Aphrodite's Advice (Continued)

Artemis said coldly, "Even so, you have shown me the ugliness of so-called 'love'."

Is that so?

Aphrodite tilted her head, clearly unaware of her own actions.

Seeing someone trample on others' love and affection with the air of a goddess makes one realize that so-called love is only something of that level.

"Fine, you still don't understand what I'm saying."

Aphrodite didn't ponder it deeply, but shook her head and said, "Just as you weren't the only virgin goddess in Greece, consider Hestia, who was closest to you."

"Although that girl is also a virgin, if she finds someone she loves, she will definitely use all her heart and soul to express her 'love' to him. So Hestia more likable."

"It's always been like this in the heavens. It seems that only when I'm putting on airs am I truly the chaste goddess Artemis... I've never liked that."

Seemingly a genuine outpouring of emotion, Aphrodite said, "You pathetic creature, so immersed in your own power and influenced by it, how are you any different from Ishtar in essence?"

"I..."

Artemis opened her mouth, but could not refute it.

"This time is the same. Because Orion's Arrow has been approved, you can't take a hard line. To put it bluntly, you're just a slave to power."

Aphrodite tossed her hair and said confidently, "We gods can be influenced by power, because we are beings born from power, but we must never be limited by power."

"I am in charge of beauty, not the other way around. You need to understand that."

Although he's a bit of a fool, he's surprisingly insightful.

Even Artemis, upon hearing this, couldn't help but admit it to herself.

"Then what should I do?"

Artemis was confused.

"It's very simple. Just treat Orion's Arrow as a mark, a mark that allows you to let go of your innate aversion to men and be able to get along freely."

"If you are certain that the other person is worthy of being your romantic partner, then embark on a sweet, transcendent, and earth-shattering romance."

Aphrodite's words were captivating, commanding and confident, radiating a golden glow.

She needs neither power nor the beauty she commands as adornment; her very being is enough to attract the 'children' of the lower realm.

This is what Aphrodite meant by the power originating from beauty, yet not limited by power.

"Are you tempted?"

Aphrodite, seeing Artemis deep in thought, couldn't help but smile and say...

"Have no idea."

Perhaps there's some hesitation.

Aphrodite, being the goddess of beauty, chuckled and continued, "Speaking of which, I've actually wanted to ask this for a while now: to what extent can you go?"

"To what extent...?"

Artemis was somewhat puzzled.

The questions and answers, seemingly set more than a decade in advance, are now being presented.

"Sexual intercourse is definitely out of the question, right? What about kissing? Holding hands? And what about perfectly healthy, spiritual love?"

Aphrodite was rather aggressive.

"Hmm, if only we could stay away from physical desires..."

Artemis hesitated slightly.

"So, do you hate men?"

Aphrodite asked again.

"That's not true. I also have great respect for skilled hunters and virtuous sages."

Artemis denied her statement.

The question-and-answer session between the goddesses started suddenly. Even if there were other people present, let alone a baby, the two goddesses would never allow anyone to interfere.

"So, do you realize that everything you've said is a contradiction?"

Aphrodite sneered.

"What...?"

Artemis stood frozen in place.

"The chairman was thwarted by his impure heterosexual relationships. The gods around him joked, 'What is "impure"? Is it being driven by desire?'"

Aphrodite asked again.

"... Indulging in desire leads to lewdness and depravity, resulting in the degeneration of body and mind."

Artemis gave her answer.

"In that case, wouldn't it be fine to just stay at the level of spiritual love, as you just acknowledged?"

Aphrodite delivered the decisive blow.

"If you don't like someone because of their looks, that's fine too. Back in the Heavenly Realm, you already decided on your 'answer' before you were even courted, right?"

Aphrodite said, "That is why I say Orion's Arrow is a mark, but only a mark."

Without a doubt, this was Aphrodite's victory.

"You're so immature, Artemis. No, you're a 'little kid.'"

At this moment, Aphrodite's face was not her usual proud, arrogant, and disdainful one, but rather adorned with a radiant smile like that of a goddess.

Although gods are transcendent beings, they were perfect from the very beginning.

However, Aphrodite used the illogical word "unripe," which Artemis could not ignore at this point.

For some reason, Artemis always felt as if she had lost.

--Since I am a virgin goddess, I must remain chaste; there is no reason why.

The words Artemis spoke were precisely those of suffering.