At what cost?

After their dinner, Yoruichi asked, "Isn't it about time that you tell us what we're supposed to defeat? It's related to those monsters we encountered earlier, right?"

Hermes nodded and started speaking, "It all started with the confirmation of monsters in abnormal numbers. Many Familia's were assigned to locate the source of the problem, but all of them disappeared without a trace."

Hermes then looked towards Kisuke and continued, "All of them seem to have gone to this particular seal heritage site at the edge of the land, the Ruins of Elsus."

"Ruin of Elsus, you say? The place where the monster, Antares, is said to be sealed by great spirits of the past?" Kisuke asked.

Hermes nodded, but instead of him, Artemis took over and continued, "A monster that rotted the land, tainted the sea and decayed the forest. It took the life out of every living thing. In ancient times, the monster was sealed away by the great spirits. They called it Antares."

While looking at the bonfire, Artemis continued, "But it was regaining its power, gradually and quietly, in the deepest depths of the ruin... After a long rest, it finally broke the seal."

"The seal is broken, is it? Then the fact that this 'trip' was approved by the Guild..." Yoruichi muttered.

"It's as you've guessed. Orario took this case seriously and asked my Familia to take this quest. I also met Artemis who was also on her way. Together, we went back to Orario to recruit more Adventurers." Hermes added.

Yoruichi then continued, "Then, don't you have a better chance to defeat it, if you recruit the stronger Familias instead of us? Remember, we're just a bunch of Level 2s."

In response, Artemis just shook her head, "It doesn't matter." She then looked towards the spear on Kisuke's back, "We cannot defeat Antares without the spear." Finally, she looked straight to Kisuke, "And the spear has chosen you."

'So in other words, this Antares can't be defeated without the spear? But as far as monsters were concerned, all of them should be vulnerable to the residents of the Lower World no matter how strong it is. If this spear is really Artemis' Divine Weapon and only by using it, we could defeat Antares, then that one possibility is almost set in stone.' Kisuke then looked straight towards Artemis, 'Well, I'll figure it out once I've seen this Antares.'

Mistaking Kisuke's expression as worry, Hermes tried to console everyone, "No need to worry! Everything is going to work out just fine with the legendary spear~! We have a long day ahead. Let's go get some sleep."

.

.

.

During their night, Hestia and Artemis wanted to sleep together and talk about all sorts of things. At one point, their conversation went to Kisuke himself despite Hestia trying to avoid the topic, "So he just left you alone to tend to the shop?"

"Yeah! He left me alone in his destitute shop where anyone hardly comes! I'm still wondering why he's still running that shop when it's always in the red!"

Chuckling, Artemis replied, "Well, maybe he really likes running that business?"

"Even running an always red business should have its limits! Though I really wonder why there are so few customers. The sweets are good, after all. I can't think of any reason aside from Kisuke being cursed."

"I-it's that bad?"

With a very serious expression, Hestia replied, "It's that bad!"

Artemis couldn't help but laugh as she imagined Kisuke's situation. A few seconds later, she suddenly said, "Still, I'm surprised that you decided to start your own Familia."

With a smug face, Hestia replied, "They're the greatest children I could ask for~!"

"Hestia..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"How do you feel about Orion?"

Thanks to that question, Hestia panicked and blushed as she tried to answer fast, "H-how!? Well... I think he's a very dependable and adorable child and um... Honestly, he's a bit more than that..."

After finishing her words, Hestia covered her face with her blanket. In all honesty, Hestia herself didn't know how she really felt about Kisuke. At first, she never thought that it was possible, since Kisuke already had so many women beside him. However, as the two of them interacted and spent time together, Hestia learned how to have fun and started to enjoy his company more and more.

From the start, Hestia already warned herself to not to fall for the guy and always thought that it was actually impossible because, despite how she looks, she was very possessive and didn't want to compete with others for affection.

However, these days, despite telling herself that this wasn't right, Hestia didn't know exactly what to think of Kisuke as sometimes, she would feel jealous when she saw him spoiling his girls and working hard behind the spotlight for their sake. Slowly, she also started to want the same thing.

Although she wasn't sure how she really felt or didn't want to acknowledge it, she could be very sure of one thing, "...He's someone very important to me."

Artemis smiled gently, "I see." She then closed her eyes and continued, "I think I know why. I also feel a little strange when I'm with him."

Hearing that, Hestia immediately sat up, "Eh!? What do you mean!?"

Artemis answered calmly, "I don't know how to describe this strange feeling."

"K-Kisuke is in my Familia though!"

Confused, Artemis said, "I know that."

"Then you're not supposed to feel that way!"

"Why?"

"B-because..." Hestia tried to think of an answer but failed, "Ah... Just because!"

"You used to not allow those feelings to get to you, Artemis!" Hestia added.

"Is that right?"

"Ugh... You were so against romance before!" Hestia sighed, but she suddenly remembered something, "Artemis... Where's your Familia?"

"They're not here, but they're waiting for my return..."

Hestia already had a few suspicions regarding Artemis' situation, but she couldn't be sure. She was also sure that her current state was also due to her Familia. Hestia hugged Artemis and whispered, "You've changed..."

"Maybe I have..."

"Yes... And we're supposed to be unchanging Deities. But you've changed."

At that point, Artemis didn't speak another word and just turned off the light of the magic lamp so that they could sleep. She then returned Hestia's hug and closed her eyes while apologizing to her in her mind.

Hermes, who was tied up to a tree by Artemis and Hestia silently eavesdropped on their conversation until they both went silent and the light disappeared. He then looked towards the moon before muttering, "Life is full of surprises..."

"I do agree on that assessment." From the bushes, Kisuke suddenly emerged. But before he spoke up, he used magic, so that Artemis and Hestia wouldn't be able to hear what they were talking about.

Hermes was a bit surprised when Kisuke suddenly appeared, but he immediately sported a smile, "You're still awake? Tomorrow will be a long day so it's better to rest up early."

"You don't have to worry about me, Hermes-sama. I'm just wondering about a few things."

"Oh? Is it about the topic that Artemis and Hestia were talking about just now? Hehe, you lucky bastard."

"Lucky? I don't know what you're talking about. If it's about eavesdropping them, I didn't do it. I took care not to hear anything they talked about. It's my respect for Hestia-sama."

Hearing that, Hermes' mouth twitched, "D-don't make me look so bad... Ehem... Anyway, what were you wondering about? Maybe I could help you?"

"I was just wondering about the spear's real identity."

Without hesitation, Hermes replied, "Real identity? It's a legendary spear from ancient times that is capable of slaying undefeatable monsters."

"Is that so? And here I thought, instead of a spear, this thing sure looks like an enlarged arrow."

"..." The smile on Hermes' face disappeared, "If that is indeed that case, what are you going to do about it? There's no changing that it's needed to slay Antares."

Instead of a vague question, Kisuke suddenly went straight to the point, which caught Hermes a little off-guard, "And why is it Artemis-sama's weapon?"

With wide eyes, Hermes hurriedly looked towards the tent where Artemis and Hestia were resting. Specifically, he was a bit worried that Hestia heard Kisuke. "Please rest assured. I used magic so that they wouldn't hear what we're talking about. Although you just confirmed my suspicions.", said Kisuke suddenly with a grin.

"Goddammit! I've been led on again? Just what the hell are you? I'm pretty confident with my negotiation skills and you just keep stepping ahead of me! You're destroying my confidence here, you know!?" Hermes lost it.

"I'm flattered with your compliment~."

Hermes could only sigh, "Whatever you're wondering, you'll get your answer once we've arrived. You don't have to worry. It's really possible to defeat Antares."

"I'm not worried about that. But I guess you're right that I'll have my answers once we're there." Kisuke then started walking away while muttering, "Really? At what cost do we need to kill that monster?"

Hermes could only stay silent after hearing that.

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Editors:

28th00: Alex just dropped dead halfway through the chapter, like I did yesterday… Woah. BESTIA! DON'T FALL TO THE DARK SIDE! On a side note, doesn't she have incredibly bad experiences with the majority of male gods? A few are her friends and really nice, but then you have the other half being Apollo and others like him (Good thing she's OP in Heaven, huh?). So the fact that she's pretty much getting everything she wants/needs from Kisuke and his girls, including immense respect, would grow on her pretty fast. I think the most important part is her divinity being Hearth and Home, Aka, Family. They're like a family, and she absolutely LOVES that.

Alexander: I had to stop midway because my lunchbreak was over. Also, I live in Germany (UTC +2 in the summertime).

As far as Bestia goes…Holy flying macaroni, that was a blow out of nowhere.

But, I'm with you. A cozy and interesting family equals her paradise. Also, even if she complains a bit about the shop, a workplace where she doesn't have to work her ass off should be right down her alley.