The Saint of War[Tensura x DxD]

Chapter: 25

In the heart of a dense forest where even seasoned woodland creatures would struggle to find their way, a group of young girls moved effortlessly through the undergrowth. The forest was thick with towering trees, their roots clawing above ground like ancient serpents, and the earth was cluttered with boulders and mounds that could trip even the nimblest of travelers. Yet, these girls, seemingly between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, navigated the terrain as though it were as familiar as their own homes.

Each girl wore a traditional Greek hunting uniform, elegant and practical, fitting perfectly to their forms and allowing free movement. Strapped to their backs were sturdy bows, crafted with precision to suit each of them, and beside these rested quivers filled with arrows, each arrow fletched with feather tips and honed to perfection. Around their thighs were sheathed hunting knives, sharp and resilient, forged by Hephaestus himself. These knives, though small, were made to pierce even the toughest hides and handle threats beyond the girls' own skill levels, a safeguard Artemis ensured for her disciples. On their left hips, short swords hung, ready to complement their bows and knives in the hunt.

These young women were no ordinary travelers; they were the latest recruits of Artemis's elite force, the Huntresses of Artemis, also known as the Lunar Arrows. Though new to their roles, they moved with a practiced elegance that belied their experience, each step quiet and deliberate, each movement as graceful as a deer's leap. Despite the challenges of the dense woodland, their every stride seemed natural, their posture poised and precise, embodying the fierce and untamed beauty of the wilderness itself.

The young Huntresses moved through the forest with swift, practiced motions, weaving between trees and leaping over exposed roots and rocks with ease. Every action was calculated, each step placed with precision. Occasionally, one or two of the girls would pause just long enough to notch an arrow and release it, taking down an animal with silent efficiency. Those further behind would retrieve the downed creature, carrying it forward to serve as future sustenance for the group, all without breaking stride.

This demanding journey wasn't just an exercise in agility or hunting—it was part of a grueling training regimen Artemis had crafted for her recruits, preparing them for a future that seemed more uncertain than ever. The goddess had raised the standards and intensity of training, pushing these new Huntresses harder than she ever had before. She knew that only those with the raw skill, resolve, and adaptability could withstand the unpredictable trials of a potential war. Those who faltered, who fell too far behind, would be sent home. Even a momentary lapse in the group's pace would mean elimination for all, the goddess's way of ensuring that each Huntress carried not only her own weight but a shared accountability.

Artemis, who had always been stern but fair, was now hardened by the looming possibility of conflict. Her sharpened approach was not a reflection of cruelty but of concern; she refused to send girls ill-prepared into war. To her, it was a matter of survival. Only those who proved capable under the unforgiving demands of this training would remain among her Huntresses. For now, these young recruits were likely reserves, meant to bolster the ranks only if the toll of war demanded it. Their role was to prepare, to grow stronger, and to brace themselves for the uncertain battles that lay ahead.

Throughout the forest, the training was relentless. Groups of young Huntresses darted through various sections, each undergoing the same grueling regimen designed by Artemis. Overseeing these groups, a small chariot floated above, drifting gracefully through the trees as senior officers of the Huntresses observed. These officers, while experienced, had lighter duties at the moment, allowing them to ensure the recruits maintained the discipline and pace demanded by their training.

Above all this activity, a grand chariot hovered in the air, appearing almost serene in its stillness amidst the chaos below. It seemed to defy gravity, gliding as if anchored by unseen forces. At its helm was Artemis herself, Goddess of the Moon, Hunt, Wilderness, Wild Animals, Childbirth, and Chastity—a figure of unwavering authority and beauty. Her silver hair shone like moonlight, cascading around her shoulders, and her crystal-blue eyes held a piercing focus as she observed her recruits. Her form was statuesque, with a beauty both ethereal and fierce, her attire enhancing her natural allure in a way that embodied both the wild and the divine.