As I turned the corner of the corridor heading toward Nike’s room, I ran into Athena.
“Athena! What a coincidence. I was just about to come see you.”
“I was looking for you as well.”
“You go ahead.”
It seemed like we both had something to discuss, so I yielded and let Athena speak first.
I wondered if it was alright to talk here in the hallway, but Athena’s urgent demeanor suggested she was already contemplating her next move.
“I’ve heard that the demons in the Mountain of the Gods are showing signs of unrest again.”
“Really? But they were wiped out just how long ago…”
“It appears the remaining demons have noticed Ares’ absence in the Mountain of the Gods.”
“Ares? Why is he slacking off… ah!”
During our celebration feast, Ares had been wounded in the shoulder by one of Artemis’ silver arrows during an intense battle.
Since he had disappeared from Olympus, I had assumed he was staying at the fortress of the Mountain of the Gods, but it seems that wasn’t the case.
Honestly, the Mountain of the Gods always seems to have problems. I truly don’t understand why such a reckless god as Ares was appointed to guard the front lines of the continent where humans live in peace.
“Nike is almost fully recovered as well, so we must leave immediately.”
“That’s right. You’re unmatched, Lady Athena, but please always be careful.”
“Haha. Thank you. Your support always lifts my spirits.”
Athena tapped my cheek lightly with her armored hand.
While wearing a serene smile, Athena suddenly seemed to remember something and her eyes widened.
But whatever she remembered didn’t seem to be good news, and her brow soon furrowed.
“Ah, that’s right! A special emergency council meeting will soon be held in Olympus.”
“An emergency council? Do you know the agenda?”
“Most likely, it’s about my mother.”
“I see. That would make sense.”
At the celebration feast in Panthegrasia, the standoff between Zeus and me over the Golden Pen ended in a draw thanks to Poseidon’s intervention.
Though I had pushed hard with the righteousness on my side…
my goal of summoning Metis at that moment failed.
Despite that, I was able to instill an awareness of Metis in many gods at that gathering.
Apparently, we’ll use this opportunity to discuss and decide within the Council of the Twelve Gods how to handle the suspended situation regarding Metis, including the sentiments of the middle and lower gods.
“When is the meeting scheduled?”
“That hasn’t been decided yet, but it will likely take place within the next two weeks. Before then, I plan to return and reinforce the Mountain of the Gods before heading back to Olympus.”
“Um… Am I not allowed to attend?”
I pointed at myself while asking this.
I am very curious about how the meeting will proceed and what the outcome will be.
If possible, I’d love to attend as an observer.
But, contrary to my fervent hopes, Athena shook her head with a regretful look.
“Olympus is located in the upper realms. It is not a place permitted to humans.”
“Tch… I really wanted to attend somehow…”
“This emergency council was apparently called by Hera. Setting Olympus as the location seems to be a clear indication that your presence bothers them.”
We still have some time until the emergency council.
I’ll think about that later.
For now, I’ll quickly bring up my matter.
“Lady Athena, do you know what this is?”
I showed her a bracelet woven together with seven different colors like a rainbow.
“This… When a divine ability first manifests, it’s often used to create an empowered weapon like this bow, I see. So, Apollo gave it to you, did he?”
“You really are perceptive.”
“Of course! Here, let me examine it.”
Without even asking why I showed her the bracelet, she flicked her finger, glowing faintly with blue light.
The bracelet then resonated in red light, momentarily glowing blue, before settling down.
[Blue (Effigy) – The wielder’s location is instantly transmitted to those who recognize them.]
As expected, it’s a somewhat lukewarm ability.
The kind you’d use to escape if trapped in a maze…
Still, fitting for the Goddess of War, it’s a relevant ability.
Effigy.
It means the sound of an arrow.
Its defining characteristic is a high-pitched, eerie whistle when blown forcefully, similar to a recorder, signaling the beginning of an ambush or full-frontal battle by the commander.
“Haha, quite a meaningless ability indeed.”
“No, that’s not true…”
“It’s natural for you to be disappointed, I suspect. Originally, it would have been impossible to imbue this small weapon, a bow, with the full powers of seven gods. Was that all you wanted to ask?”
“Ah! Actually, I obtained an opportunity to have a private dinner with the Virgin Goddesses as a reward for the third labor. I wanted to invite you, but I guess it’s not possible, right?”
“Yes, I must head straight to the Mountain of the Gods. But don’t worry. Even without me, Artemis alone can sufficiently invite Lady Hestia.”
As expected of Athena.
With merely the mention of a dinner with the Virgin Goddesses, she understood the person and purpose I was targeting.
If we can secure Hestia’s support, then among the Twelve Gods, we’ll have Artemis, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Hestia—five gods on our side.
Even if the council convenes, there is little chance we’ll lose control of the conversation.
“Lady Hestia is a gentle deity who loves peace.”
“Yes, when I visited the city of Heryon, I noticed how the city walls were quite low, allowing the rooftops of buildings inside to be clearly visible.”
“Yes. Even if we can’t make her an ally, if we can ensure her neutrality, we’ll have sufficiently achieved the purpose of this dinner.”
“Yes, I will give it a try…”
Just then,
Hiiiiing~
Hmmeeerr~
From the temple outside, a horse’s neigh and the call of a wind horse echoed.
It was time for Athena to depart.
“I must leave now.”
“I hope to see you again soon.”
I walked out to the temple entrance to see Athena and Nike off as they departed.
With a smile, Athena turned toward the shattered deer statue, then toward Artemis’ sealed room, and quickly boarded her chariot with Nike.
“Until we meet again, Lady Goddess of Victory.”
“…”
Obeying Apollo’s advice to remain silent for a while, Nike, without saying a word, nodded at me in greeting.
With their departure, the previously lively temple of Artemis gradually fell silent, and an enveloping chill filled the air.
It was always joyful to see so many people laughing and chattering.
I couldn’t help but imagine, somewhat absurdly, a day when many of the gods from Olympus that I’ve only ever read about would come here to celebrate a festival with me.
“Well, first I need to get the situation sorted.”
To unlock the remaining five abilities of the Rainbow, I’ll need to have conversations with gods like Dionysus and Hermes, who I haven’t yet properly engaged with.
The absurd part is that the seven abilities of the Rainbow exclude Artemis.
I thought it might be a rare chance to unlock three colors at once…
but our Lady Artemis was of no help to me in the end.
“Well, the bow is secondary. I’ll unlock the abilities gradually when the opportunity arises. For now, it’s Hestia.”
Though I have time, it’s not so much that I can afford to relax.
Immediately, I launch into the “win over Hestia” operation.
Knock knock knock
I promptly knocked on the door of Artemis’ private chamber.
“…”
There was no response from inside.
But knowing Artemis’ childlike tendencies, it was obvious she was sulking and had barricaded herself inside.
The reason for her mood was clear.
Still, pacifying the gloomy goddess is part of my duty as a priest.
“I’m coming in.”
Once I opened the door, the first thing visible was the mess on the floor.
Broken bows, arrows pulled from their quivers, tangled spools of thread, books thrown about and all sorts of random items.
One might wonder if this is a worker’s dormitory or the chamber of the Goddess of Chastity.
Worse still, instead of makeup on her vanity, there were stacks of buffet dishes, all emptied, indicating a midnight food binge unnoticed by me.
The monthly budget has already tripled compared to last month.
If we let the temple finances deteriorate, it’s all this crazy goddess’ fault!
“Why are you like this again?”
As I roughly tidied the floor, I addressed Artemis, who was sitting on the sofa.
Her face buried in her knees, which she had hugged tightly with both arms.
Today, she seemed especially down.
I walked over to her and sat on the sofa next to her.
The plush sofa sank pleasantly, providing immediate comfort as I closed my eyes, leaning back.
Then,
“I forgot you were human.”
Her muffled voice reached me from beneath her knees.
“What… Well, most priests of other gods are demi-gods, so they wouldn’t really care about life spans, right?”
“On the contrary, Arc, in 50 years, you’ll be completely bald… Your room will be filled with the smell of an old bachelor.”
“…That’s not entirely wrong, but it’s oddly irritating.”
I thought she was feeling better and was teasing me as usual, so I glanced at her.
But she kept her face buried in her knees.
“Ark.”
“Yes?”
“If your life span is less than 100 years, why are you clinging on so tenaciously?”
“Clinging on? You mean my ambition to become your boyfriend?”
“You mean not only that, but how you keep challenging the gods, even though it means you’re constantly cornered and struggling… How should I say this? It makes me feel like a mayfly desperately flailing because it wants to live longer.”
“From your perspective, having lived for thousands of years, it might seem like that…”
Artemis, face still buried in her knees.
Me, tilting my head back to look at the ceiling.
The gap in perspective shows just how different our thoughts are.
This time, I tried calling her first.
“Artemis.”
“Yes?”
“Does it make you sad to think that I’ll soon grow old and die?”
“…I guess I thought you’d always be my priest. I never once thought about you dying.”
Of course, that would be the case.
Because I also thought my grandmother would always be by my side.
It might be natural to have such unrealistic expectations, perhaps as a way to escape reality.
“Artemis, doesn’t that mean that every day with you is joyful?”
“Joyful? Even while other gods surveil and torment us?”
“Yes. When I was younger, I thought that the innocent play I shared with my friends at the playground would continue forever. Each day, I woke up and played the same way. But suddenly, that playtime ended unexpectedly.”
“It must have been disheartening.”
“Exactly. The sudden end left me full of regrets. Ah, if only I had played like this back then!”
“…”
“Because I don’t want to waste my time, I strive to do my best. And that’s why every day is enjoyable.”
Though I haven’t admitted it, the thought has crossed my mind: if I became a god in this world ruled by the Olympian gods, I could live forever.
Certainly, there exists a beverage called Nectar that grants temporary immortality, and the Youth Goddess Hebe is in charge of managing it.
She is the daughter of Hera.
Perhaps the chance for me to drink Nectar is far more distant than I imagine.
At that moment, Artemis—after I entered her chambers—finally looked up at me.
Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, yet they carried a strong gaze.
“Ark, if there was a way to become a god… Would you give up the labors and your wish to become my boyfriend?”
…What? There’s a way to become a god?
