*Chapter 196: Your Majesty, I Am Ready for a Battle to Death (Second Update)*

If Atreus had said something like this during height of Greek gods' reign, let alone a major Olympian god like Athena, even a minor deity would have immediately struck him down with divine punishment.

Don't forget, it has been over 2,500 years since Ares rebelled.

What does that mean?

A city rises and falls within a century.

A dynasty rarely lasts more than 300 years.

2,500 years is a long enough time to witness a once-dominant pantheon decline from its peak.

Have all main gods, except for Zeus, died in that time?

No!

Over all these years, Athena has naturally been seeking a way to defeat Ares.

Yet, there’s a saying: "I am ready for a battle to death; why does Your Majesty surrender first?"  

Zeus has long since fallen into ruin, withdrawing with most of Olympian gods into a secret space to establish Pantheon.

 mortals who faithfully pray to Zeus, king of Olympian gods, generation after generation, have gone unanswered. Zeus no longer responds to human prayers or listens to any suggestions of waging war against Ares. Nowadays, Zeus has become nothing more than a lazy, gluttonous recluse who spends his days partying with goddesses.

Seriously, who would believe this if it were told?

Athena thought Atreus didn't know about it, but little did she know he was a time traveler!

That was confidence behind Atreus daring to challenge Athena.

Once Atreus introduced another faction, Asgardians, Athena’s bargaining chips dwindled.

After all, Odin was Zeus' equal, continually quelling rebellion and intimidating Nine Realms. From any angle, Asgard seemed superior to Zeus' realm.

Atreus wasn’t Greek, and with his ability to travel through time and space, Athena had no leverage over him.

This was advantage of having knowledge!

If Athena knew that Odin had been swapped with Loki, who was now constantly partying in palace, rewriting history (through operas), and shamelessly boasting about himself, she might have gone mad, too.

At that point, Zeus and Loki’s version of Odin would form a pair of “Strategic Masters” — a comical duo that, if they ever met, would turn their encounter into an unprecedented... group therapy session!

Not only Athena, but three women around Atreus, after reflecting on things, had to grudgingly admit—no matter that Diana gave Atreus seed of God Slayer’s power, Atreus’s achievements today were mostly his own doing.

A goddess and three demigods waited in silence, expecting Atreus to name his price.

Atreus raised his right hand, lifting his index finger first:

"First, if you want me to fight Ares, Athena, you cannot remain uninvolved. We must sign a divine contract, allowing me to borrow up to 10% of your power anytime—except when it would harm your true self."

This was a broad request, implying that even if Atreus rebelled against Zeus, Athena would be dragged into conflict.

That's right, Atreus was making outrageous demands.

 cunning Athena gave no immediate response: "I'll continue listening to your conditions."

Atreus smiled calmly and without frustration, continuing:

"When fighting Ares, I want to borrow your divine shield, Aegis!"

Athena's Aegis—some say it was forged by god Hephaestus, others claim it was made from skin of Aex, daughter of Helios, whom Athena had slain, and still others believe it came from skin of giant Pallas whom Athena had defeated. It is said shield is covered with golden serpent scales, and at its center, head of a gorgon that turns anyone who gazes upon it to stone.

 hero Perseus borrowed shield from Athena to defeat Medusa, and after his victory, gratefully returned it. Some believe Athena herself killed Gorgon and wore its skin.

At Atreus's words, Athena’s owl eyes narrowed sharply, and her entire body appeared to shrink—a reflexive reaction of an owl preparing for an attack when frightened or threatened.

Athena screeched, "That would mean defying Zeus’ direct orders and initiating another war with Ares without his permission."

“That idle Zeus of divine realm?” Atreus sneered. “Don’t forget, you’re asking two ‘insignificant’ demigods to fight against a powerful god who once toppled entire Olympian pantheon.”

He wasn’t worried about Athena backing out.

 fact that Athena appeared, despite knowing Atreus and Diana were God Slayers, revealed her intent.

At that moment, Victory Temple in mirrored dimension no longer appeared in its broken state. perfectly seamless dome allowed no starlight in, and pristine walls bore flawless murals.

This architectural beauty was not a projection, but actual descent of Athena’s temple into this space, merging with it.

In front of them was no longer a ridiculous owl, but a towering marble statue of a goddess.

 colossal presence pressed down upon four people, as if, in next instant, they would be crushed like ants by Athena's overwhelming divine power.

One wave after another, endless and relentless.

But Atreus endured!

His will was like a solid rock on shore, unyielding to crashing waves.

Perhaps he would erode, perhaps he would crumble, but... not today!

Not now!

As he stood firm under pressure that seemed to strip his power from his very soul, he even had strength to smile.

Atreus could easily imagine Athena gnashing her teeth in Pantheon, wanting to kill him with a bite.

But she couldn’t kill him; perhaps in pieces, there’d be a chance.

Atreus was arrogant, fearless before gods. three women beside him were anxious; they never imagined a modern man like Atreus could be so bold.

But Atreus had already opened a portal!

It was clear: Have you finished your tantrum? If you’re really mad, I’ll just leave!

Atreus’s proud stance and imposing figure silently said one thing—Raise stakes!

Atreus’s teleportation skills were so advanced that even Athena realized she couldn’t stop him. Maybe if her true form descended, she could. But if she did, she’d lose her divine rank before even entering negotiations, metaphorically losing her shirt!

And so, standoff continued.

How long had it been?

A minute, two minutes? Or a century?

 three women stood awkwardly, unsure whom to support.

Suddenly, oppressive divine power lifted from four of them.

It was as if Athena’s anger had never existed.

Her silvery voice echoed through temple:

"Hahaha! It's just a gamble, isn’t it? I can consider that. Go on, name your third condition."

(End of Chapter)