The room atmosphere was so heavy that anyone here could feel it, especially seeing the elven princess Riveria's face clearly showing great sorrow written all over her face reading the intel that Oberon managed to gather. This report was written by Siv not long ago after Kuro, Yami, and Nora each combined what they found; since then, Oberon can't help but feel what he feels now.
"This... Absurd."
Riveria murmured with a shaking tone in her voice. What Loki and Riveria had read inside had the information of the number of soldiers—close to 30 thousand—that massing on the Beol Mountain kept on increasing day by day. Kuro did learn that most of the men had some kind of conscript system, and with the total civilian population of Rakia at 600,000, it was scary to think how many soldiers they could manage to gather.
"The Rakia are massing on this small mountain with a flat surface. They did not make one place as the main camp with the Mountanis therein; they divided into a company, each a half thousand in number, with the central command here right in the middle, the same with all the supply."
"So going to the head was out of the question, but I am confused as to why they sent the king and the prince of Rakia there."
Loki tilted her head in confusion.
"I don't exactly know why, but for certain it was the direct order of Ares."
Still, Oberon doesn't understand why the king and the prince of Rakia joined the war, knowing that they could get killed and it would cause chaos in Rakia. It makes clear to Oberon that the rumor is true that Ares is a foolish, arrogant god.
"According to my servant, they will start the war when Ares is coming to join them. So I ordered my servant to observe Ares's movement, and it seemed he was still in the castle. If he starts to leave the city, I will inform Father and Hyrmr that he is now in charge of the royal soldier."
"Hm, most of these soldiers must have gained their Falna; however, on average they are level one and the highest level three, and his name was 'Daster.' I did hear that name, but where?"
"Daster was an old warrior and skilled general; he had gray hair and a beard with some scars on his face. The weapon he used was just a single sword for a skill still unknown, but I know for certain that he was the most powerful and experienced Rakia warrior."
Loki and Riveria look carefully at the information about a man named Daster in detail, and both can't help but be amazed at how detailed it is.
"Oberon, did you already send this information to my father yet?"
"I hope Riveria-sama is the one who shared this information with King Larfal. It will add more trust and could hide my involvement a bit longer. I don't want Mother and Father worried too much knowing what I did on their back."
"Kuku~ I am sure they both already know it was you. With this much information, at least we can assume that Phobos is indeed telling the truth. However, we can't put aside the soldiers that are massing on the Beol Mountain."
The room went silent for a moment and there was a sign of hesitation written in Oberon to continue.
"So you have a plan for that Oberon?"
Loki asked curiously.
"I- I did have a plan for that Loki-sama. My servant and automaton were already surveying the train, and we found a monster that could be used."
Loki, who just heard that, started to laugh hysterically at how sinister her children's plan was; however, Riveria looked displeased at how Oberon had such a sinister plan in mind.
"Hahaha~ Haa, you always never stop to surprise me, Oberon."
"There is nothing funny about that Loki-sama."
Riveria scolded the goddess.
"Geh, I am sorry."
"Thankfully thanks to your involvement Loki-sama and Riveria-san there is hope to avoid large bloodshed on both sides of course if we succeed in helping goddess Phobos."
"Then we had to put great effort into helping Phobos topple down Ares. I suggest sending one of your servants."
Loki opened her left eye and gazed toward Oberon who just shook his head and denied Loki's proposal.
"No, it should be me. They are strong, yes, but in this mission, strength was not something we needed to topple down Ares. Phobos had the support of average citizens, but he lacked influence on the military and the nobles there, for it needed more than strength to convince them to change their support."
Riveria looks reluctant; however, she well understands there is no better option than Oberon, who is not only strong but his skill of negotiation must be thought of by his father, known to be a good diplomat among the nobles.
"*sigh* You never stop to make me worried, but I will look away from this because it was still..."
There is something noticed by Oberon that from her tone alone it seems Loki already knows how this will end however when Oberon laid his eyes toward Riveria he felt the seet back from her fixed gaze.
"Don't you dare to die where my hands can't reach you."
It does not feel like it was her request to him; instead, it feels like an order to her royal subject. Oberon dropped his knees and bowed his head toward the princess.
"As your command, Princess Riveria."
Riveria then walked toward Oberon put her hand on his shoulder and asked Oberon to stand. We both exchange a short, warm embrace with each other. It was the second time we shared this short embrace, and I started to get familiar with her warmth and pleasant flower-like smell. Loki, who sees this, just silently watches, beaming with a smile. Still, Oberon can't read what is inside her thoughts right now.
After that, Riveria wrote a letter to send to her father with the important intel that my Father could use to stop the Rakia raiders who tried to loot a small village there for my servant tried to help to evacuate non-elves settlement to avoid them being forced to help Rakia.
"Then I will send the letter to Phobos. Did you want to add on something?"
"Nothing more to add Loki-sama. To keep my identity secret as the main condition all I need."
"What you are going do if Ares interrogates you? You did remember that we the gods can detect lies right?"
"It is one of the risks I will deal with and I can rely on Phobo's help."
"Okay, then I will leave you here and if you need me I will be in my room."
"Once again thank you Loki-sama. I am in great debt you have been helping me much."
"Kuku~ I will do anything for my children and if you insist on repaying me. You can give me Hehe, that delicious alcohol of yours."
Oberon was amazed that she already finished drinking that much of the batch that Oberon had already given. It seems that Loki being a heavy drinker was not something as heavy as he thought the normal mortal does.
"*chuckle* sure goddess Loki. *sigh* Siv will need more hands."
"Ah, I almost forgot did you want to update your status?"
"Sure. I am sorry Riveria san can I lie in bed for a moment?"
"Hm, sure and you can use that status paper to see your status."
"Thank you Riveria-san."
Just like before I took off my clothes and only left bear upper body and laid myself on the bed. As Loki rode my back once again I felt the same sensation before when she updated my status I could feel my strength and mana increase.
========
Status (Current)
Oberon Aendryr Wishe
Race: High-Elf
Level: 2
STR: S 914
END: S 950
DEX: S 906
AGI: S 922
MAG: SSS 9999
Magic: Eyes of Dingir
Luck: F
Skill: Heart of Nergal, Breath of Titania, Alberich le fey
Description
The eyes of Dingir: These were magic eyes gifted by the goddess of the underworld Ereshkigal. With his magic eyes, Oberon coldly saw the aura of the mortal. White Aura is described as an innocent mortal that is only had by a baby. Grey aura is mostly found in adults and there is a dark aura that is had by most criminals that already killed an innocent soul.
The Heart of Nergal: a Passive ability influenced by the goddess of the underworld that gives the user the passive ability to absorb the status of any mortal that has a dark aura that was killed by Oberon's hand.
The Breath of Titania: Passive ability that gives increases the healing effectiveness of injury, and curse and gives Oberon resistance to any kind of mental debuff and poison.
Alberich le Fey: Summoned a sword made of light that when summoned the user's injury will be healed instantly and there is still an unknown sealed effect undiscovered.
========
"*phew* At this rate all people's eyes will be much more squaring on you. This rate of speed is unnatural."
"It may have to do with my skill it is possibly a skill named 'The Heart of Nergal', but I don't know how it exactly worked."
"It must be the case and I suggest you within a couple of days before leveling up. The eyes of a mortal may be easy to handle, but the gods are a different story."
Oberon seems to agree with Loki's advice knowing that the gods are already restless about the unnatural speed I have in leveling up and there is still a chance that they will suspicion will tried to connect me as the one is possibly killed Apophis something that Loki and I tried to avoid.
"I will be more careful Loki-sama."
Loki stretched her body for a second even with the minus body she had a great attractiveness of the goddess with her way not the same as Artemis, Freya, and Hephaestus, but her original atractiveness that not many men could understand.
"Hmmm, I need to go back to my room now and don't forget to write your report. Kuku~ I can't wait to read it so make it as interesting and detailed as possible."
"I understand."
I could see that from the windows the sun already went down. The sign of a night will soon come however there is still something Oberon knows he has to do before the day's end.
"I am done with the letter… is something wrong Oberon?"
Riveri followed his gaze outside the windows and now she realized days close become night.
"Nothing that concerning Riveria-san. It just… can I ask you a stupid question Riveria-san?"
Riveria looked puzzled however she replied with a simple nod.
"What would Riveria-san do if someone told you that 'We are fated together by the gods'? Did you just refuse or accept it?"
The princess went blank without expression for a moment and she tried to remember once again the question however it caused a bit of pain that hurt enough Riveria unconsciously pressed her chest with her right hand gently.
"If that were the case I would refuse because it is someone that you are spending your life with and Even if her feelings are genuine it- …unfair just use a prophecy to have someone's affection."
There is a sign of embarrassment clearly from her red cheeks. Oberon's mother did mention that Riveria had never had experience and was hopeless with romance however for some reason always gives incredible advice.
"Unfair… You are right Riveria-san. In truth, I don't want to hear any prophecy about my future. The gods may have their plan, but not in any way I would love someone because of the prophecy of gods."
The same pain has struck her somehow gone hearing Oberon answer.
"I- I see, I am glad to hear, but you have to consider their feeling as well. Remember where you are standing as the elven noble all of our people's eyes are on you they take example."
Just a simple cold smile alone was already a clear warning it was the same exact feeling when he was warned by Artemis. After that short exchange, I knew I had to talk to goddess Artemis once to sort things out before she left in days however before walking left the room, Riveria put her hand gently on my cheek and followed with a warm smile.
"You look tired Oberon, you can take a rest in my room."
"Bu-"
Riveria just pulled Oberon's hand gently unable to resist Oberon laid her body on Riveria's comfy bed.
"I understand there are many things you need to do, but a mind could take so much it will wear down your ability to think clearly. Trust me take a small nap you feel much better… Hmm♪Hm, hmm♪…"
Riveria starts to sing one of the elven songs of lullaby that Oberon is well known because her mother always sang to him whenever she was still a child. With a great gentle Riveria pat on Oberon's head, the warmth like magic makes Oberon unable to resist the to close his eyes.
Just as before Oberon closed his eyes he once again gazed toward Riveria who still humming the song.
"I am so grateful that you are born in this world Oberon."
----
~(Third POV)~
(Splash!)
"Gah, it feels so good!"
Not so far from the Loki Familia manor, Rethusa, and Sera are taking a bath together after the long days they spent fighting almost nonstop a powerful monster. Sera and everyone were given their best to become far stronger, and after they left the dungeon, they could feel a direct effect on their mental and physical bodies.
"We should be thankful to goddess Loki for providing us with such a luxurious Inn."
Rethusa is so pleased with all the service and security; thanks to that, they all can concentrate on exploring the dungeon without any worries about their goddess on the surface.
"I wonder how much progress we had after that grueling fight we had. That Oberon, he was so unforgiving, I almost lost the sensation of my arm thanks to him!"
Sera could understand what Rethusa felt; however, it was a necessary cruelty to increase our strength and resilience.
"Fufu, you will be thankful to him after seeing how much status you gain, Rethusa."
Sera could feel all of the hard work they put in, giving them a tremendous amount of strength, and she could finally increase her level. I just laid my back and tried to relax every bit of my muscle that had become less stiff since we left the dungeon for her. It was not hard or easy, all thanks to Oberon in their party.
His calculation, planning, and understanding of each of their members' abilities make every decision never outside the bounds of each of their abilities. Even when he pushed us to our brink, he always made sure not to endanger our lives in any way.
"*sigh*… How much money did we manage to gather again, Sera?"
"With that much rare material we gathered and the mission we completed, according to Oberon, its value is more than 7 m Valis; it was a rough calculation thought."
We are lucky that thanks to the rare potion material, the price had shot up sky high; however, most crucially, Ortrid's capability to carry large amounts of heavy material was the reason they could gather and carry such large amounts of material.
(splash!)
Rethusa then went to Sera's side, putting her hand on her shoulder, closing without regard to their distance, and Sera could feel Rethusa's breast pressing on her left hand.
"How about we go shopping? We could finally buy something for us and our goddess."
"Hm, that's not a bad idea, but we must get our goddess permission first."
Orario now is safe according to Oberon; at least most of the crowd is thanks to the Evilus now being suppressed so hard that they start to hide their activity; however, there is still an anxious feeling creeping on her knowing that the vice-captain of Apophis is still not captured yet.
Rethusa, seeing Sera's changing expression becomes grim, splashes her face with warm water.
"You and Oberon are always whenever consumed by your thoughts. Worrying about the future is okay, but don't let such things restrain you from being happy."
"… I guess you are right. I think I need a new dress for me and my friend back home."
"*chuckle* That's the spirit. Then let me wash your red hair."
Rethusa and I did have the same hair color; however, I had a far darker red color compared to her. Still, when we first met, we immediately became close friends.
"Hey, Sera. What do you think of Oberon?"
That sudden question started to ring in my ears like a shock that penalized my ability to reason and made me start to stutter and shake uncontrollably.
"W-what do you ask me that?!"
"Haha~ you think I did not notice it? You make it so painfully obvious you did feel to him; well, I am not going to blame you because I did almost feel the same, and even Atalanta, who had known who disliked man, started to feel to him! He was the kind of man every girl wanted: responsible, handsome, good at cooking, and intelligent. You could see yourself right when we walked through the crowd; many girls tried to catch his attention."
Seeing her mute reaction, Rethusa starts to sigh.
"I just want to know there will be many rivals; if you like him, you have to make your move, and we are going to leave Orario soon."
"It's not that simple, Rethusa, he... Oberon is not a normal elf; he is a high elf. If he had some kind of relationship with the mere human, he would be seen as a traitor by his people, and his dream to build trust in his people would all become only ruble if he lost his people's trust."
Rethusa then patted Sera's head gently to comfort her friend.
"You are not a mare human, 'Sera Rufus Fultone; you are the queen who rules over your land!"
Sera just shook her head and said.
"A queen without a crown and throne is not a queen, Rethusa. Every other country thought me already dead and burned to ashes... I am no noble at Rethusa."
Sera said with a shaken tone in her very voice and soul.
"You know, before I became the captain of Artemis Familia, the captain before me's name was 'Leith.' She was a beautiful girl who fell in love just like you, but she couldn't be honest about her feelings because of the rule... Then day after day it took place in her. She starts regretting her decision, and her mind is consumed by regret till she can't lead Artemis Familia... Even now, when we visit, her gentle smile never returns."
Rethusa then stares directly at Sera's watery eyes.
"I don't want you to suffer the same thing Sera so I ask you once again did you Love him?"
Sera tried to hold back her tears however her struggle was in vain. Sera started to shake and hug her friend tightly while crying uncomely.
"I- did love him, but I don't want to be another burden to him… *hick* I don't know what to do Rethusa… *hick*Haaa."
It was like every pain she had suppressed all went to her cry that echoed throughout the room. Everyone who heard Sera cry could feel the pain that her heart had kept in herself; however, unknown to Sera, there was a goddess who heard all the conversation between Sera and Rethusa.
"Artemis-sama."
Sera's tears stopped when she turned her head, and seeing the goddess with blue hair just stood silently.
"Sera, after you finish cleaning yourself, meet me in my room, and Rethusa, you can go with others to shopping with Iduun."
I don't know why the goddess Artemis wants her present. Sera just nods with a slight hesitation. As Artemis leaves the room, Sera gazes at her friend, who looks apologetic.
"I am sorry, Sera; it's my goddess request. Artemis will help you, I promise."
After both finished cleaning up, Sera and Rethusa went separate ways with goddess Iduun, who weirdly just smiled and let her go with goddess Artemis. It must have happened behind the scenes that she was not aware of, but Rethusa's reassurance gave a bit of ease.
----
Orario City is already brimming with nightlight, and the people are still walking around, consumed by their thoughts; some pay attention to the goddess Artemis. The goddess wore a white, pale blue outfit, long brown boots with a light brown design, a belt, in which she kept a piece of white cloth and a dagger, gold bracelets, and various gold hair accessories, on her right hand a wooden bow with an almost transparent string. It truly gives the aura of a true goddess of hunters intimidating any foe who tries to get close to her.
"My apologies, Sera, for ear-dropping your conversation. I ordered Rethusa to help reveal your true feelings about Oberon."
The goddess showed the same apologetic Rethusa showed to her. Knowing that Sera's face starts to turn bright red and knowing her cry and confession are being heard by the goddess, the goddess who faces directly toward Sera can't help but giggle seeing Sera's face turn red.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about confessing your love... Oberon indeed has a big responsibility he carries on his shoulders. Like responsibility to protect his people, friends, family, and now his familia. It's natural for us who care about him to don't want to add more burden to him."
"… So what Oberon said was true."
"Ara~ he already told you fufu. I am glad he started to be more honest. Yes, I indeed love him, Sera, but it's not only me; other goddesses already feel his charm. *sigh* Such a sinful man he was; however, we both know it was not his fault."
Artemis's smile slowly faded away, and they both sat on a park bench.
"I know your secret and Oberon. His recklessness is almost like the gods' arrogance. He throws away not only his life for others but his very soul. I don't know how and why he behaved as such. I am worried about his way of throwing his life so easily, Sera."
Sera can feel the desperation in the goddess's voice, like a mother who is afraid of their son's behavior causing them harm.
"His abnormal strengths are matched with his reckless behavior, Artemis-sama. Orstrid did tell me the same struggle she felt about his master nature, so the same with his mother, but I learned one thing at the time we spent together: he was not stupidly reckless; he calculated reckless type."
Artemis cheers up a bit hearing Sera's remark.
"I guess you are right—that one thing of character written in his very heart. Still knowing that you still fell for him with that troubling trait he has, Sera?"
The goddess asked Sera with the gaze directly on her very eyes; without any hesitation, she answered.
"Still not sure it was one of his flaws because that very flaw saved my homeland."
Artemis with a fixed reaction sighs. Sera, who sees the goddess, can't read what exactly she feels. Artemis went silent as she thought hard for her next words.
"Oberon, from the start, don't want to start any romantic relationship; you realize it right from the start, Sera?"
"I am well aware of it, and I understand why."
"It was my selfish reason to force him to make the decision, and that is why I still forgive him for not giving a clear answer. He already had many things that occupied his mind, and the burden he carried from the look of it little by little will take effect on him."
"If Artemis knew such truth, why did Artemis-sama confest to Oberon?"
"At first, I want to test how he reacts as a man when a woman confesses her feelings. I just want to know the Orion reaction, and what I found shook me to the core, Sera."
"What does Artemis-sama see?"
The auras surrounding the goddess are filled with sadness, and the goddess embraces herself with both arms and tries to subside her shivering body.
"It was fear. The same fear I was looking at the animal showed on the face of the hunter when they faced a certain death."
Sera is being set back to this revelation, and her mind is racing to think about the reason that Oberon felt fear for a man who did not fear the god's wrath nor a monster a hundred meters tall, a snakelike monster summoned by the gods.
"Is Artemis-sama not mistaken?"
Artemis tried to calm herself and shook her head.
"It was what I saw, Sera; my eyes and instinct did not deceive me at all... There is something he hides from us and probably his family to Sera. By confessing my love to him and making it clear to him, at least he knows there is someone who loves him for what he is and I want to be his ally. Maybe one day he can open that wound of his to me or maybe someone like you Sera who loves him."
The atmosphere around the goddess turns into sorrow and sadness.
"What is it somethin' he tried to bury Artemis-sama?"
Artemis shook her head, followed by a heavy sigh from the goddess.
"I don't know Sera. I could feel it if I pushed him to reveal it; he would go far away from my embrace. Just imagine that it crushed my heart, stopping to push him too much. Oberon maybe tried to put on a mask to hide something from us, but I know at least his care for us is genuine, and probably we should leave that to him to decide to share it with us."
Sera can feel the great frustration the goddess felt in her voice. Artemis then laid her gaze toward Sera and gently took both of her hands. Sera couldn't feel the typical smooth palm of a normal woman; instead, it was thought probably because of her time as the goddess of the hunt; however, Sera could still feel the warmth and gentle touch of a caring woman.
"Hestia one of my close friends told me that love is not a competition, but instead a gift. At first, I didn't understand what she meant by that however now I can clearly understand what she meant when I feel it first hand."
Artemis remarks with a smile toward Sera who looks more than ever filled with new determination.
"We should let him decide, and respect his choice, whatever it may be because I know that Artemis-sama wants to see Oberon happy more than anything else. I want my love not to become his burden."
The goddess's grip becomes tighter on Sera's hand, with a bit of a faint smile on her goddess; however, before the goddess continues so far, a woman closes her distance, walking toward them.
"My~ is it that you, Artemis?"
The one who greeted them was a beautiful, mature woman with long, wavy, golden honey-colored hair and orange eyes. Sera did meet her before when she came to greet them on the days they arrived in Orario.
"Demeter? What are you doing here?"
Artemis called the goddess's name with a bit of confusion in her voice.
"I want to stretch my leg a bit knowing Orario is much safer at night. I don't want to miss the chance to enjoy this city at night while I can... ~Ara, is that you, Sera?"
Just as she called Sera's name, she went to her and, out of nowhere, embraced Sera closely to her chest.
(Pyon!)
"W-wh Demeter-sama!"
Sera could feel something enormous and soft, followed by a smell of sweet honey mixed with milk that overwhelmed Sera's senses; it started to take a toll on her heart rate.
"Demeter, it's enough. Don't play too much with Iduun, beloved child."
Just as Artemis orders her, Demeter starts to release Sera, who looks hardly able to stand and tries to gather back her senses.
"Fufu, my apologies; she looks so cute, so I can't help it."
"*sigh* You have not changed a bit. Did you need anything from me, Demeter? Though I am busy right now."
"Just as I said, I am just stretching my body a bit, and the air at night is pretty refreshing, so when I find you sitting while holding hands with Iduun child, I am just saying hi. Although I could see there was a cloud in your eyes, is something happening? As a friend, I will do anything to help."
"Thank you, but not this one, Demeter. Let's go, Sera."
"Eh! S-sure."
Artemis then leaves Demeter without looking back.
"Hmm, I never thought you from all will experience such. Fufu~ I pray for your success."
Sera still gazed back toward the goddess Demeter, who waved her hand toward us, while Artemis just walked forward without looking back.
"Artemis-sama, where are we heading?"
"I want you to meet someone. She just looks like you, Sera. Before we left Orario we had to build our common ground."
Without Artemis and Sera knowing they both had been observed by someone.
"Nya Freya-sama will not so happy hearing this nya~."
Anya had been ordered by her goddess to spy on Artemis for the past day thanks to her complete change of character of the goddess Artemis lately. Anya just can't help to sigh silently and watch both girls. At first, she is hesitant to share this information with her goddess knowing that goddess Artemis already had her hand on Oberon because she was aware of goddess Freya's Obsession with Oberon.
"… Mia-san what should I do."