My 'System' Is Myself!?

"Orario... No, to be precise, Artemis is the only virgin goddess currently living in the Lower World."

Genichi spoke quietly, almost as though talking to himself while also seeking confirmation from them.

He turned to Demeter and Astraea, a complicated light flashing through his eyes.

"So Artemis is my only possible target."

Demeter's expression became somewhat peculiar.

Of course she knew Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon, the Goddess of the Hunt, and the guardian of chaste maidens.

She was proud, cold, and aloof. She regarded every man who approached her with vigilance and rejection.

Winning her heart was practically impossible.

Genichi might be exceptional, powerful, and charismatic enough to attract countless women, but Artemis was no ordinary woman.

She was a goddess, a virgin goddess who had lived for thousands of years and encountered countless legendary heroes without ever giving her heart to anyone.

"With Artemis's personality, winning her over is essentially impossible," Astraea said helplessly.

She knew Artemis far too well. That woman possessed an instinctive aversion to men and an innate resistance toward romance.

Her heart was like an iceberg that no amount of passion could melt.

Demeter nodded.

In the original story, the true reason the Rabbit had managed to win Artemis's heart was because he had pulled out the Arrow of Orion.

It had been ordained by fate, a continuation of ancient myth, and the work of a power beyond all reason.

Without pulling out that arrow, the Rabbit would not even have had an opportunity to approach Artemis.

Genichi remained silent for a moment.

Of course he knew all of that.

In the original story, Bell Cranel had only managed to win Artemis's heart because he pulled out the Arrow of Orion. That was the prerequisite for everything that followed.

If Genichi wanted to win her over, he would most likely need to pull out the Arrow of Orion first as well.

But he did not believe he could do it.

He had no blessing from fate and no ancient myth destined to continue through him.

All he had was himself, his power, and his schemes.

If he wanted to win Artemis's heart, he would have to find another path.

"Even so, we have to try."

Genichi's voice was calm, but determination flashed through his eyes.

"Artemis is the only virgin goddess in the Lower World, and only the three great virgin goddesses are immune to the charm of the Goddesses of Beauty. That means I have no choice but to win over a virgin goddess."

Demeter and Astraea exchanged a glance, each seeing concern in the other's eyes.

They knew Genichi was telling the truth.

The best way to become immune to Ishtar's charm was to acquire the authority of a virgin goddess.

And Artemis was the only virgin goddess in the Lower World.

If Genichi could win her over and obtain her authority, the threat posed by Ishtar would be greatly diminished.

"What are you planning to do?" Demeter asked quietly, a trace of nervousness in her voice.

Genichi remained silent for a moment before answering.

"If I want to win Artemis over, I need to drive her into a desperate situation."

His tone was as calm as if he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.

"For example, every member of the Artemis Familia could die in the Great Tree Sea Ruins, while Artemis herself is sealed inside Antares."

Astraea's pupils abruptly contracted.

She understood what Genichi meant.

Antares was sealed within the Great Tree Sea Ruins. Genichi intended to allow the great scorpion to seal Artemis and wipe out her entire Familia.

If Artemis were driven into despair, if every one of her children died in battle, Genichi could appear as her savior.

He could enter her heart at the moment when she was most vulnerable, most hopeless, and most desperate for someone's help.

"You're insane."

"That's far too dangerous. Antares is no ordinary monster. It's a legendary creature capable of imprisoning even a goddess. Are you certain you can defeat it, especially after it absorbs Artemis and gains her divine power?"

Genichi looked at her without a trace of emotion in his eyes.

"I'm certain."

Demeter fell silent.

She knew Genichi never acted without confidence. If he said he was certain, then he must possess the means to succeed.

Even so, she remained worried.

She feared the plan might fail, that Artemis might truly remain imprisoned, or that something might happen to Genichi during the battle.

"Still, recreating the events of the original story will require some manipulation," Genichi continued, his voice becoming more serious. "The Artemis Familia must be sent to the Great Tree Sea Ruins ahead of time, and they must encounter Antares there. Someone needs to set events in motion, issue the order, and make it impossible for Artemis to refuse."

Astraea narrowed her eyes slightly.

"You intend to ask Ouranos?"

Genichi nodded.

"Only Ouranos possesses that authority. As the guardian of the Dungeon and protector of Orario, he has the right to dispatch any Familia wherever necessary. If he sends the Artemis Familia to investigate unusual activity in the Great Tree Sea, Artemis will have no reason to refuse."

Astraea remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"That could work."

Demeter nodded as well.

"Ouranos owes you a favor, and he desperately wants you to resurrect the heroes of the Zeus and Hera Familias. If you make the request, he probably won't refuse."

Genichi rose and headed for the door.

"I'll speak to Ouranos now."

At the underground altar, Genichi once again stood before Ouranos.

"Why have you come to see me, Genichi?" Ouranos asked, his voice deep and majestic.

Genichi looked at him and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"I need a favor."

Ouranos narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What kind of favor?"

"Send the Artemis Familia to the Great Tree Sea Ruins to investigate the unusual activity there."

Ouranos remained silent for a moment.

"Why?"

Genichi did not conceal his plan from him.

He did not reveal everything, of course.

He only explained that he needed to win Artemis over and acquire the authority that would grant him immunity to charm. He said nothing about Antares, the destruction of the Artemis Familia, or Artemis being imprisoned.

He merely explained that Artemis needed to be driven into a desperate situation, allowing him to appear at the critical moment and earn her trust and dependence.

Ouranos remained silent for a long time.

He seemed to be contemplating the proposal and weighing its consequences.

At last, he sighed.

"Very well. I agree."

The corners of Genichi's lips curved upward slightly.

"Thank you."

(End of Chapter)

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