"Van-kun."
As the carriage vanished from view, Artemis called my name, her voice cutting through the air like a gentle breeze. Before I could respond, she continued, "Let's talk for a moment."
She walked past me and settled onto the stone bricks surrounding a tree, patting the space beside her, clearly inviting me to join her. Without hesitation, I sat down next to her.
"I've agreed to let you stay in my Familia and train you for five years, but I won't bless you with falna. Allowing you to remain with us is already a breach of the rules I established. Is that acceptable to you?" Artemis said, her gaze soft yet serious.
If I still had my Arcanum, I could have simply turned you into a woman and made you one of my huntresses.
I pondered her words for a moment before replying, completely unaware of the horror behind her thoughts.
"Yes, I understand. I'm already asking a lot by being allowed to stay, so I can't really complain. Thank you very much, Artemis-sama."
A soft smile graced her lips, but just as she opened her mouth to speak, I interjected. "—And I also want to apologize."
Artemis blinked in confusion, her expression momentarily lost. Was I apologizing for breaking her rules? If so, it was unnecessary—after all, I was still just a child. I wasn't the first male child they had temporarily cared for; they often took in kids without families, providing shelter until they could be placed in an orphanage.
But maybe because my situation was bit different? After all, I was staying for five years.
Before she could voice her thoughts, I interrupted again.
"—After all, After all, knowing Zeus-sama's ways with women, he must have used subtle threats involving Alfia's name, taking advantage of her affection for me. He likely recounted the tragic stories of Bell and my parents, among others who perished, to evoke sympathy.
He must have used Bell too, showing a pained expression as he gazed sadly at the baby. By then, your Captain would have been ensnared, determined to let me stay. With mixed feelings about Zeus-sama's veiled threats and the tragic tale, Artemis-sama would have felt compelled by Zoë-san's urging.
Ultimately, you decided to let me stay out of sympathy and perhaps to avoid provoking Alfia, given her notorious violent tendencies. Am I correct, Artemis-sama?"
I laid out my assumptions with a blank expression, seemingly unperturbed. For the first time since my arrival in this world, I spoke at length.
In truth, I had wanted to tease or perhaps impress her a little. I had fallen in love with the Artemis character in the *Danmachi* movie in my past life. Even after three years of reincarnation, my feelings for her had rekindled, becoming more real now that I lived in this so-called anime world.
Meanwhile, Artemis remained frozen, still processing what a three-year-old had just said.
She tilted her head, blinking repeatedly in confusion. She tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she opened and closed her mouth, completely bewildered.
I, meanwhile, distracted myself by playing with a fallen leaf, lost in thought.
After a minute, Artemis took a deep breath, eyes closed and hands resting on her chest. When she opened her eyes, she looked at me with a hint of suspicion.
"Van-kun? I don't mean to be rude, but are you truly just three years old? You know far too many complex words and make accurate assumptions—traits not typical for a child your age. So, are you really just a three-year-old human child and not some kind of Pallum already in adulthood?"
I deadpanned at her question but quickly shook my head. I couldn't blame her for thinking that; I had ceased pretending to be a child prodigy when my mother died and had started speaking more like a teenager.
"I'm still three. I just read some books earlier than most kids my age."
Technically, I hadn't lied; I really was only three years old in this world and had read more than my peers. Thus, Artemis wouldn't detect any falsehood in my words, though a sliver of doubt remained in her mind.
"Anyway, it seems my children have finished buying what we needed, so get your things ready. We're leaving now." Artemis quickly shifted the topic, standing to check on her children.
*Sigh.*
I sighed after she left, lowering my head and clutching my chest as my heart raced. Taking several deep breaths, I tried to calm myself.
Damn… She's too beautiful, and sitting so close made me catch a whiff of her floral fragrance. It was intoxicating.
My cheeks flushed, and I felt disgusted with myself for such thoughts. I quickly removed my hand from my chest and covered my face in shame.
Damn it! I hate myself for this.
After a few moments, I composed myself again, sighing as I tried to suppress my emotions. I watched the leaves sway gently above, a hint of realization dawning in my eyes.
It seemed I had subconsciously leaned on her presence to cope with my depression.
Sigh… I really miss my mom right now. I could use her hug and a pat on the head…
Pushing those thoughts away, I forced myself to maintain a blank expression as I walked toward the Artemis Familia.
Now that Alfia was gone, I could check the system later when I was alone. It had been weeks since I had even glanced at it, too cautious to do so. I still didn't know if opening it would alter my body or grant me new powers that could change my appearance. Alfia was perceptive; she would notice any shifts in me.
I had read too many stories about systems giving beginner's packs that transformed bodies based on the gifts received.
I hoped my system would grant me a cheat and not some twisted quest.
Sighing again, I recalled web novels where protagonists faced absurd quests and terrifying punishments—like a man's little brother shrinking to one inch for failing a ludicrous task. Some systems even forced humiliating quests.
The thought made me shiver. Please, let my system be normal.
Oh Lord, please don't abandon this poor lamb.
With that final thought, I quickly entered the inn to fetch my backpack, the weight of uncertainty pressing heavily on my shoulders. The journey ahead was shrouded in mystery, but I steeled my heart, prepared to face whatever challenges awaited me within the Familia of Artemis.
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A/N: English is not my native language, so please do forgive me if there's any issues.