[Eternal Divine Domain].
A legendary tale that no inhabitant of the Lower World could fail to know.
Of course, there were exceptions like the Far East, but even then, everyone would recognize the sanctuary's true name upon hearing it.
"[Olympia]... you say?"
The City of the Gods, [Olympia].
A legendary city that appeared only in fairy tales.
A phantom land that worshipped the [Flame of Heaven], a city of fire that had flourished even before the descent of the Gods.
"It actually exists...? That place..."
Even Akumo, who had traversed the world, had only heard of it through stories, never finding physical evidence or meeting anyone from there.
"It is real. In fact, history is still being written there even now."
"A history distinct from Orario's, I take it?"
Unlike the astonished Akumo, Hedin and Freya simply delivered the facts with composure.
"Then why are those people in Orario...?"
To answer that question, Freya began to share the intelligence she had gathered with Akumo.
"I don't know the exact details, but I've investigated and found that entities connected to this matter are on the move."
Thud—!
With those words, Freya placed the papers she had received from Hedin on the table.
The names of the individuals and Familias written on those papers were more than familiar to Akumo.
'I expected Lord Hermes and Bell...'
Slide—
"But why is Lady Hephaestus involved...?"
Furthermore, there were the girls he had seen this morning who appeared to worship Hestia.
Seeing them travel from so far away, Akumo naturally recalled a certain event.
"...It's exactly like Elsos."
Mysterious outsiders, Hermes's guidance, and an adventure accompanied by a God.
"Correct. If my predictions are right, those children will lead Hestia and Hephaestus to [Olympia]."
"....."
"Though I don't know what they will encounter there..."
It was certain that it would not be an easy adventure.
"...Then why did you stop me?"
If that were the case, the logical course of action would be for him or a reliable powerhouse to accompany Bell to that place, just like before.
"...Wait, could it be!"
However, Akumo soon realized something.
'With something like this happening... Lord Ouranos and Fels gave me no information...?'
"...What is the meaning of this?"
'There's too little information...'
Ouranos and Hermes had intentionally withheld information from him.
And even Hephaestus was accompanying Hestia.
Akumo fell into deep thought over the mystery-laden situation.
"Hmm..."
While he was lost in thought, Freya approached him.
Slide—
"!?"
'L-Lady Freya...!?'
"So you can make a face like that too?"
Finding it novel to see his usually confident face clouded with worry, Freya stood right in front of him, savoring his expression.
Grind—
"".....""
Of course, the sound of Hedin and Horn grinding their teeth echoed from behind her.
**
"In the end, it's been decided..."
Slide—
The next day, Akumo stood atop the city walls against the backdrop of a clear sky.
"I have no choice but to follow!"
Beside him stood Freya, wearing a robe, along with Horn and Hedin.
This naturally meant they were coming along. In their sight, they could see Bell's party leaving Orario.
"I don't know how I ended up with this lineup, but..."
'Loki was happy enough to stay behind since Lady Freya let her act as the proxy for the Goddess Festival...'
"You planned this, didn't you...?"
He spoke his mind, but Freya merely smiled as she watched Bell's party boarding their ship.
"My, I'm truly excited. I've been so bogged down with part-time jobs that I never had the chance to cross the seas of the Lower World!"
Hestia was dressed in elegant clothing, different from her usual attire.
Beside her was Bell, also wearing unfamiliar clothes.
"Wow... everyone looks so excited..."
The reason for their departure was as an 'envoy'.
Dressed in the traditional garb of Olympia, the sight of them departing was a beautiful scene that harmonized with the sea.
Whoosh—!
The sea breeze blew, and the sound of waves reached his ears.
It was an experience he hadn't had in a long time.
Grin—!
Regardless, this was another form of adventure.
Akumo couldn't help but smile as his heart pounded at the thought of what might be waiting ahead.
"Then, we shall also..."
Soon, Akumo moved his feet and stood before a ship located in the harbor below the city walls.
Flutter—!
"Shall we go!!"
The vessel before them was one Akumo had built himself, with the help of Njord and Goibniu.
'Thank you both...!!'
Akumo expressed his gratitude to Njord, who had immediately agreed to his sudden request and helped draft the blueprints, and Goibniu, who had personally assisted in the construction.
"This is quite..."
"It's magnificent~"
While not massive in scale, the hull was clearly made of sturdy timber.
The ship's decorations were painted with a fierce momentum, and its flags unfurled grandly.
"But this..."
However, Horn looked at the overall shape of the ship as if she had noticed something strange. Eventually, she spoke up.
"It's a pirate ship..."
"Now, now~ let's ignore such trivial details! Shall we get going!!"
Of course, such questions were immediately dismissed by Akumo.
"By the way, how do you plan on following them?"
"Don't worry about that, Hedin."
'The Divine Aura of Lord Hermes and Lady Hephaestus that entered my body when I used the Divine Tool...'
Having experienced that sensation once, Akumo was now able to detect them even amidst the Divine Aura of other Gods.
"Hup!!"
Sshhh—!!
His heightened senses allowed him to locate them even from a considerable distance.
'Though... I can't move while doing it, and it's impossible if there are too many other Gods around...!'
"I'm counting on you, Hedin!"
"Leave it to me. I've made sure to learn navigation."
With Hedin taking the helm and Akumo acting as the guide, their tailing mission began.
"Wait!!!!"
Just then, a woman's voice echoed through the area.
**
Whoosh—!
"It's already been seven days... I expected it, but this is quite far..."
"But it seems we'll be arriving soon."
Akumo's group had spent seven days tracking Bell's party through the [Sea of Medilla], also known as the coastal waters.
Fortunately, they had plenty of food thanks to the support of the Demeter Familia, so there were no issues.
"...!!"
At that moment, a certain sensation was transmitted to Akumo, coinciding with Hedin's words.
'...The signal cut off.'
"Is this why you said you would follow..."
Slide—
He was momentarily surprised by the sudden disappearance of Bell's party's presence ahead of them.
Akumo turned his head toward another Goddess who was behind him.
"Lady Artemis."
"Yes, Akumo."
On that day, Artemis had called out to Akumo just as he was about to depart.
—'Wait!!!!!!!!!'
—'Lady Artemis!?'
She had urgently stopped Akumo and demanded to accompany him. Naturally, Akumo needed to know the reason.
—'Why the sudden request, Lady Artemis?'
He had no choice but to ask for an explanation.
—'...I must go there as well.'
—'I mean, why exactly...'
—'You're going to [Olympia], aren't you?'
—'...!?'
As Akumo tried to hide his expression, wondering how she had found out—
—'I received word from Ouranos.'
Slide—!
—'A request to accompany this adventure if the opportunity arose.'
Artemis pulled a letter from her bosom and handed it to him. It contained a message from Ouranos written in Hieroglyphs.
—'Normally, I should have gone with Hestia...'
—'Something feels wrong. Surely, something has happened in Olympia...!'
And so, she had joined them.
As a member of Olympus and one of the Twelve Gods, she had joined as an informant regarding Olympia.
Flare—!!
"Then that is..."
"Yes, a barrier created by the [First Flame]."
"It looks like entry is impossible without permission..."
Presumably, the key had to be the same fire—specifically, someone connected to the First Flame.
"But we don't have anyone like that with us..!"
Just as Horn said, the priestesses were with Hestia's group. They had nothing that could serve as a key.
"....."
"...? What are you doing..."
At that moment, Akumo fell into thought while holding his chin. Just as Horn was about to express her doubt—
Flash—!
"That's it!"
Grin—!
A single method flashed through Akumo's mind.
"Scheme finalized!"
Having said that, Akumo immediately reached out his hand to Artemis, and she instantly understood the meaning of his action.
Grab—!
"Yes! Akumo!"
Their hands met, and a reaction occurred immediately.
Vrrr—!!!
Having received Divine Aura directly from her, Akumo immediately manifested the Divine Tool he had envisioned.
""Divine Tool" [Artemis's Dagger]."
The Divine Tool once again absorbed the moonlight and was swung toward the wall of flames before them.
Slice—!
"Just enough for the ship to pass through, so we aren't noticed...!"
Soon, a circular hole appeared in the barrier, and a landscape that had been invisible until a moment ago began to reveal itself beyond.
""!!""
"That place... is [Olympia]."
They had set foot in the unknown land, the [Eternal Divine Domain].
========================
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