Chapter 65: Quest 60- Where To Next?

Later that night.

After the meeting was done Artemis was now part of hunting and killing the Nuckelavee. Cirrus was glad he had a skilled hunter with him on finding the monster so he asked their Familia to investigate the town, given their occupation as hunters they should have better luck than what self-taught skills Cirrus had and soon enough.

“We are done investigating the town.” Said Rethusa.

“Yup we checked every home and but found nothing aside from a few journals and diaries.” Said another member.

“Hm, Lady Artemis did you find anything?” Cirrus said looking at Artemis.

“I have I found a magic spell engraved into that stone pavement formed by a gods blood that leads to the seal, I went to the seal, but it was barren, and the path was partially destroyed in a circular manner.”

“Yeah, that was me, I purified the water so the swamp wouldn’t have poisonous fumes.” Nox said. “I hope that doesn’t slow down the investigation?”

“Hm, not at all.” Said Cirrus. “Based on that and what knowledge we have of the monster and goddess in question Loviatar we can assume the spell was used to corrupt and poison the swap in turn releasing the Nuckelavee from its freshwater prison.”

“Seems you have the makings of a good hunter Cirrus.” Artemis said. "Or do you prefer Zephyr?"

“Zephyr and coming from you that means a lot, so now that we have how the monster was released that leads to the question…where is the Familia?”

“I found some tracks heading up north?” said a Familia member.

“North…that’s a start but for now we hunt the monster in question. Artemis, can I relay on you and your Familia to track it down? I need to return to Orario and update my status or you know…”

“Hm, we are on it! But how are we going to contact you?”

“Nox, do you wish to travel with them?”

“No.” she said flat-out.

“….I'll hand you my Occulus tomorrow.”

The next day Cirrus handed Artemis his Occulus and parted ways with them after telling them how it works. For now he returned to get their horse at the village down stream and went back on their way to Orario.

 

Tracking down the Nuckelavee Artemis and her Familia were carefully following its trail of destruction.

Artemis holds the magic item as her children are up front.

“Hey Astraea.” She said walking through a decayed trail.

“Ah Artemis! Why the sudden call?”

“I wanted to apologize for hurting your child when I first met him, I shot him in his shoulder, hand and leg.”

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“…Oh you were serious! wow that’s amazing! Was he wearing his deer mask with the white Hagoromo?”

“Y-yes well not at first but he was quiet fast I was a bit scared when he appeared in front of me…holding one of my children by the neck.”

“I am sorry about that he’s well…he gone through some stuff." there was a slight pain in Astraea’s voice. "It is something I cant blame his god for involving him in."

“Hm? His god? Aren’t you, his god?”

“He was converted into my Familia yes but... his god well it was a complicated issue but needless to say but we have a more business-like relationship if anything as we work for the same goal.”

“And that is?”

“The stopping of Evilus. They were responsible for several attacks in Orario and even to some cities and countries. Cirrus himself has done his part in stopping them but…they are far slipperier than we had expected and now…well they released this monster.”

“I see. Are there other monsters like this one? It would be helpful to know if there are more monsters like this?”

“We got information that Evilus might be trying to releases 4 more monsters or well 3 more. We would have sent more people to investigate but we sadly don’t have the manpower to send more. Cirrus is strong enough even at his tender age to deal with it with his magic and skills to either fight or escape especially when you seen his pretty companion. You do know what they are right?”

“Has it been so long you forget that I know every creature both in and under heaven? She is a Grand Spirit. I had assumed spirits of her caliber could no longer be made due to their…unique abilities. I asked Zephyr- wait is his name Cirrus or Zephyr?”

“He doesn’t like to say his full name, but his name is Cirrus Zephyr he prefers to be called Zephyr when he wears his mask.”

“Does he not want people to see his face? Or even know his name?”

“No he simply doesn’t want people to know who he is so he can still walk in the streets of Orario without someone trying to start something.”

“He’s rather cleaver for a child…he was even able to find where I was shooting and reach me using my own child as a meat shield.”

“You were lucky he needed answers if not that situation would have resulted in the disbandment of your Familia.”

“I'll be sure to keep that in mind as well as my children, after that encounter they have been taking this more seriously.”

“He tends to have that effect on people…well I must be going I’ve been taking up this magic tool far too long, I must give it back to its true owner.”

“W-wait then who is the owner??”

“…Don’t worry about! And do be careful! You can't be as reckless as you were in heaven.”

The light in the crystal dimmed and Artemis looked up at her children who were still up ahead tracking the monster.

“…What a odd situation I found myself in."