"Fortunately… the situation with Artemis' arrow is unique." Leon murmured, eyes still closed in meditation.
Normally, absorbing power from such a divine artifact would be considered blasphemy. Suspicion would arise immediately. But this weapon was different. By its very nature, it allowed the one who pulled it to wield its divine might.
So, even though Artemis' consciousness should have noticed something during the initial resonance, she said nothing. She likely chalked it up to Leon's innate talent, his compatibility with the weapon.
She wasn't wrong. But Leon could feel something deeper, the arrow contained an immense reserve of divine energy. Far more than he had initially expected. Even after absorbing so much, it's glow hadn't dimmed at all. It was like a bottomless well.
A blessing and a mystery.
No matter the reason, it worked in Leon's favor. As long as Artemis remained unaware or unconcerned, he could continue absorbing divine power without obstruction.
Time continued to pass slowly.
While Leon immersed himself in his work, Hestia and Artemis returned from the lake. Seeing Leon's closed tent and glowing spear, they chose not to disturb him. Instead, they entered their own tents and began chatting quietly.
Meanwhile, Hermes received a response through the communication orb.
Asfi and her team had been operating near the edge of the Great Sea of Trees, unwilling to risk venturing deeper. Upon receiving the message, they immediately changed course and headed for the coordinates Hermes provided.
"I can't believe Hermes-sama actually brought Leon…" Asfi muttered, eyes wide with realization. "We're safe. With Leon here, we're actually safe."
She wasn't exaggerating. Just knowing that Leon had pulled the holy spear from the crystal changed everything. It was like having a divine weapon walk among them.
The pressure she had been carrying evaporated like morning mist. Her shoulders relaxed for the first time in days.
And she wasn't alone. The entire Hermes Familia felt the same.
If Leon had been their enemy, they would be terrified. But now that he was an ally, they could rest easy.
Any problem… just toss it to Leon.
If he couldn't handle it? Then frankly, it wasn't something anyone could handle. In that case, death was the only option left.
"Asfi, since we've got Leon on our side, you can relax a bit." Hermes's voice came through the orb again, calm and composed. "Still, I want you and the others to remain here for the next few days. Patrol the outer areas of the ruins. Stop any Antares scouts you encounter but don't overdo it."
He knew what Asfi and the others were thinking.
"…I understand." Asfi nodded.
But then she asked, "How many days are we staying here? Why the delay before heading into the ruins?"
Hermes went silent for a moment.
"…Don't ask." He finally said, lowering the brim of his hat and muttering in a hushed tone.
Seeing his demeanor, Asfi knew better than to press. She simply gave a slight nod.
Over the next several days, Leon devoted himself almost entirely to absorbing divine power.
Other than emerging briefly to cook meals for Hestia and the others, or slipping away to bathe in the nearby lake under the cover of night, he remained secluded in his tent.
By the fifth day, a significant change had occurred.
Not only had Leon absorbed a tremendous amount of divine power, but his own body had also begun generating divine energy on its own. The divine power within him now accounted for 3% of the total volume of his magic power.
"Hah… three percent already." Leon murmured under his breath, eyes still closed in meditation. "I wonder if that's enough…"
His thoughts drifted to the threat still slumbering deep within the ruins.
Antares.
Though the monster had yet to act, it was not idle. Through his shadow network, Leon had cast a sliver of perception outward, like roots snaking through the earth and in under a minute, his awareness touched the distant ruins, giving him a clear view of Antares' current state.
As he had suspected, Antares was still absorbing Artemis' latent power. It continued to strengthen its divine energy in secret, preparing for a single, devastating strike. One swift attack capable of destroying the entire upper world before any resistance could be mustered.
Artemis' arrow, now in Leon's possession, had once laid waste to the surface in a past calamity.
If Antares completed its preparations and used such power again, the result would be catastrophic.
But even so, Leon did not intend to strike first. Not yet. He had chosen to focus on Artemis' resurrection, and for that, he needed to be certain. He would not gamble. He would prepare until his chances were absolute.
As he quietly affirmed his resolve, a rustle came from nearby. The flap of one of the tents slowly opened.
Leon blinked and turned, surprised to see Artemis stepping out into the moonlight. She looked ethereal, her expression soft, calm, her long blue hair swaying in the night breeze.
"Good evening, Leon." Artemis greeted, her voice gentle.
"…Good evening, Artemis." Leon gave her a slight nod, his tone respectful but curious.
"You've been working hard." Artemis said as she walked closer, eyes lingering on the arrow resting beside Leon. "These past few days, I could feel its divine fluctuations. You've already mastered its power, haven't you?"
Leon nodded again. "Yes. I can wield the spear now. If necessary, I could kill Antares at any time."
He added, his gaze steady, "…But before that, I need to ensure your resurrection."
A warm breath escaped Artemis' lips as she looked at him. "Thank you, Leon. For all your efforts… truly."
She had seen it with her own eyes. Leon spent days and nights, accumulating magic power. Besides briefly emerging to cook or bathe, he had not rested. All to increase his magical power, to give himself a better chance at reviving her. And all of it had begun mere hours after they first met.
A god being resurrected by a mortal, such a thing bordered on absurd fantasy. In heaven, such a notion was laughable. Yet Leon had believed in it. And more than that, he acted on it. That dedication had quietly shaken something inside Artemis.
She didn't know when it began, but in these past few nights, her thoughts kept returning to Leon. Each time she pictured him, her heart would beat faster.
Curious and confused, she had asked Hestia, and even Asfi, about this strange phenomenon. Their answers had been identical.
She was falling in love.
Was it because Leon had tried so hard for her?
Was it gratitude… or something more?
She wasn't sure. But tonight, she had made up her mind.
Having seen Leon leave his tent every night, she decided to do the same. This time, not just to watch him from afar, but to speak her heart directly.
"You've done so much… but you say it's all for Hestia." Artemis said, eyes locked onto Leon's.
"If you die, Hestia will grieve." Leon said plainly. "Even if you're revived, it won't be the same person. The bond you two shared would be lost."
He smiled faintly. "I'm doing this for her."
"What a troublesome answer." Artemis chuckled softly.
"But I'm still touched by what you've done. So much so that something's changed inside me."
"I asked Hestia and Asfi about this strange feeling, and they told me… it means I might be in love with you."
She continued, eyes shimmering under the moonlight, "Leon, do you think I'm… in love with you?"
Her voice was clear, direct, without a trace of hesitation. As always, Artemis was not one to hide behind euphemisms.