Chapter 301: Athena’s Peril
The moment Airi’s killing intent surfaced, Athena, lost in her confusion, grief, and inner turmoil, sensed it.
The confusion vanished from her eyes, replaced by a sharp, almost predatory glint. She gripped her staff, mana surging around her.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!”
Her voice was cold and sharp, her gaze fixed on the forest.
She sensed two distinct presences.
A moment of silence, then the rustling of leaves as two small figures emerged.
“Airi?”
“Eileen?”
Athena was slightly surprised. Qin Chu had been right. Loseweisse had sent them.
Loseweisse was too greedy. If she had focused their efforts on a single objective, either Lomond or the Snow Chain Mountains, they might have succeeded.
Instead, they had gained nothing from Lomond, and the incident had caused a rift between Sylph and the Twin Thieves, fracturing the former Hero Squad.
And here, Muse was dead.
Even this soul fragment had been given to her by Qin Chu…
Despite being in the Snow Chain Mountains and disliking Loseweisse, Athena still maintained contact through Information Magic, so she was aware of the events unfolding elsewhere.
She lowered her staff: “It’s you. What are you doing here?”
Airi smiled sweetly: “Sister Loseweisse sent us to help you and Muse.”
That damned woman’s senses are too sharp! she cursed inwardly.
She had sensed Airi’s killing intent almost immediately. Airi felt a surge of frustration.
Of course, she kept her emotions hidden, her cute face feigning innocence as she looked around, as if searching for something. After a moment, she asked: “Athena, where’s Muse?”
“Where’s he? Aren’t you here to help him?”
Athena frowned, a hint of sadness touching her face.
Despite their strained relationship and her dislike for his brutality, he had been her comrade for years. And she had killed him. A pang of guilt stabbed at her as she looked away: “He… died.”
Her simple answer stunned the twins.
Muse was dead?
Their first reaction wasn’t grief or shock, but a shared look of cold indifference.
Airi had suspected Muse might be killed by Athena.
Her prediction had come true.
Poor Muse, killed by that woman.
That shameless bitch, pretending to be sad after killing him.
They didn’t ask how or why he died. They seemed to have already concluded that Athena was responsible. Asking would be pointless. She would have prepared an excuse.
They were more concerned about something else: “What about the soul fragment? Did you get Jie Luo’s soul fragment?”
Athena nodded: “I have one of Jie Luo’s soul fragments.”
The twins’ eyes lit up, their breathing quickening.
Airi couldn’t contain her excitement, stepping forward: “Let me see it!”
It was Jie Luo’s soul fragment.
Even if this woman had killed Muse, obtaining the soul fragment was all that mattered. Everything else could be forgiven.
Although Athena knew the former Hero Squad members were devoted to Jie Luo, Airi’s near-fanatical eagerness still unnerved her. She opened her hand, revealing a shimmering crystal.
Hiss…
They instantly sensed Jie Luo’s aura emanating from the fragment.
There was no doubt. This was it.
The first step towards his resurrection.
The former Hero Squad had already sacrificed so much for this: Benson, Muse, Karsus, Ronald… four out of ten members were dead.
But it didn’t matter. As long as Jie Luo could be resurrected, even if the other nine members, including her own sister, died, Airi wouldn’t care.
And I’m sure they’ll be grateful for their sacrifice… A twisted smile touched her lips as she approached Athena, her hand reaching out.
As her fingers were about to touch the soul fragment, Athena closed her hand, pulling it away.
Airi’s face contorted with frustration and anger: “Athena, what are you doing?”
“Give me Jie Luo’s soul fragment!”
Her voice was sharp, her beautiful face twisted in a snarl.
She arched her back like an angry cat, ready to pounce.
“Why should I give it to you? It’s safe with me.”
“Besides, I found it. It’s rightfully mine,” Athena said calmly.
Airi paused, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face. She stepped back, scratching her head: “Uh, sorry, I got a little excited. You won’t hold it against me, will you, Athena?”
Athena smiled and shook her head: “Of course not… I reacted similarly when I first saw it.”
She paused, then continued: “We should head back.”
She stood up, brushing the dirt from her clothes.
The twins exchanged a look, their eyes narrowed. This bitch was clearly trying to keep the soul fragment for herself. She wasn’t on their side.
She had killed Muse and was now keeping the soul fragment.
Their suspicions were confirmed. She was Qin Chu’s spy.
This woman had to be eliminated.
A single glance was enough for them to understand each other’s intentions.
They moved to flank Athena, one on each side.
The Twin Thieves weren’t stupid, but they were self-centered and impulsive. Once they decided on a course of action, they acted without hesitation, regardless of the consequences.
The night was silent and oppressive.
Their long shadows stretched across the snow-covered ground under the silver moonlight.
The sound of their footsteps crunching on dead branches echoed through the stillness.
They chatted idly, their laughter breaking the silence.
“By the way, Athena, you haven’t told us how Muse died. What happened in the Snow Chain Mountains?” Airi asked casually.
Athena froze… she didn’t know how to answer.
Normally, she would have prepared an excuse, but her mind was too preoccupied with her own doubts and confusion.
As she hesitated, the twins’ daggers flashed, appearing in their hands.
The blades gleamed in the moonlight.
Like shadows in the night, they lunged, their daggers aimed at Athena’s neck and heart.
Their attack was swift and precise, no wasted movements. They were assassins, and few could survive their combined assault.
The Twin Thieves might not be strong in prolonged combat, but their burst damage was formidable. They were certain Athena was doomed.
Fast!
Too fast to react.
Too fast to even hear the whistling of the blades or see the glint of metal.
In a split second, their daggers were about to tear Athena’s throat and pierce her heart.
Leave a Reply