Chapter 54

"Did I win?" Cyd asked as he stood beside Atalanta, the weather remarkably clear today, perhaps favored by some sun god as there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The dazzling rays marked Cyd's right arm, a clear sign that he was in peak condition.

"Are you upset?" Cyd inquired softly, narrowing his eyes at Atalanta.

"I don't know," Atalanta replied simply.

Iasus refrained from giving any orders, though not a hero himself, he had enough discernment to see that Cyd's speed surpassed what Atalanta could match. Whether he shouted the start didn't matter; for either of them to step into the competition area meant the contest had begun.

The audience in the auditorium watched in quiet anticipation.

"Artemis-sama told me about your involvement in this trial," Cyd said, his expression turning wry.

"So you came. I see…" Atalanta trailed off, her gaze distant.

"Why are you willing to participate in this trivial trial that has nothing to do with you, just to please… Was I mistaken?" Cyd pondered aloud, unsure why Atalanta, as a devout follower of Artemis sworn to eternal maidenhood, had agreed to this trial so readily.

Why was she hesitating? All she needed to do was focus on reaching the finish line. Why was she standing still?

A strange feeling welled up in Atalanta's chest. Was it anger? But it felt oddly gentle. Was it joy? Yet it was tinged with sorrow. What was this conflicting emotion?

Shouldn't she be angry because Cyd hadn't come for her?

Shouldn't she be joyful because Cyd hadn't come for her?

Why couldn't she decide? Why couldn't she simply grab Cyd by the collar angrily or hug him tightly, releasing the turmoil in her heart? Why was it so difficult?

Was this... her punishment?

"You're not yourself today. You almost look like you're about to cry," Cyd said, reaching out to pat Atalanta's head. "A hunter never shows their emotions, lest they let their prey escape."

"I don't know who to hunt now," Atalanta said, uncharacteristically not pushing Cyd's hand away, which surprised him.

Previously, Atalanta had been like a temperamental stray cat, allowing no one to show kindness towards her without swatting them away. Now, she was like a domesticated cat, allowing herself to be petted without resistance, almost as if...

"If you provoke me, I'll be angry," Cyd frowned.

"I won't provoke you," Atalanta said sharply.

"Good," Cyd said, gesturing towards the finish line. "Instead of letting your emotions cloud your judgment, take a step forward. Perhaps then your heart will make the decision."

Atalanta bent down. "Easy for you to say... What do you understand?"

"I rarely make decisions willingly. I came here almost by accident," Cyd said with a helpless shrug. "I should have marked this as the end."

While Atalanta was lost in thought, Cyd threw a pebble into the air.

"—— ——"

As the pebble fell to the ground, Cyd and Atalanta stepped across the finish line simultaneously.

Atalanta's custom was to let her opponents start running first before chasing them down. This was her confident strategy. But she didn't have that confidence facing Cyd. She didn't even have the opportunity to chase him!

Watching Hippomenes fall further and further behind, Atalanta clenched her fists. Wait! Don't leave me behind...

If she called out to him, he would surely stop. But that wasn't her.

This was probably her last chance to...

Atalanta reached out unexpectedly to touch Cyd's back, but she was too late.

While she hesitated, Cyd sprinted forward. She lost the opportunity to even touch him.

"——-"

As Cyd stepped across the finish line, the ground shattered beneath him, leaving two deep marks in the dirt due to his speed.

Meanwhile, Atalanta fell to the ground in despair. She had been running at top speed, catching up instantly as Cyd crossed the finish line, but even then, she couldn't match his speed.

She lost...

Just as she had expected.

"Hey, Ata, did you...?" Cyd began, reaching out to the hand Atalanta had extended.

Atalanta looked at Cyd with a complex expression.

Joy, sorrow, reluctance, contentment... Cyd fell silent as he extended his hand, completing the handshake halfway.

"Cheers! The Hero of Pure White has won!" Iasus cheered, standing with his arms open.

The audience in the auditorium also cheered, raising their hands in unison.

Everything happened so quickly, from Cyd and Atalanta starting to run to crossing the finish line. It was so brief that all the audience had to do was cheer. As long as Cyd won, it was enough.

No one wanted me to win. They all hoped you would win, the hero...

Atalanta smiled bitterly, lowering her head. Normally, with her pride, even if she lost, she wouldn't sit on the ground in such a dejected manner. Did anyone here really want her to stand?

The life of the hunter, Atalanta, was supposed to end. She had almost accepted that reality...

Cyd watched Atalanta silently, his nails digging into his palm. This wasn't the outcome he wanted. He had bitten back his anger twice before when Atalanta surpassed him. But now...

What was this feeling?

Why did he feel this way, seeing her like this?

Anger would prompt him to act decisively. Happiness would make him smile. Why was he now standing silently, unable to speak? What had he come here for?

"...," Cyd closed his eyes, then slowly opened them. "Ata, are you happy?"

"I don't know," Atalanta's voice sounded frail. "I... I don't seem to know anything anymore."

"I understand," Cyd sighed, running his fingers through his snow-white hair. The dark green crystals on his jade bracer emitted a faint glow.

Blessed by Hermes, no one could deceive Cyd, just as Atalanta couldn't deceive him now.

She was clearly suffering, lost in confusion.

"I just wanted you to be able to live like yourself," Cyd whispered.

"I just..."