Crossover: The Problematic Deity of Arcadia

— — — — — — 

Leticia stared intently at Ryo as he lit the parchment—an artifact symbolizing a binding promise.

"Are you serious right now?"

Her tone was firm and serious.

"If this is just a joke, I can remake the contract—"

"A Gift Document takes effect the moment it's used. That's a rule established by the Central System of Little Garden."

Ryo met Leticia's gaze calmly as he explained.

"Even if you make a new one, the terms from the first one still have to be honored."

"But I could delay the conditions indefinitely," Leticia answered quietly, then paused, exhaling in resignation.

"You're even more impulsive than Canaria said. No—probably a hundred times more."

With a sigh and a shake of her head, she brushed away her doubts and asked,

"Are you really planning to take on Perseus' Trial?"

"Of course."

Ryo nodded without hesitation and held out his hand to her.

"I need every bit of information you've got on the Trial of Perseus. All of it!"

The Trial Game of Perseus.

It was one of the famed Heroic Trials hosted under the Greek Pantheon, a Three-Digit Divine Group. The [Perseus] Community

Perseus, Heracles, Achilles—these legends from Greek mythology had left behind trials that replicated their heroic feats. Completing one meant replicating an equivalent feat of the hero's legacy.

The reward?

A binding promise from the hosting Community. Within the limits of what's reasonable, the victor could demand fulfillment of a wish or request from the Community.

In this case, Ryo's goal was to use the trial as leverage to transfer Leticia Draculea's allegiance to himself.

That's why he was so insistent that Leticia help him secure victory.

It was, by far, the best shot they had at freeing her.

Leticia, however, didn't look convinced.

"You do understand what you're up against in the Trial of Perseus, right?"

"I do."

Ryo's expression turned serious, his voice low and steady.

"The point of these trials is to replicate the hero's greatest achievement."

"And for Perseus, that was slaying the gorgon Medusa."

Leticia sighed and gave him a slightly reproachful look. "Do you even know who Medusa is?"

Ryo smirked and answered curtly: "Algol, the Demon Star."

"A former Demon Lord, once known as one of the 'Three Great Problem Children of Little Garden' alongside Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween. Now, she's nothing more than a slave to the leader of the Perseus community."

"And a Celestial Star Spirit from the Almighty Domain—Three-Digit level."

"Three-Digit? That's a bit of an exaggeration." Leticia rubbed her forehead with a weary sigh.

"Medusa's current strength is around Four-Digits."

She gave a wry chuckle and continued, "And the current leader of the Perseus Community—Aishelia Perseus—is Perseus' own granddaughter. A demi-god born from twisted divine laws, honed through relentless training. Her strength? Easily within the Four-Digit class."

"And with her personality, the current Trial Game of Perseus is nothing like the old one. It focuses more on brute strength than anything else."

"In short, if you want to take the trial, you're going to have to face the Four-Digit-level Medusa."

"And honestly... even if her Divinity is sealed, she's still near the peak of the Four-Digit tier. Chances are, you'll have to defeat her head-on."

"This is way too dangerous for you. There's almost no chance of success. You should give up."

"Nah. If I don't try, how would I know?" Ryo narrowed his eyes and smiled confidently.

"Only by trying can I see how far I still have to go."

"The cost of attempting the trial is too high," Leticia continued, still trying to talk him down.

That's when Ryo casually added,

"Then I'll offer the Water Tree as the challenge fee. That should be enough, right?"

"...."

Leticia fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply.

"You know the deposit isn't refundable if you fail."

Ryo chuckled.

"If I lose, I'll just keep training until I'm ready for the next shot. At my age, failing's just part of the process, right?"

"..."

"...I can't talk you out of this, can I?" Leticia shook her head, clearly exasperated.

"According to the terms of the Gift Agreement, I'll do everything I can to get you permission to challenge the Perseus Trial. Beyond that… it's all on you."

"That's all I need."

Ryo grinned, completely at ease now that Leticia was on board.

"So, when do you want to start the trial?"

Leticia's bat-like wings spread from her back as she floated into the air.

"The sooner, the better."

Ryo knew all too well—when it came to things like this, hesitation was the enemy.

Even if the Perseus Community wasn't actively mistreating Leticia, the fact that her ownership didn't lie with her allies made it far too dangerous. She was vulnerable to their whims.

"What kind of trump card are you hiding, anyway?"

Leticia broke protocol and asked him directly. In Little Garden, asking about someone's Gift or hidden power was a huge taboo—it could easily be seen as hostility.

Ryo raised an eyebrow, about to show her what he had up his sleeve.

But before he could respond, Leticia vanished right in front of him.

She had regained her composure and remembered: even if Ryo was willing to show her, that didn't mean she had to see it.

Sometimes, the best way to protect a companion's secrets… is not to know them in the first place.

Even from a knight's standpoint, guarding a comrade's Gift starts with ignorance.

Watching her disappear, Ryo exhaled in relief. He knew she had gone to request the challenge rights for the Trial of Perseus.

"Oh man..."

"A direct fight with the Demon Star Algol, huh…? Risky, yeah, but there's still room to maneuver."

It wasn't just that Algol was currently downgraded to Four-Digit strength.

It was because Ryo knew exactly what that fallen star desired most.

Eyes narrowing with determination, he made up his mind.

— — —

That Night

After Ryo had gone to bed, Leticia's silhouette emerged beside him—her body formed from swirling black bats.

Ryo opened his eyes immediately and sat up.

"That was faster than I expected."

"Same here," Leticia sighed. "I didn't think Aishelia Perseus would agree so quickly."

With that, she tossed the Water Tree next to Ryo.

"She didn't even ask for the challenge fee."

"...???"

Ryo raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.

Leticia gave a faint smile.

"She said she owed Canaria twenty favors… and this was one of them."

"..."

Ryo's mouth twitched violently.

Owed twenty favors!?

Guess that's what you'd expect from the former Chief Strategist. That kind of influence is insane!

Still, didn't that mean he basically got strong-armed into this?

Ryo let out a dry laugh, stood up, and threw on his jacket.

"Alright then. Let's go."

"To the Perseus headquarters."

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