Chapter 79: 79 Frontier.

Artemis’s vision flickered as she saw the space around her crumble. Time halted, followed by a pristine line that stretched to the horizon. It was divine yet lethal, dividing the world into two.

A loud voice of shattered glass broke the dread that washed her expression pale.

Artemis jumped from her place. She stood and was coated with silver light. Her body was encased in platinum battle armor adorned with a golden lining.

In her hand, her grip tightened around the medium bow, carved from the branch of the origin tree, flexible and indestructible.

Its silver string was made from her own power that bathed in the glow of moonlight, enhancing its durability.

With a pull from her hand, a silver arrow was made. It gleamed dangerously as she pointed it toward the boy.

“Don’t move!”.

Artemis’ voice cracked like a barren in her throat. She gulped her saliva, only to knit her brows and noticed the swayed aim. Her limbs felt heavy and trembled all over.

’T-This is Impossible’. The woman gritted her teeth and pulled the string tighter, ’Who the hell is this kid!?’.

For the first time since the Age of Gods, Artemis’s primal emotion, which she thought had gone, resurfaced.

It was one of the emotions she couldn’t contain, and she abhorred it for causing herself to be a small existence when those of her peers battled the unreasonable War long ago.

’No, don’t falter, me. You promised to become strong to protect those you care about’. Artemis’ pupils dilated, and a cold glint penetrated the boy’s mind and broke the manifestation of destruction.

The boy blinked and sharpened his gaze, wary of the treatment he received. Artemis bit her lips and reflected in her indifferent eyes; the boy’s aura seemed towering above her, Ancient and Primal.

“What happened to Athena?”. His voice broke her thoughts.

Despite the dangerous silence that shrouded both parties, Artemis’s brows twitched when she saw the boy’s emerald eyes. His expression twisted in desperation and vicious grief.

After a moment of silence, the woman exhaled and lowered aim. With a wave from her hand, the armor and bow in her hand disappeared like morning dew and returned toward the seat, facing him.

“Calm down; I’m just telling a joke.”

“…Ha?”.

The boy’s expression was blank. He vacantly stared at her with wide eyes, and his jaw dropped to the floor.

However, the woman swallowed her conflicted emotions. She snorted and muttered inside, ’I better not joke around about Big Sis anymore.’

“The talk about Big Sis being snatched by Ares was a lie.” Artemis leaned back and continued, “I’m sorry. I want to gauge your expression regarding my sister.”

“I-I see.” The boy nodded, his eyes glazed to the floor before lifting it. “I understand, so how was she right now?”

His tightened pitch seemed hesitant to ask about her big sister’s condition. However, Artemis had seen enough. Both of them were tied with an intangible red string forged by the time they spent here.

’Heh, congratulations, Big sis. It seemed you had found a wonderful partner’. Artemis’ stiff lips spread joyfully and unknowingly muttered, “…I’m jealous a bit”.

“Hm? What were you saying?”. The boy tilted his head while leaning his body forward.

“Nothing!” Artemis waved her hand and said, “Big sister Athena was fine. She is resting in the Tartarus.”

“I see, that’s great”.

The boy exhaled and leaned his body backward with loosened tension, Artemis’ face broke in a broad grin. ’Honestly, these two are…’.

“Hey, Jin? Can I ask you about something?”. Artemis placed her elbow on the table, and her finger tapped the wood.

“What is it?”.

“What do you like about that sweet-tooth girl?”.

The woman opened her sealed heart for the first time since Ancient times. Even she was unaware that she had called the boy by his name.

She usually didn’t call other people names, even her own brothers and sisters, except several people, like her sister and some goddesses she fancied.

Jin was included in one of those.

Both spent the days talking about the past, sharing stories filled with amusing details that made them scratch their belly in laughter.

“I think I should go”.

Jin stood from his seat and lifted his gaze beyond the blazing horizon.

“What, you left already? The good part was about to happen and yet”.

Artemis averted her gaze and watched the palace at her side; those big spaces, too wide to live in alone, seemed hollow.

“We can continue this later”.

“Hoo, where did you get that confidence?”. She shifted toward the boy and asked, “You said that as if this place was easy to be visited by anyone?”.

“Well, I have this Item”.

A tiny grey item manifested from thin air and landed on his palm. It was a key, and Artemis’ eyes widened in seeing the familiar things. ’That was the lost key’.

’I heard Uncle Hephaestus threw that thing into the Mortal world to keep this space hidden from the Olympian Gods.’ Artemis gulped and shrugged her shoulders. ’To think it would land in Jin’s hand’.

“Can you activate it?”. Artemis raised her brows and pointed her finger at the key.

“Well, I’m still oblivious to how it works, but I will find a way. I promised that”.

Jin clutched the key tightly and shifted his attention toward Artemis.

“Hmm, you are quite confident”.

The woman replied by spreading her lips, revealing her white long fangs.

“Well, I’m enjoying my time with you like this so…”.

Artemis stiffened, and the sudden attack tightened her facial expression. She covered her lips, then broke and laughed.

“Puh, hahaha, you are quite something for a Mortal. Yeah, for a Mortal, that was…”.

“Why do you emphasize those words twice?”.

The boy shook his head sideways and watched the woman finish her laugh before addressing the matter.

“Okay, let’s meet again later, Artemis”.

“Wait a minute”.

Artemis flicked her hand, and a black thing traveled within Jin’s sight as he caught it. Jin opened his palm to see a tiny black pebble.

“What is this?”. He turned to look, but the woman only waved her hands and said.

“You will know it later. Now go, don’t forget to bring something when visiting next time”.

“Alright, I’ll consider that”.

[Do you wish to leave the Sanctuary?]

[Yes or No]

A panel popped out, and Jin nodded, ’Yes.’

Jin raised his hand and bid his farewell, and a golden light enveloped his body before disappearing from the place. This left Artemis, who stood up and stretched her stiff body.

“Well, what should I do now?” the woman poked her right cheek and nodded, “I crave something sweet.”

*****

As the recovery time and gratitude extended the stay within the capital, he must do toward the involved parties. Jin and his family could finally journey through the land to their home several days later.

The appearance of another person from the Ducal household made the atmosphere inside the rocking carriage pretty much merry.

“Lady Silvia, after we pass this forest, we will see the Frontier.”

Marina, who sat beside the girl, introduced the road they traveled. Meanwhile, the girl’s azure eyes sparkled like those of a child who saw the world for the first time.

Thanks to their presence, the inside was pretty much rowdy yet comfortable. Jin and Ryan exchanged bitter smiles, watching the women tirelessly open their mouths.

Silvia asked her parents to let her experience the world and broaden her horizons. Her family dismissed the trivial matter, giving her a go easily like it was nothing.

Duke Sullivan and Lady Celia’s voices still rang in his head when they bid farewell in the Duke’s territory.

“Jin, please take care of Silvia for me. With your abilities that could kill a dragon, I can be at ease here”. The Duke clasped Jin’s shoulders with a warm expression.

“My Daughter could be a hassle sometimes, but I hope you could see her on any different side and judge her character well. If possible, would you take her hand?”.

“Mother, stop!”.

Lady Celia’s warm smile and gentle expression were still etched in his mind. Her silver hair resembled Silvia’s but with a more mature look. She was truly captivating to his eyes.

A brief knock broke the stillness in the room, “My lord, the town was on sight”.

Jin tilted his head near the window and watched the silhouettes of the stretched walls, and the ambiance captured within his gaze’s reflection: ’I’m home.’

The carriage glided through the dirt road and finally arrived at the north gate. The coachmen and the guarding knight exchanged greetings. Then, when the inspection was over, they finally passed the gate.

They rode in silence, the horse running toward the wealthy district. The tall building that painted the scenery lifted the boy’s emotions, and he started to hum.

Not long after that, they arrived at the gate mansion where Jin spent his childhood. No matter how often he saw it, Jin still couldn’t believe he was a part of a noble.

After passing the front garden, the carriage stopped at the entrance and stopped.

“Let’s get out first”.

Ryan’s calm voice was followed by a click from the creaking door. He stepped out first before Marina.

Silvia lifted her gaze as she locked eyes with Jin. He stepped out first and stayed near the door with a stretched hand.

“Be careful, Mylady”. Jin grasped her pale and delicate finger in a tight clench, ensuring the girl’s legs stomped the ground.

“Fufu, Thank you, My prince”.

Both giggled at the same time, while the parents beside them exhaled in exasperation. His father coughed and opened his mouth.

“Jin, are you sure you don’t want to rest?” He paused and then shifted his gaze to the girl: ” Lady Silvia, too?”

“No, I’m going to visit Grandpa to make me some weapons and armor as well”.

Jin shook his head and glanced at his side. The girl nodded her head before speaking.

“I’m thankful for your consideration, but Lord Midnight. Jin had promised me he would escort me around the town. So, I will take up your offer later”.

“I see. Be careful out there. Jin, say hi to Uncle Joseph from us”.

“Alright”. Jin nodded his head and turned his back.

The girl’s mouth loosened, and with a light step, she hopped around beside Jin. Silvia nudged the boy’s shoulder and said.

“I’m excited for this”.

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