Rovi had originally planned to seek out Atalanta.
He intended to take responsibility for every bond he forged—but having just returned, he'd instantly been caught up in goddess rivalries and inevitably dragged into the Trojan War. There simply hadn't been a moment to spare.
Thus came the peculiar scene before him…
Artemis must have done this intentionally!
That naturally black-hearted Moon Goddess!
Rovi sighed, pressing a palm to his forehead.
Athena had likewise noticed Atalanta's sudden appearance, but rather than embarrassment, she pressed even closer against Rovi, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, I was wondering who'd dare disturb such an intimate moment between myself and my beloved. Turns out it's Artemis's little kitten."
"Interrupting my rare leisure, spying on the affection between myself and my love—do you realize how grave a sin it is to disrespect a goddess?"
Athena's pointed remark clearly had another target.
Hestia flinched.
Can you just let me leave first? I never wanted this—I swear!
The goddess of the hearth was filled with bitter regret.
Why exactly was the Sage's private life so damned complicated?!
Atalanta's fur, meanwhile, stood instantly on end. "Even if you're a mighty goddess, you have no right to insult me!"
"I am not some kitten—"
"Mm, sure thing, Ata-meow~"
"…?"
"Sounds like a pet name, doesn't it? He's the one who taught me that—right, Rovi?"
Atalanta shot Rovi a glare fierce enough to pierce flesh, her petite, sharp fangs clenched tightly.
Rovi: "…"
To be fair, Athena's divine presence vastly overshadowed Atalanta's right now.
After all, Atalanta was merely a demigod—one who might someday become divine, certainly, but even then she'd never rival Athena, a major god-tier existence. It was inevitable she'd be outclassed in aura and eloquence.
But cats had their stubborn pride.
Atalanta refused to back down. She slung her bow aside and dashed forward—
In that very instant, Rovi reached out and caught Atalanta by her twitching ears.
In situations like this, retreat is the worst choice.
If you felt awkward, you'd already lost.
Losing would only make things even more awkward.
Such was the Sage's hard-earned wisdom—though calling it wisdom might be stretching things.
Caught by her animal ears, the charging girl stumbled forward helplessly, crashing softly into Rovi's left side. Her supple back pressed into his chest, her figure beneath the tight black fabric nestling softly against his thigh. Long hair cascaded across his face, tickling gently.
"W-wha—!?" Atalanta gasped, momentarily dazed.
She quickly became acutely aware of her embarrassing predicament. Athena watched from the side, her crimson eyes narrowed in a playful half-smile at the cat-like intruder occupying half of her lover's embrace.
Warmth radiated from behind, causing Atalanta's breath to hitch. She struggled to get up, but Rovi's gentle grip on her sensitive ears rendered her limbs weak, sending her tumbling back again—this time, even further up his lap.
An intense heat surged through her. Her hips pressed intimately downward, wriggling involuntarily, leaving her breathless once again.
She knew exactly what she'd just brushed against—and yet, unconsciously, she squirmed again.
"Y-you…shameless…" Atalanta sputtered, face instantly burning crimson.
Rovi tried to speak—
"Ah, Rovi. It's been a long time. Your side is as lively as ever, I see?"
A gentle, melodious voice cut him off abruptly, freezing Rovi mid-sentence.
He turned toward the newcomer.
A slender figure with verdant green hair stood gracefully in the wind, delicate features as ethereal as a forest spirit's. Her pure white robe fluttered soundlessly. Somehow, without anyone noticing, this familiar figure had appeared just outside the Olympian temple.
That unmistakable presence, that soft smile—it was undoubtedly the one whose awakening Rovi had long awaited: Enkidu.
Yet…
Did you really have to wake up at this exact moment?
"Lady Enkidu?!" Atalanta cried out in surprise.
Enkidu—forest sage, who'd once crossed paths briefly with Athena.
Athena narrowed her eyes subtly. Her true rival had arrived.
"Well, good thing I'm used to it," Enkidu said lightly, casually taking a seat beside Hestia at the grand entrance of Olympus. "Got any wine?"
"Huh? Oh—yes…" Hestia hadn't fully processed the situation, instinctively producing a jug and handing it over.
Two figures now sat side by side, each cradling a cup. Enkidu turned to Rovi's awkward trio, offering a purely innocent smile and a gentle wave. "Don't mind me—please, continue."
"Once you're finished…we can properly catch up, Lord Rovi."
Her soft lips parted into a teasing smile as she emphasized "finished."
Finished? What exactly am I finishing?
Rovi's eyelid twitched.
Hestia glanced between the chaotic trio and Enkidu's serene expression. Somehow, she suddenly felt a bit safer.
At this point, how could Rovi not guess what had happened?
Artemis—that scheming goddess—had clearly set this up. She'd sent Atalanta here while deliberately hiding the news of Enkidu's awakening, preventing anyone else from sensing it.
Only in chaos do I have a chance! On the Moon Palace above, Artemis sat bathing in silvery moonlight, white skin shimmering beautifully. She stared lovingly down at Rovi, smiling dreamily.
Rovi, my Rovi…you belong to me.
So you just sold out your follower and your own teacher? Rovi thought, exasperated, though he wasn't truly worried.
After all…
"Someone who exploits her teacher for secret schemes deserves some punishment," Enkidu declared sweetly. She raised her hand, and golden chains shot upward, wrapping around a startled Artemis, pulling her down from the shadows of the moon.
With a loud thud, Artemis landed heavily, her soft hips rippling slightly upon impact, eyes wide and dazed. Yet even now, excitement lingered as a faint flush across her cheeks.
Smiling faintly, Enkidu moved her hand again. Golden chains swiftly surrounded everyone present.
Atalanta and Athena froze simultaneously.
Surrounded…
Hestia nodded thoughtfully—until it suddenly hit her that she, too, had been trapped inside the chains.
"You too, right?" Enkidu smiled gently at her. "Always secretly peeking at my dear Rovi?"
Oh crap, I miscalculated!
Where'd that gentle Enkidu go?
Hestia moaned despairingly, dragged from audience into unwilling performer. This was absolutely not how the Goddess of the Hearth had imagined things unfolding.
Always distant, ever detached from divine intrigues, Hestia had grown used to observing silently from afar—never involving herself directly in conflicts between gods or mortals. From the day Zeus had toppled Cronus to this very moment, she'd kept carefully aloof.
She hadn't been this flustered in ages, and thus, had absolutely no idea how to handle this chaotic new predicament.
Longevity, it seemed, had little to do with adaptability.
True wisdom was always tied to experience.
What should I do, what should I do, what should I do—?
With a gentle rustle, Enkidu suddenly stood up.
Golden chains enclosed the space on all sides, impenetrable even to a major god. As the Chains of Heaven herself, Enkidu wielded this power far more naturally than Rovi ever could.
"Well, then—" Enkidu smiled warmly.
Before she could finish speaking, Atalanta jumped from Rovi's arms like a startled kitten.
"Teacher Enkidu!" The huntress quickly lowered her head, her ears quivering nervously.
Even Artemis, still sprawled on the floor, immediately covered her head.
Both clearly feared Enkidu.
After all, Enkidu was genuinely their senior—the source from whom Artemis's persona had been derived and the forest sage who'd raised Atalanta from childhood.
Her authority over them ran deep.
Only Athena remained composed. Still, she quietly withdrew from Rovi's embrace and spoke evenly, "It's been a long while, Lady Enkidu."
"Indeed it has, Goddess Athena." Enkidu's lips curved gently upward. "Do you like my Rovi as well?"
She said it calmly, but Atalanta and Artemis trembled involuntarily at her words. Artemis hurriedly withdrew the hand she'd discreetly begun reaching toward Rovi.
Athena opened her mouth to respond, but—
Enkidu blinked innocently. "Then, why don't we all enjoy him together?"
Athena: "?"
Artemis, Atalanta: "…"
Hestia: "???"
You can do whatever you like, but why drag me into this? I'm seriously not involved!
The Hearth Goddess stared helplessly at the golden chains pulling her deeper into the circle, close to tears.
Yet Enkidu was utterly serious.
Time had scarcely touched her consciousness. Though the doll of clay, forged by gods, loved Rovi dearly, being with him remained her sole priority. Rovi was her one and only—but she never insisted she be his only one.
She was, after all, a broken divine weapon who had come to understand human hearts, and found nothing wrong with this arrangement.
"Don't worry. I've already concealed this place from prying eyes," Enkidu stated earnestly.
Yet her sincerity terrified Hestia even more.
She's too scary!
Even Athena choked on Enkidu's blunt declaration, recognizing the absolute seriousness behind those gentle eyes.
"Aren't you continuing?" Enkidu tilted her head, puzzled. "You all like my dear Rovi, don't you?"
With one sentence, she utterly dominated the scene.
At that moment, the Greek Goddesses experienced exactly what Ereshkigal, Mistress of the Netherworld, once felt—complete bewilderment.
If it came down to a direct contest, Athena was confident she wouldn't lose.
But…what exactly was going on here?!
"If you aren't going to proceed, then it's my turn with Rovi," Enkidu declared sweetly, reaching out and gently pulling Rovi toward her.
Instinctively, Athena grabbed Rovi's other hand.
"That's enough—enough already!" Rovi firmly shook off both their hands. "Don't make a spectacle for outsiders."
He pointed meaningfully at Hestia.
The Hearth Goddess felt deeply moved—finally, someone sensible!
Yet Enkidu's next words crushed her relief immediately. "She can join in, too."
Hestia nearly burst into tears on the spot.
"If there's anything else to say, let's do it at the newly established Uruk on earth," Rovi interjected calmly. "En, aren't you nostalgic for it?"
In moments like these, remaining calm was vital.
First priority: shifting the battlefield.
According to the Sage's wisdom, redirecting conflict helped diffuse initial emotional outbursts, significantly reducing future complications.
Why am I even an expert on these matters?!
"Ah…indeed, I miss it dearly," Enkidu sighed softly, nostalgia crossing her gentle features.
A millennium had passed, and reunion in a familiar place was undoubtedly appealing.
Athena smiled serenely. "Then, I'll join you."
She gently took Rovi's hand once again.
"Lady Enkidu, I'll follow you—" Atalanta instantly volunteered.
"If you like Rovi, just say so. I won't be upset, you know?"
"…"
"Um…then, me too—"
"Not you, Artemis."
"Eh?" Artemis whimpered in bewildered despair from her position on the ground.
"The moon needs to disappear for now," Enkidu said affectionately, bending down and softly stroking Artemis's head. "Your chance will come."
Meanwhile, Hestia quickly regained composure after her initial panic. She observed the two goddesses, one demigod, and the forest sage shifting from tense rivalry to sudden harmony, blinking her bright azure eyes curiously.
Over countless years, the goddess had seen many heroes favored by the Olympians—but only ever as fleeting playthings.
But Rovi—
He was a mortal who genuinely captivated goddesses' hearts. Moreover, two among them were virgin goddesses, just like herself.
Over endless eons, Hestia had witnessed such a thing exactly once.
Could the sage from Uruk truly possess such astonishing charm?
The hearth goddess was deeply intrigued.
...
"Did you see it, Heracles? The victors of the Trojan War include not one Olympian god!" A booming voice echoed atop the Caucasus Mountains, above the clouds themselves.
Massive chains rattled as the towering Titan descendant—the fire-thief Prometheus—shook with joyous laughter.
"I saw it—and I heard it too," replied another voice warmly beside him. "Damn right I did, Prometheus!"
"Lord Rovi has returned!"
Beside Prometheus, towering equally, stood Greece's greatest hero—Heracles, who'd overcome endless trials by sheer strength alone, now watching over the Titan still bound by Zeus's punishment.
"The time has finally come for your release!" Heracles declared. "You should have been freed long ago—"
"All things have their destined moment," Prometheus replied steadily, smiling broadly. "Waiting decades longer was my own choice—my fate."
"The day Lord Rovi ascends this mountain is the day my chains shatter!"
"I have faith he will surely come. And if that means ending Zeus's rule once and for all, then it will all have been worth it!"
Thunder crashed violently from above, slamming into Prometheus, yet unable to drown out his defiant laughter.
Heracles, too, laughed heartily.
For both knew perfectly well that, at this very moment, the God-King Zeus had finally begun to pay attention to the changes brewing below.