"So, Antares has indeed broken free from the seal placed by the great elves in ancient times, hasn't he?"
Deep beneath the Adventurer's Guild, four gods had gathered: Ouranos, Ganesha, Hermes, and Artemis. Upon hearing this news, the expressions of the three gods shifted slightly. Even so, Ganesha and Hermes did not seem overly concerned, believing that even the ancient monsters were not as formidable as they once were.
But what Ouranos said next struck terror into their hearts, sending shivers down their spines.
"Artemis, if I'm not mistaken, what stands before us now is merely a thought projection, correct? And from what Ganesha mentioned, you didn't bring any of your familia with you. So, does that mean you've already been consumed by Antares?"
"Nani?!!!"
The words sent shockwaves through Ganesha and Hermes, their heads snapping towards Artemis with disbelief etched on their faces. The solemn and remorseful expression on the Moon Goddess's face was all the confirmation they needed—Ouranos's words were true.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, everyone present grew uneasy.
"Yes," Artemis began, her voice tinged with sorrow. "All my children were killed by Antares. Even I was devoured by that monster, and now it wields divine power. I've come to Orario seeking your help to kill Antares and prevent him from using my divine power to bring about a catastrophic crisis in the lower world."
Artemis spoke without hesitation, her words clear and resolute. She then revealed the Orion Spear she carried—a rare weapon capable of killing gods. The sight of it drove home the urgency of the matter to the three gods.
As the goddess of the hunt, Artemis was a formidable force in her own right, even with her divine power sealed. Her strength far exceeded that of most adventurers. It was terrifying to imagine what Antares, already immensely powerful, might do now that he had absorbed divine power. With Artemis's divine power at its disposal, the 'Moon Bow' alone could annihilate everything in the lower realm. Life, objects—nothing would remain.
"You must remember, Artemis," Ouranos stated grimly, "the gods once made an agreement not to use divine power in the lower realms. Now that Antares has grown unprecedentedly powerful, there's little we can do to stop him."
Ouranos's words darkened Artemis's expression, but the despair was soon replaced by a burning hatred for Antares. No matter the cost, she was determined to destroy him and redeem herself for her fallen children. She couldn't allow more people to suffer because of her mistake.
"I know we cannot use divine power," Artemis said, her resolve unwavering. "But that's why I've summoned the 'Orion Spear' from the heavens. If we can find an adventurer capable of wielding it, we can surely defeat Antares."
"As the center of the world, Orario must have such a hero!"
Artemis's voice was filled with conviction. The other gods exchanged glances but said nothing. They knew Orario was home to many outstanding adventurers, but controlling the 'Orion Spear' was no simple task. It required more than just strength—it demanded an unknown quality that would determine whether one was truly worthy.
Revealing their thoughts now, only for the plan to fail later, would be a significant embarrassment.
"Are you sure about this, Artemis?" Ouranos asked, taking a final step forward. "If you use the 'Orion Spear' to kill Antares, you will also perish, falling into a deep sleep that will last tens of thousands of years. Are you truly prepared for that?"
But Artemis remained resolute, her gaze steady.
"The current crisis is a result of my carelessness. It is only right that I correct my mistake. If my eternal slumber can ensure the safety of the lower world, then I will not hesitate. Even for the sake of my fallen children, I must do this."
As she spoke of her familia, Artemis's eyes glistened with deep sadness. They had trusted and looked up to her, only to lose their lives due to her mistake. She would never forgive herself for that.
"Very well," Ouranos sighed, accepting her decision. "If this is your choice, we will support you unconditionally. Good luck, Artemis."
The four gods then discussed their plan. It was decided that during the Moon Festival, Hermes would organize an event on Adventurer Avenue, setting up a challenge that would attract a large number of adventurers. Those who could pull out the 'Orion Spear' would be deemed the chosen ones.
Though Artemis was anxious, she accepted the plan. After all, finding the right candidate was the key to defeating Antares and averting the crisis in the lower realm. Ensuring the presence of as many adventurers as possible was crucial, and an event as grand as the Moon Festival was the perfect opportunity.
As time passed, the festival approached. In no time, the Moon Festival was upon them.
Yami finally understood why this event was so beloved. It felt like New Year's in his previous life. All of Orario was adorned with lights, and adventurers put their explorations on hold to join in the festivities. Dressed in their most casual attire, they filled the streets, participating in various entertainment activities, and even the food stalls were packed with people.
The influx of people led to a shortage of goods, but even the rapid rise in prices couldn't dampen the enthusiasm for the annual event. People were eager to celebrate, and the streets were filled with all sorts of trinkets and novelties unique to this world.