The morning after Hermes had departed.
In Artemis’s office, the appointment ceremony for Maia, a 9th-grade secretary, was taking place.
Following the opinion of our goddess who dislikes unnecessary formalities, it was kept very simple and modest.
It was as if you were walking down the street, met an acquaintance, and just nodded to greet them before continuing on your way.
Still, just as when you’re walking, you’re bound to come across an unusual person eventually,
there was naturally something interesting to watch at this appointment ceremony as well.
One was the fact that Maia, from the same generation as Artemis’s mother Leto, was kneeling to a goddess who was practically her junior.
However, Artemis was one of the highest-ranking gods seated on the 12 thrones.
Even if a primordial Titan who had lived longer than Maia were to arrive, it would still be proper for them to show deference to Artemis based on hierarchy.
Another point of interest was the relationship between these two goddesses.
The fact that Maia, as Artemis’s stepmother, was kneeling and showing respect to her stepdaughter.
“Hey… uhh… Maia… no, Maia-dono… no, not that again… Secretary Maia!”
Artemis struggled, continually correcting herself, unsure how she should address Maia.
She was trying her best to hide her awkwardness.
But there was no way the gathered priestesses in the office didn’t notice.
Naturally, there were hushed whispers among those present.
Embarrassed by this situation, Artemis kept shifting her weight back and forth in her chair.
In contrast, Maia remained unfazed and continued her bowing ceremony.
The appointment ceremony, simplified to the point of being almost informal, concluded with exactly twelve bows.
“That’s it! I’m leaving!”
Instantly rising from her seat, Artemis dramatically strode out of the office.
I then ordered the priestess Rachel to instruct Maia on the basics of daily conduct before following Artemis out of the office.
Out in the corridor, I caught sight of her immediately, leaning against the wall and calming her racing heart.
“Hey!”
She also spotted me the instant she exited the room and approached with irritation written across her face.
Our problematic goddess was probably about to vent her embarrassment onto me.
“Hey!”
You’re giving me a headache.
You don’t have to ask twice. My ears are open just fine.
“Why? Aren’t you supposed to make sure the priestesses stay quiet?”
“Alright. I’ll be more cautious next time.”
“That’s why I said I didn’t want to do an appointment ceremony! Seriously, you’re as stubborn as Zeus, you officious prick! Tsk!”
“Sorry, sorry.”
Of course, everyone knew she was venting about the awkwardness experienced during the ceremony.
Then why am I being so compliant with her? The reason is very simple.
Any superior officer would prefer having an agreeable subordinate.
Especially since I assigned Maia, a former Titan goddess and Artemis’s stepmother, as the secretary.
And most importantly, Maia was not a virgin goddess.
So I understood full well how much patience and compromise Artemis had shown me,
which is why I didn’t fight back even when she lashed out a little.
If I were to overreact, that’d just make me the crazy one.
“Hmph! It’s all Ark’s fault anyway. So, you deal with the consequences.”
“Alright, sure.”
“Build a dormitory for the female priests.”
“What? Are you kidding me? What makes you think I’ll build that? And besides, there are plenty of vacant rooms within the temple. Why do we need another building outside? Do you know how dire our temple’s finances are?!”
In the end, I turned into the crazy one.
Not only is money already tight, but now that trade with Hera’s city is cut off, revenues are declining. And she’s asking me to construct another female priests’ dormitory?
You think I print money just because there’s a surplus?
I have to stop this.
“Do you know how much it costs to build a dormitory? And besides, Maia-dono is a goddess. We can’t just slap together any ordinary construction.”
“Ark.”
Artemis called my name very quietly, unlike her usual self, as I rambled on, listing reasons against building the female priests’ dormitory.
Her calm demeanor made me step back a pace in caution.
“…Why did you call?”
“A year ago, a male priest shamelessly entered a temple that was only for women. The priestesses silently went ahead and made a male bathroom. Any idea who that selfish male priest was?”
“…”
The strong justification she presented, about the sacrifice the priestesses once made for me, quickly dissolved my resolve like summer ice.
Damn.
Since when has Artemis gotten so good with words?
I had no choice but to silently give up my arguments.
“…Alright.”
“Hahahaha! Isn’t it fun to verbally silence someone like this? I didn’t realize you’ve been the only one doing this the whole time!”
“It wasn’t exactly a secret, but…”
“Hmm… I think I’ll go hunting. I leave it to you to have a wonderful start working with Maia. Hehehe!”
The awkwardness from the ceremony earlier dissipated like a feather in the wind.
With a mischievous grin, she finally turned her back on me, waving her hand as she left.
What can I say…
Has the frequency of getting beaten by Artemis really been increasing lately?
Yup.
It’s just my mood.
Today, I simply adjusted to her mood.
“That said, how should I build this priests’ dormitory again…”
Frustrated with myself for being unable once again to stop the money flowing out in our tight budget, I absentmindedly scratched my head and returned to the office.
Unaware, the time had passed, and it was now 11 a.m.
The moment I was speculating about when Maia might arrive to start her day,
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Just as if on cue.
“Come in.”
“Ah, excuse me!”
Maia’s voice carried a tone of determination even before she entered the room.
But instead of the confident volume, she entered quietly, as if not to make a sound, like a thief.
She wore a suit like me, not a dress, and her blonde hair was tied up neatly in a style that perfectly suited the modern office environment.
The line from her ears to her jaw to her neck was smooth, reflecting an office-ready hairstyle.
Coupled with her tension as a first-timer on the job,
her appearance perfectly mirrored that of a woman starting her career.
“That suit suits you wonderfully. I’m worried butterflies might mistake you for a flower. Ahaha.”
I welcomed her with clapping and slightly exaggerated praise.
For everyone, starting something new is always both scary and difficult.
Maia, who had lived hidden for so long in the caves of remote valleys,
had been taken care of at the temple: her hair cut tidily, a beautician summoned, and several sets of clothes prepared.
All thanks to me, whose fashion sense could use some refining, resulting in a look that was almost indistinguishable from a modern office lady.
“Thank you. It’s kind of you to welcome me this way.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Here, take this.”
I handed her a palm-sized employee ID.
It was a shining badge imbued with Artemis’s essence.
“Becoming a priest makes me feel… strange.”
Maia gently touched the word “Junior Priest 9th Grade” and smiled faintly.
“Hahaha. Since you’ve come down from the status of a goddess to be a priest, it’s understandable that you might feel unsettled.”
“Not at all! It’s just… when I lived hidden in the mountains, I didn’t belong anywhere and couldn’t even buy a single fruit in the city.”
“I see. But now, during your free time, you can go to Luna and buy whatever you need.”
“But I am a slave…”
“Don’t worry about that. Just ensure you follow the official times for coming and going.”
“Does this mean… I finally have some freedom?”
“You were free all along. Freedom isn’t something that is given or taken, is it?”
“Ah…”
Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she repeatedly swallowed, moved by my words.
Approaching her, I hung the ID around her neck with a cord.
Since the somber atmosphere wasn’t my style, I clapped a few times to lighten the mood.
“Alright, let’s start work.”
“What would you like me to do?”
“For now, you can follow me around and learn the flow.”
“Yes, Ark-dono.”
“…”
Hmm, it seems we need to resolve the issue with the address.
Just because she’s now my direct subordinate doesn’t mean she ceases to be a deity.
“Instead of calling me ‘dono,’ why don’t you call me by my name, casually like ‘Ark,’ Maia-dono? And formal honorifics feel a bit burdensome too…”
“Oh no, work and personal matters should be differentiated. What if we try this? During official hours, I’ll use formalities, and outside of that, we’ll be more casual and informal. How does that sound?”
“…”
“Does this arrangement not suit you?”
“That works. Let’s go with that.”
Impressive.
It wasn’t that I had intended to test her,
but I was curious to see how she would handle formalities now that she’s my direct subordinate.
Proactive Maia, with her rational judgment, clearly distinguished between ranks and derived the most reasonable solution.
As the saying goes, “seeing one aspect reveals ten.”
An interesting premonition arises that working with this sharp and intelligent woman will be engaging.
“Let’s head to the main hall, Maia-dono. The architects will soon be arriving.”
“Yes! I’ll grab my notepad and inform the on-duty priestesses to prepare some snacks.”
That’s right!
This is it!
Throwing out a single suggestion and having the right response quickly picked up and efficiently prepared? That’s what makes an S-rank adjutant.
“Sounds good. Let’s go.”
Satisfied with her aptitude, I headed towards the main hall with great anticipation.
But I didn’t yet know.
That Maia would prove to be a bombshell in her own right, just like Artemis.
