I believe you may be trying to start the wrong quest. I could be wrong here, but it sounds like you're trying to start the Atma quest as opposed to the relic quest. Since you need a Zenith Relic to start Atma, this could be your problem. Perhaps try going back and talking to Gerolt again, and making sure you're attempting to get A Relic Reborn (Artemis Bow) and not the Atma quest, Up in Arms I think is the name. Because no, there is no limit, as someone in my FC has all 9 and I myself have 4.