I Became Artemis’ Boyfriend

“Attention!”

Athena loudly called out while clapping her hands together.

In response, twenty commanding-grade knights waiting outside the command post quickly formed two horizontal rows in front of Athena, their helmets firmly in place.

The swift and precise lineup of the knights indirectly demonstrated just how disciplined this military camp was.

Athena, her cloak fluttering, ascended the podium and briefly made eye contact with each of them.

“The demons have started to move. Return to your positions immediately and complete all preparations!”

“Understood!”

“Understood!”

With vigorous replies, the knights saluted in unison and orderly exited the command post.

I watched their backs, nodding in understanding as to why they all seemed somewhat shorter statured.

“All of Lady Athena’s senior knights are women—”

Pffft!

A sudden pain shot through my shin during my muttering.

Rubbing my sore shin, I saw Artemis looking down at me in disdain, as if I were some kind of bug.

Her narrow eyes pierced me sharply.

“What is it now?”

“Are you just slacking off? Huh? There’s a war right around the corner and all you’re doing is being picky. Tch!”

It seemed our goddess had misunderstood me as being interested in the knights I’d just seen in formation.

Wait… could this be… the jealousy seen only in romance anime?!

“Jealousy?!”

“Reprimand!”

Pffft! Pffft!

A dazzling series of kidney punches battered my side.

This is definitely a move seen only in anime…

Though the genre is different…

“Cough! Cough! Th-That’s not it… these ones in plate armor have to handle those heavy lances as well.”

“Don’t you dare underestimate them. They’re priests with a little divine blood mixed in. In terms of nobility alone, you’re below them.”

“Huh? They’re priests? What about the Athena Temple?”

“They have their own. I imagine the number of senior priests is just over a hundred.”

Good grief.

Just how impressive must Athena’s authority be if she has a hundred priests serving under her?

Judging from the clear distinction between military officers and administrative officers, it seems she possesses far more than I could ever imagine.

Thinking about her wisdom now seems trivial…

Unconsciously scratching my throat, I tried to calm myself.

“Artemis? Could I trouble you to scout around the Mountain of the Gods in my chariot?”

“Got it, Big Sister. Let’s go, Ark.”

“Not Ark. I have something else to say.”

“…Is that so? Got it.”

Artemis, alternately looking between Athena and me, nonchalantly nodded her head.

After skillfully boarding the chariot, she swiftly took off back towards the sky.

Left in the strange Athena camp alone after Artemis had gone, I was now all by myself.

It was scary and daunting, like being lost from your mom in an amusement park.

“Come in.”

Following Athena into the tent, I entered.

Inside the clean tent, only a lonely table was situated centrally.

“Sit down.”

Upon her removing her helmet and offering me a seat,

“Alright…”

Perhaps from the recent fighting, crying, and commotion, it felt awkward and stiff being in a private meeting.

Just as I was considering the chance to become closer,

I hastily got up and snatched the teapot she was bringing over as soon as I saw it.

“Milady, I’ll pour for you.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as the aroma of tea quickly spread around the tent, the anxious pounding in my chest from being alone began to settle.

“Uh… Lady Athena, I have a question.”

“Ask. And I’ll grant you a more casual honorific.”

She was referring to the way I usually address Artemis.

Maybe I was the only one who felt awkward.

The private comfort in this Athena camp, which was otherwise rigid with serious discipline, came across as a special favor.

Perhaps I was acknowledged a little by Athena?

“Thanks. Earlier, the mention of Lord Poseidon, what did it mean?”

“This war you were nominated for was personally suggested by Him.”

“Huh? Why!!?? What in the world could have possessed Him to send me here… Ah, never mind. It’s an honor.”

The look Athena gave me for belittling such a sacred battlefield made me unable to utter a sound under her pressure.

Hmph… Calm down.

No matter how excited I was, I must be careful with my words.

Still, you old man, Poseidon!

I finally know why I suddenly received an enlistment notice. It was that old man’s doing.

Why did you nominate me for a terrifying war?

“Ark, you don’t know how to fight, right?”

“Eh?!”

“Didn’t He save you when you were being beaten up by thugs?”

“…”

That old man of the sea!

What a gossip monger spreading my embarrassing stories!

That was a scene made intentionally dramatic – I took the hit on purpose!

It was for the Twelve Labors…

It’s not something I can explain though…

Anyway, it’s true that fighting isn’t my strong suit…

“Perhaps it was to cultivate your courage and bravery.”

“Does that mean sending me straight to the battlefield?”

“Hmph hmmm, is it so? He highly praised you. He claimed you had the wisdom to change the world, right here before me Athena. You’re the first human He’s ever shown such favor to.”

“An overstatement. My shallow wisdom is but a small stream, while Lady Athena’s wisdom is like a great sea.”

“Even you, who used to be so insolent, know how to say flattering words. Hmph hmmm.”

But it wasn’t entirely unpleasant, and Athena smiled slightly as she stood up from her seat.

Walking towards the tent window, her charming smile that once captivated many men quickly disappeared, replaced by a worried expression as she looked at the Mountain of the Gods, which was still burning.

“Perhaps, He is preparing for the great war to come in the future, just like I am.”

“The great war to come?”

“Yes.”

As I stood there, Athena slightly nodded, looking at an unseen distant future.

“Report! Report! Report!”

At that moment, the curtain over the tent door flapped violently as a messenger rushed in.

“Reporting! The full force of the demon army will arrive below the Mountain of the Gods in approximately 20 minutes!”

“Understood. Good work.”

Athena, folding her arms, nodded in acknowledgment of the messenger’s efforts.

“Old!”

After saluting, the messenger finished reporting and left.

Reports continued to come in, and the situation became more urgent.

However, Athena merely drank her tea while gazing out the window.

“Shouldn’t we prepare?”

“We should. Ark, do you know anything about military strategy?”

“A little.”

“Hmph hmmm.

This, too, she handled with confidence.

I had seen everything from earthly historical battle records and historical dramas about how soldiers fought.

Feigning an attack on the east while defending the west?

Decoy tactics?

Burning the enemy’s provisions?

Double agent strategy?

Ask me anything.

I’ll answer.

“Arc. When you fight an enemy, is it advantageous to hold high ground or low ground?”

“Of course, the high ground.”

Hmph. Is this really a question?

The biggest advantage of high ground is the clear line of sight.

Also, arrows shot from a height are stronger and travel farther.

When enemies climb up, it takes more effort and drains their stamina.

There aren’t high ground battles for no reason.

“Hmm. Hmm.”

Athena’s deflated reaction created an odd sense of dissociation.

There was a faint sense of disappointment in the obvious answer I gave.

As if she had already read what my response to the next question would be.

“Ark, then why are enemy forces holding the high ground now descending to the plains?”

“That’s… Hmm.”

I thought deeply for a moment but…

Simply, I don’t know.

I know what is advantageous and disadvantageous.

Even if the enemy’s numbers are greater than ours, they are infantry.

We have the strongest cavalry.

On this wide-open plain with clear visibility, cavalry is like a fish in water.

If I were enemy infantry?

When I see cavalry charging, I’d drop my weapons and run.

There is no madman who would attempt to face down an oncoming dump truck.

But why, for what reason, would the enemies give up their advantage for a disadvantage?

I don’t know.

“… I apologize.”

The disappointment in myself for not providing an answer caused my face to burn.

How on earth am I supposed to understand the enemy’s mind?

“That’s right.”

Athena didn’t mock me in that situation.

She quietly nodded and turned back to me, showing several pictures.

“Initially, when they generated in the Land of Death, there were only black wolves or zombies. But after a lot of time has passed now, ogres and intelligent demons have become the main forces in the demon army. What does this mean?”

“Are they… developing?”

“That’s correct. There’s no way black wolves or zombies could win against Ares’ mountain fortress and mountain warfare. But ogres destroyed the walls and trenches, and at some point, the demons began mimicking the highly skilled mountain warfare of Ares’ soldiers. That’s why the Mountain of the Gods eventually fell. What does this mean?”

Athena’s words came as a great shock.

If those words were true, then the demon army…

No, no!

The demons aren’t the real issue.

The real problem is…

“The Land of Death continues to gain and accumulate experience through ongoing battles, and it learns.”

“That’s correct.”

I prayed to be proven wrong, but the answer that came back was bleak reality.

The Land of Death infinitely regenerates demons to destroy this continent where we live, beyond just blocking the Mountain of the Gods.

So far, I have simply thought that was sufficient.

I was wrong.

Now I see, they aren’t creating demons randomly and mindlessly, but rather testing our strength and generating appropriate troop types in response.

What’s more terrifying is that the accumulated knowledge is being injected into the regenerated demons.

What if those already strong demons now possess knowledge too?

And what if those demons can be infinitely regenerated?

Ultimately, our defeat is only a matter of time.

The embarrassment of not being able to answer a question about military strategy has long disappeared.

Why did Athena choose to inform me of this situation and information?

The heavy truth heavily weighs on my shoulders.

And when I imagine that suffocating future, I secretly try to restrain my urge to flee from this place.

“The contents mentioned just now are unknown not only to me, but even to the senior priests. It’s a Level 1 military secret. Your telling me, Athena, what is she hoping for from me?”

“You’re correct.”

“Why? I’m just a human. Why give me such information when you, who must fight for 100 years, no, 1000 years, should have it?”

My voice was so sharp it felt like thorns.

Maybe not knowing is a kind of weakness,

Why did you tell me such a heavy truth?

“I saw it. Your flash of brilliance.”

“What…”

“In your capacity as a human, or rather, as Arc, the infinite potential you carry within.”

“Could you explain that more clearly?”

“Hmph hmmm. It’s quite far in the future anyway. Don’t feel pressured. You already have a task at hand, don’t you?”

You made me cry! Athena looked at me with an expression as if she wanted to say that.

That’s right. There’s Metis.

Could that sudden feeling I have so much to do be just a feeling?

“Metis?”

“Yes. The vow to the River Styx to save our mother. It’s almost impossible.”

“It could be the easiest thing in the world. We just need to change Lord Zeus’ mind.”

“Hmph hmmm. That kind of thinking surprises me. When mother returns, I plan to introduce you to her. Talking to you will surely make her quickly feel your shining wisdom.”

Each word she spoke revealed just how much she missed her mother.

By now, I also began to miss Metis.

Metis is also the goddess overseeing wisdom.

If I were to play Go with her, even two nights and three days wouldn’t be enough.

But wait…

Does this mean, introducing me to her parents…

“Report! Report! Report!”

Then another messenger entered the tent.

“Reporting! The demon army has completed their formation below the Mountain of the Gods! They are currently engaged in a standoff with our forces!”

“Understood. I know.”

The messenger left, and Athena moved to the corner of the tent.

Athena stood in front of the mirror and placed a hairpin in her mouth.

With both hands, she gently gathered her long, flowing blue hair that reached her waist and placed it in the hairpin.

Then, she gathered the tied hair and placed it atop her head, slightly turning her head to glance at me over her shoulder.

“Could you put the helmet on me?”

“Yes.”

With both hands, I carefully took the helmet on the table and placed it on her head.

Did she notice my trembling hands through the mirror?

Athena smirked and firmly tied the helmet straps in double and triple knots with her resolute hands.

Our faces, facing each other forward and backward, reflected in the mirror.

“Arc.”

She softly called my name.

“Yes.”

“Military strategy is nothing but clay. To know myself, the enemy, psychology, and the surrounding situation, only then can one create a true masterpiece. That is what military strategy is.”

“Today, I have learned greatly. Thank you, my lady.”

The reason why the opponents give up their advantageous high ground.

This question was one that truly struck through me.

Once again, I reflect on myself for flaunting knowledge through modern education and becoming conceited.

Military strategy is but a lump of clay.

I agree.

What one can create with it is solely one’s own responsibility.

I have certainly realized my inadequacies.

But there’s no need to feel ashamed.

We simply need to securely fill the empty gaps.

She extended her sword and shield, demanding review from me.

“Arc, now, do you understand? The reason why they have left their advantageous high ground and have descended into this vast plain.”

“Yes. They, who have only faced Ares’ infantry in the mountains, lack experience in cavalry combat. Isn’t it, entering the tiger’s mouth willingly?”

My confident answer made Athena grin widely as she replied,

“Advance!”

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