On stage, Hermes raised his fist high.
"This legendary spear—whoever can pull it from the stone shall journey across the world!"
"Who among us is the Hero of this tale?!"
"And you there, Little Rookie—why that look? As if to say, 'Oh dear, how embarrassing to be associated with such a god."
Bell had intended to ignore him and quietly slip away, but he was caught red-handed.
"Bell-dono! Let's try it together!"
Mikoto's eyes sparkled with excitement; she seemed utterly captivated by this legendary turn of events.
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Mikoto stepped forward onto the stage.
No matter how hard she tried, the spear remained immovable.
"Next."
Hermes waved his hand dismissively.
"That is..."
"Sword Princess?!"
The crowd stirred at Ais's arrival.
"Pulling this out... would it be mine?" Ais asked softly.
"Naturally." Hermes smiled faintly.
"This could be a gift..."
Ais murmured, placing her hand on the spear.
"No... I can't pull it out..."
Ais blinked and slowly walked away.
"Not even a Level 6 can do it?!"
Amidst the clamoring voices, Bell was pushed toward the stage by Mikoto.
"Bell-dono, to be honest, I don't want anyone from Orario to pull this spear—except you."
Hermes shifted the brim of his hat and stepped back.
Under the god's worried gaze, Bell placed his hand on the spear.
The next moment, a sacred light burst forth, and the jewel-encrusted spearhead broke free from the crystal.
"Ohhhhhhh!!!"
The crowd erupted in excited shouts.
But Hermes's face instantly darkened.
"So this is Fate... I'm sorry..."
The god turned away, muttering words that no one else could hear.
"Hermes-sama?"
Bell gripped the spear, unsure of what to do next.
Just as the youth approached Hermes, a goddess appeared from nowhere, rushing straight to his side.
She had soft, light blue hair and clear, bright green eyes.
A gentle smile graced her serene, dignified face, as if she had long anticipated this moment.
"I've found you, my Orion!"
Without any thought for etiquette, the goddess opened her arms and embraced Bell.
Under the moonlight, a sweet fragrance enveloped him.
Her white and purple-patterned robes offered no barrier to the softness pressed against his chest.
"Goddess?"
Bell voiced his surprise at the sudden intimacy.
"Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers from below the stage.
In the very next instant, Hestia's sharp, shocked scream rang out.
"A-Artemis, what are you doing—!!!"
...
As night deepened,
On an unnoticed patch of grass, Hestia lay like a deflated balloon, muttering to herself.
"This must be a dream, it must be a dream..."
"Um, Hestia-dono, who exactly is this goddess...?"
Mikoto asked, looking at the blue-haired goddess.
"She is Artemis, one of the Three Great Virgin Goddesses like myself. She was once my dearest friend."
Hestia explained.
"Once..."
Mikoto picked up on the sharpness in her words.
"Artemis is the goddess of chastity! Not only is romance forbidden, but even shaking hands with a man is taboo! Yet now she... this must be a mistake! This isn't the Artemis I know!"
Hestia couldn't accept this reality.
On one side was a long-lost, dear friend, and on the other, a youth who made her heart race—why would these two suddenly embrace?!
"I'm sorry, Hestia. I got too excited and accidentally crossed the line," Artemis murmured softly.
"Um... that's not the issue! Haven't you changed a bit too much?!"
Hestia wasn't displeased with the current Artemis—she was just too overwhelmed by the change to process it all.
"Things happened..."
Artemis gave a soft smile, choosing not to reveal all the details.
"Seriously, what's going on? First it was Astraea, and now even Artemis..."
Hestia glared at Bell, murmuring her complaints.
"Let me explain the specifics."
Hermes leaned closer and said, "Actually, some troublesome monsters have appeared in the Great Tree Sea. Artemis has come seeking help."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to contact the Guild or Loki Familia?" Bell asked.
"No. The source is an extremely unique monster that can only be defeated with this spear." Hermes explained. "The dungeons will be affected too, so the city's two major clans must guard against monster rampages. Moreover, resolving the source will end this crisis. Considering this, the surprise operation mustn't involve too many people."
Bell pondered the implications.
He sensed things weren't as straightforward as Hermes made them sound.
Hestia also sensed a hint of danger and asked, "Why choose Bell?"
"Because this spear only selects pure souls. He is my Orion." Artemis replied softly.
"Hmm... We understand the situation, Bell. What will you do?" Hestia inquired.
Bell gazed at the chaste goddess of love, whom people spoke of with disdain.
A faint sadness lingered in Artemis's smile.
Under the moonlight, her gaze seemed to rest upon the youth's eyes.
But Bell understood—Artemis was looking at something more ethereal, far beyond.
Whether to extend a helping hand—on this question, the youth had already reached his answer.
...
Deep Floors of the dungeon.
The red-haired woman glared resentfully into the distance.
"Looks like the Food Pantry matter will have to wait. Fine, let Aria enjoy herself a little longer."
Under the red-haired woman's gaze, countless monsters roared as they advanced.
"What exactly are you afraid of...."
The red-haired woman clicked her tongue lightly and turned away.
Her mutterings went unheard.
…
In a vast hall, four torches flickered silently.
Their light illuminated a stone altar where Ouranos sat in meditation.
"Fels."
At the god's solemn call, a figure cloaked in black emerged from the shadows.
"Ouranos, they have departed. Besides Hestia's familia, Liliruca Arde, Welf Crozzo, Yamato Mikoto, and Hermes have also joined them."
"What do you think the outcome will be?" Ouranos inquired.
"This isn't about combat strength. This mission is far too cruel for that youth." Fels's dissonant voice seemed tinged with worry.
"Does it remind you of yourself?" Ouranos exposed the other's thoughts.
"Yes... [The World] or [The Goddess]—Bell Cranel must choose one. No matter the decision, [Tragedy] cannot be avoided." Fels sighed deeply.
Ouranos offered no reply.
He simply sat silently upon the altar, awaiting the answer's arrival.
The flickering flames cast shifting shadows as the hall once more descended into silence.