(Titus's POV)
Bifrost energy wasn't your average fire, water, or light show. This mythical power, born from Scandinavian lore, hummed different. Dwarves used it to craft legendary weapons, elves wove it into nature's magic, and gods wielded it to solidify their rule.
Versatile, sure, but there was a catch. Each user could only tap into one specific aspect of Bifrost. Lock in, and your body channeled it for that singular purpose. Nobody, except for one: Odin, the Allfather.
He defied the limitation. He built the Rainbow Bridge between realms, conjured crackling lightning, and etched powerful runes – all with Bifrost. And if Odin could bend the rules, well, so could I.
After all, I wasn't just any mortal. I held the Eye of Odin, and (Nordic Chief God's Spirit), I basically housed the Norse big cheese inside me. Bifrost mastery was mine for the taking.
So, here I was, attempting to unlock it. And progress? You bet.
Crack!
Purple sparks danced on my palms, starting as tiny flickers and growing into miniature bolts of lightning. I pushed the magical energy further, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
"Hmm, Chidori or Kirin… nah, too anime for this serious moment." Shaking my head, I dispersed the crackling spark with a sigh.
"Takeru-sama, seems you're not quite satisfied," Tamamo's voice drifted over, her three fox tails swaying like flags announcing the divided spirit of Amaterasu within her.
"A little," I admitted. "Progress, yeah, but not enough to zap the chief god like Zeus into the ground."
At level 86, with all my enhanced stats and abilities, I felt confident enough to face high-ranking gods like Ares. Yet, I was still no match for the trinity gods—Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus—who were likely at level 100. It's said that anyone above level 90 is in a league of their own, where ten warriors at level 89 might struggle against a single level 90 combatant. That's the vast gap individuals above level 90 can bridge.
"I hate to admit it, but you're right. Gods are far more powerful than we imagined. It's the people's unwavering faith that bolsters their divinity, putting them on par with their mythological origins."
Tamamo's insight infuriated me. The Whore of Babylonia, the Beast of Humanity, was involved.
"Yes, that scoundrel," Tamamo spat, her face twisting in revulsion and fury.
After speaking with Aphrodite, it was clear Draco was in the Greece dreamshift, likely having struck a deal with Zeus. This placed me squarely on Zeus's radar, hinting at a potential confrontation with one of the trinity gods and jeopardizing my mission.
"If only I could regain my tails—"
"There's no need," I cut her off, refusing to let Tamamo sacrifice herself for me. I couldn't bear to see her endure the horrors of her past again.
Tamamo hesitated, then a grin spread across her face. "But isn't Takeru-sama always sacrificing for others?"
"It's different. I have responsibilities—"
Suddenly, Tamamo drew my face close, her gaze piercing. "I've noticed you've become quite selfish and paranoid. Do you think your companions would be happy seeing you suffer?"
"But... I won't change my path," I insisted, "That's my determination."
Tamamo's intense stare lingered before she sighed and turned to gaze at the sky. "Takeru-sama, you need time. Your resolve is still superficial. And if you won't stop sacrificing for others, don't expect me to stop sacrificing for you."
I felt a twinge of annoyance, but then I empathized with Tamamo, realizing how frustrating it must be to see your loved ones burdened with all the weight.
I sighed, looking at Tamamo. She attempted to maintain a brave facade but kept stealing glances at me, checking if I was angry. I smirked and teasingly lifted her by her tail.
"M-mikon? Goshojun-sama, what are you doing?" Tamamo blushed, her serious divine spirit persona melting away.
"If you're going to put on a brave face, at least do it properly," I grinned, planting a kiss on Tamamo's cheek. "Well, if you're up for it, there's a task only you can handle."
"Hehe, I'm happy to oblige," Tamamo chuckled. We discussed my next plans before parting ways.
I then made my way to a plain field where Scathach was teaching martial arts to adults and teens. While there were some women present, the majority were men. You might wonder how I could leave my woman alone with so many men, fearing one might try to flirt with Scathach. But you needn't worry. Scathach knew how to handle men who overstepped their bounds.
Approaching Scathach in her battle armor, I found it difficult to focus when she wore such a tight suit, a fact she was well aware of.
"Everything going well, shishou?" I inquired.
"So far, so good," Scathach smirked. "Say, isn't another legendary warrior residing in these lands?"
She referred to Chiron, the wise centaur who trained Atalanta, Heracles, and many other Greek heroes, including Achilles. As a fellow mentor of warriors, Scathach wished to meet with Chiron, but it seemed impossible.
"Sorry, but I can't let you meet him for the time being. There's a high chance Zeus could learn about our servants," I explained.
Servants are made of pure magical energy, and any senior god with sufficient knowledge could identify a servant at first glance.
"That's okay. Just mentioning it," Scathach said with a smile, then gave me a thorough look-over. "So, when will you start the orgy?"
"I'll see you soon," I replied, waving goodbye as I left. I was mindful of Atalanta's choice to protect her chastity and wanted to respect her wishes. I didn't want her to feel left out or envious because she chose not to engage physically like the rest of my companions but Scathach was making my wish a little difficult.
Next, I cast a clairvoyance spell to check on my other servants. Jack and Artoria were reinforcing barriers and tweaking the security of the Sanctuary. Boudica and Atalanta were preparing lunch for all the children. Siegfried and Cu Chulainn's locations were traced back to a nearby brothel.
Since I had restricted my men from engaging in sexual relationships, their options were limited to marriage or visiting brothels. Since my male servants couldn't really marry, their only outlet was to visit such places. I started to consider summoning Kriemhild and Aoife as well.
Then, I made my way to the main playground, where all the children I had rescued were playing. A cozy and fresh wind rustled the leaves, and birdsong added a touch of paradise to the scene. There was no pollution or war here—only love and warmth.
"I wish I could stay in this place forever," I murmured, taking in a deep breath of fresh air before glancing at the blue screen before me.
[Children saved: 54/100]
After the first few months since my arrival, progress had been slow. I had thought finding lost souls would be easier, but the situation wasn't as straightforward as I had hoped.
As I continued my stroll around the Sanctuary, my attention was drawn to an individual sitting alone near the garden, observing the children at play. Initially suspecting he might be a miscreant, my concerns were dispelled as I approached and realized he appeared to be a 15-year-old teen, visibly distraught and shedding tears. However, the closer I got, the more bewildered I became.
'Holy shhh… what the fuck is this?' I thought, taken aback by his unusual appearance. Despite having a youthful face with a round nose and childlike features, his physique was that of a fully grown, exceptionally muscular adult. AND HE WAS FREAKING JACKED!
Concerned, I approached him. "What's wrong, child? Why are you crying?" I asked, striving to offer comfort despite his intimidating appearance, reminiscent of a seasoned Viking.
"T-they won't play with me. They called me a monster when I asked to join," he sobbed, his face a mess of tears and snot as he pointed towards a group of children playing some distance away. His appearance was indeed fearsome, like a creature from tales told to frighten children, and his voice bore a striking resemblance to Cu Chulainn's.
"Why not play with children your own age?" I inquired gently, wiping away his tears. He seemed to calm down a bit at the gesture.
"I am... I am only 5 years old," he replied, leaving me utterly astounded.
He's five? I quickly utilized my skills to verify his age and, to my astonishment, he was indeed telling the truth. But there was more; he was a demigod.
"And your name?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"I am... Orion," he said, his voice small.
I was left speechless. Orion, the legendary hunter from Greek mythology and the Grand Archer of the Nasuverse, was here before me in the Sanctuary. It was hard to believe that such a future warrior had appeared in our midst. According to legend, Orion had captivated the Moon Goddess Artemis, who had wished to elevate him to Olympus. However, Orion's refusal led to a tragic demise, and Artemis placed him among the stars as a constellation. During winter, his belt, marked by three bright stars, becomes visible in the night sky. He was also the son of Poseidon.
"By the way, Lord Hippomenes, what are those things on the red-haired lady's chest?" Orion asked, pointing at Boudica from a distance.
"Those are breasts," I replied.
"Wow, they look lovely. I'd like to nestle my face in them," Orion exclaimed.
"I feel the same," I said with a smirk, unable to argue. Tamamo, Scathach, and Boudica all have an impressive pair of breasts, yet I haven't had the chance to enjoy them.
I should have scolded Orion, but instead, a mischievous idea popped into my head.
"Really? What if I told you that you could enjoy them?"
"Really?" he asked, eyes wide with excitement.
"Yes. Soon, you'll meet a beautiful lady with white hair and large breasts. But you'll need to be a strong and skilled hunter," I explained.
Orion's eyes sparkled with determination.
"Really? Then I will become a great hunter! Lord Hippomenes, please take me under your wing!" Orion exclaimed, bouncing around me. It was quite an odd sight, seeing such a large man behave like a child.
"I can't personally train you, but I know someone who can," I responded, then called for Atalanta.
Upon her arrival, Atalanta turned pale. "What in the world is that thing?!" she exclaimed in shock.
As I had anticipated. I then explained the situation about Orion to Atalanta. The moment she learned Orion was merely five years old, her demeanor softened. I requested that Atalanta teach Orion her skills in archery and hunting, to which she agreed without hesitation.
"Let's go, little one," Atalanta said with a smile, leading Orion away.
"This is going to be interesting," I mused with a smirk. Orion wasn't listed in my mission panel, indicating I hadn't summoned him in the Moon Cell. Initially, I was reluctant to change history too much, but now I saw an opportunity to use this situation to my advantage.