A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 1590 - 1067: Zelection

There’s nothing much to say next. On their side was an incomplete Athena, while on ours were the Gorgon Sisters in full form. If three against one still leads to being counter-killed, it’s a question of skill at that point.

"Ugh!"

With a groan, Athena, who was bound by Medusa’s chains, heavily fell to the ground. She lifted her head, staring at Duanmu Huai with an unclear expression.

Meanwhile, Stheno and Euryale, who had been watching the show from the side, giggled as they came forward.

"Oh my, who would’ve thought that one day we’d see the noble, proud, foolish, fat, and stout Athena sprawled embarrassingly on the ground like a toad in a muddy swamp. Right, Euryale?"

"That’s correct, Stheno. Just seeing her in such a humiliating state makes me feel that this journey to the human realm wasn’t in vain."

"Ugh........"

Upon hearing their mockery, Athena gritted her teeth and suddenly shifted her gaze to Duanmu Huai.

"Human, let’s make a deal!"

"A deal?"

"Exactly, I am willing to submit to you and live as your subordinate deity. How about it? It’s a decent deal."

"Huh?"

At this, Duanmu Huai was taken aback, while Stheno and Euryale showed expressions of disgust.

"Wow, pleading at a time like this; as expected of the Goddess of Wisdom. She knows exactly what to plan at the right moment."

"So eager to stand on the winning side? Is this how your title as Goddess of Victory wavers so easily?"

The two sisters mocked Athena for a while and then looked at Duanmu Huai.

"MASTER, you wouldn’t actually agree to this woman’s terms, would you? She is Athena, the fabled Goddess of Wisdom. Even if she seems obedient now, who knows when she’ll stab you in the back?"

"Right, right, this kind of envious and opportunistic woman is no good! MASTER, don’t be fooled by her sweet words!"

"Hmm........"

Hearing Stheno and Euryale’s complaints, Duanmu Huai stared at Athena, contemplating. To be fair, Athena is indeed a well-known deity, but her reputation isn’t that great. The Gorgon Sisters’ dislike for her is understandable, considering Athena was the one who sent heroes to hunt Medusa initially. There’s a blood feud between them. Moreover, in her myths, Athena’s reputation isn’t pristine.

For example, there’s the story of Arachne. Arachne was the best weaver in Athens and even claimed her skills surpassed Athena, the inventor of weaving. Offended, Athena disguised herself as an old woman to compete with her. However, Arachne did indeed create superior tapestries.

Then, because she challenged the authority of the gods, Athena turned her into a spider.

There’s also Medusa’s story. Medusa was Athena’s priest, and when the Sea God Poseidon took a liking to her and violated her at Athena’s altar, Athena didn’t stand up for Medusa. Instead, she deemed Poseidon’s act as a man’s instinct, acceptable. Medusa, however, was guilty of seducing the gods and disgracing the temple, so she was cursed and turned into a serpent-haired succubus—a classic case of victim blaming.

If you weren’t dressed so provocatively, that man wouldn’t have raped you, right?

Of course, the myth in the Type-Moon World differs slightly from this world’s, at least from what Stheno and Euryale say. The Athena they know seems more envious, like the Queen in Snow White who can’t stand anyone being more beautiful than her, thus inciting heroes to kill Medusa...

But either way, based on Duanmu Huai’s education, such a woman isn’t commendable at all.

Moreover, her opportunistic nature is exactly what Athena would do—never picking fights she can’t win, and fiercely finishing those she can.

A coward who bullies the weak, yet a so-called Goddess of Wisdom—honestly, Duanmu Huai keeps his distance from those who are too clever; to him, they are cunning deceivers. Their so-called intelligence often turns out to be foolish cleverness. Frankly, he’s not inclined to keep an ambiguous figure like her around.

"What do you suggest?"

With that thought, Duanmu Huai glanced at Athena one more time before looking towards the Gorgon Sisters. Hearing his question, Stheno and Euryale’s eyes sparkled.

"MASTER, I can feel that this Athena possesses powers we lost long ago. By reclaiming them, we can perfectly wield our strength as goddesses."

"Right, right. Unlike that useless, burly sister, we can be a great help to you, MASTER."

".........."

Is it necessary to bully your own sister like this?

Watching Medusa stand quietly on the side, much like Cinderella being bullied by her stepmother and stepsisters, Duanmu Huai was speechless. He recalled during the Singularity, she didn’t seem like this? Is this really like choosing the right tool for the job? If he had summoned one of these sisters instead of Medea back then, would Medusa have immediately yielded and surrendered?

"I’ll leave it up to you to handle."

After some thought, Duanmu Huai made a decision. Regardless, the Gorgon Sisters were the Heroic Spirits he summoned, and in this regard, he trusted them. As for Athena...honestly, she seemed too clever, reacting too quickly, surrendering almost immediately after realizing she wasn’t a match. This made Duanmu Huai wary. For most, having more smart people is beneficial, but for Duanmu Huai—could you outwit Cunning Deception?

If you’re more cunning than that face-marked being, aren’t you just Cunning Deception?

If you can’t surpass that being, aren’t you just delivering yourself to destruction?

Honestly, when dealing with enemies like Cunning Deception, Duanmu Huai believes more in overwhelming them with sheer force—no matter the schemes or plots, he’ll just smash through with a punch. If it doesn’t kill them, it’s not because he’s stupid, just not strong enough!

Not to mention, Greek myths are full of stories about heroes feigning submission, only to backstab the opponent when they’re drunk or asleep. Given we’re enemies, do you think I’m dumb enough to believe your sly words?

"Hehe........."

As expected, upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, Stheno and Euryale immediately showed excited smiles, then they exchanged a glance and turned their heads to look at Athena, who was bound on the ground.

"I really didn’t expect that a coarse, plump, and rude woman like you would have a day like this... In that case, we’ll just take your powers without any courtesy!"

As soon as the words fell, Stheno and Euryale pounced together, one on the left and one on the right, onto Athena. Then they opened their small cherry-like mouths, revealing the sharp canines inside, and bit Athena’s neck like vampires.

"Mmm...uh...!!"

The moment Stheno and Euryale bit down, Athena’s body tensed immediately and she struggled desperately. However, the two petite goddesses at this moment were like two snakes, tightly entwining Athena’s frail body. The three girls entangled with each other like this, constantly twisting their bodies, and seductive moans echoed around...

"Th-That......"

Seeing this scene, Medusa couldn’t help but speak.

"Sister, I also want......"

"...What are you saying, Medusa?"

However, poor Medusa had just spoken when Euryale ruthlessly interrupted her.

"What? You’re already so plump and robust, do you want to become even fatter? Don’t tell me you plan to turn into the crude and ugly appearance of Athena and pollute our eyes. Listen, one annoying thing like Athena is more than enough! As for you, go and eat grass over in that flower pot!"

"But, if you say that, won’t you also become like Athena......"

"Wha-What did you say?"

"Eek——!!"

Seeing the gaze Euryale directed at her, Medusa was so frightened that she scurried behind Duanmu Huai, shivering without daring to speak. Watching this Cinderella being bullied by her stepmother and sister, Duanmu Huai rolled his eyes speechlessly.

Haven’t you learned your lesson by now?

"Ah——!"

At that moment, a sudden scream was heard. Duanmu Huai turned his head and saw Stheno and Euryale sitting on the ground with their bottoms on the floor, while before them, Athena, who had been bound by chains, was nowhere to be seen.

"What happened?"

"We were careless!"

Facing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Stheno gritted her teeth, showing a look of regret.

"I didn’t expect that dealing with the incomplete Athena, she would still have a trick up her sleeve... Truly worthy of being the goddess of wisdom, such a troublesome opponent."

"This is all your fault, Medusa!"

Moreover, Euryale climbed up angrily, staring at Medusa and accusing her, causing Medusa to tremble all over.

"Sister? Wh-What did I do wrong again?"

"I clearly told you to bind Athena well! How could such a mistake happen? How will you compensate us for this? Even that filthy and stinky chain of yours can’t even handle such a small task?!"

"But, but......"

Seeing the scolding Euryale, the pitiful Medusa lowered her head, and Duanmu Huai only coughed, stopping this pointless argument.

"Alright, let’s not worry about this for now, what about the powers you said you were going to take?"

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Stheno and Euryale exchanged a glance.

"I took the power of death."

"I took the power of darkness."

"But the most important power of the goddess of the earth was taken by that woman...!"

"Is that important to you?"

Seeing them so furious, Duanmu Huai asked curiously, and Stheno nodded.

"Of course, MASTER, our Gorgon Sisters are descended from the goddess of the earth Gaia and the sea god Pontos. Although we haven’t inherited their divine positions, if we could obtain the power of the goddess of the earth from Athena, we could awaken even greater strength... Unfortunately......"

At this, Stheno silently glanced at Medusa, who then trembled uncontrollably as if hit with a chill.

And Euryale stared at her even more ferociously.

"Medusa, when we get back, I will definitely punish you severely!"

"Eek——————!"

At that moment, Medusa was almost fainting.