NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 12
Chapter 12
'So, this is the hunt… strange… don't remember one being in DxD I think it was more like… Percy Jackson thing, I think…
Nonetheless…'
[Energy reading scan complete. S.N.M.S.S ready and on standby.]
'So, this is divine energy. Quite fascinating type of energy.' I looked at the reading. It's somewhat higher tier from regular magic as well as connected to certain aspects depending on the thing the God is related to...
Her power is flowing through these girls. Not only that but she gets more power in turn. Something akin to a network. She is feeding from their believes while same time her power flows through them.
'Quite fascinating piece of specimen you are Artemis. Sadly I don't have any facilities built for someone like you.'
And my binding magic is not set up for someone like a Greek God.
'Hmm, I guess I will have to leave you like this...pity…' My gaze turned around and looked at the hooded person from a higher point of view.
"Who are you? This area for two months is under Greek Pantheon jurisdiction. No other supernatural being should be here without direct permission from me or Zeus!" The female which I believe is Artemis said that to me. She is quite arrogant.
"Oh? I didn't know that. I thought Siberia doesn't belong to any supernatural pantheon." I said to her. My voice was that of mechanically synthesised so she can't truly know my gender. Plus the multiple layers of barriers around me she can't feel anything from me, including her divine energy, can't simply touch me.
"So, you new then? Very well then, for the newcomer, it's forgiven. Still, though, you trespassed and caused damage to the surrounding areas at least reveal to me who you are?"
'Not bad for man-hater, she knows some politics even for someone who spends majority time in wilds. I suppose the Greek Pantheon went up slightly in my liking bar.'
"Sadly, I can't do that. My identity is confidential until the right time comes."
The moment I said that all the hunters of hers pointed their bows at me.
"That's foolish of you. You are surrounded and trespassing. In all sense, I should simply kill you." She said that with flash her bow now appeared in her hand.
"Oh? For a mere Godling, you are quite confident…"
[S.N.M.S.S deployed]
Freedoms wing's glowed and a burst of energy was emitted.
The next moment the bows held by the huntresses lost their glow. Especially the one wielded by the leader which I assume is Artemis she didn't introduce himself yet though.
"W-What is this!? Why I can't use my powers? What did you do-"
Before she say anything more I was already in front of her and Phobos, the right-hand rifle, was already pointing at her face.
"It's called science. Both magical and regular ones. I already figured out how your divine energy works."
When I told her that, she lunged forward anyway. My eyes for a second widened as she moved forward to brush Phobos away.
My suit reacted on its own and with help of the energy I dodged and with my right leg I kicked her away, sending her flying. The hit was quite powerful as she passed through several sets of trees.
""""LADY ARTEMIS!!!""""
The huntresses quickly moved in switching from their bows into dual knives.
"This just ridiculous. Steel knives? trying to cut me with that?" I asked with disbelief as Aurora already scanned the composition of the metal. Metals are something I have been tinkering with for decades. I can spot a steel miles away.
The girls didn't bother with that as they quickly rushed forward anyway.
"That's it… no more taking this easy…"
The revolver spun inside the Rifles. Selecting scattershot.
I pointed Deimos and Phobos at the incoming huntresses from all directions. Time to show why Wing Gundam was very dangerous in its time. While I targeting for Freedom Gundam style where one machine can take on whole armies, Wing Gundam dual rifle style was quite similar.
Pressing the triggers white magic circles appeared at the rifles barrel ends and volleys of electrical balls of energy started rushing at the females.
While the same time I was spinning shooting in all directions…
"What is this…"
"Ahh!"
"I-I-It electricity…"
"Damn…"
Just like flies, all the girls collapsed with twitching bodies, before they could reach me.
Before I could take a sigh of relief, alarm flared and suit reacted on its own to intercept the attack it was spin kick from side.
My body moved on its own and I spin out of the path.
That moment my eyes widened when I saw a… bonafide cat girl!
'What the fuck!!!'
"You… who are you?" I asked with disbelief.
"... You going to pay what you did to lady Artemis and the hunt!" As she was saying that Aurora was quickly building a profile for me.
Greenish blonde hair, cat ears and tail… no, it's not cat… a lion…
"Atalanta… fascinating… you should be a lion by this point," I said that as I finally put name to face.
I heard a pissed off hiss as the woman took a martial arts stance.
"Oh? No bow?" I asked with a teasing tone since she can't use divine blessing from Artemis at the moment.
Instead of answering my question, she lunged forward.
'Ahh, yes, Greek martial arts….' Aurora quickly recognised that and battle assistance kicked in. But, by this point, I was fighting a regular girl without any supernatural support. Well, she most likely has her Lion physiology for assistance.
Meaning stronger than regular…
But then I picked up several arrows flying towards my hands.
'Oh, fascinating. Trying to make me want to lose my rifles. In that case…'
Before the arrows can hit me the pair of rifles disappeared as I recalled them to my inventory. I did that mid dodge from Atalanta's attack as she was aiming for my weapons too.
Pity… Girls… while my rifles can kill Satans, my armour can kill Ultimate class from fists alone…
The sudden disappearance of the weapons make the lion girl's eyes widen.
"Sacred Gears sweetheart. They can disappear and appear from mere thought… oh, and you are wide open." As I said that my fist went to her stomach. The feline girl quickly was able to use her hand to block. Since my movement was faster than her's, she used whatever she can to mitigate the blow.
"Oof!" The blow from my fist send her flying to the similar direction where Artemis should be knocked out.
Once I dealt with Atalanta. Not going to lie the catgirls in general have a soft spot in my heart. Especially with a personality like Atalanta.
That's why what she received was nothing more than a love tap.
What was left is the huntress which shot arrows even after losing divine blessing from Artemis.
My gaze ended up on her as she jumped from a tree and pulled out a spear.
Masterfully she took a fighting stance.
"Oh? Who are you? You have divinity of your own. Fascinating, a Demi-God? I thought Gods stopped the whole nonsense with interfering with regular humans." I said to this person. As Aurora trying to build up a profile on this one.
"I see… you are one of those blacksmiths type of people? Never expected to find someone of your talent. So, good that you can even deal with Divinities. Nonetheless, I request a proper duel." She said that quite seriously.
"You know that I am Blacksmith. Yet, you asking warrior like duel from one?" I asked with disbelief, now I know that she is not from this era… meaning that she probably is quite old Huntress under Artemis… probably as good as Atalanta…
"My honour as Queen of Amazons demand that we have a proper duel." She said that while removing her hood.
My eyes widened because she had a hair colour that of Rias Gremory. Well, slightly darker but she had very striking yellow eyes. What blew me away was her hairstyle…
Where did I see it?
'Right… the Female King Arthur… this world is unique… now that I think about it, Atalanta looked like she was from a fate altogether…'
"I see… Hippolyta… you should be dead too…" What is with these historical characters being alive like this?
"So, you know of me? That makes things easier!"
"Heh… you want me to fight you properly?" I asked her while crossing my arms. I do want to know how she will get a proper duel from me when I have no interest in fighting properly.
"You may use any of your self-made tools. That's their purpose. While I will use mine as well. If you win my life is yours. If I win your life is mine. Easy yes?"
I blinked a couple of times hearing this. Right she is from the warrior culture of hers.
"You serious? I have disabled your divinity. You are no War Goddess. Even if you are my armour specs outperform most Ultimate class beings." I said that while trying to comprehend why she still insist on goating me into this duel.
Even weirder was that she was even happier to hear about what I said!
'Is she a masochist?'
"Even better! To make a suit of armour capable of fighting ultimate class! Yes! You will do just perfectly! I have been waiting for thousands of years for someone of your capacity!"
'What is she talking about?'
My brain tried to comprehend her thought process…
…
…
…
"Let me get this straight. When you meant your life will be mine if I win, and mine will be yours if you win…
You mean the marriage way or killing way?" I asked her this as I remembered the whole strength means the right thing…
For a second she was confused before giggling.
"Of course marriage. Why would I kill someone who can build things like that?" She asked with quite a bit of confused look too.
This was a conversation between people from different periods and professions altogether.
"*Sigh*"
That moment my energy wings glowed and with a sonic boom, I disappeared from her sight.
Hippolyta looked around quickly there was the borderline crazed look on her face. Reminding me of people who like to fight.
Pity that I don't do fights…
I appeared behind her and with Phobos in hand. With a simple press of the trigger, a bolt of lightning slammed into her from behind.
"Heh...I-I-I lost…very well… I a-a-accept this...fate…" That moment she collapsed on the ground.
'Silly woman… I didn't accept your deal… I have no interest in marrying… I am not even 30 yet…' I shook my head as I looked around.
Thinking for a bit… I decided that yes… I can take some samples from these ladies….
Walking over to Hippolyta I recalled my rifle and pulled out a combat knife and cut several strands of her hair.
Then I walked towards where Atalanta was with Artemis.
First one I noticed that Atalanta. She was knocked out and had a frustrated look on her face. Her hair was the most unique one I have ever seen so far. Natural green and blond is rare for regular people. Well, it should be but since I was in anime like world…
Walking closer for a bit I removed my glove and wanted to do that no one should have tone in history… and that is pat her head and stroke those ears…
"Heh… even though it looks rough your hair is quite soft," I said softly enjoying the hair.
*Sound of purring cat*
My eyes widened again for a second, the next moment I had quite an evil look.
"Aurora why don't you record this purring for me."
[As you wish]
I saw the notification, brushing it aside mentally I continued to stroke her hair and of course recording the purring.
How many other people have achieved this? Making the Chaste Huntress purr? Heh. That's probably one of my greatest achievements! To date!
After enjoying the stroking I gently cut some of her hair before leaving her be.
And for the last but not the least… the Moon Goddess herself…
"Hoh?" I looked forward and saw her slowly getting up.
"Y-You… you won't going to get away with this!" She said that while trying to get a hold of herself.
"Attacking one of the Olympians like this!" She said that while finally standing up properly. There was some sweat going down her forehead.
"Truly? I do wonder what your fellow Gods would think that Moon Goddess herself. One of twelve Olympians lost against a mere sixteen-year-old human teenager!" I said while animatedly shaking my head. My hands were crossed.
"You… must be joking!" She said that with wide eyes. Her blue eyes were in complete disbelief.
And yes, I can finally see how she looks and yes, Artemis is very, very, beautiful. Silver nearly glowing hair done in simply ponytail, hold together with strap of leather.
"Why would I joke with you? I don't have reason to do so." I said to the Goddess while walking forward towards her.
By this point, she realised that she can't use her magic neither she has her bow. And most importantly she received a blow from an ultimate class level kick while she had no empowerment. I am impressed that she could tank such a strike.
"Lies… has to be lies! No human can achieve this without some sort of help from a deity!" The Goddess was in denial.
I frowned for a moment after hearing that…
This was getting annoying. I understand… oh I know!
My hand moved towards my helmet, Aurora read my intentions and disconnect the helmet. Moments later Artemis could see my face.
I saw her face with my own eyes now. Just like she did with her's.
"Fuu… this is cold," I said that while looking around. I could feel the icy temperature on my skin now.
"You… you are teenager human male! No-no, way!" The Goddess of Hunt said while shaking her head in disbelief.
"Indeed. Now, I know Gods can tell when humans are lying right? Do tell. me can you do that? Or do you need my help with that?" I asked with a smug look since she unfortunately has no power over her Divine energy.
"You…YOU! No human male dares to speak to me like this!" She said that while her shoulders started to shake from fury.
"And what do you going to do about it?" I asked with extreme curiosity.
I do wonder what God will do without their power? It's natural curiosity. Humans are born without any power. So, we build up ours. What about God when they lose their powers?
"You...YOU...YOU!" She naturally lunged forward…
Trying to punch me… but the thing was… Freedom scale mail make me naturally extremely tall… nearly three metres…
So I caught her first with natural ease…
She tried to force herself, push me but, she needs alot of force to even move me. At this moment she is around natural human strength…
"If you going to do this then just don't," I said with a bored sigh. I guess I expected too much.
"Grrr… I will make you pay!"
"I will spank you for being naughty you know?" I said with a bored and slightly amused tone. Yes, I think I am feeling quite sadistic towards her, I mean she is a natural man-hater. And I just have this urge to do things.
"What!? You dare?" She asked with wide eyes and disbelief.
"You want to test this theory?" I said with a raised eyebrow as I started lifting her by her hand.
"I am Olympian Goddess! You can't do this kind of thing!" She said with a somewhat embarrassed tone.
"You wanted to kill less than 5 minutes ago. Not only I was assaulted by a whole group of feminists but two of them were bonafide Goddesses. So, do tell me what should I do? Oh, I know… I should wrap you all nicely and send as a post to Olympus… I wonder what kind of reaction the rest of your council will think?" I asked her that with a bright smile.
"...You...Do you want an apology?" She asked that after having realising look.
"Hmm… I want something else." I asked her as I inspected her, closely, giving some wrong ideas.
She paled hearing that.
"I will kill myself if you dare thinking of taking my body!" She said with a fierce look.
"Your body? Oh, you are quite a pervert if you already thinking in that direction. But, no. While you are beautiful I have no interest in you." I said that while shaking my head. I already have Serafall and Grayfia. While adding another Silver hair would be… Interesting. especially in maid uniform...
That moment Artemis started blushing from embarrassment, as she didn't know where to look. I can assume normally she would either kill someone or turn him into an animal.
"T-Then what do you want?" She asked that after some uncomfortable silence.
Especially since she is hanging in the air…
My other hand went towards her face. Her eyes widened she was still confused but eventually, she realized what I took.
Seeing some strands of her hair being pulled out like this, she had weird look on her face. Assuming she has no idea how to act in this situation…
Eventually, I got her hair and lowered her down.
"You...what are going to do with my hair?" She asked with some worry.
"I already know about Greek God's energy. Now I want to see more." I said while storing the hair away and putting my helmet back on.
"Where you are a huntress. I am an engineer and an inventor. I make things. And maybe I will create something interesting by unlocking things from your hair.
Besides, it's a souvenir that I have beaten Artemis and her hunt in less than five minutes."
"...You… I will get you back for this! I won't going to stop until you are under my foot!" Artemis said with a furious look forgetting something important…
"Sure…"
My hand went on her nose and squeezed it.
"Next time maybe you should bring your whole Pantheon with you… I mean at least I will have more loot to collect."
She tried to push my hand away with everything she got but it was no use.
Until I moved my hand myself.
"This-"
"You will get back for it I get it. Maybe I should just seal your power permanently and keep you as a maid?" I asked curiously.
She didn't say anything anymore. Only looking furiously at me, while stroking her cute nose.
"Anyway. I will see you later Artemis.. "
My wings glowed before I started to fly quickly leaving the area and turning off Solomon's negation.
*BOOM*
"DAMN YOU! I WILL GET MY REVENGE!!!"
I could hear Artemis screaming with fury. The night sky slightly turned lighter with some silver showing off her domain over the moon.
'Well, she is pissed. It was very hard for me to resist and not just start messing with her.
I could have gotten some more liberties with her but then again there will be second and third time. Knowing her she won't going to stop just because her power is sealed…'
I could only sigh. Oh well, wonder what will be Sera's reaction to this?
~~~~~~Artemis~~~~~~
'THAT BRAT! THAT HUMAN BRAT! I WILL KILL HIM! I WILL TURN HIM INTO A RODENT AND SQUEEZE THE VERY LIFE OUT OF HIM!'
The moon Goddess looked at the sky with a borderline insane look. Never in her whole life someone toyed with her like this!
After blowing up several trees with her raw divine power she calmed down for a bit.
She realised that the human brat knows how to seal her power. That's why he was not even afraid if she is to bring her whole pantheon…
While this is very much disturbing, she won't be doing that. No way in her life she will tell anyone that she was turned into a human's toy like this!
No, she needs a different way!
Assuming his armour is what allows him to seal her power. That means that she needs to find him outside of it!
'Yes. I need to find him where he lives. Hunt him down. Then humiliate that brat the same way he did to me!'
Thinking more for a bit. She realised that this brat is similar to that Devil freak who invented the Evil pieces.
If this is the case then the brat most likely can do more.
'Heh… if this is the case then I should draw him out into a duel. Offer something he could not resist. Of course, making sure it's a duel of pure skill no toys are allowed.'
That's right thinking about this the silver-haired Goddess. Was on right track. The brat is dangerous with his toys.
Once he is out he is just 16 years old teen. Even then he should not have a massive amount of magic. Even then she is an Olympian Goddess! One of the strongest!
'Yes. This will do it! Now I only need to find where you live!' After making up her mind Artemis had a self-fulfilling mission to do. When was the last time she wanted to track a human down?
*Whistle*
Moments later howls of wolfs spread throughout the forest as above average size wolves started to gather around her location.
"Find him for me! No matter what! I want to know where he lives!" The Goddess of hunt ordered with a cold voice.
The wolves nodded as they started to smell the air around.
They were looking around. Trying to find any remains of the human's smell. The problem was… there is nothing to pick.
After a few moments, the wolves shook their head.
"...Grrr… that brat! One way or another I will find you!" Artemis stomped her foot. Before sending her wolves away and started walking towards where her hunt was.
Just passing through several downed trees she found downed Atalanta.
The Goddess quickly rushed towards her. Shaking her gently for a bit.
"Oh? Lady Artemis? Where am I?" The huntress asked with a confused look.
"You have been knocked out by that brat!" The Moon Goddess said mentioned him very furious tone.
"Brat?"
"..."
Atalanta instantly recalled what happened, she got dead serious.
"What happened?"
Artemis sighed. Should she tell her? Well, the Goddess can tell somethings not the embarrassing parts though. Like the threats of spanking and being turned maid should not be said, as Atalanta might do something reckless and will turn into a toy like Artemis was.
"The wielder of that armour is a teenage human boy. He is at least intelligent like that Beelzebub freak. He developed some sort of magic similar to that Solomon brat. He defeat all of us and collected our hair as trophy…"
Atalanta's eyes widened for a second before getting furious she touched her hair for a bit trying to find anything missing. Thankfully she didn't find anything out of place.
Nonetheless, for some reason, she felt violated. The huntress doesn't know why but she simply had this feeling that something was done to her!
"What are your orders, my lady? Should we hunt him down?" The huntress said with a very icy tone.
"We can't, he can fly and the wolves are useless… it's not recommended to face him when he is inside his armour. That magic of his turns us into a powerless state. We need to find him where he lives. Once that is done then we can prepare an ambush and force him into a duel to regain our honour."
"Why not just kill him?" Atalanta asked her Goddess. This is not Artemis she knows off…
But, then the huntress saw the look she had.
'She wants vengeance, something has happened to Lady Artemis. Most likely when that brat took her hair…'
"No...killing him is not good enough…he will suffer for all of the humiliation I had to go through! There is no killing! Not until I have my way with him!!!"
"...I understand. We will help you any way we can Lady Artemis." Atalanta said with a nod as she was starting to get up on her feet. Cleaning herself of a bit.
"Good now let's return to the hunt and think of a way of getting information on him," Artemis said with a nod as they walked towards the rest of the hunt.
~~~
"Where is he? Where is my husband!?" The red-haired Amazon Queen was looking around with a heated look.
"Hippolyta what nonsense are you talking about?" Atalanta asked with a baffled look.
"He has beaten me in proper duel I asked of him! I have acknowledged the fact that he has beaten me fair and squire! My life is his now!" The red-haired warrior woman said with a serious look. The rest of the huntresses and even Artemis looked at her strangely for a bit.
"You have sworn a Huntress oath of chastity after Lord Hades brough you back to world of living by my request, I might add."
"If I recall correctly My Lady is that I accept the offer of Huntress if it doest clash with my honour as Amazon warrior and Queen."
The silver-haired Goddess groaned for second remembering that yes, all those years back, she was desperate to get her hunt back together and she needed experienced women who had experience in fighting and had some hate towards men. Hippolyta was the best choice since her experience with Heracles and natural affinity towards fighting and hunting fits the bill.
Now that comes back to bite in her back because the woman is far too proud and is a Queen of warrior women.
"Sad to say he has left and we have no idea how to search for him."
"So, he has beaten the whole hunt and just left…" Hippolyta said with disbelief.
"Yes. A 16-year-old human boy. Has beaten us. I think it's time to get back at him." Artemis said that with an extremely pissed off look.
Only her words had different effects on the Amazon Queen. The redhead's eyes that moment had hearts in them.
"He is that good? He crafted tools like that when he is only sixteen!? I can already imagine what he can do when he is twenty! Or thirty! Hehehe…" The redhead huntress said that with a flushed look, her breathing slightly got haggard.
By this point, she was head over heel for someone who had beaten her that bad.
"Hippolyta… are you okay? You look like you are sick…"
"Hmm? I am fine… we should start looking for him… Lady Artemis did you see his face...is he good looking?" The Amazon Queen asked, her last few words earned some confused looks from the huntresses.
"He is...hmm… Eastern European… from the looks of it. We should start scouting Eastern Europe then."
"The way the world is right now My Lady… Eastern European could live all over the world," Atalanta said to the Goddess of the hunt.
"He has the accent of someone who is from Eastern Europe."
The huntress nodded hearing that the rest just listened to their conversation even the Amazonian Queen was thinking hard for some clues.
"My Lady since he is an incredibly talented crafter we could use that to track him down. If he can build things like that armour which I assume is a Sacred Gear he should be quite high profile person. It shouldn't be too hard to find some clues." Hippolyta said with a serious look.
The redhead Amazon was thinking very hard after all it's her future husband they are tracking down. And like hell, she will let this chance slide!
"True, if this is true… if he can truly craft sacred gears then this is big. No matter which pantheon he ends up with." Atalanta said with wide eyes as she remembered him mentioning that those rifles are sacred gears and she doesn't remember any gear shaped like guns before.
"...Indeed… we can talk about this when he is under my foot! Until then we going to track him down!" Artemis said with a furious look.
And Hippolyta only smiled seeing the frustrated look on the Moon Goddess face. How many humans can make this proud Goddess behave like that! This only proves to her that her future husband is incredible!
~~~~~~Marcus~~~~~~
I looked down and saw my garage. Finally back home feeling refreshing. Spending a whole night in Siberia is something else.
This was one of those moments when you sit back and reflect on what you just did. The same was to me. And it's getting more common now.
I just spend the whole night thousand of kilometres away from home and then returned in just less than a few hours.
As I was descending the portion of the driveway started to lower down and I could see my workshop there.
Once inside there I walked to the platform and robotic hands came out from the ground and started to take off the Freedom mark II.
"How was it?" Serafall with Grayfia walked over to me.
"Interesting to say the least…" I pulled out the sword birth core and showed it to them.
"I got the gear. And... encountered the hunt."
""What!?""
"What hunt you talking about!?" Serafall quickly asked me.
"The one which has pair of Goddesses from Greek Pantheon. Hippolyta even wanted to duel me."
"Y-You… What kind of luck is this!? What happened next!? Assuming nothing since you are here right now?".
" I have beaten them up in less than 5 minutes… even got some souvenirs…" I pulled out some hair from my inventory showing it to Serafall and Grayfia.
"This is Atalanta's hair, this one is Hippolyta's and for the last...this is Artemis hair… quite beautiful. It still nearly glows even after being taken some time ago from the source." I said with fascinated tone.
Serafall facepalmed hearing that. While Grayfia had a poker face like usual she was thinking about something.