A Meeting Outside the City

The matter of the Golden Ring was merely a small interlude for Falan.

Falan was only somewhat surprised that his seniors had been hiding their talents so well.

"But even so, it's actually perfectly normal."

After all, people had many different choices in life.

For example, some gave up on their path to becoming adventurers.

Some continued striving despite not becoming adventurers, while others chose to become supporters.

Some, like Captain Mia, grew older, gradually felt unable to keep up, and chose retirement.

Others, like the Golden Ring, chose to quietly leave the ranks because of what they had experienced.

They were all personal choices, and Falan had no right to interfere.

"The manager is right, Falan. They're living well. In fact, they've long since gotten used to their current lives."

"Compared to me selfishly wanting to ask Lord Soma to have them 'convert Familias' and return to the life of adventurers..."

Falan did not know what to say. Was he being arrogant? Perhaps he was.

After all, that was how the world worked. Many people claimed they were doing something for your own good.

But that so-called good might not necessarily be what the person involved actually needed.

"I should sort out the supplies... After all, I've already applied for the mission. With Hermes's efficiency, we should be setting out within a day or two." Yet the outcome exceeded Falan's expectations. Early the next morning, an adventurer from the Hermes Familia came looking for him.

"What is it? Does the Dungeon need supplies delivered again? Why come to me so early?"

"No, the posted mission has already been accepted. Lord Hermes asked me to bring you over."

"..." That was truly efficient. He had expected to wait another day or two.

As he hurriedly changed clothes, his feet did not slow either. "Lead the way!"

"Yes."

And just like that, the two quickly arrived at Orario's gate.

There, Falan encountered adventurers from the Ganesha Familia, who were generally responsible for Orario's security.

After completing the procedures required to leave the city for the mission, they headed outside Orario.

"Seriously... inside and outside the city are two completely different worlds."

If Orario was a civilized city-state combining the Middle Ages with hints of modernity,

then outside was a primeval jungle. Its lushness left Falan wide-eyed at first glance.

A voice sounded from not far away. "Little brother Falan, Miko, what are you two doing?"

"Lord Hermes, we were just handling the procedures to leave the city."

"Then why were you standing at the city gate for so long?"

Falan felt his body being lightly tugged, and only then did he hurriedly come to his senses.

Following the adventurer called Miko, he jogged over to the convoy of the two Familias.

Falan quickly apologized. "Sorry, I only received the message this morning."

"Hahaha! It's not your fault. This mission is urgent, after all. We can't delay even for a moment."

Then another crisp voice rang out. "Lord God, there was clearly enough time to notify him yesterday. You just wanted to see little brother Falan looking flustered, so you waited until departure before sending Miko to tell him."

"Ah, Yafis, don't be like that~ It wouldn't be as interesting otherwise."

...Sorry, I came quickly, but sadly I'm not as flustered as you imagined.

"By the way, which Familia accepted this mission?"

Another voice answered, "Ours."

She was a red-haired woman. From the aura Falan sensed from her... She's stronger than me. She should be a first-class adventurer above Level 5.

"And you are?" Falan could not help but complain. Ours? He did not even know who she was, so who were "we"?

"Ahem, I'm Letsha, captain of the Artemis Familia."

"Artemis? The Moon Goddess, Goddess of the Hunt, also known as the Goddess of Purity and the Goddess of Family?"

(The Goddess of Purity did not mean Artemis did not like men. In Greek mythology, she had also loved Endymion and Orion, so her guarding her chastity and not understanding love in the movie could be understood as Orario's setting.)

"Ahem, if you remember correctly, that should be me. But speaking of which, why don't I remember ever being called the Goddess of Family?"

"Uh... this?" Falan was at a loss for words. He could not exactly say it was based on the myths he knew from another world, could he? After thinking for a moment, he forced himself to speak. "It's only something I heard. After all, so much information circulates around Orario every day, and it might not be true."

"Is that so? If it's convenient, could you tell me what you heard about my title as the Goddess of Family?"

"..." Falan found it difficult to speak. Was he supposed to make it up now? Why was this goddess Artemis pressing him so hard?

"I only heard it in passing. Apparently, Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo have a very good relationship."

"We're siblings, after all. It's only natural that we get along well."

"Besides that, I heard that Lady Artemis likes taking care of children. If she finds a child in the wilderness, she even feeds them bear's milk."

Falan had figured that since things had come to this, he had no choice but to make something up based on the stories he knew.

Yet unexpectedly, he had actually hit the mark. A girl from the Artemis Familia seemed to come to his rescue.

"Um... that's true. Lady Artemis found me and brought me back just like that."

"..." He had only made it up casually, yet there really was someone like that.

After asking her name, Falan felt rather puzzled. Lante? Was she Atalanta from a parallel world?

No matter what, Falan was very grateful to Lante. If she had not spoken up,

their entire group might have been left awkwardly standing there. Thankfully, she had opened her mouth.

With Falan getting things started, the members of the two Familias began discussing the goddess Artemis.

Before they knew it, the atmosphere had become harmonious, and naturally, Falan's hands did not slow down either.

Very quickly, he stored the supplies of both Familias into his Backpack.

Then Artemis began scolding Hermes. "Hermes, you already found the Big Backpack, so why did you still have us prepare carriages? Why not just ask the Ganesha Familia to get a few Wyverns and fly us there?"

"Ahem, I forgot. It definitely wasn't because I wanted to watch a good show..."

Then a certain goddess, wearing an expression that said You're asking for it, began throwing hands.

Falan watched from the side and silently tilted his head. Was this truly what one should expect from the Goddess of the Hunt?

The moment she was displeased, she immediately resorted to violence. She was nothing like her gentle appearance.