I Became Artemis’ Boyfriend

The next morning.

Artemis and I arrived at Athena’s camp.

Upon arrival, Artemis clicked her tongue as she observed the situation on the Mountain of the Gods.

“Tch, the Ogres have already taken the summit. Why are they setting fires and causing chaos?”

The Mountain of the Gods, which was so tall it reached the clouds, was billowing black smoke from various spots.

I could see the heads of dancing flames appearing and disappearing, suggesting that the opposite slope was on fire.

The sound of crackling flames and burning trees could be heard even at Athena’s military camp, indicating that the fire might soon engulf the entire mountain.

“Summon order confirmed. You may proceed.”

We submitted the notice to the guards and entered the encampment.

The awe-inspiring scene inside the opened gate made me forget to take even my first step.

It was none other than Athena’s imposing cavalry!

Even a cursory glance revealed that there were far more warhorses than soldiers.

Those warhorses were clad in steel armor, and as I approached the stables and looked at them head-on, I couldn’t find a single gap where an arrow could penetrate.

Even one warhorse seemed powerful, but the thought of thousands of cavalry charging at me was utterly terrifying.

Soldiers who face Athena’s cavalry as enemies would undoubtedly curse their fate.

“To be honest, with these cavalry units around, was it really necessary to issue a mobilization order? I’m starting to think that way.”

“The big sister’s love for her cavalry is something the whole world knows. Let’s go.”

Artemis, who appeared to have seen this spectacle many times, didn’t find it impressive at all and walked ahead with indifference.

While I, seeing Athena’s forces for the first time, couldn’t stop my head from moving like a newcomer from the countryside, Artemis seemed completely unfazed.

She, looking somewhat bored, led the way to the command post with me trailing closely behind while opening my mouth again.

“Managing warhorses, paying the soldiers, supplying weapons and armor… wow, how much do you think it costs just to maintain these cavalry units? More than what our temple collects in taxes in a year, probably.”

“Hey! Shut up already with your yakking! And use honorifics from now on!”

“Mmph~”

I reluctantly responded, pouting.

She must find my overly excited demeanor embarrassing.

It’s understandable, though.

Artemis needs to maintain her dignity here in another goddess’s camp.

Even light-hearted jokes might seem disrespectful in the solemn atmosphere of Athena’s camp.

We continued toward the center of the camp and reached the command post where Athena’s flag was raised.

A sentry guarding the entrance raised his sword towards us, recognizing us as strangers.

“Halt.”

“Damn it! Don’t you know who I am? Move aside quickly!”

Though it was only a scabbard raised, Artemis nonetheless clenched her teeth and made a threatening gesture toward the sentry who blocked her path.

Under normal circumstances, she might have kicked his shins, but perhaps this was a sign of restraint since the soldier was Athena’s.

The sentry narrowed his eyes and carefully examined her face.

It seemed that he quickly identified who she was because he lowered his head in shock and offered a military salute.

“Ah, Lady Artemis. My apologies for the interruption.”

“Hey, is big sister in there?”

“Commander Athena has temporarily gone out to scout the surrounding terrain and enemy movements. She will return shortly.”

“Alright. Thanks~”

“Who is the person beside you?”

“She’s my priest, Ark. Shall we enter now? Move aside.”

The sentry raised another salute, took a few steps back, and opened the door to the command post before stepping aside.

The well-disciplined sentry’s professionalism made me admire Athena.

Although Artemis doesn’t have an army, I thought it would be nice if her soldiers someday could be as disciplined as these if she were to ever have one.

Inside the command post, there was a large command headquarters tent and another tent that seemed to be Athena’s personal quarters.

Just as we were about to enter the central tent to wait for the Goddess of War,

WHOOSH.

A sudden strong wind made the flags wildly flutter.

I closed my eyes tightly against the sharp, cutting wind.

When I opened them again, someone on a chariot stood before us where there had been nothing.

It was none other than Athena, the Goddess of War!

She stepped down from the chariot confidently and removed her helmet.

As she did, her long, flowing blue hair spilled out from under the helmet.

She shook her head a little, making the strands of her hair swirl and adding to her mysterious allure.

Athena exuded both an overwhelming charisma and unmatched beauty.

She walked forward proudly as if she were strutting down the runway.

“Big sister Athena, it’s been a while.”

“You’ve arrived just in time. Artemis.”

“Ares, that reckless fool, what kind of trouble has he caused now?”

“Ho ho ho. We’ll talk details later. But first, how long has it been?”

The two sisters greeted each other warmly, smiles filling their faces, as they shook hands.

It was a rare and beautiful sight of two maiden goddesses meeting, something everyone would be glued to.

Oddly enough, my gaze wasn’t focused on Athena but on something else.

It was her chariot.

I never expected to see the chariot I only ever read about in books for the Pantheon civil service exam right before my eyes.

The pair of horses and ox that pulled her chariot — the powerful red bull called Fire Ox who charges fearlessly through flames, and the swift white horse called Wind Horse who pierces through storms.

Not only that, but Athena also possessed the spear that could pierce through any wall and the Aegis shield that could repel all attacks.

She’s the perfect embodiment of complete warfare where all weaknesses are compensated.

Perhaps someday, I’ll witness a siege led by Athena’s cavalry.

But, hold on.

The spear that can pierce through anything and the shield that can repel everything…

Isn’t that a contradiction?

If I get the chance, I’d like to ask her to pierce her shield with that spear.

Athena, the daughter blessed with supreme specifications, with all her luxurious accessories.

Compared to her, our goddess only has her simple wooden bow.

…

When I shot her another glance, Artemis frowned.

“What kind of disrespectful glance is that? What disrespectful thought are you having?!”

“Nothing.”

In any case, her intuition is uncanny, leaving no room for relaxation.

Let’s stop the comparison.

“Athena, who is this?”

“My priest, Ark.”

“Hmm… so this is Ark…”

Her voice was somewhat raspy, perhaps from shouting on the battlefield.

For the first time, Athena who had been looking at her younger sister turned her gaze toward me.

Rather than suspicion, there was an unusual anticipation in her eyes.

What is that?

I felt a little confused as Athena observed me with a relaxed smile.

I didn’t avert my eyes from her gaze, which seemed to see through everything.

“See? That’s a very disrespectful guy.”

Without thinking, I looked straight into Athena’s eyes and quickly realized what Artemis meant the moment her words registered.

I belatedly understood that standing silently without greeting a deity constituted heresy.

Damn. I made a mistake.

I was so caught up admiring the SSS grade items right in front of me due to this interdimensional trip that I momentarily lost focus.

This damned curiosity of mine!

I immediately knelt on one knee and bowed my head.

“My apologies, Lady Athena.”

“10 lashes for heresy at the very least. Would you like to try reducing your own punishment?”

Contrary to my expectation that she would be angry, her tone was calm.

It was clearly a playful challenge from the goddess to see how I could get out of this predicament.

Alright.

I’ve reached this point purely through my wits and words.

“I was so captivated by the beauty and charm of Lady Athena the first time I saw her that I completely lost myself.”

“Hmm? Her face isn’t as pretty as my sister’s Artemis, though her figure is better.”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!”

Athena turned her head to examine Artemis up and down and gave an honest evaluation.

Whether Artemis felt her sister’s lewd gaze was dirty or not, she screeched and covered herself with her hands, stepping back from us.

“So you’re Ark, the priest of the adorable Artemis, who was lost in my beauty? That’s laughable.”

Her lighthearted tone was thick with mockery and distrust.

It seemed she neither believed nor heard what I had to say.

And Poseidon too, Athena too—why are all these Olympian gods so full of suspicion?

“You seem to prefer women dressed in frilly, fluffy dresses like party dresses, don’t you?”

Oh, now she’s reading my face.

If she ever opens a fortune-telling shop, it’ll probably fail immediately.

“I believe there’s more to what meets the eye.”

“Ho ho ho, men are predictable beings. They are drawn to pretty things and stay away from dangerous. You cowards are just afraid of the armored women. For women, wearing fancy dresses is more than enough.”

…

?

The content of her statement seemed to look down on the predictable hearts of human men and women with disdain.

Why, though?

Why does it sound to me like a self-deprecating evaluation of her life that only allows the wearing of armor and battle?

Why does it feel to me as if Athena secretly wishes to wear a pretty dress and attend a banquet?

I subtly looked up to catch Athena’s expression.

Her lips were slightly curled, and her eyes were gently arched into a crescent as if she were still smiling.

But beneath the smile, her face was painted with sadness.

I see it.

It was just for a moment, but she expressed her inner self through that seemingly casual remark.

I could see the scar of the virgin who submits to an unchanging fate right in front of me.

I’m Ark, the priest.

I never let the misfortunes and sadness of ladies pass unnoticed.

I’m the kind of man who feels the urge to salt their wounds, even if I can’t help them properly.

“…Heh. You’ve gone and misjudged this.”

“…?”

My derisive laugh made Athena furrow her brow for a moment, but she quickly smoothed her expression.

However, the smile that lingered on her face had vanished.

That was the end of it.

Athena, who had planned to lightly tease me as a frivolous joke, was no longer there.

Perceiving this as a declaration of war, she brought her chariot around and boarded it.

Woooomph…

Nehhehh…

The chariot drew closer.

All I could see in my vision were the fierce eyes of Fire Ox and Wind Horse, both ready to charge at me at any moment, their hooves pawing the ground.

“If you want an answer, speak! If you fail to satisfy me, I’ll run you over.”

If I get trampled by those hooves and wheels, my body might never be found.

Still, I’m not afraid.

“Forgive me if I seem impolite. Sorry if I seem… too forward.”

Despite Athena not granting permission, I got up on my own, brushing off the dust from my knees.

I then looked up at Athena standing above me on the high chariot.

“Artemis was right — so disrespectful. There’s no trace of respect for deities in your eyes.”

“My respect is only reserved for the truly worthy deities.”

“Arrogant fool! Are you calling me unworthy?! You, on the other hand, are very good at hastening your own death.”

Athena, her face darkening instantly, pointed her spear at my neck.

Contrary to retreating, I took one step forward.

I grabbed the spear pointed at my neck with my finger, pressed it against my forehead.

Then Athena seemed startled.

“Until just now, you were undoubtedly a goddess deserving of respect from everyone.”

“…Am I not now?”

“Yes, you’ve disappointed me.”

“Why?”

“Why do you say that men only feel attracted to women wearing fluffy dresses? And why do you insist that women become attractive only by wearing such dresses?!”

“…!!”

Realizing that her fleeting conversation had revealed her inner thoughts, Athena bit her lower lip tightly with her upper teeth.

I didn’t let go of the momentum I’d gained.

I pressed forward relentlessly, giving her no time to breathe.

“How can someone with such narrow-minded and narrow views be the goddess of wisdom?! Even a passing dog might laugh!”

In an agitated tone, I raised my voice and made a rude gesture at her.

Our eyes met, hers filled with rage, mine unflinching.

The rage only intensified Athena’s anger.

Her hands trembled on the reins.

The vibration spread throughout the entire chariot.

Nehhhhheeehhhh!

Heeeng, Heeeiiing!!!

At the touch of their master’s anger, Fire Ox and Wind Horse became excited and pawed the ground with their front hooves as a show of hostility.

What was a small spark quickly turned into a wildfire.

Her innocent test turned into a conflict that escalated.

This conflict is all my fault.

And the responsibility to resolve this conflict falls on me too.

Because I already know why Athena said those things.

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