Themis turned to look at Athena walking from the depths of the starry sky and gave a slight shake of her head.
"A juror should not enter the proceedings."
"Since you agreed to my presence, that proves I as a juror also have the authority to interpret the law, determine facts, and review cases. Faced with injustice and possible misjudgment, I naturally need to speak up."
Athena responded with a smile, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.
Themis fell silent for a moment, turned the sword hilt, and the crack in the starry sky sealed shut.
She released her restraint on the accused, sat back on the judgment seat, covered her eyes with the light veil, and mused with solemnity.
"Very well. You may begin your questioning."
Athena gave a nod and raised her first question.
"Let me ask. Has the party in question been working toward perfecting the judiciary, building order, and putting justice into practice?"
"Yes!"
Themis gave a slight nod and a positive answer.
Without question, the plaintiff before her was the undisputed founding figure of Athenian rule of law and had indeed, as he claimed, built a brighter order for Athens.
"Has his persistent private agenda obstructed the perfection of the judiciary or the execution of justice?"
"No..."
Themis thought seriously for a moment and shook her head.
It was true that he harbored private intentions, but he maintained a clearer bottom line than most gods and rarely broke rules openly.
As a result, he left behind almost nothing that could be called a genuine handle against him.
"Has his act of overstepping yet come to pass?"
"Yes..."
Themis gave another nod and offered an honest reply.
A scheming smile identical to a certain someone's spread across Athena's face as she produced the blade from behind the map.
"Then can a person who has committed no wrong yet be convicted for something that has not yet happened?"
"..."
Themis was silent for a long while before she let out a quiet sigh.
"Is this your reason for defending him?"
"Not entirely. Compared to justice that can barely move an inch in this world,
I care more about results."
Athena shook her head with a smile, then shot the plaintiff behind her a sidelong glance and gave an impatient hum.
"Someone said he could make this world a little better. I believed it."
"Once, I felt the same way..."
Themis murmured with deep feeling as her eyes beneath the veil fixed on Athena on the floor of the court.
"No regrets?"
"No regrets!"
Athena gave a solemn nod without the slightest hesitation.
"Stubborn just like your mother..."
Themis gave a wry sigh and waved her hand with diminished interest.
"Very well. I was being too officious."
In an instant, the starlight across the sky pulled back, and the oppressive pressure around them vanished completely.
Lorne, as the plaintiff, also broke free from the invisible restraint.
'Sis Athena. There is nothing more to say. You truly treat me well!'
The moment he got free, Lorne turned to Athena with excitement, wanting nothing more than to rush over and give this big sister who pulled him out of fire and water a big enthusiastic hug.
"Pfft!"
However, before he took any action, the Justice Goddess on the judgment seat suddenly coughed up a mouthful of golden blood and collapsed forward.
"Auntie!"
Athena's expression changed at the sight as she rushed forward and caught Themis in her arms.
Lorne looked at the justice goddess who suddenly appeared as though struck by lightning, her face deathly pale, and his heart filled with complex feelings.
To be honest, he still had some opinions about Themis's actions just now.
Although he did use some small tricks to pull this goddess into the situation, and many of his motivations were not pure, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions, and if judged by intentions, there was no perfect person in this world.
People have millions of thoughts in their minds, both good and bad; it's impossible to control id, the thing that separates people are actions.
At least on many issues involving people and matters,
Lorne felt confident he was far better than that god-king and the vast majority of Olympian gods.
Of course, that wasn't him being narcissistic about it; after all, he was a normal guy.
He wasn't some detached immortal who didn't know joy and sorrow, nor a moody god who'd kill people for no reason other than fun... He has seen the reality at the ground level.
That's why he felt like he could manage.
Yeah, there was a big chance that he might get corrupted by power in the future and just become another Zeus, but there was still a chance that he'd make this world a better place, no?
But obviously, because he accidentally triggered the PTSD left behind by his birth father Zeus, Themis, who once got burned, seemed to have lost her trust in him.
So... just because your previous choice was wrong, you're too scared to choose?
It's really.
He did not know how to get along with this Justice Goddess going forward.
In the end, Lorne let out a sigh and walked forward to ask carefully.
"What happened to her?"
"Fortunately not dead. Only severely injured and unconscious."
"This serious?"
The unexpected answer left Lorne somewhat at a loss as he looked at Athena.
The latter turned her head, shot the plaintiff a glare, and let out an impatient cold hum.
"Did you think unilaterally severing the continuation of the marriage law and splitting the god-king's authority was such a simple matter?"
"..."
Lorne paused, and a sense of foreboding gradually rose in his heart.
Athena's gaze swept over the dimly flickering starlight around them as she looked quietly toward the plaintiff.
"Putting justice into practice for the weak and swinging a sword at the strong requires a price to be paid. Since that price was not paid by you and not paid by Hera, who do you think it falls upon?"
Lorne suddenly understood and stared in astonishment at the unconscious goddess of justice in Athena's arms, hesitating for a moment before speaking in a somewhat dry voice.
"What will happen to her?"
"She cannot die yet."
Athena answered with a cold hum, then pressed her lips together and murmured quietly.
"But violating the oath she swore on the River Styx, interfering in Olympus's god authority, betraying my father, and shaking the most powerful divine mandate in this world, all of this trouble piling up and exploding together leaves things not much better than death."
"What exactly will happen to her?"
"Her divine nature shattered.
She can no longer be the Justice Goddess. Her consciousness suffered severe damage, and she cannot wake up in the short term. If things continue like this, she will likely fall into eternal slumber."
Hearing Athena's answer, Lorne could not help feeling a jolt.
He originally only thought about luring Themis into the situation and using the matter of the marriage law to weaken Zeus's authority.
He never expected that this goddess, under his pressure, would genuinely show up when needed and even, keeping her promise, swing that sword without hesitation and take herself down with it.
This time, he truly got Themis into a terrible situation.
Lorne felt a wave of remorse and immediately pressed further.
"Then what can be done?"
"What else can be done? We can only place hope in you truly keeping your promise to perfect the judiciary, build order, and put justice into practice, and use that faith to repair her damaged divine nature and one day wake her up!"
Athena continued channeling God's power into the unconscious Themis to stabilize her injuries, and the coldness in her voice grew heavier with each word.
"So from the moment she swung that sword, she already made her choice?"
Lorne paused slightly and then stared at the unconscious Justice Goddess in astonishment.
"Then why did she say she wanted to bring me before Zeus?"
"Without saying that, would you have learned your lesson?
And if she truly wanted to offer you up to Zeus, why would she first need to touch that divine mandate?"
Athena grew more agitated as she spoke and turned to glare at the chief culprit standing behind her, her expression darkening.
"I told you long ago. Scheming has its limits. Relying too heavily on your own cleverness without absolute strength as backing will sooner or later stir up serious trouble!"
"You dared get into Hera's bed and even thought about using it as an opportunity to shake the God king's authority.
Did you actually think your head was harder than Olympus's thunderbolts?
Or that everyone else was a fool at your disposal, with not a single person seeing through the ill intent you were hiding?"
"This time it was Themis who put herself on the line and barely managed to absorb all the suspicion and consequences for you.
What about next time? Surely you do not think your schemes win every single time?"
Hearing those words that cut to the bone one by one, Lorne found nothing to say as deep guilt surged through his heart.
It was true.
He relied too heavily on his own schemes and forgot a critically important principle.
Putting justice into practice required bloodshed.
He used his own cunning to escape punishment, but someone always had to pay the price.
Looking at the Justice Goddess whose face was completely drained of color, Lorne could not help murmuring.
"Something this important. Why did she not say so?"
"And were you honest with her?"
Athena turned her head and countered without ceremony.
Lorne found nothing to say and could only argue awkwardly.
"It is not as though I found the right opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
Athena glanced at the plaintiff with a meaningful look.
"In the second hearing.
Do you remember what was different about her face?"
Lorne thought for a moment and stared at Themis's pale face as he murmured.
"She took off that blindfold..."
"With the blindfold on, she cannot see the face or identity of those in dispute, so she cannot be tempted by bribes or intimidated by power.
She is the goddess of justice with no personal feelings mixed in.
With the blindfold removed, she is only Themis, a woman who broke a taboo for you out of trust and a promise."
Athena let out a sigh and spoke with a complex expression as she quietly revealed the answer to the riddle.
"She gave you a chance. You just chose the worst possible answer..."
'So what she really wanted was not a high-sounding justification, but a confession?'
It's just, there were too many secrets on his body, and they were too heavy to easily put into words.
Lorne recalled the disappointment in Themis's eyes and fell into silence.
He could not trust anyone.
Athena waved her hand and broke through the oppressive atmosphere around them before speaking with gravity.
"Never mind. Instead of spending time on regret, think about how to put your promises into practice in the future and use a little less of that self-important cleverness."
Lorne gave a serious nod and engraved this lesson in his heart.
He would fulfill the promise he couldn't make.
She had made her choice; he would not let it be a wrong one.
Then Athena pulsed the [Labyrinth] authority and carefully concealed the temporarily stabilized Themis before turning to look at the collapsed starry sky and the graceful figure pacing anxiously back and forth in the dense forest.
"Let us go. She did not hold on until the curtain fell. I can only go perform the second half myself."
....
.....
"Auntie Themis already knows your private affair. She wants to inform my father, the God King!"
Hearing Athena's definitive warning, Hera's expression changed drastically as she looked toward Lorne, who had just been released from the starry court with anxious worry.
With everything coming to light, she had already completed the separation of marriage and God's authority with Zeus and did not particularly fear accountability from that god-king husband of hers.
But the little lover before her was another matter entirely.
The King of Thessaly, Ixion, who once harbored improper thoughts toward her in those days, was still locked in Tartarus, suffering eternal divine punishment, unable to live and unable to die.
Fortunately, Athena shifted her tone and brought good news.
"However, I stopped her.
After much persuasion, I got her to give up pursuing the matter."
'What a good child!'
Hearing this, Hera looked toward Athena with eyes full of gratitude and affection.
Since Athena was the daughter of the first queen of heaven, Metis, she herself was the later arrival.
And with this orphaned girl having no one to rely on, Hera basically rarely targeted Athena, and the two got along reasonably well.
She never expected this minor good karma to lead Athena to pull her, this stepmother, back from the brink at a critical moment.
However, before Hera could feel pleased for long, Athena added a quiet explanation.
"Of course, her agreement to keep this hidden for you comes at a price."
"What price?"
"Sever the private affair with Lorne from this point forward and no longer entangle with him."
Hearing the demand Athena put forward on her behalf, Hera's expression darkened as dissatisfaction showed on her face.
"Why should I?"
"You filed the lawsuit on the grounds of your husband's infidelity, and Aunt Themis agreed to uphold justice for you, delivering a judgment that favored you in the division of God authority.
But you also committed infidelity during the marriage, so for the sake of fairness, the previous private affair should be severed."
Athena explained the reason carefully and then fixed her gaze on her stepmother, whose expression kept shifting between cloudy and clear before speaking in a measured voice.
"Of course, her doing this is also for both of your benefits."
"For our benefit?"
Hera furrowed her brow in puzzlement.
Athena then pulled Lorne over and spoke with heartfelt gravity.
"I know you care a great deal for him, but there is no wall in this world without a crack.
This time the one who noticed was Themis, and I could still stop it.
But what about next time?
If it is my father the god-king who comes, can you guarantee his safety and guarantee you will not face punishment yourself?"
"...."
Hera opened her mouth but found herself completely speechless.
Yes.
This was a question she never once considered.
Zeus could cheat without restraint because there was no one who could hold him accountable.
But she was different.
Once her infidelity was exposed, that god-king only needed to wave his hand to crush her little lover and make her suffer terribly.
"I understand your difficulties, and I believe in how seriously you take your feelings.
But your love is still too heavy a burden for him right now.
Acting with reckless determination would only cause harm to both of you and leave behind regrets that cannot be undone."
Athena patted her stepmother's shoulder with completely open and sincere eyes.
"To maintain this relationship with dignity and propriety, at the very least you need enough ability to protect yourself and protect the person you care about..."
"Athena, you are right. I was rash."
The fog in Hera's mind suddenly cleared as she looked gratefully at this stepdaughter who thought so carefully for her and thanked her repeatedly.
Then, the Queen of the Forest glanced at the lover who had entangled her in this ill-fated relationship, her mind flashing back to their time together. Finally, she turned away resolutely, giving Athena a silent plea.
"Look after him for me..."
"Mm!"
Athena gave a solemn nod and watched the Queen of Heaven summon her carriage and set off with a heavy heart toward Olympus.
As the shooting star on the horizon disappeared from view, the Goddess of Wisdom recalled the flickering look in Hera's eyes before she left and turned to look at Lorne beside her with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"It seems she cared for you very deeply."
"But I have no desire to become the Queen of Heaven's husband."
Lorne answered lightly and then turned to look at the Themis hidden inside the [Labyrinth] with a helpless, wry smile.
"And with this many debts weighing on me, if I want to pay them all back with interest, do I have any other path to choose besides that one?"
He understood now why Themis made that show of dragging him to meet Zeus.
It was most likely to make Hera give up and stop entangling herself with him.
Athena glanced sideways and asked with playful curiosity.
"Do you have regrets?"
"No regrets!"
The same question received the same answer, and the two people in the forest shared a smile as an invisible understanding naturally arose between them.
"Then what should I call you? Sister?"
"Whatever you prefer."
Athena laughed with indifference as a look of calm settled in her eyes.
"You are not them. You do not need to become anyone. Just be yourself."
Then the Goddess of Wisdom looked down at the schemer before her who harbored treacherous intentions toward Olympus with contempt and proclaimed with cool, imposing resolve. "In any case, no matter what choices you all make, I will win in the end!"
(End of Chapter)