When the island came into view, the heroes rowed with all their might, rapidly closing the distance.
Before long, we reached the shore at great speed.
“My, what splendid gentlemen. Where have you come from?”
“From Greece, across the sea.”
As we disembarked, the women of the island approached us and the ship.
They informed us that this was Lemnos Island, a place inhabited solely by women.
At the news that the island was filled with women, the male heroes were already casting longing glances their way.
“...What an unusual island. How on earth does it sustain itself?”
“...Astellon. You aren't like them, are you?”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean, Atalanta?”
“...No. Forget it. I apologize for asking such a rude question.”
“What do you mean by that?”
At my words, Atalanta silently pointed toward some of the men already mingling with the women. I quickly understood the implication behind her question.
“...I’m different. I have no reason to give my heart to a woman I’ve only just met... and my current position makes that even more so.”
“...Yes. You were always like that.”
“Ah, Atalanta. I’m going to go make a new oar.”
“Very well. Return safely.”
After speaking with Atalanta, I recalled the oar that had been shattered during my duel with Heracles. I headed into the forest to find a suitable tree to craft a replacement.
“Hm? Hylas? What brings you here?”
“Ah. Lord Astellon.”
While searching, I ran into Hylas, who had joined the expedition alongside Heracles.
“I came to draw some water.”
“Is that so? Then come with me.”
“Pardon? But don’t you have something to do?”
“Well... I do need to make a new oar, but looking at the others, it seems we’ll be staying on this island for quite a while. We have time, so let’s walk around a bit.”
“In that case...”
Hylas and I wandered through the forest until we discovered a massive spring.
“There’s the spring.”
“Ah, you're right! We should hurry, draw the water, and head back.”
We approached the water, and Hylas bent down to fill his container.
At that very moment, I sensed a suspicious aura emanating from the spring. I hurriedly shoved Hylas away just as he was reaching for the water.
“Hylas! Get back!!”
“Ah! W-what is it?”
“My, what a perceptive man.”
“And that man is handsome beyond belief~♡”
“He’s exactly my type...//”
The calm surface of the spring rippled, and one by one, dazzlingly beautiful women emerged.
With their flowing hair, seductive gazes, and an inhuman aura radiating from their bodies, they were the fairies of the forest—nymphs.
Under normal circumstances, they would have dragged Hylas straight into the depths. However, due to my quick reaction and unexpected appearance, they seemed to have shifted their target, casting blatant, hungry stares my way.
“Hylas, stand behind me.”
I narrowed my eyes and placed my hand on the holy sword at my waist.
The nymphs giggled, sending ripples across the water as they glided toward my feet.
“Don’t be so scary, silver-haired handsome man. We only want to play with you a little.”
“Just look at those eyes... That cold voice makes me want to melt you even more.”
Their voices were laced with a magic designed to make the mind go hazy.
An ordinary man would have leapt into the spring already, but beside me, a goddess of an entirely different order was watching the scene in secret.
[Heh-heh, my disciple. You’re quite popular with the fairies, aren’t you? But be careful. Once you fall into their love, it is a swamp you cannot escape until the day you die.]
Lady Hecate’s voice, echoing from the shadows, was colder than usual.
She radiated an air of disdain, as if she were looking down on lesser beings who dared to touch what belonged to her.
This is the first time I’ve seen Lady Hecate react like this.
At her words, I tightened my grip on the sword hilt.
Helping the flustered Hylas back to his feet, I spoke coldly to the nymphs.
“I appreciate the offer, but I have a teacher to serve and friends waiting for me. I don’t have the time to indulge your games.”
“My, are you refusing us? Once you’ve set foot by this spring, you won’t be able to leave as you please!”
The moment one nymph reached out from the water to seize my wrist, I drew the holy sword just a fraction, splitting the surface of the spring with a single arc.
A silver radiance pushed the water aside, delivering a chilling pressure.
“If you block my path, I will no longer remain patient. I suggest you step aside while I am still speaking politely.”
Overwhelmed by the divinity and force pouring from the holy sword, the nymphs flinched and recoiled.
Though they bit their lips in disappointment, the extraordinary magical power I released and the majesty of the blade kept them from approaching any further.
“Let’s go, Hylas. Did you get the water?”
“Ah... yes! Yes, Lord Astellon! Thank you so much. That was almost disastrous.”
With a terrified expression, Hylas gathered the water jars and hurried close behind me.
Once we left the forest, I found a tree that was suitably sturdy and evenly grained, then felled it with a single stroke.
“This should make an oar that can withstand even Heracles’s strength.”
When we returned to the village, as expected, the heroes were already feasting with the women of Lemnos.
Only Atalanta stood apart, arms crossed, watching them with a look of utter disdain. However, when she saw me appear carrying the wood, she let out a sigh of relief and approached.
“You were later than I expected. Did something happen in the forest?”
“Ah. Nothing much, I think... probably?”
“Hm? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well...”
At Atalanta’s questioning, I told her what had happened. As she listened, her expression grew colder, and for some reason, the air around us seemed to drop in temperature.
Atalanta’s eyes gleamed sharper than usual, and before I knew it, her hand was resting on her bow.
“The nymphs... tried to drag you in?”
Atalanta’s voice was low—dangerously low.
A murderous aura poured from her entire body, like a predator that had just spotted its prey.
“I had no choice; I was saving Hylas. Besides, the matter is already settled.”
As I replied lazily and shrugged, Atalanta snorted and turned her head away.
But I did not miss the faint blush at the tips of her ears.
“Hmph. It’s that handsome face of yours that’s the problem. For a king to nearly be bewitched by fairies in the forest... how pathetic.”
“I wasn’t bewitched. I simply did what I had to do.”
“Fine. If you ever have to go into the forest again, call me. I’ll put an arrow through those fairies so they never dare poke their heads out of the water again.”
Behind Atalanta’s rough words lay a strange mixture of possessiveness and concern.
As the night deepened, the banquet on Lemnos Island reached its peak.
Jason and the heroes, drunk on wine, seemed to have forgotten the hardships of their voyage amidst the laughter of the women.
I sat in a quiet corner, carving the newly acquired wood and shaping the oar.
[My disciple, that girl Atalanta... she seems quite angry? Human emotions are fascinating. I thought jealousy was the exclusive province of gods.]
Lady Hecate’s form flickered faintly within the shadows.
She drifted up behind me and brushed my silver hair with her cold fingers.
Jealousy? She’s probably just worried about me as a comrade.
[Is that so? The force you showed when driving those fairies off earlier was splendid. But do not forget: you have already set foot in my vast “night.” There is no way you could be satisfied with a mere little spring, is there?]
The goddess’s voice tickled my ear like a sweet yet deadly poison.
Her presence was so overwhelming that it erased the noisy din of the banquet hall in an instant.
I stopped carving and lifted my head to look at the night sky.
“Lady Hecate, I am no one’s possession. I am the king of my country, and a warrior of this ship.”
[Heh-heh. That is precisely what I like about you.]
Lady Hecate, satisfied, sank back into the darkness once more.
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