5

* * *

After Hermes disappeared.

I was able to follow the Forest of Heroes regular curriculum in three days.

It is said that students who first enter the Forest of Heroes learn about the structure of the forest by following the guidance of a guide selected by Chiron or volunteered.

"Let's see, I saw the treatment center, the main altar, and the Colosseum... Flew away..."

There were many incidents along the way, but Atalanta was still my guide chosen by Chiron.

Even though she had calmed down a bit, she was still very active and led me out of the treatment center as soon as Hermes disappeared.

"Ruler! "I have it all planned out!"

Atalanta unfolded the map and pointed out one by one the places drawn on it.

"First of all, since I've left the treatment center, I'll stop by the nearest forest of nymphs and observe a literary class, and then I'll say hello to my mother in Cariclo. And if you walk a little further, you can see the Centaur field training center and..."

Atalanta was chattering excitedly and hopping around like a small sparrow.

I was happy to hear that chatter after a long time, so I just listened in silence, and Atalanta, who was even more excited, explained her drinking guide course.

"Finally... Coastal Canter Course! "Originally, it's a course you have to run every morning, but because of that Herculean boar, it's a course that no one has run on for months!"

Instead, Atalanta ended her tour with a flushed face, boasting that by the time we got there, there would be a really pretty twilight.

"I guess today won't be enough?"

I said it as a joke, but it was true.

Looking at the map Atalanta showed her and the course she guided, which she bellowed with excitement, it seems like even if she were busy, the whole day would go by.

"So we have to move quickly! When Hermes' riddles give you a headache, it's common for everyone to take a walk around the forest and ask for advice!"

"Hermes' riddle?"

"Yes, Hermes loves pranks, so he usually hides our things and makes us find them using riddles. But Dianes' face was the same as the faces of those who heard that riddle."

When she came in, Hermes was gone and I was the only one looking at her, so she forcibly pulled me out.

Even though she gently declined, saying she wasn't in the mood, she dragged her out to the other side and started guiding her, showing that she had this kind of thoughtfulness in mind.

Well, the more you get stuck, the more you have to go back.

"Then, beautiful hunter. "Can I ask you to guide me?"

Atalanta laughed at my joke and nodded her head as if she liked it.

"Of course! "Today is going to be so fun!"

The sight of Atalanta laughing as if having fun naturally reminded me of Neri, who had not even been able to say hello properly a while ago.

'...I hope you're doing well?'

Well, nymphs are people whose interests change very quickly, so they are probably having fun with my sisters right now.

"Then let's go!"

As I walked along with Atalanta's lively voice, I thought of Neri happily chatting with her sisters in the sea, and I smiled a little.

◈ Chapter 40 - Kariklaw and the Forest of Heroes

"Have you contacted Hephaestus Workshop?"

"I can't receive a large order from Olympus right now!"

"What about the architects of Athena?"

"They say they are all on a business trip to Athens to work on the construction of the Great Temple of Olympia!"

Kariklo's cabin, where I decided to stop by first to say hello, was very busy.

In the midst of the bustling crowd of messengers flying in and out, nymphs and centaurs busily carrying papyrus scrolls and stone tablets, Chariclo was working the busiest.

"It's a very familiar sight."

"Do you look familiar?"

"Uh... That's right. "When I was entrusted to the temple of Zeus, my grandfather, the high priest, was so busy during the festival period."

Actually, what I was thinking of was my past life, when I had fallen into a document hell rather than the main forest after the Murim conquest.

Kari Klo looked as busy as Grandpa Nanae Pharos in his previous life.

"Cariclo, this is just what happened: demolish the Colosseum and build another building instead..."

"Let's demolish the combat training center blessed by the God of War? "I hope there are no wild boars around here."

Chariclo reprimanded the centaur who expressed his opinion, telling him not to talk nonsense.

Yet, her eyes and hands could not remain still for a moment, as she was constantly writing and reading slates.

"You seem busy. Should I come later?"

"But what is it that makes your mother so busy?"

"For what reason!"

I don't know how he heard our voices in this commotion, but Chariklo, who accurately spotted Atalanta through the crowd of people, motioned for us to come this way.

"Mother Chariklo!"

"Tali! "I just happened to have something to give you, so it's a good thing!"

Chariklo, who holds Atalanta in her arms with a bright smile, can be described as an ancient business woman.

Long dark green hair neatly slicked back, blue eyes filled with the fatigue typical of hard-working office workers.

Even the peplos, a white Greek-style women's clothing that looks flawless even though its repairs are shaking.

Overall, the two of them contrast well with the fiery Atalanta in a strange way, but are closer to Atalanta's mother than the crescent-moon child.

"Now, this perfume is a gift for you. Please read the directions written on the surface of the amphora carefully. And..."

I handed Atalanta a small, palm-sized ceramic amphora from under the desk, and Chariclo glared at me without erasing her bright smile.

Right. I didn't look at it, I glared at it.

With eyes that look at the truth, not the truth of a troublesome order placed just before the deadline.

"Dianeth...?"

"Hello?"

Unlike the warm welcome he gave Atalanta, calling her by her nickname, Kariklo looked at me with a look of confusion as to what to do about this troublesome person.

"Ugh... No. How could this be your fault? "It's just my fault for giving up the forest to Chiron."

Kari Claw took a deep breath and shook his head.

Then he smiled sweetly at me and said hello.

"The mistress of the Forest of Heroes, Caricloranda, is in charge of taking care of the minor heroes. Let's get along well from now on."

"Haha... Thank you for your attention"

When I glanced at the picture of the document placed on the desk, I could understand why Chariklo did not look at me so kindly.

The title written at the top of the document was the Ares Memorial Colosseum reconstruction plan.

"Well... I unintentionally gave you a rude attitude. Sorry"

I know that feeling well.

Back when I was still the head of the Heavenly Demon Church.

It was said that the battalion's lodgings were blown away thanks to the rampage of the energetic subordinates.

After receiving the report from Gwihyeonsa right before I left work, I had to worry about solutions and follow-up measures until the next morning.

I, too, was so feverish that I personally visited their unit and caused a stir. For Cariclo, the sudden loss of work and the trouble maker who brought it couldn't be looked upon well.

However, seeing her smile and welcome me, I could only guess that the years she had been serving as a hostess in the Forest of Heroes were not ordinary years.

"Hehe, but I'm glad that the little hero who came in this time is at least kind. "Hercules and Theseus laugh proudly, saying that a man needs to build a building or two with confidence."

"Did you keep him alive?"

"They didn't feed me for three days, and then I came and prayed."

As expected, it is not a common intention.

Not bombing Wonsan for three days and nights, but ending the corporal punishment by starving for three days?

Kariklo was a clerical worker with enough patience and compassion to earn my respect.

"Your mercy is comparable to that of Hestia."

"Does it seem that way to you?"

Starving children can be seen as sufficiently harsh corporal punishment from a 21st century perspective.

Considering that those guys who starved for three days had the incredible strength to completely destroy a building, even 21st century thinking could see it as a reasonable corporal punishment.

"Right. Ask your mother! "If everyone's riddles aren't solved until the end, they'll all be brought to Kariklo's mother!"

"Riddle? Oh, did Hermes come and go? "He said he would send a messenger to Olympus when he came!"

Hermes... Why did he burst his eyes so excessively that he disappeared in an instant?

I guess I ran away because I was afraid that if I got caught by Kariklo, I would have more work to do.

The mountain of scrolls and slates that filled the desk shook precariously due to Chariklo's anger as he slammed down on the desk.

At this point, it would be dangerous to leisurely ask someone to solve the riddle.

"You're busy with work, so it might be difficult to ask you to lighten my load."

"...You're unusually thoughtful for kids your age. "I understand why Atalanta fell in love with it in just one day."

"Mom!"

Atalanta and Chariklo are giggling and fighting each other.

After all, a daughter and a mother should look like that.

As she nodded her head and quietly watched the mother and daughter, Atalanta slipped out of Chariklo's arms and wrapped her arms around hers.

"Then I'll go!"

"Okay, I'll be busy looking around this forest. "Hurry up and go."

"Then I'll see you later."

As I was about to say hello to Chariklo, who was once again in office mode, an idea suddenly popped into my head.

"Why don't you contact the Cyclops?"

I vaguely remember that the one-eyed giants and Cyclops were as good blacksmiths as Hephaestus.

It is said that they were the ones who originally forged the three gods of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, the current three great gods of Olympus.

In addition, Chiron and the Cyclops, who were born from Cronus and had a history of being equally hated by him, might have surprisingly gotten along well.

"The three Cyclops brothers?"

"They are originally blacksmiths, but I heard that there is nothing they can't create if they pick up a hammer. "Maybe it's possible?"

As if he hadn't even thought about my suggestion, Kari Claw rested his chin and started calculating things.

"It's a Cyclops... I'll have to think about it. Come to think of it, Hephaestus said that when Hephaestus moved to Mount Etna, he also retired and settled in Sicily... Polyphemon!"

From what I heard, Chiron and Chariklo are immortals who are respected even by the gods of Olympus.

They said that the Colosseum where we used hammocks was also a gift from Ares, so I wondered if they might reach out to them as well, but fortunately it seems to have worked well.

"Then let's go!"

"Take care!"

Leaving behind Chariklo, who had begun to bury himself in the stone tablets and scrolls again, Atalanta and I busily looked around the Forest of Heroes.

"To the north, there is a centaur camp guarding the entrance to the forest, the nymphs stay in Chariklo's domain in the center of the forest we saw earlier, and we also stay in the central residential area next to it."

"Yes, the place I was busy passing by earlier?"

Like a package tour guide, Atalanta happily walked through the forest with her arms around me.

As I was walking around arm in arm with a pretty girl who could easily be compared to a goddess, nymphs, centaurs, and all kinds of minor heroes either cheered or gave me jealous looks.

What is more important than such small things is that Atalanta is the second person who makes me realize change.

"Hey there! New stuff has arrived at Hermes Market!"

"Go slow, you'll fall."

"I said I don't have time for that!"

When that small hand pulled me in, and as I watched my body being dragged away, I realized that although I had lost my martial arts skills and my body, the responsibility that had been placed on me had also disappeared.

"Um, who is that pretty girl?"

"Atalanta? Are you not Atalanta?"

"W-wow... Ha, shall we try talking to you?"

"Hey, be quiet. The boy next to you is Dianes, a freshman."

"How... He's so handsome..."

"...Tsk. He's like a gisaeng brother."

The envy and jealous looks coming from people around me made me realize that I was no longer an absolute person who aroused fear and awe, but a small child who could laugh and talk normally.

"Dianes? What's wrong? Are you having a hard time?"

"...No, nothing"

The crazy feeling of alienation and emptiness I felt when I first set foot in this forest.

That feeling of emptiness is slowly being pushed away and replaced by something else.

They were a variety of unfamiliar emotions that I thought I had already buried in my past life.

As I walked behind the beautiful huntress, dazed by the vivid emotions I had never experienced in the strict orphanage.

Before we knew it, we were sitting on the main road in the middle of the forest where we had held our last feast.

"Hehe..! Hehe...! "This is the end!"

"So you said you were running around too much."

Atalanta, who was running cheerfully with me pulling her to the rhythm of what was so exciting, was exhausted at the end.

What made it worth it was that the Forest of Heroes was a forest, and was almost reminiscent of an ordinary polis.

It is divided into twelve blessed zones, each named after the gods of Olympus, and is classified into training zone, commercial zone, and academic zone according to its function.

The eastern training area includes Ares' Colosseum, Athena's tactical field, and Artemis' hunting ground.

The western commercial area included Hephaestus' blacksmith shop, Hermes' market, and Demeter's farm.

In the southern academic area, there was the Forest of Art blessed by Apollo and Aphrodite's Lake of Love.

"Heh...Heh...He. And finally, the main altar in the center. "It is the place where Hestia herself kindled the eternal flame."

I thought it was strange that the fire in the central brazier was burning warmly even though there was no one there.

Was this the domain of the goddess of the hearth?

As I absentmindedly looked back at the fire warming my back, Atalanta, who had caught her breath, slowly approached me and put her sparkling face in front of me.

"How was it?"

Atalanta asked me with a bright smile, like a puppy seeking praise from its owner or a child seeking praise from its parents.

◈ Chapter 41 - Torrent

"Hmm..."

"For a moment!"

Before I could open my mouth to say anything, a sweet chocolate-colored hand covered my mouth, probably because I had eaten the honey bread earlier.

"...?"

"There is one place I haven't been to yet."

Atalanta smiled brightly, saying that she would listen to her thoughts, and pulled her hand again.

"Are you going to that beach?"

"Huh! "Poseidon Beach at dusk is really pretty."

We left Hestia's fireside and walked again.

Perhaps it was time to get off work, but the little heroes who had finished their classes and the nymphs and centaurs who had finished their work were gathered in groups of twos and threes and were moving to their lodgings or leisure activities.

Atalanta frowned at the crowd she saw from a distance, as if she felt uncomfortable for some reason.

"Ugh...! "Ho, do you hate forest trails?"

"No? Why?"

"That...Uhhh..."

Atalanta was looking at where she was looking, and when she followed her gaze, there was a room at the end of the room where a beautiful girl was leading the crowd.

She was said to be a pretty girl, so she seemed like a very snobbish person, but even in the forest of heroes filled with all kinds of pretty boys and girls, Five was so beautiful that she was definitely one of the few.

If Atalanta is a vibrant sports world, should those five people be considered an idol group?

Even hot pink, fluorescent color, deep blue, ultra violet, and blood red.

If you order it at a beauty salon, the store clerk will ask you to sign a form saying that you will not receive after-sales service.

"Where are you looking?"

"Isn't that what they dyed?"

"...What? Dyeing?"

"Do you mean that's natural body hair?"

"So what do you mean? "Is there a way to change just the hair color?"

Oh my god.

Judging by the fact that he doesn't even feel the unique energy of nymphs, he is at least a student at the Forest of Heroes, and his hair color was hot pink and blood red when he was born?

"I feel like I'm going to get motion sick."

"...They are demigods from the lineage of Aphrodite and Ares. "They are the most popular idiots in the forest."

Even though Atalanta didn't like the fact that I was paying attention to them, she was strangely surprised by the fact that the reason for my attention was different from Young's own thoughts, and she looked strangely disappointed.

"Unlucky guys who only believe in my beauty and power and cause trouble to everyone. I can't believe how much I suffered because of them..."

"It looks like you don't get along well with them?"

"Hmph, Gu Heo-heon is talking behind my back and arguing with me. "There's no reason to look at it positively, right?"

Atalanta, who calls herself the daughter of Artemis, far surpasses them in both her strength and her beauty.

She must have been blind to those idols.

So it is said that her daughters of Ares attacked her at every turn, including ambushing her and setting traps in her hunting grounds at night, and her daughters of Aphrodite gossiping behind her back and spreading false rumors.

"But then, after getting beaten up during combat practice, I became a little quiet."

Ugh, it's the Forest of Heroes. No matter what, it's ultimately a place where people live.

I burst out laughing as I suddenly felt like the genre had changed from the old mythological world to a teen drama.

"Then what should we do? Should I go back?"

"...Why? Why don't you go and have a chat?"

Did Atalanta offend Atalanta by being momentarily distracted by the group of five people with such unconventional hair colors?

Atalanta, who had been sparkling with excitement like a puppy out for a walk earlier, turned her gaze towards her with a blatant sulk.

'Hmm... What should I do?'

Atalanta is now upset and standing like this.

If I were to encounter that group of five people and their followers now, the atmosphere would definitely become strange.

I didn't want the day, which was about to end on a good note due to the human emotions that I finally encountered again after three lives, being disrupted by the children's silly fights.

"Atalanta"

"Joy! What? "Go quickly!"

"Okay?"

Out of anger, I told him to go, but would I really go? As I answered with a nuance of, the twilight-colored dress flinched and shook.

"Then let's go?"

"Go, go? Why do I need to water again...Kwaaaaa!?"

Sigh.

I lightly held Atalanta in both hands.

In the so-called princess hug position.

"What are you doing?!"

"Why? "You said you were going?"

I joked lightly and kicked my legs lightly.

Atalanta, who was hugged by me and quickly moved from the middle of the road to a tree in the forest next to the road, was surprised and her eyes widened.

"Wow!"

"Bite your tongue. "Don't open your mouth."

"No, wait! "What are you doing?!"

"If we fight pointlessly, the day will go by. "I felt good, but I didn't want to get into an argument for no reason."

Just as Atalanta is excited and running around, I also feel strangely intoxicated by the way her head is fluttering around.

Is it because the body of a young person is full of blood, contrary to the contents that have been soaked as expected?

Or maybe it was just this feeling that tickled her chest for the first time in a long time.

Or maybe it's because of this red-haired female hunter who goes so well with this beautiful time of twilight that even debating it is meaningless.

Without realizing it, I was running through the forest with Atalanta in my arms, feeling anxious as if my impulses had overtaken my reason.

"The smell of the sea is... This way!"

"Wow! Uh, how did you do that!?"

From thick tree branches to young leaves, my steps lightly crush them with the tip of my toes and release a new form with the recoil.

Atalanta forgot that she was upset and ran up to me in surprise.

"Uh, huh? "Stay still!"

"Uh? Wow!"

She even struggled while floating her body in the air and almost fell, and then she calmed down a little, but her eyes were still full of questions she wanted to ask about the movements I showed.

"We're here!"

"Wow... It's quiet, but it's also fast...!"

Mangyangbo, who I currently use as my main weapon, was one of the best fighters in the school in terms of speed and stealth. However, because of this, it had the drawback of being easily shaken by small disturbances, just like before.

Since it focuses on hiding and hiding, it can be said that its durability is relatively low.

Now that I have a new power called Shinmagi, the time is approaching to test it out and learn more ascending techniques.

"Hey, Dianes..."

Atalanta, who was quietly wrapping her arms around my neck like a cat in her arms, quietly called to me.

I smiled at her as she looked up at me with her sparkling eyes, as if I had honey in my mouth, and put her down carefully.

"Do you want me to teach you?"

"Can you teach me?"

Atalanta looked up at me while holding me tight as if she had been waiting, like a puppy waiting for a snack after a walk.

It's innocent, it's cute, and it makes me want to tease you so much.

"Well?"

"Eh?"

Let's admit it.

I'm drunk now.

Even though I didn't drink a single drop of alcohol, I was out of my mind as if I had drunk a whole bucket of strong liquor.

My head felt dizzy and dizzy, and my heart was pumping like it was going to explode, just like the time I drank soju for the first time.

Like a runaway locomotive or a sports car with its transmission pulled out.

Normally, I would have just politely looked at Atalanta's aptitude and talent and thought about what to teach her.

Even if it weren't for her energetic beauty or Hera, Atalanta's body had so much potential that it couldn't be understood unless she was a child of God.

However, I just laughed and made fun of this puppy-like girl at her mischievous behavior.

"First of all, guide, I must remind you that your duties are not yet finished."

"Is it like this?"

"What? "Let's finish the epic journey called the Forest of Heroes, which we worked hard on all day today, with a clean finish?"

What would the Twelve God Demons say if they saw me?

What if it's Gwihyeonsa Temple or the Four Heavenly Kings?

I was mischievous, immature, and pure enough to never think that I was the absolute ruler of all worlds who reigned as the lord of all demons.

As if I had thrown away all sorts of pretense and baggage, willingly surrendering myself to a refreshing feeling of liberation, I reached out my hand to Atalanta.

"Just like you said, it's a really beautiful beach."

"...Yes?"

For some reason, Atalanta and I, who no longer held my hand calmly, walked slowly along the sandy beach, feeling the cool sea breeze.

Did you say it was Poseidon Beach?

Come to think of it, Hermes said earlier that along with Ares and Hera, Poseidon has a crush on me, right?

It wasn't a coincidence that whenever I diligently practiced spearmanship on the beach of Passos Island, king tuna would be carried by the waves, right?

Now that I think about it, when I first received tuna, there was someone who liked it more than me.

"What are you thinking, smiling like that?"

When I suddenly smiled, Atalanta asked me as if she was puzzled.

"Well, there's a kid that comes to mind when I think of the sea."

A young nymph with soft, silvery hair, like white waves crashing in the twilight.

To be honest, there was nothing particularly memorable about the temple of Zeus, where the children were controlled in a semi-military manner, and the island of Passos, where they were tied up.

If there's one memory from Passos that sticks out clearly in my memory, it's that innocent fairy who was always waiting for me on the beach.

"When I was in Passos, it was this beautiful twilight, moonless night."

The last day of the year was the perfect day to practice magic, so it was the time when I would leave my lodgings and practice at the training ground in the forest.

"Suddenly, I felt an unfamiliar presence beyond the forest, so I quietly followed the sound, wondering if there was a wild animal that I hadn't caught yet."

At first, I thought it was a moon nymph or a nymph of Artemis, which I had only heard about through rumors.

However, the moon was forgotten by the ocean-like scent she gave off and the blue-tinged silver hair.

Thanks to her soon revealing her identity, I learned that she was a four-lace nymph.

"...Is it a girl?"

"Well, I said she was a Nereid nymph. Sisters of a thousand waves. After we met like that, I think we stuck together almost from childhood until we left Passos. "The last time we broke up, it was a bit bad."

Are you doing well now?

By the time I smiled again, intoxicated by the scent of small childhood memories.

Atalanta tugged at the hem of my clothes.

"A Nereid nymph?"

"Yes, I did."

"You have silver hair with a hint of blue?"

"...How did you know that?

Is this a characteristic of Nereid nymphs?

"Are you a little shorter than me?"

"How specific is your question?"

"There"

For some reason, I was puzzled by Atalanta's voice trembling as the questions continued.

Atalanta raised her hand and pointed to the wavy sea.

"...Uh?"

And on the waves pointed by the tip of that finger.

A beautiful nymph with flowing silver hair was smiling brightly at me.

"Neri...?"

"Dianes!"

Nereid nymph.

The youngest of a thousand waves.

And my first relationship smiled brightly at me and ran towards me.

◈ Chapter 42 - Interlude: Sisters of a Thousand Waves

You can avoid the eyes of Hermes, but you cannot avoid the word of mouth of the nymphs.

It was a commonly used phrase between Greek heroes and gods.

They live much longer than humans and are much more widespread than humans.

This is because when two people meet, they instantly add squares to squares and share and spread all kinds of stories about the land of Greece.

They are flowers, trees, and the wind that steals the traveler's forehead.

Their smiles are reflected in the rocks of high mountains, the streams and rivers that flow throughout the land, and the texture of the white waves that carry sailors.

Nymphs sometimes portray beautiful love with heroes, and sometimes cause trouble with mischievous pranks.

Among those nymphs, there are special ones.

They were the daughters of the distant sea, the Sisters of the Thousand Waves, called Nereis Nymphs.

They were not spirits that dwelled in trees and wind like other nymphs.

Now, they are the daughters of Oceanus, who passed on the throne of the Aegean Sea to Poseidon and protect the vast and treacherous sea named after them.

Their mother is the goddess Tetus, the ancient witch of the deep sea, the woman of clear water, and the nurturer of the beginning.

Their proudest sister, the sea goddess Amphitrite, is the queen who shares the throne with Poseidon, the ruler of the sea.

Her Hera, the queen of Olympus, always treated her daughters, her own adoptive father and her adoptive mother, with such care that no god or hero could treat them carelessly.

In fact, there was an incident where Queen Cassiopeia of Ethiopia arrogantly dared to say that her own beauty was better than that of her sisters of a thousand waves.

At this, the women who were singing on the beach blushed at the unprecedented humiliation, and reported it to their brother-in-law and sister.

Amphitrite's eyes rolled back at the fact that her own sisters were humiliated, and the fact that her Thousand Sisters were humiliated meant that her own companion was also humiliated by a mere mortal. Poseidon was also very angry.

Because of the sin of having a foolish queen, Ethiopia was in danger of being destroyed by constant deep-sea monsters and huge tsunamis.

In the end, Ethiopia was saved by the hero Perseus, and princess Andromeda, who was almost sacrificed, lived happily as the hero's companion...

After the incident is completed, may Amphitrite and Poseidon reveal it publicly on Olympus.

If they had not punished Ethiopia and the arrogant Cassiopeia in their own way, the ancient sea giant, who sinks far away in the sea of suffering, would have come up to the land of Greece in person.

He told Zeus that he would have imprisoned all those who insulted his daughters and anyone even remotely related to them, and asked the god to protect the sea princesses so that they could be safe from any threats.

Accordingly, Zeus, through his authority and as the ruler of Olympus, declared that any god or hero who harmed them would taste his thunderbolt.

Since then, all great heroes, powerful monsters, and even foreign races have only admired the beautiful women singing in the sea from far away.

The reason they didn't even dare to think of approaching them wasn't because of their boldness.

"Therefore! "We should go!"

A sunken ship in the deep sea near Messenia.

Cried her queen, the nymph Galatea, to her sisters, wearing the blue tracksuit that her mother Tethys had personally knitted for her.

Her most powerful sister, Amphitrite, became Poseidon's companion, after her second sister Thetis, who inherited her mother's name, stepped down to take over her mother's secret arts.

She, the head of the Sisterhood of Her Thousand Waves, has called her Sisters of the Sea under her own authority for the first time in hundreds of years to the sea of Messenia.

Thanks to this, the nearby fishermen and sailors were troubled by the sudden current, but they did not dare to complain to the girls who had the ruler of the sea and the old sea giant at their side.

Anyway, Amphitrite, the leader of the thousand waves, stood at the head of the magnificent sunken ship buried in the deep sea and raised her voice.

"Aphrodite said that those who are courageous will become heroes!"

-That's right! That's right! That's right!

"All heroes are too small and do not come even close to us. "We have no choice but to go!"

-That's right! That's right! That's right!

The beautiful daughters of Oceanus, numbering a hundred in number, waved their arms and sang again at the commands of the queen who stood at her head.

"Proud sisters! What do we lack compared to the nymphs of the earth!

How long are we going to pay attention to the proud love stories of those flowers and trees?"

Compared to other goddesses, their authority was not low.

Even when compared to any other nymph, their beauty was above and beyond.

"But why do we not receive Aphrodite's grace and feel so lonely!"

At the queen's heartbreaking cry, more than a hundred cow goddesses lowered their heads.

"I didn't know her brother-in-law and sister could spit fire like that..."

"Who knew that I would ask Zeus for protection..."

"Honestly, it's a shame that her mother stopped her from telling her father..."

Absolute protection proclaimed by the god of Olympus and the ruler of the sea.

In addition, the ruler of Oceanos, the sea of suffering, stands behind them.

They were able to travel freely in any sea, but thanks to this, no hero or god dared approach them...

These girls, who were in the prime of their age(?), Were unintentionally in the middle of a wild, poisonous workshop.

Fortunately, some of the sisters were doing well, telling love stories with the gods.

Nevertheless, most of the Pado sisters spent their sad nights just listening to other nymphs' love stories and imagining that they would one day walk along the beach with a handsome young man, as if they had never experienced romantic relationships.

"But now your chance has come! "Everyone knows Dianeth, the little hero who will be the companion of our beloved youngest child, Nesneria, right?"

Of course you don't know.

The proud youngest child who succeeded in hunting a man(?) For the first time in hundreds of years.

The opponents are not even gods who regard them as a one-night stand, or ignorant and powerful monsters who cannot even understand the promises of the gods.

He is a young boy of the same age as me, and he is also handsome and, according to the nymphs of the forest, a powerful little hero who can rival Hercules.

The nymphs, who were worried that their beloved youngest child might have been taken away by a strange man, took a moment to congratulate their youngest child on their love.

In the meantime, he worked hard to decorate Neri for the perfect reunion between him and his younger brother, who left Pasos Island, and continued to communicate with the nymphs of the Heroic Forest to plan the most perfect moment.

Under the protection of Athena, inspiration flashed in the mind of the nymph queen Galatea.

"Today, we create the perfect reunion of our youngest members!"

And when Neri and the target become friends, they contact Diane under the pretext of checking on the youngest child's lover.

Gradually increase your intimacy, eventually arranging a meeting with other men from the Forest of Heroes!

The Queen's speech, filled with unprecedented passion, enraptured her hundred or so sisters.

The current operation was reaching its peak.

"The target and the youngest came into contact!"

"What is the youngest's reaction?"

"I think I'm the only one who can see you?"

"It's a good time..."

The nymphs monitored the situation in real time, mobilizing their powers from afar and mobilizing all kinds of information sources for fear of being disturbed.

It was a moment when everyone shed tears at the sight of the young lovers who had been forced to separate by the call of fate, but were eventually reunited thanks to the nymph's passion and love.

"Uh?"

"What's wrong, twenty-second!"

"...Next to my prospective ancestor..."

"It's a woman! "There's a woman!"

-What!?

About a hundred nymphs, including the queen, screamed at the sudden appearance of the reef.

-Ssssshh!

Their voices are like the currents of the sea.

In response to their astonishment, the sea swept the shore with waves the size of a cluster.

The lovers who were embracing each other carefully, and the woman behind them with a spark of jealousy in her eyes, were swept away in an instant.

"Uh! "They were all blown away by the big wave!"

"Great! "Where are you going to touch our youngest prey!"

"I'm reaching your father!"

"Hey, that's a bit..."

Anyway, while her sisters were cheering that she had defeated the spunky human woman who had taken her youngest lover's side, Galatea held her face and sighed.

"What the heck..."

"What's wrong, sister?"

The queen gritted her teeth, glaring sharply at her sister, who cheered without her notice and tried to open her glass of Dionysus wine.

"Did that take a hit?!"

"Eh?"

When Galatea suddenly lost her temper, everyone around her was confused and did not know what was going on.

Soon, everyone could not keep their mouths shut at the sight of the two lovers and an intruder on the shore where the waves had subsided.

"Pontos, my God! "In fact, it's like helping!"

◈ Chapter 43 - Fairy and Hunter

Nesneria, nicknamed Neri.

If I think about what this little sea spirit means to me, it is probably my first relationship in this life.

It could be said that it was the only color that painted the dreary life in the orphanage.

Greece itself was a place where wars were frequent and accidents occurred frequently, so orphans were as common as stones on the streets.

Among these, the children who were taken as workers on small farms were fortunate, but they were often kidnapped and sold as slaves far away.

Meanwhile, I was very fortunate to have been entrusted to a proper temple of Zeus.

First of all, I was able to eat properly three times a day, and I was able to learn writing and other things from priests who were good at theology and mathematics.

I was disgusted by the fact that all three lives started in an orphanage, but looking at it objectively, that's true.

However, orphanages in ancient Greece had no concept of children's rights, so they had no choice but to be strict, and the orphans were busy working so hard that they had no time to pay attention in the tight atmosphere, almost reminiscent of the military.

I, too, only gave permission for some independent action after the priests saw Poseidon's gift and miracles at the Temple of Ares.

You can see how strict and stifling the ethos is.

Plus, his mental age is so different from other guys. There was a guy who would argue with me about everything and talk to me about whether he was Talus or Talus, but I felt like I was dealing with kids so I didn't even have a relationship that could be considered a friend.

I was dropped into a different and unfamiliar world, but in the end, I spent my childhood in Greece thinking nothing of starting an orphanage.

Neri came into my daily life like a morning star in the night sky.

She, the spirit of the sea, always walked with me, quietly standing next to me whenever I walked out of the orphanage.

When I danced with a pole and a wooden sword, he toddled around imitating me and fell into his own grass several times and cried.

As if I was living on a whim, as if I was lost in a lucid dream.

A white wave suddenly seeped into my field of vision as I took a step back and was living a decent life.

To me, Nesneria was that kind of being.

And suddenly her arms wrapped around me again, the scent, the perfume.

My reason, which was already slightly paralyzed, and my emotions, which were running wild, froze at the same time.

"Neri!"

"Kyaaa! "Just barely, barely, we met again!"

When Neri was reunited again, it was only for a moment, but it was unrecognizable.

Where are the spotless white miniskirts and other activewear I always wear?

The clothes decorated with bright blue silk and blue jewel brooches, like a shimmering blue sea, matched her pure white skin and were as beautiful as looking at soft waves.

The tiara decorated with pearls and coral made her young purple silver hair shine even more.

And those innocent blue eyes that overwhelm everything made me say that she was truly a sea fairy.

-Wow!

"Huh?!"

Hehe...! "We met again, again..."

As if she would never let go again, Neri's white arms wrapped around my back, and she buried her face in my chest, rubbing it, causing her purple-silver hair to wave.

Neri, who was sobbing softly while covering her face, seemed to think of me so much that I was about to slowly hug her.

"For a moment! "What are you doing?"

Suddenly, a sharp voice came from behind and a strong arm grabbed my arm as I was trying to hug Neri.

"...Huh?"

"Ah, Atalanta..."

It had been a long time since they had reunited, to be exact, it had been less than two weeks, but Neri looked up in surprise at Atalanta who had invaded the reunion.

I suddenly came back to my senses when I saw Atalanta glaring at me and Neri, almost ready to tear off my arm.

"You, you...!"

With her face as bright as the sun slowly sinking beneath the sea, Atalanta trembled and glared at me and Neri alternately.

The emotions reflected in those red eyes are shock, sadness, and jealousy.

'...Aiko'

I couldn't help but feel a sigh of relief as I saw those eyes filled with sorrow.

Atalanta was showing me feelings that went beyond liking, perhaps because of her experience in the world of images the day before.

As I also looked back on this new human feeling, I realized that she had something more than just a crush on her.

That's why I tried to end the day with a date course filled with drama clichés, such as a walk on the beach at sunset when the reins were loose.

She was very happy about this too, and she was in a good mood.

From Atalanta's perspective, it was as if a third party had suddenly intervened.

So, I thought I would drop Neri and take the time to introduce each other...

"Who are you! "How dare you come in here!"

"Me? Nesneria. "What are you interfering with?"

"I didn't ask your name!"

I couldn't help but be in awe of the energy of the two beautiful girls growling at each other with fire in their eyes.

What should I do with this situation?...

It was just as I was about to compose myself again and open my mouth.

-Shoot!

"Huh?"

"Aaaaah!"

"Wow!"

Suddenly, a large wave crashed in and swept me, Neri, and Atalanta, who were entangled here and there, and threw them far away.

"Ugh! Puheup!?"

"Cough! D, Dianes?!"

"Huh? Uh? Huh?!"

In an instant, the salty sea water hit my eyes, nose, and mouth as the waves crashed in, and I was soaked from head to toe.

However, in the meantime, I pulled them into my arms, afraid that they might get swept away by the waves.

Did he get swept away by the waves and take a couple of laps on the sandy beach?

-Ssssshh...

As the waves receded, the three of us were finally able to slowly open our eyes.

"Whoa! "Suddenly it was a big wave!"

No, to be exact, the only ones who were distracted were Atalanta and me.

It's because she's so naive and naive, but Neri is definitely a Nereid nymph.

She was a nymph and both her parents were sea gods, so she could not get even a single hem of her clothes wet unless she allowed herself to be.

Finally, Neri rolled out of my arms, bouncing in the waves, but while I was holding her hand, Neri, who was holding her arms tightly as if hugging a doll, jumped up with a bright smile on her face.

"Haha...That's right...Huh?!"

Just as I was trying to get up along with Neri.

Something soft and warm touched my face.

"Uh..Huh? "Huh?"

"Uh? "W-wait a minute?!"

Soft brown skin texture that is warm, soft, and strangely elastic.

Blurry muscle outlines without a single small scar and even a cute belly button in the middle.

Only after I raised my gaze to that point did I slowly begin to understand what the current situation was like.

Atalanta's loose clothes were rolled up on her stomach, and Atalanta was afraid that she would lose me in the waves, so she hugged my head in her hands and tied my chest with her legs.

"Cough! Dianes!? Are you okay?"

"Uh...That's..."

Atalanta, who spat out her water and came to her senses, grabbed my face in her own arms and looked around.

The only problem is that in the eyes of others, both I and Atalanta are in a very manly state.

"Away!"

"Aaaaah! This!?"

Neri suddenly launched her body and pushed Atalanta away, and Atalanta shrieked at her sudden surprise attack, but quickly turned her body to avoid it.

"Iik!"

"Hmm...!"

In an instant, the sea nymph and the huntress of Artemis were confronting each other with me in between.

I could only lament over and over again as I was caught between two pretty girls who were burning with fierce hostility toward each other.

"Hey, guys?"

"Dianes! "He's bullying me!"

"This again!"

Neri, with tears in her eyes, hugged me like she would sometimes run away from her mischievous sisters' pranks, but Atalanta, who had no intention of letting her see this, gnashed her teeth and swatted her away.

No, I tried to hit it.

"Eight!"

"Uh?"

As Atalanta grabbed her outstretched arm, Neri twisted her arm and pulled her, distracting her center of gravity.

It was the moment when Neri tried to trip Atalanta, who was staggering, in a neat and clean technique without any unnecessary elements.

-Bang!

Atalanta withstood Neri's counterattack by landing on the ground as she tried to fall.

Neri's eyes widened, as if she hadn't expected that to happen, and Atalanta glared at her fiercely.

"Uh?"

"Joy! Where... Nymphs should sing like nymphs!"

Growling softly as if she were a wounded leopard, Atalanta twisted her wrist and snatched Neri's arm, pulling him back with her.

"Huh? Kyaaa-"

"Stop"

If left as is, Atalanta was ready to throw Neri to the ground.

Despite the ferocious force of the two, I got between them and forced their hands apart.

"Let go! Dianes!"

"Why are you stopping me!?"

"Hey, guys? Just calm down first..."

"What is he that won't let me hug you!"

"Dianes, please explain properly. "What is this nymph saying now?"

...How do I do this?

◈ Chapter 44 - ...What Should I Really Do?

Now, let's look at my condition.

Overhead, the hem of night flutters, covering the blue sky.

Below your feet, silky white sand tickles your toes.

If you look up and look ahead, you will see the dark blue sea rippling in the waves, watching the fading sunset.

The sweet sea breeze that coolly wipes the sweat-soaked nape of the neck will turn any tree or stone into a poet, immersed in sentiment.

"Growl!"

"Hmm...!"

However, if you take a step forward.

You will understand why a great British writer said that life is a comedy when seen from afar, and a farce when viewed up close.

One way or another, it would be funny.

The sea in front of my eyes is a swamp that I don't know when it will swallow me up.

On both sides of me, there were beautiful girls with strong power and backgrounds, with me surrounded by them, and were growling at each other.

"Hey, guys?"

If I were to try my best to sort out this situation somehow...

"You stay still"

"What should I say to my child?"

"Who's who's kid!"

"My sister said that. "The person you love must be cherished and protected like a baby!"

"What!?"

I decided to think about how to teach romantic relationships under the sea later.

It has been like this ever since I was swept away by the wave earlier.

Fortunately, it was still hot in early summer, so it was nice to feel the sea breeze and dry my body.

My clothes showed no sign of drying due to cold sweat from the pressure of the flowers in both hands, or rather, the sea kings and mountains that surrounded me.

"So... You're saying we grew up together on Passos Island?"

"Yes?"

"That's right! An inseparable bond! "Dia loves me so much!"

What should I say?

If Neri was a Chihuahua who was worried about losing his bone, Atalanta was a Doberman who was worried about how to cook the bone.

Even if the Chihuahua eagerly hugs her bone and squeals, to the Doberman, the bone and the Chihuahua are just the same thing as a bite.

However, the Chihuahua holding the bone she had raised in her hand was so rebellious that she seemed to be getting irritated.

'But that Chihuahua is not an ordinary Chihuahua...'

If the situation arises, he might bite it, and if the Chihuahua turns over while crying, the entire area could literally become a waste.

From what I heard, Neri was the youngest of about a hundred sisters, and both her father and mother were said to be very pretty, not to mention the other hundred sisters.

There were times when the bullies who messed with Neri got sucked into the waves and came out unconscious.

It was famous in Passos that a foolish back-alley king was found drowned after plotting something with his gang after being told he was a nymph.

'We have to somehow mediate between the two...!'

Otherwise, one of the two could actually become a big hit...!

"Neri? "Is that your name?"

"Nesneria! Don't call me that name! "I never gave permission!"

"Uh? Wait a minute, then Dia is...?"

"Dianes is Dia! Don't call me this either! Dia never gave me permission!"

Even though she was a nymph who had already gone through a coming-of-age ceremony, Neri looked particularly young, and her innocent words and actions made her look even more like a child.

Because of that, I also accepted Neri, who was constantly clinging to me, and Atalanta was also wary of her sudden appearance, but her anger seemed to be gradually subsiding at the sight of her childish tantrum.

"Ugh... I don't know what I'm doing with the kid..."

He was very wary that someone might grab the bone he wanted, but the Doberman seemed to sigh and back away when he saw that the opponent was such a petty Chihuahua.

"So, tell me in detail, what happened?"

"What are you talking about? Me and Dianes were planning to live together on Passos Island!

But the strange half-human and half-horse took him away at will!"

"Half-person, half-spoken? "You sure you're not talking about Master Chiron!?"

It was Atalanta who tried to interrogate me in the tone of her wife scolding her husband for cheating on her.

As expected, she was a hot-tempered hunter and her voice rose as she was struck by Chiron being called strangely.

If we look at the two of them bickering non-stop like that.

For some reason, I felt like I was becoming such an asshole that I just wanted to hang my head.

In my previous life, when I left the facility, my life was full of part-time jobs and gosiwon jobs to prepare for the qualification exam.

In my previous life, I was in the battlefield or in the office to conquer the martial arts group within the Demonic Cult.

There were women I spent the night with for a while, but there was no relationship that approached me like this.

Fortunately, the woman I wanted to give my heart to gave everything to her revenge and left without any way to catch her.

From then on, she seemed to have been wandering around the mountains because she was tired of everything.

'...Come to think of it'

How did I die?

"Hmm?"

A topic that I had never thought about before popped into my mind, but the question did not last long.

"Dianes?"

"Uh, huh?"

This is because Atalanta's grip entangled my wrists and arms as if I had been caught in a noose.

"So... Is everything he says true?"

"What, what?"

Atalanta was smiling at me with her blazing eyes, making the question of what my death was like seem trivial.

"What! We also danced together on the beach! We also held hands and explored the market together!

And again..."

Every time Atalanta uttered a single word, anger welled up inside her, and she rushed towards me in tears.

"Ephalus Hal... Hmm, Zeus' high priest personally gave us a betrothal oath!"

And then there's Neri, who delivers the final critical blow.

No, wait.

What?

"Neri?"

"What's the matter?"

Grandpa Epharos gave you an engagement oath?

No, when I was shocked to hear that she had gotten engaged without my knowledge, Neri just widened her eyes and tilted her head as if asking why.

"I do not remember?"

"No, what do you mean?"

First of all, this is Greece during the mythological era.

People are dying because of a lightly thrown joke.

It's a place where it would be better for me to die alone while drunk and muttering behind my back.

Especially in the case of oaths such as contracts, oaths, and promises, no matter how small the joke, I never mentioned it lightly because I didn't know who would be listening.

What's worse, is it that what the temple teaches is not to swear rashly or make promises you can't keep?

By the way, I said that Amman's body has become smaller, but the Heavenly Demon of the Jungwon, who treated gold powder washing and swearing with aphorisms as if they were gold, got engaged and forgot about it?

This cannot happen.

"You did it! I do not remember!?"

"Hey, Neri? "Can you calm down and talk to me step by step?"

Even if I look back and search through my memories of Amman, I have no memory of Neri and I having an engagement ceremony at the Temple of Zeus.

Even though the other kids don't know, Grandpa Eparos didn't even let me drink wine out of fear that I would get drunk and get punished somewhere else, so there's no way I wouldn't remember because the film was cut off.

This innocent fairy was so confident that she called me her fiancé.

-Aaaaahhh...!

"Ugh..Huuuuu..!"

Atalanta is almost squeezing my arm as if I will fly if she holds it like this, which is a bonus.

"So... A long time ago, Poseidon sent me a king tuna as pocket money! "Do you remember?"

"Oh, then?"

Obviously... Yes, after practicing the Gwangpungchakjak Spear on the beach for the third time. For some reason, Neri was holding a large tuna that was three times my size.

It was too big for two people to eat after grilling it on the spot, and they also had to worry about public opinion within the temple.

I took it with Neri and donated it to the temple.

Thanks to this, the orphans ate to their fill the giant tuna that even fishermen found difficult to catch and eat.

"However?"

"It was like that back then! "Epharos haha... Hmmm, the high priest said..."

'Dianes, Poseidon is blessing you and Nesneria. 'Treasure your relationship'

"You said so!"

So, you are my fiancé!

"Neri boasted and hugged my arm tightly.

"...Ha?"

"Hmm..."

Atalanta's hand, which was almost squeezing my arm, lost strength.

As expected, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at Neri's innocent delusion.

"Got it?"

"Okay... Still..."

"What? "What do you want to know?"

Atalanta seemed to understand what I meant and sighed, half in despair and half in confusion.

It must be outrageous that she was jealous of Neri and fought like that, even though she thought her mental age was like a 10-year-old child.

"Whew... First of all, Neri, it's nice to see you again."

As soon as we met again, a series of major accidents occurred, but it was still a very happy event for me to meet Neri again.

"Hehe... Really?"

"Okay, then shall we introduce ourselves again? "This is Atalanta, she is my senior in the Forest of Heroes, and she is my guide today."

"...What are you doing now?"

"Just adjust it a little bit first."

I'm not doing this to prevent you from being dragged into the sea.

When they suddenly tried to greet each other in a natural way, Atalanta frowned at her.

Whether it was a mutual agreement or leaving me in the wrong place on the Nice Boat, I had to avoid this place right now.

100%, there will be about 100 older sisters in the sea watching the youngest's love affair with their eyes lit up.

"Whooping! I am Nesneria. The woman of a thousand waves, the one who sings of the sea. Nice to meet you. Atalanta"

With her hands on her hips and her chest puffed out in triumph, Nes Neria looked like a child herself.

I thought she was cute too, so I just gently stroked her head.

Atalanta could only sigh, her face strangely bright.

"...My name is Atalanta, and I am the leader of the hunting party in the Forest of Heroes, Chariklo. She meets the Sister of a Thousand Waves."

Still, the opponent is a sea spirit born from a god and goddess couple.

Atalanta bowed politely to Neri.

"Yes, Atalanta. Who is Dia? "You understand now, right?"

"...Are you talking about childish play, unilaterally declaring an engagement without the other person's consent?"

"What?!"

...Of course, Atalanta did not go away quietly.

Still, it is fortunate that the forest fire has been reduced to a small blaze.

...But really, what should I do now?

◈ Chapter 45 - Taboos of the Forest

Dinner time when everyone gathers.

Although it is not as extravagant as the new student welcome banquet, anyone will be amazed when they see the dinner tables prepared throughout the square surrounding the large, burning bonfire of Hestia.

From a mountain of soft white bread, jujubes and olives marinated in honey, a salad topped with vegetables and cheese, a refreshing zaziki sauce made with yogurt, dill, and spices, and a steaming vegetable soup called Fasolada.

And when I turned my eyes to the fragrant smell wafting from the bonfire, I saw centaur chefs lighting a fire on a large charcoal grill and diligently grilling all the meat from land, sea, and air that one could think of in this era.

Against the background of a beautiful scene that makes one's stomach rumble just by standing there, their teacher Chiron called together the little heroes one by one.

As everyone gathered in front of him out of curiosity to see what was going on, a small silver girl, hidden by the size of a large centaur, was looking at them with sparkling eyes.

"Oh! "Who is he?!"

"So cute!"

"Wow... What is it? "Are you new?"

"Too young?"

"Still, she's a really pretty girl..."

It was about time to say a word while looking at the innocent silver-colored girl who stood out to both men and women.

Chiron introduced her to them in her booming voice.

"Nymph Nereis, Sister of the Thousand Waves, who graces this evening.

This is Nesneria. "Make sure everyone is welcome!"

"Hi! It's Nesneria! "It came from the sea!"

-...

The little heroes were astonished.

The muse of the deep sea, the daughter of Oceanus, the old man of the sea, the beautiful goddess protected by Zeus and Poseidon, is now here?

The little heroes, who already know the anecdote of Perseus and Andromeda well, are worried that if they disobey the little nymph, the entire forest will be swept away by a tidal wave.

In the case of men, half of them are wondering how to have a conversation with that beautiful nymph.

Women are half jealous of that cute and beautiful nymph and half want to hug her.

The dinner hall fell silent for a moment in shock.

However, surprises did not end there.

As soon as Chiron's introduction was over, the beautiful disaster ran off somewhere at a brisk pace and was caught in the black-haired little hero's arms.

"Hehe, Dia! "Did I do well?"

"...Okay, okay, I did well without being nervous."

Nes Neria smiling brightly and rubbing her white cheek against her Diane's face.

The appearance was like that of siblings with a large age difference, or lovers who grew up together from a young age.

Currently, Dianeth has been attracting a lot of attention in the Forest of Heroes, either in a good or a bad way.

A minor hero who sank the Hercules with a single blow using mysterious magic.

Most of them gave a refreshing blow to Hercules, who had been reigning as the tyrant of the forest, and there were some who felt refreshed.

There were some who blushed at her beauty, which would make her look like a pretty woman when dressed up nicely.

Among them, there were some who were jealous of the new person who suddenly entered the forest like a rolled stone and took everyone's attention.

The dinner room, which instantly became lively thanks to Nesneria's innocent words and actions, came back to life again.

Everyone, led by the women who can't resist anything cute, is gathering towards the new faces, Nesneria and Dianeth.

There were people who could not join in that atmosphere and moved out to the outskirts.

"What good is a gisaeng brother like that..."

"It must have been some kind of cowardly magic that defeated Hercules."

"Honestly, if we knew how, we could do it, right?"

"Atalanta prides herself on being the daughter of Artemis, but is she fawning over a hybrid whose lineage she doesn't even know?"

In fact, those who had seen the fight between Hercules and Dianes in person earlier could not help but acknowledge Dianes' inaction, even if they were jealous.

The sight of him turning over Hercules' body, making him see blood, and fighting head-on with his bare hands with Hercules, who turned the ground and tore open the air with just the aftermath of his fists, shows that he too deserves to become a great hero in the future. Because I was telling you.

However, they hid in a cave in the forest until dawn with the wine they had secretly stolen last night and fell asleep, and only after everything was over did they wake up and wander around.

"Sniff, leave it alone. Anyway, sooner or later it will all be revealed that it is all a bluff and a fraud."

"Yeah, right?"

"No matter how much you beat that stupid Hercules, will you be a match for the blue giant, the son of Poseidon?"

A dark blue-haired giant sitting at the head of the table, holding a jug of wine with one hand and drinking.

The minor hero, who was comparable to Hercules in terms of size and muscles alone, nodded to the group's flattery with his blue eyes sparkling insidiously.

The name is Orion.

He was the son of Poseidon and a hunter with the ability to walk on the sea.

In the sport of hunting, he was one of the most skilled men in the forest, and due to his strength and ability to walk on water, he was once considered a candidate for the next great hero despite his insidious and violent disposition.

However, after Hercules came in, they attacked him to clean up the ranks, and the entire gang, including Orion, suffered the humiliation of becoming paralyzed.

Then, as the so-called golden generation of heroes, led by Theseus and Jason, Atalanta, Asclepius, Orpheus, etc., Gathered in the forest, they were naturally looked at by everyone.

"Hmph, that strong idiot, if I hadn't been drunk at the time, no, if Zeus hadn't paid attention to that guy, I would have offered his head to my father."

-Bang!

The young giant slammed the jar on the table as if he was angry just thinking about it.

The gang nodded, pretending not to notice the fear clearly shaking in his eyes.

"Yeah, right! Honestly, would I be your opponent, who has hunted all kinds of wild beasts since childhood and fought on the seas with pirates from Chios and the Mediterranean?"

"That wild boar has tremendous strength, but fighting and power competition are different!"

"Seeing how you pushed Hercules like that even after drinking so much the day before.

"If we get it right, not only Hercules but also Theseus and Jason are nothing."

"Wouldn't that swindler, an orphan who doesn't even know who his parents are, be crushed with just one hand?"

Sensing that Orion was becoming uncomfortable, the gang did their best to appease him, and the corner of Orion's mouth twitched in satisfaction at the flattery.

Then, he slowly raised his head and at the end of his gaze, there was Atalanta, a beautiful female hunter, and Nesneria, a nymph as innocent as white waves.

"Hmm... After all, Atalanta deserves to hang out with a great hunter like me, not some crossbreed who doesn't know her lineage like that parasitic brother.

And the Nereid nymph? Joy! "Here is the son of Poseidon, and the spirit of the sea doesn't even say hello, and is being possessed by a hybrid like that?"

-Bad-duk!

Orion, who was gritting his teeth as if he didn't like it, suddenly got up from his seat as if he had a good idea.

"Anyway... Since the new person has only been in the forest for a few days and doesn't seem to know etiquette, shouldn't we hold a grand welcome ceremony in our own way?"

At those words, the group that had been flattering Orion all at once closed their mouths.

Yes, Orion is definitely strong.

For once, he was a man who was said to have the honor of participating in the war of the gods and was closest to the title of great hero.

However, there is a fact that everyone knows, even though he is trying hard to ignore it.

No matter how much he rationalized or covered his eyes, the difference between him and Hercules was very significant.

Orion's gang was looked down upon by other students, nymphs, and even centaurs due to their past of believing only in Orion and engaging in evil in the forest.

So they had no choice but to cling to Orion even more, so they worked hard to please him, but they weren't stupid either.

Welcome ceremony.

It was a term referring to the violence they used every time a new student arrived in the name of organizing the ranks.

In the middle of the night, when the other gang members are quietly summoned and surrounded, Orion comes in, showing off his large size like a champion in the Colosseum, and literally educates the new recruits.

Watching this, the gang spits and insults, and Orion literally steps on the new student.

The victim cannot say anything to Chiron because he cannot accept the insult of being treated so messily, and there is someone in the gang who is well versed in magic and uses a trick so that even Chiron and the nymphs cannot find him.

Chiron also only had a grudge, and he could not rebuke them.

Because of this, while Orion reigned in the forest, no one could challenge him or oppose him, and he and his gang ran free, causing all kinds of evil while avoiding Chiron's eyes.

However, when it was Hercules' turn, Orion grabbed his feet, his arms broken, and begged for his mercy.

In a final struggle, the gang that attacked Orion's command all at once also suffered the humiliation of having their limbs broken.

If even half of the power of Dianeth heard in the wind is true...

They might experience the nightmare of Hercules again.

"Huh? What are those eyes? Are you dissatisfied now?"

"Oh, no! No way!"

"Ha, but wouldn't it be a bit of a bad day today? Everyone is gathered, and Master Chiron is there too..."

The gang desperately tried to persuade Orion, but their leader had already been fired for a long time.

"Tsk, you cowards. "I'm ashamed that you are my subordinates."

"..."

The gang lowered their heads and gritted their teeth at Orion's face, which arrogantly laughed at them.

'After being hit by Hercules!'

'I'm desperately trying to avoid saying things like that...'

-Clink!

"Hi!?"

When Orion suddenly threw down the wine jar he was holding, the gang looked up in shock.

Then Orion was glaring at them with a red-faced face, growling fiercely.

"What are those reactions? "You guys really don't trust me now?"

"Oh, no!"

"It's just that I'm worried!"

The gang shakes their heads desperately.

Orion looked around at them, smiling in satisfaction at the fear toward himself revealed on their faces.

"Don't worry. "This time, I will make a clear plan and move."

As if guided by Athena, the giant smiled sinisterly, shaking his blue hair at the perfect plan that flashed in his head.

"No matter how much I run. "I'm just an orphan who doesn't even know what kind of low-class gods my parents are."

The giant's eyes as he spoke were focused on the white nymph who was smiling brightly without knowing anything in the center of the flower pot.

◈ Chapter 46 - Don't Worry, Sit Down

Hercules, perhaps surprisingly, had the style of grilling his own meat.

They didn't want us to see centaurs burning meat, so they took a whole grill and put it on our table.

A large piece of lamb is pounded and tenderized by hand, then torn apart with bare hands and placed on the grill.

"The sheep have been running around a lot, so they have to be beaten like this to make them edible."

"But did you really have to do that in front of everyone?"

Neri and others who were approaching me to talk to me were completely shocked by the bloody show of the great hero, who levitated a large piece of meat almost as big as a person in the air and delivered 10 consecutive strikes in an instant.

Because the four race nymphs are overprotected regardless of the sky or the sea, and Neri is the youngest among the four race nymphs who gets all the love from her sisters, she had no significant external contact other than her sisters and family until she met me. .

It was only after Neri's sisters heard from the forest nymphs on Passos Island that I was the one who conquered the forests and coast of Passos that Neri was allowed to engage in outside activities on Passos, as long as I accompanied her.

But this is the Forest of Heroes.

In Korea, it was a high-ranking city on the level of Daechi-dong and Cheongnam-dong, where golden spoons, children of all gods, princes of some place, and princesses of some place, studied under the centaur sage and various teachers.

At this rate, I thought it was a good place for Neri to make friends, so I sat here with the intention of making some friends with Neri and getting to know her a bit.

Amitabha Buddha in a bizarre and extreme dinner show where a piece of meat the size of an adult is struck and then torn apart with bare hands.

Even as I was wondering whether it was really a good idea to bring Neri, I looked at the pure white nymph with sparkling eyes next to Hercules, who was diligently turning the meat over while sprinkling salt and pepper.

I like it so much, but I don't even know what to think.

"Wow! It's a really big piece of meat! Sizzle! "It sounds delicious!"

"Look at this? Since she is an underwater princess, I thought she would hate land fish. "You have excellent eyes for meat, right?"

Seeing Neri running around her and drooling over her, Hercules chuckled cutely and handed her the spice salt he was holding.

"Ruler! "Princess, if I turn it over, I'll spray it there!"

"Like this?"

-Boo!

As soon as Neri received her bowl, she swung it over the meat as if threshing it.

Just as everyone was about to react to the innocent disaster, Hercules grinned.

"Uracha!"

There is one large piece of meat that swings around energetically.

It was truly a feat that took place in the blink of an eye.

Thanks to this, those sitting at the table avoided the disaster of falling to the ground from the pepper bomb.

The disaster of spice smoke turning a dinner party into an untimely chemical, biological and biological training ground could also have been convenient.

"Wow! "Every inch of the meat was seasoned well!"

"Yes? "Sea princess, are you good at grilling meat?"

"Really?"

"Then!"

Haha!

Hehe!

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the giant and the fairy, who seemed to have similar mental ages, laughing out loud together.

Still, if the Greek hero is the next friend you make after me... It'll be okay, right?

"Hey you wild boar! Speak up and do it! "You almost got hit by meat!"

"I'm just saying it's not good for your body or mind to have a piece of meat the size of me grazing the tip of your nose!"

"Uh? "Are you hurt?"

Jason and Theseus, who were both bringing in a whole lamb that had been carefully prepared, glared at Hercules because they almost got hit by the meat and fell off, but Neri's innocent eyes, which sensed the pressure, quickly turned him away.

"Oh, no. "What is this..."

"Hmm, we are some of the best people in this forest. Even if we don't see them like this, we avoid them."

The two put a smile on their faces, pretending like nothing was wrong.

As I looked at them like that, the veins on my forehead immediately started to bulge at the sight of Hercules giggling behind Neri.

Since I was in front of VIP guests, I quickly took care of my face and started putting fish and vegetables on the grill.

"Dgubuzu...Mudzu..."

"Kihihihihi, dg bhüm eutzund?"

Hercules, who could not defeat the two with force and cunning, began tea-bagging the two, using a VIP named Neri as a shield.

I think he has the ability to growl exquisitely so that only Neri can't hear him.

From what I heard, there was already no one in this forest who could withstand Hercules, and Jason and Theseus were the only ones dealing with him with strategy and tactics. Hercules seemed to be particularly close to them, perhaps recognizing them in his own way.

-Diriring!

"They are truly similar and get along well."

Rather than between a man and a woman, it means being friends of similar age.

Orpheus, who brought the lyre to the dining table and cheerfully strummed the string, added.

Even when I first saw him, I thought he was such a four-dimensional guy, and I nodded my head when he said that.

Fortunately, he was glaring at Neri with mixed feelings and almost squeezing my hand until dinnertime.

Atalanta was away due to work related to the Artemis hunting group she belonged to.

At the recommendation of Jason and Theseus, I and Neri were meeting with the so-called golden generation in the Forest of Heroes.

"It's been a while since I've seen Neri so excited, so I think I did a good job bringing him in."

"Anyway, I wonder how miserable those beautiful people must have lived in the sea under the name of protection.

"Is there any color as intense and beautiful as the light emitted by a young child looking around the world?"

Orpheus, who was looking at Hercules and Nesneria playing with the meat with kind eyes while saying that, turned his eyes to me again.

"And Archimedes, or Hercules. "You have no idea how much that friend wanted you and Nesneria as friends."

"What do you mean by that?"

-Diriring!

Orpheus struck the lyre again and smiled as meaningfully as his words.

"Well... I don't know about others, but wouldn't you know what I mean without me saying it?"

"...If it's a mystery, please stop. "I'm already having a headache because of the mystery of who is the messenger god or the thief god?"

A busy day of exploring the neighborhood followed by a sudden reunion with Neri.

On a day when my eyes were spinning, I couldn't even think about solving the riddle.

I don't know when the orbital bombardment solar beam will fall with the sunrise, so I need to get an answer quickly...

"Okay..."

"Hmm, it's a mystery. Come to think of it, Hermes visited the treatment center with Master Chiron.

It is said that only Master Chiron came out holding a hunter and a wild boar in both his hands.

"The mysterious and witty messenger of Olympus has given you a task of wisdom."

"Yes, the prize is my life."

When I dipped the crunchy celery biscuits into the yogurt sauce and put it in my mouth, the crunchy texture and refreshing sauce delighted my mouth.

To some extent, my appetite, which had been lost due to the painful mystery that resurfaced, came back.

"...It's delicious"

"Demeter's daughters work hard to take care of them. "The beasts in the forest are so fascinated by it that frost comes at night."

Orpheus sympathized as if singing as he poured olive oil on the salad he had placed in his bowl.

However, those curious eyes seemed uninterested in the culinary act of simply adding a like to my food review.

"What is the riddle, but?"

"...Hmm"

A child born without a midwife, the process of obtaining a third job.

Since the word 'new job' has been mentioned, it is most likely a story about a god, or even about the birth of a god.

So wouldn't the bard who sings about all kinds of mythology and history know the answer?

After such calculations, I was just about to reveal the riddle to Orpheus.

"...No"

"Hmm? Why?"

As I thought about it carefully, I remembered again why I needed to solve this riddle.

Bring the dead back to life. If you can't, you'll be the moonlight beam! The light years of moonlight that have passed away.

You broke the law without even thinking about my daughter threatening me with a sword, or rather an arrow, so you'll be struck by lightning! The father who did it.

My father was so scared that he couldn't even argue with him, so instead he said to the female Cyclops who created the thunderbolt, "Solar Beam!" The sunrise idiot who did it.

Let's look at the family members who boast of extraordinary humanity, or even divinity, that cannot be calculated or predicted by human logic and reason.

It wouldn't have been surprising if one of the three had hit the fourth-dimensional bard with a headshot just because he had helped him out by solving the riddle.

"Hey, little brother. "It hasn't started yet, right?"

"Oh Asclepius, my dear brother. You worked hard today to care for so many people.

"Will you take the cup I give you?"

And, the person who almost became a victim of the moonlight beam and the lightning beam was Asclepius, a sickly handsome boy who had just taken a seat.

"Oh, Dianes. "I heard you were busy today, but you look tired."

"Well, it was just like that."

I guess he really liked the basics of fortune telling and the basics of Cheongnaengseo that I copied all night and gave him as a gift.

Asclepius smiled at me, albeit crookedly, and nodded his head.

"By the way, you said the Nereid nymph came, where did she go?"

"Well, there's a wild boar and meat being grilled over there..."

I turned my head and saw the trio of heroes and Neri mastering the actual meat grilling part.

The pure white nymph that was jumping around in front of the grill could not be seen where she had gone.

"Uh? Hey! Hercules! "Where has he gone?"

"Ok? Oh, I heard that mushrooms freshly picked in the forest are a delicacy when grilled. "He ran to pick it up right away."

"Oh yeah?"

Then I'll be back soon.

If there are any poisonous or inedible mushrooms, Asclepius will prevent them.

When I nodded and turned back to the salad, I saw Asclepius looking at me with a somewhat uneasy expression on his face.

"Hmm... I'd better go quickly."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, just when I arrived at the bonfire a while ago..."

According to Asclepius, there were some evil people in this forest, gossiping about me and the nymphs and glaring darkly at Neri.

"You mean Moribae Orion and the gang? This is a big deal. They don't have the brains to understand what the gods' covenants and blessings are. "I have to go quickly!"

Even Orpheus jumped out of his seat, taking the lyre, and Asclepius was about to run into the forest due to an unusual premonition.

"Do not worry. Sit down"

I shook my head and stuffed the celery into my mouth.

Well, the produce is organic after all.

◈ Chapter 47 - Death? Missing?

A bright forest illuminated by moonlight.

In the middle of it all, there was a pure white girl who was humming a song and stacking mushrooms in a basket in her arms.

A colorful mushroom growing on the top of a tree.

"This is~ a fun mushroom~"

A bright red egg-shaped mushroom growing at the base of a tree.

"This is~ a pretty mushroom~"

And a brown, round mushroom similar to the mushroom her new friend called Hera Blahblah had told her about.

Nesneria caught the eye of a brown jewel lying beneath a tree that had fallen far away.

"That! "Delicious-looking mushrooms!"

Let's cook it deliciously and put it in Dia's mouth!

I love it so much, I might ask you to get engaged!

Dianes hugged her with his strong arms and held her wedding together, and the redhead, who did not want to see her like that, cried and pounded the ground before Nesneria's eyes.

"Kyahaha~"

Her steps were light and she was humming just as she arrived in front of her mushroom and was about to stretch out her hand.

-Simplicity and honesty.

"Uh..?"

Her strong feet crushed the mushrooms she was trying to pick.

Pure white hands shaking, beautiful eyes like the Mediterranean Sea with tears in their eyes.

The grief-stricken nymph, who would have been singing praises to Orpheus because of such sorrow and pure sorrow, slowly looked up at the villain who had trampled on her treasure.

"..."

It was a huge demi-god, comparable to Hercules, who had shown incredible feats while grilling meat earlier.

Her blue hair and the shadowy face beneath it were quite voluptuous, and although she didn't know it, her other sisters would have praised her as handsome, but the black greed and lust revealed in her blue eyes made Neri frown.

And the foul stench coming from him, the smell of a man that Dianes called energy or aura, was so disgusting, so dirty.

"Hey, does that mean a nymph is a nymph? "Is she really pretty?"

"Eh, ehehe, Orion. "Perhaps I can taste some after work?"

"You crazy guy, this little thing sucks. Well... She's definitely pretty, though."

"Hey, aren't you a lot better than those picky foresters?"

Then, four men who appeared from nowhere and gave off a stench similar to the giant before her eyes slowly surrounded her.

While the other gang was talking dirty dirty talk and casting dark eyes at Nesneria.

Their leader, Orion, the son of Poseidon, was silent, staring blankly at the pure white nymph who was crying in front of him.

'...At first, I was just going to use it as bait to draw out that mongrel.'

The nameless Nereis nymph that I encountered in person was so beautiful.

Silver hair like pure white waves, blue eyes like jewels.

And even the pretty and beautiful beauty that naturally arouses the desire to conquer.

I want to have it, I want to embrace it, I want to conquer it.

Orion's body heated up as he wanted to crush that white body right now and make those tearful eyes look only at him.

Secretly, her younger siblings, the Sisters of the Thousand Waves and their parents, came to mind.

What is it like?

He is the son of Poseidon, the true ruler of this sea.

Aren't the old sea men who have retreated to the back room and gone away, and the frail nymphs who can't say anything once he crushes them, all fall far short of the power of their father, Poseidon?

Once a woman is stamped, she becomes the property of the man who stamped it.

No matter how much this pure white nymph struggled to hate it, once she was in his hands, it was natural for her to become his property.

"Hey, sea nymph, listen carefully. "It looks like you don't know much right now..."

"Hey..."

Soon, when he followed the direction where those blue eyes were heading away from him, he found them heading towards the mushroom he had trampled.

"Dia line...Mushrooms..."

Myself now.

In front of us is the son of Poseidon and the greatest hunter in the Forest of Heroes, who was noted to be a great hero in the future.

What is this stupid nymph saying?

"...True, you are so bewitched by that gisaeng brother that you don't even dare to say hello to this son of Poseidon. "He goes around picking mushrooms sometimes?"

Orion gritted his teeth and suddenly kicked the mushroom that Neri had put down next to him.

-Boo!

"Ahh!"

Then, colorful mushrooms were scattered in the middle of the forest, and Nesneria screamed loudly and tried to run out to catch them.

"You ignore me until the end!!"

The blue-haired giant screamed fiercely and stretched out his hand towards the pure white nymph, realizing that he was looking at that basket of mushrooms instead of himself.

* * *