Moonlight reflected in her emerald eyes, accentuating Artemis's earnest gaze. Bell paused for a moment, then softly asked,
"Artemis, what is this?"
"A love contract, you see. Every word was written by my own hand."
Artemis smiled gently. The parchment was filled with graceful handwriting, and by a quick estimate, it contained at least dozens of clauses. Bell glanced over it briefly, noting that the terms were all restrictive without any penalties.
He asked again,
"What happens if I break it? Will Artemis shoot me with her bow and arrows?"
"No. If something like that really happened, Orion would surely have been forced into it—maybe threatened by another girl or something... Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Artemis's smile remained dignified and warm, though it hid a subtle, barely noticeable coldness. Even though her heart had changed due to love, as a goddess, she had always overseen the power of chastity since her birth. It might be a bad habit, or perhaps pride—something that couldn't be overturned in an instant.
"Artemis, you've said before that you saw the War Game between Apollo Familia and me, and you know I'm pursuing a harem, right?" Bell confirmed. The young man already had several lovers, and he had been upfront about it from the moment they met.
"Yes, I know."
Artemis responded without hesitation.
"Then don't you think it's a bit unfair that you forbid me from any physical contact with other women?" Bell prompted her thoughts. Not only was physical contact forbidden, but he had already crossed the very line Artemis considered taboo. He had already completely broken the first rule of the parchment.
"Before doesn't matter. This is for the Orion of today." Artemis answered softly.
"No, but I'm their lover, and yet I'm forbidden from touching them?" Bell pressed again.
"Hmm... isn't there such a thing as a spiritual relationship?" Artemis smiled softly, her expression almost innocent.
"..."
Bell froze for a moment, looking for a loophole.
"You forbid me from touching other girls, but Artemis herself can? Isn't that a bit selfish?"
The parchment listed many specific details. Hand-holding was allowed with mutual consent. If physical contact with Artemis was necessary, certain areas, like the chest and thighs, were off-limits. Kissing or any further intimacy was strictly prohibited. Their relationship could be publicly acknowledged, but exaggeration or boasting was not allowed... and so on, with many other stipulations about their love.
"Because being capricious is a goddess's privilege." Artemis tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear and leaned against Bell's shoulder.
"But didn't a certain chastity-guarding goddess break the rules by hugging me from the very beginning?" Bell pointed out the inconsistency in the rules.
"That's because of the spear... so..." Artemis stammered in response.
On one hand, the spear required mutual intent to unleash its power. On the other, the goddess at that time had been seeking redemption, so she had followed her heart and acted on her feelings, embracing him and holding his hand.
"Even so, what about inside the ruins? That had nothing to do with the spear's power, right?" Bell recalled the battle. When activating the Argo's Ship, Artemis had kissed him in front of everyone.
"..."
Artemis fell silent for a moment. She stayed in her leaning position, not letting Bell see her expression.
"That was just the remnants of divine power at work. I've completely forgotten it—it doesn't count, you know..."
Artemis offered her gentle defense.
Why had she kissed him then? Was it because she knew the pain the boy would soon face and felt worried and heartbroken? Was it because she feared this might be their last meeting? Or perhaps, was it simply a way to release the love she could no longer suppress? Artemis didn't know. All she could do was hide behind a clumsy lie.
Bell, of course, saw through the flaw in her deception.
"I didn't even mention specifics. If you had forgotten, you wouldn't be reacting like this. You'd be asking me what happened, right?"
"Um..."
Artemis's cheeks burned fiercely. She couldn't think of a single word to counter.
"Regardless, I'll take this contract for now."
Bell's words broke the silence. He hadn't outright refused, for the parchment contained many unignorable clauses. From this day forward, whether in daily life or in battle, Artemis would stand by Orion's side. If Orion needed help, he must not hold back—he must tell Artemis honestly... Whether for ten thousand years or a hundred million, Orion must live on forever. Every word radiated the goddess's noble purity and deep affection.
"So you agree then?"
Artemis lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Silly girl. How could I possibly agree to a rule you yourself broke? Let's return to Orario and meet with Syr and the others first. We'll talk about this later."
Bell countered.
"Hmm..."
Artemis pressed her lips together, offering no reply.
The next instant, Bell gently pressed his lips to hers. Just like that time in the ruins, the goddess's cherry lips touched his only briefly, yet left an endless sweetness.
"Since you've forgotten, I'll have to fill in that blank memory. If you still can't recall..."
Bell leaned forward, drawing closer.
"I... I remember now! Stop it! Good night!"
Artemis sprang up and fled toward the tent without looking back.
The night deepened. Artemis buried her face deep within the blankets. That flush of crimson lingered long, refusing to fade alongside her sleeplessness.
— —- —-
Bell Cranel
Lv2
Strength: SSS 1473
Stamina: SSS 1500
Dexterity: SSS 1500
Agility: SSS 1480
Magic: SSS 1395
Luck: G
Magic:
[Firebolt] · Quick-Cast Magic
[Argo's Ship] • Ability-Granting Magic
—- —- • Partnering is not limited to humans and demi-humans
Skills:
[Liaris Freese] • Fluctuates dynamically based on the number and intensity of those who yearn for him
[Argonaut] • Grants the right to charge up proactive actions
Floor Reached: 18th Floor
Equipment:
Hestia Knife • 10 Billion Debt Unrevealed, but the abnormal nature of the growth-type dagger has already caught the youth's attention. Goddess Hestia consistently avoids this topic.
Ushiwakamaru • Crafted from Minotaur material, Welf's prideful creation. Though functional, its naming leaves much to be desired.
Fire Spirit Light Armor • Modified by Cecil, bearing the emblem of the Astraea Familia. At someone's suggestion, a pale pink heart adorns the outer edges of the scales and wings.
Cash on Hand: 235,000 Valis
• Apollo Familia spent a fortune on the Magic Sword and statue. Hestia's followers didn't have much wealth, and the mansion contained many statues of the god Apollo that no one in Orario was willing to buy.
Lover:
• Syr: Consistently avoids Hestia, maintaining an air of mystery. Whenever spending intimate nights with the youth, she appears to meticulously prepare beforehand to prevent interruptions.
• Laurier: Frequently visits taverns with Airmid, joining Syr in conversation. Their bond grows increasingly harmonious.
• Airmid: Besides energy potions, she also crafts contraceptive devices, which she proactively offers to the other two. However, Syr states she has no need for them.
• Astraea: The goddess who upholds justice. According to her Familia member's observations, she has been spacing out significantly more often lately.
• Artemis: One of the Three Great Virgin Goddesses, possessing innate resistance to [Charm].
...
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