"So, he ran."
Athena wasn't the least bit surprised as she watched the fading white motes of light left behind by Apollo's escape.
Among the Greek gods, very few weren't afraid of her. But Apollo certainly wasn't one of them. So she had expected this from the beginning. She'd even timed her arrival based on how long she thought Apollo and Ryo would talk, deliberately showing up before they could spend too much time together.
It wasn't that she was worried Apollo and Ryo would get up to anything. She was worried about Ryo's reputation.
Everyone in Little Garden's upper layers knew Apollo preferred men. If Ryo spent too long alone with him, Athena had no doubt tomorrow's edition of Mata's newspaper would be running some rather... colorful headlines.
These days, after all, spreading rumors costs almost nothing, but it brings huge profits.
"Yeah," Holding the wooden box, Ryo nodded helplessly. "He sure knows how to run."
Athena snorted softly before walking over. Her eyes landed on the box in Ryo's hands, and she raised an eyebrow. "What did he give you?"
"See for yourself." Ryo handed it over.
Athena accepted it without ceremony. The moment she opened it, she laughed. "A Light-type Authority. Apollo really splurged this time."
"Oh..." She lifted the Authority crystal slightly. "There's also a set of notes underneath explaining his understanding of the Light Authority."
"It's that valuable?" Ryo blinked in surprise before grimacing. "If I accept something like this, won't I have to hold back when we meet on the battlefield?"
'When the boss pays this well... how am I supposed to beat up the boss's little sister?'
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'Wait... wasn't Artemis the older sister? Why does Apollo keep calling her his little sister?'
"It won't be a problem." Athena closed the box and handed it back. "Giving Artemis a proper lesson would do her good. With that personality of hers, she's overdue for one."
She shook her head. "Apollo really spoils her too much."
'Um... Somehow it feels like you're tricking me into beating up Artemis... and encouraging me not to hold back.' Ryo silently complained to himself.
At that moment, the door opened again. Kurousagi walked in carrying a bottle of whiskey and several glasses.
"Ryo, Lord Apollo..."
She then blinked, "H-Huh? Where did he go?"
"I killed him," Athena answered flatly.
"Eh?!"
Kurousagi's ears shot upright. "Oh no! What should we do now? If the Heavenly Army finds out, we're finished!"
Ryo and Athena looked at one another. Then they burst into laughter at the exact same moment.
"Hahaha!"
The two laughed so hard that Kurousagi could only stand there, completely bewildered.
After a while, Athena finally wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes as she asked, "So, when are you leaving for Mars?"
"Tomorrow." Ryo let out a long breath. "I'll probably be there for quite some time."
"Don't worry." Athena smiled warmly. "Asura will keep an eye on this place."
Ryo rolled his eyes. "She has only been here for a day, and you've already conned her into guarding the front gate. You really have a talent for this."
With a sigh, he collapsed onto the sofa, sinking deep into the cushions.
Turning his head toward the window, he gazed up at the enormous crimson planet hanging high above.
"Artemis... What a headache..."
_ _ _
Mars—
The New Greek Stronghold, Valles Marineris—
Using her special privileges, Artemis had arrived on the battlefield ahead of schedule.
She absentmindedly touched the restriction bracelet around her wrist as she stared up at the Little Garden continent floating in the sky.
Just then, a deer emerged from one of the canyon caves. When it spoke, it did so in a woman's voice.
"Lady Artemis. It's getting cold. Would you like to rest inside?"
Without taking her eyes off the sky, Artemis remained silent for a long time before speaking, "Lyra... Do you think I should continue this divine war?"
The deer immediately looked miserable. "Y-You're joking, my lady. How could I possibly comment on your affairs?"
She served as one of Artemis' attendants within the Greek Pantheon.
Casually discussing the affairs of the Twelve Olympians was practically asking to die. There were countless people watching her.
And Artemis... Well, she was an emotional goddess. One careless sentence could spell disaster.
"You think Ryo really is my unborn little brother too?" Artemis continued mercilessly.
Lyra could tell her mistress was conflicted.
But this really wasn't a question she could answer.
"...Perhaps you could ask Lord Apollo?" Lyra suggested cautiously.
Still looking at the sky, Artemis replied calmly, "My little brother didn't come warn me this time."
The moment Lyra heard that, her heart sank.
Apollo was the kind of person who constantly reminded you to be careful whenever you were making the right decision.
But if you were making the wrong one... He wouldn't stop you. He'd quietly wait until you hit a wall, then teach you how to deal with the consequences. Like an overly patient father.
Since Apollo hadn't offered Artemis any guidance, it meant he believed she was in the wrong. He intended to let her learn the lesson herself.
The siblings both understood that. And from Lyra's perspective... Lady Artemis clearly didn't think she'd done anything wrong.
'She's sulking...' Lyra sighed inwardly.
Seeing Artemis still waiting for an answer, she carefully chose her words. "Then... Why not simply follow your own convictions?"
Artemis finally turned to look at her.
Lyra stiffened. "You've already decided you won't compromise with Lord Ryo Yagami. So if that's the case... You might as well carry through with your original plan. As long as you don't go too far, the fault won't lie with you. And whatever Lord Apollo says, you'll still have the moral high ground."
Artemis considered those words in silence.
Lyra quietly let out the breath she'd been holding.
Seeing Artemis' expression soften slightly, she finally voiced the question she'd wanted to ask all along. "If I may... What exactly happened between you and Lord Ryo Yagami?"
The instant Lyra noticed Artemis' expression change, she hurriedly explained. "I only thought... If I understood how serious your conflict is, I'd have a better sense of where the line is. That's why I dared to ask."
"I understand," Artemis replied coolly.
Then she paused.
For the first time, the icy composure on Artemis's face cracked, revealing genuine irritation.
"That man broke into my bath."
"...Huh?" Lyra froze.
"He even flirted with me," Artemis continued through gritted teeth. "And before he left... he... groped my chest."
Lyra's jaw dropped.
"He mocked me, too. I've never suffered that kind of humiliation in my entire life." The more Artemis spoke, the angrier she became.
Meanwhile, Lyra's face grew paler with every sentence.
Just then, Artemis delivered another impossible question. "When the divine war begins... How do you think I should get my revenge?"
"..."
Lyra remained silent.
Then, without warning, her eyes rolled back.
Foam appeared at the corner of her mouth. And her body swayed.
Finally, she collapsed sideways onto the ground.
"...?"
Artemis stared blankly.
'Could she really be this loyal? Did hearing what happened to me make her so furious that she fainted?'
Watching the deer convulsing dramatically on the ground, Artemis fell into deep contemplation.
_ _ _
Outer Gate 3345—
At the red gate leading to Mars, a Heavenly Army guard handed Ryo a rolled contract.
"Ryo Yagami, this is the Equal Engagement Agreement. Once you've signed it, you'll be permitted to enter the divine war battlefield."
"However, you are prohibited from deliberately attacking participants below Four-Digit rule-breaker level. Please review the terms carefully."
Ryo nodded.
He unrolled the scroll and read through every clause.
After confirming there were no hidden traps or unfavorable conditions, he took a slow breath and pressed his thumbprint onto the contract.
.
.
.
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