That night, the small city-state was brightly lit with lanterns and colorful decorations, bonfires burned everywhere, and every household brought out their treasured wine from their cellars, preparing for a celebration unique to this small city-state.
Tonight, Orion, the great hero from afar, was about to marry their beautiful Princess Apollyse.
However, as the entire city-state prepared for the wedding ceremony between the princess and the hero, Orion, the male protagonist of the night, avoided the crowds and quietly arrived at the city gates, carrying his giant bow and wooden club.
"I'm sorry, Princess Apollyse."
Orion withdrew his gaze from the palace, then silently turned to leave the city-state.
But just as he stepped out of the city gates, suddenly, countless torches appeared on either side of the dirt road outside the city gates, and the Old King of the city-state, along with Princess Apollyse, already dressed in her ceremonial attire, appeared before him with a large group of soldiers, blocking Orion's path.
"Orion, where are you going?"
Princess Apollyse pleaded with a sorrowful expression:
"Can I truly not stir a single bit of emotion in you?"
"Of course not, Princess Apollyse, you are very beautiful, and I believe there isn't a man in this world who wouldn't be moved by you."
A troubled expression appeared on Orion's face, but after much hesitation, he finally gritted his teeth and gave Apollyse a resolute smile:
"You are a good woman; I am not worthy of you."
As he spoke, Orion was already preparing to leave, while Apollyse continued to press him relentlessly:
"Why? Is that woman really that good?"
"She can't compare to you; she has far more flaws than you do."
Orion said, his expression suddenly becoming unrestrained, and he laughed loudly:
"But I am Orion, the strongest hunter in this world, a man who can shoot down not only women but even the hearts of goddesses! Now that that woman is in trouble, how can I abandon her and enjoy myself? I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!"
"My daughter is not someone you can just discard!" The Old King pushed Apollyse aside, stepped forward, and commanded the guards, shouting, "Guards! Seize him!"
At his command, the surrounding soldiers and guards immediately swarmed towards Orion, using their shields to try and block him. However, the burly man drew his wooden club and struck the ground fiercely; the earth began to tremble, and a huge chasm appeared between him and the soldiers, stopping their advance.
Subsequently, clear water gushed from this chasm, and Orion, riding this current, actually leaped directly over the soldiers, landing behind the Old King and the princess.
"I'm sorry, Old King."
After landing, the fellow turned around, his expression suddenly becoming as annoying as a toy bear. He grunted and said:
"Indeed, rather than being hung on one tree, I, Orion, the Hunter of Love, must embark on the endless path of pursuing love! Hahahaha—"
After speaking, Orion sprinted away, quickly disappearing from the sight of the Old King and Princess Apollyse with a speed exceeding that of a normal human.
After watching his back disappear, the Old King and Princess Apollyse did not furiously order their soldiers to pursue him. Their expressions gradually calmed, and then the Old King asked:
"Apollo, what do you think of this Orion?"
"Pah!" Princess "Apollyse's" exquisite face showed an expression of disdain. He spat to the side, then said indignantly:
"He barely qualifies to hold hands with Artemis."
"I didn't expect you to be so tsundere." As the Old King spoke, his figure slowly changed, transforming back into Ares, the God of War.
Apollo tore off his skirt, and his figure also reverted to his original form as the God of Light. He removed his ornaments and returned them to Ares, while asking:
"Ares, I want to ask you, what exactly did you say to him in that temple that made him change his mind?"
At that time, after Orion entered the temple, Ares used his power to seal the entire temple, cutting off the connection between the statue and Apollo and Artemis. Therefore, Apollo was unaware of what they had secretly discussed inside.
"I merely told him your prophecy in its entirety, that's all."
Ares said, shrugging his shoulders. He turned around and gently waved his hand, and immediately Apollo saw the city behind them slowly dissipate like smoke.
The God of Light's eyelids twitched at this sight, and he then said in a deep voice:
"This is impossible. My prophecy foretold that if this person continues to stay with Artemis, he will inevitably meet his Death at some point in the future. How could he still choose to stay with Artemis? Staying by Artemis's side, he has neither freedom nor the right to be intimate with Artemis. This is not a choice a normal person would consider, unless you told him something else, for example, what would happen if he didn't stay with Artemis. Am I right, Ares?"
Ares smiled without speaking, which further solidified Apollo's conviction. He continued to press him: "Prophecies, magic, so many cards hidden. What exactly do you want?"
"What I want, you probably can't guess, and you wouldn't want it anyway." Ares waved his hand with a smile. "Alright, don't guess so much. In any case, I can't be detrimental to you and Artemis, so rest assured."
"How can I rest assured when you act like this?" Apollo said in a low voice, "Ever since you and Athena began to play against each other, my observation of the future has become increasingly blurred. Now, even when I use my prophetic divine office, I can't see anything a hundred years into the future. If I weren't holding things together, Zeus would probably already be suspicious. Doing something like this with Athena, do you still consider Artemis and me your siblings?"
"Of course I consider you and Artemis my siblings. Otherwise, would you have seen this magic of mine today?" Ares responded calmly, "Apollo, I have chosen the safest path for you. For Artemis to stay with Orion is indeed the safest method now. You only need to take good care of Goddess Leto and Artemis and not get involved in the matters between me, Athena, and Zeus."
"What if we do get involved then?" Apollo asked again.
"Then don't blame me for being heartless, Apollo." Ares looked at the God of Light beside him, his gaze firm: "I can no longer stop; I can only push forward. If anyone truly stands in my way then, whether it's you, Artemis, or even Hestia and Hades, I will have no choice but to eliminate them and continue onward."
He patted the silent Apollo's shoulder and whispered in his ear: "So, if something happens then, just like when Typhon came last time, take them and run as far as possible. Oh, and if you can, please help look after Hephaestus, Hebe, and Hera too."