After my marriage, the ones whose faces brightened the most were none other than my retainers.
Since I became king, I had not spent a single night with any woman, let alone taken a wife. Consequently, the issue of succession had been a grave concern for them. However, once I took three women as my wives, all those worries vanished instantly.
Then, as if they had never been anxious at all, they began discussing state affairs with me, their expressions perfectly serene.
Those bastards...
Looking at their faces, it was clear they assumed that with three wives, an heir would be produced in no time.
I considered taking revenge on those shameless retainers, but...
But... what can I even do about the nights? After yesterday, I know all three of them are no joke... Damn it! I have no choice. I'll just have to sneak around the city under the pretense of a patrol and come back as late as possible.
Later, while receiving reports from my retainers, I was told that the quality of life in my kingdom was superior to that of other lands, yet for some reason, I still felt unsatisfied.
"What is needed to make the lives of the people even more prosperous... Ah, that's it! First, to raise the general level of knowledge, I shall establish a school where scholars can gather and house a vast collection of books. Then, for those who cannot read and for the children who are still ignorant of the world, I must create a space for learning. As for the name... let's simply call it an academy."
As I pondered how to elevate the standard of living for my people, I eventually constructed a center of learning where scholars could gather to debate and access a centralized library, alongside an academy where anyone could receive an education.
"Is this enough to raise the intellectual level? Still, something feels lacking... I know. While I'm at it with the school and academy, I'll provide patronage for the arts—sculpture, painting, and the like."
Following this, I continued to sponsor the artists of the realm. Word spread, and scholars and artists from all over the world flocked to Eirene, transforming it into a renowned city of art.
Consequently, a vibrant culture of fusion flourished within the city.
Then, one day...
"I rushed here as soon as I heard the news, but... to think it really was you..."
While I was out hunting, my retainers hurried to inform me that a guest had arrived. Upon hearing the news, I returned to the castle.
"...It has been a long time, Astellon."
Returning to the castle, I saw a man with a familiar, massive build. He greeted me warmly.
"Yes. It certainly has been a while, Heracles."
The visitor was none other than Heracles.
Feeling a surge of nostalgia seeing him for the first time since the voyage of the Argo, I invited him to dine with me.
"...So, what brings you to me?"
As I asked during the meal, Heracles explained his situation.
He told me that in order to cleanse the sin of killing his own family, he was currently performing ten labors assigned to him by Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae.
So far, he had captured the Nemean lion, slain the Hydra, captured the hind of the goddess Artemis, captured the boar of Mount Erymanthus, cleaned the stables of Augeas, eradicated the Stymphalian birds, captured the Cretan bull, and captured the mares of Diomedes.
For his next labor, he had been ordered to retrieve the beautiful girdle of the queen of the Amazons.
"I see. So you've come to ask me for a ship and soldiers to reach the Amazons?"
"Indeed. King Eurystheus refused to provide me with ships or men, so I sought you out."
"...I see, is that so?"
I replied with a smile of genuine interest.
"Lending you ships and soldiers is no difficult matter."
"Then..."
"However, I have one condition."
Heracles' expression brightened, thinking he had an immediate agreement, but it quickly stiffened at the mention of a condition.
"And what... might that be?"
"It's nothing major. It's just... I've grown curious about this place called the Amazons. I haven't been able to travel much lately, after all..."
"...Ha. Is it really appropriate for a king to act this way?"
Heracles let out a bewildered laugh, but soon he flashed his characteristic boisterous grin and gave my shoulder a friendly shove.
"Well, it's me, after all."
"...True. The spirit of the man who roamed the world aboard the Argo wouldn't just vanish. I imagine being tied down by three wives and the administration of a kingdom has been quite the torment."
Thus, the expedition for the girdle of the queen of the Amazons set sail from the harbor of Eirene.
I departed under the piercing gazes of my wives. In particular, Medea's smiling threat—"If you bring back another woman from there, neither she nor you will remain unharmed"—echoed in my mind as we sailed away.
***
Accompanied by the soldiers, Heracles and I cut through the rough waves and finally reached our destination: the land of the Amazons.
"So that is... the Amazons."
Upon arrival, we left the soldiers on the ship and slowly stepped onto the shore.
The moment we entered the forest, dozens of sharp gazes locked onto us.
"Halt. Take one more step and we shoot."
The gazes belonged to the warriors of the land; notably, every single one of them was a woman.
The female warrior leading the group looked at us with a cold, detached expression.
Heracles stepped forward and spoke.
"I am Heracles. I have come to meet the queen of the Amazons."
A stir went through the crowd at his words.
A few warriors departed to deliver the message, and when they returned...
"The Queen... says she will meet you personally."
We were guided by them toward the center of their settlement.
Eventually, we stopped before a large door.
"Wait... Your Majesty. I have brought the guests."
"...Enter."
A woman's voice resonated from within the room.
The warrior opened the door and ushered us inside, then closed it behind us, remaining on guard outside.
Inside the room, Heracles and I were met by a woman with striking red hair.
"I am Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons."
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register