"Alright, you don't have to worry too much about Themis, she has always been quite stubborn, with a tendency to get stuck in her own thoughts, and once she makes a decision, no one can stop her."
Suddenly, Athena paused, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Moreover, when she received your call for help and rushed here from the Sea of Okeanos to War God Mountain, her condition seemed a bit off, always wanting to fall into a deep sleep for no reason. It's also because of this that she brought me along to listen in case she couldn't hold up on her own."
"Deep sleep, could it be because of the Elysian Fields?"
Upon hearing this, Luo En's expression changed slightly. He quickly recounted everything he had seen and heard during his time in the Underworld to Athena.
This included even his private relationship with the Queen of the Underworld and the secret dealings with Hades, the God of the Underworld.
"The 'Dream of Truth'? So that's what it was? The disappearance of the Old Gods and the issues that have arisen with Themis are indeed no coincidence."
Athena nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Luo En with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"You've told me all these secrets, aren't you afraid I might use them against you?"
"If you wanted to do that, you would have done it long ago, why wait until now?"
Luo En replied unconcernedly, then glanced at the mountain of legal documents piled up on the table and gave a wry smile.
"Besides, some things I should have said earlier."
Athena put down the iron pen in her hand and looked at Luo En with a playful gaze.
"So, have you figured it out?"
"It's good that you have."
Athena nodded, her deep purple eyes scrutinizing her nominal younger brother, and she voiced the opinion she had suppressed for a long time.
"The problem with you is that you've never fully trusted anyone around you. Even the closest and most sincere relatives and friends, you always maintain a certain guard against them in your bones. You never willingly show your true intentions and your true self in front of others.
To be exact, from the bottom of your heart, you harbor a wariness towards everyone, even the entire world!"
Upon hearing this, Luo En nodded helplessly.
That's right, since his soul came from another world, he inherently felt a certain estrangement from this world.
Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of Zeus shortly after being born and then being taken back by that woman Hecate for training, he remained guarded towards everyone he met subsequently.
Whether it was Medusa who trusted him unconditionally, Hestia, or Athena, Themis who shared his goals, or Tethys, Astraea who had fought alongside him numerous times...
He had never trusted these people without reservation, nor had he ever been completely honest with them.
He always liked to use conspiracy to achieve the results he expected.
But he had seldom considered talking things out openly, sharing his troubles, and seeking help from those around him in an upright manner.
"Although I don't know what you've been through, what you're afraid of. Sometimes, there's no need to be so overly cautious, this is your home, we're your friends, your family. Nobody needs you to bear everything alone,"
The arrogance in Athena's eyes subsided, leaving behind a clear and sincere smile on her face.
"As long as you speak up, we're all willing to lend a hand."
Looking at the hand extended in front of him, Luo En had much to reflect on.
The former King Minos, because of a piece of his advice, willingly met his death;
The earlier Themis, faced the supreme decree of fate because of his written invitation;
And Hestia, Medusa, Athena... Each of them deserved his complete trust, not to be manipulated through plots and calculations.
Conspiracy has its limits; for those close to him, sincerity is the ultimate weapon.
Because they are worth it.
As his thoughts became clear, Luo En felt an easing of his heart. He raised his hand to grasp Athena's arm, and with his other hand, he pulled at the collar in front of his chest, activating the Wheel of Hecate and spoke earnestly.
"I think, my time may not be much longer."