“If adventure means trials, what on earth are you going on about?”
Artemis retorted to Apollo without hesitation, scratching my itchy back as if she were doing me a favor.
In response, Apollo waved his right arm around in the air as if wielding a longsword, pretending to defeat a monster.
“Adventure? You know, exploring dungeons or hidden places with your friends and acquiring treasures. Isn’t that what those novels you read are about? Doesn’t your heart race?”
“That… is… exactly… what I’m asking! Why do we have to go through all this trouble when Athena could just buy the Ultra Regeneration Potion?”
Artemis, who would never admit she’d buy it herself even if she were dying soon.
Anyone could easily guess that the potion must be expensive. However, only she and I were reminded once again of the unfortunate reality of our temple’s poor finances.
Tutting disapprovingly and clicking his fingers, Apollo spread his arms and spun around in one spot.
“I was taking a stroll around the street leading to the temple, and I noticed there were too many servitors roaming around the city and the temple. They’re most likely either there to spy on or watch Ark’s actions on behalf of various gods.”
“So?”
“My, my, too obvious. Their plan was clearly to have me treat Nike and make me seem like one of Ark’s allies, isn’t it? Case closed.”
Indeed, the god of reason and inheritor of prophecy has once again displayed his brilliant reasoning.
Athena claimed she brought the injured Nike here instead of her temple because the fresh natural energy here promotes quicker recovery…
But in reality, she had an ulterior motive.
The day after bringing Nike here, Athena finally revealed her real purpose to me.
It was this:
She intended to use the fact that several high-ranking gods are watching us and invite them to Artemis’s temple, subtly suggesting to them that they’re on our side.
Moving without knowing anything about the enemy’s size would be foolish.
This way, Hera wouldn’t dare act recklessly either.
That’s why Athena decided to invite Apollo first.
Not only is he Nike’s healer, but also Artemis’s older brother, making him a strong candidate.
Indeed, a perfect strategy worthy of the goddess of wisdom!
However, Apollo easily dismantled that perfect strategy.
Swallowing my saliva, I pointed at the Ultra Regeneration Potion with trembling fingers.
“Could it be… The reason you postponed treating Nike was to avoid being misperceived as part of Athena’s side?”
“Of course. Once I treated Nike, the other gods would’ve assumed I’m one of Ark’s allies.”
Why does this other world I’ve transferred to have so many smart gods?
Why is it so hard to gain the support of even one god?
Each word and action feels like walking on thin ice.
“Then, what can I do to gain your support, Lord Apollo?”
“Simple is the best. Complete my mission, and I’ll help you secure Metis’s return with this Ultra Regeneration Potion.”
If I gain Apollo’s support, it would be like having a million troops behind me!
That would make us four out of the twelve main gods – Artemis, Athena, Poseidon, and Apollo – on my side.
They would easily overpower Hera and Ares!
I momentarily felt like shouting with joy,
But the strange condition he set nagged at me like a fish bone stuck in my throat.
Helping Metis return?
Does that mean he won’t support the rest?
Apollo grinned as if reading my mind.
“Haha! It’s great that my long-isolated little sister has finally befriended her older sister. Metis’s return would also be just. So I’d support this matter, and after it’s done, I’ll return to being neutral.”
“Could you not support us continuously?”
“Hahaha! Did you forget, Ark? You’re the biggest threat to my sister’s purity! Aren’t you her boyfriend?”
“U-U-U-Urgh! Stop joking! Who said that? This guy’s just my priest! And if anything, he’s just a temporary boyfriend!”
Artemis screamed and walked forward, utterly shocked by the word “boyfriend.”
However, Apollo remained unfazed, scratching his ear.
“But remember when you were infatuated with Orion and came to me…”
“ARGH!!! AAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
Artemis blocked her ears and screamed, trying to cover up the mention of her dark past.
The entire temple hall echoed with her screams, hurting our ears.
“By the way, Orion…?”
I think I’ve heard that name somewhere before…
Who was he again?
Orion… Orion…
Ah! That’s right.
Orion was the man Artemis once loved.
They grew close by enjoying hunting together, but before their relationship could develop into a romantic one…
I remember Apollo sent Orion to an early grave out of concern for his sister.
So Apollo’s stance is exactly the same as in the myth.
He cherishes Artemis dearly and would never forgive anyone who harms her.
“Lord Apollo, Zeus promised to recognize me as Artemis’s official boyfriend if I complete the Twelve Labors.”
“Ah~ that? You’ll fail the Twelve Labors anyway. Don’t worry about it.”
“Is… that so?”
Well…
If I manage to succeed in Apollo’s trial, he’d become a very reliable ally…
But in the distant future, perhaps toward the end of the final labor, he might turn into a powerful adversary.
Still, that’s far in the future.
Should I be afraid of maggots and not pickle my vegetables?
Right now, Apollo’s support is what I need the most.
“Very well. Lord Apollo, I’ll take on your trial! I’d like to know more about this adventure.”
“Do you know Rios?”
“Nope.”
I glanced at Athena and Artemis, wondering if they might know,
But they shrugged, indicating this was the first they’d heard of it too.
“Hmm… You don’t know him because you’re not interested in medicine, right? Rios was the name of a doctor who died 500 years ago.”
“Then how does this doctor relate to your trial?”
Artemis asked, suddenly intrigued.
Don’t rush me, Apollo replied, holding up a hand to his little sister before continuing in a serious tone.
“Back then, it was a time of war, and many people suffered from wounds and burns. Rios treated those people for free throughout his life.”
“Exemplary.”
“Yes. However, realizing his life was nearing its end, Rios decided to leave home and tidy up his surroundings. One night, he told a friend he happened to meet on the road this:”
He paused for effect before continuing, scanning each of us with a serious expression.
“I’m a murderer. I cannot d*e in peace, so I’m leaving.”
How could a benevolent man who treated patients for free confess to being a murderer?
Did he harm someone on the day he left?
“Rios left his hometown that way, and his body or grave was never found. At least until 30 years ago.”
“So Rios’s tomb was discovered?”
“Correct. Actually, it was more like an ant-like tunnel. Interestingly, nobody has yet reached the end of that tunnel.”
“Then how can you be sure it’s Rios’s tomb?”
“Good question. His handwriting is inscribed at the entrance of the tunnel.”
“Can you read what it says?”
Ignoring my courteous question, Apollo strode to the center of the hall.
When he pointed a finger glowing red at the ground,
The marble floor darkened as if it had spent a day sunbathing, forming a sentence that spread across the floor.
“Rios lies here. Beware, it’s dangerous inside. Still, I would like the wisest one to take my final truth.”
We approached Apollo and carefully read the sentence on the floor.
“‘It’s dangerous inside’? Did he set traps in his tomb?”
Artemis frowned, clearly unable to understand.
Finding puzzles annoying, she yawned and quickly lost interest.
On the contrary, I observed the sentence with keen interest.
Throughout history, kings have built multiple tombs and created labyrinths within them to prevent grave-robbing.
Even if it’s not a king, the idea of setting traps to protect precious items even in d*ath makes perfect sense.
What I cannot understand, though,
“Truth.”
“Truth,” Apollo echoed my mutter with a sly smile, sharing the same thought.
That’s right.
Rios’s last will is for the wisest person to take his truth.
This way, I fully understand what Apollo’s trial and its purpose are.
The god of medicine, Apollo, is interested in uncovering the hidden truth of the distinguished doctor Rios.
“Could you not investigate it yourself?”
“Impossible. The tunnel is near the prayer hall of the city of Miss Fire. In other words, a men-restricted area.”
Miss Fire…
Ah, the goddess of hearth, Hestia.
“But I’m a man too.”
“No worries. Ark, exceptions are made for cherries like you.”
Hmph! d*mn it.
I’m regretting knowing the meaning of “cherry boy” myself.
At that moment, Athena, who had been silently listening until now, stepped forward and placed her hand on her chest.
“Apollo, I’d like to come along too. Lady Hestia and I have a special bond, so I could be of great help.”
“No way. Big sister’s like a cheat character.”
“…Is that so?”
Apollo emphasized that this was Ark’s trial and that she should seek the truth on her own, despite her curiosity.
When Athena looked dejected at being turned down, the soft-hearted Apollo pulled out the Ultra Regeneration Potion from his pocket and handed it to her.
With lines sweet as honey, as if he were concerned she might lose it if she kept it herself.
Oh, it seems I’m catching his speech pattern.
Regardless, I should write down such cool lines for future use.
“I’ll go. Is that alright?”
“Sister? Why go?”
“You’ll be staying at the temple anyway! It’s dizzying to be around you.”
“Hmm… My rather stupid dear sister will be fine, I guess.”
“Stop disguising your insult as a compliment!”
Artemis quickly leaped and delivered a flying double kick to Apollo.
Then she headed straight to her bedroom, humming a cheerful tune as she packed for her journey.
Though this is technically my trial…
Whatever.
I’ll uncover the hidden truth of Rios by exploring the dungeon beneath the earth.
An hour later, Artemis and I set off for the city of Hestia.
