"Well then, let me introduce the sponsor for this journey!"
Hermes's cheerful voice broke through the admiration and commotion around the stage. All gazes, including Charlie and his group's, followed Hermes's direction.
There stood a girl with beautiful blue hair and an aura so pure. Anyone who looked at her, even briefly, would immediately realize she was not an ordinary human. She was a goddess.
"Artemis! That's Artemis!" Hestia exclaimed with a beaming face.
As a fellow member of the Three Virgin Goddesses—along with Athena—Hestia felt very familiar with that figure.
"Artemis? It's been a long time since we met." Astraea murmured, happy to reunite with an old colleague from Heaven.
As mentioned, the bond among goddesses who still maintained their virginity was very strong.
However, that smile froze on Astraea's face moments later.
"Huh?"
Her eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the scene unfolding.
Hestia descended from the stage cheerfully and ran toward Artemis, arms open for a reunion embrace.
On the other side, Artemis also ran... but she just passed by Hestia as if not seeing her. Her quick and determined steps headed toward the stage instead, where with almost hurried movements, she approached Bell who was still confused with Orion's Spear in his grip, then hugged him tightly.
"What's happening, Astraea-sama?" Kei asked in wonder.
To her, the sight of a goddess hugging an adventurer seemed like something commonplace in Orario.
"Hard to believe... Is this really Artemis? She's hugging a man?" Astraea's voice trembled slightly from shock.
"Is that strange? What is Artemis-sama usually like?" Kei still didn't understand why her goddess's reaction was so strong.
"You don't understand, Kei." Astraea answered, her eyes not leaving the stage scene where Artemis appeared very close to Bell. "If it were Demeter, Freya, or other goddesses, I wouldn't be too shocked. But this is Artemis!"
Seeing Kei growing more confused, she explained in a low voice only audible to the two of them and possibly Charlie nearby.
"Artemis is the goddess who rules over the hunt, as well as one of the most steadfast Three Virgin Goddesses. She is an object of both worship and fear among the gods. She greatly values her purity and only focuses on honing her skills as a warrior. Those values even caused trauma for many gods in Heaven."
"She spread strict policies within her Familia: no romantic relationships allowed. As a result, many Artemis Familia members' youth faded away without knowing love."
"In short, she's anti-romance down to her roots. She's the frontline of anti-romance."
"Anti-romance..." Kei repeated that term while looking back at the stage, seeing Artemis still hugging Bell with a very emotional expression. "If what Astraea-sama says is true, this situation is indeed very strange."
Charlie, who had been listening silently, finally stated his intention.
"Goddess Astraea must want to reunite with Goddess Artemis. In that case, let's part ways here."
With just his thought, he accessed the Space-time Cache on his wrist and pulled out a plain black card with faint geometric patterns on its surface.
It was a key specially designed to pass through the defense layers around Empyrean Citadel, intentionally made unconventional so it wouldn't be recognized as an ordinary key.
"Kei, this is the house key. Use this if you go home first, otherwise, the barrier at Empyrean Citadel will affect you too."
"You're not coming with us, Charlie?" Astraea asked, feeling somewhat bad about leaving him alone.
"No. I still want to take Est and Aishia to enjoy the festival." Charlie answered with a thin smile.
That was only partial truth. His main reason was he was too lazy to get involved in problems that would clearly emerge following Artemis's presence and the Orion's Spear pulling incident.
It was basic common sense that wherever the protagonist was, major problems would surely come. If there were no problems, where would the protagonist's opportunity to shine be?
"Alright. Kei and I will go home before it's too late." Astraea said gently, accepting Charlie's decision.
"Goodbye, Goddess Astraea, Kei. I hope you enjoy the rest of the Holy Moon Festival."
After saying that, Charlie grasped Est's small cold hand and turned to Aishia who nodded slowly.
The three then turned around, merging back into the bustling crowd, leaving the stage, commotion, and the protagonist group that would soon be involved in a larger destined plot.
They traversed Orario's streets still filled with festivities, seeking enjoyment amid the ongoing Holy Moon Festival.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Charlie returned to Empyrean Citadel near midnight, his steps slow following Est and Aishia who already looked tired and sleepy.
The lively atmosphere of the Holy Moon Festival still echoed from afar, but inside the protected Empyrean Citadel, there was only silence.
"They're already back?"
As soon as the door opened, Charlie was slightly surprised to find Astraea already sitting on the living room sofa.
Still wearing her elegant gown, Astraea sat upright on the living room sofa. Crystal lamp light illuminated her usually calm face, but this time there were fine wrinkles on her forehead, and her hands were tightly folded in her lap.
"You three have returned. Welcome back."
Though the gentle smile that was her trademark still bloomed, Charlie could see a thin furrow on Astraea's brow—a small sign showing her mood wasn't as calm as usual.
"Yaaawn~... So sleepy..." Est covered her wide-yawning mouth, her eyes drowsy and watery. "Onii-chan, I'm going to sleep first."
Without much ceremony, she walked stumbling toward her room, followed by Aishia who nodded slightly to Charlie and Astraea before also leaving the room.
Sitting across from Astraea, Charlie looked at her calmly. "Goddess Astraea seems restless. Something happened, right?"
Astraea smiled wryly hearing that question. "Indeed, your intuition is amazing, Charlie. Or perhaps my facial expression already shows everything."
"I'm ready to listen." Charlie said lightly, giving Astraea space to pour out her thoughts.
Astraea hesitated momentarily, her fingers clasped over her lap before she decided to reveal the truth she had just learned.
"It's about Artemis Familia."
"They are a unique hunting Familia. Instead of delving into the Dungeon in Orario like most adventurers, they explore the continent to hunt monsters on the surface."
"Such a choice usually produces a Familia with slower development, but Artemis Familia is an exception. All its members are highly trained Level 2 Adventurers, with their captain reaching Level 3."
"Their average statistical accumulation far exceeds Orario's standards, their combat skills honed extremely sharp through countless battles in various terrains across the world's surface."
Charlie just listened, not interrupting, giving his full attention.
"Such things are usually attributed to each member's extraordinary talent, but there's a fundamental factor that transcends all those speculations... Their Main Deity, Artemis herself."
"Unlike most gods and goddesses who leave battle matters to their children, Artemis descends directly. She fights alongside her Familia members, shoulder to shoulder on the frontlines."
"This is what makes Artemis so different... Her Arcanum cannot be fully suppressed in her mortal form. There's a residue of divine nature that allows her to fight with her own power... a power that even enables her to face enemies equivalent to Second Class Adventurers. A power that even War Gods like Ares don't possess."
"With this power, Artemis stands at the forefront. And with this power too, she trains her children harshly, educating them in the true art of combat."
However, Astraea's expression changed drastically, replaced by deep sadness.
"But..."
"Artemis Familia... has been annihilated."
She stared straight ahead, her eyes glistening. She herself had experienced the tragedy of losing a Familia. At this moment, she truly understood—more than anyone—the pain and anguish that must be weighing on Artemis's heart.
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