Crossover: The Problem Human of [Arcadia]

The moment she heard his voice, Artemis visibly flinched.

Her expression changed on the spot.

"A cave will do," she hurriedly said. "My Authority is best suited to caves and places steeped in darkness."

"Huh? But..." Kurousagi blinked in confusion. How could she let a goddess stay somewhere like that? Besides, if they counted the family connections, Artemis was practically her "little sister." How could she dump her in some shabby cave?

"It's nothing." Artemis sniffled, eyes already glistening with tears as she clasped Kurousagi's hands. "I've been researching cave- and darkness-related Authorities lately. If you really care about me... just give me the simplest place you have."

"W-Wait, why are you crying?" Kurousagi panicked, completely at a loss. "Did someone bully you?"

"No! Nobody bullied me!" Artemis' tears refused to stop. "I'm... I'm just happy. Really. Actually, my living conditions back in Greece were even worse than this. And... and no one ever treated me as kindly as you have, Kurousagi. So I'm happy."

"...Really?"

Kurousagi looked doubtful, but if Artemis insisted, she could only accept it. What if pressing the issue scared her away?

Nearby, Athena leaned close to Ryo, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "What exactly did you do to Artemis? I've never seen her this terrified."

To be honest, this was the first time Athena had ever seen Artemis cry.

She had to admit, though, seeing that usually regal, aloof face reduced to tears was... surprisingly adorable.

Ryo rolled his eyes. "What are you talking about? Lady Artemis isn't afraid of me at all. She's the one who cursed me to be hated by unmarried girls, remember?"

"I didn't!" Artemis immediately covered her mouth, tears welling up again. "I didn't..."

Kurousagi shot Ryo a fierce glare that had absolutely no intimidation behind it. "Ryo! How could you bully her?"

Ryo turned toward Artemis. "Did I bully you?"

"N-No! Absolutely not!" Artemis blurted out, forcing herself to smile ingratiatingly. "You've... you've been nothing but kind to me."

She had no desire whatsoever to hear names like Tenbu Hōrin, Genrou Mao Ken, or any of those Underworld techniques ever again.

"There, see?" Ryo nodded in satisfaction.

Then, worried Kurousagi might keep digging, he quickly changed the subject.

"I've got something to take care of. Algol's waiting for me. You girls carry on."

Without waiting for a reply, he headed for the stairs. A few seconds later, he was gone.

Kurousagi stamped her foot, then turned back to Artemis. Looking at the tear-streaked face that resembled a little kitten's, she couldn't help pulling her into a hug and gently patting her back. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Ryo won't bully you."

"...Mm."

Artemis nodded hard, as though she'd just been granted a divine promise.

A huge weight lifted from her shoulders.

With Kurousagi backing her up, she'd finally found a little courage.

The next time Ryo summoned her, she might even dare keep him waiting... for two whole seconds.

Neither of them noticed the strange look Athena was giving them from the side.

'Just how badly had Artemis been traumatized to mistake Kurousagi for a reliable protector?'

Then again, it made sense.

Artemis had always had a terrible temper. She'd only managed to live peacefully because Apollo and Hestia sheltered her, and because she usually stayed out of Greek politics.

Now that the Fourth Greek Divine Group was taking shape, cozying up to Kurousagi wasn't a bad move.

After all, Ryo cared more about Kurousagi than anyone else.

As Athena considered the situation, she frowned.

The Heavenly Army had apparently discovered signs of a new Last Embryo and had begun investigating the South Area.

It looked like she'd need to pull her intelligence network back toward the East Area.

With Ryo, Shiroyasha, and Algol there, the East was far safer.

That thought reminded her of Lakshmi, who had approached her not long ago. That invitation was another headache waiting to happen.

'Troubles really do come in bunches...'

Shaking her head, Athena glanced toward the third floor before quietly walking away, paying no attention whatsoever to her "dear sister," who was still clinging to Kurousagi for emotional support.

After all, sisterhood among the Greek gods was about as durable as cheap plastic.

_ _ _

When Ryo reached the fourth floor, the space around him rippled.

The hallway transformed into a vast temple lined with gleaming white tiles, every surface polished like a mirror.

Standing directly ahead, dressed in a white restraint outfit that emphasized her petite figure to perfection, Algol calmly combed her long hair.

"You're back."

Without even looking, she casually raised the hand holding the comb.

Ryo sighed with practiced resignation. Walking over, he took the comb from her hand, stepped behind her, and began brushing her hair.

Algol closed her eyes contentedly. "So? What did you think of Artemis?"

"Boring." Ryo shrugged.

"Heh. Just as I expected." Algol shook her head knowingly. "You're the real demon here."

She clicked her tongue. "Before I advanced, I could already feel that you were a threat to me. Tsk. A four-digit capable of threatening a three-digit... that's a first, even for me."

Ordinarily, once someone advanced to the three-digit level, or even a pseudo three-digit, anyone with a lower Spirit Rank was completely outclassed.

It wasn't a question of whether they could win, or how many opponents it would take. They simply couldn't fight back.

The sort of causality reversal Artemis relied on was child's play to beings at that level. Once someone reached that realm, Gift Games and Wars no longer meant much.

If they wanted to win, they won.

As for the rule-breakers and the Two-Digits... aside from the rather unconventional Shiroyasha, every Two-Digit powerhouse wielded some fundamental Authority of Universal Truth (Brahman), placing themselves above the rules themselves.

...

Ryo simply brushed the compliment aside. "Come on. I'm just specialized in destruction. If we actually fought to the death, the best outcome would be you walking away with a minor scratch while I ended up dead."

"And you're complaining?" Algol stared at him in disbelief.

He could injure someone who was practically equivalent to a two-digit existence, and he still wasn't satisfied.

'Greedier than a demon.'

She muttered under her breath before finally getting to the point. "I'm planning something big."

"What kind of big?" Ryo asked curiously.

Algol narrowed her eyes. "I'm going to have a Last Embryo assassinate a God King."

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