking Erica—and of course, mocking Aslan too.

He only used slight force to parry—Erica was immediately thrown, crashing straight through the temple wall.

“Wah~”

Erica struggled to stand. Her throat felt sweet—she forcibly swallowed and bravely raised her sword again.

“Fly, boots of Hermes!”

At Erica’s call, magic circles appearing in the air gathered at her boots, making her body extremely light.

At the same time, Aslan hearing the spell frowned but said nothing—instead watching Erica raise her sword again without knowing her place, to slay a God.

This kind of conviction—even Aslan had to praise.

Current Erica was like Icarus with wax wings, flying toward the sun.

“Too bad she’s not the protagonist—courage and conviction won’t bring power-ups!”

Aslan unconsciously sighed, watching Erica charge quickly and get thrown back even faster.

Too bad—he thought he could see a miracle?

As expected, for supporting characters, there are no miracles in this world.

Seeing Erica thrown again, Melqart showed a cruel smile. He had already purged the poison Athena planted in his body through deception.

Step by step, he walked toward the severely injured Erica with terrifying pressure.

But even under the double pressure of Divine Might and bodily wounds, Erica still stubbornly supported her sword, stood, even tried to raise it again.

Until Melqart swung Yagarish hard, slamming it toward Erica’s head.

(Is this a God?)

Feeling Yagarish slamming toward her head, Erica felt enlightened. Even a severely injured God, even one unable to move, possessed such immense power.

Erica only felt how ridiculous her previous arrogance was.

Great Knight at sixteen, mastering God-slaying spells, half a step to humanity’s peak.

This was Erica’s pride and source of confidence.

And now, before a true Heretic God, what did all this pride mean?

The Kings actually faced monsters like this? Could mortals truly slay Gods with mortal bodies?

At this moment, Erica finally realized how ridiculous her previous words and thoughts were.

How dare she think she could slay a severely injured God.

“…”

Seeing Erica who had lost all sharpness and become calm.

The corner of Aslan’s mouth slightly curved. Now was the time for him to act. He didn’t want to lose an obedient knight.

“Petrification Ray!”

The next second, Melqart was petrified by the petrification ray Aslan released, leaving only Erica closing her eyes, awaiting death.

After a few moments, Erica, feeling herself still alive, looked up at the petrified Melqart.

Her eyes rolled back, and she immediately collapsed.

“Not bad courage. After this forging and refinement, she can be useful for great purposes.”

Before fainting, Erica heard Aslan comment like that.

After that, Erica felt relieved. Acknowledged by the King?

Erica closed her eyes with slight relief. Before collapsing, Liliana had already caught her.

After all, Erica was quite a beautiful girl. Keeping her to please the eyes was better than seeing her killed by others.

Moreover, she was only slightly arrogant.

With proper training, someone like Erica would be very obedient.

At this moment, Aslan glanced at Melqart petrified into a statue, turned, and said to Liliana.

“Alright, your close friend—I leave her to you to take care of. By the way, remember to bring this statue too.”

-

Title: How Can the Affairs of Scholars Be Called Stealing?

Sardinia, inside the Royal Suite.

In a room with tightly closed curtains, making it extremely dark.

Under Aslan’s gaze, like observing a lab animal, and under Athena’s gaze full of pity yet enthusiastic for dissection—

Pandora hugged her knees, teeth chattering as she looked at Aslan and Athena before her. Her entire body trembled.

Perfectly explaining what is meant by pitiful, weak, and helpless.

(Why didn’t you tell me that working for you for a thousand years meant being an experiment subject for a thousand years!)

(Help, there are bad people here!)

In the room, Athena observed Pandora with curiosity. More precisely, she observed the Circle of Usurpation nearly fused with Pandora.

“Somewhat troublesome—Pandora has merged the Circle of Usurpation with herself.”

Feeling Athena’s gaze almost like looking at a corpse, Pandora sensed Athena might slay a God and take the Circle of Usurpation at any moment.

Her body unconsciously shivered.

“No! No!”

Pandora crossed her arms in front of her body.

“I merged the Circle of Usurpation into my body to accurately locate God Slayers on Earth and sustain their lives with the Dark Christmas Season.”

“If you kill me, the Circle of Usurpation cannot extend over Earth.” Pandora said trembling.

The Circle of Usurpation succeeded also due to her position as Gaia, Earth Mother, thus covering the entire planet.

“Why do we need the Circle of Usurpation extended over Earth?”

Athena glanced at Pandora strangely and said calmly.

“We only need to research the Circle of Usurpation.”

“Research, yes research… but can we not slay a God to take it?” Pandora said with held-back tears.

This was even worse than being a lab rat before!

“I already promised to work for you! You must save me!!”

Pandora looked up at Aslan. She hoped the other would give her a chance to live, as he did in the Underworld earlier.

“Boss, save me! If I die, who will work for you!”

Aslan and Athena fell silent together. They truly hadn’t expected Pandora to use such a reason.

But since Aslan had indeed said those words, it would be bad if he ate his own spit.

At this moment, Aslan glanced at Athena. Athena nodded after receiving the signal and looked at Pandora.

“What you say isn’t wrong, but aren’t you a God? If you die, you’ll be reborn from mythology. After that, you can work for us again.”

Hearing this, Pandora was stunned. She hadn’t expected Athena’s 37°C mouth to utter such cold words.

(What do you mean I have to die first then come back to work for you?)

After all, after returning from mythology, she wasn’t even sure if she’d still be herself, if she’d forget past glory and grudges.

If she were willing, would she still need to work off a debt?

Devil! Too devilish!!

Pandora looked at her with slight disbelief. As fellow Earth Mother Goddesses, why did Athena treat her like this?

But Pandora still didn’t want to die. She asked hesitantly.

“Since you can’t research the Circle of Usurpation, how about researching me? After all, the Circle of Usurpation is in my body, right?”

“I… I’ll cooperate!”

Pandora said fearfully. She truly feared Athena might slay a God and take the Circle of Usurpation at any time.

“Seems not bad.”

Aslan looked Pandora up and down, pinching his chin.

“This servant also doesn’t mind, as long as we can research the Circle of Usurpation spell.”

Athena said flatly. Her relationship with Pandora couldn’t be called good nor bad.

“Then, strip!”

“Huh?”

Pandora asked carefully.

“Strip what?”

“Hmm?”

Aslan and Athena both hummed. Their gazes fixed on the white dress Pandora wore.

Pandora’s expression crumpled, and she smiled very distortedly.

“I strip, okay? Strip everything?”

At this moment, Aslan calmly looked at Pandora’s body.

“Of course.”

“Fine, no problem, Boss.”

Pandora showed a polite yet shattered smile.

“Ugh—”

A low, suppressed sound came from Pandora’s mouth, like a kitten whining outside a midnight window.

“Please control yourself a bit, Pandora. Your voice is very disturbing to my work.”

“After all, this was your own decision to let us research you.”

Aslan was performing an anal examination on Pandora, saying with slight warning.

Pandora opened her large innocent eyes and said shyly.

“Then, can we not use this examination method!”

“Athena, Pandora isn’t cooperating. Maybe we should slay the God and take the Circle of Usurpation—”

Before Aslan finished, Pandora said without hesitation.

“Then forget it.”

Feeling Athena’s cold gaze, Pandora was sure the other wouldn’t hesitate if she acted.

After that, Pandora showed a shy yet obedient smile.

Aslan also continued detailed examination of every part of Pandora’s body, researching the fused Circle of Usurpation.

Along the way, Aslan also drew a new ritual on Pandora’s body.

It was roughly a modification to the Circle of Usurpation.

The examination was bearable—besides slight embarrassment—but why use a brush to draw the new ritual?

Pandora’s body itched unbearably, but she could only endure and control herself from moving.

The unbearably itchy Pandora couldn’t help turning to see Athena flipping through her phone and forcing a smile.

“May I make one small request?”

“Can we switch to another pen?”

“And why is the core ritual pattern heart-shaped? And it’s on the womb!”

(I feel like you’re playing with me.)

Pandora had this hunch but didn’t dare say or ask anything.

Athena’s finger stopped. Her deep black eyes glanced at Pandora, then she said flatly.

“You should ask him, I’m just the assistant.”

She didn’t even understand what pattern Aslan was drawing. Could this really affect an entire planet’s mythology?

Of course, Aslan was just having a little fun, adding some interference patterns to the ritual.

“Oh, right, I heard God’s Blood helps paint rituals…”

Before Athena finished, Pandora’s entire body shivered.

(No way? Using my blood to paint the ritual on my body? Athena, you’re too demonic.)

Pandora didn’t dare speak anymore. She feared if she said more, who knows how Athena would torture her.

For a moment, she suddenly felt drawing the ritual on her body wasn’t a big deal.

Both humans and Gods always compromise. As long as the roof isn’t torn down, they’ll agree to open a window.

But since she couldn’t talk to Athena, couldn’t she talk to Aslan?

Without something to distract, the brush gliding over her body was truly unbearable.

At least compared to Athena, she felt Aslan was just an angel.

“May I ask, what’s the purpose of this ritual?”

Pandora asked softly and weakly, as if if Aslan’s expression changed slightly, she’d immediately retract her words.

“Purpose—to record mythology, what else?” Aslan answered casually.

“But… why do I feel this isn’t recording, but more like stealing?” Pandora said softly.

She could feel the ritual on her body continuously usurping mythological power by leveraging her position through the Circle of Usurpation.

“Of course it’s recording.”

Aslan said smiling, continuing to paint the ritual pattern.

“It’s just that the ink needed to record mythology must be provided by mythology itself, right?”

“For near-eternal recording like this, it’s normal for ink consumption to be slightly high, right?”

“Of course, after recording is complete, this world’s mythology will truly be unforgettable forever.”

This was Mythology recorded using History and Script Authorities. Of course the consumption was slightly large.

Of course, recorded where? Needless to ask—naturally recorded in the Unofficial History!

Besides Unofficial History, what other history book of this level existed in this world?

It was estimated that after all this world’s mythologies were recorded in Unofficial History, Unofficial History would roughly complete its upgrade.

It could become part of his Authority Artifact—this was this world’s mythology’s honor.

Pandora forced a smile, looking at Aslan with a stiff expression.

“Your goal is to steal mythology?”

“How could it be? How can the affairs of scholars be called stealing? I told you, this is called recording!!”

Aslan looked at her with a shocked face, even pausing the ritual drawing.

He had to properly correct Pandora’s misconception.

Instantly, Pandora looked at him with slight fear.

She originally thought Athena was evil enough—didn’t expect Aslan was the true mastermind behind the scenes.

Cruel, truly cruel.

Then what about her? She wouldn’t die too, right?

Wait… Pandora seemed to realize something and stiffly, mechanically turned her neck to look at Aslan.

“You… you don’t plan to let us take the blame, right?”

The act of stealing mythology couldn’t be small—it would surely provoke crazy retaliation from the Gods.

It was estimated that then it wouldn’t be Heretic Gods, but a group of Kings of the End coming to beat her alone.

“How could it be?”

Aslan smiled and said to Athena.

“Of course only you alone take the blame. How could I let a sweet Goddess like Athena take the blame?”

As soon as this was said, the corner of Athena’s mouth immediately curved.

Meanwhile, Pandora directly cried out with a “Wah”.

-

Title: Major Upgrade to Unofficial History: Mythology Apocrypha

After the ritual was finished drawing, Aslan sent Pandora back to the Underworld, then walked to the sofa beside him.

He leaned back on the sofa very relaxedly, tilting his head toward Athena.

“Just as we expected—with Melqart as the intermediary, we can fully usurp all Divine Authorities and his existence through the Circle of Usurpation.”

“And after I reinforced it with the ritual, the Circle of Usurpation can fully seize the Domain of Immortality through Melqart.”

“Even seizing the entire Phoenician Mythology is possible.”

Athena didn’t respond immediately, instead flipping through the Little Garden information Aslan gave her on her phone, and data on Aslan’s mythology usurpation.

Athena’s movement paused briefly as she checked the data.

“The Domain of Immortality represents actual mythology. If the Domain of Immortality is seized, then what about the mythology?”

After learning about Little Garden, Athena realized how huge the risk was in the suggestion she gave earlier.

Seizing an entire mythology—she really dared to think it.

Considering she and Aslan were already in the same boat, she didn’t want Aslan to take such a risk.

She felt it was good enough just helping him become the fourth-generation King of Gods, while slightly disrupting Christian faith.

“Small matter—don’t I just need to rewrite the mythology?”

Aslan leaned on the sofa, playing with his phone, and said without looking up.

“Things like this, no matter how big, aren’t bigger than the impact caused by observing this world.”

Athena fell silent for a moment. Somehow, shouldering the fate of an entire multiverse alone was a bit too abstract.

But she had no choice but to follow Aslan.

Otherwise, her world would only have one outcome—destroyed along with her existence by those Two-Digits, leaving nothing.

“Then, this servant has a suggestion. You can place the fictional mythology you create in the sea of consciousness that is the common bed of all life on this planet.”

“The Underworld?”

Aslan turned and glanced at Athena. Though the Underworld was very suitable, based on the Underworld’s properties—

Its dream-like nature, where one could teleport anywhere just by thinking—wasn’t a good place to store mythology.

As for the Domain of Immortality, it existed in a higher-dimensional space.

“It can be called the Underworld, but the more accurate term is a deeper place.”

Athena nodded and carefully explained.

“The consciousness of Divine Ancestors during reincarnation is stored there. It can also be said to be the common storage of all life consciousness.”

“Generally, even Gods still in the Underworld cannot reach that place.”

“Oh? Star Sea?”

Aslan showed an expression of understanding.

“Calling it that isn’t wrong.”

Athena nodded slightly.

“Then this will be very easy. We just need to build a mythology that puts Gods to sleep, located in the Star Sea.”

Aslan smiled relaxedly. This indeed wasn’t difficult for him.

“Just needs one page after Mythology Apocrypha is formed.”

Mythology Apocrypha was the Divine Authority Artifact Aslan planned to create through History and Script Authorities, plus Mythology obtained from seizing this world’s Domain of Immortality through the Circle of Usurpation.

Then combining the three Authorities of History, Mythology, and Akashic together.

In Aslan’s plan, Mythology Apocrypha was similar to Unofficial History that could alter history and create fictional history at will.

Only Mythology Apocrypha was more targeted at mythology. And in Little Garden, it could even be used to permanently adjust the Spirit Status of Gods and Buddhas.

This was a Fiction Historian’s Authority Artifact combining strengthening, weakening, downgrading, hoax, and summoning.

Of course, it also had the ability to briefly make fictional mythology reality.

This was a Divine Artifact created with all mythologies from one multiverse. It was natural for it to have this ability.

“However, the only problem now is the distance between Domains of Immortality is too far. Even within one mythology, there are different Domains of Immortality.”

Saying this, Aslan frowned and said with slight difficulty.

“For example, Japanese Mythology. Just Domains of Immortality alone include Takamagahara and Yomotsu Hirasaka.”

“No need to make it that complicated. Different Domains of Immortality under the same mythology are interconnected.”

Athena smiled lightly and said softly.

“You’re not a God of this world. Since you’ve never lived in the Domain of Immortality, you don’t know about the connections between Domains of Immortality.”

“If explained in simpler terms, one mythology is one world, and different Domains of Immortality are just different islands in that world.”

“As long as your goal is the entire mythological world, then you don’t need to worry about Domain of Immortality issues.”

Saying this, Athena looked up at Aslan and said.

“And with your current power, seizing an entire mythological world won’t take long.”

“If this servant’s estimation isn’t wrong, at latest three days later, the Phoenician Mythology world will be completely seized.”

“Rather than worrying about this, you should worry about how to seize other mythologies.”

Athena smiled lightly and reminded Aslan.

“Like Greek Mythology, you can do it through this servant. Celtic Mythology you can do too, but what about other mythologies?”

“Aren’t there still those God Slayers?”

Saying that, Aslan narrowed his eyes and looked out the window.

“However, things like this don’t need to be rushed, and don’t you still have many God Divinities?”

“After one mythology is seized, just alter their Divinities, then it’s done.”

“Like Verethragna—he’s the Persian Mythology War God, while also Indra, Indian Sky Emperor.”

“He can be used for many mythologies in one God, right?”

The only weakness was that this efficiency was too low—only one drain hole.

And this pool had to be drained first before the next pool could be drained.

Hearing Aslan’s description, Athena narrowed her eyes and seriously calculated.

“Then I alone would be enough. It just might take more than a year.”

“And there might be very large retaliation.”

After all, Athena as the great Triple Goddess had alter egos in many mythologies, all occupying high positions.

But the highest position remained in Greek Mythology.

“Better to just choose God Slayers. Spending a year in this world is quite torturous.”

Aslan yawned and said with slight fatigue.

At least God Slayers in a certain sense were still subordinates of the Circle of Usurpation. Just needed slight modification of the Circle of Usurpation data in their bodies.

Hearing this, Athena looked at him somewhat helplessly.

“I hope this time, when facing those God Slayers, you won’t be as slow as when facing Pandora.”

Athena complained about Aslan’s slow behavior when dealing with Pandora.

“Relax—with previous experience, this time I can fully hack into the Circle of Usurpation spell in their bodies through Magic-Tech.”

At this moment, Aslan said smiling.

“The time definitely won’t exceed three seconds.”

“Then earlier you…”

Athena’s current expression was slightly strange.

(If you can hack into others’ bodies, then why did you do those things… to Pandora?)

Feeling Athena’s strange gaze, Aslan said with a flat face.

“First time, to gather experience. And I also wanted to research Goddess body structure.”

“You explain this reason to Pandora yourself.”

Athena glanced at Aslan, then said annoyed.

“However, if you’re so eager to research Goddess body structure, then don’t you want to research Heretic God body structure?”

Athena looked at him with her pitch-black snake eyes and gently licked her lips.

Her ally—or rather, her trump card—liked beauty. This wasn’t bad news for her.

She almost thought Aslan was a man without desire who only sought pleasure.

Even facing beauty like Algol that she considered excessive, Aslan could still restrain himself.

This made her very doubtful of Aslan’s sexual orientation.

As the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena knew her situation well. Now her life was in Aslan’s hands.

But she had no bargaining power equal to Aslan.

To Aslan, Athena might just be a disposable chess piece.

Her only value might be as a substitute for that Athena, and since she was also a homolog of Athena and Algol, she even became a target?

Athena really disliked the feeling of fate not being in her own hands.

This reminded her of how she was oppressed and had her Divinity stolen by those Steel Heroes.

Metis’ Divinity swallowed, Medusa’s Divinity beheaded.

That helpless feeling—she didn’t want to experience it a second time.

After all, Athena was very greedy. After seeing Little Garden—the true stage for Gods, Buddhas, and Asura.

Especially after seeing the achievements of the other Athena.

She was no longer satisfied with the conditions she agreed to with Aslan before. She also wanted to become an exalted King of Gods.

She also wanted to step toward the highest peak, one step at a time!

Why could the other Athena do it, but not her?

If possible, she even wanted to replace that Athena, becoming the fourth-generation King of Gods of the Greek Pantheon in Little Garden.

What was interesting about being King of Gods in this world? If wanting to be King of Gods, be the Pantheon Ruler!

Of course, she also knew this was almost impossible for her to achieve. The gap between her and the other Athena was too large.

Like a dragonfly before the blue sky.

But dreams must exist—what if they come true?

And the first step now was to raise her status in Aslan’s heart—from a toy to entertain Algol to Aslan’s toy!

She, Stupid Adina (Athena of this world), also had ambition!!

“…”

Of course, Aslan was also quite curious about Heretic God body structure.

Finally, he reached a conclusion.

“Heretic Gods do taste good.”