Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Several small tents were set up around the campfire, and the group members gathered around it.

Another week has passed since Aphrodite's riots. Today I spent the whole day running around in the mountains and finally defeated the last dragon that dwelled there.

Having achieved their goal, a sense of relief and fatigue enveloped the [Family].

"The surrounding villagers will also return to a stable life."

The report from Captain Letsa has concluded.

Artemis nodded quietly after hearing this.

"I see... Thank you, that was very well done."

This is to reward the members of the clan who have been continuously "hunting dragons" in the mountains for several days.

The girls in the group looked proud or happy at the God's reward, and smiles appeared on their faces.

Artemis no longer rebukes her lax retinue.

"And one more thing, that is, the report..."

However, someone there made a harsh sound.

Retsa continues her report.

Her calm expression shifted from announcing the end of the campaign to a piercing glare.

Beside a half-elf girl.

"A few days ago, when I went to the village to buy things, Lant was making some shady dealings with a passing man..."

"hehe!?"

Lant, who had been named, looked up as if he had been flicked.

Then it turned red.

It was practically a case of "We've been found out!?" The sheer astonishment was written all over her face, her mouth opening and closing repeatedly.

"Lant..."

Artemis's eyes sharpened at this reaction.

Is this also a drawback of meeting with Aphrodite and the like a few days ago?

Perhaps the dispute over 'chastity' led to a relaxation of discipline within the [Family]. This is what appears in the story as the temptation of a demon of adultery.

"No, no, Lady Artemis!? The man walking ahead dropped an apple, and he just picked it up!?"

Faced with Artemis's accusation, Lant hurriedly stood up.

I did not engage in any shady dealings! I'm innocent!

He began to explain, his voice booming and gestures intertwined.

"He was so tall! When I handed it to him, my fingers touched him, and all I could think was, 'Ah, this is fate!'"

He blushed and tried to explain, but it didn't serve as an explanation.

As the words suggest, the "fateful encounter" clearly appears before our eyes, as innocent as a young maiden, confessing without ceasing.

Artemis's gaze toward Lant grew increasingly unpleasant.

"..."

But there.

Artemis sighed.

This also reflects a helpless surrender and an optimistic attitude towards enforcement.

Note from Miao: "Daguan" is a Buddhist term that generally refers to being open-minded and having clear understanding.

Unlike God, this is also a form of "care" for children's limited lives.

"...I don't intend to impose my rules on you. If you want to find a partner, please leave the [Family]. I won't stop you."

Artemis did not intend to deny what "love" itself is.

Friendship, affection, neighborly love. To borrow Aphrodite's words would certainly be infuriating, but spiritual love between men and women also holds true. We might avoid anything related to lust, but these kinds of "loves" are essential for a prosperous life, especially in this lower realm.

Even Artemis, who was not stubborn despite her obsessive-compulsive disorder, did not believe that what she governed was the truth of all things.

As family members with whom you have made a pact, please seek discipline from your [Family].

However, if one is to say that one has an inseparable encounter with one's other half—if one is to say that ...

Not only Lant, but the other members also looked around, and Artemis told the outside world this.

"........."

What returned was silence.

Before that, there was always a sense of sadness and silence amidst the blame, condemnation, or sudden shifts in the atmosphere of envy towards Lant.

The group members looked at each other. Some remained silent.

Please don't say such sad things.

It seems like Artemis said something like that.

The silence continued.

Only the gentle flow of the nearby river stirred the ears of the Artemis.

"..."

The silence was broken by Lant, who was the one who started things.

Just as she was about to shut her mouth and lower her head, she raised her eyebrows and leaned out towards Artemis.

"Lady Artemis, why must you avoid love between men and women?"

When asked this question by her kin, Artemis widened her eyes slightly.

I thought it was an 'extension' of Aphrodite's question.

"Hey, Lant."

Please tell me! It bothers me a lot!

Although Letsa scolded her for being rude, Lant, like a wild boar, didn't understand.

Take another step forward and look directly at Artemis across the campfire.

Like an older sister struggling with her youngest sister's capriciousness, Letsa was also extremely weak, letting her gaze wander as if spying on this side.

No, she too, and the other members of Artemis's clan who protect her, may all share the same thoughts as Lant.

I want to hear the answer from Artemis, the embodiment of chastity.

"...Because it's me, that's all I can say."

Artemis, now under the gaze of her kin, finally spoke.

"I am the goddess of chastity, in opposition to the goddess of beauty. If... then I will no longer be myself."

That was Artemis's undeniable thought.

The reason for the existence of the goddess Artemis. The above and the following are irrelevant.

Often, this is very similar to a sense of alienation.

Artemis must be a "heretic".

In this lower realm, it is known that love between men and women is inextricably linked to life. And the birth of life is linked to harvest. Harvest leads to prosperity, and prosperity leads to the celebration of life.

However, Artemis teaches that even the most sacred spiritual trials will not bring a bountiful harvest.

Purity of body and mind is the way to keep the soul pure, but it cannot lead to prosperity.

Therefore, within this lower realm framework, Artemis is the correct "heretic".

(I... only know how to value chastity)

Because he is an all-knowing god, he knows what "love" and "affection" are.

However, Artemis is the being furthest from 'realization'.

Indeed, so if Artemis is limited to "love," then even as a goddess, what difference is there between her and a young child? Just as Aphrodite said.

There was no self-deprecation. Nor was there any disappointment.

It's simply using a transparent mind to refute a fact that I've been aware of for a long time.

Artemis pretended not to notice the deep-seated anguish within her, gazing at Lant with her clear, unobstructed eyes.

The young girl from the clan who admired the main god showed an expression that looked like she was about to cry for just a moment.

But that was only a little bit.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he shouted loudly to Artemis.

"Lady Artemis, it would be better if you also experienced 'love'!"

Regarding that sentence.

Artemis showed a surprised expression this time.

"Love is a beautiful thing!"

Lant loudly spoke of his "longing for love".

An unusual heartbeat, chasing each other's gaze, a bittersweet blush, the 'love' that appeared in my dreams blooming with colorful flowers.

The love that touches the precipice of the soul is irreplaceable.

If it's a young girl, it must be to win over a goddess who knows nothing about her.

"I hope Lady Artemis can also know of this joy!"

Artemis, in her current state, does not understand what Lant is saying.

But her thoughts were conveyed.

This is neither pity nor sympathy.

Wanting to share happiness with those who are important to her—this is the "love" of daughter Lant.

"You know what? When you're in love, you can't make eye contact with a man properly! Your voice trembles and your tongue doesn't move! Maybe, maybe, maybe, you don't even know what you're saying, and then you fall into a state of intense self-loathing!"

Lant continued talking incessantly, his fists clenched.

So, facing Artemis, who had stopped moving, the passionate speech was delivered with an unyielding spirit, and the other members who had been looking up at her gradually began to agree.

"I know that too!"

"Wow, I was also thanked by a fellow countrywoman of the opposite sex, who said, 'Hey, I didn't say that for you!'"

"Mmm, it's become like this, right!? It's not just me, is it!? That's great!"

"Yes, everyone! 'Love' is both painful and bittersweet. Although it's very embarrassing, it's precisely at times like this that we look back and see whether it's love or just a memory. We continue to strive to face it. I don't even know what else to say, but it's all very beautiful!"

"Yes, yes, love is wonderful!"

Coming to their senses, the nineteen group members erupted in a lively commotion.

Artemis was furious and astonished by the infatuation of her kin.

The expressions of those unfamiliar clansmen were captivating.

Some scratched their faces shyly. Some looked as if they were eating a sugary dessert, feeling melancholy. Others, as if embraced by memories, wore beautiful smiles.

Is it.

Even from the perspective of Artemis, the goddess of chastity, this also looks quite beautiful.

"...Letasa, do you think so too?"

Artemis came to her senses and asked.

As the leader of the group, she had no interaction with the other nineteen members. She was the last member of the clan who was timid and hesitated, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"I, I, that... no, it is."

After a while, she answered with a beautiful smile.

"We change before and after falling in love. That's a fact."