Echidna -2-: A Bride by Capture?
Thanks to Hera's help, I'd made it to Scythian lands in no time flat, right up to the mouth of the cave where Echidna lived. But right now, my mind was going blank.
Why? 『『『Kiyoooooot?!』』』
On the way to Echidna's cave, scenes straight out of the apocalypse kept unfolding right in front of me. It was a world full of madmen. Every few steps along the road, violent centaurs were grabbing women and committing their crimes, or women were tying up centaurs to have their way with them. It was no sane world at all.
I'd lost count of how many thick-skulled centaurs I'd smashed on the journey. Whether it was thanks to the Heracles in my head or just because I'd killed so many in such a short time, I wasn't even queasy anymore at the sight of blood bursting out. That said it all.
Was the whole world like this? Nah, probably just this place. Yeah, had to be. Even in a civilized world, it couldn't be normal for men to casually do it in broad daylight like it was nothing, or for women to tie up men and force themselves on them right there on the roadside.
"Well, this place is a bit special. Kinda different from everywhere else."
"I knew it, huh? …No, I figured as much. …Uh (uh)."
"Hey, who's this? You're blocking the way to our house."
"I'm Heracles. And you are, milady?"
Guess my thoughts had slipped out loud. What the—? When did someone show up next to me? She had long, elf-like ears, pale white skin, stunning green eyes, and sleek red hair like a flowing flame. A total beauty. She kinda reminded me of Adamantia or Hera, in a weird way.
But what woman was as tall as me? I, Heracles, towered over two meters, and she was right up there with me. Impressive height.
When I asked as politely as I could, she giggled like she found it amusing and replied.
"...Calling me 'milady'? You've got a unique way of talking. Hmm, I'm Echidna."
"Echidna? ...You mean Typhon's wife, Echidna?"
"Oh, wrong, kiddo. I'm the Echidna who used to be Typhon's wife. Dumped that bastard ages ago."
"Ah, got it. My apologies."
"So, why are you heading to my house?"
"...Uh, how do I even explain this?"
"...??"
I never imagined I'd run into Echidna herself like this, just strolling along. What kind of coincidence was this? Was it the power of that ring from Eros? No clue.
Anyway, things had gone this far, so I had to explain why I was here. Recalling what Typhon and Adamantia had each told me, I laid out my situation—how I needed to bring Echidna back to the island of Sicily.
Her response to that? A masterpiece.
"Got it. So, you're gonna marry me, right?"
"What????"
"You're here to capture me and take me away, aren't you? If a bachelor hauls a divorcee like me off to some faraway place, what else could it mean but bride-capture?"
"What kind of nonsense is that? No one in their right mind would—"
"Huh? But that's the only logical conclusion."
"Pardon?"
Oh crap. I'd forgotten this was the world of Greek myths while I was busy smithing with the goddess. Who would've thought "capturing" a perfectly fine woman just meant abducting her as a bride!
But I couldn't back down here. I had a reason not to commit any crimes! This quest was my proposal to Adamantia. I couldn't bride-capture her sister Echidna—if I explained that, even she would yield.
"Huh? That's just one guy marrying sisters. Totally normal. I don't care if I'm second or third wife."
"Pardon?"
Thought I had a killer counter, but nope—mountains beyond mountains. Was there no normal in this world? Or was I the weirdo here?
But wait, there was another reason I couldn't marry her. A real serious one.
"Lady Echidna."
"Drop the 'lady.' I'm no goddess. So, what's up?"
"Echidna. One thing I'm wondering."
"Shoot. I'm in a good mood today."
"Do you... not love the monster kids I killed? I just can't wrap my head around it."
"Hmm? Nah, of course not. I love all my kids. Fed 'em my milk and raised 'em with care."
Her face didn't darken when she talked about loving her kids. Bright expression, but her tone and voice were dead serious. Ah, she's not lying.
"Then why do you want me to capture you?"
"Heh, a guy who worries about that? Fine, I'll tell you. It's 'cause I was born a monster among the gods, not a god."
"??"
"Heracles, you're half-human, so it might be hard to get. But monsters are born fated to die at a hero's hands. Hardly any live to old age. Even that vicious Ladon died by your hand. You got punished big time with the Atlas Mountains burning up... That's just how monster deaths go. It's meant to happen, so we accept it and move on. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell. That's why I want new kids."
"I... see. Then why'd you pick me, specifically?"
"'Cause you're strong."
Her final answer came out all nonchalant, like What a dumb question. Wait, am I the crazy one here?
...Echidna stared at my face intently, then explained like she'd figured out what I was thinking.
"The kids you killed were all super-strong ones from me and Typhon."
"Uh, yeah."
Felt like a thorn pricking me.
"Typhon looked like crap, but he was strong enough to beat Zeus. To replace kids from him, the new dad has to be seriously powerful. But most strong gods are already paired up. Hooking up means dealing with their goddesses—too much hassle. They don't even come out here much. Adamantia-sis is different, though."
"Why her?"
"She's kind. If she sent you all this way, she must have her reasons... Anyway, come on in. No standing around out here—let's talk inside my cave~"
"Hmm... You sure that's okay?"
"It's rude to refuse a host's welcome, right? Hurry up. Can't let a rare guest slip away."
"...Alright."
This quest felt light-years away from the proposal I had in mind. Had to be my imagination. Please, someone tell me it's just my imagination!
A proposal quest turning into bride-capturing the sister-in-law?!
But of course, no one answered my thoughts. I heard some muffled grumbling from inside the cave about "too good to eat" or whatever, but surely just my imagination.