Riding to the west, Cirrus and Nox ride quickly. After contacting Artemis, they were meeting at a town in the west called Mither. The town is sea-based, with its economy similar to Melen being a major source of seafood and some trade in the area.
"I didn ' t think Artemis would be this good at tracking?" Nox said, riding with Cirrus.
"She's the goddess of the hunt. I would feel worried if she was still tracking it," Cirrus said.
"Yeah, but to track where it's going to hit soon is something else." "Yeah … being able to track it down in 2 days is really… really impressive."
"Say, can I read this book you have while we ride there?" Nox said, holding a red book.
"By all means, it cost me 2 million Valis to get."
"T-two million! Did you get it from that smooth-talking god!? I told you he is scamming you!"
"Yes, but he gives reliable information. You get what you paid for."
"You can at least barter with him! He takes so much money!!"
Reaching the town, Nox took to the air and looked for them.
'There in the middle of townspeople's evacuation, resistance.'
town, assisting in the but there is some
"Like always. (Exousía, Adorn: Ceryneian)."
Leaving his horse and running along on the town's rooftops, he lands in the plaza.
"I-it's the monster!!!" they shouted.
"R-ruuuun!!!"
"Wait!!" shouted adventurer!!!"
Artemis.
"It
is
merely
an "W-what?"
They all turned to see Cirrus in his deer mask, slowly walking past them to Artemis.
"All of you! I suggest you listen to the goddess and evacuate!" he shouted.
"Who are you!! This is our home!!" shouted one of the townsfolk.
"My name is Zephyr, a level 4 adventurer!! If you are worried about your stuff and home well too bad, your home and stuff are not as valuable as your lives, is it? If not, stay here and die in the battle. That is to come!!"
The crowd all looked at one another.
"Liar! This is just a cheap ploy in a grand conspiracy!!" shouted a person.
"Who the fuck said that!?" Cirrus shouted looking for the person in the crowd. "Come up here and say it to my fucking face! I have saved a city and a country! Get the fuck up here and tell me to my face that this is a conspiracy!"
"Fuck you, it is!" said another.
"Yeah and the world is flat!"
'I am actually going to let the monster just burn this town to the ground. Also, how is the Earth Theory a thing here!? We have literal gods and — Oh I just answer my own question.'
Cirrus was getting more peeved. "Keep fucking talking! Keep this up and you're gonna find out how I saved them!"
"With what, your tiny arms!" said another.
"No, with overwhelming violence! And I fucking told you, dickhead! I'm going to knock your old ass out!!"
Cirrus was about to jump into the crowd when Artemis grabbed his shoulder.
"Zephyr, let me." She could tell how worked up he was getting. "And also, can you possibly crush something tough?" she whispered into his ear.
Cirrus understood what she wanted to do.
"Hm." he nods and steps back. "What did you whisper into his ear, Goddess of Lies!" shouted another townsfolk.
"If you all do not leave right this instant and prepare for an evacuation, Zephyr here will forcibly throw you out! Zephyr?" Artemis turned to Cirrus, putting on his Erymanthian armor.
Cirrus placed his hands on a tree and lifted it from the roots with ease.
"!!"
Immediately, the townsfolk were far more workable.
"Yes! Yes, let us evacuate!" said one.
"Yes, let's!" "I'll get my things!"
Several of them left while some stayed to ask some questions.
"What do we do about food?" said one of them.
"I assume you have a food vault of some sort in case of emergencies, right? Like rice or grains of wheat?" Artemis said.
"W-well, what about shelter?" said another.
"My Familia can help set up tents and the like, while the carpenters can build more stable shelters."
"But what about—" "You heard me!!" shouted Artemis. "Let's get to work!! No more questions!!"
The people of the town of Mither quickly got to work and set up some temporary homes in the nearby woods.
With the people leaving and finding a safe place, Cirrus went to the docks of the town and simply looked around. He took a moment and sat down.
"… It's going to come from here."
'Hm that is what it said in the book Anansi sold you, the Nuckelavee primarily travels through the water, it avoids any clean body of water if possible but the sea itself… well the sea is far from pure as water could be right?' "Let's hope its strength isn't too powerful."
'Hm? You have a visitor.'
Nox flew up into the sky. Cirrus turned to see Artemis. She walked over and sat next to him.
"Is Nox scouting?" she asked.
"Something like that. Do you have a guess in when the Nuckelavee will come?"
"Well, based on what we found and at the rate at which it attacks, I would assume it will reach her in about oh… two or so days?"
" … That should be townspeople to leave."
enough
time for
all
the "Yes, well, they are working harder knowing that a child could actually knock them out."
"What better way to make an adult realize a child can beat them."
"… Say, are you really a level 4?" Artemis asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Why do you wanna know?"
"I simply wish to know so my Familia could help you if need be."
"Well, with you, I'm sure I'll be well supported."
"Hmm… say you have a shield, sword, and odd spear, but have you tried archery?" "Well… once, but it was by myself, and it didn't go so well, so I spent my energy first on the sword. From there I met my blacksmith who knew of spearmanship she taught me the basics and from there I learned how to do more advanced use of a sword, shield, and spear, the latter of which was from the god Lugh he also taught me blacksmithing and various other detailed work."
"Well, I still feel at fault for shooting you, so how about I train you in archery? I'm sure you would like another form of attack besides your sword, spear, and shield, well unless you're going to throw your spear."
"Well, that depends on if you are coming along to go after the Loviatar Familia."
"If they plan on releasing more of these monsters, then I will help in whatever way I can!" she said with a resolute face. "Then it is a pleasure to be working with you, Lady Artemis." He extends his hand.
"I as well!" She reached out, and they both shook on it.
"Now that we are working with one another a bit longer can I ask you something, Lady Artemis?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you and your Familia even here? Like hunting this monster? Your Familia isn't particularly strong and this carries a lot of risk."
"I can say the same to you no? Granted you are stronger than my Familia put together but still are one person, one boy at that with a foul mouth." "Hm... sorry about that. I don't notice anymore, kinda just comes out when I'm in a mood."
"Which is rather frequent."
"I'm a moody kid. Besides swearing is good, helps with stress and stuff. Nothing beats shouting a swear when you are in pain."
This was incredibly disheartening to Artemis. He was just a boy and words such as stress left his lips and talking about how it helps him deal with stress.
'This era is truly a horrible one. In our pursuit of fun we let the world get to a point where a bright boy like Zephyr is... He could have a childhood...'
Gekai was and is a playground for the gods, each one having their own idea of fun lead to this situation. "Zephyr." Artemis turned to him. "Why are you here? Is it duty? At Astraea's command? You are willful enough to talk back to a god I could imagine you talking your way out of dealing with this nasty monster."
Cirrus didn't look at her and kept lookin at the water below him.
"... Little bit of both really but..." Guilt and regret ached in his heart of the path he stupidly walked on. "I am doing this because I can save innocent, albeit ignorant like the people here, lives. It is not altruism but my own selfishness that lead me to accepting this quest without much resistance."
Artemis reached over and pulled Cirrus closer to her in a hug. Cirrus was shocked, his heart raced being so close to Artemis that he could feel how warm and soft her body is. "If you are stressful you just need to ask me and I will give you a hug. A hug can do a lot you know?"
"I-uh—Ahem!" Cirrus broke from her hold and stood up. "T-thank you Lady Artemis for the offer but um..." He turned and began to walk away. "I am afraid I cannot do that, it would be unfair to your children."
He left it at that and quickly left. Thought of her mythology echoed in his head, her warmth and softness were not enough to dare Cirrus to ask for a hug from her even if she is fine with it, what if's went through his head as well.
Artemis looked at Cirrus as he left the docks, his small figure disappearing from sight.
"Fufu." She lightly chuckled. "I that is the first time I seen him act like a child." From afar Nox saw the whole thing.
'Hmm... She is rather dangerous.'
Far off in the distance, in the tainted waters of a river, a green glow heads down its black and murky depths.
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