Chapter 162

Chapter 163: Where’s the Goddess’ Dignity? (Third update, begging for subscriptions!)

A few large tents were set up in the mountain campsite, while the members gathered around a bonfire.

Crackling, sparks from the firewood burst forth.

The flying embers dyed the girls’ faces orange.

“Lord Artemis, the reconnaissance mission is complete. All monsters in the surrounding area have been cleared out, and there are no signs of further expansion of the forest anomalies that were eroding it.”

Leader Letsha reported on today’s situation, and Artemis quietly nodded after hearing her words.

“That’s good… Thank you, everyone has done well.”

She consoled the Familial Groups who had been investigating the appearance of new types of monsters recently.

The young girls of the group were proud or happy at the goddess’s acknowledgment, each showing smiles on their faces.

Artemis didn’t reprimand the relaxed Familial Groups now but instead stared off into the distance at the World Secret Realm Great Tree Sea from this mountainous area.

The forest ahead already showed signs of grayness, and the goddess was lost in thought.

‘That place… Could the old seal be loosening?’

Artemis worriedly thought.

Within the World Secret Realm Great Tree Sea, there was a ruin called “Ersos.”

It wasn’t just any ruin; it was also the sealing location where a great fairy from Artemis’ lineage had sealed an ancient monster long ago.

Originally, Artemis’ faction was about to return to Orario after completing a ground monster sweep quest when they heard about abnormalities in the eastern continent and made their way here.

Just in case, Artemis had sent a request letter to Orario.

When she arrived days ago, Artemis couldn’t help but associate the anomalies within the Great Tree Sea with the ancient monster from before.

“Lord Artemis… What should we do in the next few days? Continue patrolling the secret realm? Or delve deep into the Great Tree Sea for exploration?”

While she was lost in thought, someone in the lively camp broke the silence.

Letsha, the leader of the faction, asked the main goddess about the action plan.

As the leader of the faction acting alongside the goddess, Letsha could decide many things, but regarding the direction of action, it was still necessary to consult with the goddess.

“…Set up camp here and take care of the nearby villages. Until reinforcements arrive from Orario, we won’t venture too deeply into the Great Tree Sea.”

After hesitating between aggressive and conservative ideas, Artemis glanced around at the smiling children of her faction and chose the latter.

“I understand.”

Letsha nodded and began contemplating the plans for tomorrow’s actions.

“Hold on, Lord Artemis requested the guild in Orario to release a quest, right? So does that mean that jerk Ize might come too?”

Suddenly, an out-of-place voice emerged among the girls.

The tone was sour, as if reluctant.

With those words, a half-elf girl pouting in annoyance immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention.

Lanti — always paying attention to Ize’s information, ever since she heard that Ize had reached Level 3, she harbored a mysterious grudge towards someone.

Because of various reasons, she wanted to see Ize, but not really.

The minds of young girls were truly strange and complex things.

“Ah! That’s true! If it’s a guild-released quest, Ize might see it!”

“I didn’t even notice that! He might come if he sees it!”

“What do you mean ‘might’? With his relationship with Lord Artemis, isn’t it certain?”

???

Artemis suddenly became confused, question marks appearing above her head.

Could this also be interpreted like that?

Though she was somewhat happy listening to everyone discuss Ize possibly coming, what did all of you mean?

What was this talk about “my relationship with Ize”?

Why did it sound so off?

It was as if the rice was already cooked.

And Letsha, why are you enthusiastically participating?

Where is my dignity as a goddess?

Unbeknownst to herself, compared to before, Artemis rarely put on the facade of a pure goddess within her faction these days.

Perhaps subconsciously thinking that she had set a bad example, she felt awkward demanding her children behave as they used to.

The innocent Artemis slumbering deep inside.

Though she doesn’t understand what “love” is, she merely confirms its outline.

But that innocent sentiment still brought change to the goddess.

The girls in the faction more or less noticed this.

However, they were delighted by this development and silently kept it from their deity.

Not knowing how to interrupt the enthusiastic discussion among the girls, Artemis was momentarily at a loss.

Looking at the laughing expressions of the girls now, it seemed as if she was infected by their joy.

Someone led the charge, some looked troubled like eating candy, others reminisced with anticipatory smiles on their faces.

‘Maybe this isn’t so bad…’

Even from Artemis’ current perspective, this was fine…

For the girls who continued to protect Artemis, the goddess quietly smiled.

…

…

After Ize finished handling the Adventurers’ Quest at the Guild,

“Loke, I might leave for a while?”

In the Divine Room on one of the higher floors of the Central Tower, Ize, who usually came to update his Ability Values with Loke, prepared to inform her about the quest.

“Pfft—!!”

After translating his Ability Values and handing over the report, Loke, who had just taken a sip of wine, sprayed it all out.

In a flash, she appeared in front of Ize, grabbing his shoulders and questioned him.

“What are you saying, boy? How have I treated you badly? Are you thinking of leaving? Should I just strangle you here!?”

“Don’t shake me, don’t shake me, Loke. You misunderstood. I’m not leaving the faction, I’ve just accepted an Adventurer’s Quest and will be away from Orario for a while.”

Dizzy from being shaken, Ize quickly explained.

“Hmph…”

Upon hearing this, Loke stopped her actions and exhaled deeply. That’s how it was.

She was overly sensitive to such topics earlier, but…

“You better say everything at once next time, boy. Don’t startle me like that!”

“I wanted to finish explaining, but you didn’t give me the chance.”

…

…

[Adventurer Name]: Ize Alward

[Level]: Lv.3

[Ability Values]: Strength: I0→D555 | Durability: I0→D532 | Agility: I0→C654 | Speed: I0→C678 | Magic Power: I0→SS1024

[Development Abilities]: “Mystery F”, “Dark Star G”, “Luck I”, “Morning Star I”

[Magic]: “Silver Starfall”, “Stellar Magic”, “Earth Magic”

[Skills]: “Celestial Favor”, “Heart of the Earth”, “Star of Enlightenment”, “Dragon Slayer”

[Additional Development Magic]: “Wall Rising to Immense Heights”, “Starfall”, “Celestial Movement of All Things”, “Starry Prison”, “Zodiac Disk”, “Mountain-Sea Transformation”, “Star Protection·Holy Healing”