"Strange, why can't I catch up?"
Ten minutes into the chase, Suren's expression grew puzzled as he watched the deer munching on fruit nearby. With a speed fast enough to outrun a shooting star, he should have caught up with the creature by now. If anyone knew he couldn't even catch a single deer, it would be a serious blow to his reputation as the Emperor of Greece!
It seemed he'd have to use a faster, stronger approach.
Summoning Aurum Altissimum, Suren didn't ready his bow but instead prepared to give chase.
This Aurum Altissimum was also an ultra-fast vehicle, capable of reaching the speed of light in short bursts—there was no way he couldn't catch the deer with it!
In the next moment, Suren, now streaking forward as a flash of golden light atop Aurum Altissimum, shot straight toward the deer. Just as he was about to grab it, however, the deer vanished, reappearing some distance away as if it had teleported.
Suren was now certain—if this deer isn't a god, I'll eat my own Aurum Altissimum!
"But who could it be?" Suren thought deeply. "It can't be Lady Artemis, right? She's supposed to be… working down by the River Styx, isn't she?"
Thinking back, Suren remembered seeing Artemis on several occasions while visiting the Underworld. Every time he'd run into her, she'd pile her work into his hands with reckless abandon.
Her habit of doing this left Suren feeling both embarrassed and a bit helpless. The worst part was that, after he took her offerings, he'd simply leave, which gave him a powerful sense of déjà vu.
If he went to the Underworld and purposely avoided her, Artemis would probably end up in tears, wouldn't she?
With these thoughts floating through his mind, Suren lost interest in catching the deer. He followed it at a leisurely pace, figuring it was clearly leading him somewhere intentionally and that there was no need to rush.
---
Meanwhile, in a hidden cave with a hot spring deep within the forest, where no god could easily find them, Athena stood before Artemis, wielding a weapon that resembled a staff more than a spear.
"Artemis, will you go to the Underworld yourself, or shall I escort you there?"
Athena looked at Artemis, who was trying to pull a fast one, with a half-smile, chuckling inwardly. Really, with such cheap tricks, she thought she could fool the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena?
Gritting her teeth, Artemis spat out, "Athena, don't push me!"
"Artemis, I'm the chief architect of this plan!"
Athena was about to banish Artemis back to her post when she suddenly paused, frowning as she sensed something from Suren's direction.
Suren was spot on—the deer was indeed the creation of a god, an extension of Artemis herself, imbued with her essence and power.
The plan had been to lead Suren to this secluded cave and have him join her in the hot springs to, well, bond a little. This hidden gem, a treasure even the gods had overlooked, had been preserved by the goddess of the wilds herself, using her divine power to conceal it. However, Athena's relentless pressure had unexpectedly activated a strange sort of rebound mechanism, prompting Artemis to act rather recklessly.
"Suren! My Suren! You're finally here to see me, waaah…"
Deep in the forest, Suren hadn't gotten far before he was tackled head-on by a certain white-haired goddess who crossed the line.
"…Whoa, what're you doing?" Suren barely managed to keep his footing as he was nearly knocked off balance. Fortunately, his training kept him grounded.
After steadying himself, Suren finally looked up to see who'd barreled into him.
"Lady Artemis?!"
Suren was stunned. No wonder that hit felt so powerful. It nearly knocked me over, and my physique has been acknowledged by Zeus's lightning! Turns out, I just got hit with the weight of an actual goddess.
At this moment, Artemis was clinging tightly to Suren's waist, sobbing. "Waaah~ Suren, I'm so exhausted! Some mean woman keeps bullying me… my body feels so heavy, and my chest is so big it just drags me down…"
Artemis's words were a complete mess. She probably hadn't even registered what she was saying herself.
But Suren understood.
He gently stroked her soft, silky white hair, his voice warm and reassuring. "You've worked hard, Lady Artemis. From now on, let me take care of you."
All this time, Artemis had poured her heart into Suren with one-sided devotion. It was as if she'd never asked for anything in return—or perhaps what she wanted was something Suren dared not delve into.
For someone like Suren, who had never experienced such close contact with a woman, his first impression of Artemis was… soft.
The goddess in his arms was incredibly soft, like an oversized pillow. But within her seemingly delicate frame was a power as vast as a natural disaster.
This was Artemis's divine body. Even without a trace of divine power, her physical strength alone far surpassed that of countless Heroic Spirits.
After all, to Artemis, any saint graph or class was a downgrade. Even a Grand Saint Graph would be inferior when compared to a true, unadulterated god.
"Lady Artemis, may I ask… what happened?" Suren was a bit puzzled. Artemis, one of the twelve Olympians, goddess of the moon and the hunt—who would dare bully her to this point?
The audacity! Who would do such a thing?!
"I don't want to be down by the River Styx… I just wanted to come find you here in Greece."
Artemis clung to Suren for quite a while, drawing in as much of his energy as she could, before shyly admitting, "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you…"
Though Artemis had been exiled to the River Styx by Athena, she still held divine connections on Olympus. Her brother, Apollo, was especially well-informed among the main gods.
Even if she was a bit naïve, Artemis had her ways of keeping up with Greece's goings-on.
Especially since she'd specifically asked Apollo to keep an eye on Suren and let her know if anything important happened.
After witnessing Suren's indomitable spirit standing against Zeus's lightning, even the usually stubborn Apollo had shifted his view, transforming from a critic to an ardent supporter of Suren. He'd gladly agreed to help his sister, Artemis.
In Apollo's view, with his sweet, slightly clueless sister no longer bound by her oath, it was only right for him to help his family achieve her heart's desire.
Athena, Hestia, it didn't matter—no one could compete with the Moon Tribe!
Full support for Artemis—charge forward!
But after a surge of encouragement, Apollo calmed himself. He realized that Suren had never actually seen Artemis as anything more than a dear friend. To change that, it would be up to Artemis to take some decisive action.
Luckily for her, Suren had been raised with a profound affection for Cynthia, Artemis's guise as a red-furred hind. The fact that he still hadn't connected Artemis to that little deer gave her a unique advantage. If he had, she'd have no chance at all.
Adding to Apollo's growing concern was Hestia's recent bold act. She had risked punishment by sharing her sacred flame with Suren, a decision that could even lead to her execution if Zeus chose to take offense.
As the Goddess of the Olympian Flame, Hestia would not have been unaware of the danger she faced. And yet, even with that knowledge, she had resolved to put Suren's well-being above her own safety.
Only then did the other gods realize that this unassuming goddess had been secretly smitten with Suren, and had even managed to gain the upper hand over Artemis.
If Artemis didn't act quickly, she'd end up as a heartbroken guest at Hestia and Suren's wedding, tearfully insisting "I was here first!" while drunkenly causing a scene…
And after their first son was born, if he ever asked about Artemis, Suren might answer casually, "Who, Artemis? Just an old friend, nothing more!"
The very thought was horrifying!
As Artemis's brother, Apollo could already see his future going down the drain.
Whether for his own peace of mind or for his sweet but oblivious sister's love life, Apollo was desperate for Artemis to make a breakthrough, beating Hestia at her own game.
To that end, he'd "accidentally" shared his suspicions through a poorly-disguised prophecy, hoping it would light a fire under Artemis.
From here on, it was all up to her.
Artemis, go get him!
---
"So, what important thing did you want to tell me? By the way, are you hungry? Let's grab a meal first!" Suren feigned ignorance, although he was well aware of Artemis's intentions.
In truth, he didn't harbor romantic feelings for Artemis, and there were some things that simply couldn't be forced.
Yet refusing a goddess wasn't as simple as turning down a mortal woman. After all, aside from Hestia, every Olympian goddess was notoriously vindictive!
Offend one of them, and you'd soon find yourself hit by a divine curse.
Artemis, in particular, was as petty as they came. Throughout mythology, she'd done little else besides punish disrespectful kings or curse those she deemed unworthy.
He could almost imagine it: If I upset Artemis, she might turn me into a wild boar or something.
"By the way, Ar—" Suren began, only for Artemis to interrupt, saying, "I give you permission, when we're alone, to call me by my true name—Diana."
She was being generous enough to gift him a future divine title: "Goddess of the Moon. How do you like the sound of that?"
"Oh, um, yes—it's lovely."
Suren agreed readily, but her next words left him speechless.
With a playful glint in her eye, Artemis asked, "Suren, what do you think about our child having that name?"
By a certain hot spring, a girl's sharp gaze softened, only for her eyes to narrow, her once cheerful expression cooling into a frosty stare. The surrounding steam seemed to crystallize, as if freezing in response to her mood.
So, besides the curve-cutting Hestia, now he had to contend with this unpredictable moon goddess too?
Alright, fine! If that's how you want to play, Artemis… just you wait!
But then again…
Whether through shortcuts or unorthodox strategies, all of that was merely a distraction. I am the Goddess of Wisdom, and I'll show you impulsive little lovebirds what true strategy looks like.
Confession?
Ha! That's an act for fools. As a goddess, one must uphold dignity.
Besides, you all clearly don't understand Suren at all!
Suren would definitely reject her!—
Huh?
Even the usually quick-witted Suren was stunned; his mind blanked. How was he supposed to answer that?
If he agreed, Artemis would only press forward, pushing him to make a commitment—like when they'd start trying for that child…
If he disagreed, she could easily demand he come up with a name instead. Traditionally, a child's name was chosen by the parents, so if he rejected hers, the responsibility would fall to him.
And if he tried to dismiss the idea altogether, Artemis would definitely, without question, ensure that any child they had was undeniably his!
Doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom!
She'd cornered him with a simple question, this sweetly oblivious goddess leaving him with no escape.
"Suren? Suren…"
Her soft voice echoed in his ears, snapping him back to reality. Suren grabbed her by the shoulders, giving her a vigorous shake. "You're not really Lady Artemis—who are you?!"
The Artemis he knew wasn't this clever!!!
…
His attempt at humor hadn't swayed her; it seemed Artemis was set on making Suren fall for her—or, failing that, forcing him to submit and be dragged back to the Underworld… as her beloved, of course.
At that moment, Suren finally understood her unwavering resolve. Casting aside any wishful thinking, his expression grew serious.
"Ar… Diana. You don't need to say anything more. I understand your feelings, but you should also know my decision."
He left room for gentleness, but there was no hiding the finality in his words. His refusal took the gods observing the scene by surprise.
Suren actually rejected the goddess of the moon's love?!
Despite turning down many remarkable women in the past—heroes like Atalanta or even Europa, mother of Europe—none of the gods had been particularly shocked.
After all, those were just mortals.
But for Suren to resist the charm of a goddess, holding his ground with clear and rational resolve…
The gods found themselves looking at Suren in a new light. Artemis, meanwhile, gazed up at him, her eyes flickering with emotions even he couldn't decipher.
After an eternity, Artemis suddenly broke into laughter. "Oh, lighten up~ I was just teasing you, Suren. Are you hungry? Let's get something to eat!"
"Diana, I have something to attend to, so why don't you go on ahead?" Suren reached into his pouch and placed a gold coin in Artemis's hand, warming her cold fingertips with the gentle touch of his own. Smiling, he added, "In the human world, everything needs a little of this…"
"This is a small memento I brought back from the Underworld. Persephone insisted I keep it…"
Gold and silver were hidden beneath the earth, so as ruler of the Underworld, Hades was often seen as the god of wealth. Despite its barren landscape, the Underworld was one of the wealthiest realms, though money was rarely of use there.
Artemis kept her sweet, gentle smile as she accepted the coin, but as she turned to leave, Suren felt a sharp chill lingering from her touch, an icy tinge that seeped into his palm.
He watched her retreat, her every step precise, measured, lacking the playful bounce she'd had moments before. Suren bit his lip, feeling a tangle of emotions stirring within him.
Though she hadn't flown into a rage and cursed him on the spot, nor transformed him into a boar or deer, he realized that the thoughts of goddesses were best left unexplored. Until that day, he'd never suspected Artemis harbored feelings for him. It was a rather overwhelming… surprise.
Wandering aimlessly, Suren eventually found himself at the entrance to Athena's hidden cave.
It was no coincidence; Artemis had intended to lead him here, after all, and he hadn't gone far.
He stared in amazement as he spotted the goddess preparing for a bath. "Lady Athena? Fancy meeting you here!"
If this wasn't fate, what was? (Definitely fate!)
Had he kept quiet, Athena would have likely already shed her toga. But Suren's startled greeting kept her from disrobing any further.
"Suren, what brings you here?" Athena sighed almost imperceptibly—perhaps it was merely his imagination. She smiled and said, "We seem fated to meet."
"…Lady Athena, are you here on a visit to the mortal world as well?"
Suren greeted her politely, showing no trace of the turmoil within him. Casually, he reached into his cloak and withdrew a piece of wood, placing it before Athena.
It was a fragment from the bow of the Argo, the ship left unguarded when all the heroes went ashore to resupply and gather wood. Seizing the opportunity, Suren had taken a small piece as a memento.
He'd had no other choice. With the heroes so full of boundless energy, duels aboard the ship were common, with both he and Heracles challenged frequently.
Fortunately, Atalanta had often stepped in, fiercely schooling any challengers and reminding them of the power that separated mortals from gods!
In clashes of equals, it was nearly impossible to hold back, which was why he and Heracles had sometimes had to find deserted islands for their sparring.
The Argo had taken damage more than once due to these sparring bouts, occasionally even requiring repairs. From the bow, the stern, and the sails, Suren had managed to collect a few small pieces as mementos of their adventures.
He had brought one of these precious tokens as an offering to the goddess—a mark of his highest respect.
It symbolized a part of Suren's journey as an adventurer.
When Athena saw the obviously battered fragment of wood, a breathtaking smile spread across her face. "Suren, I love this gift."
To anyone else, it was just a splintered piece of junk, but to Athena, it was a priceless treasure.
Athena gestured for Suren to follow her further into the cave. The natural hot spring ahead was surprisingly well-appointed, with every feature naturally forming a perfect bathing area.
"What do you think, Suren? I discovered this little sanctuary in the human world—a natural hot spring, warm and comforting." Athena's smile was inviting. "You are the first person besides myself to set foot here~"
Her words were laced with subtle intent, though it was easy enough to dismiss as simple hospitality.
Athena's finesse was on a different level than Artemis's… leagues ahead, really.
"I'm honored to have earned such a privilege."
Suren offered a polite remark, then added, "But I must say, it's surprising. I never imagined Lady Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, would have such a laid-back side."
Yes—laid-back.
In private, Athena's lifestyle was surprisingly simple—a stark contrast to the powerful goddess of wisdom, war, and victory.
"Oh?" Athena's voice had a teasing lilt. "Suren, do you think this room doesn't match the style I usually project?"
This hot spring might have been Athena's temporary residence, but with her powers, she could have transformed it into a palace in an instant if she wanted.
Suren nodded, smiling. "That's about right. I always imagined the sanctum of an Olympian god would be more… impressive."
"Wrong~" Athena replied, her voice soft yet full of authority. "It's not the sanctum of the Twelve Olympians that carries dignity; it's the Twelve Olympians themselves who possess that supreme dignity."
"To others, even a space I occupy casually becomes the holiest sanctuary of Greece," she continued. "Even if I don't visit my temple on Earth for centuries, no Athenian would dare relocate my shrine. They'd expand the city outward around my temple, rather than develop other lands better suited to the Athenian kings' ambitions."
Athens was a city built around Athena herself; in the age of gods, this was simply a given.
"Athena, you're something else!" Suren laughed. "I guess that's what makes you one of the Twelve, achieving what none of us mortals could ever do!"
Stepping further into the room, Suren felt inexplicably more at ease, and even the tension stirred by Artemis seemed to ebb.
Athena poured him a cup of wine and asked, almost as if by chance, "Suren, would you consider me, Athena, your friend?"
"Of course! It's my honor, Lady Athena!"
"Oh, you…" A hint of annoyance appeared in Athena's captivating eyes. "There you go again, using honorifics."
"Alright, alright~ I'm just messing with you, Athena!" Suren chuckled. He found himself deeply drawn to this serene, gentle goddess—her calm, even temperament was evident at a glance.
There was something almost magical about Athena's calm wisdom. Talking with her brought a rare comfort, a kind of peace he found nowhere else. It allowed him to relax, unburdened in a way he couldn't with others.
"So, Suren, if you're comfortable with me, why won't you share what's on your mind?" Athena's words were subtle and layered, her true intent difficult to discern without careful thought.
But to analyze her motives too closely would have ruined the effortless comfort of the moment.
Immersed in her calming presence, Suren found himself opening up without reservation.
"Ah, it's not really anything serious!" Suren finally admitted. "It's just that I'm a bit worried about Lady Artemis…"
Lady Artemis!
Athena's delicate face flushed pink for a split second, a sense of familiarity washing over her.
Hestia, I'm one step ahead!
It is I, and only I—Athena—who will be the victor!
"This time, I've really hurt Lady Artemis," Suren sighed, troubled. "If she holds a grudge later on, how am I supposed to resolve it?"
"No need to worry~" Athena's eyes sparkled as she smiled reassuringly. "Artemis isn't the type to hold a grudge. I know her well—trust me!"
This was, of course, a lie.
Artemis was among the most hotheaded of goddesses. As Zeus's youngest daughter and the baby of the Twelve Olympians, she was spoiled endlessly by her father. Her impulsive nature meant she wouldn't hesitate to retaliate against any mortal whose offerings were lacking, disregarding any divine dignity.
Her approach was simple: I am the god, and I'll crush you, mortal, if I must!
Yet—
Athena was confident that Artemis wouldn't trouble Suren in the slightest.
This wasn't because she particularly endorsed Artemis's character, but because she, the Goddess of Wisdom, trusted in her own ability to shield Suren from any divine pressure.
Athena's strategy was steadfast. She'd never stoop to confessing outright—that was the desperate move of someone on the brink of defeat. As the dignified goddess she was, Athena intended to proceed with patience and grace. She would nurture her bond with Suren subtly, like a seed, watering it until it naturally blossomed.
From the start, Athena had understood that Suren, with his noble heart, was deeply dedicated to achieving a golden age of peace for Greece. Until he reached that goal, he wouldn't allow himself to be distracted by any romantic entanglements.
If Suren wasn't ready to open his heart to any woman, Athena would help him fulfill his dreams. She could wait, secure in her patience and conviction. After all, wasn't it Suren's idealism and unwavering courage that she admired most?
One day, Suren would recognize all that Athena had quietly done for him. Only then would he understand why every obstacle in his path seemed to clear so smoothly. It would dawn on him that Athena's guiding hand had been with him all along.
And if, in the process, she happened to overshadow the other gods who'd tried to help Suren, well… all the better.
In this way, friendship and companionship would naturally transform into love.
Such was Athena's master strategy.
"Really?" Suren looked skeptical. "Lady Artemis doesn't seem that easygoing…"
"Of course it's true." Athena took a graceful sip of her wine, then replied lightly, "You mustn't hold any preconceived notions about Artemis. Sure, she can be a bit harsh toward outsiders, but deep down, she has a good heart."
If Artemis could hear this, she would probably be livid.
To Suren, though, Athena's words seemed fair and objective, as though she were speaking from a neutral, third-party perspective.
But to see it from Artemis's viewpoint would reveal the veiled superiority in Athena's tone. It was the gentle condescension of a victor consoling a vanquished rival, the queen comforting the defeated.
Recalling the fifteen years he'd spent with Cynthia, Suren eventually sighed in relief. "I see! Perhaps I misjudged Lady Artemis after all."
Given that it was Athena who'd said it, he saw no harm in believing her.
After all, she was the Goddess of Wisdom. If she said it wasn't a problem, it mustn't be one!
Yes… this is Type-Moon's version of Greek mythology, not the orthodox one. Might as well respect the Type-Moon take for now!
Feeling reassured, Suren let go of his concerns about Artemis.
He and Athena chatted for a long time, and at the end of it, she said generously, "Suren, don't focus on visiting just me. If you have the chance, don't forget to pay your respects to Hera, Hestia, and even Zeus for their support."
The warmth and grace of her words left Suren feeling deeply humbled, ashamed that he had once doubted her due to Artemis's unexpected advances…
For a moment, he found Athena's words vaguely enticing, as if there were an unspoken invitation in her tone.
Luckily, Suren managed to hold his composure, resisting the urge to ask if she, too, might have feelings for him. Otherwise, he'd have ended up embarrassed beyond recovery, practically digging himself a hole to escape.
How absurd it would have sounded—assuming that all the goddesses supported him purely out of affection. Ridiculous!
That would've been a disaster. Terrifying, even!
Suren's trust in Athena only grew as he rose to his feet. "Athena, I'd best head back for now to attend to my duties."
"Yes, go—heroes must be dedicated to their work."
Athena's golden eyes followed his departing figure, and in a voice only she could hear, she murmured, "To be worthy of a goddess's love, one must achieve greatness that resounds through the ages."
"A confession should be the trumpet of victory, not the first charge into battle."
At her small writing desk, Athena rested her chin in one hand, a few intricately crafted figurines arranged in front of her.
She reached out a slender finger and gave the one adorned with a tiny moon-shaped accessory a gentle push, toppling it over.
"Sorry, Artemis. You're out."
This sweet but naïve goddess, Athena mused, likely wouldn't understand how she'd lost—even after being eliminated.
Such was the art and finesse of the Goddess of Wisdom. Athena always set her plans one step at a time, drawing people gradually into her web before they even knew they were caught.
---
T/N: uh shiz i forgot what I was gonna say here but whatevs who do you guys support in this race for Suren's heart? OHH I REMEMEBR NOW Apollo doesn't know that Suren knows about Cynthia
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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