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Genichi wrapped his hand around the end of the Arrow of Orion. The cool touch of metal seeped into his palm, yet beneath it was a strange warmth, a lifelike pulse beating within the weapon.
He could sense a power inside the arrow.
It was calling to him, testing him, waiting for his response.
His fingers tightened slightly, and he pulled upward.
Truthfully, Genichi hadn't expected it to move at all.
This arrow was a divine weapon Artemis had stored in the Upper World, an artifact of destiny that only its chosen wielder could draw.
In the original story, only Bell Cranel, the boy favored by fate, had been able to pull it free.
But Genichi was an outsider, someone from another world with no bond to this world's destiny.
Why should he be able to draw the arrow?
Because of his strength?
His skill?
His luck?
He doubted it.
Yet the result defied his expectations.
With the slightest pull, the arrow slipped free from the ground.
There was no resistance, no flash of light, and no miraculous phenomenon.
It was as simple and effortless as pulling a stick from soft earth, as though this outcome were perfectly natural.
Genichi lowered his gaze to the arrow in his hand and frowned slightly.
He could feel the power within it entering his body and resonating with something inside him.
It was his divine authority.
The Authority of Lies he had recently obtained from Loki.
It was a power capable of deceiving the world, its laws, and even destiny itself.
The arrow had been deceived. It believed Genichi was its chosen wielder, so it had allowed him to pull it free.
The corner of Genichi's mouth rose slightly.
So that was it.
Artemis stood beside the arrow, her silver eyes fixed on Genichi's hand.
At that moment, her heart seemed to stop beating. Her breath caught, and the entire world fell silent.
She watched the arrow rise from the ground, leave the earth behind, and settle into Genichi's grasp.
Then her eyes reddened, and tears began streaming down her cheeks.
She couldn't stop them.
The faces of her fallen Familia members flashed through her mind. They had trusted her, relied on her, and been willing to die for her.
She had betrayed that trust.
She had failed to protect them. She had failed to bring them home.
She had believed that, as a goddess, her power would be enough to protect anyone.
Antares had proven her wrong.
But now, someone had drawn the Arrow of Orion.
Someone could help her destroy Antares. Someone could avenge her fallen children. Someone could save her from this despair.
Artemis rushed forward and threw her arms around Genichi.
Her arms encircled his waist, and she pressed her face against his chest, leaning completely into his embrace.
Her body trembled faintly as tears silently flowed down her cheeks and soaked into his clothes.
Her long hair brushed against his chin, tickling him and carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Genichi stiffened slightly.
His right hand still held the Arrow of Orion, while his left instinctively settled around Artemis's waist.
Her waist was slender and soft, and he could feel the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her dress.
"Lady Artemis."
His voice was soft, tinged with helpless amusement.
"I certainly don't mind you throwing yourself into my arms, but shouldn't you consider where we are?"
Artemis's entire body froze.
She lifted her head and stared at Genichi through tear-filled eyes. Then her gaze moved past his shoulder to the adventurers surrounding them.
They were all staring with wide eyes. Some had their mouths hanging open, while others had frozen with their mugs still raised in midair.
The entire plaza had fallen so silent that a dropped needle could have been heard. Everyone was stunned by the scene before them.
Artemis's face instantly turned scarlet.
The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, then down her neck, leaving her entire face as red as a ripe apple.
She hastily released him and stumbled several steps backward, clumsily wiping the tears from her face.
Her lips trembled as she tried to explain herself, only to realize she had no idea what to say.
"That wasn't... I was just... I became too emotional and lost control for a moment... Please don't misunderstand..."
Her words came out in a stammer, with none of her usual cool dignity.
Her fingers twisted together until her knuckles turned white. She looked like a startled deer, completely at a loss.
Genichi watched her flounder, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
This virgin goddess truly was innocent.
A single embrace had turned her this red. If he kissed her, wouldn't she explode on the spot?
Artemis lowered her head and nervously tangled her fingers together while desperately trying to reassure herself.
Right now, she was only a spiritual projection, not her true body as a goddess.
So it didn't count... right?
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, each one making her even more flustered.
How could she have done something like that?
How could she have embraced a man of her own accord?
How could she have behaved so shamelessly in front of so many people?
She was a virgin goddess, the guardian of chaste maidens, someone who never allowed physical contact with men.
Hermes stood nearby and watched the scene unfold. The corner of his mouth curled upward as he tugged down the brim of his hat, hiding most of his face.
His eyes remained visible, however, and they gleamed with teasing amusement.
He knew exactly what Artemis was thinking. The innocent virgin goddess was probably consumed with regret over losing her composure.
What he didn't know was that her reaction was precisely what Genichi had wanted.
That young man had been plotting against her from the very beginning.
Ouranos's commission, the destruction of her Familia, and the drawing of the Arrow of Orion had all been part of his plan.
Artemis was walking step by step into the trap he had laid for her.
Hermes's smile deepened.
Interesting.
He wanted to see just how far this young man intended to go.
Artemis took a deep breath and struggled to calm herself.
She was a goddess, the Goddess of the Hunt, and the guardian of chaste maidens.
She couldn't lose her composure in front of so many people. She couldn't humiliate herself or reveal her vulnerability before this crowd.
She raised her head and looked at Genichi, her silver eyes filled with complicated emotions.
There was gratitude and hope within them, along with a hint of dependence that even she hadn't noticed.
"Orion."
Her voice was soft, but every word was clear.
"I have something I want to ask of you."
Genichi raised an eyebrow.
"Don't go changing my name without permission. My name is Genichi, not Orion."
His voice was calm, carrying a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"As for what you want to ask me, let's talk somewhere else. This isn't the place for it."
He looked around.
The gathered adventurers were still watching them. Some whispered among themselves, while others pointed openly in their direction.
He had no desire to discuss serious matters here. He didn't want to be gawked at like some kind of attraction, nor did he want to embarrass Artemis any further.
Artemis paused, then nodded.
"All right."
She turned and walked out of the plaza.
Genichi followed behind her, still holding the Arrow of Orion.
Hermes brought up the rear with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed expression on his face.
The three crossed the plaza and entered a secluded alley, leaving the stares, whispers, and pointing fingers behind.
Artemis stopped and turned to face Genichi.
"Genichi."
This time, she got his name right.
"I want you to help me destroy Antares. That scorpion is inside the ruins deep within the Great Forest. It killed every member of my Familia. If we don't stop it, it will use my power to ravage the Lower World. More people will die, and more families will be torn apart. I need your help."
Her voice carried a hint of pleading, and her silver eyes were filled with hope.
Genichi studied her in silence for a moment before speaking.
"Antares? Are you sure I can defeat it?"
Artemis shook her head.
"You aren't an ordinary person. The fact that you drew the Arrow of Orion proves that destiny chose you. Besides..."
She paused, a faint light appearing in her eyes.
"I can feel that there's something special about you."
Genichi looked at her as complicated emotions stirred inside him.
Of course she could sense it.
What she felt was the power of divine authority, Loki's Authority of Lies.
She mistook it for the power of destiny. She believed he was the chosen one. She believed he could save her.
What she didn't know was that he had orchestrated all of this.
From the moment she accepted the commission, to the moment she entered the Great Forest, to the moment her Familia was annihilated, every step had unfolded according to his plan.
He was the one manipulating destiny, not someone chosen by it.
"All right."
Genichi nodded.
"I'll help you."
A smile appeared on Artemis's face.
It was faint and gentle, like a spring breeze or a summer rain.
Her eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her lips lifted. She resembled a blooming flower, radiating warmth beneath the sunlight.
"Thank you."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Genichi shook his head.
"Don't thank me. This is a deal. I'll help you destroy Antares, and in return, you'll do something for me."
Artemis frowned slightly.
"What do you want?"
Genichi looked at her, the corner of his mouth rising.
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Artemis remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. Whatever it is, I promise I'll do it."
Genichi smiled.
It was a faint smile, filled with satisfaction and anticipation.
Hermes watched from the side and sighed inwardly.
Artemis, you agreed far too quickly.
You don't realize that you're selling yourself to him.
He said nothing, merely pulling down the brim of his hat to conceal the complicated emotions in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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