Chapter 158
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Most Beautiful Female Warrior
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Earlier, when I mentioned that Hera might have noticed because of the lightning bolt, the Supreme God jumped in fright, snatched Theseus, and bolted away.
[I won't forget this favor!]
"Don't worry about it~"
Don't worry about it? Hell, this was something to worry about intensely and agonize over deeply.
Sometimes, a few carefully chosen words hold more value and sweeter rewards than firm promises or ink-bound contracts.
Theseus could die anytime without escaping my grasp, but bestowing a favor on Zeus had brought me tremendous merit in this Greece.
In a land where honor and law were valued almost like life itself, a god's favor carried the binding force of an oath on the River Styx.
Among such gods, I'd imprinted a near-blank check of a favor on the King of the Gods himself, securing a one-time "get out of jail free" card for the future.
"Heh heh heh heh..."
A tune started humming from my lips on its own, and just then, with the skirmishes wrapped up over there, the executioners paired off with Jason's crew began dispersing in twos and threes.
The men, naturally grinning ear to ear, wandered between dreams and reality, while the sea nymphs—centuries of celibacy finally ending—subtly clung to the warriors' arms, swaying unsteadily.
"...Wow."
Where had those water ghosts gone, the ones whose eyes gleamed like sharks scenting blood every time I dove into the sea for lyre wood?
A woman's transformation was innocent enough, but this was straight-up cheating.
"Eh, as long as they're happy."
Couples strolling arm-in-arm along the beach, others sitting side by side on rocks, chatting away.
Some hiding in shady forest nooks to exchange kisses, and so on.
The chill wind still swept through the crisp night air, but this coastline was bound to heat up tonight.
"Alrighty. Looks like that's mostly settled."
I'd thought about casually asking big sis Galatea about Neri, but...
She was so blissfully wrapped around that little spirit realm guy that breaking the mood felt like tempting fate for backlash later.
That poor spirit's name was... Acis, right?
Dionysus had been chugging wine from the jar like it was nothing, saying he was Pan's son, his drinking buddy...
"Hey, lady. What are you planning to do with a kid who can't even stand straight?"
Acis, drunk and staggering, clung tightly to the beautiful Galatea, refusing to let go.
Queen sis Neri in his arms looked ready to ascend to heaven right then.
Or maybe she was the one reverse-hugging him so he couldn't escape...
"A one-night dream's fine even if you're dead drunk. Chiron’s lessons ahead will make kids' play look tame by comparison."
I chuckled, figuring it was their moment, then slipped down from the tree and started walking.
Too much had happened in such a short time, and I wasn't in the mood to get drunk again just yet.
Dionysus's feast was a week-long extravaganza anyway, so plenty of chances to party later.
With that in mind, I headed back to my insula for a wash and some sleep.
"Whoa, been a month here too, huh."
Karyklo must have taken care of it while I was gone; the room was spotless despite the month away.
Like some Tang Dynasty tale, I'd just returned from the dragon palace after sharing joys with the dragon king's beautiful daughter.
Yet this humble room brought as much comfort as that vast deep-sea palace had grandeur, and it felt just as pleasurable to me.
The festival lights and songs still poured endlessly from the veranda, but in contrast, the quiet hush settling in felt oddly welcoming.
A pleasant languor began washing over me alongside the fatigue.
"Yaaawn~"
A month without sleep was no big deal physically, but mental exhaustion was another story.
The moment I rushed through a wash and flopped onto the bed spread-eagled—
-Knock knock knock.
"...?"
No one was supposed to visit, so who was knocking?
'Tch, bit annoying.'
I'd had a packed day from dawn till deep night, fully overcharged.
All I wanted was to crash without a thought.
Who knocks at this late hour?
Nemesis and Eris would fly in through the window, not politely knock.
Poseidon or Ares would've kicked the door down by now.
Hera would've sent word through her newlywed messenger bird.
[Um...]
I pondered ignoring it or opening up when a familiar voice came from beyond the door.
A frail, quavering tone, like it might fade away any second.
A voice that woman would never use, at least not in my memory—and like a spell, I gripped the handle and pulled.
There stood a pile of blankets... no, Atalanta, shrouded head to toe in a cloak.
Her peeking red hair framed a face flushed as scarlet as her locks, like strawberry chocolate.
"Atalan..."
"I-I'm coming in!"
Before I could finish, Atalanta dashed inside.
Dazed but composed, I quietly locked the door and turned to her.
"What's up? What's with the getup?"
"W-Well..."
The bold warrior laughing heartily on the battlefield was gone; she huddled like a sheltered maiden, leaving me feeling bewitched.
"..."
Atalanta fidgeted at my question, head bowed low.
This shy gesture she only showed me, when even her unbound spirit hesitated to speak.
"...Drink?"
She nodded faintly at my offer, toddled into the room, and I fetched wine and jerky from the kitchen to set up a table.
For some reason.
I had a hunch why she'd come, and a smile slipped out naturally.
Meanwhile, Atalanta's mind was a whirlwind of delirium.
She'd lost it.
No doubt about it; she'd gone mad.
'How... how did it come to this...?'
It started about two hours ago, around when Deputy Eraynea had turned that Megara prince—who once humiliated and banished her—into a pig-eared outcast.
"Hey, Atalanta?"
"Hm? What's up?"
Atalanta felt like she was walking on clouds.
Even if time with Dianes had healed her inner scars, she was still a promising demigod.
Thus, the worshipful, envious gazes on her and her warriors felt sweeter than ever, especially after years of isolation even in the Heroes' Grove.
"Atalanta, beautiful and mighty warrior. I am your captive from distant Libya. Please accept this tribute and join me at Hera's temple..."
"Out of my way, you scarecrow! Atalanta, marry me. No other warrior's equal suits me but you!"
"My new muse! Wild beauty of a warrior! Don't deny me the honor of sharing wine! Here, quick!"
But fame always dragged moth-like nuisances along.
With a smile beautiful enough to stun Aphrodite, the greatest female warrior rose slowly.
"...Hold on."
For a fleeting moment, red aura flickered around her fist.
Then drum-like thuds, screams, and snapping firewood echoed, swelling cheers for her while lascivious stares vanished like candles in the wind.
"Phew, Eraynea. What'd you wanna say?"
"...A lot. A ton."
Not long ago, they'd snarled like Ares and Athena at each sight, but now Eraynea rode the same ship as Atalanta, come hell or high water.
At first, serving under Atalanta chafed, but now—sidekick to Greece's third-strongest after Heracles and Dianes—she beamed with pride.
Seeing her liege return bloodied yet radiant, the daughter of superstition clutched her forehead.
"Aphrodite save me..."
Maybe those far-off Amazons were better off, Eraynea lamented inwardly.
What good was a pretty face when her actions evoked that wild boar-slaying Heracles?
Atalanta's every word dripped with boasts and affection for Dianes, leaving Eraynea wondering just how far they'd progressed with this lovesick mess.
"I'll just ask straight. How far'd you go with Dianes?"
"Eek?!"
True to her heritage governing love and lust, Eraynea dove right in.
Her loyal warriors nearby morphed into predatory beasts, cornering her instantly.
"Yeah, we've been dying to know."
"Heard some magic activates aura through sex?"
"Nah, screw that—just curious. Did you? Captain, did you really?"
"Uh, well... heh heh.."
Already buzzed from back-to-back wine gulps amid the high, plus her pounding heart from the romp, the buzz loosened her tongue.
"Well, you see..."
That sweet secret, just ours.
Bodies hot and overlapping, breaths mingling in tight embrace.
Sharing that intimate joy she'd never give another woman felt surprisingly fun and proud.
"Heh heh..."
Her lips parted in shy delight at the memory, but her deputy and crew sighed in disbelief.
'Just a kiss, and she's this thrilled?'
'They were in the heat, rolling and sweating.'
'Just a kiss? That's it?'
This was the Heroes' Grove, Greece's finest demigods and heroes gathered.
No one slept alone here, save Artemis's vowed virgins.
And she—the mightiest, most beautiful—with her hero, stopped at a kiss?
Eraynea sighed deeply, glaring at Atalanta with resolve.
"...Nope. Gotta strip her."
"What?"
-Aye!
Like panthers hunting lions, hundreds of warrior maidens—no, love zealots—charged Greece's fairest woman.
"Wha? Wh-whoa?! Kyaa! Wait?!"
"No waiting!"
"You spent that time with a man!"
"Time to stake your claim everywhere!"
"No more dawdling!"
"Grab her before he spots the wild boar in her!"
The goddess of love's daughters couldn't tolerate this virgin pack's folly.
Especially since their captain's lover had another flame—that sea-soaked nymph.
"Can't let that water-drinker snag our girl's man!"
"E-Eraynea! Wait! N-Not there!"
"Hold still—we'll doll you up till Dianes can't resist!"
And so.
After hundreds of hands tossed her around, Atalanta came to her senses like this.
"Wh-what am I supposed to do with thiiiis..."
Peeking under the cloak revealed scandalous attire; Greece's top warrior could only whimper and bow her head.