Danmachi: Westward Cloud [Complete]

[Vol.4] Quest 373- Prettiest Girl At The Ball

Traveling north were Ai, Artemis, Malion, and Ryuu.

They travel with great speed and urgency, arriving at Dragon Valley within three days of nonstop travel.

When they arrived, they found a field of green, cloud-shaped flowers with a torii gate before the descent down to Dragon Valley. Mist layered the area, giving it a mystic feel and look.

“This place…” Artemis said. “I feel…”

“At peace, yet on edge,” Ai said.

“I can feel eyes on me,” Ryuu said.

“…Two people are watching us,” Malion said.

They slowly approach the Torii gate, leaving behind their horses.

As they get closer, two people appear by the gate, both wearing elegant helmets with animal designs in light knight's armor.

One of the people was a rather tall man with a ram design, while the small one had a lion-looking one. Both of their helmets hid all of their facial features.

“What brings a Goddess, a Renard, a Dark, and a Light Elf here?” said the one with the lion helmet.

Their voices were a bit distorted but still clear enough to understand them.

“And who are you two?” asked Artemis. “We came to see our husband.”

“Ooh!” said the one with the ram helmet. “So you were the king’s wives when he was a mortal, huh? Hm! Hm! I can see he picked some spitfires huh? Isn’t that right, Leo?” He turned to the small one.

“You two…” Artemis looked at them closely. “You both are... Spirits!?”

“Oh, as expected from the goddess of the hunt! Yes, we are the king’s spirits! I am the Grand Spirit of Flowing Combat, Aries. It’s spelled with an ‘i’ between the r and e.”

“And I am Leo, the Grand Spirit of Foolish Bravery. We are two of the Twelve Knights of Elysium that defend it from those who seek, in simpler terms, fuck around and find out."

"Hm." Aries nodded. "Throughout heaven and worlds, our boss alone is the feared one, The Lord of Petrichor, Avalokiteśvara, Grand Champion of Universe Grand Prix, The Deer Who Sings Of Tomorrow, The Devourer Of The Whale from Neptune, The Songbird Of Aleph Null, The King Adorned in Colored Stars, The Emerald Flower Who Bloomed in an Eternity. The—"

“They get it already.” Leo cut him off. “They got it from the moment you started this long-winded-masturbatory-indulging-of-titles.”

“Well, I figured it was a good way to intimidate and impress people into not trying anything funny.”

“Well, he doesn’t wish for that. That is why we are here.”

“So there are more of you?” Ai said, already sweating from their strength, or more particularly, Aries.

“We will discuss this later.” Leo glanced at Aries.

“Well, we say twelve, but the numbers haven’t been filled,” Aries said. “With us, there are nine. One of our positions is shared by two people, so eight.”

"It would have been ten if Aquarius wasn’t so damn picky,” Leo said.

“And are they with Cir—I mean Elysium?” Malion said.

“They are,” Leo said. “They are helping build and maintain our king’s domain.”

“Then can you lead us to our husband?” Artemis asked.

“Sure thing! He said should you, four, come to bring you directly to him. He said if we didn’t you guys would try and fight your way in and probably have sterner words to say to him when you eventually reach him. Leo, you don’t mind if I take them, do you?” Aries said.

“No, go ahead. I was gonna make some stone piles anyway. I’ll take care of your horses while you all are away.” Leo said.

“Great! Ladies, follow along!” He placed his hand on the torii gate. “Special privilege: Aries. Location: Elysium.”

Shine!!

The Torii gate lit up with an emerald light.

“Come along!” Aries said, walking into the light.

The four of them all walked through the gate.

Flash!!

When they next opened their eyes, they found themselves in an extravagant throne room. A song that did not fit the atmosphere one would expect.

"One more turn and I'll settle the score♪ A rubber fire screams into the night♪ Crash and burn is what you're gonna do♪ I am the master of the asphalt fight♪”

Up on a throne with an elegantly masterfully crafted desk was Elysium, going over several documents. The song matched the speed at which Elysium was working.

Scribble~ Scribble~ Scribble~

Scribble~ Scribble~ Scribble~

Scribble~ Scribble~ Scribble~

Next to Elysium was a blue-haired spirit.

“Haa… Alright, what’s the next thing that needs going over?” Elysium said.

“We have reports from Cocytus, Lethe, Virgo, and Pisces. But Pisces E wishes to take on the guard roll from—”

“Hello!!” Aries said, walking into the center of the court.

“Aries. Speak of the devil. What brings…” Proanthos turned to see company.

Proanthos and Elysium saw the people he brought. The music stops.

“Cirrus.” Artemis, Ai, Malion, and Ryuu said.

Tension quickly filled the room.

“…Ooh this is really awkward.” Slowly he began to walk away. “I’ll be going back to my post! Sorry sir!” Aries then went back through the gate, which was on the side of the hallway.

“So… Who is this?” Ai asked, looking at Proanthos as she walked up to Elysium.

“This is Proanthos,” Elysium said. “My first Spirit and my assistant.”

Proanthos stepped to the side.

“I am Proanthos," They bowed masterfully. "Formally known as Vesta.”

“!!” They felt a jolt go through them.

“V-Vesta!?” They all said.

“Yes. I came with Elysium when he returned to the world, and I have been with him through all of his travels. Elysium, I will go and take my break now.”

“Alright." Elysium nodded, exchanging a glance with her. "I will call you when we can return to work.”

"Hm," she said, walking past them and to another torii gate. “Special privilege: Proanthos. Location: Acheron Lake.”

A blue and green light lit up, and she walked through it before dimming.

“So Cirrus.” Artemis walked up to his table and slammed her hands on the table. “Mind telling me why you just up and left like that? Hm?? I thought you would stay in Orario.”

“…About that, I will not be staying in Orario. I will never step a single foot in Orario until next year.”

“What!? Why!?” Ai said.

“It is my self-imposed rule. If I stayed in Orario I would be chained to my past life’s responsibility. And as the god of Gekai, or now Elysia, I cannot focus on one place. That and I cannot create my domain in Orario with the Dungeon and all. As for calling me Cirrus… well, I am ‘fine’ with you calling me that if it makes it easier for you.” He said not happy about it but did not exactly dislike it.

“Then does that extend to our marriage!!” Ai shouted.

They could see the regret on his face. The stars on his clothing turned orange and blue.

“… I would love to say yes, but—”

“But nothing!!” Ai came up to him and grabbed his collar. “You are still Cirrus! Even if you call yourself Elysium you are MY husband! My first love! My best friend! My everything!!!” She shouted with tears in her eyes. "You," she said, placing her head against his. “You are my everything... I don’t want to lose you again. The day you disappeared, the day you fought poisoned to the bitter end. The day you walked into the sea and let fate take you... The days I—we spent looking for your body because if we didn't, it would eat us alive, thinking you were alive somewhere, and we just…”

Ai was shaking as tears began to fall on Elysium.

Seeing her crying face broke his heart. He instantly hugged her tightly.

“I… I am always, forever sorry I made you feel this way. I’m sorry I made you cry again. But Ai—Ah.” An idea popped into his head.

“W-what is it? Sniff!”

Elysium got up, picking Ai up. He phased through his desk to stand before them. Elysium then gently put Ai back on her feet.

“Ai, Artemis, Malion, Ryuu. I have a quest for you four.”

“A quest?” Malion said.

"Cirrus, do not try and avoid this conversation!” Artemis shouted.

“I am not. I am hitting two birds with one stone. So wives of Cirrus Zephyr! I will grant you a great honor!!” He said it as bravely and confidently as he could. “To the mortal’s Ai Zephyr! Malion Dökk Zephyr! Ryuu Lion-Zephyr! My quest is this: reach level 9 and pass my trail! Your reward? Godhood and the great privilege of being my first wife!"

“WHAT!?!?” They all shouted.

“B-but I am your first wife!" Artemis said. “And what of my quest?"

"Well, for you, Artemis I have some questions. For one, what do you plan on doing?”

“What do you mean by what I plan on doing?”

“I mean, you have three choices. Option one is that you stay in Orario with Callisto. Option two, you can forgo everything and stay here with me.”

“I… Cirrus I—What about Callisto!? Or Haku, Auby, or Alise!?”

“They can visit. I never said they couldn’t. And if I am not mistaken, Astraea is currently taking care of them.”

“!!” Artemis’s eyes widen. “Do I have... choices?”

Elysium nods.

“Your third choice is simple. Combat, you must fight Ai, Ryuu, or Malion for your place as first wife. Of course, I will allow you to use your arcanum to make things fair.”

“You’re really going to make me work for it, huh?” Artemis's mind weighs the options with great consideration. “But…”

Artemis glances at the other three, and they are ready to take her on.

“No fighting just yet.” Elysium calmed the situation. “I know I am a pretty prize, the prettiest gal at the ball, one might say. I deserve at least some effort to let someone put that corsage on my wrist. So? What will it be, Artemis? Option 1, 2, or 3?”

Artemis runs everything through her mind, weighing and thinking everything through.

“I…” Artemis pulled her lips back to make a stern and assured look. “Choose option 2.”

“You sure? You will have to leave behind everything up on the surface.”

“Everything!? B-but what of the Familia that we built up? Everyone who has been—”

“I am a selfish god, Artemis,” Elysium said sternly. “You can live with me here or you can stay in Orario, but that would mean you will have to keep traveling back and forth. Not very useful when you’re the head of a large Familia that has just lost its strongest pillar.”

“Hmm…” Artemis was weighing it again. She did not think he would go to that extent.

'On the one hand, I can be with him and not worry about every little thing. I could spend days with him in leisure, by ourselves, with no one or thing to interrupt us… on the other hand. I will be leaving everything we built together. All the work and people: Rethusa, Cale, Lante... What would they think? What would they say?’

She keeps thinking.

‘What of Callisto? Callisto…’

Everyone looked at Artemis and they could all see she was really struggling to choose.

“Hmm… Hmmm… Cirrus, would I be able to speak with Callisto and the Familia?”

“Of course. Simply because I cannot step foot in Orario doesn’t mean you have to.”

“Then I will go with options two and three.”

“Hoh~” Elysium smirked. “You only had to pick one?”

“There was nothing to stop me from picking two or even all of them. I am a bit selfish as well.” She gave him a prideful smile.

“Heh.” Elysium couldn’t help but smile at her cheekiness and the need to overcome challenges. “Then why the two that would take you from Callisto? I would think that you would spend as much time with her as you can now, with no reservations or playing coy that she is your blood."

“Because of two things.” Artemis steps forward. “My love for you and Nox is there for her to watch over her. I know full well she will not break your request for her. You even gifted her White Night and even put fear into all who would see her for what she could give them.”

“I see. Well if you end up regretting it it will will be of your own choice.” Elysium looked to Ai, Ryuu, and Malion. “Well, what of you all?”

“Can you really not return to Orario?” Ryuu asked. “The kids will miss you."

“They are welcome to come and visit me on their birthdays. I am… ashamed. I will not see them every day as I would like, but building and getting a reincarnation cycle up and running is very, very difficult. But I will say on one of their birthdays that I will come to visit if they are unable to come here. I would rather spend the one day I gave myself to visit on their special day.”

“Then I want to take the trial right now!" Ai said, stepping forward.

Elysium looked at her with an unsurprised look.

“…You know I said level 9, right?”

“My strength is enough to rival a level 9!” She said it with a determined face.

“Ai, as much as I love you, taking on the trail right now is... well, I suggest you reach level 9. I will not be making exceptions, even to you.”

"Cirrus, I want to take it.” She was even more determined.

"Not till your level 9. Goodbye, and if you come here again, I will send you away.”

“Wait what—Snap!”

Ai instantly vanished.

“Where did you send her?” Ryuu was surprised by Ai's disappearance.

“Orario. Haa…. fuck.” He scratched his head in frustration. "I didn't want to do that. It slipped my mind how much of a battle-junkie she is.”

“Can she really not take the trial?” Malion asked.

“Not like she couldn't, but being at level 9 will give you a far, far higher chance to pass it. After all, you will be facing me as a level 10. Do you think you can beat me when you are not at your peak?”

Both Ryuu and Malion fully understood how far they were in terms of strength to him.

“I understand,” Ryuu said. “But Ai will pay you back for just teleporting her so suddenly.”

“Yeah, I know. If anything, it should motivate her to reach level 9.”

"Cirrus, can you return me as well?” Artemis asked. “I can’t let Ai get the head start.”

“Of course. You were always one to be competitive. I’ll drop you off right at the front doors. I hope to see you or Ai soon. Snap!”

And like that, she was gone.

“So…” Malion looked at Ryuu. "It seems we won’t be able to be the first wife, huh?”

“It seems not, but we didn't care for such a position,” Ryuu replied.

“Very true. So Cirrus, you don’t mind if we spend the night here, do you?”

“Not at all; just hold on a second,” Elysium said happily. The stars on his clothes turned a nice shade of pink. “Gemini!!! Can you tell Proanthos I can get back to work? Oh, and sorry, but I still have work to finish.”

They both chuckled a bit.

“Even when you became a god, you are still overworked, huh?” Ryuu said, walking up to him and fixing his clothes. “Oh, this is really soft."

While adjusting his clothes she caught a very slight movement of his clothes.

'Is his clothes alive?'

It reminded her a bit of Fafnir.

“What can I say? I know how to pick’em. Gemini, could you show them around the place?”

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

The two of them turn to see, at the far end of the throne room, another knight. He was sleeping by the large staircase during their whole conversation.

Unlike the first two knights, this knight had a black and white mask.

He had a simple black and white fur coat with elegant silver gauntlets.

They could see his gray hair, wolf ears, and tail.

“Gemini?” Malion said.

“Yes, yes, that’s my name. Yawn~” He had a lax attitude. “Sorry. The boss lets me sleep while on the job. Alright, follow me. (Reflection) [Gemini].”

As he walked towards them, three versions of himself appeared. The versions of himself were the same, but their mask and coat were now a single color of black or white.

One version walked to the side where Proanthos took it and left through it.

“Oh… are you also a grand spirit?” asked Ryuu, walking back to Malion’s side.

“I am. Gemini is my name, Grand Spirit of Loyal Onslaught. Now if you follow one of me, I will show you around the place.”

“Thank you, Gemini. I still have work to do,” Elysium said.

“When will you finish?” Ryuu asked.

“Not for a while.”

From the Torii gate, a bolt of lightning entered.

Crack!!

Flash!

Proanthos appeared right next to Elysium.

“Sir. Should I inform Leo and Aries that they will be staying the night?” Gemini asked.

“Yes. I will get started on working on the reports.”

Back in Orario.

Moonlight Towers master bedroom.

“So it’s a race against time, huh?” Ai said, having gotten her gear.

"It seems it will be,” Artemis said.

“You better not try to skip out on updating my status!”

“Of course not! You just need to do it before I leave!”

“Um…” Astraea said in the room. “So why did you call me Artemis?”

“Astraea I brought you here to—Hmm!?” Ai covered her mouth and picked her up.

"Alright, well, I’ll be off! Tell Haku I love him!!” She said jumping off the balcony with Artemis in hand.

“You jerk!!!!” She shouted as they both fell down the tower.

“…” Astraea watched as they fell. “Fufu. What a couple of peas in a pod they are!”

Astraea couldn’t be more happy they were her daughters-in-law.