Type-Moon: The Human Love Simulator [144]

"Suren, I didn't expect to find you here, of all places."

Raising an eyebrow, Suren smirked. "I heard you were out with Lady Artemis, chasing down souls along the Styx."

"..."

We're still friends—just don't bring up the Styx.

Atalanta's expression twitched ever so slightly at the mention of those grueling days of relentless work that she preferred to leave in the past.

"Not anymore!" Atalanta snapped, crossing her arms. "The job's done, and I came back with the goddess."

"Then congratulations on making it out alive," Suren teased, reaching over to flick her ear. His curiosity got the better of him. "Atalanta, I've always wondered something, and now I finally have the chance to ask."

"How many ears do you actually have?"

It can't be both human and cat ears, right? That'd be too weird…

"Go to hell!" Atalanta clenched her fist and gave him a solid thump, pushing him away. Yet, as she casually brushed her hair back, Suren caught a glimpse.

"Ah, perfect. Thanks, Atalanta!"

Suren grinned in satisfaction. Indeed, a proper catgirl should have only cat ears. Anything else was blasphemy.

He tied the fish he'd caught together with a golden thread pulled from his Golden Sovereign. Hoisting them up, he nodded toward Atalanta.

"I'm heading back. See you next time."

"...See you, Suren."

Atalanta watched him depart, her mind drifting to the whispers of Aphrodite.

"Oh, goddess of love and beauty, I refuse to let my feelings be tainted by manipulation or deceit," she murmured to herself.

Atalanta sighed deeply. "I've always despised such tactics, haven't I? Even if it means losing my chance, it's better than using your methods."

"At least… that's what I tell myself. Right?"

Her resolve faltered briefly as she remembered the irresistible allure of Aphrodite's golden apple. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face.

---

Returning to the golden palace, Suren found that Artemis wasn't the only one waiting for him.

Athena stood there, smiling at him. "Suren, what's that you've got there?"

"Oh, Athena," Suren replied, lifting the fish slightly. "Artemis said she wanted some, so I went down to the river and caught a few."

His tone was calm and collected, even playful. He continued chatting as if it were a casual afternoon. "By the way, Athena, you're quite skilled in the arts, aren't you?"

"Not long ago, Helen brought in a professional troupe to perform for me. They were impressive. I'd like to see what you can do."

"Athena, if it's you, I'm sure you could craft a performance that would leave a lasting impression."

At least something that wouldn't bore me so quickly.

"..."

Athena's eyes flickered, and a faint smile graced her lips. "Of course. After all, I am the goddess of the arts."

Later, after Artemis had eaten her fill of grilled fish, she began demanding more attention from Suren, pestering him with tasks and whims. Her intentions were unclear, but her antics didn't escape Hestia's watchful eyes.

Hestia remained deeply worried. Though Suren appeared as composed and gentle as ever in public, she could sense the truth behind his mask of gold.

His tears hadn't stopped—they were just invisible to the mortal eye.

While his outward interactions were warm, Hestia knew this facade couldn't last. If Suren's descent wasn't halted, the divine era would surely collapse.

"So, what can I do?" Hestia gazed toward the heavens. "Father Zeus, the wisest among us, why do you only watch? Why do you do nothing?"

"Do you not see this as the tragedy of our era? The regret of the golden age?"

"I must act. I must do something..."

"Can Hera's strategy truly work?"

---

Suren's days grew more indulgent and extravagant, yet his smiles became increasingly rare.

No one noticed this shift, for in their minds, an emperor's majesty could be expressed through either laughter or solemnity.

The Greeks of this era lacked the insight to truly understand Suren. They could only project their ideals and virtues onto him, bestowing upon him titles that reflected their highest regard.

Suren wanted the Greeks to stand on their own, but they continued to see him as their ultimate sovereign, the golden king who ruled gods and men alike.

By now, Suren had mastered thousands of skills, even perfecting trivial details like the most optimal sleeping posture or the best timing for savoring wine.

Yet none of it brought him joy.

Where had happiness gone?

Should I reclaim it?

In the golden palace, Suren rested his head on one hand, his half-lidded eyes watching Athena's performance. But his thoughts wandered far from the scene before him.

"The Gigantes are unfit as anchors. They'll soon be swept away by the tides of the Counter Force, reduced to debris adrift above human history."

"Materializing souls equals the destruction of humanity… reducing everything to a fleeting dream, a world where all desires can be fulfilled."

"No… That's not what I want. I want a world that's real and enduring."

"The Five True Magics… Five True Magics…"

The struggle in Suren's gaze intensified. Sensing his turmoil, Athena suddenly leapt toward him, embracing him tightly.

"Suren! Suren!" she called out urgently.

"You don't have to bear this alone. Do whatever it is you wish to do, Suren. You are the golden king who created this era. You are its supreme ruler. You can achieve anything you desire."

"Remember me—I'll help you. Athena will always support you."

No matter what path you choose, Athena will stand by you.

If the collapse of the divine era is inevitable, what difference does it make whether it happens now or a thousand years from now?

As for Suren's overwhelming ambition, whether it saves or destroys the divine era, Athena found it unimportant. Even if his efforts made things worse, she believed his intentions were pure, and that alone earned her trust.

"Ath…e…na."

Suren grasped her hand, his expression softening. Moments later, his turmoil subsided, and he spoke with newfound calmness.

"Athena, bring Hestia to me. I need to speak with her."

"..."

Athena's brows furrowed. Even as the goddess of wisdom, she couldn't discern what lay behind his serene facade. The golden king had made his decision—an unshakable resolve.

"Has it come to this?" Athena sighed, recognizing that Hera's strategy had failed. The divine era held far greater sway over Suren than the affections of any goddess.

In truth, none of the three goddesses viewed Suren purely as a lover. For Hestia, he was a figure of idolized reverence; Athena admired his strength and intellect; and Artemis's feelings were rooted in maternal affection and a love for beauty.

Finding Hestia, Athena conveyed his message.

"The King of Gold has summoned you, Hestia. He has reached his final decision."

Pausing briefly, she added with a heavy heart, "I cannot guarantee his intentions. He may intend to destroy you…"

"You have two choices. Flee Athens and return to Olympus, where even the golden king cannot harm you—or face him directly."

"No need."

Hestia's tone was calm, yet resolute. She rose, smoothing her dress before speaking. "Where is Suren? I'll see him myself."

"If he intends to kill or imprison me, I will hear it from his lips."

---

When Hestia entered the throne room, her heart sank.

Suren's face was devoid of blood or tears, love or hatred. His expression was placid, but in his eyes burned a fire that seemed capable of consuming all.

Suren's ambition had finally broken through his self-restraint.

Even in this second iteration, had Suren's madness found no cure?

Was the golden era he had sacrificed everything to achieve now destined to fall by his own hand?

Clenching her fists, Hestia steeled herself for the worst.

"Athena, take Artemis away. Whether to Olympus or her forest, it matters not…"

Suren's voice broke the silence. "I won't be saying goodbye. Tell her not to grieve too much."

"As you wish, my king."

Athena cast him a worried glance before leaving.

Silence filled the hall.

Suren gazed at Hestia, his expression unreadable. Hestia, in turn, could barely mask her despair.

"My first friend in Greece," Suren began, a faint smile curling his lips. "Perhaps I should give you a golden apple… though mine were all gifts, so I won't bother."

But Hestia interrupted coldly, "Suren, spare me the pleasantries. Why did you summon me here?"

"Your heart is restless, Hestia," Suren observed, shaking his head. "So unlike you."

"You've always been the calmest among us, offering reasoned insights no matter the situation."

"But you're right. Now is not the time for reminiscing… Though I fear that if I don't say this now, I may never have the chance."

After a pause, he continued, his words deliberate and unwavering.

"Hestia, my follower… I know you are not like Athena, who would indulge my ambition without limits."

"I ask this of you—"

"If I truly threaten the divine era, then you must destroy my body, tear apart my soul, and end my tyranny."

"Do not mourn. I will not die. I am but a ghost of this era, one who has already enjoyed undeserved beauty. In the not-so-distant future, we shall meet again."

"Hestia, my friend, I entrust to you this golden age, this happiness and peace for all."

The king of kings, the god among gods, the ruler of the golden age—Suren, despite his ferocity and ambition, retained an unyielding will.

He had not given up on saving the divine era, but he would not let it crumble under his madness.

This was his final gambit. Knowing Athena would follow him unconditionally, he summoned Hestia—the only one who could truly oppose him.

Only she could destroy the unyielding body and soul of the Golden King.

"Su…"

Hestia's voice trembled, but before she could continue, Suren waved his hand and sent her outside the city of Athens.

It was then that Hestia realized the extent of his power.

With a mere gesture, he could obliterate her—a member of the Twelve Olympians.

And yet, he chose not to.

Tears streamed down Hestia's face as the truth struck her. The Golden King Suren had never succumbed to corruption.

What madness or beastly instinct could ever shake his noble will?

It was her own fear of his turmoil that had created a rift between them.

It was Athena's misinterpretation of his plans that had forced him into this second iteration.

"Suren…"

As regret consumed her, Hestia realized she might never see him again.

Suren was too occupied, saying brief farewells to everyone in these final moments.

"Hercules, can I count on you?"

"My king, I swear to protect your kingdom with my life."

"That's unnecessary. Do your best—that will suffice."

One by one, Suren bid farewell to Helen, Atalanta, Europa, Eris, and countless others. Finally, he announced his decision.

"The end of the divine era and the rise of the human age is an unyielding will of the Counter Force."

"The Gigantes are unfit as anchors to hold this era in place."

"If that's the case, then I will be the anchor."

"The divine era shall remain. Greece shall remain eternal!"

---

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