— — — — — —
The headquarters of Perseus
A female knight with dazzling, golden hair tied neatly behind her head walked through the broad, open corridor.
Every member of the Perseus community she passed immediately stopped and bowed in respect.
That knight was none other than—Aishelia Perseus.
At less than 1600 years old, she had already inherited leadership of the Perseus community and raised it to the status of a solid four-digit powerhouse.
Even among the divine offspring of the god Perseus himself, Aishelia was held in high esteem for her wisdom and courage. That included her nephew, Laius Perseus.
But even so, Laius, who had been gaining traction as the potential successor in recent years, couldn't hold back his disagreement this time.
"Aishelia-sama, why would you agree to accept a challenge from a no-name community?"
He followed close behind her, clearly frustrated.
"By Little Garden's laws, unnamed communities aren't even eligible to participate in the Perseus trials."
"Not to mention—they actually dared to demand the Knight of Little Garden. That's insane!"
"That request goes against the rules set by the gods!"
Aishelia didn't look back as she responded calmly, "You're mistaken, Laius. Didn't they arise after defeating the 'Great Shark' community?"
Laius's expression twisted at the name. "That pitiful seven-digit group? Led by some nobody? And they think they're qualified to challenge trials designed for gods and buddhas?"
Aishelia finally stopped and turned her head slightly to glance at him.
"Laius. Don't forget—Arcadia fell only half a year ago."
"If this was Arcadia at its peak, would you really be saying the same thing?"
That shut him up immediately, like he'd just choked on his own words.
Koumei Kasukabe, the former leader of Arcadia.
He had been a first-rate powerhouse among the four-digit ranks—almost on par with the primordial god Zeus himself.
That kind of power? Able to stand toe-to-toe with beings from the three-digit omnipotent realm, even if only for a short time.
In the world below the three-digit threshold of Little Garden... there's only one way to describe someone like that: Undefeated.
If Koumei Kasukabe were standing right in front of him, Laius wouldn't dare talk back, not even a single word.
But now, their opponent was a nameless upstart. A newbie, practically a nobody.
By the usual standards, [No-Name] probably didn't even hold five-digit status anymore—and their so-called "leader" was likely just some barely-of-age brat.
Gritting his teeth, Laius muttered, "They're just leeching off past connections to steal away key fighters. Beggars in fancy robes!"
"Aishelia-sama, you know we're on the verge of becoming regional rulers. Once we win the challenge, Perseus will control an entire Outer Gate!"
"A four-digit Outer Gate, at that! This is a critical time—we can't afford to waste even a scrap of strength."
"It's like you're just handing Leticia over to them!"
Aishelia sighed, then turned her gaze calmly toward him. "Tell me, Laius... if someone sees only profit in everything, what do you think that person is?"
"Huh?" Laius blinked, confused. Then, with a weird look on his face, replied, "I guess... a qualified leader? Someone who can judge value clearly?"
"...That's really what you think?" Aishelia gave another quiet sigh, then turned and resumed walking, her voice calm but firm.
"In my eyes, someone like that is just a beast wearing human skin."
"...Aishelia-sama..." Laius's face contorted with emotion.
At that moment, Aishelia pointed ahead toward a large door.
"That's enough. I have guests to meet."
Taking the hint, Laius wisely shut his mouth, though he still followed behind her carefully.
...
Inside the grand, solemn temple hall—
Ryo and Leticia sat quietly on the guest side, waiting for their host.
They didn't have to wait long. Just as the attendants brought in fresh fruit, the doors behind the main seat opened.
Aishelia and her shadow, Laius, stepped into the hall.
"You're looking well, Lady Leticia."
Aishelia smiled as she approached, not even sitting down before speaking.
Leticia stood and replied politely, keeping a respectful but clear distance. "I only gave you some brief spear lessons. There's no need to be so formal."
She needed to stay firmly on Ryo's side right now—as a challenger, not an insider.
"It's not just politeness," Aishelia chuckled lightly, before turning her attention to Ryo.
"You must be Ryo Yagami, the new leader of No-Name? I've heard about you. One of only two people in a thousand years to be accepted as a divine subordinate by Lord Shiroyasha."
Off to the side, Laius muttered under his breath, "What's so great about being a subordinate? Shiroyasha joined the Buddhist sect anyway."
Aishelia shot him a warning glance that instantly shut him up, then turned back with a smile.
"This is my second-in-command—my cousin's son, Laius Perseus."
"A pleasure to meet you," Ryo smiled back, not missing a beat.
"Laius-san, you've really got the look of a fine gentleman. Guess those rumors about you being a violent womanizer were just slander, huh?"
"...Violent womanizer?" Aishelia glanced sideways at Laius, puzzled.
"That's nonsense!" Laius paled. "You raised me to be a righteous knight, didn't you? Like I'd ever stoop to such behavior!"
His face was practically green now—not from guilt, but from sheer rage that someone had smeared his name like that.
Violent? Womanizer?
Sure, maybe their Perseus ancestors were guilty of that back in the day—but not him.
So who the hell had dug up that dirt and tailored it so perfectly to smear him?
Whoever it was clearly knew their family history and threw that filth at him on purpose.
That wasn't just a rumor—that was a straight-up hit job.
"Hmm..." Aishelia looked a little suspicious but eventually sat down and patted the table.
"I'll take your word for it."
"After all, Grandpa died complaining his great-grandson Laius was still a virgin. As the son of Zeus, he said he couldn't rest in peace."
Laius's face turned beet red.
How was that an appropriate thing to say out loud?
If you weren't my aunt, I'd already be across this table and pounding you into the ground in three seconds flat!
. . .
Meanwhile, Ryo stared at him like he was some nostalgic relic from a past life.
Who would've thought that the violent, lecherous, and kinda dumb Laius from the original story was now... an ominous-looking but weirdly noble knight?
Still kinda villainous, sure—but not that kind of villain. Definitely an upgrade.
Maybe Perseus had also gone through some massive fall from grace like Arcadia?
If so... maybe they were more alike than anyone thought.
While Ryo was still lost in thought, Aishelia suddenly chuckled from her seat, then rested her hands under her chin and asked with a serious tone:
"Let me ask one last time, Ryo Yagami. Are you sure you want to challenge our community's Trial?"
All eyes turned to him—Leticia's, Laius's.
Ryo closed his eyes.
And when he opened them again, he was smiling. "I'm sure."
"Excellent!"
Aishelia brought out Perseus's emblem—a golden shield with the face of the gorgon Medusa carved on it.
"Then I wish you glorious victory!"
.
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