Chapter 1244 – Invasive Personal Questions

Jake continued to be confused by the Unique Lifeform’s overenthusiastic level of interest, especially when he considered one tiny detail…

“Didn’t you already know about it?” Jake asked. Minaga had been around while he was visiting the Pantheon of Life, and based on what Jake knew, was fully aware that something was going on between him and the goddess.

“I fail to see how that’s relevant,” Minaga countered. “Besides, even if you claim I already knew, this version of me doesn’t. Also, can you blame me for being curious to hear details directly from the source itself?”

Jake was about to answer that he definitely could blame him when Casper chimed in. “Now I feel like I’m the only one in the dark… but man, what happened? Who is it?”

“It’s-“ Jake was about to answer as Minaga quickly stopped him.

“Don’t answer!” the Unique Lifeform yelled before grinning and looking at Casper. “You should guess.”

Casper stared at Minaga before shaking his head. “How the hell am I supposed to know? I suck at this kind of thing.”

“Which is why it’s fun having you guess,” Minaga insisted, and at this point, Jake was also getting pretty curious himself as he joined the Unique Lifeform in staring down the Risen.

The poor guy stood there for a few moments with his eyes closed before speaking.

“So, starting from the women in your immediate orbit, allow me to rule some out. Miranda isn’t an option, as I would have definitely known, and I don’t think she’s interested in the first place. I know you had a thing with Carmen, but she would rather punch you in the face than make anything official. Then there is that succubus Irin and the new Chosen of Duskleaf, but seeing as both of those were former subordinates of yours, I don’t see it. That leaves only a few other options, like maybe Reika or Maria, but… yeah, no. Also writing off all your creations as… ew, and finally, I guess there is Dina from your Nevermore Party, but she also seemed to have zero interest in you.”

Jake stared at Casper, who sounded almost like Jacob with his analysis of Jake’s interpersonal relationships. He had been spot-on so far, and as he kept speaking, he remained bullseye with everything he said.

“Then I guess we have all the people wanting to get close to you for your Bloodline or your status as the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, of which I don’t doubt there are many, but I’m also very confident none of those enter your eye. Not even sure the Malefic One would allow you to make it official with any of them. So… in conclusion, it’s not someone I really know, but if I had to guess, based on your personality, they have to be a lot stronger than you are now. Definitely above C-grade if not even higher. Going by you saying Minaga already knew, and seeing as you two went to the Pantheon of Life together, I would venture a guess it happened there, and whoever it is, they’re a person with status within the Pantheon of Life.”

To say Jake was gobsmacked would be an understatement, as his old friend and coworker certainly didn’t have this kind of ability to analyze relationships. Then again, should he be surprised that Casper had grown in the many years since the system arrived and had-

“Thank you for your insight, Lyra, very nice of you,” Minaga spoke with a nod.

“No problem, she says.”

Casper grinned from ear to ear as he looked at Jake. “So, was she right?”

“Yeah,” Jake nodded. “Though this does raise some questions… why does she know so much about my life?”

“Can’t blame a girl for following the news,” Minaga shrugged. “You are fully aware that people are constantly keeping track of you and trying to learn about your personal life, right? People who gladly publicize what they learn?”

“Who is that bored?” Jake sighed, though he kind of already knew.

“The Primordial Church, for one,” Casper shrugged. “They try to learn anything and everything they can regarding anyone with high-level blessings by Primordials, and as a Chosen, it’s natural they want to learn as much about you as possible. The Court of Shadows also sells information about you, and from what I know, one of the most requested pieces of information pertains to your relationship status.”

“Ah, the life of the most eligible bachelor,” Minaga said in a wistful voice. “It’s almost unfair… despite all I’ve achieved, not once in my life have I experienced being sought after by so many.”

“Because you’re a Unique Lifeform,” Casper said in a deadpan tone.

“I know, discrimination is truly rampant in the multiverse, and I truly understand the struggles of the Risen, having gone through the same myself,” Minaga continued as he tried to put a hand on Casper’s shoulder, only for it to phase straight through, seeing as he was merely a projection capable of producing sound.

Casper, back to ignoring Minaga, looked at Jake. “So, who is the mystery woman who managed to lock down the Chosen of the Malefic Viper?”

Seeing no reason to beat around the bush, Jake just answered. “Artemis.”

The Risen looked at Jake for a few moments before raising an eyebrow. “You said that as if I’m supposed to know who that is. I reckon there are a lot with that name in the multiverse. Shit, isn’t there even a god with that name?”

Jake just kept looking at Casper as an odd look began spreading across his face.

“A god… from the Pantheon of Life… and…” Casper finally seemed to get it as he stared at Jake. “Seriously?”

“It kind of just happened,” Jake shrugged.

Casper frowned deeply as he put a hand on his chin. “Wait, wasn’t the Lord of the Hunt in Nevermore an image of Artemis? Was that where you first met her?”

“It was,” Jake confirmed. “And her projection sent a message to her true self, some more things happened, and after I went to the Pantheon of Life, we had a talk and… yeah, here we are.”

“Lyra actually has a good question. How are the Pantheon of Life and the Order of the Malefic Viper taking this? Wouldn’t the Chosen of a Primordial and a high-ranking newly promoted Godqueen from another Primordial faction getting into an official relationship have quite the ramifications?” Casper questioned on behalf of his ghostly girlfriend, clearly also curious himself.

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“There are for sure, but I’m not going to share more than that,” Jake said, not wishing to reveal anything big and political like the upcoming alliance between the Order and Pantheon of Life.

“That’s fine, I already know the details regarding all that stuff,” Minaga rejoined the conversation. “What I want instead is some of the real details. Are you gonna have a big wedding? Plans for kids yet? Public or private education? How about all the other interested parties who would love to intrude on the relationship? You gonna have a harem? Wait… is Artemis going to have a harem?”

Casper started laughing and shaking his head as Jake tried to process the barrage of invasive questions. Turning to the Risen, in part to avoid answering any of what the Unique Lifeform had thrown at him, Jake raised an eyebrow.

“What’s so goddamn funny?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Casper said, still struggling to suppress his laughter. “I just imagined you with a harem, and… fuck, it’s too funny to think about.”

“I could totally pull off a harem,” Jake said obstinately, crossing his arms.

“No, you can’t,” Casper started, full-on laughing again. “You really can’t.”