I Became Artemis’ Boyfriend

We slipped out through the northern gate of City Luna, pulling the carriage.

Naturally, our destination was Athens, one of the five great cities of Athena.

It’s a city so renowned for its abundance of horses that it might as well be called the “City of Warhorses.”

Naturally, horse meat dishes are the traditional cuisine there.

They make a rich broth with spices and vegetables, bring it to a boil, and then immerse slices of horse meat in the broth before eating.

It’s said to be such a delicacy that there may be people who haven’t tried it, but surely not anyone who stopped after just one bite. This time, I’d love the chance to give it a try.

Thinking about food, hunger got the better of me, and I began rummaging around in the back storage compartment.

When I spread out the blanket, it revealed a trove of preserved rations.

“Ah! That’s right. I’d forgotten. I prepared these when we got the mobilization order to go to the Mountain of the Gods.”

Due to the tension of participating in the war, I had loaded a month’s worth of food just in case and then completely neglected it until now in the carriage’s storage.

How could I, who pride myself on attention to detail, make such a mistake…?

I should reflect on that…

Still,

they say if you see rice cakes, you might as well prepare a sacrifice.

It’s just as well; the journey was getting monotonous, so this timing is perfect.

I took out a small box and moved to the passenger seat next to Artemis.

Opening the lid of the box, inside were a small jar of preserves about the size of my hand and two forks.

Artemis glanced sideways to inspect the contents.

“Hey, isn’t this that thing from before? It hasn’t gone bad, has it?”

Even though I hadn’t even opened the lid yet, she seemed to detect the smell of spoiled food and covered her nose with the back of her hand.

“This is candied apples soaked in honey and some nuts. It would take a change of seasons two or three times for it to go bad.”

As I unscrewed the jar’s lid, the scent of aged apple and honey wafted into the air, tickling my nose and stimulating the salivary glands.

Using the fork, I speared a piece of honey-preserved apple and offered it to her.

She eyed me warily, narrowing her eyes as she looked back and forth between me and the fork.

“…Why are you giving this to me first?”

“It’s tiring driving the carriage, so I’m treating you.”

“Are you just trying to make sure the taste hasn’t changed?”

……

Sigh.

That’s why I don’t like dealing with people who catch on too quickly, you know?

“Hahaha. Would I do that? The person who works hard is always the first to taste the fruit.”

“But I’m holding the reins. The road is curving right now, so I’ll eat it later.”

An Artemis without the use of both hands?

Now that’s a big deal.

I started thinking of this as a chance.

The classic trope in romantic comedies—feeding someone by hand—was shaping up beautifully.

“Come on, try it.”

“What?!”

Artemis’s expression turned rigid as if suddenly waking up, and she raised one shoulder defensively.

She then swung her elbow, which was holding the reins, to block me off, giving a clear indication that she did not wish my approach.

“Hey, what are you embarrassed about?”

“I’ve never been embarrassed! I’ll eat it later. I’m not hungry now.”

But her stomach betrayed her words with a timely growl.

Glancing down, I saw her stomach and smirked.

“What’s wrong? There’s no one watching.”

“Urgh…”

“I’m just feeding you since you can’t use your hands right now. No hidden meanings here. Is the honey-preserved apple really sweet?”

“…”

“Come on, ah~.”

I brought the piece of apple to her mouth.

Hesitating, she pretended to resist before reluctantly opening her closed lips slightly.

She timidly stretched out her tongue like a puppy that couldn’t keep its eyes open, sampling the honey before suddenly opening her mouth wide and taking the apple in.

She chewed slowly, savoring the taste, storing a piece on one cheek like a chipmunk.

Observing her from the side, I couldn’t help but smile like a proud father.

I skewered another piece and held it near her mouth.

This time Artemis naturally received it without hesitation.

This brief time where we were getting more familiar with each other felt incredibly happy.

I wish this drive date through the wide plains could last a little longer.

Still, we can’t indulge in this sweetness forever.

What is our purpose in heading to Athens?

It’s to bring Nike to our side.

Just because she’s a goddess who serves Athena doesn’t necessarily mean she’s on our team, does it?

In a way, it’s like the friend of a friend.

So, I’m determined to make her one of ours this time.

“Already finished? Artemis, recently I realized… you really eat a lot, don’t you?”

“Of course, isn’t it obvious? To maintain muscles and skin like mine, you have to eat a lot.”

“Okay, okay… If things go well with Nike… Hmm~ I’ll make another delicious dish for you.”

“Really?! You promise.”

“Sure. So if there’s anything you know about Nike, can you tell me?”

Was it the anticipation of new food? Artemis suddenly became quite serious, recalling various memories of Nike.

Judging by how often she furrowed her brow, it seemed the impressions weren’t entirely positive.

“Still, Nike is a goddess who serves Athena, so won’t Athena be saddened if we bring her over?”

Worried, I started the conversation lightly.

But Artemis shook her head vigorously, dismissing the idea.

“Nah, Nike is more like an obsessive fan of Athena. Forget ‘bringing her over,’ it’s more about earning Nike’s support.”

“Support? Okay. If that’s enough to counter Eros, that’s all we need. Still, it’s strange, wasn’t Nike absent during the last battle on the Mountain of the Gods?”

“Word has it she helped reorganize Ares’ troops at his request.”

“I see.”

Nike is the goddess of victory.

Even the presence of Nike alone could be enough to restore morale to Ares’ retreating troops stationed at the summit of the Mountain of the Gods. There were even rumors that Ares himself attempted to recruit her after witnessing the high morale of the defeated soldiers.

When you think about it, both Athena and Ares are gods of war.

For the gods of war to carry victory with them has incredibly profound implications.

“What’s her personality like?”

“Nike’s personality?”

“Why? In my estimation, she should be kinder and gentler than anyone else.”

I threw that out lightly, recalling the image of Nike from a past cartoon.

But Artemis responded with a dismissive snort and a raised lip.

“Hmph, you’ll just have to judge that yourself. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Artemis?

Forgive me, but even your personality is someone I’ve come to accept.

Unless it’s someone with a catastrophic personality breakdown, who can really stir up the tranquil lake of my heart?

In a carefree mood, like going on a picnic with friends, Artemis and I entered the city of Athens.

We immediately directed the carriage north towards the city.

The temple of Athena and the military compound within Athens were located in the northern part of the city.

It seemed like this position was chosen for a quick response to any movements of the demons in the direction of the Mountain of the Gods.

Interestingly,

the Poseidon temple beside the lighthouse on the edge of the high cliff,

the Artemis temple leveled out halfway up the mountain slopes,

the Aphrodite temple at the heart of the city so humans could feel the divine presence,

and others,

from the location of the temples, one could infer the nature of those gods.

We parked the carriage and took a look around the courtyard in front of the temple.

While the Aphrodite temple was majestic in its golden splendor, it was of yet another kind of grandeur that could be felt here.

“Amazing?”

“This is the standard required to be considered the second-in-command to our father.”

An array of victory monuments recorded countless triumphs.

Various plaques commemorated the achievements of those who had merited recognition.

Most notably, there was a statue as large as the temple itself—an equestrian statue depicting Athena on a rearing warhorse pointing her spear at a fallen demon, exuding an aura of power.

Just gazing at such a statue might inspire even cowards to enlist with a swelling chest.

At that moment, the temple doors opened wide, and Athena appeared.

“Artemis! Ark!”

She was over 170cm tall, and though her impressive legs and elegant figure were partly concealed by her armor, they were still unmistakable.

From her confident strides, it was clear no modern top-tier models could even approach her stature.

Behind her, around thirty priests and devotees stood at attention as an honor guard on either side of us, welcoming our arrival with bows.

Having never experienced such a passionate welcome before, we were a bit taken aback. But then Athena hurried over,

saying, “Ah, this kind of formal etiquette is no longer necessary. Ark, you are someone we can rely on.”

She grabbed my hand and helped me to stand.

“Thank you. This kind of grand treatment is a first for me… hahaha.”

“All warriors who participated in the Great Demon War for the protection of humanity receive this kind of treatment, so don’t worry about it.”

“Older Sister? I came too, you know?”

“Of course, my younger sister.”

Athena, in saying she hadn’t missed that fact, buried Artemis’ face into her own chest.

However, with her wearing armor, Artemis’ cheek was pressed firmly against cold steel in an unintentionally amusing sight.

“Listen up!”

We all raised our right arms high as Athena drew attention.

“Today is a day of esteemed visitors. Everyone, except for those on guard duty, is free to loosen your helmet straps and enjoy yourselves!”

“Aye!”

The priests and devotees of Athena, cheerful with their wide grins, began to open the warehouse doors in anticipation of this rare celebration.

Between the cracks of the doors, we could see

ale, wine, cider, aquavit, and many other types of liquor filling the vast storerooms.

“Alright, let the commoners amongst us drink freely. We’ll go inside.”

Athena ushered us into the temple, gently pushing us with both of her hands.

Inside the long reception room, an elegant woman greeted us.

She was dressed in a French-style black maid uniform covering her wrists and ankles.

She bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, and the shimmering golden color of her short hair as it swayed was deeply impressive.

“Who is she…?”

“Ah. Allow me to introduce her.”

Athena stepped forward to conduct the introductions.

“Nike, introduce yourself. This is Ark, a 9th-class priest of Artemis.”

“……”

Nike beamed with a silent smile.

But I noticed it.

In that fleeting moment, her face had momentarily contorted as if she’d bitten an insect.

Why?

Did I make a mistake?

“Nike?”

“Ah! Yes~ Older Sister. Hehehe. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ark. I am Nike, the goddess of victory who serves Lady Athena. Also, Lady Artemis, it’s been a while.”

Nike gracefully introduced herself by slightly lifting her hem.

“Ah… yes. I’m Ark. And Goddess, since I’m a priest, you don’t need to use the honorific.”

“Hehehe~ Lord Ark? I find this habit comfortable, so please don’t worry.”

“Yes. Still, I find ‘Lord’ a bit strange… so please feel free to call me Ark.”

“Okay~ Ark.”

Her cheerful and gentle voice enveloped my ears.

Her smiling face and bright tone dispelled any awkwardness, and soon the reception room was filled with a warm, inviting atmosphere.

If I had an older sister, I would definitely want her to be like this.

How much fun it would be to mess around and joke with her all day.

The momentary frown I saw earlier must have been my mistake.

“Alright! Alright! Everyone, please take your seats.”

Athena clapped her hands and took the head seat.

Following her lead, we sat to the left, while Nike sat to the right.

Athena took a refreshing sip of water and initiated the conversation.

“I’ve read the document you sent via courier bird. Hmm… it seems Eros has caused trouble again. What vow did he make?”

“He vowed to shoot an arrow if Athena does not accept his golden pen as a gift.”

“That boy’s arrows are quite the troublemaker. So, what is your request, Ark?”

As she asked me, Athena removed her helmet.

Her long blue hair, which had been resting inside her helmet, cascaded down her shoulders like cherry blossoms.

This was only the second time I had witnessed this, but my heart raced each time.

“…”

“Arc?”

“Ah… Yes. Actually, I have come to you for two reasons. One is to secure Nike’s support because of my dispute with Eros.”

“Increasing our allies is a necessity with the increasing enemies… And the other?”

“Could you transfer your gift of the golden pen to someone else and not Athena?”

Feeling embarrassingly awkward at this favor, I accidentally bowed my head.

It was because asking Athena to relinquish the glory that should return to her as an eighth rank goddess for promotion due to the coercion of Eros made me look foolish.

In fact,

During our carriage ride, I had repeatedly pondered what would be the best course of action.

If I could only secure Athena’s concession…

the other deities present would also understand, and Aphrodite’s anger could be somewhat appeased.

Above all, my current problem remains the complete lack of defense against Eros’ arrows.

“Hohoho… Ark?”

Athena reached out with her arm and cupped my cheek with her palm.

She slowly lifted my drooping head, telling me that such meekness didn’t suit me.

The warmth and the smell of sweat from her palm helped calm my heart.

“You’re the man who will fulfill my decades-long aspiration. Of course, it’s regrettable to forego the glory of the golden pen, but for you, I can easily concede.”

“Thank you, Athena.”

I was deeply moved by Athena’s unexpectedly smooth approval.

I clenched my chest, suppressing the swirling sense of shame towards Eros, and sincerely expressed my gratitude to Athena.

“However, Nike’s support is something Nike herself must decide. Nike, can you fully support Ark?”

Athena, as my representative, directly asked Nike.

Nike responded by covering her mouth with her hand and chuckling softly.

“Hohoho. As Athena wishes, I too must naturally support Ark, right?”

“Hmm. As expected, Nike and I always share the same heart.”

“Hohoho~ Naturally.”

“Great. With that, both issues are resolved. How about sharing a meal together?”

Athena, satisfied, beamed with a broad smile.

She got up briefly, saying she had to pass a message to the kitchen.

Slam.

When Athena left, the door immediately closed.

And simultaneously,

“Ahhh, screw this. It’s so irritating.”

A new and vulgar curse word I had never heard penetrated my ears.

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