Artemis' confession sank deep into his heart. Bell stood silently in place. A love that lasts ten thousand years? No thanks. Such an illusory, sorrowful tale was not what he sought. Soon, their private meeting was noticed by others. But this final night held no playful banter or laughter. Welf approached, the Magic Sword in hand.
"Bell, I don't know what to do either, but I just wanted to tell you—I'm starting to forge a Magic Sword now."
Welf hadn't abandoned his pride or dignity; he had simply weighed his comrades on opposite sides of the scales and reached his final conclusion. The Magic Sword was merely a tool. His own burning heart was the most crucial element.
"..."
Bell remained silent. If weighed on a scale, one side held the entire world, the other, a single goddess. The choice was obvious, needing no words.
But... I refuse.
This was no scale of judgment, but a choice laden with malice, devoid of fairness or justice. Hermes sheathed his usual carefree smile, his eyes now filled with sorrow and reverence.
"Bell-kun, Artemis has resolved to sacrifice herself. What you are about to do is not the killing of a god, but the redemption of a trapped maiden."
The goddess is tormented by sin. Should other victims arise from this incident, Artemis will never find redemption. Tragedy was inevitable; all must honor the goddess's resolve.
"..."
Bell remained silent. Redemption? That's not some noble ideal! How many would suffer? How many girls would weep?
How much sorrow and longing would the time Artemis lost bring?!
Such a future... I absolutely refuse it.
Daphne stepped forward, her expression troubled.
"I won't try to persuade you. Truthfully, I don't know which side is right or wrong. Whatever you choose, I will follow you, Captain."
Hestia's Familia was climbing upward. Bell had broken Daphne's cage. What she offered him now was an unwavering trust. Yet it was also a burden and a shackle. This was a choice solely Bell Cranel's to make. The fate of the entire world now rested upon his shoulders alone. Beyond those present here, countless trusts were scattered far and wide. Lovers who once exchanged affection, the tavern staff who once aided him, the Loki Familia who shared laughter together…
Beyond these, countless unforgettable bonds and experiences remained. These trusts surged like a tidal wave, drowning Bell in the abyss of responsibility. It crushed his emotions, leaving him gasping for breath. Even so, Bell stubbornly rebelled within his heart. I don't want this... Emotion and reason clashed. Amidst that fierce collision, Bell stood silent.
"Bell-dono..."
Mikoto didn't know what to say. She had embarked on this journey solely to repay the debt of saving her life. Yet what awaited ahead was such a tragic choice. Bell's face, twisted with grief and anger, his fists clenched so tightly they trembled—all of it was etched deeply in Mikoto's eyes. She couldn't find any words of encouragement. Mikoto's own face was also tinged with sorrow. She pressed her lips tightly together and silently stepped aside.
"Bell-sama, Lili is now capable of command, and she's even discussed it with Soma-sama about joining the Hestia Familia... so... so..."
Lili clutched the boy's sleeve, her words trailing off as tears began to well in her eyes before she could finish. Bell did not cry. At least not until the answer was clear—the boy would not shed tears of weakness.
Lili cried out loudly, as if grieving for Bell's loss as well. The boy sought both a harem and heroism. Lili understood this all too well. No matter which path Bell chose, his wish would fade away. Tears poured down uncontrollably, as if mourning the heart-wrenching decision ahead.
Lili had lived her whole life trapped by a sense of powerlessness. She understood the painful feeling when one's hopes and dreams were extinguished. And so, Lili wept for the boy, unable to hold back her sorrow.
"Bell..."
Hestia approached slowly. Even after knowing everything, the goddess's face still bore traces of tears.
"I truly adored Artemis. Back then, she would always barge into my temple, laughing and playing with me."
"When male gods came to bother me, Artemis would draw her bow and shoot them."
"Her skill was so exceptional that even if the gods used their divine power to escape, that arrow would follow and punish them."
Hestia spoke of these past times, her face holding both tears and a smile.
"When Artemis embraced you, I was furious—so furious that I didn't even know who I was jealous of."
"To have the goddess of chastity share such a bond with you... you truly are my Bell."
"So... please, save Artemis."
"If this story ends in sin, I swear by the name of the gods that I will bear all the responsibility for you."
Hestia made her request, her voice firm despite the sorrow. Originally, she was the one who should have been crying out loud. Her once-beloved friend was about to leave, and her Familia member was facing a painful decision.
How Hestia wished this were all just a dream. Even if she awoke to find Artemis sleeping beside Bell, she would not utter a single complaint.
"..."
Bell remained silent. Under the goddess's vow, he would bear no blame. The sin of Godslaying would fall upon Hestia. All the sorrow and suffering would rest on the goddess's shoulders. People would only sing of a hero who slew the monster and saved Genkai from ruin.
In the eyes of the gods, a thousand years were but a fleeting moment. As time passed, all the pain would turn into joy and happiness with Artemis's resurrection. But by then, everything would have changed beyond recognition. Bell would never accept such a conclusion.
"Captain..."
Cassandra approached, trembling. "Although now is not the time for dreams... in my vision, the bow beneath the moon disappeared in the end..."
A prophetic dream. The future it showed was one where Bell chose this world. He would slay the monster, avert the disaster. As for the goddess's fate, the dream offered no answer.
A flicker of light passed through Bell's eyes. It was a brief, faint glimmer of possibility. All eyes were on the young man, waiting for his answer.
Artemis, heedless of the gazes around them, gently embraced Bell.
"Orion, please shoot me through..."
The goddess whispered her final words. Warmth wrapped around him, yet his heart felt unusually cold. Bell loosened his clenched fist, one arm wrapping around her warmly, while his other hand gently stroked her blue hair.
In the eyes of everyone present, the youth opened his eyes and gave his answer.
"I won't."