Night deep and quiet, Tokyo still flaunted its dazzling, iridescent lights.
Seiya suddenly recalled the lyrics from Eason Chan's "The Lonely Patient": "Laughter, cheers; heating up the atmosphere, yet the heart feels so childish."
Ultimately, he himself only possessed the unyielding strength and armor of a warrior during battle. But when truly desolate, he would still remember Athena, like a lonely patient tearing himself apart.
However, he was not alone. Seiya returned to the secluded small courtyard, and this place surprisingly gave him a sense of returning home.
Although the absence of old friends made Seiya momentarily taken aback and God-wounded, the moonlight equally bathed the ground in the courtyard.
Only from the room in the inner courtyard did bright yellow light still spill, faintly highlighting a girl's impassioned voice.
"Akainu, who couldn't even suppress a deserter king, talks about Conqueror's Haki? Whitebeard, who got stabbed by a senile old man, became arrogant, right? Do you even understand the weight of a legendary-tier figure?!"
"Frankly speaking, it's hilarious that you can still use Fujitora to provoke and grind your teeth. However strong Zoro is, he'll only get stronger!"
"Enel just appeared too early! If he hadn't gone to the moon, he'd definitely have more screen time than Kaido!"
"Do you understand future sight? The next Yonko to fall is Red-Haired Shanks! He's definitely dying by that stinking guy's hands!"
"Bolt is absolutely a top-tier expert who hides his true strength. You say he hasn't shown anything? He even has screen time in God Valley. Can your 'Big Brother Blackbeard' do that?!"
"I'm telling you! Luffy becoming a factory manager is more likely than him becoming the Pirate King! It's definitely Buggy the Great! He's the real winner in the race for the Grand Treasure!"
Seiya stared dumbfounded at the Goddess furiously ranting in front of the computer. He looked at the discussion interface on the screen, seeing everything from screens full of widespread arguments to mutual mockery between self-proclaimed 'experts', judging strength by sweat beads on faces, and finally escalating to 'Oda doesn't know squat about One Piece'.
Watching the Goddess utter impassioned words with an acerbic voice, Seiya felt a moment of illusion.
This Goddess, from her initial capture and ordeal, quickly accepted her fate, and has now evolved into this appearance of a 'Sun Bar Great God', skilfully employing all sorts of old Qing Dynasty-style internet memes.
While Seiya was still missing her a bit, she was already at home, practically making sparks fly from her keyboard. Seiya seriously suspected that this Goddess would soon evolve into a little troll who spouts internet slang the moment she opens her mouth.
"Oh, Hakiya, you're back!" Stella finally noticed Seiya's figure, showing a joyful expression, and opened her arms to embrace him.
Sigh, Seiya rubbed his forehead, it was already too late.
"Yeah, I'm back." Seiya still managed a perfect smile, preparing to receive the enthusiastic hug.
"Quick, find out who this woman named 'Langshan Anpan Luochu Lian' is! I shall make her understand! What terrifying consequences disrespect towards a Goddess will bring... Yo ho!"
Seiya's precise slap on her smooth forehead instantly made Stella realize her place in the household hierarchy.
"Do you know about 'Beasts'?"
Seiya had already mastered the correct way to deal with Stella.
And Guinevere mentioned that in the world Stella came from, there was a special kind of human called 'Beast'. And Athena's plan for the Disobedient Pegasus was inspired by this.
"Wah! Of course I know! You're one!" Stella hugged her head and squatted on the stool, whimpering. Seiya looked down at her, but she coyly turned her head away.
Seiya was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to get such an answer from Stella.
"Beasts of the Dog God? I remember the 'dog-benefactor' having such a title." Seiya pondered.
"It has nothing to do with dogs or Beasts of Gods. The 'Beasts' here are closer to non-human monsters, merely an exclamation for powerful individuals who possess strength beyond normal understanding." Stella looked at Seiya, revealing a bright expression like a cunning fox.
"But in my homeland, a very small number of humans are born with the 'Signs of the Beast'."
"'Signs of the Beast'?" Seiya repeated the key phrase.
"Among humans, extremely rare individuals are born who are blessed by miracles and good fortune. By devouring the flesh and noble spirit of a God, they transform into a 'Beast'." Stella looked at Seiya. Although she wore a complaining God-expression, she was still incredibly beautiful.
"And you, through Athena's secret ritual and Verethragna's Authority, devoured my divine body, enslaved my fox form, and became a 'God-Eating Beast'."
She raised her delicate chin, revealing the elegant curve of her neck.
"So-called humans named 'Beast' can obtain the power of divine beings without undergoing Pandora's ritual. They can even elevate qualified beings to the realm of subordinate Gods. Haven't you noticed? Although I am your subordinate God, I don't consume your magical power. I can even move freely, which is completely different from the rules of your world."
"So-called 'Beasts' are not demigods, Lesser Gods, Earth Deities, or Progenitor Gods. Rather, they are beings that simultaneously possess the qualities (identities) of both human and divine."
"So-called Beast of His Majesty the God are human on earth, and in heaven they are... Well, I can't say that for now."
"The existence of a 'Fox God-User' is extremely rare; normally, one might not be born even in a thousand years. But your world actually has seven, which is like standing on the mouth of a volcano about to erupt. However, 'Beasts' are even rarer than 'God Slayers'. In the Olympus God-Domain, there has always been a saying that considers 'Beasts' as a special kind of 'Fox God-User' or God."
"So Athena was trying to transform me into the Disobedient Pegasus precisely because of this." At that moment, Seiya suddenly understood many things.
For instance, Athena's ritual. Or the new power fragments he vaguely felt being born within himself after devouring Stella. Could it be Big Willm?
"Not entirely. Haven't you noticed yourself? Your existence is even more outlandish than an Unsubmissive God or a Solitary God-User."
Stella pouted. "Even without becoming a 'God-Hunter', through spiritual sight, one can see that you, fellow, radiate endless light like a furnace."
This was what made Stella feel incredible: such a powerful individual must belong to the most beautiful Goddess in the world!
"So this is also why you crossed worlds and came here, trying to capture me."
"Isn't that right? Who knew I'd fall into the hands of you two, the 'treacherous mother and lecherous son'!" Stella gnashed her teeth in hatred. "Now Athena is about to revert the world to the primeval night. You must be too heartbroken to sleep now, right?!"
Seiya no longer knew how to retort to the Goddess who was spouting profanities before him. To be able to recall the phrase "treacherous mother and lecherous son," he'd have to invite Haki-sensei to the house.
"How about it? Do you want to throw yourself into my embrace?" Stella looked at Seiya's indescribable expression, revealing her usual mischievous smile.
"I'm sorry, I refuse." Seiya raised his hand.
"Don't be so stiff. Just say 'Stella, the Great Goddess-sama, is more outstanding and beautiful than Athena,' and I can even lull you to sleep, you know." Stella's words were filled with temptation.
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