Here is the next chapter, and boy is it a doozy. If someone asked what is the plot of this series, well, it's finally revealed here. Quite a lot of information, but I hope anyone apprehensive about the story can rest at ease. Enjoy!

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I, Itsuki Hideyoshi, am undergoing the most difficult ordeal so far in my life. I was praying to the goddess Artemis in order to learn about what I must do, but a short, haughty loli appeared declaring herself as Artemis. I have this odd feeling that if I laugh, I probably will die…

Artemis: “What? Are you stunned at my refreshing beauty? Hahaha! Very well. Though I am just an image, look to your heart’s content!”

Veri: “No you underage brat of a goddess. Your appearance looks nothing like the perceived appearance that the human followers have of you, so he’s stunned himself solid. I know that 100 years ago, you gave visions to all of your followers of a fake version of yourself. Couldn’t bear being worshipped as a loli goddess?”

Artemis: “I knew I could feel an ugly presence. I’m surprised you’re still alive, Veritas. I figured you croaked all those years ago by Ares’s sword. Your new look suits you. Even smaller than me and just as inferior. Hmphhh!”

Veri began to curse softly and turned to Itsuki.

Veri: “Itsuki, I can control the output of energy now, so don’t worry. Even better, we’re in the presence of this mature goddess, so no one should sense it. Use Rise of the Valkyrie.

Her threatening stare bore holes into Itsuki as he couldn’t believe this sense of enmity between Artemis and Veritas.

Itsuki muttered obediently: “Rise of the Valkyrie.”

Immediately, Veri appeared in her valkyrie armor, looking tall, strong, and glorious.

Veri: “Who’s the tiny one now eh Artemis?

Artemis: “Grrrrrrrrrr GAHHHH. Damn you damn you damn you!”

Artemis began stomping her feet.

Itsuki: “Artemis, please calm down. Veri, stop riling her up. Why is she reacting so aggressively?”

Veri: “Have you really not noticed, Itsuki? Look at the statue of Artemis again and look at me. What Artemis considers the perfect version of her is actually just a version of me. That is why she can’t stand me, the foolish goddess.”

Artemis: “Kiiiiiiiii. Tsk. Apollo should have just let you fall to the underworld! He must have felt that his conductor would need you. If not, I swear once I break this seal, you’re dead!”

Veri: “Sigh…Artemis, enough with our childish banter. We have something important to discuss.”

Itsuki: “Goddess Artemis, I sincerely ask that you tell me what it is I was called here to do. Hermes did not tell me very much of what I must accomplish.”

Artemis: “I knew he wouldn’t. He’s too moronic and heads over heels for that whore Cassandra. Useful whore she is though. Anyway, I agree we need to get on track. I understand that you and Veritas do not know what happened that caused the Lost Sound. The truth only appeared after Veritas was killed and Apollo was sealed. I’m sure you, Veritas, must have wondered how the strongest god among gods could be so easily dispatched without any of us knowing. We were betrayed by not just Ares. Zeus the god of the sky, Hades the god of the underworld, and Kratos the personification of power were also involved in the uprising. They were the most discontent with Apollo’s peaceful world. Such brutish men they are.”

Veri: “Damn them! I should have realized that sooner…”

Artemis: “Not even we gods knew what was happening. It is understandable that you did not. Athena and Hephaestus were also captured since they were close friends of Apollo. We three were considered obstacles in the plan to seal Apollo. Zeus held off Athena, Kratos stalled Hephaestus, and Hades came for me. Thus, Ares was able to sneak attack Apollo and seal him away. That seal was special, and thus it could only be used once. If not, I have no doubts they would have sealed me and the other two with it as well. Instead, they isolated us from each other to prevent a rebellion. Currently, the other gods and goddesses are remaining in their own domains in order to avoid the wrath of the four.”

Itsuki: “So while you are busy being sealed, I must free Apollo, correct?”

Artemis: “Yes, that is the purpose Apollo had in mind when giving you his blessing. Being his twin sister, I know the way he thinks. When you were born 22 years ago, the Muses that were sent to Symphonia awakened as well. They cast their full blessing to 9 newly born maidens, and if you, he who has Apollo's blessing, were to consciously touch a girl with the blessing of a Muse, her blood will awaken to signify her mission to aid you. All 9 Muses specialized in some form of art, and the blessing they gave will grant each maiden talent that could help you. Seek them out, and then head for Mount Parnassus. There, you will perform a ritual to free Apollo.

Itsuki: “I see. I think I get it. Could you tell me sort of what the Muses’ blessings were? I think I should know a general idea about them in order to find these girls.”

Artemis: “Sure, I can give you my hunches as a goddess, though those usually wind up being correct. The Muses are Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, and Urania. Since Calliope was the Muse of epic poetry, I believe her maiden would be talented in combat like a knight. Clio was the Muse of history, thus hers would likely be a scholar. Euterpe was the Muse of flutes and lyric poetry, so my guess would be her maiden should be able to sing. Thalia, the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry, adored wildlife. Her maiden should have an increased affinity with animals. Melpomene, Muse of tragedy, would grant her maiden the power to control the darkness. Terpsichore’s maiden would be given the ability to dance since she is the Muse of dance. Erato, Muse of love poetry, would grant her maiden an increased affinity to nature since the gift of love is most evident in nature. Polyhymnia, Muse of sacred poetry, would grant an increased connection with the divine. In fact, this is why I asked Hermes to send you to the Renaissance kingdom first. Increased link with the divine would imply a priestess, and I would probably hear her supplication at some point. I think you have already met the first maiden carrying Polyhymnia’s blessing.”

Itsuki: “Ah! You don’t mean…Polly?”

Veri: “As I thought. I sensed the girl’s blood boiling and moving at a rapid pace after you picked her up off the ground, Itsuki. She is the first Muse you have found.”

Artemis: “Praise me for my genius. One down, eight to go. Anyway, where was I? Ah, the last Muse is Urania. She is the Muse of astronomy, thus her maiden would utilize space magic. Seeking these maiden out should not be difficult, as their talents should make it quite apparent. The fates will also likely steer them to you without you even knowing. I wish you luck, young conductor. Please save my brother.”

Itsuki resolutely responded: “Yes, I will do everything I can. I have not been in this world for very long, but I have already found someone who has granted me their favor, someone who has trained me so that I may defend myself in this world, and people who have treated me with nothing but love and kindness. Even if you did not ask me to do so, I feel that I would already strive to protect them as best as I could. Thank you for giving me this chance to make a difference.”

Artemis shed a few tears listening to Itsuki’s heartfelt reply.

Artemis with a smile on her face: “I can clearly see why my brother’s blessing made its way to you.”

Veri: “Haha. I too can see why. They both have similar qualities."

Itsuki: “By the way, Artemis, is there anything I can do to free you from your prison?”

Artemis: “Before being trapped here, I was able to cast a kink into the seal. Thus, Hermes is capable of speaking to me. If given a little more time, I will break free of this seal on my own. However, I alone am not enough to help defeat the other four. Hermes was meant to take charge of the other mission, but I can’t trust the blasted fool for anything. Focus on finding the maidens and performing the ritual. On the side, I ask that you inquire the whereabouts of Athena and Hephaestus from Cassandra. She lives in Thrinacia, an island off the coast of the Baroque Kingdom. If it’s her, she should be able to see where they are being held captive. The last God I hope you can find is Poseidon, who lies in his underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Poseidon disagreed with Zeus and Hades, but he could not stop both of them. Thus, he isolated himself away from the conflict in exchange for non-interference in his domain. That is why there are so few monsters roaming the water. If you can convince him to stand with us, our chance of victory is high.”

Itsuki: “I accept this mission. I pray that you watch over me and grant me strength in this fight.”

Artemis: “At least your disciple has manners, Veritas, unlike you.”

Veri: “Grr. You want to start something again?”

Artemis: “Not at all. My time is limited. I will have to unfreeze time again soon. Before I do, I hope you did not forget, Itsuki, that I am the goddess of archery. I am capable of unlocking your Pizzicato form. Veritas has undoubtedly trained you well in the Legato form, but there will be opponents that will be easier to defeat when done quietly and from far away. Take this simple bow and my blessing, and go forth. This bow requires no arrows, rather the arrows are a manifestation of your vitality. If you can reach Hephaestus, I will give you a better prize.”

An orb of light entered Itsuki, and he could see that his Pizzicato form was unlocked mentally.

Pizzicato Form – Defeat your foe from long range using archery skills granted by the goddess of archery herself.

Skills

Piano Motion – Erases the sound associated with motion. Enables for ease with ambushes. Can be upgraded.

Rondo Barrage: Shoot a rapid number of arrows to overwhelm the enemy.

Eternal Rest – An arrow shot with a large amount of vitality. When it contacts a body part, that body part becomes paralyzed for a full day. If it were to hit the heart, it would result in instant death regardless of the degree of penetration.

Artemis: “I have one final gift for you. My Head Priestess has been praying to me for protection against monsters. This is the perfect opportunity to grant that. I give you the ability, Barrier Symphony. Use it to help my children in their time of need.”

Skill

Barrier Symphony – Special skill of the Conductors. Using a musical performance and someone’s strong will, create a barrier imbued with the desire and will of the individual.

Itsuki smiled excitedly: “Thank you goddess Artemis!”

Veri: “Break out of that cage soon you loli goddess. Nothing should be able to contain you.”

Artemis: “Train the boy well so that you can properly separate from him as a valkyrie again. If not, I might just make little keychains of your new form and sell them like hotcakes.”

Both Veri and Artemis smiled at each other, truly happy that the other was safe despite the fact that they refused to show it to each other. Finally, Artemis’s time was up. Time was unfrozen, and both Itsuki and Veri returned to reality. Veri also reverted to her pixie form, lest unnecessary questions were asked.

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Man this was a long chapter. Well, we have our path forward now. I just want to remind everyone that since the Lost Sound happened only 40 years ago, these people are still rather simplistic in terms of fighting skill. They just have swordsmen, spearmen, and archers. No special classes or anything. So in the viewpoint of this world, the future girls will have odd skills. Look forward to them! Which Muse maiden are you most interested in seeing?