Chapter 46: Chapter 46: The Second Rejection of the Moon Goddess
"To be precise, it's to make you, darling, become my possession. That way, even the gods won't attack you, because you're my, Artemis's, property."
Artemis had a cheerful smile on her face.
She looked very radiant and dazzling.
"Although the country you built will be destroyed, you'll be able to survive unscathed, and even gain more power than before! You can also live with me forever! Isn't that wonderful? No one will blame you for doing anything wrong!"
Artemis's words were like honey.
They contained a charm that could intoxicate and fascinate people.
But it was also difficult to accept.
Recalling the playful and lively figure of the past, Moran knew that they couldn't go back.
"There's no other way, right? Those are the gods, after all. No one on this land can match our flagship. Even a hero like you, Moran, wouldn't have any chance of winning. So, to survive, you make this choice, you make every effort to survive—isn't that what humans do?"
Artemis said it very matter-of-factly.
She was as pure and holy as the full moon.
Her beautiful face would make any man fall in love with her.
However, something was wrong somewhere.
…The conversation could only go so far; everything was lost.
Since she had said such things, he could only give one answer.
Moran could only accept the fact that he couldn't laugh and joke with her like before.
"I'm serious. I just need one answer from you."
In Artemis's voice, there was a hint of nervousness that shouldn't have been there.
"Artemis, I won't become your possession."
Moran took a deep breath and replied.
Just like when he returned to the Shapeless Isle in the last simulation, he rejected Artemis with the same resolute tone.
"…"
The resolute attitude was met with silence.
Artemis was like a tightly stretched string.
Like a pale moon, eerily silent.
The moon goddess's pressure expanded inadvertently, even making Moran unconsciously hold his breath.
"Why, why, darling, are you rejecting me again! Those are the gods! Idiot! Don't you understand? If you don't accept, you'll die!"
Sadness washed over Artemis's face.
Her voice also had a hint of anger.
"Please, just this once, don't resist. If you obey this time, no one will question your status as a hero…"
[The goddess's pleading voice reached his ears]
[She lowered herself more than ever before, and her desire to let you live was incredibly strong]
[He sincerely felt the goddess's love]
[Looking at the sad expression on the goddess's face, his heart also felt like it was being torn apart by a blade]
[But, he understood one thing]
[He couldn't accept such a request]
"No, I can't listen."
Moran's answer was still the same.
He knew that Artemis loved him beyond measure, but accepting like this was still wrong.
Something was fundamentally wrong.
Fifty years had passed, and now he had established this land.
He loved the women who accompanied him, and everything he cherished when he was with them.
She, as a god, didn't see it.
For this reason, Moran could only cruelly refuse.
A complex emotion washed over the beautiful goddess's face, but she clearly wasn't willing to give up so easily.
This was the man she loved most.
Artemis didn't want him to die at the hands of the gods.
"I can also provide protection for your wives. As long as you agree to me, I can protect even your wives! I can exercise my authority as one of the twelve Olympian gods!"
[Artemis said through gritted teeth]
[The goddess, who used to want to monopolize this love more than anyone else, had reached the point where she could tolerate other women]
[Just to let the man she deeply loved live]
[You were surprised by Artemis's courage, and a bitter and helpless smile appeared on your face]
[Because, she still didn't understand]
[This wasn't just about himself and his lovers; none of them could betray their homeland]
"Even the Gorgon sisters, I have the ability to save their lives, as long as I confirm to the gods that they are no longer a threat! Darling… please don't… please don't reject me anymore…"
Artemis had made the biggest concession.
This was the best calculation she had made using the Machine God analysis terminal.
Moran had no reason to reject the proposal.
"No, Artemis, I can't agree to your request. I don't just have me and them behind me anymore; I can't betray my country and my people…"
Moran couldn't help but reach out his hand.
He wasn't as cold as he was in the last simulation.
This time, he took the initiative to reach out and stroke Artemis's face, gently wiping away the tears on her face.
He wouldn't give in where he couldn't give in.
This will was incredibly firm.
"Too much! Too much! I've made so many concessions! I even allowed other women to be by your side! You rejected me like this last time too! I've clearly reflected on it!"
"I'm sorry, but this is the only thing I can't do…"
Moran knew that Artemis was referring to the last simulation.
[She had the memory reading performance of a Machine God]
[She read the information in Moran's brain as soon as they met, and came into contact with memories and feelings related to herself]
[In addition, there was an unavoidable sense of déjà vu]
[Artemis remembered herself in the last simulation]
[Watching the hero who would save the Gorgons even in the face of death, her heart wavered and fluttered in the process]
[If I encountered something like that]
[Would he come to save me like this too?]
[This question imprisoned her until the end of the last simulation, and in the end, Artemis regretted it]
[Even after thousands of years in the river of time]
[The Machine God system still remembered the emotion called love, and anger and jealousy were no match for the emotion called love]
[I don't want him to die, I want to see him again]
[I want to hear his voice again]
[Regret, remorse, why are you/I so willful?]
[The experience of the last simulation made Artemis lament, and she vowed that if she had another chance, this time she would definitely—]