Chapter 398: [Vol.4] Quest 301- “Pups”

A month later, they returned to Orario.

"Are you ready?" Cirrus glanced back.

"Ready as we can," Artemis said.

"Their stares are gonna be even more intense now," Ai said.

"Well, let's get this over with," Cirrus said as they rode into Orario.

They returned by carriage through the eastern gate. The guards let him through, as they and everyone else in the city knew he was. Quickly, everyone looked at Cirrus, as in his arm was his daughter with white fox ears.

‘Had to give her a Falna extremely early, but it needed to be done to make the magic tool work.’ Cirrus thought. ‘At least it’s sealed.’

The fox ears on Callisto were fake. They were part of a much more complex magic tool that ran on both Cirrus and Artemis to keep the ears working and for Callisto’s Sacred Energy from exposing her heritage.

"Dah! Dah!" Callisto said, reaching out for him.

"Yes, yes, I am Dad." Cirrus held out his finger, and she grabbed it as much as she could. "Strong grip. Art, are we sure you sealed her, Falna?"

"I am sure," Artemis said with her eyes closed in the back with Ai next to her. "She just likes you that much."

"You aren’t mad she likes me more?"

"Of course, Cirrus. I can finally get some sleep. Besides, I will always be her…" Artemis whispers. "Mother."

They returned to their Familia home and were greeted by everyone.

"Lady Artemis!!"

"Captain!!"

"Vice-Captain!!"

They all quickly surrounded them and gathered around Artemis and Ai, who were carrying their children.

"Rethusa, come with me," Cirrus said.

"Hm."

They go a bit away from the crowd to talk.

"As you know, Callisto is... you know. So did you and the rest of Familia ensure the tower is safe?"

"It is. What of the magic tool?"

"The necklace. It serves as the base to hide her origins from the gods and to make those white fox ears. That necklace is to never leave her neck."

"I will inform the others."

"Good. I made extras just in case anything happens."

That day and night, the whole of the Entertainment District celebrated. Food and drinks went around as everyone had fun.

 

Up on the top levels of the Moonlight Tower, Rethusa and the others made the babies their room.

"Haa…" Sitting down, exhausted, was Cirrus. "A daughter who loves me. Here I thought a child of Artemis would come to hate men."

In the crib, Hakushika slept, while in Cirrus’s arms, Callisto slept.

"Honestly." He looked at Callisto. "Why are you so attached to me?"

Bwoosh!

Vesta appeared by his side.

"Maybe the love Artemis has for you is passed down to the child?"

"I would doubt that, but considering she is a demigod, I wouldn’t doubt if that was the case," Hecton said, appearing from his shadow.

"Yes, and the idea that Callisto is Nox is long gone. I doubt Nox would wish to be breastfed by Lady Artemis." Fafnir said it as well, from the shadow of the wall.

"Hmm…" Cirrus tapped Callisto’s chubby cheeks. "Vesta, do the rules for reincarnation apply to Spirits?"

"The same as everyone else. Except because of your contract with her, she will find her way to you like a pigeon would their home." Vesta explained.

"Haa… How many times would we have this conversation? Vesta, why do you think Callisto is Nox’s reincarnation? Circe checked several times, and her soul isn’t pure white. You even checked yourself?"

"Feelings and thought are separate issues. Even if I cleared her of her identity, I firmly believe she is Nox. After all, as you said, a child of Artemis wasn’t born with a dislike of men. I mean, it has it not been more than 16 or so years since she found love?"

Despite Nyx's words to Vesta and her own words that Callisto was not Nox, she still says they are the same, adding that it was her feeling over logic.

"Haaa… We should stop this discussion. No more guesses, alright. It could be Nox, or it could be half of Elpis. There can be several reasons. I don't want to keep raising my hopes." Cirrus said, making a wry expression.

"Very well, Sir/ Master/ Cirrus."

"Now. Hecton. Fafnir. You both will ensure nothing happens to Hakushika and Callisto. And make sure she always has her necklace on."

"Of course, sir." Said Hecton. "That was given."

"Yeah, master. We would have done it even without your orders." Said Fafnir.

"Thank you. Vesta, how is the room?"

"You mean Nox’s room? It is fine, but the dust has really collected."

"I’ll be sure to go in and clean it."

"That is fine. When she does, return, she will have to clean up the dust and the mess that is her room. Honestly, there is still some tea in her cups and half-eaten slices of cake in her fridge. Not to mention all of her musical sheets are scattered everywhere haphazardly. For a spirit of her beauty and pedigree, I would expect her room to have been in better conditions."

"Yeah, she was a rather messy—"

"I know you let her do her own thing, Cirrus. But you didn’t scold her enough." Vesta said, looking at him with some disappointment.

"Well, if you saw that, then you would know she gave me those puppy dog eyes she learned from Ai."

"She was cute, but... Never mind. It’s not like I can’t close off my sense of smell."

"Do you like the view?"

Vesta took a moment to think about it.

"…I do. She picked a room that is showered in moonlight overlooking the western section of the city."

"Yeah, the part with the least amount of light pollution to see the stars."

"Hmm… We should let you get some sleep, Cirrus. Artemis and Ai are having a fun time."

"I’m glad they are." Cirrus gets comfortable in his rocking chair.

"Master, do you truly not wish to sing anymore?" Hecton asked.

"I am sure. The next time I will ever sing—"

"—Is with Nox. Right Master?" Fafnir said.

"That is right, Faf. Good night, you three." He rests his head on his hand and goes to sleep.

"Goodnight." They all said.

Hecton and Fafnir returned to the shadows, and Vesta disappeared in a wisp of fire.

 

The next day.

"Scribble~ Scribble~ Scribble~" Cirrus was back to work. "Rethusa, do you have the documents?" Cirrus looked over to his side, where Ai sat while helping Cirrus with the paperwork of the Familia.

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"Second pile." She said, scribbling and stamping paper after paper at a nearly identical rate as Cirrus.

"Hm." Cirrus got it and the papers, resuming his usual working pace.

"Oh, by the way, Cirrus, the Loki, and Freya Familia sent us a letter."

"Regarding what?"

"Don’t know. They requested to speak with you about it."

"Hm…" Seeing as they didn’t tell Circe, it makes him think about what they could possibly wish to ask. "Alright. I’ll go and speak with them. Rethusa, you can go and do whatever." Cirrus gets up and stretches as he walks to the door.

"How very kind of you. I think I’ll go and spend time with my boyfriend."

"You have a boyfriend?" Cirrus raised an eyebrow as he reached for the doorknob.

"I do. Why? Is that surprising?" Rethusa shot him a glare.

"… Anyway. Enjoy your time!" Cirrus opened the door and left.

 

He first went to the Freya Familia, given how close they were.

"Thank you for coming, Heavenly Crown." Said Hedin, speaking with Cirrus in the front yard.

"Not at all, so what was the letter about?"

"Well, considering the whole Familia has already agreed to the plan, given the Spirit situation. Lady Freya was the one who suggested this, so after some very intense discussions, we propose the Artemis and Freya Familia work with one another on expeditions to try and uproot these threats."

"Well… That is surprising. Has expeditions with Circe changed your Familia’s mind?"

"Circe is a valuable person for our expeditions. I and the rest of the Familia enjoyed her presence as much as we as a Familia could."

"Then I will bring it up with the Familia. Is there anything else you wanna talk about or?"

"That is all. I apologize for making you come all this way, but we much prefer to speak with you as you are the captain and with you being a father now. By the way, I would like to say congratulations." Hedin gave a nod.

"It’s fine, and thanks. I’ll let you know, and then we can progress this conversation between us and our goddesses."

"Hm."

They nod, and Cirrus leaves for the Loki Familia.

 

Along the way to the Loki Familia Cirrus came across a new couple.

"Oh."

"Hm?"

Cirrus stared at Ais and Bell by a Potato Snack stand.

"Well, I heard you two were an item, but I guess I had to see it to believe it," Cirrus said as Bell had a bag of potato snacks while Ais is buying another.

"O-oh! Hello Cirrus!" Bell said, a bit flustered. "W-what do you mean by—"

"Hm," Ais said, grabbing and wrapping her fingers with Bells. "We are on a date," Ais said, a bit flustered as well, but she kept her composure as best as she can.

"Hm, I—"

"Nooooo!!!!" Loki shouted, rushing at the two. "I won’t let my Ais-tan be taken!!!" She leaped towards Bell, but Ais pulled him in up close to her.

Loki flew past where Bell was and was about to crash onto the ground, but Cirrus gently grabbed her head and spun.

He spun, with Loki in his hand, back up onto her feet.

Swish~

Tap-Tap

"… Hoh." Loki was surprised by how quick and smooth Cirrus was in grabbing her and gently putting her down. "I didn’t even feel like my head was grabbed?"

"Yeah, I kinda trained myself to catch as gently as I can."

"Is it for your kids?" Ais said, with Bell still close to her.

"A-Ais your snacks!" Bell broke away from her to show her the squished Potato Snack.

"Ah… No big deal." Then took a squished one and ate it whole. "Hm. Still good."

"Well, since I have you, Lady Loki." Cirrus turned to Loki. "What was the request you wanted to talk about?"

"Ah, well, with some talking within the Familia, we came down with the decision to ask the Artemis Familia to collaborate with my Familia on expeditions."

"Hm. Well… seems we have some things to discuss then."

"Is that a yes?" Loki said, smiling.

"Yes, and no. I just came from a meeting with Hedin, and the Freya Familia asked the same as you."

"Geh!? Really! Did you accept their offer?"

"It’s on hold while we can discuss the details of the arrangement. I guess with your Familia involved, the discussion will be longer, but I am sure we can satisfy both parties."

"Ooh!" Ais said, smiling a bit. "Then you will be coming with us!"

Ais was excited to be working with Cirrus again. The last time they worked together was back during the fight with the dragon Erebus managed to spawn in the Dungeon.

"Seems like it. Well, Ais and Bell, make sure you come around to see the kids. I would like to have more sleep."

"Can I come and see them!" Loki said.

"Maybe when you are able to let go of Ais." Cirrus patted her shoulder as he walked away. "I am sure when Callisto grows up and finds someone, I will feel your pain. But until then, just let Ais live her life."

Loki takes a deep breath and slumps her shoulders in defeat.

"Haa… Fine." She then slightly opened her eyes and glared at Bell. "White Rabbit. If you make my child cry, I will ensure you will live to regret it."

"Hm." Bell nods in agreement. "I would hope so. I do not wish to make her cry!" Bell said sternly.

The air around Bell was not that of a timid child but one closer to a confident man.

Ais, Cirrus, and Loki could see the sincerity behind Bell’s eyes, and they liked it.

Loki chuckles a bit.

"Well, at least Hestia helps nurture a fine man I can trust Ais with." Loki then turned to Cirrus. "So you do anything? I know a good bar around here to kill time!"

"I can go for a drink, but I am not gonna let you get piss drunk."

"Ah!" Loki led the way. "Don’t be such a party pooper! I am sure you can drink Gareth and me under the table! You even drank Lance and Poseidon!"

Cirrus followed Loki.

"Well, it was my immunity and the health of my liver." Cirrus turned his head and winked at the two.

‘Bell is his own person. His love life is none of my business. Especially with Freya involved.’

Cirrus does not know Bell has already progressed well with Ais, Hestia, and even Syr/Freya.

"So…" Bell looked to Ais. "I heard there are some special Potato Snacks in the northeast section?"

"Hm! Let's go!" Ais said, taking Bell’s hand.

They resume their date to try potato snacks around the city.

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