Artemis, who had been leaning against the bookshelf, closed her eyes.
About a minute passed.
Letting out a long sigh, she stepped away from the bookshelf and walked up to me confidently, coming face to face.
Rather than avoiding eye contact, she even initiated a staring contest with me.
Clearly, my criticism had merit—I had accurately pointed out the contradiction in her actions.
So why wasn’t Artemis even slightly intimidated?
Even after I forcibly dragged out her inner thoughts, why wasn’t she anxious?
Feeling overwhelmed by her unseen presence, I unconsciously averted my gaze.
And then, taking that as a cue, Artemis began to speak.
“Indeed, our Twelve Labors started with a single book. Because you’d already bought four volumes in advance, I felt pressured, and in a moment of cheer, I swore by the Styx to grant your wish.”
“…”
I had anticipated that my provocative statement would make her furious.
But Artemis started recounting the story in a calm, measured tone, like pouring cold water on my face to wake me up.
“Reflecting on it, at the start of the Labors, I truly believed we wouldn’t succeed in even one task, so I even tried to persuade you, Ark, to give up.”
“…”
“At that time, I thought it was the right thing to do. But then you managed to successfully complete the first labor connected to Poseidon brilliantly.”
“Yeah, and somehow we’ve made it this far.”
“Right. Definitely impressive. If we complete all twelve labors, we’ll officially be recognized as a couple by Dad.”
“For that, I’m running full-speed ahead. However… it’s also true that I sometimes feel deflated because of your ambiguous attitude.”
I still remember an incident during the second labor.
Because of a misunderstanding from Artemis, I was compelled to take on an extra task and went to Ditesia, where Aphrodite lived.
At that time, I rode in a carriage driven by Jake, a coachman.
In there, I encountered someone who brought me unexpected good fortune—an incredible connection.
Her name was Iris.
She was an exceptionally intelligent woman who combined logic with keen insight.
It was almost as if I was under some kind of spell; I ended up revealing many things about Artemis and myself to her, someone I had just met.
And Iris, true to my expectations, guided my confused, foggy mind toward a clear decision.
Indeed.
To my immature mind, the Twelve Labors were merely a game to be completed.
But Iris revealed that the Labors were not about completing tasks—it was about twelve deep conversations.
Though I care for Artemis, the relationship itself doesn’t bother me.
From Artemis’ perspective, though, it might feel like she’s being forced to date someone she doesn’t love.
So I decided:
I would give up.
If after completing the Twelve Labors there’s no romantic feeling in her heart, I’ll step back.
If throughout the course of the Labors there’s no emotional change in her, I’ll step back.
I don’t want to bind someone I care for in a contract, trapping their freedom and causing them pain.
Even if the meaningless pride of watching from afar overtakes my body, that’s fine.
What’s the point of possessing someone’s body if their heart can’t be won?
So I made a change after the second Labor.
Rather than just solving the tasks, I decided to pursue a dual track—tackling the Labors while also trying to touch Artemis’ heart.
At this turning point, if I had to evaluate where we stood, Artemis only sees me as…
Not Ark, but as ‘a priest too precious to lose.’
That was the conclusion I reached.
Though Artemis may act impatiently, I know her better than anyone—she’s more warm-hearted than others might realize.
And in that way…
And in that way…
Even as we broke through the trials and battles imposed by the gods with full force,
I might have unknowingly been giving up slowly, little by little…
“Why? You don’t even like me, so why are you trying to block other women from approaching me?”
Artemis, usually so straightforward, chose her words carefully, speaking more delicately than usual.
In the past, she might’ve said, “You’re like a relic no one wants—you don’t want it, and you don’t want anyone else to have it either!”
“Somewhat related, but no. Don’t misunderstand—it’s not that I’ve fallen for someone else.”
“Haa~ You really don’t deserve sympathy.”
You’re…
Somehow, you’ve been doing this longer than me.
You’re literally a living relic.
Even if I retorted it would only result in a fatal counter-argument, so I swallowed it.
“Ark, when you look at me like that, do you really think I don’t notice that you’re secretly criticizing me?”
“…Ah, there were compliments too.”
“Ha! Just garnish on pasta, at best.”
Our goddess of garnish, Artemis, glares at me with sharp eyes.
In this aspect, she’s been exceptionally skilled from the very beginning.
By looking into my eyes, she could roughly guess my emotions and what I was thinking.
If only I had that same intuition.
“Tch! The point is this—you’re curious about my inner thoughts, right?”
“Yeah.”
About me…
Even just 1%…
If you have even a 1% romantic interest in me…
I don’t mind if you ransack my home instead of my office.
“You gave me the freedom to choose my reward within a similar range for this double Labor, didn’t you?”
“Right. And you want me to reveal my inner thoughts as part of the reward?”
“Yeah. I really want to know.”
For this double Labor’s reward, influenced by Dionysus, I was initially considering a second date.
But now, I’ve changed my mind.
I’m determined to uncover her true feelings this time.
If it’s possible, I’d even give up both rewards without hesitation.
“Isn’t it a bit early to talk about rewards? You haven’t completed the Labor yet, have you?”
Artemis pointed to the two wrist tattoos on my wrist.
Clearly, to erase these two marks, I’d need to make Hades laugh with a proper joke.
“Can’t you do a prepayment?”
“Haa~ Alright. Since we’re past the halfway point of the Labors… Fine. I’ll tell you my inner thoughts. Two times.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah. But I’ll only reveal one right here. The other will be after you complete this Labor.”
“Alright. That works for me.”
My heart started racing.
Suddenly, it felt like my heartbeat filled the room, reverberating back into my ears.
Even during a university entrance exam score announcement, I didn’t feel this tense.
Artemis, who was facing me with locked eyes, seemed a bit nervous as well, swallowing her dry throat multiple times in preparation.
After several seconds…
Her glossy lips finally parted.
“From the moment you accepted Dad’s Labor proposal, I never once thought you’d fail.”
“…Huh?”
What does that mean?
That you never thought I’d fail?
“Wait, wait. I don’t care about my abilities. Given how our conversation has flowed, you should know what kind of answer I’m looking for, right?”
“Hey, let’s go outside. It’s time to start.”
“No, no… No way, this is a scam—”
Bang!
Not wanting to show me her face, Artemis sharply turned her back.
When I tried to grab her, she quickly escaped out of the office.
Geez! Troublesome, high-and-mighty goddess of garnish!
What do I do now?
I care less about the success or failure of this Labor than I do about…
Artemis!
I just want to know how you feel about me!
Do you like me?
Do you dislike me?
Are you indifferent?
Isn’t that what emotions are?
If you just gave me a simple one-word answer, I wouldn’t be like this—
Squeak…
Someone cautiously opened the door and stuck their head in.
“EEEP! Sir Priest? Maia said we should hurry because we’re about to leave. That’s all!”
Bang!
Rachel, the believer, noticed the emptiness in my expression and panicked, spilling her entire sentence in rapid-fire like a rapper, then quickly fled.
“Haa… Damn it.”
Kicking the legs of the chair in frustration didn’t do much; the suffocating feeling returned like stubborn mold on a tatami mat.
Unable to do anything else, I left the temple and boarded the carriage.
Lost in deep thought about Artemis and the meaning behind her confession, I didn’t even realize we had arrived at Athens, the great city of Athena.
“Wow! This city is huge! It’s packed with people!”
“Beautiful. As expected of Lady Athena…”
As the carriage entered the city gates, the first ones to step off were Artemis’ priestesses.
Especially the first-timers, who couldn’t hide their excitement, looked around the city like country bumpkins visiting the big city for the first time.
Even though I had visited recently, I was still awestruck by the grandeur of the cityscape, with my mouth wide open.
The trees along the streets were decorated like miniature Christmas trees.
Every roof was covered with luxurious fabrics and studded with glowing stones that created neon-like gleams even during the day.
Furthermore, each wall was adorned with numerous portraits that reminded one of fathers and mothers.
“Looks like the National Army Day celebration, but it’s more like Family Day.”
Expecting the city to be solemn and serious for Athena’s victory commemoration,
In reality, it was the opposite.
The cityscape, welcoming the return of Metis, filled me with warmth.
Until…
The sight of a drunken intruder lying on the street instantly cooled my heart.
“Burp! Hey, Ark, hurry up.”
