"That is...."
"There is no mistake."
'The Arcanum... it has manifested into a weapon...!'
Hestia and Hermes couldn't believe their own eyes.
From the dagger held in Akumo's hand, they felt the incredibly powerful and unmistakable aura of Artemis.
Whoosh—! Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
""Divine Weapon" [Artemis's Dagger]"
Simultaneously, they were flustered as his silhouette seemed to overlap with that of another person. It was as if he weren't Akumo, but a different individual altogether, wielding the dagger as if he had used it for centuries.
—...
"Do not make her suffer any longer."
—....!!!!!
Shwaaaaak—!!!!!!!!!!!
—Kieeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At Akumo's single word, Antares let out a grotesque shriek. It prepared to fire the true Arrow of Artemis from the rift torn open in the heavens.
Rumble—!!!!!!!!!
The arrow notched against the massive crescent moon in the sky began to lock its sights onto the temple, vibrating violently. The tremors were enough to be felt even on the surface, but—
Fwish—!!!
"....."
—Kiek!?
Slice—!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A net of radiant luminosity began to slowly, yet certainly, bind Antares's body.
By that single act alone, the arrow capable of obliterating the Lower World vanished. The colossal crescent moon floating in the sky oxidized into mere particles of light.
"Impossible..."
"He stopped the activation of the Arcanum itself...?"
Hestia and Hermes could only stare blankly at the scene. It was as if they were watching a beautiful landscape—a sublime dance.
Step, step—
"O radiant moonlight, O radiant night sky, thou who always shinest upon me, thou who always grantest me thy blessing."
Slash—!
"Therefore, I too shall love thee in return."
Thud—
He had simply swung the dagger from top to bottom. A crescent moon, neither massive nor threatening, was birthed from the hero's hand.
Step, step—
"Ngh....!"
"..."
"Orion....?"
That crescent moon sliced through the crystal imprisoning the Goddess, finally waking her.
".....You aren't Orion."
'And yet, from beginning to end, I saw him within you....'
"Are you awake....? Lady Artemis."
"Indeed. We saved her.... Bell."
"Thank you so much for saving me...."
'Only now... can I call your names properly... Akumo, Bell.'
"My heroes."
Thud—!
"Akumo!"
""Akumo-kun!""
Only after seeing Artemis's smile did Akumo lose consciousness. The phantom figure that had overlapped with him also disappeared with a smile, and the overwhelming aura flowing from him vanished as he collapsed with a peaceful expression, as if merely falling asleep.
"Mind Zero, along with the total depletion of his physical stamina... This is a natural result."
"....."
"You really are a man who...."
'Rest well, Akumo.'
Alfia and Riveria, dragging their exhausted bodies, moved to check his condition as Artemis and Bell caught him. Seeing his relaxed face, they let out laughter mixed with tears.
Shuuuuuu—
"This is...!"
'The dagger is turning into light...'
Furthermore, the dagger in his hand oxidized back into light and was absorbed by the awakened Artemis.
".....Are you awake?"
'This person is....?'
For a fleeting second, Artemis saw a certain man smiling before her eyes.
"....."
'Ah... I see...'
—'Even so, I will protect you. Because that is the path I desire.'
"Akumo... You already intended to save me from the start...."
He had held his dagger, pioneering the world and enjoying the grand adventure. The beautiful night sky and the moon had blessed him.
Observing him, Artemis finally realized. Why she had mistaken Akumo for Orion, and why she had felt such a profound sense of déjà vu from him.
"You really are a remarkable child... now and in the past..."
When Akumo opened his eyes, he saw familiar faces before him.
"Are you awake?"
"Dad!"
"....Lady Artemis? Bell?"
"Honestly.... Not even pointing the arrow toward me.... Do you have any idea how much you shocked me?"
"....Because we wanted to save you. Both Bell and I."
"Hehe, you two really are Orions, aren't you?"
Akumo had no injuries and his fatigue had faded, but his body felt stiff, likely because he had used power far exceeding his limits. Nevertheless, he sat up in the bed and looked at Bell and Artemis.
"Bell, how was this adventure?"
"....It was sad, and a moment of hard choices."
"And?"
"If you hadn't been there, Dad...! In the end, I would have had no choice but to kill Lady Artemis!"
"But even that is an adventure."
"Yes...."
Despite the tragedy he had faced for the first time and the shock that even Akumo had nearly died, Bell was able to reach a realization.
Tragedies would continue to find them in the future. He wouldn't be able to save everyone in the process.
But despite that, he would constantly grow stronger to save the people he wanted to save, the people he had to save. For the sake of those he admired, and to overcome tragedy just as those he admired did.
"....I'll get stronger. Much stronger than I am now."
"You might have to go through adventures like this many times."
"Just like this adventure, I'll save them in the end... no matter what trials come my way!"
Bell's face was filled with firm resolve. Seeing that, Akumo gave a warm smile.
The determination of the two heroes reached the Goddess, and Artemis directed a bright smile toward them. She then stepped closer to the two heroes.
Hug—!
"I want to head to Orario with you two, but...."
"I must look after the funerals of my children and the beings of the forest."
Artemis spoke as she clung to them, unable to hide her regret. Akumo and Bell were flustered, but sensing her heart, they slowly patted her back.
"....Sob"
"You do not need to answer with tears."
"Akumo....!"
"This was not your fault. It was not something anyone wished for."
"How can I not cry...! Because of me... Orion and Akumo... all the children of the Lower World...!"
"That's right! I just wanted to save you, Lady Artemis!"
"Orion..."
Bell and Akumo wiped away Artemis's tears and offered her a bright smile.
""Lady Artemis.""
"Yes....!"
Exiting the tent, their companions stood before them.
"You're awake."
"I had faith in you."
Riveria and Alfia offered Akumo warm smiles. They had trusted in their hero.
"Bell-sama! Akumo-sama!"
"I'm glad you're both alright!"
Lilli rejoiced at Akumo and Bell waking up safely, and Welf shared in that joy.
"Cranel-san and Akumo-san always seem to embrace danger...."
"Ahaha..."
"It's because you keep putting up with it that Lord Hermes acts out even more..."
"Ah~ this story is truly! One I think I shall remember forever!"
Ryu and Asfi were relieved to see them, though they worried for them with jokes and sincerity. Akumo couldn't find an excuse and simply listened to their concerns, while Hermes smiled at the heroes who had shown him the greatest story today.
No, he smiled at everyone there as they reflected on their adventure.
"That aside...."
"....?"
"How long do you plan on clinging to Bell-kun and Akumo-kun! Artemis!"
Hestia immediately charged in to peel Artemis off of them. Seeing that, Bell felt relieved that she was no longer sad.
"Akumo-san?"
"Yes? What is it, Ryu?"
".....Don't you have something to explain to us?"
"....."
"Why is the [Silence] masquerading as Lupia-san?"
"....Ahaha!"
"Don't think you can laugh your way out of this!!"
Squeeze—!!!
Ryu and Asfi slowly approached Akumo with faces demanding an explanation, grabbing his arms in a vice-like grip to prevent him from escaping.
"A... Alfia! Riveria!"
"Handle it yourself. This elf and I need to get some rest."
"Don't try to pawn it off on the women, Akumo-san!"
"Wait...!!"
In this manner, the [Gale] and the [Andromeda] also learned the truth of that day, and Ryu and Asfi punished the insolent Akumo several times over.
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