Looking at the spear in his hand, Leon stood frozen in place.
If he remembered correctly, this thing… it can only be pulled out by someone with a pure soul, right?
In the original story, even Ais, the emotionless sword princess with a pure heart, couldn't draw it. Only Bell Cranel, the chosen one, succeeded.
'But me? I've lived two lives. How can my soul possibly be considered pure?'
Yet, here it was. The spear was in his hands. He had pulled it out effortlessly.
And the voice that had echoed in his mind, that clear, sacred voice, had unmistakably called him "Orion." Artemis… had mistaken him for Orion.
Before Leon could even begin to process it, a wave of noise erupted from the crowd below.
A murmur. Then a shout. Then—
There, at the edge of the crowd, stood a blue-haired girl. Quiet and serene, she stood motionless.
Artemis.
"You're back! Artemis, it's been so long." Hestia's eyes lit up the moment she spotted her old friend. Without hesitation, she broke into a run, arms stretched wide for a heartfelt reunion.
Artemis ran forward as well. And then, just when everyone thought the two goddesses would finally embrace, Artemis brushed right past Hestia.
The goddess of the hearth froze in place mid-step, stunned stiff like a statue. Her eyes turned into white swirling circles as her mind struggled to process what just happened.
Artemis didn't even glance at her. She sprinted past and leapt directly onto the wooden platform and into Leon's arms.
"I finally found you, Orion."
Leon: …
"She really thinks I'm Orion…'
From the stunned silence came a crackling laugh.
"Ahahaha! Leon, you're seriously too popular." Hestia shrieked in exasperation after snapping back to her senses.
— — —
"…So, you encountered an unbeatable enemy in the Great Sea of Trees and returned to Orario to find help?" Hestia confirmed the situation, her eyes blinking in disbelief.
After the ruckus in the square, the group had returned to the library. There, Artemis and Hermes laid out the full story to Leon and Hestia.
"Yes." Artemis nodded solemnly. "It is a monster from ancient times, one that was sealed long ago by the great spirit under my command."
"Some time ago, I brought my people to inspect the seal… but we didn't expect Antares to have already broken free."
"Antares is powerful, far beyond what we can handle. Just as Hermes and his familia arrived, we discussed it and returned to Orario to seek aid."
She glanced at the spear.
"To fight Antares, I summoned this spear from the heavens. And the one fated to wield it… is you, Leon."
"So that's how it is." Hestia said, eyes sparkling. "Then Leon, go and help Artemis."
"If even Artemis had to summon her divine artifact, then this Antares must be truly powerful. Defeating it could give you the kind of grand feat you've been looking for."
She grinned and turned to Leon with eyes full of expectation.
Few knew Leon's current situation like she did. He was already Level 6, and to reach the next milestone, to ascend again, he needed exceptional feats. The kinds that couldn't be gained by fighting average monsters anymore.
The 49th Floor was no longer a viable option. Barol was gone, the demi spirits no longer spawned. Deeper floors would be needed. And now, Antares had appeared. It was perfect.
The moment Hestia finished speaking, all eyes turned to Leon—Hermes, Artemis, and even Hestia herself, gazing at him with hope.
"So?" Hermes asked with his usual sly smile. "Leon, will you accept the request?"
"Leon, please…" Artemis lowered her voice. "Lend us your strength."
Leon smiled. "No problem. I'll do it."
He had already made up his mind before the conversation had even started.
"Great! I'll start preparing transportation immediately." Hermes said, clapping his hands. "The Great Sea of Trees is far from here. Regular methods won't get us there in time."
"You don't need to go through all that." Leon interjected. "I'll take us there."
"Huh?" Hermes blinked. Artemis and Hestia also looked puzzled.
...
High above the clouds, the wind howled but not a single breeze touched them. Wrapped in a magical barrier, the group soared forward on a radiant streak of white light.
"Incredible…" Hermes marveled, his eyes wide as he gazed at the shimmering veil around them. "This magic is unbelievable."
Hestia and Artemis sat behind him, their gazes equally amazed. Leon sat at the front, eyes fixed forward.
The glowing platform beneath them, crafted of light, sturdy as steel, gentle as mist, was his own creation. He had developed it after returning from his last expedition with Loki Familia. A flying magic that allowed safe, fast travel without straining the body of the rider.
"Hehe. My Leon is awesome, isn't he?" Hestia puffed her chest out proudly, beaming with glee.
"At this speed, we'll reach the destination in a single day." Artemis said as she knelt behind Leon, smiling as the wind danced around her.
Hearing her, Leon turned his head slightly, his eyes settling on her.
"…What's wrong, Leon?" Artemis asked, tilting her head, puzzled.
"Yeah, Leon. Why are you staring at Artemis like that?" Hestia's voice sharpened.
She had been glowing with pride just moments ago, but now she raised a suspicious eyebrow.
Leon sighed. "…I was just wondering if it's possible for me to bring Artemis back to life."
The air turned still.
Hermes' eyes shrank to pinpoints. Artemis went quiet and Hestia froze.
"…What do you mean?" Hestia asked blankly.
Artemis, eyes closed, slowly exhaled… and then opened them with a gentle smile.
"I didn't think you'd figure it out so soon, Leon."
"…Wait, wait, wait. What are you two talking about?" Hestia's voice trembled slightly. Her expression began to waver.
There was something off. Something deeply, fundamentally wrong.
Leon had just asked if Artemis could be revived.
Revived.
Why would he ask that?
"Hestia, don't you understand yet?"
"This arrow is Artemis' divine artifact, one meant to slay gods." Hermes let out a quiet sigh as he spoke, his voice tinged with gravity.
"Impossible… Artemis! Tell me this isn't true."
Hestia's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're right here in front of me… How can you say you're dead!?"
Hearing Hermes' words, the pieces began to fall into place in her mind. A cold realization seeped in, shaking her to the core.
Dead?
Artemis is… dead?
Then what about the Artemis standing before her?
"Hestia, calm down." Artemis gently reached out, her hand brushing through Hestia's hair as she tried to soothe her.
"I'm only a fragment, a soul I separated from myself in order to summon my arrow."
"My true body… was devoured by Antares."
It was like a thunderclap in broad daylight. Hestia stood frozen, the revelation washing over her like a tidal wave, her knees weakening.
Hermes turned to Leon, his brow furrowed in deep concern. "Leon… What exactly did you mean just now?"
"Are you saying… you can resurrect gods?"
He couldn't ignore the implications of what Leon had hinted at before.
Leon nodded slightly, unfazed. "I possess resurrection magic. You've heard about the Astraea Familia's return from the Guild, haven't you?"
"I'm the one who brought them back. My magic allows me to resurrect anyone, even gods."
"…But it requires a vast amount of energy. I don't know if what I have right now is enough to bring Artemis back."
There was no need for secrecy anymore. Leon had grown strong, strong enough to withstand the attention such power would bring. And above all, he didn't want to see Hestia heartbroken.
Artemis wasn't just any goddess. She was Hestia's closest friend in the heavens. If he could do anything to prevent Hestia's sorrow, then he would.
***
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