After that, I returned to Artemis and offered her the basilisk’s heart and blood.
"...I have completed everything as promised..."
Artemis’s silver eyes shifted between the basilisk’s heart and blood I had brought, and the Hera's Arc I held in my hand.
"So you actually did it, Astellon. To borrow a god’s tool to overcome a god’s trial... for a human's struggle, it was a rather intriguing sight."
Having confirmed the offering, Artemis snapped her fingers lightly, and the heart vanished in a burst of blue flames.
At that same moment, a frost of dazzling moonlight descended upon Atalanta’s body, which still bore the form of a bear.
Sssshhh—
The coarse fur fell away, the beastly skeleton shifted, and the supple curves of a woman emerged.
Finally, as the moonlight faded, there stood Atalanta, breathing heavily—the Atalanta I had longed for so dearly.
Perhaps as a lingering effect of the curse, she still possessed the ears and tail of a beast, but that was hardly a concern.
The simple fact that she had returned was more than enough.
Restored to her human form, Atalanta looked down at her own hands before calling my name in a trembling voice.
"A-Astellon...?"
She staggered toward me and buried her face against my chest.
The shoulders of the once-steadfast huntress trembled faintly.
"I’m sorry. Because of me, you had to walk such a perilous line... And thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me until the very end..."
I said nothing, simply wrapping my arms around her in a quiet embrace.
Her breath brushed against my neck, and the emotions held within the long silence filled the space between us.
After a moment, Atalanta lifted her head and looked straight into my eyes.
Her usual bluntness had vanished, replaced by a gaze overflowing with sincerity.
"...Astellon. The weight of the crown you carry—let me share that burden with you. I love you, Astellon."
I nodded silently and squeezed her hand tightly.
Unable to contain herself, she leaned in and pressed her lips lightly against mine.
In that instant, all fear and tension melted away like snow, leaving only the warmth of our embrace.
The wind drifted softly through the trees, and the journey back through the goddess’s forest felt far warmer and more peaceful than before.
By the time we passed through the woods and arrived at the gates of the kingdom, I was quietly polishing the Hera's Arc in my hand.
At my side, Atalanta was catching her breath.
Her expression no longer held the tension of battle, but a serene blend of calm and relief.
"We're finally... home."
"We are."
I nodded in response to her words and stepped inside the city.
As we passed through the gates and crossed the central district toward the royal palace, the people watched us with looks of surprise and awe.
I paid them no mind. Today was simply the day our lives began anew.
Upon reaching the palace, Atalanta and I opened the doors and stepped inside.
There, Medea and Hecate were already waiting for us.
Medea watched me with sharp eyes and a tense expression.
Within that gaze was a mixture of suppressed passion and possessiveness.
"...Astellon. You have finally returned."
Her voice was cold, yet it carried an undertone of confident resolve.
Hecate, by contrast, welcomed me with a calm, gentle smile.
Throughout our time as teacher and disciple, she had taught and protected me while struggling to maintain her own composure.
I could feel that her heart was now slowly opening to me.
"Welcome back... Astellon."
Her voice was soft and warm.
I closed my eyes for a moment to steady my breathing, finally deciding on the answer to the question that had plagued me on the journey home.
"Everyone. Today, I want to introduce the people who will stand by my side."
As I finished speaking, Atalanta took my hand and smiled tenderly.
"May I speak first?"
"Go ahead."
I nodded to her request.
"Astellon, I want to share in everything you have protected. From this day forward, I will bind my life to yours."
Her hand tightened around mine, our warmth intertwining.
Medea and Hecate watched us with indescribable expressions in their eyes.
Then, Medea spoke first.
"...My heart belongs to you alone. If you were to leave, I would never forgive anyone—not a single soul in this world. But if I can remain by your side, I am prepared to give you everything."
As she spoke, her hand gripped my shoulder slightly.
That grip was filled with both unwavering loyalty and fierce possessiveness.
Watching Medea, Hecate then smiled at me.
"We were once teacher and disciple... but now, I wish to go beyond simply teaching and protecting you. I want a life shared with you."
Her gaze was filled with deep affection and trust.
Faced with their confessions, I paused and looked at the three of them in turn.
I had already confirmed my feelings for Atalanta.
However, I knew that choosing only one of them would lead to unpredictable consequences.
With that thought, I looked at them and spoke.
"I... want to be with all of you."
As soon as the words left my lips, we naturally joined hands.
Atalanta smiled with deep love, Medea gazed at me with intensity, and Hecate watched over us with a soft, knowing smile.
Our wedding was not a grand feast or a formal ceremony, but a quiet gathering in the garden. Despite the simplicity, the sincerity of our hearts was absolute.
Under the moonlight, we stood hand in hand and swore our love and trust to one another.
In that moment, I made a vow in my heart.
'Now, it is not merely a kingdom that I protect. It is the lives of those I love, and the life we will build together.'
That night, the wind through the forest blew with a gentle, lingering warmth.
However, on the wedding night...
An entirely unexpected problem arose for me, now married to three women.
"Astellon..."
"My dear disciple, tell us. Who goes first?"
"Astellon. I was the first to confirm our feelings for one another."
Now a husband sharing a single room with his wives, I found myself completely overwhelmed by the three beautiful women before me.
In the end... it was decided that Hecate would be the first to take me....
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