Lante followed Artemis and walked in Link's direction.
After all, they are still acquaintances, so she decided to come over and say hello.
As soon as she got closer, Artemis heard the sound of two people talking.
"Miss Syr, what do you think adventurers live for? Is it fame or fortune?"
Syr gently closed the manuscript, gazed at Link's handsome profile, and said softly, "I think it should be for a fulfilling life, right?"
"Fulfillment? How should we define fulfillment? Is it when you enter the dungeon at the age of 12 and become what others call an 'advanced adventurer' by the time you're 50?"
"Mr. Link, what do you believe it is...?"
"After much thought, I've come to feel that the most precious thing in a person's life is living itself. This life belongs to everyone and only occurs once, and we adventurers are no exception. I believe our lives should be spent like this."
"When you look back, you won't regret wasting your years, nor will you feel ashamed of not doing anything. This way, when you're dying, you'll be able to say that my entire life was dedicated to the greatest cause in the history of the world: to fight for the happiness of all humans and demihumans."
"To fight for… the happiness of all humans and demihumans?"
Behind her, Artemis softly repeated, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of surprise.
This sound naturally attracted Link's attention.
He looked back and saw the beautiful goddess standing behind him.
"Goddess Artemis! You're back? Is the commission going well?"
"Yes, I'm back now."
Seeing Link's enthusiastic expression, Artemis couldn't help but lift the corners of her mouth into a lovely smile.
"Hey! Link, is this your little girlfriend?"
Lante asked, looking at Syr with a teasing grin.
"Don't talk nonsense, Lante. This is the employee of the 'Hostess of Fertility'; her name is Syr, and I just ran into her here today."
"Well! I'm a little impressed by what you said. I seem to have seen you when I went to eat earlier."
"Lady Artemis, how long are you going to rest when you return to Orario this time?"
After clarifying his relationship with Syr, Link once again set his sights on Artemis.
Seemingly noticing Link's burning gaze, Artemis's eyes showed a hint of doubt: "I should stay a few more days this time because the Divine's Dinner will be in two days."
"The Divine's Dinner...?"
As the name suggests, it is a gathering attended by the gods.
The gods and goddesses may also bring a child from their family to attend.
"I think Hestia will take you with her when the time comes."
"Probably."
"I really didn't expect that you would just happen to become Hestia's child. Didn't you tell me you were planning to join the Loki Familia?"
Speaking of this, Link also explained the situation to Artemis.
After understanding the reason, Artemis couldn't help but hold her forehead.
"She really deserves it. She must be crying and fainting in the bathroom now."
"Speaking of which, I wanted to join your family, Lady Artemis, but I was rejected..."
"There's nothing I can do about it. After all, all of my family members are girls."
Artemis leaned down, reached out, and gently touched Link's head: "I've heard all about you. It only took you two weeks to reach LV.2. You must have worked really hard during this period."
It was precisely because of Artemis's bending action that the 'arrow' held in Artemis's other hand gently rested against Link's body.
But just as the weapon touched Link, it suddenly shone with light, revealing densely packed divine runes.
"This... is this?"
Artemis suddenly widened her eyes, looking at this scene in disbelief, and even Syr beside her narrowed her eyes slightly.
This is no ordinary arrow, but Artemis's Arrow, a divine arrow capable of killing gods.
Only those whose souls are acknowledged by it have the right to wield it, which is the current situation.
In other words, he is...
"Orion!?"
Artemis muttered, but did nothing else. Instead, she retracted her hand in a panic and looked at Lante beside her.
"Lante, let's go find Rhetusa and the others. It's almost noon."
"Okay, Lady Artemis. Then, goodbye! The 'fastest' Link?"
Lante stuck out his tongue and made a deliberately sarcastic remark.
"Farewell, Lante and Goddess Artemis."
"Well, goodbye."
He seemed to be saying goodbye calmly, but Artemis was not in a calm mood at the moment. She wanted to escape from here quickly.
Orion, who had been searching all this time, unexpectedly found him today, and he was the child she had rejected back then.
Just a moment ago, she had been laughing at Loki for crying and fainting in the bathroom, but she didn't expect the tables to turn on her now.
Artemis felt the impermanence of fate.
She didn't know how to face Link now.
"Then, Miss Syr, I'll take my leave. It's time to head back."
"Okay, see you next time, Mr. Link, and..."
Syr bowed and displayed a cute expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you remember to come to the restaurant more often and take care of business?"
"Okay, I'll definitely come again the next time I have a chance."
"Then, it's settled."
...
After bidding farewell to Syr and Artemis, Link returned to his residence.
After putting away the manuscript and washing his hands, Link went to the kitchen to help.
Simultaneously, he asked Hestia, who was constantly stealing food, about the Divine Dinner.
"Oh, what are you talking about? It seems like it's in two days, right? The Divine Dinner will be held by a certain god from time to time. This time it should be hosted by Ganesha. I'm not going to participate. Every time I go, it's just those foolish guys chatting and messing around. Why, Link, do you want to take a look?"
"The main reason is that I want to get to know them better. Except for some gods like Takemikazuchi and Miach, who come and go frequently, I haven't seen many other gods, so I want to become familiar with them so that I'll recognize them when I get there."
"So that's it."
Hestia wasn't very interested; she smacked her lips and simultaneously stretched her claws toward another plate of shredded pork with green pepper.
Link decisively waved his sword and swung down the Hammer of Justice.
"Crack!"
"Ouch! That hurts!"
"Don't eat it secretly; go wash your hands. I met Artemis today, and she should also attend the divine banquet. Aren't you going to see her?"
"Artemis is back?"
Thinking of this good friend from heaven, Hestia covered her head and smiled.
"Hehe! I have to go see her! I haven't seen Artemis in a long time, and I don't know how she's doing lately, so that's it, Link, I'll definitely choose the most beautiful clothes for you from these two. Come with me to attend the Divine Dinner!"
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