A few days after the events of the 18th Floor, the night of the Divine Moon Festival arrived.
Akumo walked through the streets illuminated by the festival lights. Beside him, Alfia kept pace.
Step, step—
"The Divine Moon Festival again, I see."
"It carries the meaning of viewing the moon as a god and seeking salvation from monsters."
"Exactly. It's been a while for you, hasn't it, Alfia?"
"I have been outside Orario for so long I had nearly purged it from my memory."
"Hahaha! Well, let's make sure to enjoy it often from now on."
As they navigated the festive crowds, a familiar cacophony erupted from the distance.
"Who are you calling a stray cat?! Hestia-sama, you're the one using your position as a Patron Deity to cling to Bell-sama!"
"What did you say?!"
"You heard me! Do you have something to say to that?!"
The voices belonged to Hestia and Lili. From the sounds of it, they were bickering over who would accompany Bell through the festival.
"...I wonder who she takes after," Akumo muttered.
"Ahahaha..."
'If I say anything here, I'll probably be the one getting scolded.'
Walking toward the noise, he found Hestia and Lili locked in their usual dispute, with Bell trying in vain to mediate while Welf looked on with an air of practiced indifference, browsing the festival stalls.
"Oh! Akumo-san?"
"Hey there, Welf. Out to enjoy the festivities with Bell?"
"Akumo-sama! And Lupia-sama as well!"
"It has been a while, Ade. It seems you've grown well in the interim," Alfia said, greeting Lilliluka as they naturally merged into one group.
Just as the six of them were about to move further into the festival grounds...
"Step right up! Step right up! Ladies and gentlemen, stay a moment!"
"""Hm?"""
"That voice...?"
'Hermes-sama?'
"I wonder what that charlatan is plotting now," Alfia remarked coldly.
"Doesn't it sound interesting, though? Let's take a look, Lupia."
"Yes! I think it would be good to see what's happening," Bell added.
Though Alfia showed little interest in Hermes shouting from a raised stage, she couldn't resist the combined urging of Akumo and Bell. They approached the platform where Hermes stood.
"Now! Who is the hero destined to pull this spear!"
"This is the legendary spear that none but the chosen may claim!"
"To the one who claims it, the blessing of the chaste Goddess is promised!"
"And that's not all!"
"The winner will also receive an invitation to a luxurious world-touring excursion!"
"The 'Guild' has already granted official permission!!!!"
Hermes gestured toward the spear embedded in a stone pedestal, presenting the event to the crowd. The combination of a 'legendary spear'—a classic lure for adventurers—and a luxury tour prize successfully ignited the competitive spirit of the onlookers.
"Hm...?"
'That spear... it looks oddly familiar...'
"What is it, Akumo?"
"No... it's nothing."
Akumo stared at the weapon, a nagging sense of déjà vu tugging at the corners of his ancient mind. As he ransacked his memories for the source of this unease—
""Ah!!""
"Va-Valen-whatever!"
"Bell Cranel!"
Hestia spotted Ais, Lefiya, and Riveria, who had also been drawn by the spectacle of Hermes' event.
"Riveria?"
"So you were here. Are you enjoying the festival with the [Little Rookie]'s party?"
"Something like that."
Poke—!
"Ais-san, I will not lose this contest!"
"Eh? Oh... okay."
"Bell-kun! The prestige of our Familia is on the line here!"
"Wait, since when did it become that serious?"
Hestia dragged Bell forward while Lefiya pushed Ais toward the stage as if they were rivals. Lefiya cheered for Ais and Hestia for Bell, turning the public event into a personal grudge match.
"Lefiya is quite energetic..."
"Well, it's a festival. Let it slide."
"Since we are here, shouldn't you try as well?" Riveria suggested.
"Me?"
'I am curious about the spear, but...'
"You've been staring at that weapon quite intently for a while now, haven't you?"
Watching Hestia and Lefiya with an amused smile, Riveria proposed Akumo's participation. Alfia agreed, ushering him toward the platform.
"Now! Who is the next challenger?"
"Yes! It's me!"
The pseudo-competition began. Lefiya went up first, but—
"It won't budge an inch..."
"Giving up already? Too fast!"
She failed immediately. Ais was next, but even she could not draw the spear.
Strain—!!
"No. I can't pull it out."
"Unbelievable... even Level 6 Ais-san..."
Watching Ais fail, Akumo looked at Hermes, wondering exactly what kind of item this was. Simultaneously, Riveria and Alfia's interest in the spear sharpened into genuine curiosity.
Then, it was Bell's turn.
"Next is the challenge from [Little Rookie]!"
"I'll give it my best!"
Grip—
"Hngh...!!"
The moment Bell exerted his strength on the spear—
—Found you.
""!?""
'Was that a voice...?'
Shatter—!!
There was once a certain man.
He pioneered a vast world and established his own kingdom.
There were many rivals, and each carved their path through the world using their unique talents.
They honed their abilities to the absolute limit.
They wielded the weapons of the gods, manifesting their own grandeur.
The one who rained down baptisms of fire; the one who cleaved everything before them.
And among them, one gazed at the brilliant night sky with longing.
Desiring to fly through that sky, he captured the beautiful night within his palms.
"...mo!"
"Mmh...?"
"...kumo!"
'What...? My head feels hazy...'
"Akumo!"
"Gah!?"
Akumo snapped back to reality. Opening his eyes, he realized he had unconsciously walked right up to the base of the stage. Bell stood there, spear in hand, talking to Hermes.
"Bell... pulled it out?"
"Yes, however..."
"You..."
Akumo stared at the platform in a daze. He noticed something bizarre.
The blue crystal that had shattered when Bell pulled the spear had vanished completely, leaving no trace. It seemed no one but Akumo had noticed this phenomenon, as Alfia and Riveria were focused entirely on his wellbeing.
Suddenly.
"...!!"
Swish—!!
"Akumo!?"
"What is it suddenly..."
Feeling a sudden presence, Akumo whipped around to see a woman with blue hair standing behind them.
"W-What? B... But Orion was clearly..."
"The one who pulled the spear is Orion...? But... this person before me is also...?"
The woman looked utterly bewildered, her gaze flickering between Bell and Akumo in total confusion.
Step, step—
"Um... who might you be?" Akumo asked.
"....Artemis."
"Artemis?"
Akumo felt that same inexplicable sense of familiarity when looking at the woman. She seemed to feel it too, as she continued to study him intensely.
Abruptly, Artemis grabbed Akumo's hand.
Grip—!
"Come with me for now! Orion!"
"Eh? No, wait...!"
"The Orion back there, too!"
"Huh!? Me?!" Bell stammered.
Dash—!
Artemis began pulling Akumo toward Bell, intent on dragging them both away, but—
Firm—!
"Ho...? I think we're going to need an explanation for this..." Alfia said, her hand on Akumo's other arm.
"You truly are a man of many secrets..." Riveria added, her tone icy.
Chills—!
"R-Riveria... Lupia...!! I can explain—!"
"What were you thinking back there, Artemis?!"
"I'm sorry... I was just so happy..."
"And what exactly does 'happy' mean in this context!!"
Artemis had been brought to the Hestia Familia's church, where the parties of Akumo and Bell were now gathered, staring at her.
"Isn't this whole thing suspicious?! You're saying that is Artemis?" Hestia shouted.
"She's been in the Lower World. People can change, can't they?" Hermes tried to deflect.
"Does that make any sense?! This is the anti-romance Goddess we're talking about!"
Despite Hestia's outburst, Hermes' gaze was fixed on Artemis and Akumo. He wore a look of utter confusion, staring at Artemis as if she were a puzzle he couldn't solve.
'Bell-kun was definitely the one who pulled the spear... So what is this?'
"Regardless, Hermes-sama? Why exactly is she here?"
"....Monsters have appeared outside Orario."
"Then the prize from earlier..."
"Sorry~ I suppose you could say it was a bit of bait?"
Lili and Welf immediately began grumbling at Hermes, calling it a scam. During the chatter, Artemis picked up the spear and walked slowly toward Bell and Akumo.
"Orion...s."
"Artemis-sama, neither Bell nor I are 'Orion'..." Akumo stated calmly.
"No. You are both surely Orion. My hope."
'I haven't a clue what she's talking about...'
Bell, looking uncertain, asked why he had been chosen as her hero.
"Why me? Surely Ais-san or Akumo-san's companions are far stronger..."
"The qualification to hold this spear is not strength. It is the Spear of Purity, which knows no filth."
"....Then what about Akumo-san?"
"That... even I am not entirely sure... but it is clear that this child is also Orion!"
'She just admitted she doesn't know...'
Bell and Akumo were bewildered, but seeing as she had chosen them, they began to process the situation.
"Bell... do you feel anything?"
"I've been looking at the spear... but I don't feel anything special."
"I didn't even pull the spear to begin with..."
"Ahaha... but if Akumo-san is with us, it feels reassuring, doesn't it?" Bell smiled.
"Hmph."
Finally, the two reached a decision.
"Alright!"
"Have you decided, Akumo-san?"
"You too?"
Grin—!
""We accept that quest.""
At their answer, Artemis offered a gentle smile.
"Thank you, kind children."
"You are not my Familia, but from now on, you are companions on my journey."
"Please, share a covenant with me."
With those words, Artemis held out the back of her hand toward Akumo and Bell. Akumo understood the meaning of the gesture immediately. Though Bell was confused, he followed suit as Akumo performed the covenant first.
"We look forward to working with you."
Kiss—
"Yes, thank you. Orion."
"My name is Akumo, though..."
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 68
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T