Cult of Self-Blame (1)
Cult of Self-Blame (1)
An ambiguous time when the sun was gradually setting.
A temporary encampment located on the outskirts of a large city.
There, a flag with a pure white scale engraved on a blue background fluttered, and young men in uniform uniforms were each immersed in training. Though sweat and fatigue could be seen on their faces, that was precisely why their pride shone even more brightly.
"This is the damage situation caused by pirates."
In the barracks located at the center of the encampment. The captains, standing at attention, slowly lowered their reports.
"Though the pirates' momentum has been greatly subdued after the large-scale sweep operation last time, I think we still shouldn't let our guard down."
"Especially regarding the Dugal pirate group, I believe it would be best to take measures as soon as possible. We need to uproot them completely before those bastards grow their power again."
The captains, like vassals offering counsel to the king, respectfully stated their opinions to a woman sitting at the desk.
"......"
But even after the captains finished their reports, for some reason the woman showed no reaction.
"Fleet Commander-nim...?"
As one of the captains, sensing something strange, carefully called out to her, her half-closed eyes opened wide in surprise for a moment.
"Hmm, ah, I see..."
The fleet commander, who had been lost in thought for a while. Athena El Ortina Rayhard belatedly composed herself and focused on the captains standing before her.
"Fleet Commander-nim, are you perhaps feeling unwell?"
"Your complexion hasn't been good lately..."
Because Athena always showed a perfect image during work, the captains had begun to worry a bit about her unnatural behavior recently. But the person herself dismissed their concerns with a light wave of her hand.
"It's nothing, so you needn't worry needlessly."
Athena cleared her throat, revealing a graceful demeanor.
"I have heard the report well. I will think about this matter a bit, so you officers may leave now."
As the commander said that while organizing the papers on the desk, the captains, who had been watching her complexion, saluted and turned their backs to the barracks.
"Haa..."
As the captains went outside, Athena let out a deep sigh alone in the barracks.
'This won't do...'
The problem was serious. Athena made that self-diagnosis. Now, on top of everything else, it was even interfering with her work.
'Forget it, forget it,' no matter how much she repeated it in her mind, it wasn't so easily forgotten.
"......"
Athena, whose anguish wouldn't stop, eventually hugged her head and lay face down on the desk.
A week had already passed since that day, but the heavy guilt was still deeply embedded in her chest. She couldn't forgive herself for committing adultery. And she couldn't understand it either.
'Even if I was completely drunk...'
How could she have mixed her body with such a pathetic criminal? No matter how many times she thought about it, she couldn't understand. Was it because she had been sexually frustrated from not having relations with Ion for a while? Or had that man drugged her drink without her noticing?
'No, it's meaningless now...'
Regardless of the circumstances, it was already spilt water. Even a heavenly goddess had no means to wind back time.
Having judged that, Athena lifted her head with difficulty and slowly stood up from where she was sitting. If she didn't start preparing soon, she might be late for the social gathering.
Honestly, she didn't want to go to such a high-society meeting in this mood, but since she had already made a promise, it was impossible to back out.
"Fleet Commander-nim."
Just as Athena was putting back on the coat she had hung on the chair, the voice of the guard on watch outside the barracks suddenly came.
"What is it?"
"Well, a visitor has come for you, Fleet Commander-nim."
"A visitor?"
Athena tilted her head without thinking. There was no guest who would come to see her at this time just before the social gathering. She also had no memory of scheduling such a thing.
'It must be some mistake.'
Just as Athena, thinking that, was about to ask the guard about the visitor's identity, someone slowly revealed themselves inside the barracks.
Athena's eyes naturally widened as she confirmed the face of the all-too-familiar visitor.
"I-Ion...?"
Athena couldn't hide her surprised expression at seeing her husband, who had suddenly appeared without notice. Ion looked at Athena like that and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Hey, Athena...?"
"W-What brings you all the way here?"
At the sudden reunion, no less abrupt than their meeting at that tea house, Athena stammered without meaning to. Athena maintained the most natural attitude she could while hiding her trembling hands behind her back. She was forcing a smile, but inside she was shaking with indescribable anxiety.
'Why is Ion here?'
Had he perhaps noticed the infidelity she committed? Surely not to rebuke her and sever the marital bond...?
As that spiraling anxiety reached its peak, Ion, who had been standing hesitantly, finally opened his mouth.
"I came to go to the social gathering together."
"Social gathering...?"
"You asked me to come with you last time, didn't you? Don't you remember...?"
Hearing that, Athena felt a strange sensation as if her mind went blank for a moment. And only then did she belatedly notice the black suit Ion was wearing now. It was rare for Ion, who usually preferred comfortable clothes, to dress up like this.
"Ah, ah...!"
Athena felt as if she had made such a request at some point. But for some reason, she couldn't clearly remember exactly when that was. Athena had recently reached a point where she was scared of herself, having become unbelievably strange.
"Are you busy right now?"
"How could that be! I was just about to prepare to go as well. I'll change clothes quickly and come out, so please wait a moment."
"Okay, I got it."
Ion immediately nodded at Athena's request.
Athena left Ion in the barracks and hurriedly moved her legs to change clothes. Just facing her husband caused an indescribable guilt to bloom in her heart.
*
The social gathering's venue was a party hall in the mansion of some prominent wealthy man. The hero and goddess boarded the carriage provided by the host and arrived at the destination mansion only when the sun had completely set. The mansion building seen before their eyes was not as grand as those owned by Thanatos, but it was still a magnificent mansion that hinted at considerable wealth.
"That dress really suits you, Athena."
Ion, who had been glancing at Athena from time to time, expressed his honest impression of her current appearance as they walked down the wide hallway.
"R-Really...?"
Then Athena blushed slightly and pressed her body closer to his arm, which she was holding.
Athena was now wearing a blue dress that matched her blue hair. As the fleet commander of the Ortina Fleet, she always insisted on neat uniforms, so wearing such a flowing dress was a very rare sight.
"I'm glad you say that..."
An A-line dress with the back completely cut out. It was a design that naturally emphasized the wearer's artistic backline.
It wasn't just the dress that made Athena's beauty stand out. Her neatly tied-up hair, light makeup that wasn't excessive, and even precious accessories she rarely wore ordinarily. If it were a social gathering that Athena was attending alone, she wouldn't have dressed up to this extent. She had put extra effort into her grooming because Ion was with him.
"I think that's the party hall over there."
Not long after walking through the mansion following the guide's direction, a large party hall beyond came into view. Perhaps because there were still many people lining up at the entrance, the party hall was quite spacious compared to the number of invited guests.
"Welcome."
The guests attending today's social gathering had to receive invitation verification and identity confirmation before formal entry. But Ion and Athena were exceptions. Because there was no one who didn't know the face of the hero who defeated the Demon King and the goddess who descended from heaven.
"We sincerely welcome you, Ion-nim, Athena-nim."
As the couple headed side by side towards the mansion entrance, the attendant who saw them politely allowed them free pass entry. A privilege that was only natural, given to those who saved the world.
Passing through the wide-open doors, the two finally arrived at the party hall and took a look around the vast social gathering space. Along the sides of the party hall were several round tables covered with white tablecloths, and in the middle of the high ceiling hung a large chandelier. On the food table in the center of the hall were various high-quality liquors and refreshments lined up. A luxurious party hall that seemed the host had put considerable effort into.
"You must have gone mad wanting to die!"
Just as they were roughly scanning the party hall, the area near a window not far away suddenly began to get noisy.