After that, we arrived in Eirene.
As soon as the ship touched the harbor, Heracles snatched up the girdle of the queen of the Amazons as if he had been waiting for the exact moment, immediately preparing to depart.
I tried to stop him.
“Stay for at least one day.”
I kept my tone as natural as possible, but I had my own ulterior motive.
If I could get him to accompany me into the castle... it would be far less dangerous than facing them alone.
But Heracles only gave a short snort and shook his head.
“...Astellon, there is something suspicious in your eyes.”
“...What do you mean?”
“I think it's best if I make my exit here.”
Before I could even respond, Heracles gave me no further room to speak. He boarded the ship and vanished from the harbor in an instant.
Watching his retreating figure, I muttered, “...Coward. You knew exactly what was happening.”
In the end, I had no choice but to head to the castle alone with Hippolyta.
Once we passed through the gates and entered, the eyes of the retainers and servants all snapped toward us in unison.
It was only natural. I had returned from the Amazons with a woman they had never seen before—and not just any woman, but one who radiated the unmistakable aura of a warrior.
“Who is that woman...?”
“Surely not again...?”
I let out a small sigh. When I summoned the retainers to report, I took the opportunity to explain Hippolyta’s identity.
“Allow me to introduce her. This is Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. Due to various circumstances... she will be residing here from now on.”
The retainers couldn't quite hide their momentary bewilderment, but they quickly composed themselves and bowed.
“...Understood, Your Majesty.”
Yet, even as they lowered their heads, a strangely meaningful smile lingered at the corners of their mouths.
Seeing those expressions, I thought to myself, ...This is bad. The rumors are going to spread instantly.
After the retainers withdrew, I led Hippolyta toward the inner chambers of the castle.
However, as I reached the door, I found myself frozen in my tracks.
I couldn't stop thinking about what the three women inside were going to do to me...
“...A-are you all right?”
Noticing my reaction, Hippolyta asked with a hint of concern.
“...Yeah, I’ll be fine. ...Probably?”
I took a short, deep breath and knocked on the door.
“...I’m back. I’m coming in.”
I slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
“...”
“...So you’ve finally come home, our dear husband?”
The first thing I encountered upon entering were the ice-cold gazes of Atalanta, Medea, and Hecate.
I'm dead...
The moment I saw them, a wave of pure dread crashed over me. My wavering gaze drifted toward Hecate.
Hecate was staring straight at me with an inscrutable smile. Her face was more alluring than ever, yet it was also the most terrifying thing I had ever seen.
Under that piercing gaze, it occurred to me that Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, could have easily used familiars to keep an eye on me.
If she had been watching through familiars... then they already know everything that happened between Hippolyta and me. No, they definitely know.
Atalanta stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall. Medea sat in a chair, her fingers slowly and rhythmically tapping the armrest. Hecate, perched on the edge of the bed, finally spoke.
“...You’re late.”
That single sentence sent a chill racing down my spine.
I tried my best to sound nonchalant as I spoke.
“Well... some things came up...”
“Things?”
Medea’s voice cut through my excuse like a knife.
“‘Things’ in the land of the Amazons, you say...”
Medea rose from her seat and began to walk slowly toward me.
Each footstep sounded unnaturally loud and distinct.
“Does this ‘business’ of yours include that queen as well?”
As she spoke, her gaze shifted sharply to Hippolyta.
Startled, Hippolyta remained silent for a moment.
Then, after glancing at me, she took a step forward to face them.
“...I will explain.”
Every eye in the room shifted to Hippolyta.
“This man is...”
“Our husband.”
Atalanta cut her off with a voice as cold as ice.
Hippolyta’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“...That is...”
Realizing that Hippolyta was only pretending to be composed, I hurriedly intervened.
“W-wait! The situation was just...!”
“The situation?”
Hecate looked at me with a playful yet dangerous smile.
“I wonder... where does the ‘situation’ end, and where does ‘choice’ begin?”
Though she spoke in a whisper, the words echoed clearly in my ears.
Overwhelmed by the suffocating awkwardness and fear, I found myself unable to utter another word.
Watching my struggle, Hecate spoke again, addressing both me and Hippolyta.
“...I heard everything. Or rather, should I say I saw everything?”
“...!”
“W-what do you mean...!”
“Familiars.”
Hecate’s voice was sweet yet freezing. She snapped her fingers, and a faint, ghostly image flickered through the air.
“I watched everything that happened with the Amazons through my familiars.”
It was over.
I was truly, completely finished.
I immediately blurted out, “...I’m sorry.”
At my apology, Atalanta’s gaze wavered for a split second, and Medea narrowed her eyes.
Hippolyta remained silent, simply watching me.
“...And?”
Medea was the first to break the silence.
“What are you going to do about it now?”
“...I caused this, so I will take responsibility until the very end.”
“...I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Medea let out a small, soft laugh.
“...How interesting.”
Atalanta uncrossed her arms and pushed herself away from the wall.
“...Then the real challenge begins now.”
Hecate beamed at me.
“Bringing another woman back from a foreign land... Since it's you, I'll let it slide this once. But that doesn't mean you won't be punished. Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting for you?”
“...What do you want me to do?”
Hecate looked as though she had been waiting for that exact question. She leaned in close and whispered into my ear.
“It's simple. Tonight, you're going to receive all the pent-up affection of three women. So... look forward to it.”
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