Meanwhile... deep within the Elsos Ruins...
"Hey, Vena."
A White Elf with fair skin, golden-blonde hair, and bright green eyes spoke as she gazed down at the giant scorpion monster below.
Embedded within its chest was Artemis... her eyes closed, seemingly in a deep slumber, her body sealed inside a massive crystal.
"Yes, Dina?"
The one who replied was a Dark Elf with tanned skin, silver-white hair, and crimson-red eyes.
"The plan is proceeding smoothly... isn't it?"
Dina said, a sadistic smile curling on her lips.
"Yes, big sister Dina... with this, the boss should be pleased."
Vena replied, mirroring Dina's expression.
At the mention of their "boss," both of their faces flushed.
The two were known as the Dis Sisters... a pair of twins who appeared young and innocent at first glance.
But to anyone who had lived through the Dark Age... they were a name that inspired nothing but fear.
"Haha... serves her right for having a face prettier than ours. Even if she's a goddess... she deserves to die!"
Vena exclaimed, her expression twisting with malice.
"Now, now, Vena... why would you say that? We are the most beautiful in the world... remember? The boss said so... so it must be true."
"Right... right, I'm sorry for saying such nonsense, big sister Dina."
Vena said, her cheeks still faintly flushed.
"Ah... just thinking about the boss showering us with his love... I can hardly wait."
The two spoke in unison, their voices overlapping eerily.
At that moment, Antares let out a low rumble... the sound reverberating through the ruins like a distant growl.
Judas, Rethusa, Artemis, and Hermes were seen making preparations.
"Ah... Judas Spade, there is something I have to tell you."
Just as Hermes finished saying those words...
"Hey! Hermes!"
A high-pitched voice rang out as Hestia came sprinting toward them.
Behind her were Belle Cranel, Liliruca Arde, and Welf Crozzo, all wearing different outfits that Hermes had also prepared.
"What is a journey without some traveling companions?"
Hermes said with a sly grin.
"Hestia..."
Artemis muttered, a light smile forming on her lips.
"Artemis!"
Hestia's face lit up with joy at finally seeing her long-time friend.
Back in heaven, Hestia had been something of a shut-in, rarely interacting with other deities.
She had only a handful of friends... and at the very top of that list were Hephaestus and Artemis.
"When I heard from Hermes that you were here in Orario, I couldn't believe it."
She said as she wrapped Artemis in a tight hug.
"Ah, Judas... you're here as well..."
Belle said with a shy smile as she walked toward him, hands tucked behind her back.
"Did you accept the quest too? Yay! I get to travel with Mister Judas!"
Lili asked excitedly as she ran up to him.
"For someone so small, you sure have a lot of energy."
Welf commented with his arms folded, casting a sideways glance at Lili.
Their attention soon shifted to Rethusa.
"Hello, my name is Belle Cranel, captain of the Hestia Familia, and this is my party... Lili, also a member of the Hestia Familia."
Belle said as she introduced himself, gesturing toward Lili, who bowed politely.
"And Welf, a member of the Hephaestus Familia."
Belle then gestured toward Welf, who responded by raising a hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"My name is Rethusa, captain of the Artemis Familia... it's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Rethusa replied, giving a respectful bow.
"Ah, the Artemis Familia... so you're the ones who issued this quest, right?"
"Yeah, we did."
Rethusa answered.
"A quest, huh..."
Judas muttered as he rubbed his chin, his gaze shifting between Hermes and Belle's group.
"If you don't mind me asking... what exactly is the content of the quest you accepted?"
He asked.
At his words, Hermes froze slightly.
"Eh? Didn't we receive the same quest? Isn't it to eliminate a monster that appeared outside Orario... one that the Artemis Familia is having trouble dealing with?"
Belle said, blinking in confusion.
"I knew it... Hermes didn't tell you the full story."
Judas said, staring straight at Hermes.
"Lord Hermes... what are you keeping from us?"
Lili turned toward Hermes with suspicion in her gaze.
"Ahahaha..."
Hermes scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.
His laughter died down as everyone stared at him without saying a word.
He sighed.
"Alright… since you'll find out eventually… I'll tell you."
"This mission is far more dangerous than you think."
Hermes paused, sweeping his gaze across the group for dramatic effect.
"What's with the unnecessary suspense? Just tell us already!"
Hestia said, her expression growing impatient.
"Long story short... a monster capable of killing a god named Antares has appeared... and is currently devouring Artemis... more specifically, her arcanum... as we speak."
"If we don't stop it, Antares will gain the power of a deity... and the world itself might come to an end."
Hermes said with a casual shrug.
"Eh?"
Hearing those words, Hestia, Belle, and the others who hadn't known were left completely dumbfounded.
"What are you talking about, Hermes? Artemis is right here! Don't joke around!"
Hestia exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips.
Artemis gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hestia... I'm afraid what Hermes said is true."
At her words, Hestia snapped her head toward Artemis, her eyes wide.
"Huh...? Artemis?"
She blinked, staring at her in disbelief.
'No way... right?'
She had felt a faint sense of unease the moment she saw Artemis... and when she noticed the Arrow of Orion in Judas' hand.
But she had brushed it aside, too overwhelmed with happiness at seeing her long-time friend again.
Now, seeing the seriousness in Artemis' gaze, Hestia could only reluctantly accept the truth.
'Artemis... no way...'
Tears began to well up in her eyes.
"If that's the case... then who is the Artemis standing with us right now?"
At that question, Artemis forced a faint, bittersweet smile.
"I'm merely a residue... the consciousness left within the spear that Orion is holding..."
She said, glancing toward Judas.
"I am nothing more than a fragment left behind by the original Artemis."
After she finished speaking, silence fell over the group.
Rethusa bit her lip and lowered her head.
"You're kidding me, right? A monster capable of killing... or devouring a deity... something like that actually exists?"
Welf muttered, covering his mouth.
"We can't... we can't fight something like that!"
Lili stepped forward and grabbed Hermes by the hem of his shirt.
"If what you said is true, then why would you issue such a quest to a group of low-level adventurers?"
"Except for Mister Judas, there are plenty of adventurers in Orario who are far stronger than us."
"Why aren't we deploying the entirety of the Freya and Loki Familias to deal with this? Or better yet... why aren't gods like you taking action? This is the fate of the world we're talking about!"
As Lili finished, Hermes lowered his hat, hiding his eyes.
"We can't... if we use our power, the vow that binds the deities who descended will be broken... and the evil gods and goddesses may no longer hesitate to abuse their power."
"Which means... the Lower World would be reduced to nothing more than a playground for the gods."
"And at that point... we'd be dealing with a problem far worse than Antares."
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