I Became Artemis’ Boyfriend

Metis.

Exactly, who is she?

Even those who know little about Greek and Roman mythology are well aware of the fact that Zeus’s wife is Hera.

However, how many people know that Metis was Zeus’s first wife?

It’s quite understandable if you don’t.

Because Zeus swallowed Metis and confined her within his own body.

Why would Zeus, who was pregnant with their own child, swallow his first love?

It was all due to a prophecy.

It was foretold that the child of Zeus and Metis would possess the power to overthrow Olympus itself.

This revelation was undoubtedly shocking to Zeus, who had just secured absolute kingship.

Unable to shake the prophecy, Zeus ultimately imprisoned Metis within himself.

Nevertheless, Athena was born and emerged into the world despite the twists and turns that followed.

Metis, the mother, remained trapped inside Zeus.

Afterward, Athena’s rise to prominence was meteoric.

With Zeus’s full favor, her status and prestige soared without end.

To the point that it was said that Athena, not Poseidon or Hades, was Zeus’s second-in-command.

But here lies the mystery that has puzzled me, both in the past and now.

You could call it curiosity.

“Did Athena ever want to see her mother, Metis?”

This is a question that would often come to mind whenever I read the stories of Athena in Greek and Roman mythology.

The question I posed to myself always seemed to linger unresolved in my heart.

But my circumstances changed drastically when I was transferred to this world.

This world where the Olympian gods I love reside!

One of the duties of an Olympian priest is managing the record books.

Naturally, I had many opportunities to encounter records of the gods’ conversations,

and through Athena’s statements recorded in those books, I was able to glimpse her inner thoughts in this world.

Among the important statements I picked out were the following:

“I was originally an average goddess, but my father’s excessive favor transformed me into someone with prophetic strength akin to his own.”

“The drunken father saw me and called me ‘Metis’ multiple times. Although he claimed it was a mistake the next day, he still often repeats this habit.”

“The ancient gods frequently said that I resemble my mother. Whenever they do, I visit her statue.”

“When father tells scary old stories at night to terrify the children, the other kids run to their mothers out of fear. However, I seek ways to overcome fear in the library.”

And so, I understood.

I reached the truth of Athena’s heart.

Despite longing to see her mother, she has been holding it in for thousands of years.

Why Athena chose to suppress her feelings inside, I do not know as an outsider.

But if we piece together the circumstantial evidence and make a guess, my conclusion is that the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, is simply too intelligent.

And today, right here in Athena’s military camp, one tear from Athena, who so misses her mother, has proven it all.

“Hhhyyyyyaaang, mom, mommmyyyy…”

Discarding her dignity and grace, Athena sits on the ground and wails.

I approach her, kneeling on one knee, aligning my gaze with hers, and kindly stretch out my hand.

To wipe away the tears of sorrow and longing she has held back all this time.

Slap!

Just as my fingertip was about to touch Athena’s cheek, Artemis, with blazing eyes, struck my hand.

“Trying to take advantage of a weak moment to touch the face of a virgin goddess, huh? Do you want to die?!”

“…”

There are no such dramatic, heart-wrenching scenes in dramas or movies in reality.

At least, could you have hit softer?

It feels like I’ve been struck by a powerful volleyball spike from a female player—my hand is already swollen and numb.

“Step back ten paces!”

A prohibition order was issued.

It seems Artemis has decided to be Athena’s protector today, with her sharp gaze resembling that of a mother bear protecting her cub.

It was awkwardly unfamiliar.

However, because of the unfamiliarity, that command carried an authority that could not be defied.

Before I even realized it, my body had stepped back.

At that moment, Athena, nestled in Artemis’s arms, cautiously lifted her face.

“Hiccup, hiccup, Artemis?”

“Big sister, are you okay? Cry more. Cry as much as you want.”

Artemis wipes the tears and snot off her own divine garment while consoling her elder sister.

…What, more crying or stop crying?

As a human, I don’t understand the true intentions of these goddesses.

“No, no. This is wartime. We can’t continue like this indefinitely.”

Athena gently pats the cheek of her sensible younger sister before stepping back.

She stands up on her own.

Looking up at the sky and tightly closing her eyes, the tears she has held back sprinkle like the morning dew in all directions.

And when she opened her eyes again, the vulnerable girl was nowhere to be seen.

The genuine Athena, whom I had only seen in books, returned with unwavering courage and a strong sense of justice, standing tall before us as the guiding light of all the gods.

“Level 9 Priest, Arc.”

“Yes.”

Even though she doesn’t hold any spear or shield, Athena’s divine presence as the Goddess of War is now more untouchable than ever.

Bowing deeply on both knees, I answer her call with respect and trust.

“I won’t even dare to ask how you managed to see through my heart now.”

“Your consideration, I thank you.”

“However, your transgression against my wisdom still remains unpunished.”

Athena continues, pointing her finger at me with dignity and confidence.

“Speak! If I didn’t voice my inner thoughts, how does that defile wisdom!?”

“Athena-sama, it’s because you are so extraordinarily wise.”

“That kind of sophistry won’t save you here. Your condition is far too hopeless. Without purging your sin, I will proceed with the punishment!”

Glancing back, I notice a horrifying spear aimed at my heart.

Indeed, the goddess of justice.

Crying a maiden goddess does not leave everything unsettled.

Instead, she rigorously pursues the offense of insulting the divine authority all the more.

Right is right, and wrong is wrong.

Artemis does not intervene either this time.

While she has some anticipation about how I’ll handle this crisis, Artemis clearly sees that Athena’s pursuit has ample justification.

Alright.

Let me speak my feelings about Athena based on all the information I’ve gathered so far.

Only then can I see the light of deliverance.

“Athena-sama, you must have been very troubled by the people and environment around you.”

Knowing my long story has begun, Athena listens attentively with a solemn expression.

“Your father’s love must have been wonderful, but it undoubtedly also brought anxiety.”

“Why?”

“Because of the prophecy. Not just the divine weapons, but all the numerous domains you gained the power over—strategy, tactics, metalworking, art, weaving—things other lower gods could never obtain.”

“…”

“Your position and honor continued to rise day by day, reaching even the levels of Poseidon and Hades who rival Zeus himself.”

“You did your research.”

“Athena-sama, you felt anxious. Truly, as the prophecy predicted, you accumulated the power to overturn Olympus itself.”

After swallowing my saliva, I continue.

“The fall of Olympus. That implies a change of kingship. Ousting your father Zeus-sama and becoming the king yourself—”

“Hold your tongue! Arrogant and presumptuous one! How dare a pitiful human discuss the throne!? The sole world sovereign above all mankind is my father, Zeus!”

The finger she pointed at me now points to the heavens.

At that moment, ominous clouds of thunder gathered solely above my head.

The dark clouds emitted threatening sounds and flickering lights, as if lightning was about to strike my head at any moment.

What is this?

How can Athena call Zeus’s power of lightning?

Was there a story of mythology I didn’t know?

Or is this Athena’s setting here in this reincarnated world?

There’s no way I would know that!

Where does such a cheat character exist!?

“Receive your punishment for defaming father’s name with this lightning!”

“Eh… Eh… Uh? Eeeh?”

I stood agape, paralyzed by her outburst.

Seemingly annoyed by this, Athena frowns deeply.

“Hmph! You insolent wretch! You know everything but feign surprise. Your pretense is disgusting! Stop the charade!”

“Uhh… Uh, uhahahaha! Exposed while pretending… Ah, Athena-sama—”

Sitting cross-legged and eating snacks, Artemis swings her hand sideways.

“No, big sister. Look at his eyes. He’s moving them around, which is a habit when he’s confused. Ark really didn’t know you could use lightning.”

Unnecessary info, you meddlesome goddess!!

This information is working against me!

“Ha! Even the divine servant Arc doesn’t know everything?”

Athena mocks.

It was a ridicule for all the knowledge I pretended to have.

No. I cannot lose control.

“Hohoh—!”

My amused expression again made Athena’s eyebrows twitch.

This is best in a crisis situation indeed.

“Did you lose your wits seeing the fearsome thunderclouds?”

“Not at all. Not at all. On the contrary, it’s even more certain now, so I laughed.”

“What?”

“So, that’s it. That’s why. Hmm…”

“What are you muttering to yourself!!!”

Kwa-zee-chik!

Lightning strikes beside me.

The cratered ground emits smoke as the scorched soil turns black.

One more provocation and I’ll end up like that.

Alright. Let’s see it through.

“Does Zeus-sama still love Metis-sama?”

“!!!!”

Thinking she was the only one to know, Athena lets her arm pointing to the heavens fall.

Her trembling eyes lock on to mine, brimming with shock at how I could know.

“The return of Metis-sama would be a matter that would shake Olympus to its core.”

“…”

“Currently, Hera-sama is the wife of Zeus-sama. If Metis-sama returns, who will be the true consort representing Zeus?”

“…”

“First wife, Metis. Third wife, Hera.”

Some might argue that the absolute king can have multiple wives.

It’s a historically proven fact.

But there can’t be two seats of power beside the absolute ruler.

Just as there is one sun in the sky and one moon.

“Foolish! That is something the twelve gods must decide. It is not your place to interfere. A human should focus on the fate assigned to them.”

“That is incorrect. If the gods fall, will it not affect us? How can we not worry?”

“That…”

“Athena-sama must have thought like this. If I, alone, have already attained such great power, what will happen if another child is born to my mother? That is the query.”

Athena, as a goddess, thought she had gained power equal to Zeus.

If Metis returns and Zeus has another child, what if that child is a boy or, worse, a girl more capable than herself?

She likely recognized this potential to overturn Olympus.

The prejudices and dismissals about men being obvious or women belonging to dresses were likely a forced self-deprecation as an act of consideration to protect her father.

“Isn’t that all? Even if they have no more children, Olympus would split into factions supporting Metis and Hera, eventually leading to its collapse.”

“…”

“The goddess who discerned all this is none other than you, the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena-sama.”

And so, Athena endured.

As the Goddess of War who dislikes unnecessary sacrifices, Athena yearns for peace.

She thought that if she alone restrained her desire to see her mother, Olympus’s peace would remain intact.

She believed that her own unhappiness would bring happiness to everyone else.

Thus she concealed her feelings with false smiles.

A smile can hide many things.

Misery, anger, sorrow, frustration—all of it.

When the other party sees that smile, they reasonably ignore the negative emotions.

Perhaps that’s why people like smiling faces.

But even if everyone else turns away, I won’t.

Didn’t I say so?

I, Arc, do not overlook a lady’s misery and sorrow.

I might not be able to help, but I’m someone who takes pleasure in sprinkling salt on wounds!

“Is there…is there a way for Olympus to not fall and for you to retrieve your mother? Can I trust you?”

“I may not be the one, but trust in your own earnest desire to find your mother.”

Let me ask this.

Who can sever the bond of mother and daughter?

Stronger than the oath by the River Styx, the unbreakable bond of mother and daughter.

Who can deny the bonds of family?

A connection so warm that no one can sever it, even themselves.

I stood up slowly.

I looked up and saw the storm clouds above my head slowly dissipating.

“Athena-sama.”

“…Why do you call my name.”

In the end, Athena, who had no choice but to acknowledge me, responded weakly with her head bowed.

“Could you explain to me what wisdom means to you?”

“…Wisdom means seeing through everything in advance and making the most rational judgment for the situation.”

“You’re wrong.”

I negate the Goddess of Wisdom’s wisdom.

No, I deny her weak thoughts and attitudes toward wisdom.

“Wisdom does not mean recognizing impossibility and giving up early. The act of struggling in the mud to find a way out despite everything is itself wisdom.”

“…!”

“It is too early to give up. I will, no, we will, definitely bring Metis-sama back. I swear upon the River Styx!”

“Haha, ha ha ha ha ha.”

At my earnest declaration, Athena tilted her head back and laughed while covering her eyes with her hand.

But the tears that streamed between her cheek and palm weren’t hidden.

“Thinking about it, I cried more than I laughed when I was little. …Level 9 Priest Arc, I’ve lost.”

She admitted her defeat.

However, there are no losers here.

It was her resolve to no longer hide her desire to see her mother.

“Not anyone has lost yet. Trust in me.”

“I’ll think about it after your madness is healed.”

“…”

“Ho ho.”

Athena and I simultaneously shook hands with a firm smile of trust.

Mythological stories have many sad endings.

I cannot change them.

But I want to change ongoing tragedies into happiness.

Because I like happy endings.

“Indeed, Poseidon-sama has excellent judgment.”

“Huh?”

Poseidon’s name unexpectedly came up from Athena’s mouth.

I was about to ask why that name came up now,

“Report! Report! Report!”

but a sudden cry from a soldier who burst into the command tent interrupted me.

A soldier carrying a white flag paid military salute to Athena.

“What is it?”

“Reporting! The demons who have occupied the Mountain of the Gods are reorganizing their army and descending down the mountain!”

“The enemies are finally advancing. Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Yes! Forward march!”

Kang-kang-kang-kang!

As the messenger left, the emergency bells rang out across the entire camp.

In the bustling chaos, I stood alone, gazing absently at the Mountain of the Gods.

“…I almost forgot.”

Right. I’m currently here as a soldier, in the middle of war.

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