The Villain of Ancient Greece

”It’s ready!”

Half an hour later, a busy Lorne emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray, placing several steaming ceramic bowls in front of the long-awaited diners.

As soon as they were served, the rich aroma of the golden broth, boiled down from beef bones—wafted into the air.

A few juicy pieces of braised beef were laid on top, instantly whetting the appetite.

Translucent slices of white radish and a few leafy green vegetables floated within, balancing out the richness.

Instead of scallions, a sprinkling of chopped parsley enhanced the fragrance.

Ribbon-like, glistening noodles danced in the bowl, soaking up the hearty beef soup...

The vibrant colors and enticing aroma stimulated all the senses.

The diners couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

They eagerly pulled up the noodles and took a bite.

The springiness of the noodles combined with the savory broth to create an almost addictive flavor.

For Little Medusa and Hestia, who had already experienced such novelty before, the taste was still enjoyable. But for Athena and Nike, trying this type of cuisine for the first time, their eyes lit up in surprise—their taste buds instantly conquered.

Their constantly moving forks were proof enough.

Very soon, the two divine beings had polished off their bowls of beef noodles, down to the last drop.

As her niece set her fork down and sat up straight, Hestia eagerly stepped forward to ask how it was.

”So? Pretty good, right?”

”It’s… alright.”

Athena gave a deliberately lukewarm response, then slightly turned her head to glance behind her at a certain someone.

Lorne, now highly adept at reading facial expressions, immediately caught the subtle signal from the goddess of wisdom and sprang into action, diligently collecting the empty bowls, his face plastered with a toadying grin.

”It must be because the sample wasn’t enough. I’ll bring you another bowl so you can better evaluate it. I’ll need your expert feedback for improvements.”

”Hm.”

Given this perfectly timed excuse, Athena nodded calmly and gracefully, but the faint gleam of approval in her eyes could not be hidden.

”I want more too!”

Nike, next to her, handed over her empty bowl as well, looking clearly unsatisfied.

”There’s plenty for everyone!”

Lorne promised eagerly as he turned and returned to the kitchen.

He filled Athena and Nike’s bowls to the brim again, and while he was at it, he topped off Hestia and Little Medusa’s nearly empty bowls with more soup and noodles.

In this situation, fairness was the name of the game.

At least, it had to appear fair on the surface so no one could complain.

To avoid the meal feeling too repetitive, Lorne also returned to the kitchen to prepare some other dishes—recipes he and Hestia had either modified or invented, which he brought out one after another.

Thanks to his thoroughly attentive service, both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Everyone at the table ate with delight.

Looking at the cheerful scene in the living room, Lorne, who had been mentally on edge the entire time, finally relaxed.

Taking advantage of a free moment, he served himself a bowl of noodles to fill the emptiness in his own stomach.

The origin of European noodle culture can be traced back to regions like Italy and Greece. At that time, noodles had already become a popular food, not only for breakfast and lunch but also for dinner.

But now, in this timeline, such a thing might barely even exist in concept.

As someone from the future, Lorne might not claim to be a master chef, but thanks to years of living alone, he had built up a pretty complete base of cooking knowledge and culinary experience.

Fermentation, seasoning, boiling, stir-frying, these cooking techniques and culinary innovations, refined over thousands of years, are the crystallization of countless human trials, errors, and accumulated knowledge.

Bringing them into the age of the gods, when human civilization was just beginning, is practically a dimensional blow.

Even the gods, who wete accustomed to rare delicacies from the mountains and seas, couldn’t resist the allure of a new kind of cuisine they’d never experienced.

And right in front of them, the once-disinterested goddess of wisdom, now fully converted by the ”so delicious” effect, was the best proof.

Forty-five minutes later, the four of them were full and satisfied, leaning lazily in their chairs.

Lorne, ever perceptive, promptly cleared the table and presented post-meal desserts and fruit wine—aiming squarely for a five-star service experience.

With Hestia enthusiastically recommending, Athena scooped up a spoonful of homemade yogurt with raisins and sweet almonds.

As she tasted it, a look of quiet satisfaction appeared on her face, and her thoughtful gaze landed on the ”head chef” still in the kitchen.

At that moment, she more or less understood why her aunt had so suddenly switched sides and tried to keep this little rascal around.

Though the goddess of the hearth kept herself out of worldly affairs, she was not without her own desires.

Her greatest pleasures came from the simple joys of home and hearth—cooking, gardening, housekeeping, brewing—ways to pass the time.

Finding someone among the gods or demigods, who mostly pursued strength and authority, that shared those interests was harder than climbing to the sky...next to impossible.

Yet by chance, a guy nearly perfectly suited had wandered into her home.

Not only did he demonstrate excellent cooking skills and a refreshing culinary perspective, but even his housework and hosting skills were impeccable, making guests feel completely at home.

With a follower like that, her quality of life could visibly improve by leaps and bounds.

It wasn’t just the goddess of the hearth, Athena herself found it hard not to be tempted.

”To be honest, I’m starting to regret not taking you up to Olympus sooner...”

The goddess of wisdom set down her now-empty bowl, casting a deep look at the demigod candidate she had once so carefully trained once.

Beside her, Hestia, who still trying hard to make her sales pitch, froze mid-smile, starting to feel a twinge of anxiety.

”Compared to Olympus, Knossos seems more like a true private domain for you. And now, am I not already serving in your bedchamber?”

Under Athena’s gaze, Lorne replied with a calm smile.

”You’re welcome anytime.”

”...True enough.”

Athena nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with that response.

Seeing that her grandniece had no intention of pursuing the matter further, Hestia let out a long sigh of relief.

With food and drink settling in their stomachs, Athena rose from her seat and stretched lazily.

She then, turned her head to glance at Lorne, who was helping Hestia tidy up the room, one eyebrow lifting as a subtle, mischievous smile curled her lips.

”How about... a little sparring after dinner?”

”Vigorous exercise after a full meal is not recommended!”

Lorne instantly refused with righteous conviction, his expression one of sincere concern, as if he were thinking only of her well-being, while inside, every alarm bell was screaming.

Spar with you? Are you kidding?!

That look on your face says it all—you’ve dug a hole and you’re just waiting for me to jump in so you can legitimately beat the crap out of me.

Last time, all I did was sneak a few of your tribute offerings and mutter a few complaints behind your back, and you left me lying on the ground for a week. My butt still hurts.

You expect me to believe this little invitation to ”train” isn’t your way of getting revenge after I turned you down and bruised your pride?

Ha! I’ve already seen right through your scheming heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Such a petty woman!

Recalling those dozen rose thorns that stabbed into his backside that night, Lorne couldn’t help but silently curse her in his heart.

(End of Chapter)