Hermes, understanding Bell's resolve, didn't try to stop him.
"In that case, let me witness it too."
Bell paused just as he turned to retrieve the arrows.
"If you wish to watch, that's fine."
Unlike before, he wasn't stingy about it. Instead, he left behind a Projection Device, one that would remain nearly synchronized with the feed back at his home.
He then turned toward arrow sealed within the crystal.
"Hermes, I'll be taking Artemis's arrow with me."
"Oh, go ahead. Let's just hope you won't have to use it."
"Then, I'll be on my way."
Hermes had never planned to keep Artemis's arrow anyway, but as he watched Bell store it away into his spatial inventory, he couldn't help muttering softly.
Of course, he hoped the arrow would never be needed—but accidents happened. Bringing it along was at least a safeguard in case things went wrong.
And just like that, Bell disappeared from his sight.
The gemstone on the table began to glow, projecting the image feed of the Hestia Familia.
"So, they really did all gather together."
Seeing Freya, Loki, and Hephaestus in the projection didn't surprise Hermes at all.
Just as Asfi had mentioned earlier, those goddesses hadn't shown themselves in Orario for quite some time. They'd been staying indoors most of the time, and it was already clear where they'd gone. Now, that assumption was confirmed.
After Bell's departure, Asfi stepped into Hermes's room.
Her eyes immediately fixed on the projection on the table—four goddesses appearing together in the same image. That sight alone confirmed her earlier deduction.
Adjusting her glasses, she spoke in a knowing tone.
"It seems my earlier guess was correct."
Until now, their assumptions about the whereabouts of those goddesses had been nothing more than speculation—but today it was proven true.
"Asfi, your deduction was spot on. So, can you guess what Bell came here to say?"
Asfi frowned slightly. She glanced briefly at Hermes, then began to mentally piece together Bell's personality.
"I think he's already prepared for the worst. Artemis's situation doesn't look optimistic. Normally, the right choice would be to send her back to Tenkai, but given her relationship with Hestia, he might take another path."
Hermes's lips curved into a pleased smile as he praised her warmly.
"As expected of the captain I chose. You really do understand Bell."
"...I just wish I didn't."
Asfi felt no satisfaction at being right. If she were wrong, perhaps the ending would turn out far less heavy than what she feared.
"Hermes-sama, can Artemis really still be saved?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know either?"
"Asfi, don't treat me like I'm omniscient. Even I have times when I don't know."
Hermes spoke with a trace of helplessness and complaint, but his gaze soon shifted to the projected image before him.
"Enough of that. Asfi, bring some wine and snacks. Let's watch and see what fate awaits Artemis."
Asfi shook her head slightly but didn't say anything that might spoil the atmosphere. She turned and went to prepare the food.
...
Back at the Familia, Bell immediately retrieved the arrow from his spatial storage.
His eyes fixed on it—more precisely, on the slumbering consciousness and soul fragments sealed within.
'Then it's time to break the seal.'
Bell didn't think he could simply touch the arrow and have it unseal on its own, but it was worth a try.
He placed his hand on it and applied a bit of pressure, yet nothing happened.
'As expected.'
He wasn't surprised. That only proved he shared no direct link with the goddess Artemis.
If the simplest way didn't work, then he'd use the next one.
A glowing, octahedral Divine Core floated out from the spatial field. It circled the arrow once, and with a crisp "click," the crystal seal beneath it shattered.
The fragments of consciousness and soul bound to the arrow began to shine again.
Awakening from her long slumber, Artemis immediately sensed her purpose—and the dire condition of her true body.
But when she manifested and opened her eyes to see what lay before her, she froze completely.
Not from fear, but because all four figures before her were familiar faces.
"Hestia... Loki... Hephaestus... Freya..."
For a moment, Artemis wondered if something was wrong with her senses. Why was she seeing her old friends instead of the one who had unsealed her "Orion"?
"How... did you bring me out?"
That was what she most wanted to know.
"I—"
Before Hestia could speak, Freya quickly pressed a hand over her mouth.
"Artemis, some things are better left unspoken."
Artemis nodded thoughtfully. It seemed her revival had required methods that shouldn't be discussed openly.
In the past, she might have pursued the matter, lecturing her friends afterward. But now, she was simply grateful they had used such forbidden means to awaken her.
"Freya, since Hermes brought back my bow, I assume you already know."
Artemis didn't bother hiding her situation.
If her friends had been unaware, she might have concealed it—but they had used forbidden means to awaken her. There was no point in pretending otherwise.
"Mhm."
Hestia looked at Artemis with clear worry.
Artemis, however, remained calm. She had already accepted what was coming.
"Don't look at me like that, Hestia."
"There may be no time to gather again here in Genkai, but once you return to Tenkai, we'll have the chance to sit down and talk."
At that moment, Artemis felt only peace. She had no lingering fear of death.
Perhaps this was the redemption she had been waiting for.
...
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