The Secret Book Clicks Its Tongue

The Secret Book clicked its tongue.

"Not wrong, but it's hard to pick someone out from rumors alone at a glance."

I wanted to answer, but she stomped her foot, urging me on. No choice but to step out now—it was a clear "get out here" signal. So I forced the gentlest smile I could muster and stepped forward.

"Lovely evening, miss."

"It is a lovely evening. Looks like the feast just wrapped up."

She shrugged, gesturing around. The passed-out prince and warriors looked like wedding guests who'd drunk themselves under the table. A glimpse of my near future, too.

"Hahaha…."

"And call me 'miss' one more time, and I'll rip your tongue out."

"Ugh."

Damn, slipped my mind. This huntress hated being called ladylike.

"What're you brooding over? We're just here for a duel, right?"

She asked in a cold voice, noting I was unarmed. I was a mouse before the cat. How the hell did I end up tangled with this bitch?

"I'm seriously pondering one thing."

"What?"

"Whether taking a staff to the head and playing dead will make you stop beating on me. Wouldn't want you hitting me more for being a coward."

"Ahaha!"

She burst out laughing, caught off guard. For a split second, her eyes curved into cute crescent moons. With that fierce gaze softened, she was overflowing with charm.

"You look like a warrior yourself—don't wanna fight? I'm giving you a chance to act honorably."

She was waiting for me to grab a weapon and charge. She could dispatch a nobody like me in an instant and snag Zeus's Sword quick. That confirmed her identity once more. Time to exploit it.

"Did you just say 'honor'?"

"Hm?"

"Sneaking in like a thieving cat and knocking out a noble guest—surprising words from you."

I nudged the sprawled Prince Agamemnon with my foot. Rude, but I was pissed at this guy deep down. I'd banked on the future greatest hero holding strong, but he went down easy. Dragged me into this mess, you useless piglet.

"Shut up. It's not like I enjoy this!"

She couldn't hide her fluster at my sharp jab.

"Hahaha, it's getting better. If you don't enjoy it, does that make theft okay?"

"Urk!"

Anger flickered in her eyes. Lips probably bitten under the mask.

"I had no choice…."

I pressed with straight talk as she tried to retort.

"This treasure was bestowed on House Atreus by Zeus himself. Yet a follower of Artemis tries to steal it."

"Ah!"

Her eyes widened like a startled rabbit at "Artemis." I landed the final punch while she reeled.

"What do you think of your actions tonight, Lady Atalante?"

She froze, stunned I'd named her. Even the Secret Book perked up.

"Atalante? What're you… talking about…."

Her bold demeanor faltered, voice trailing off. Straight shooter, but terrible liar. All power, no polish—a total rookie.

"You're Atalante. I knew when this fool prince went down. He's no slouch."

I toed the unconscious Agamemnon again.

"Too much for him, even with a goddess's favor."

Agamemnon's invincibility kicks in a decade from now, once he wields Zeus's Sword. That's when the absurd buffs start.

"So how does a favorite of Artemis stoop to this immorality?"

Beats me how she ended up here. Unlike selfish heroes, she's got real character. Not the thieving type.

"……."

Atalante fell silent. Finally, she spoke with effort.

"Urgent circumstances. Couldn't be helped. I don't take pride in it. Can't you just back off?"

"No can do. Now that I've seen it, I can't look away. Not the type to ignore injustice."

Even if true, now that I'm out, I've got pride too. She'd have ignored me hiding, snatched the sword, and left. I wouldn't have pushed it. But now? Can't stand seeing others win. With only tailing this idiot Agamemnon left in my life, how could I not boil over? Die I might, but Peleus won't go easy. Hid to survive, yet dragged out? No forgiveness. I'll block that sword theft, come hell or high water!

I burned with something fiercer than justice.

I ignored the Secret Book's nonsense and kept pressing Atalante. Can't win a fight? Harass with words. Prod that conscience relentlessly.

"Lady Atalante, the gods watch us always. Especially your noble patron, Goddess Artemis. How can you use her power for this?"

"Ugh…."

She winced visibly. Mask hid her face, but her brow furrowed.

"As her favored, you must be a model of piety. Reflect on your actions."

My saintly tone finally set her off.

"It's just royal infighting! Delivering this sword saves countless lives!"

She blurted in a surge of emotion, then clamped her mouth shut.

"Urk…."

She looked screwed. "Royal infighting" spilled that her employer was royalty.

Still green. Future great hero, but now just a strong kid.

Atalante was barely 16 in my memories. Frame grown, but unmasked? Still kid-faced.

"That last bit…."

Her hasty backpedal screamed inexperience. I shut it down hard.

"I know you're here on the third prince's request."

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"No!"

She startled back a step. Her innocence was growing on me. How's she so bad at hiding her thoughts?

The third prince commissioning the theft comes out in ten years—street dogs'll know it. But now? Top secret. She'd handled it covertly. Me dropping his name casually floored her.

"Who the hell are you? How do you know everything?"

"Doesn't matter. But who knows? Maybe I'm the conscience the gods sent you."

I rated that line solid, but Atalante held firm.

"Won't claim it's right. But some things must be done."

"So you're taking the sword no matter what."

Persuasion failed. Moral hero, but conscience unmoved. Desperate straits, more than I thought.

The Secret Book roared with absurd laughter at my resolve.

I know her better than anyone. Hero rivaling Heracles, overwhelming combat prowess. Only flaw: youth and inexperience. Provoke to shake her.

"Atalante."

"…Not listening anymore."

She raised her staff again, eyes steely. No more persuasion from me either.

"Even if songs praise your heroic deeds someday, I'll plug my ears. Or wash 'em in the river—heard filthy tunes."

My sudden barb blanched her. Mask or not, her hurt shone through. A dagger to her heroic aspirations.

"And I'll tell the world: She wasn't a hero, but a thief who ignored good advice for greed."

She trembled faintly. I smirked.

"The gods probably see all this."

Last line to rattle her pre-fight. Time for a sneak attack. I'm brute strong—grab and hold, find an opening. Fair fight? Instant loss. Cowardly, but victory demands it.

Perfect—head down, lashes quivering. Pride crushed.

I lunged—then the Secret Book yelled urgently.

Prime chance ruined by ally interference. Fury boiled as I coiled to explode.

What? I glanced—white text scrolled with objective info.

What the—? What's this…?

Text kept scrolling, ignoring my bewilderment.

A flood of divine spectators. I'd duel Atalante under the gods' gaze. Uninvited? Rude much? Why…?

My hands shook with absurdity.

The Secret Book gushed in awe. No way I'd foreseen this. Deny it, and it'd mock me forever. One answer left.

Tears streamed inwardly. Tonight, I just wanted to hide behind that statue. Hell, never come here. No part in this mess.

Its voice heated with excitement. I swallowed tears.

Heh, all according to plan.