Smile of the Goddess

Master, I need to talk to you.

You see, I want to go out to sea. There's something that I left on that Island.

If it's no problem, I'd like to leave now

We're lucky we have a ship, but what did you leave behind?

Oh, a statue of Artemisthe Lunar goddess.

I made it by hand, but I couldn't take it with me during the battle.

I see.

We were born from the gods, and they give us power. We must never fail to be grateful.

...Well, despite their great power, some of them can be a little strange.

It's their charm point, and their weakness.

Yeah, you've had a rough time because of it

There should be a cave on the other side of this forest. Let's go.

...The stench of animals. Mash, ready your weapon and prepare for combat.

Right!

This isa chimera!

A demonic beast left behind in this world... Its luck ran out when it met a hunter, though.

I will make good use of its meat and pelt.

What a headache... Let's keep going.

Are we almost at the cave?

Yeah...Okay, this is the entrance. Let's go.

...Hey, Master, do you have any wishes for the Grail?

Hmm. I see...

Well, given the state of the world that makes sense, I guess.

But the Grail's power is omnipotent. Perhaps you should come up with a wish.

...Hmph. That's exactly the right wish. But it's also the wrong answer.

When you get the Grail, that wish should come true on its own.

A greedy answer isn't necessarily the wrong one. Keep that in mind.

？！

...To tell the truth, I have a wish of my own. It's a simple wish, and I know it will never come true

But I still can't give up on it. That's why I pray to the gods.

I protect my vows to the gods. ...Or so I thought...

Atalante is looking off into the distance...

Yeah, that goddess was pretty... impactful.

...Enough talking, I suppose. It's time for combat.

Master, stay back. ...Let's go!

We should be almost there... Oh, good. This is it.

That's the statue of the goddess?

Yes, it's handmade. Impressive, right?

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Y-You want me to make one of him? Hmm... He's the type of person I hate most.

He's lazy, lustful, and never learns. He's only interested in having fun, and doesn't care for others.

...He did look like he was having fun, but that fun is far too different for my tastes.

Not my type of man at all. If I had to pick between him and Jason, I don't know what I'd do.

I-It's that bad?

Let me ask you, Mash. If Jason and Orion were the last two men in the world, who would you marry?

Huh? I'd um... Well...

See what I mean...huh?

Hehehe, that's not a nice way to talk about someone's boyfriend, is it...Atalante?

...Hyah!

T-That voice!

Hey guys!

Hello, I know this is a surprise but I am back... Speaking of which, Mash are you busy later?

Hehehehe. Even if it's the truth, denying it is proof of my love!

So let's do this! If I win you'll never get my blessing again.

I don't know about my Brother, though!

That's crazy!

Ugh, I lost. I guess my love still isn't strong enough!

Huh? You've got more love? Seriously? What you've got is already crushing me...

Well, if I lost, I lost. You may retain my blessing!

Thank you Goddess, I will continue to treasure this statue.

Okay Orion, let's go back!

Mash, at least hold me tight against your chest... BRWRAH!

Well. That was an unexpected interruption, but we made it through...

Thank you, Master. I owe you.

Now let us return. Want to take that chimera meat with us?

You must be sick of rations. No? I see...

Then this boar pelt... No, huh? Hmph. This is difficult.