Afterward, as we sailed away from the Amazons, I heard the full account of the recent events from Heracles.
According to Heracles, he had followed the invitation of an Amazon warrior, only to be threatened upon arrival. The situation had spiraled out of control, resulting in the death of the warrior who had guided him.
“What in the world... where do I even begin with this...”
I let out a short sigh, mulling over Heracles’ words.
An Amazon warrior.
A lure.
An ambush.
And a misunderstanding.
“...Strange.”
As I murmured softly, Heracles, who was standing beside me, turned his head.
“What is?”
“...The warrior who lured you.”
I looked at Heracles, who was staring back at me, and continued.
“Did she intend to kill you from the very beginning?”
“...No, I don’t think so... probably...”
At my question, Heracles thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“...She didn’t seem to have that intention.”
“...I see.”
Following his answer, I turned my gaze toward the sea.
The waves swayed gently, as though nothing had happened at all.
“...Then that makes it even stranger.”
“What does?”
“...It seems someone interfered from the shadows.”
After hearing my words, Heracles fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“...A god?”
“That seems likely.”
At my answer, Heracles clenched his teeth.
“...Then I...”
“You were used.”
“...”
Heracles lapsed into silence. Seeing him like that, I let out a small sigh and spoke to him.
“From here on, be more careful. If a god has begun to interfere, this will not end simply.”
Heracles looked at me and replied, “You are right, Astellon. My karma has reached even you.”
“There is no need to apologize. If the gods have decided to move in earnest, how could we humans possibly see through every move they make?”
I comforted him by patting his shoulder, but a heaviness still lingered in my heart.
My relations with the Amazons had reached the worst possible state, and I was deeply worried about Hippolyta’s safety.
Some time after our departure, a soldier passing near the food storage hold below deck screamed and ran toward me.
“Your Majesty! In the storeroom... there is an intruder hiding there! I cannot tell if it is a ghost or a warrior!”
At that, Heracles and I hurried toward the storeroom.
When we lit a torch and shone it into the dark corner, a figure clad in Amazon warrior armor, huddled low, came into view.
“Who are you! Reveal yourself!”
As Heracles raised his club, the figure slowly lifted its head.
“...Hippolyta?”
Heracles and I gasped in shock simultaneously upon identifying the intruder.
Hippolyta, who should have remained in the Amazon lands to calm her warriors, was hiding aboard our ship.
While we were still reeling from the realization, Hippolyta staggered to her feet and approached me.
“I am sorry, Astellon. But my sisters have already been tainted by madness. They even branded me, their queen, a traitor... so I followed you...”
As Heracles and I watched her, Hippolyta clutched the hem of my clothes and spoke in a low voice.
“...Please, let me follow you.”
I was briefly taken aback by the desperation in her voice, but in the end...
“...This happened because we came here in the first place. I suppose I must take responsibility.”
“Does that mean...?”
“Well... I do not know how things will turn out, but come with us, Hippolyta.”
A look of relief washed over Hippolyta’s face.
I looked down at her for a moment before speaking again.
“Come.”
At that single word, Hippolyta’s eyes trembled violently.
She leaned her body against me, as if seeking support.
Heracles, watching us, muttered in a low voice, “...So it ends like this.”
I brushed his comment aside and addressed the soldiers. “Hippolyta is our guest. No, she is someone under my protection. No one is to treat her carelessly.”
The soldiers exchanged glances for a moment before bowing their heads.
Thus, with Hippolyta by my side, I began the journey back to Eirene.
*...But wait. Medea and my other wives... they warned me they wouldn't sit still if I brought home another woman...*
As we neared Eirene, Medea’s warning from before the expedition surfaced in my mind. I looked at Hippolyta beside me.
*...Even if the situation was unavoidable... will it be all right? Or am I just speeding up my own demise?*
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