5 Oblivious Zetta

Checking the map again after destroying one of the nearest monster lair, I closed my eyes off for a brief moment. for some reason, monster lairs are all cave-like. And by destroying the core even if you didn't kill its guardian did the monster stop spawning. Its kind of like a mini dungeon, I must say..

The map was at my Augment Reality's Interface that resides on my upper right vision that I can show and hidea anytime I want.

And after destroying 2 lairs in less than an hour, I close my eyes again. I did this because I still cannot adapt in this kind of interface as if I am wearing helmet and have an A.I named Jarvis.

So I close my eyes for a shortwhile as I feeling neuseated. Actually, the AR isn't that usable in this world at all so I deny the fact on using them until only now, so I'm still adjusting myself from using it for the first time in a while. As for why I didn't use it? well, this map only shows is like an unexplored territory that consists of only blank clouded areas other than the place I already went into. Im sure this is more useful in a dungeon rather than world Adventuring. . .

And so just like that, I called it a day after noticing the sun is about to set soon and return to the camp, I already destroyed 13 lairs and almost clean this forest of Elsius, where Elsus Ruins resides. I also stored my loot inside the inventory after creating a folder called <This World's Loot>. I have to separate the drop items here and my game loot as I still don't know the value of the item I originaly have..

※ ※ ※

"Welcome back!" Artemis-sama heartily said and grabbed both of my hand with wide smile.. but the atmosphere of her familia is heavy as thunderclouds, more like, their stare pierces within me. Again, my gut feel is kicking in.

"Is there. . .something I have to know?" I asks her whilst Lante moved forward. "Our Goddess decided something where the majority objected" as she too glares at me.

But hers is different. Tilting my head, I look at Rethusa, Catana, to Straight and then the rest.

"Artemis-sama! please reconsider!", hearing a words from one of her Familia I sweated heavily.

After then they tell their Goddess' decision, Artemis decided to travel with me towards Orario along with her Familia so they can gain more experience.

Is that all? After that, one of them says "I'll quit then. To think even Gods are not true to their words!" As she stomped her feet on the ground and suddenly vanished away, others followed suit and murmured 'Traitor!' that even after hearing those harsh words, Artemis didn't stop her Familia members from leaving.

In the end, of 20 members only 8 remained. "I'm sorry, I was a failure of a Goddess afterall. . .But—" Artemis release my arm and swept her transluscent tears while looking below ground as she then explained that she think those decision over and over for a whole days, but who would have thought more than half would quit her Familia?

It hurt her more than anyone as she really loves her members but... her decision is final and others are already leave. And the road of no return is already chosen so I subconciously pat her head "Don't worry. Atleast you now know who your true Familia is. . .In the end, they quit just because of petty reasonings" I saw the reflection of my comrade from her. But after realizing she's a Goddess. I immediately pulled off my hands and apologize. Assuming her goal is to have strong members, I said those words.

"But thats not the reason they leave you know?", Lante pouted and look straight at me. Others nod in unison while arm acrossed

Thereafter, we seated nearby as Rethusa summarize their raid. She also determined to destroy all monsters lair before going to Orario and Artemis approved as this was her resolve for her fallen comrades.

But after of what she said, I fell on the ground head first. "The hell!? really?! you only destroy 5 lairs?" hearing my tone, Lante followed "Thats the best we can do in our current manpower you know? That aside. how many lairs did you destroy to undermine our achievement?" But I dodged the flat-loli's question.

"Whatever. Are you sure you can fullfill your promise on Artemis-sama?" I said.

Biting her lips, Rethusa then replied from my question "Even if it takes forever! I'll fullfill them!" her eyes are full of vigor but I have to shatter that illusion of hers, "I destroyed 13 lairs and southern forest is now a normal forest. Tell me, are you really determined? was it you who said they spawned at fast rate? and so, is it better to kill them faster than their production rate?. adding the fact that the other members already leave the Familia. Are you really determined to finish your promise? Or you are naive and delusional? You're dead before that dreams could happen! and Artemis-sama might get killed in the process!", hearing my first sentence, they electrified and didn't hear the rest of my words, Rethusa too as her mouth shutted.

I grab her stiffened face "Are you listening?" like that, she came back to reality and replied "Still!! t-then, whats your next course of action then!? you're already part of this subterfuge!!"

Hearing her words made my ear twitch in anger and squeeze her face slowler and harder. "What did you say!? when did I trick someone!?"

※ ※ ※

P.O.V of Lante

Oh no, what to do, what to do!! mister Zetta is crushing leader Rethusa's face.

Unconsciously, I grab Kami-sama's arm out of fright. Are men this scary? I-I mean, it was her fault for blaming him why this is a happening. . .but she has a point! I mean, it was his fault through and trough!

It was an hour ago, after our raid hunt and boasted on Kami-sama our success for destroying 5 lairs in just half a day. That in itself is a feat in which we fought monsters along the way, then fought again after entering their lairs and repeating the process. I was proud of myself having that achievement.

But after that, Kami-sama decided something unexpected, it is truly unexpected indeed, of her of all people to decide something like that in only a day. That decision will change our Familia's fate as a whole.

Yes, it was partially my fault why she decided that. . .I guess? It was the time when the moon shines brightly and when Rethusa leader found out about me talking to a villager Boy and hold his hand after picking an apple he dropped. I was told it was an art in itself to give and receive love, what it means to love and to be love back. But that contradicts Artemis-sama's point of view as she herself is a Goddes of Purity and virginity, a title next to her Goddess of the hunt.

She prohibits herself to love as that was the sole reason she's a Goddess and her Identity might be gone, so she says.

Opposite to God of beauty, she didn't agree about having a lover. It was her ultimate decree not having an intimate relationship to an opposite sex not until they leave her Familia. Thats why, she created the Familia that only consists of girls.

But contradict on her own decree.. it was her who break her own rules. Well, I don't mind. That means, Artemis-sama developed her own characters but not everyone agreed upon her decision.

With that, Artemis-sama entered in between the two and pulled mister Zetta away.

After then, I look at Rethusa leaded as she sniff and slight teary. I saw her angry face but at the same time lamenting.

And I'm sure because of others that left. Well, that was their decision, they have their own and so does Artemis-sama'. So does we who remained.

And I decide to be with Artemis-sama until the very end. Thats why I'm still here.

※ ※ ※

Artemis drag me towards the tent where its only the two of us, "What Rethusa said is actually half truth. it was from your word that I decided on going at the Orario. But the other half is because, I've longed to see my closes friend. And I'm sure she was there. And because she was clumsy and carefree, I'm afraid she's already indebted to Hephaestus by now."

Artemis smiled while saying so. "But, what you said is quite truth. Even during my Familia's prime, they can't subjugate those monsters alone but here you are. . ."

Eh!? she was smiling? wait. She smiled wickedly!

". . .you promise to help me, right? Come here.. I decided to have you join my Familia".

Oh my Goddess!! what have I done this time!?

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