Myths Reawakened

Before, Wayne would’ve labeled beauties like Corte and Galen his first loves. Then even if there was no danger, he would create danger so that he could save the damsels in distress, progressing their relationships.

Now, though, he had feasted on such delicacies—even a goddess—that his desire quieted. When there were no genuine feelings involved, it was unlikely for him to fall in lust at first glance. Besides, Hestia was more beautiful and had a better figure than the two Holy Maidens while being absolutely loyal to him. She would do whatever he told her to do.

He still hadn’t laid a finger on Hestia. It was even less likely for Corte and Galen to get what they wanted.

Wayne couldn’t help with their oracles.

Pressing a kiss to Filomina’s face, he said regretfully, “I’d like to help, but I can’t. As you can see, I have a girlfriend, and I’m not going to cheat on her.”

“...” x3

Filomina’s laugh didn’t last. She once again pinched and twisted Wayne’s waist. Since he didn’t fear pain, she went hard.

Wayne sucked in a breath, addressing Corte, “Tell the goddess that showing Her goodwill is good enough. I get what She means, so She doesn’t have to go this far. I like Her personality.”

Corte cocked her head. What did he mean? If he was speaking literally, wouldn’t it mean that Wayne was now the goddess’s equal?

That couldn’t be!

“Also tell Her that with the Goddess of Moonlight being the low bar, the Goddess of Sun will surely rank higher. She needn’t be too worried.”

Wayne gleefully drove a wedge between Sun and Moonlight, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted it.

Filomina scowled at him. “What’s wrong with the Goddess of Moonlight? If you don’t explain clearly, I’ll make you pay tonight.”

Make me pay? You’ll collapse before I even do much.

Wayne snickered, turning to Galen. “That won’t be necessary. Mina and her student, Kristen, are both my girlfriends, so I have a close relationship with the Church of Moonlight. Your goddess is overthinking. The oracle makes no difference.”

“It will be different. You’re getting too close to Darkness.” Galen sighed. The Goddess of Darkness had gifted Wayne a Holy Maiden and a Darkness Knight. Moonlight had to follow suit.

She added, “Lady Darienne has received the same oracle. She should be here soon.”

“Darienne...”

(一`´一;)

Wayne pictured Darienne flipping the table and betting with White Night Creed. A bead of cold sweat streaked down from the corner of his eye. “There is no bad blood between the Goddess of Moonlight and me. Why would She set me up like that?”

“...” x3

How shameless. You’re laughing inwardly! x3

“No, I’m not!” Wayne, reading their thoughts, vehemently defended himself to Filomina. “You know me, Mina. I’m a conservative lover. I never drop my pants just because I meet a pretty girl.”

Filomina wordlessly rolled her eyes at him.

“That was before. Things are different now. Don’t judge me by my past...” Wayne grumbled. His image as a womanizer was so well-established that he knew his protest wouldn’t be convincing. He gave up. “I’ll bring Darienne. The Moonlight Knight is a demigod with a divine artifact, White Night Creed. At least she won’t be taken down with one attack.”

The office door opened. A beautiful, suited woman walked in with her long hair tied into a ponytail that barely reached her waist. She had gentle facial features and a calm grace.

Darienne!

The twin guards closed the door respectfully. While Wayne was a Moonlight Knight, too, their attitudes toward Darienne and Wayne were night and day.

Wayne wasn’t bothered by that. Darienne carried such baggage that she went full method to act like a graceful lady. He, on the other hand, was honest and authentic, demonstrating his justice in a roundabout way.

“Here you are, Galen.” Darienne popped her head in and blinked at Wayne, looking at the documents tossed to the floor. “Oh, my,” she said gleefully. “How careless of you, Wayne. Did you try to take advantage of Galen, but ended up being punished?”

She placed her hands on her hips, snickering.

You don’t know anything! x4

Wayne, Filomina, Corte, and Galen looked at Darienne with the same thought: the Moonlight Knight was tactless and obstinate. Corte, especially, suspected that Darienne belonged to the Church of Sun and had been staying undercover within the Church of Moonlight.

The more she looked, the more Darienne seemed like a fellow follower.

Darienne stopped laughing when she realized something was amiss. “Why are you so serious? Did I say anything wrong?”

Wayne rolled his eyes, Filomina stared coldly at her, Corte smiled, and Galen shook her head ruefully.

None of them said anything.

Darienne felt a chill run down her spine. She grabbed Galen and hurriedly said, “Say something. You’re scaring me. The goddess told me to seek you out in Londan, and—”

“Allow me to interrupt!” Wayne cut in. “Darienne, could you really leave the Frozen Land?”

“Leo has returned to the Frozen Land after finishing his mission. Now, it’s Moula’s time to go. I set out as soon as I received the oracle. Leo will be fine on his own.”

Darienne made an OK sign. Thoggua hadn’t made an appearance since their banishment, and space was unbreakable there. She told Wayne to relax.

Then, ignoring Filomina’s annoyance, she wiggled her eyebrows at Wayne. Once my mission is complete, let’s play cards. We’ll start from a clean slate and determine the winner this time!

Wayne had no words. If and when Darienne completed her mission, they would be playing cards in bed.

“What’s that look for? The past is the past—bah, you’ve never defeated me even in the past!” Darienne huffed when Wayne didn’t respond. Turning to Galen, she spoke victoriously, “The goddess told me to seek you out in Londan since you know the details of the oracle. I am to do whatever you tell me to do. Speak, what’s the mission?”

Galen stammered stiffly.

“Is this really the time to hesitate?” Corte cut in impatiently. “If you can’t say it, I will. We share the same oracle after all.”

“Mind your own business. I’ll tell my own oracle.”

Making up her mind, Galen nodded at Wayne before tugging at Darienne’s clothes, whispering into her ear.

(ŏ_ŏ;)

Why do you look like you’re marching to your death? Wayne thought. Is it really that hard? I never fault you for being Kristen’s great-aunt.

You’re not loyal!

“Oh!”

“Oh.”

“So that’s it. But I...”

“Oh! Oh? Oh—”

Darienne’s eyes widened. She grabbed Galen by the collar and snapped, “Be honest, girl. Did you falsify the oracle?”

Galen turned away and sighed. “I’d like to say I did, but do you really think I would dare do that?”

True!

Still, Darienne couldn’t believe it. With a flushed face, she pointed at the pretty boy currently acting as Filomina’s cushion. “He’s my student. He used to call me ‘master’. Even if he’s contributed to the church and the Divine Realm, aren’t the goddess’s rewards way overboard?”

“Besides, it’s fine for you to receive the order. Why am I involved?”

“What do you mean it’s fine for me? A Holy Maiden isn’t as strong a fighter as a knight, but my title alone makes purity a crucial requirement...” Galen spread her hands and faced the problem at hand bravely. “Lady Darienne, you’re here to complete the package deal of Holy Maiden plus chosen knight. Do you have any other questions?”

“Lots!” Darienne said with a flushed face. “I want to meet the goddess. I’ve shed blood for the Divine Realm and achieved feats for the church. You must have given me a false oracle.”

“Hey, I didn’t say I wanted you,” Wayne scoffed. “Why are you getting ahead of yourself?”

“Why don’t you want me?” Darienne snarled back. “Who are you looking down on? How am I not good enough for you?”

“You’re a terrible card player!”

“Bastard, meet me at the card table. If you run away, you’re chicken.”

“I’ll say the same to you...” Wayne said coolly. “I remember an old silver-haired knight boasting to me about her wealth of romantic experience, saying that I’m nothing compared to her since she’s been with at least eight hundred men, if not a thousand. But this is it? I thought you were telling the truth!”

“Don’t boast if you can’t back it up. You’re embarrassing yourself!”

Darienne fell silent. Finally, she found the words to say, “I have been with many men, and I am a veteran in relationships. They were the ones running away from me, while I was the one pursuing them. Once I got close enough, I shot them each with an arrow. You misunderstood me yourself. It’s on you for being too stupid to comprehend my story correctly.”

She always got competitive about the strangest things.

“Whatever,” she huffed. “Blaming me when you took my words the wrong way? I don’t have an archery student like you.”

She dragged Galen aside and rattled off, “What happened? I know Wayne’s talented, and he has indeed achieved great things. But is it really necessary to reward him like that?”

A Holy Maiden’s purity was crucial since she would be the goddess’s vessel in the human world. She could be considered the Goddess’s purity in mortal form. No matter what, no goddess would be ridiculous enough to give such an absurd oracle.

“There is a goddess like that,” Corte interrupted. “Three, in fact.”

The three huddled together. The two Holy Maidens finished each other’s sentences as they explained, quickly getting Darienne up to speed.

Darienne was flabbergasted.

“Do you understand, Lady Darienne?”

“That’s too much information. Let me sort things out first...” Scowling, Darienne pulled a chair and sat down.

Meanwhile, Filomina was busy pinching Wayne’s waist out of jealousy. She pointed at the three women and said, “I know you’re trying not to laugh. Tell me, what’s going on?”

“Scarcity increases a good’s value, and whoever offers the higher price wins.” Wayne stared at Filomina until she felt her confidence slipping. He leaned down and breathed at her ear, whispering, “Congratulations, Mina. The man you’ve handpicked... will become a god!”

Filomina’s jaw dropped. Wayne’s concise explanation, combined with the fact that two Holy Maidens and one knight had sought him out for their respective oracles, told Filomina all she had to know. Even though she understood everything, she was still shocked.

Sitting on Wayne’s lap like a sculpture, she unconsciously clutched his clothes.

“Don’t worry.” Wayne grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’ll stay with you forever. Even if you run away, I’ll take you back...”

“Yeah.”

Their eyes met. With mutual feelings, the wolf and the lady leaned into each other.

Twack!