Chapter 188

Chapter 189: Definitely Next Time!!

Under a cloudless blue sky.

The weather had been unusually stable recently, and the days since leaving the small town of Albu and returning to Orario had all been bright and clear.

Warm sunlight cascaded down from the heavens onto the verdant plains, where two figures leisurely made their way forward.

After five days of unhurried travel, Izay and Artemis could finally see the towering city walls of Orario in the distance.

“It truly feels surreal… I remember the last time we came to Orario together, it was me protecting you, but now it’s completely reversed.”

Walking along the gravel path, Artemis affectionately looped her arm with Izay’s, her azure eyes brimming with unrestrained joy. There was no trace of the goddess of chastity here; she was simply a girl in the throes of young love.

“Our last visit together to Orario was more than half a year ago… Artemis-sama. It has been quite some time…”

Izay looked at her breathtaking smile, momentarily lost in thought, gently correcting the goddess’s statement.

Half a year could change many things—whether for ordinary people or adventurers.

By conventional standards, half a year wasn’t enough for an adventurer to undergo significant growth, but Izay was far from ordinary.

His rate of strengthening couldn’t be measured by normal standards.

“Hmm… I was merely expressing what I felt. You are exceptional, Izay.” Perhaps realizing this herself, Artemis smiled brightly and moved even closer to Izay.

Their shadows overlapped under the warm sunlight, and without needing to consciously sense it, Izay could catch the faint scent of freesia-like fragrance emanating from Artemis. It softly wafted into his nostrils like a tranquil sea breeze on a moonlit night, subtly stirring his heartstrings with tender whispers.

This situation persisted until they approached the city walls of Orario, where things began to shift slightly.

Even though she didn’t mind being intimate with Izay privately, Artemis maintained a bit more decorum when others were around.

A goddess still needs to have some dignity, after all.

Izay understood her thoughts perfectly but chose not to say anything, instead watching her blush and squirm cutely under his knowing gaze, which prompted her to lightly punch him in playful annoyance.

As they neared Orario, the road became bustling with caravans, travelers, minstrels, and citizens heading out of the city.

As a well-known goddess and adventurer within Orario, the arrival of Izay and Artemis naturally sparked some discussions among them.

Ignoring the unrelated chatter, the duo joined the queue behind the gate.

At the entrance, as usual, guild staff and Ganesha Familia adventurers worked together to manage the checkpoint.

However, the guard responsible today seemed familiar to Izay—he believed he had seen him before.

Such feelings rarely went wrong, thanks to his powerful mental faculties enhancing his memory.

“Wow… Isn’t that the famous Silver Star Mr. Elwood returning from a quest?”

When it was Izay’s turn for inspection, he handed over his guild-issued pass to the adjacent guild clerk.

At that moment, the adventurer wearing arms and the elephant-head insignia approached him enthusiastically, grinning knowingly.

“Ahahaha! You remember me? What an honor to be remembered by one of Orario’s rising stars!” The guard laughed heartily.

Then, glancing between Izay and Artemis, he winked mischievously. “Young man, you’re quick! Already taking the goddess out on dates? Impressive!”

“…”

Izay hesitated to refute, realizing there wasn’t much ground for denial—it was the truth.

“I never would’ve guessed… Looking at your relationship with Artemis back then, I thought you might join her Familia. But joining Loki Familia instead? And yet maintaining such a close bond… You’ve got skills, kid. Teach me sometime?”

Despite meeting only twice, the guard showed no lack of enthusiasm, almost ready to call him brother.

Izay gave an awkward yet polite smile. “Definitely next time, right?”

“Oh!? So it’s settled then? Definitely next time!”

“Yeah, definitely next time.”

After bidding farewell to the guard, Izay and Artemis smoothly entered the city, passing through the gates to reveal a familiar and picturesque streetscape.

“Orario, your emperor has returned!”

—Izay certainly wouldn’t shout something so ridiculous out loud in the middle of the street.

He silently muttered it to himself, reflecting on how fitting the phrase felt.

Thinking about it, he missed his mentor, Ais, and Loki after being away for so long…not to mention, he needed Loki to update his ability values.

The system’s side mission was completed, and the rewards from ‘Moonlight Aria’ had already been distributed. Izay now knew the exact details of this overwhelmingly powerful “miracle.”

But to use it, he’d need Loki to update his ability values again.

The system’s rewards weren’t just giving him abilities—they were granting him possibilities.

With each reward, Izay’s potential was subtly optimized, allowing him to gradually transcend on a fundamental level.

This offered immense benefits, especially for his future.

Conversely, every new possibility required an ability value update to fully unlock its potential.

…

Before returning to Twilight Manor, Izay first accompanied Artemis to the Guild Headquarters.

Northwest Street retained its vibrant atmosphere, filled with human and demi-human adventurers exuding an exotic charm.

In the grand hall of the Guild Headquarters, Izay temporarily parted ways with Artemis.

Izay went to submit his adventurer quests, while Artemis was led by a guild employee named Rose to meet Uranus.

This was a common sight within the guild.

Though rare, there were special Familias within Orario that enjoyed privileges other Familias did not, such as direct access to the main deity without reporting.

In return, these Familias contributed to the guild in various ways.

Artemis Familia was one of them, as was Hermes Familia.

If one had to describe it, these two Familias acted as Orario’s “scouts,” frequently active outside the city. They handled hunting quests issued directly by nations and brought back important external information.