I Became Artemis’ Boyfriend

“Ms. Artemis. Here’s the invitation.”

“An invitation? From where?”

“From Olympus. A trial will be held, and both defendant Artemis and her priest Ark are mandatory attendees.”

Always cheerful and putting those around her at ease, that was Maia.

But when she, with her usually relaxed demeanor, now stiff-faced, relayed the frightening and heavy news of a trial, it felt even more intense.

And it wasn’t just me who felt that way—Artemis seemed similarly affected. The blush of embarrassment on her face, caught red-handed mid-romance by a third party, quickly vanished, revealing her usual composed countenance.

“What nonsense is this? Where in the world does anyone dare file a lawsuit against me, Artemis of the Twelve Olympians? Even hotheaded Ares knows better than to meddle!”

“Um… It’s Zeus himself who has filed the charges.”

“What? My own daughter being sued?! What’s going on with this father of hers? … Did he drink some sour milk and get delirious?”

Maia reported the news, her wide, disbelieving eyes reflecting Artemis’ own shock. Artemis snatched the summon document from Maia’s hands and began reading it anxiously.

“Regarding the recent unfortunate incident at the Temple of Artemis, the Twelve Olympians will convene for deliberation and trial. The accused, Artemis, and her priest Ark, must attend by the designated date—Ah, damn it!!!”

Realizing the truth in Maia’s words, Artemis couldn’t finish reading the document. She crumpled the summons and threw it to the floor as if discarding a losing card.

Maia, meanwhile, picked up the crumpled paper, alternating her gaze between me and Artemis, her expression a mix of joy that we made such a good pair and worry over the looming disaster.

There was no way any of us could overlook the contents of this summons sent from Olympus—it accused the Goddess of Purity, Artemis, of having a romantic partner, a claim that could cause significant problems.

Firstly, the issue of Artemis’ divine purity—her identity as an eternal maiden in love. The gods aren’t stupid; they understand the implications of her romance.

Secondly, there’s the matter of power. The Twelve Olympians govern the world. Although figures like Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Athena stand out as exceptional among them, each is undoubtedly a top-tier major deity within their own domains, surpassing even the strongest minor gods.

Even the weakest of the Twelve Olympians dwarfs the best of the lesser gods. After beginning my relationship with Artemis, my first action was sending gifts to other gods via familiars to assess their stance on our romance.

While receiving delayed responses from Maia puzzled me, the puzzle pieces finally fit together once I understood that Zeus was covertly interfering from behind the scenes.

“Ah, damn it… Hey. I have some things to check out, so you two stay here.”

With that, Artemis attempted to leave the temple, muttering something about splitting headaches.

I grabbed her arm and briefly kissed her lips.

Realizing her slip, Artemis quickly donned her hooded mask and disappeared like a ninja.

“Should we move location, Ark?”

“Yes. Let’s go to the temple office, Sister Maia.”

“Hmph… Sure.”

Uncomfortable discussing matters in the empty master bedroom, we relocated to the office. Both drained of energy, we slouched into our chairs.

Without words, but both acutely aware of the mounting fatigue from the trials to come.

“Ahhh…!”

Stretching in my chair, I noticed Maia glancing sideways at me.

“Um, Ark?”

“Yes? What is it, Sister Maia?”

“I’m sorry for ruining what should have been a good time.”

“Why would that be your fault? I’m not worried at all, so don’t be.”

“The problem is, though Zeus is the one filing the charges, he may ultimately be the judge too!”

In modern courtrooms,

the prosecutor accuses the defendant and requests a sentence,

while the defense attorney defends their client.

The judge determines the verdict based on these conflicting arguments.

However, with Zeus acting as both prosecutor and judge, this trial already feels like an uneven playing field.

“Yeah. Honestly, seeing this summons left me feeling at a complete loss.”

“Hmm… Indeed. I’m feeling lost and nervous too. I’ve never received a summons on Earth before either.”

“The worst-case scenario keeps coming to mind…”

“The worst-case scenario?”

“Yes. Looking at past incidents, the worst might mean the two of you will break up. And if you resist, Ark… they’ll separate you by force, no matter what.”

“Hmm.”

“Is there no possible solution?”

“A solution does exist.”

In addition to the judge, there is also the jury.

Even Zeus cannot easily ignore the opinions of the other gods.

To sway the generally conservative members of the Twelve Olympians in favor of Zeus’s arguments would require a clear and justifiable reason.

The Golden Pen granted during my promotion to the 8th rank is an excellent example of the importance of good conduct.

Even without such clear reasons, close friendships with the gods can play a role.

“Really?! What would that solution be?”

“Unfortunately, it’s too late. Zeus has already made the first move.”

All Twelve Olympians, excluding Artemis, are gathered in the celestial Olympus, precisely because Zeus ensured they wouldn’t prematurely contact us.

Zeus has cleverly constructed this scenario, tying my hands behind my back.

We’re left with no choice but to wait, powerless, until the designated date arrives.

“So what do we do now? Sorry for sounding pessimistic, but… won’t the other gods oppose us also?”

“Not necessarily pessimistic. It’s easy to predict, and I agree with that assessment.”

“Arc…”

That’s right.

This is Zeus’s ace in the hole, his decisive card after quietly tolerating our relationship so far. It cannot be easily averted or defended against.

Resolution will require a decisive blow where at least one party falls.

I stood from my seat and opened the wardrobe at the back of the office. Inside hung a fine tunic, a gift from Artemis when Hera had proposed my dismissal during an Olympus emergency meeting. She had insisted I dress appropriately.

“I can’t turn back now. I’ve been forced onto the tiger’s back.”

I gently touched the white tunic, reaffirming my resolve.

Yesterday, a week after receiving the summons, Artemis returned to the temple. She was visibly agitated, unable to contain her anger.

Given how upset she was, I chose not to disturb her and simply waited. Two hours later, she finally calmed down enough to offer me a single sentence.

“That’s a trap set by my father… This isn’t a trial; it’s an execution.”

When I asked for clarification, her already heavy eyelids began to droop. She soon fell asleep in my arms.

*

The day of the Olympus trial arrived.

Clad in her beautiful dress, Artemis stood radiant, while I wore the pristine white tunic and olive-leaf sandals.

Together, we boarded the chariot heading toward Olympus, the great mountain at the center of the continent.

“Here we are. Now what? Any shortcuts?”

“Shortcuts? What for?”

“Well, last time I came alone, with Hebe’s permission and help, I ascended to the heavens. I thought since you’re here, maybe there’s some VIP pass system.”

Recalling my earlier visit when I convinced Hebe, Hera’s daughter, to let me ascend by pretending to seek reconciliation with her mother, I realized it was her wise judgment that allowed me to reconcile with Hera.

“Right. This time, just hold my hand, and we’ll ascend directly to the heavens.”

“Ooh, that’s great!”

Artemis seemed to sense my detached response. Her brow furrowed as she glanced around the area and jabbed my side with her elbow.

“Ouch! Why’d you hit me?”

“Were you just looking for Hebe? Are you searching for another woman while your girlfriend is here?”

“Of course not. I just wanted to express my gratitude to the goddess who helped us ascend before.”

“Hmph! Don’t worry. You’ll meet her soon.”

“What do you mean? Soon?”

“Didn’t I say yesterday? This isn’t a trial; it’s an execution.”

Artemis directly brought up the anxiety I had tried to suppress deep within my heart.

“I avoided asking because I thought you might be worried, but what do you mean ‘execution’? Surely they won’t cut off our heads or something?”

“This trial will also allow the attendance of mid-level and lower gods.”

“True. In fact, if we garner their empathy, it could even be advantageous for us.”

When I pointed this out, Artemis sighed deeply and grabbed my hand.

“That’s only if we, as defendants, are afforded the chance to argue our case.”

“What? Isn’t that a given in any trial? Surely we have the right to present our case.”

“Unfortunately, in this trial, our right to speak has been removed.”

“What?! What does that mean? Why wouldn’t we have that right? Then why are we even going to the courtroom?”

“You’ll only have the right to speak when it’s specifically granted.”

“…”

Though I outwardly fumed, my mind quickly grasped Zeus’s trap—it was designed to prevent me from persuading others with my words.

Yes, as Artemis had stated, it was no trial.

Nor was it an execution.

What it was, really…

Was an interrogation.

An interrogation where we would be subjected to relentless, one-sided questioning, treated as punchbags to be beaten.

“Well, it’s time. Let’s go, Ark.”

Artemis grasped my hand, her fingers glowing with moonlight. In an instant, the light enveloped us, transforming us into a cascade of shimmering particles as we ascended to the heavens.

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