In the Temple of Artemis, the atmosphere was oppressively grim.
The Hunting Goddess paced back and forth in the main hall, her expression changing unpredictably.
The Nine Muses sat silently at the table, looking dejected and disheartened.
"Apollo, that fool!"
Finally, Artemis cursed her incompetent brother, breaking the silence. Then, looking at the clueless Muses in front of her, she felt a surge of headache.
Chief Gods and Lesser Deities often shared both glory and loss together.
But at the sa ti, their alliance was not unbreakable, it could change at any ti due to shifts in divine authority and office.
Now, in a mont of folly, Apollo had directly confronted the Father God and as a result, was exiled to herd cattle in Thessaly, with little hope of returning soon.
Thus, naturally, the Temple of Light was left vacant.
The Nine Muses under his command were affected by this and were likely to face hard tis.
Without the protection of a capable Chief God, these pampered Muses would inevitably be harassed by schers in Olympus.
Among them were not only male gods coveting their beauty but also goddesses aspiring to consolidate their own authority over the arts.
For example, goddesses like Aphrodite and Hera could lay claim to leading the Nine Muses, to boost their own divine power.
For Artemis to protect her brother's interests was an uphill battle.
Beyond the present issues with the Muses:
Her weak mother—Leto, the Goddess of Protection, had nearly fainted upon hearing the news of Apollo's exile and was now in the sanctuary of Arcadia, weeping and awaiting her comfort;
Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi needed soone to patrol and guard it;
Recently, due to the negligence of the Sun God Helios's son Phaethon, he had gained authority over controlling the sun's movents from Helios, and this celestial function needed further stabilization;
Additionally, there was the task of maintaining connections with scattered Lesser Deities, priests, and believers…
Even thinking about it, Artemis felt an overwhelming pressure bear down on her, almost suffocating her.
Probably because she and her brother were both Chief Gods, they believed they could support and look out for each other, prevailing through any crisis.
Therefore, they had not seriously cultivated relationships with other Chief Gods.
The only god who had a good relationship with Apollo was Hers, but even he had taken an opposing stance because of the death of Pan, allying himself with her brother.
Now, when the real trouble ca, with Apollo exiled to herd in Thessaly, Artemis felt truly alone and experienced what it was like when the walls fall and all co pushing. She also suddenly understood the hardships Athena had faced over the years.
But what was done was done, and she had to try her best to redy the situation, dealing with one issue at a ti.
"I will go to Arcadia to take care of Mother, and also patrol Delphi. The rest of you stay in Olympus and guard the temple well!"
Upon hearing Artemis's arrangent, the emotionally expressive Muses realized their unfavorable situation and couldn't help but pale, whimpering softly.
The resolute Hunting Goddess, seeing the obviously pressure-sensitive artistic goddesses in front of her, grew even more frustrated and couldn't help but rebuke them sharply.
"Crying, always crying! Apollo has only been exiled, not killed!"
The Nine Muses at the table tried to suppress their sobs, but their faces remained grim and mournful.
"We fear we may not be able to fulfill your trust, bringing sha to Lord Apollo…"
Artemis, understanding their implication, fell silent for a mont.
As a goddess, she knew all too well that leaving these delicate Muses alone in Olympus was like casting lambs into a tiger's mouth.
But at the mont, she was too stretched thin to offer the necessary protection for these nine Muses, despite her willingness.
Just as the temple was shrouded in gloom, a deep voice ca from the corner.
"How about I go find Athena? As fellow virgin goddesses, she should be willing to help."
Luo En put the sleeping Atalanta back into her cradle and voiced his heartfelt suggestion.
Artemis's eyes flickered upon hearing this, hesitated for a mont, but ultimately shook her head.
"Forget it, it's already rare enough she didn't kick us when we were down this ti; how can I possibly keep asking for her help with Apollo's matters?"
In the last battle for Crete Island, Apollo, not wanting to get involved in the conflict between the Minosians and Atlanteans, had dragged her away early, inadvertently causing trouble for Athena.
Now that he was in trouble himself, how could he expect the Goddess of Wisdom to forgive and forget?
And if she rembered correctly, Athena seemingly had her own authority over the arts…
Artemis glanced at the nine delicate Muses sitting before her, her gaze shimring with depth.
It was easy to hand these nine indecisive idiots to that woman, but once Apollo wanted them back upon his return, it would likely be quite difficult.
In the art of winning hearts, that woman was second to none in the whole of Olympus.
Luo En pondered for a mont, then suggested once more.
"What about Queen Hera, or His Majesty the King of Gods?"
"Even less possible! If we throw them over there, we'd be lucky to have even bones left!"
Artemis shook her head without hesitation, rejecting the idea outright without a second thought.
The Father God's love was unmatched, and that Queen was a notorious illegitimate child killer.
As the nine beautiful illegitimate daughters of Father God Zeus and the Goddess of mory Mnemosyne, they likely wouldn't fare well in anyone's hands.
Seeing his suggestions repeatedly declined, Luo En also felt a headache coming on.
"If this won't do and that won't do, surely you can't expect to ask Lady Hestia, right?"
The speaker was "unintentional," but the listener took it to heart.
Artemis's eyes lit up with an epiphany as she racked her brain over how to place the Nine Muses.
"That's right, Aunt Hestia!"
As the Goddess of the Hearth and symbolically the "head of the household" for the entire Olympus pantheon, just having her lend support would deter any covetous outside parties.
And most crucially, she was always without desires, content; even if handed the Nine Muses, she would remain unmoved.
When her brother Apollo returned later, the divine authority could be reclaid at any ti.
Temporarily placing the Muses under the care of Aunt Hestia was the most foolproof plan he could think of.
Having realized the key to the problem, Artemis was struck with a revelation and beca visibly delighted.
"Er, she usually doesn't reside on Olympus."
Seeing this, Luo En quietly reminded her. After a mont's consideration, he spoke earnestly.
"How about this, I'll go and ask her? But I can't guarantee success."
However, Artemis smiled and shook her head gently.
"No need. If she's not here, isn't it enough that you are?"
"Ah?"
"As Aunt's Lesser Deity, you can act on behalf of her authority. Taking them under your care would effectively be the sa!"
Artemis imdiately grabbed her lover's hand and turned to announce to the Nine Muses.
"Starting today, you will temporarily reside in Aunt Hestia's temple. If you need anything, tell Luo En; he will convey it to ."
Initially stunned by this arrangent, the Muses then rembered the pleasant tis they had spent together and his steadfast support for Apollo at critical monts. They did not feel averse to accepting this male god's care and nodded in agreent.
And just like that, Luo En found himself saddled with this significant appointnt, torn between laughter and tears.
"I'm just a Lesser Deity; how can I manage all this?"
"What's there to fear? If you can't handle it, isn't there still the Goddess of Wisdom? Given your relationship with her, Aunt, and yourself, she surely wouldn't ignore any issues that arise."
Artemis patted her lover's shoulder aningfully, displaying a playful smile.
Allowing her lover to act on behalf of Aunt Hestia and take care of those Muses was a safeguard to prevent them from being lured away or secretly switching allegiances. It also conveniently involved Athena, Artemis's usual adversary, as free labor.
The arrangent was simply perfect!
Under the tender gaze of the Hunting Goddess, Luo En, pushed into the position, could only nod helplessly.
"Very well, I'll do my best..."
Watching her lover take on this burden for her, Artemis was filled with emotion and guilt. As they parted, she pulled her lover aside and earnestly whispered a promise.
"In the future, I will definitely repay you!"
As Luo En watched the hunting nymph and golden-horned deer chariot gradually vanish into the edge of the sky, the expression of worry on his face faded. He turned back to the Nine Muses, lined up neatly behind him, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Well then, Apollo, as you serve your sentence in peace, I shall not fail to uphold the trust your sister has placed in .
—For you, a Lesser Deity of mine, I shall nourish. Have no concerns!
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