Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Altus Amor
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“I'm so glad I met you now, even if it's late. Just thinking about a beautiful unpolished gem like you wasting away under that spinster Artemis...”
Atalanta's mind reeled as she was suddenly made to change into dozens of outfits in the blink of an eye.
But even more pressing was the identity of this noble lady who had brought the clouds, and even more urgent than that was Dianes's safety.
“Um, Goddess...?”
“What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable? Or is there something you don't like? Should I have you try on a necklace after all?”
Like a mother excitedly dressing up her daughter, the noble lady smiled warmly and asked for her opinion.
And beneath that smile, in those sparkling eyes like morning stars, Atalanta realized who she was.
The goddess who claimed to be the protector of new moons and maidens, who could so casually refer to Artemis—the one Atalanta revered—as such.
Those beautiful eyes that drew you in at a mere glance, and the elegance exuding from every gesture and movement—it was impossible to pretend she didn't know.
“He-Hera...?”
The queen of the gods, the mistress of Olympus.
Atalanta couldn't close her mouth at the identity of the noble lady who had appeared out of nowhere and adorned her so beautifully.
“Hehe, you're sharp. Those dull-witted heroes down there only spout nonsense even with a god right in front of them.”
As if even that dazed expression was endearing, Hera smiled and personally applied perfume to her hands, stroking Atalanta's hair.
“Tsk tsk... I should send some perfume to my nymph Karyklo. The nymphs in that forest where young heroes grow up have no sense when it comes to this sort of thing.”
“Y-Yes! Yes!”
No goddess in the world could stand before her, not even the king of the gods would yield his seat—the lofty queen of the gods.
At the fact that such a goddess was touching her hair, Atalanta felt her soul might flee her body.
“There, all done! Take a look at this!”
As Atalanta surrendered her body to those hands in a daze,
a large mirror slowly emerged from the clouds, reflecting her appearance.
“Huh...?”
“My, you look just like a bride in early summer!”
The Atalanta in the mirror was unrecognizable even to herself.
First, her body was pristine, without a single scratch, like a lioness roaming the plains.
An alluring predator—graceful and beautiful, yet with fangs that could be deadly at any moment!
Excessive ornaments and flashy fabrics had only been poison to Atalanta, who already exuded wild beauty and elegance.
Her stiff, disheveled auburn hair, smoothed with perfume to bring out its red glow, shimmered like rippling flames, and paired with her healthy brown skin, she looked like a spirit of summer.
On top of that, the crimson himation woven with devotion by the nymphs of the golden tree, reminiscent of twilight; a belt carved with narcissus motifs in ruby and onyx on a body of lapis lazuli and platinum.
And a shoulder shawl that added mystery with its quiet magic like the veil of night.
Atalanta was now beautiful enough to rival any goddess.
‘Is this... me?’
Atalanta couldn't tear her eyes from her reflection, lost in that thought.
The queen of the gods smiled softly, gently grasping her shoulders and whispering in her ear.
“Well? Do you like it?”
“Y-Yes... Your Majesty...”
As she nodded dazedly, the Atalanta in the mirror nodded back.
Would Dianes's heart race for her like this?
Would shivers run through her if she held her hand, and would the whole world stop if their eyes met?
It was at that moment such thoughts flitted through her mind.
“Dianes!”
“Oh my?”
“Y-Your Majesty! Di-Dianes... Dianes is in danger!”
The massive thunder hammer of Heracles was still vivid in her mind.
And Dianes had clearly taken it head-on.
This was no time for her to be like this!
Seeing those beautiful ruby eyes well up with tears, Hera's wide surprised eyes narrowed into a smile.
Children in love were so adorably beautiful!
This would be more than perfect as a blessing for the young apostle who had carried out divine punishment in her stead.
“Don't worry. The child who will be your partner is safe.”
With a gesture from Hera, the clouds at her feet parted slightly, revealing the ground below.
There, in the center of the utterly demolished Colosseum, stood a bloodied Dianes alone before the unconscious Heracles collapsed on the ground.
“Oh dear... those injuries look quite serious.”
“Dianes!”
Dianes, swaying as she looked down at her own arm, slowly toppled backward and collapsed to the floor.
Even as she did, she gazed up at the sky with a smile for some reason, before closing her eyes and dropping her head.
“Kyaa!”
“Calm down, she's just fainted.”
“Huh? Th-Then...”
“Of course, if we leave her like that until the medics arrive, that dark illegitimate brat might be fine, but she could be in danger.”
Of course, it was a lie.
Even to Hera's eyes, this little hero Dianes had resilience rivaling Heracles; such blood loss wouldn't threaten her life.
But a crisis was like a servant that dressed love in even greater beauty.
If she used this opportunity well, Dianes would be moved by the devotion of Hera's gift and praise her.
And Artemis's daughter, who had lived a loveless, austere life, would weep at the sweetness of the affection Hera bestowed and sing her praises.
She could already see it.
The hero couple's fame resounding across Greece, elevating her divinity through the ages.
The beautiful poems Poseidon and Ares so praised filling her temples to the brim!
All of Greece would praise her and pray for blessings.
Lauding her divine statue for guiding young heroes to happiness!
And just looking at that irreverent illegitimate brat passed out in the corner made her thousand-year indigestion vanish; her mood had already soared far beyond its peak.
“Wh-Wh-What do we do?”
Atalanta's eyes brimmed with tears, ready to hurl herself down at any moment.
Seeing this, Hera smiled faintly and handed her a beautifully crafted glass vial from her bosom.
“This is a secret medicine brewed by my foster mother Tethys. A magical elixir that heals any wound in an instant.”
“Th-Thank you!”
Well, that should do it?
As she tried to feel satisfied, the perfect finishing blow to truly bind these beautiful lovers flashed in her mind.
“However.”
Hera's firm voice stopped Atalanta, who was about to leap down with the vial.
As if the elegant smile from moments ago had been an illusion, the queen of the gods gazed at Atalanta with dignified eyes and declared.
“That elixir's name is Altus Amor. It means ‘deep love.’”
“Deep love...?”
“Yes. It only works if given through a single kiss on the lips, and its effect grows stronger in proportion to the love the giver feels for the receiver.”
Of course, another lie.
The elixir Hera gave Atalanta was the recovery potion Tethys had sent her foster daughter with love and worry when she had been chained at the edge of the world, anvil on her feet.
The supreme elixir that had fully restored even Hera after such ordeal with one sip.
The amount given to Atalanta would revive Dianes pristine even if she teetered on death's door three or four times, as long as she still drew breath.
‘I wonder what face she'll make seeing her lover heal perfectly from her kiss.’
The queen of the gods nodded inwardly in satisfaction, while outwardly as the solemn queen, she addressed her young prospective devotee.
“However, if that love is false or one-sided from you alone, she will live, but you will lose your life instead. What say you? Do you accept?”
“...”
Even Hera thought it was the perfect setup for the elixir; she inwardly cheered.
To Hera's eyes, Dianes was destined for a life as tumultuous as Heracles.
If the seat beside such a hero was filled by another exceptional female hero whom Hera herself had paired her with, sharing trials together—what could be more beautiful?
But if Atalanta rejected the elixir to save herself alone here?
Then she simply wasn't fit to stand with Hera's apostle.
She'd just find another extraordinary woman and pair her with Dianes.
“What will you do?”
Atalanta gazed down at the elixir in her trembling hands.
Hera quietly watched her prospective bride.
And soon, those ruby eyes looking up at Hera shone dazzlingly with overflowing love and resolve.
“I will! I will do it! Even if it costs me my life!”
Yes!!
It was the moment the goddess of marriage inwardly shouted in triumph.