章 328: There is no future between us
While Isao wanted to send the pair, a mother and a daughter, to their destination, he knew that he had something to do and he couldn't stop there, and in the end, he shared some of his things with them.
It might be something huge, and they were so grateful for him, but for him, who had "Online Shopping," it was easy for him to buy necessities, especially when he had a lot of money, so he gave them help, especially when their village had been attacked by scorpion-like monsters that attacked them previously.
Frankly, they wanted to give Isao more, and definitely not just a mere thank you, but when they saw Hestia, Artemis, and even Cassandra and Daphne, they knew that they couldn't give Isao more thanks, especially in that area~!
"Hmph!" 2x
While Hestia and Artemis didn't care much and just smiled softly at Isao's kindness, Cassandra and Daphne wouldn't let that mother and daughter seduce Isao!
That mother and daughter might not be as beautiful as them, but when they combined, even Cassandra and Daphne had to admit that they were dangerous!
Still, Isao was also quite curious about that scorpion-like monster. While he had seen them through the memory of Hermes and Artemis after he replicated their DNAs, it was his first time to see such a monster, and more importantly, he hadn't gotten its DNA, so he kept one to devour.
However, as he was curious about these monsters, the others were the same, especially Cassandra and Daphne, who were also hard workers like Isao, so they could explore the dungeon and other places safely.
But before that—
"I never knew that you are also an archer, Isao-kun."
Hermes looked at Isao in awe, thinking that this guy really could do everything.
Even Artemis also had to admit that Isao's archery skill was amazing. "...to be honest, while it is a bit hard to accept, his skill shouldn't be lower than mine."
"Huh? Really?!"
This time, everyone was dumbfounded as no one expected Isao to be so good.
Yet, Isao was as calm as ever since this was normal since he had Artemis' DNA, so it was normal for his archery skill to be as good as her. More importantly, while his feelings were quite complicated, Apollo's DNA also enhanced his archery skill.
With the combination of those two best archers in heaven... he would be a dork if he couldn't become the best.
At the same time, he thought to get every deity's DNA in this world, including those gods of gods such as Zeus and Odin.
By then, it wouldn't be the era of polytheism that would disappear and become monotheism.
Still, this wasn't the time to talk about that, as he knew that he could grow stronger sooner or later. More importantly, he had to tackle the problem before him first.
"I can do archery, but that's not important, right? More importantly, what kind of monster is that? I know many scorpion-like monsters, but such a monster never appears in any records."
"...."
When those words fell, Hermes and Artemis fell in silence, but they knew that they couldn't hide anything from Isao. After all, Isao wasn't Bell, who would have been, coincidentally, following their guidance and fates, becoming an obedient hero that everyone wished for.
"It all started with a confirmation of abnormal monster numbers..."
So, since it was impossible to hide, Hermes decided to take this matter in a hand. "Many Familias were assigned to locate the source of the problem, but all of them disappeared without a trace. All of them seem to have gone to this particularly sealed heritage site on the edge of the land, the Ruin of Elsus."
"Sealed? What was sealed there?"
"A monster that rotted the land, tainted the sea, and decayed the forest. It took life out of every living thing."
As Hermes told the tale, Artemis also joined. "In ancient times, the monster was sealed away by the great spirits. They call it... Antares..."
"Antares?"
"It was regaining power, gradually and quietly, in the deepest depth of the ruin... After a long rest, it finally broke the seal."
"The seal is broken..."
"Then?"
"You guessed right." Hermes nodded. "Orario took the case seriously, and my Familia took this quest. By then, I met Artemis, who was also on her way. Together, we went back to Orario to recruit more adventurers."
"Wait!" Cassandra realized something and asked, "Why us? You should ask more." While she believed in Isao's strength, if possible, it wouldn't hurt to add more men, right?
Such as Loki Familia, Ganesha Familia, or even Freya Familia.
If they join this quest, then...
"That doesn't matter." Artemis cut Cassandra, then looked at the spear kept by Isao. "We cannot defeat Antares without the spear." Turning her sharp eyes to Isao, she said, "And the spear has chosen you, Isao."
Isao didn't say anything and just fell into silence.
However, Hermes thought that Isao's silence meant that Isao was worried. "Everything will be okay! You only need to use that spear, and everything will be okay!"
"No, I am not worried about that."
"Then, what are you worried about?"
As everyone's eyes were on him, Isao only smiled and said, "You don't have to worry. We have a long trip. Let's sleep."
"....."
This guy...
While Cassandra and Daphne didn't say much, Hestia, Artemis, and Hermes were speechless since it had always been the duty of the deities to pretend to be mysterious, yet Isao acted like he kept a big secret, which made them itchy, wishing him to tell them the truth what he hid.
However, Isao wouldn't say anything and just went to rest, which made them helpless.
Still, unlike before, this time, Artemis and Hestia weren't so naughty to slip into Isao's room and stay together on the same bed as they reminisced about the past when they were in heaven.
No, it was more about the beginning of the meeting between Isao and Hestia and their journey together.
"Apollo did?"
"Yup." Hestia nodded. "He defeated hundreds of his Familia's members alone!" When she thought about her first obstacle with Isao, she couldn't help but smile, thinking that he was the man that she had vowed to be with.
Yet, watching Hestia's expression, Artemis didn't feel happy but felt jealous, wondering why she had to do this. Unlike Hestia, who had a happy ending with Isao, her ending was clear, and there was no way for her to have a happy ending with Isao, especially with the cruel thing she would ask him to do.
While there is a chance for them to be together in the future... would he even wait for her?
"Artemis?" Hestia suddenly startled and asked worriedly, "Why did you cry? What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing..." Artemis hurriedly shook her head and said, "I... I... just couldn't help but feel sad, thinking about your journey together..."
Still, no matter how sad she was, she couldn't show it since everyone was waiting, and this world had to be protected no matter what.
When Hestia felt confused and knew that Artemis must have been hiding something, she couldn't force her to talk, and in the end, their night ended with an awkwardness.
Yet, there was no need for a long time for her to understand the secret that Artemis hid.
They were about to arrive at their destination, and as they got closer to the place they needed to be, they saw a scene that made them shudder.
A rotten earth, a miasma-filled air, and a scorpion-like monsters that filled the entire space.
The abandoned villages had many broken houses and no single lives for those who lived there.
The dead forest spread everywhere.
When they saw this scene, they thought of the end of the world, and without even someone answering the question in their hearts, they knew that it was Antares who had caused all of this.
At the same time, in the distance, they saw a fortress-like infrastructure that stood tall among the forest, majestic yet also giving off a dreaded feeling.
"That's where Antares is..."
As Artemis said those words, she suddenly clutched her chest in pain.
"Artemis!"
Isao quickly held her, checking whether Artemis was okay.
"...it's coming."
Even if Artemis was battling against the pain in her body, she looked up, showing a complicated and solemn expression.
"Huh?"
At the same time, in the dark sky, a light shone brightly and rained them down!
"Gather toward me!"
As Isao said so, he used his magic to protect all of them.
"Phalanx!"
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akikan40
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