The Amazon Priestess
At the village entrance, I could see the Amazons in the distance. I'd heard there were about a dozen, but they'd already swelled to several dozen.
"Your Excellency, the village defenses are fairly solid."
As Aitos said, the village was surrounded by a sturdy wooden palisade.
"Probably to fend off pirates like you. But don't count on it too much. They couldn't handle the Amazons even at full strength. Let alone now, with all the wounded."
The armed militia and villagers wore determined expressions, but they wouldn't last long. Amazons were professionals at war and pillage. This wasn't a fight they could win from the start.
"Then this battle hinges entirely on Your Excellency's silver tongue."
"Indeed. We just need to stall until Lord Triton's army arrives."
At that moment, a group approached from the Amazon side, waving a white flag.
"Your Excellency, they want to talk before their main force arrives. They're probably worried since we have Hippolyte."
"I see. Maybe they're trying to rescue her and claim the credit before the queen returns."
"Your insight is as astonishing as ever, Your Excellency."
"No telling how they'll try to pull it off. They might set negotiation terms or use the parley as cover for an attack. They probably see us as easy pickings anyway."
"Doesn't look like they're coming in good faith."
"Good folk don't come knocking. Those who knock aren't good."
Aitos marveled at my words.
"Your Excellency is well-versed in the classics too. What a brilliant saying..."
It was just a line from the wuxia novels I used to devour back on Earth.
"Let's greet them and talk. Allow five inside the palisade."
"Understood."
The gate soon opened, and five Amazons appeared. Leading them was a commander-type woman in dazzling armor.
—Peleus, even for a queen among you humans, that's over the top, isn't it?
The Secret Book's observation was spot on. Her armor was too ornate for battle.
—Right. It's covered in moon motifs on the breastplate. That means one thing: she's connected to the Artemis cult. Commander and priestess in one?
I couldn't read Amazon ranks, so it was just a guess.
—From a fellow human's eyes, what's your read on her?
—Stunning looks, but her face screams arrogant and haughty. Nah, that moon emblem bugs me most. Artemis. These days, even glancing at the moon in the night sky pisses me off. She's ruining my pure, tender sensibilities.
—Peleus, snap out of it. Purity and sensibility have nothing to do with you.
—I dreamed of being a poet back in the day. Why can't you trust people?
Want me to move a piece on you right now?
I was lounging in a chair I'd had brought over, with Atalante and Aitos standing by my side. The five Amazons halted before us. I watched to see what they'd say, but the commander just glared. Some kind of staring contest?
She had some real power behind that glare.
Hummm.
The air quivered faintly. Then an invisible pressure settled over the area like a heavy blanket.
It barely registered with me—just "huh, pressure"—but for ordinary folk, it'd feel like their heart was being squeezed.
Sure enough, Aitos to my left was trembling.
Even a rough pirate captain couldn't shrug this off easily. The Amazons smirked at the sight.
"Hmmm..."
I didn't particularly want to show my hand, but I figured I should back up Aitos. Sly dog or not, he was under my command.
"That's enough greeting."
Propping my chin on my hand, I lightly stirred my divinity.
The invisible aura shattered like glass. The backlash made the Amazon commander stagger back, eyes wide in disbelief.
"How...!"
"Not much to it."
"Urk!"
She bit her crimson lip in humiliated fury but couldn't muster her pressure again. She just glared like a snake.
I took a slow look at her. Cream-colored hair, purple eyes—a beauty. Silver breastplate, short blue cape. Her sword hilt was a work of art. But what really drew the eye were her bare, pale, plump thighs.
"Men can't help themselves, huh? Where are you looking?"
"Didn't peg you for an Amazon. Those thighs aren't trained for battle."
Warrior women's thighs are muscled and firm. They usually armor or cover them well—everyone knows a slash there is fatal.
But this commander flaunted hers under a short skirt, like she was showing off.
Not your concern.
"You've been speaking casually to Sparta's Basileus this whole time."
"My station is no lower than yours."
"Is that so? If you want to talk, start with introductions."
"Fine. No reason to hide it. I am Ganeia, overseer of the Amazon Artemis cult and the queen's Paser."
My face twisted instantly. Artemis cult, as expected.
Paser, huh? The title varies by land, but among Amazons, it means national tutor—the king's mentor. High-ranking, with influence in the divine regime. No wonder the arrogance.
"You're awfully rude for a Basileus of Sparta."
Ganeia openly sneered, still smarting from her aura's destruction.
"Is this how Spartans receive guests? Can't even offer a chair."
The Amazons behind her chimed in with mockery.
"He's some foreigner who lucked into high office. Barbarian from afar—no manners."
"Heard he's an illiterate brute who only knows fighting."
They whispered loud enough for all to hear. Had they lost their minds as a group?
They must be elites to come this far, but compared to captive Hippolyte, they were small fry. Hippolyte, whom I'd dropped easily, and here they were preening before me.
It was so absurd I wasn't even mad. Just pondering how to cook them.
Then someone snapped.
"Shut your traps, you damned bitches! Manners, my ass!"
Surprisingly, it was Aitos who stepped up.
Stunned by the sudden outburst, Ganeia and her Amazons went silent as graves. They never expected curses to their faces.
"Manners are for those worthy of them. Look around before you yap, you rotten cunts! This village was once a warm haven of good folk living without laws. But you greedy sluts slaughtered whoever you pleased! I saw it with my own eyes—you hacking at those just defending their homes, looting gold and men, laughing all the while. You call that manners?!"
Aitos unloaded like a machine gun. Everyone looked dazed by the profanity storm.
I was quietly impressed. I'd dispelled the pressure, but facing them still took guts.
The Secret Book was amused too.
—Kuhahaha. The human's proving his worth to you, putting in the effort. See, Peleus? Legs shaking even as he talks big. But he's stepping up to impress you. What a pro. Seizes every chance to shine. True gambler.
As I inwardly admired him, Aitos pressed on.
"You rotten bitches dare insult His Excellency without knowing your place? Kneel and grovel on the dirt that suits your filthy souls!"
He'd said what I was thinking—convenient.
Ganeia finally exploded.
"Unforgivable!"
She drew a chilling sword from her belt. Her Amazons followed suit. The scene turned deadly.
Ganeia snarled a warning at me.
"You can't even control your men. I'll hold you responsible and cut out his tongue. Stay out if you don't want full war."
Who talks like that? Arrogance has limits.
But I stayed seated. Aitos, who'd trusted me to step forward, went wide-eyed.
"Your Excellency?"
He fidgeted helplessly. No martial power meant he'd fold fast.
As Atalante moved to intervene, I held up a hand to stop her.
Ganeia laughed mockingly.
"Kyahaha!"
Thinking I'd stay quiet, she grabbed Aitos.
"Aaaagh! Your Excellency! Save me!"
Aitos's pitiful scream echoed. But I wasn't just watching—I was mimicking her invisible force.
I'd shattered it easily, but it impressed me. Pressing foes with unseen energy? Cool and practical. Probably Artemis's power.
—I can kinda imitate it.
—Huh? What're you on about?
—That invisible force from earlier.
—Imitate that? Even for a talent like you, that's nonsense. If you pull it off, I'm officially your secretary. Kahahaha!
As the Secret Book laughed heartily, an Amazon pried at Aitos's mouth with both hands, yanking for his tongue.
"Urk! Aaaagh!"
Aitos resisted desperately. I experimented with my divinity, conjuring invisible force I could control.
Hummm.
The air quivered like when Ganeia had done it. Sensitive types would feel their arm hairs prickle.
Ganeia startled and looked my way. Ignoring her, I focused on the Amazon tormenting Aitos.
Thwack!
A dull thud like a mace strike—she vomited blood and tumbled back.
"Damn!"
I sighed in regret. First try with divinity application—I'd overdone it.
But while I just felt disappointed, everyone else was aghast.
"What did you do?!"
"What the hell?!"
Shock and confusion reigned. Only Atalante stayed calm, though her expression was complicated—like asking if I was at it again.
This time, I stirred my divinity more carefully, spreading it wide to dominate the area.
Hummm.
The Amazons buckled at the shoulders, forced to their knees.
"What is this?!"
"Aaaagh!"
They resisted, but against my divinity, it was ant-like. Only Ganeia held out, snarling, face blue, eyes bloodshot.
I shook my head at her effort.
"Don't strain yourself. You'll be strung up on a pole with Hippolyte soon enough."
"What?!"
I gestured aside.
"Hey, bring that over."
Aitos's pirate underlings rushed up with the prepared pole—perfect size for tying someone upright.
"Your Excellency! Pole ready!"
I explained my plan. Ganeia shook her head in disbelief.
"You dare treat a priestess of Artemis like that? And I'm an envoy!"
Her face screamed incomprehension. Did she see me as soft? Or was she just sheltered?
"Oh, an envoy? Envoys deserve respect, but you were so rude I didn't notice."
"This can't be! Barbarian!"
I couldn't help sneering.
"If you're that mad, scream for your queen from the pole later."
Thud.
Ganeia collapsed with a crash, utterly crushed.
She wasn't alone in denial.
—This is impossible.
Very celebratory indeed—the Secret Book had officially earned its "secretary" title.