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[Crossover] Ch 218: Athena’s Saint
🕑 Added 2025-08-25 20:22:05 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
The title of The One and Only True God…
When Athena heard Ryo's whisper, she couldn't help but follow that line of thought.
"If I defeated the other gods, took their power, and rewrote the myths themselves… then—"
Her words trailed off. Her face froze, then wavered.
"No… that's impossible. Even if I am the trinity queen, I could never steal all the gods' authority."
Ryo leaned back, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"Pandora. Mother of all Campiones. She carries the divine tool, the Circle of Usurpation. That item can do exactly that."
"…!"
Athena's breath caught. She instantly understood.
If she wielded that item, she could strip the gods of their powers as she defeated them.
A storm of possibilities surged in her mind. Her composure cracked, her voice trembling.
"No, it's still impossible. Even if I took them, I could never contain so many authorities."
The Campione world held an uncountable number of authorities. Thousands at least, maybe tens of thousands.
Not even the strongest gods, bound within their myths, could withstand that crushing weight.
"Then find someone else to carry them," Ryo said lightly, his smile unreadable.
"…Who?"
Athena's eyes narrowed. She searched his face, suspicion sharp as a blade.
"How about me?"
"You? But… you're human?"
"So what?" Ryo grinned.
Athena's eyes widened.
Ryo gave a little shrug. "Hey, it's only an idea. Whether you act on it is up to you."
"..."
"…It might work. It might really work."
Her mind whirled. Could this Yagami guy really endure it?
Her instincts whispered YES. That blessing of Victory he carried—Athena knew exactly what it was. It was a fusion of countless authorities, woven into one transcendent power.
At least a thousand authorities, maybe more.
And Ryo's body had already proven it could bear that storm, stripping away the backlash and keeping only the good.
So could he shoulder them all?
The answer hovered—maybe.
Athena's gaze sharpened. She held back the excitement bubbling in her chest and asked coldly:
"And how do I know you won't keep the power for yourself? That those authorities will come back to me in the end?"
Ryo chuckled, calm as ever.
"Well, my opinion? No one can command ten thousand authorities without 'Wisdom' itself."
"To govern with my wisdom… a clever judgment." Athena couldn't help but praise him.
Ryo's body as the vessel, her divine wisdom as the crown—that combination might just work.
And the reward? Beyond measure.
Not only could she become an Only God. She might become the first true Omnipotent God.
Her breath came slow and steady as she met Ryo's eyes.
"Your offer is tempting. But I cannot trust you completely."
Ryo only raised a brow, silent.
Athena suddenly lifted her hands, cupping his face between her palms. Her dark eyes blazed.
"A contract."
"The highest kind. A life-binding, soul-sharing oath."
"Only then will I trust you fully. Become my Saint, Ryo Yagami."
Ryo's grin spread, bright with amusement. "Funny. That's exactly what I was hoping for."
Athena pulled him closer. Their faces edged toward each other, shadows mingling under the lamplight.
— — —
Milan, 11 PM
The city was alive, streets glittering with neon and music. Crowds bustled beneath shopfront lights, laughter spilling into the night.
Among them walked Ryo, holding Athena's hand like a father leading a child. Her small frame, so young-looking, made them seem almost comical.
Yet he was all smiles.
"First priority: your snake."
"Second, any Heretic Gods that show up. No objections?"
Athena, calm as ever, let him hold her hand without resistance.
"Do as you wish, my Saint."
"Then we start with intelligence. That's always the key."
He grimaced slightly. Information gaps had already burned him once. He wasn't eager for a repeat.
Athena gave a nod, but tempered his optimism.
"I won't deny it. But with my wisdom sealed within you, I can't draw prophecy from the Netherworld."
Her wisdom—the core of their plan—still rested inside him. She wouldn't risk pulling it back until the time was right.
Ryo shrugged, thinking aloud.
"Your snake was spotted recently, wasn't it? By those magicians."
Athena's eyes flicked in thought. "Yes. Last night, around 10 p.m."
"…I see."
Ryo's eyes narrowed. That lined up neatly with his knowledge. If so, the snake was probably in the hands of the Black Cross, Milan's magic cabal.
And this timing… it was dangerously close to the great battle of Verethragna and Melqart from the original timeline.
Maybe he could profit from this.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
Whether the plot had started yet, whether the weakest Campione Godōu Kusanagi had been born or not—it didn't matter. The god-king Melqart would definitely be around.
"Personally, I think the local mages are our best source of intel."
Athena's reply was smooth, tinged with trust.
Then she chuckled softly. "Still, I'm not worried. After all, victory itself is guiding you, my Saint."
"…Oh?"
Ryo blinked, scanning the street. His eyes landed on a flashy storefront.
Dozens of soccer balls hung in the window. Neon lights glowed bright.
Not a sports shop. A betting parlor.
"…Soccer gambling? The ads I saw earlier did mention the World Cup…"
His interest sparked.
Athena sighed, faintly exasperated. "I should remind you, we possess no human money."
"No problem."
Ryo's grin widened as he spotted a silver-haired girl with blue eyes ahead.
"Because the goddess of victory is watching over me."
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