People keep coming up with the eternal worshipper theory but by the looks of it currently in the story Asterion only gives worship to Hestia and Hades which aren't apart of Olympus, it is also seems that worship to the gods only goes to the god you're worshipping, as is mentioned by Robert that Hades is doing fine due to the fact that people residing in the Hades worships him meaning that worship works only to the individual and not the Greek gods as a whole. it wouldn't make sense to plan for something like that considering they are probably aware who he's worshipped in the past and being put into this situation would most likely cause a lesser person forsake the gods.
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Flawed, certainly, but Athena isn't that kind of... impulsive is maybe the word I'd use? I think if a story had her doing something like this, something that requires this level of planning, logistics, negotiation, and strategy--all things she's admittedly good at--for no more reason than "just because," I'd say that story wasn't being fair to Athena
Even in stories with an antagonistic Athena, such as Arachne, or an outright evil Athena-equivalent, such as the Wicked and the Divine, I don't think a story gets to call an Athena "Athena" unless there's a reason for what she does and plans. That reason might be misguided, harmful, imperialistic, even insane, but she'd have to be the only Olympian who I just plain wouldn't ever buy that she's acting on pure whimsy.
The eternal worshipper theory is pretty entertaining though; it seems like something clever Athena, who is touted for her intellect, set up to perpetuate their existence. Plus, are we sure that direct acts of worship is what keeps them alive or gives them power? For all we know, it might just be faith, belief and other directed feelings/thoughts (admiration, awe, fear, respect) instead, which Asterion is not lacking in any regard. Maybe eternal believer would be more fitting?
Also, I think I can counter one of your points of thinking that Asterion would forego the gods-- both collectively and individually. They've sentenced and deemed Asterion to be meek and timid-- submissive to the wills of the gods and higher powers. Perhaps Athena thought that this mentality is eternally cemented in Asterion's character. In fact, this proves true; Asterion found himself genuinely deserving of his sentence all this time. A perfect personality to serve as an eternal worshipper, no? Asterion knew that the torturous labyrinth is the collective efforts of the gods (Athena included). What could the prisoner do but continue believing in the power, existence and dominance of its creators as the reality of his experience in the labyrinth is continually proven to him everyday all these years? If the gods are indeed fed by this kind of belief, then the labyrinth is an ingenious self-sustaining system. Just to add, I don't remember Asterion harboring contempt on any of the gods. He's placed them on such a high pedestal that he probably can't even start to think of forsaking them-- he'd probably supplicate himself to them more. I swear, this may be an intentional big brain move on Athena's part-- taking advantage of his personality and all.
well the details to how that works aren't exactly clear, how come dead people can worship hades but not the gods they used to in life?
besides, the labyrinth has worked enough that the gods are still around. but even then, they are kinda failing and going senile. hermes straigth disappeared.
so this eternal worship can only do so much or has requirements we are not fully aware off. part of the theory is that it's a flawed solution.
we see that Asterion learns of the true purpose of his punshiment in one of the ruthless endings, and he isn't very pleased. so at the very least it's safe to assume it has nothing to do with what he did. maybe it's something that he specifically could accomplish. or is just a scapegoat to someone else's problem.
you don't have the heart? then you should be good to go you heartless monster ^^.
but in all seriousness, you can detach yourself from the protagonist. the ruthless chapters are predominantly played from Argos perspective anyway, and it focus more in the secrets of the lore about the labyrinth. it's absolutely worth checking out