The Sun God, Apollo.
Who is this god?
I caught a brief glimpse of him at the Panthegrasia Special Promotion Celebration.
His shining golden hair adorned with a laurel crown, enhancing his charm even further,
and he walks around in a thin tunic that reveals his well-built shoulder muscles.
So is he just handsome on the outside?
Not at all!
If Athena is Zeus’s left hand, then Apollo is undoubtedly his right hand.
As Zeus’s most trusted god, he is always prudent and wise, pursuing only rational judgments.
Above all, his appearance and intellect, which outshine the sun itself, always brought scandals to Olympus.
Of course, regardless of gender.
“Lord Apollo, your grace shines like the sun itself. Though I must say, even the sun would pale in comparison to you.”
I went out to greet him at the main gate and bowed deeply.
Since he’s the only god who can heal Nike, I was showering him with compliments to make him feel good.
However, he gave me a lackadaisical look in response to my praise, then crouched down in front of me.
The light radiating from his back as if he carried the sun itself was so blinding that I involuntarily closed my eyes.
“Are you the famous Moon Sister’s Priest, Ark?”
“Y-yes.”
His voice tickled my ears like a refreshing breeze accompanying a strong wind.
But… why is he talking like this?
Back on modern Earth, I didn’t know anyone who spoke like this.
I had only seen a few fashion designers on TV use this kind of language occasionally.
Such a unique way of speaking.
Now that I’m directly encountering it, Lord Apollo, who I thought was always serious, starts to seem strangely casual.
But paradoxically, this way of speaking does stick in my mind.
“Hmm… I did see you at the celebration, but this is the first time we’re this close. You have quite bright eyes.”
“T…thanks.”
“Hahaha! You’re funny too, like me. People who resemble the sun always bring smiles. Anyway, you mentioned a patient, so let’s go.”
Waving his cloak dramatically, he strode confidently into the temple.
Watching him from behind, he looked like a scene from a movie, making Apollo appear even more stylish.
With renewed hope for Nike’s recovery, I followed his back.
“Hmm~ Artemis’s temple style is still so old-fashioned.”
Walking around like he owns the place, Apollo seemed familiar with the structure, as if he had visited often.
Eventually, he found the guest room where Nike was sleeping and burst in.
While Artemis made a face like she had bitten a bug at seeing Apollo,
Athena, waiting for him eagerly, greeted him with a delighted expression.
“Hey~ Big sister and Moon sister!! How long has it been? At the celebration, everyone was so tense that we couldn’t even talk properly.”
Trying to simultaneously hug Athena and Artemis with open arms,
the virgin goddesses gracefully avoided his touch.
As a result, Apollo awkwardly hugged the air and cleared his throat multiple times.
“Hem. We haven’t had a proper conversation in a long time… and now you’re refusing even physical contact. Too much, Artemis.”
“Fix that ridiculous way of speaking first! It’s embarrassing!”
“Hahaha! Being shy around your older brother is part of a sister’s right. Come here~ Ah!”
Trying to hug him again, Artemis kicked Apollo in the shin.
Making it obvious she didn’t want to be here, she slammed the door and left.
Hmm…
Is this Artemis’s fault like a teenager?
Or is it Apollo’s fault for using a way of speaking that naturally attracts attention?
Well, I don’t really know.
Shaking her head, Athena helped Apollo up again.
“Apollo, let me apologize on your behalf.”
“Hahaha! It’s an older brother’s duty to accept a shy sister’s tantrums.”
“Yes. The fact that you came here means you intend to heal Nike, right?”
“First, I need to examine the patient. Both of you, please leave.”
With just a finger pointing toward the door, Apollo’s single word sent us away like unwanted guests.
“Athena-sama, don’t worry too much. With the God of Medicine here, she’ll be cured immediately.”
“Will she?”
“Of course.”
Not wanting to wait by the door, we moved to the central hall.
In the hall, we found an unexpected visitor:
Artemis sitting cross-legged with her hands supporting her chin, looking very sulky.
Her expression was so sour that I hesitated to approach, fearing accidental backlash.
Like walking alone through a narrow alley where gangsters are smoking.
“Hey! Come here.”
Waving her finger at me, she clearly intended to vent her frustration.
Not wanting to approach, I hesitated,
but Athena, enjoying the spectacle of our squabbling, pushed me from behind.
Like being dragged to the dentist against your will, every step felt like walking through a field of thorns.
“Hmph~ What is it?”
“You owe me.”
“Out of nowhere, what kind of debt?”
“You were the one who, while crying, begged me to save that blonde showoff Nike, right!”
“No, I-I didn’t cry…!”
“Hmph! Anyway, you owe me. Whatever wish I have, you must grant it.”
Thinking it wasn’t bad to owe this much for saving someone who’s saved my life, I nodded.
Surely she wouldn’t try to kill me, right?
Though worried about what absurd wish she might ask for,
I decided to focus on my immediate curiosity instead.
“Why do you dislike your own older brother so much?”
“Hmph! It’s none of your business.”
“Apollo-sama seemed to like you very much… Won’t you tell me?”
“Shut up!”
Artemis puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away.
Clearly recalling something, she gritted her teeth and fidgeted in distress.
It seemed she had no intention of explaining why.
Well,
Come to think of it, finding good sibling relationships in modern Earth is like trying to pluck stars from the sky.
When you live together and see each other’s worst sides, it’s bound to happen.
Rather, if you know of any good sibling relationships, tell me about them.
Just as I was about to let it go based on this assumption,
Athena quietly whispered into my ear.
“When she was young, our sister who had no friends consulted Apollo, who was popular.
He claimed his way of speaking was the secret to his popularity,
and our sister believed him and practiced diligently.”
“Wha? She believed that?”
“Exactly. Not long after, at the school performance, when Artemis shouted ‘everybody, welcome,’ the entire audience burst out laughing… ”
Hearing Athena and I whispering without including her, Artemis frowned deeply.
Though she didn’t ask what we were talking about to save face,
she immediately figured it out upon hearing Athena’s suppressed laughter leaking through.
“This, this sister!! Are you crazy? Why did you bring that up!!!!!!!”
Artemis screeched in a breaking voice.
Her face turning red, she lunged at Athena.
“Hahaha! Sorry, sorry!”
Dodging Artemis’s punches nimbly, Athena laughed.
Seeing her punches swatting the air only made Artemis angrier.
“Hey! Ark, come help me!”
“No way. You on your ow- AH!!”
Before I could refuse, Artemis grabbed my hair.
Using her wrestling-like strength, she pulled me forcefully.
When Athena tried to step aside, Artemis seized the opportunity to drop down and tackle.
As a result, the three of us tumbled together like a rolling snowball.
Just as the three of us (more accurately, two whales and one shrimp) were fighting,
loud applause echoed from behind in the central hall.
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!!
“Bravo, bravo! Seeing the two sisters bond like this makes me very happy. This is how a family should be!
If I may be greedy, I wish the human lying on the floor was me instead of Ark!”
Human is human, right? Mr. Sun God.
If you wish, I’ll gladly give up my position.
After examining Nike, Apollo approached us.
“Nike is safe. I’ve successfully prevented secondary infection. With the initial treatment going well, she should recover. Maybe.”
“Maybe? Maybe?! Give me a straight answer, quack doctor. Will she recover or not?!”
“The burns have damaged the skin, leaving permanent scars. That’s official.”
At the official news that Nike’s ivory skin wouldn’t return, Athena’s face darkened as if the world was collapsing.
On the contrary, Apollo smiled smugly and pulled out a small glass bottle resembling perfume from his robes.
Extending his arm for us to see clearly, he showed its contents.
The liquid inside, transparent like water, shimmered with a violet hue.
“What is that?”
“A special super-regeneration remedy made from rare ingredients. Sprinkle this, and Nike’s skin will regenerate completely.”
As Artemis tried to snatch it quickly,
Apollo, somehow sensing her move, pulled his hand back.
“No, no. Not so easily.”
“Then what?”
When Artemis urged him,
Apollo pointed at me with his finger.
“I’ll give Ark a personal trial. If he clears it, I’ll give him the super-regeneration remedy.”
“What is this personal trial?”
When I asked, Apollo replied with a toothy grin.
“Adventure.”
Eh?
Suddenly an adventure?
