Putting Hermes' main thruster aside, Aslan quickly began modifying the entire system. After all, it was no easy task to assemble such a massive thruster with the Supreme Masterpiece, shrink it, and still maintain its original propulsion force. The Supreme Masterpiece also required the removal of certain existing parts before any modification could be made.
At the same time, Hermes' thrusters needed to have their data rewritten, ensuring that the lingering will of Hermes would not mix with the intelligence now residing in the Supreme Masterpiece.
After sealing away the remains of Hermes' enormous body, Aslan handed the box to Estée Lauder without hesitation.
"Here. I'm giving this to you. Use the remains of this god to fulfill your dream."
When Estée Lauder looked down at the box in her hands, she froze for a moment. Surprise and a faint trace of panic flashed across her face.
"This… this is far too precious. I feel unworthy of it."
Though she lived in such a harsh world and understood how rare opportunities were, Estée Lauder had always believed one should never miss the chance to improve oneself. But she also had a bottom line. Too much could be as dangerous as too little. Human greed had no end; left unchecked, it would consume and destroy.
Meeting this blond boy by chance—this "brother" who so closely resembled her—and being able to follow him, learn, broaden her horizons, and even receive advice and guidance on realizing her ultimate wish was already more than she had ever hoped for. Through him, she had glimpsed the possibilities of humankind in this world. For all of that, Estée Lauder was deeply grateful.
Moreover, during the battle with Hermes, she had only watched from afar, approaching Aslan only after the fight was over. All she had done was collect a few fragments that had fallen from Hermes' body. She hadn't even managed to draw Hermes' attention.
Could she, who had played no role in the fight, truly take the spoils of battle from the blond boy before her and use them without guilt?
Estée Lauder thought not. If she accepted so casually, she would carry the thought for the rest of her life: Aslan, you've already given me enough. I absolutely cannot accept the body of a god.
Aslan looked at her and smiled faintly. As he had said before, he admired this girl. In a world like this, she could still hold to her principles and resist being blinded by the enormous benefits set before her. That kind of restraint was the very foundation of survival in the struggle against the gods.
So, after hearing her words, Aslan chuckled, then reached out and ruffled her hair.
"I'm glad you can say that. Keeping such a mindset is the key to your continued growth in this world."
Placing his hands on his hips, Aslan pushed the box containing Hermes' remains toward her again.
"But regardless… you should accept this without hesitation. As for why—I told you before that I'm a traveler from another world, didn't I? But I haven't yet explained the connection between us."
Estée Lauder's eyes widened slightly, curiosity flickering within them.
Aslan smiled and pointed at his hair and eyes.
"As you said when we first met—we share such similar hair, such similar eyes, even a somewhat similar appearance. Even if we come from different worlds, how many coincidences like that can there be? And on top of it, we're both blacksmiths. I think you've already started to guess who I am."
He spread his hands. If she still failed to understand after all this, then truly there was nothing more he could do.
Estée Lauder pieced the fragments together in her mind, then took half a step back. Disbelief flashed in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, but the words caught in her throat and refused to come.
At that moment, a roar echoed through the valley. Both Aslan and Estée Lauder's expressions instantly hardened. This barren land should have been silent—how could there be the roar of a beast here? Clearly, whoever was coming had no friendly intentions.
Heavy footsteps rumbled closer, accompanied by guttural growls and the grating clash of weapons against stone. A suffocating pressure pressed in from the direction of the crossroads.
It seemed this was not the time to continue their conversation.
Aslan and Estée Lauder exchanged a look. In unspoken understanding, Estée Lauder stepped back and released her miniature mechas, letting them scatter with weapons drawn. She had contributed little in the battle against Hermes, but this time the enemy was clearly no god—so she had no excuse to stand idle.
Listening to the approaching sounds, Aslan already had a rough guess at the enemy's identity. If it wasn't a god, then it could only be one of those so-called demigods aligned against them. A demigod, preparing to strike. But which hero would it be this time?
To be honest, when it came to facing the heroes immortalized in myth, Aslan's feelings were complicated. Perhaps he was angry at them. Perhaps he pitied them. Either way, those once-glorious figures had all become the lackeys of fallen gods.
It was just like the dragon-slaying hero who eventually becomes the devil's servant.
Greek heroes, in particular, had always been bound to the will of the gods. And now, those very gods had reduced them to mere pawns. It was as though their true selves had been discarded.
Shouldn't heroes resist such manipulation? Shouldn't they rage against the gods' control? Yet, bound by ties of blood, most chose instead to kneel and obey.
A massive silhouette emerged from the darkness. When Aslan recognized it, his eyes narrowed—and he spat out a curse.
-End Chapter-
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