chapter 13 (edited)

"Is this stone big enough?"

"This... it's a bit oversized," Cyd muttered, eyeing the colossal rock before them.

Honestly, Cyd had hoped Hercules would find a substantial stone, but this one was mammoth. Where had Hercules unearthed something this massive?

"No worries, my strength's up to the task," Hercules said, rolling up his sleeves to flaunt his bulging biceps.

"I got the memo when you lifted it single-handedly," Cyd shrugged.

"Do you really think we can crush it with a stone?" Hercules asked, patting the enormous rock skeptically. "It's invulnerable."

"True, it's as tough as they come," Cyd replied with a cryptic smile. "But dealing with the invulnerable happens to be my specialty."

"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Hercules conceded with a shrug.

It wasn't that Hercules lacked opinions; rather, he recognized the situation. Clearly, Cyd knew this lion well and had a detailed plan, whereas he only pieced together fragments from victims' tales. Since they were teaming up, it made sense to defer to the one with the plan.

"So, Hercules, what made you set out to hunt this lion?" Cyd asked, striking up conversation while they waited.

"And how did you end up here?" Hercules asked, sitting down and scanning their surroundings.

"I got lost, made a wrong turn, and ended up tangled," Cyd shrugged.

"I heard the whispers of the Goddess of Virtue, urging me to aid these people, so here I am," Hercules straightened up.

"Is that right? Choosing virtue over ease—it'll surely make you a remarkable hero," Cyd remarked with a hint of admiration.

"And I think the same of you. If you decide to leave, I won't stop you," Hercules said earnestly, looking at Cyd. "You'll still become a remarkable hero."

With the strength you could crush my shoulders, I couldn't leave even if I wanted to! Cyd thought, rolling their eyes. "Unfortunately, I'm here to shake off trouble. Helping you isn't the same as purely altruistic acts. I don't hear the whispers of the Goddess of Virtue, but I won't heed them either."

"Whatever your motive, your actions now are heroic, driving away this vicious lion," Hercules said, patting Cyd's shoulder. "The people you save will sing your praises."

"Praise doesn't interest me," Cyd replied, feeling uneasy under Hercules's earnest gaze. "Remember, you agreed I don't need credit."

"Understood. Your pure white hair and skin make sense now," Hercules said, embracing Cyd's shoulder. "You seek no reward, just fulfilling the hero's duty to protect the weak. I admire you even more!"

As Cyd attempted to correct the image Hercules had painted of them, a low roar reached their ears.

"It's coming!" Cyd narrowed their eyes.

"What now?" Hercules asked, tensing his fists.

"Just... throw the stone with me on top," Cyd replied, leaping to the stone's summit and crouching.

"You're not planning to hurl me along with the stone, are you?" Hercules asked, concerned.

"Relax, trust me."

Those six words dispelled Hercules's doubts. His muscles tensed, and he hoisted the massive stone single-handedly.

"That's it," Cyd said, smiling as they placed their hands on the stone.

The roar grew louder; the lion had caught their scent. Yet Hercules remained composed.

"What now?"

"Nothing. Just throw the stone with me on it," Cyd chuckled. "Trust me!"

"I trust you," Hercules said, stepping back and preparing to throw.

"The Goddess of Victory is with us."

"Roar——"

A majestic lion emerged from the jungle, charging angrily at them.

"It's up to you, big hero."

"Go!!!"

Hercules took a deep breath, the ground sinking slightly beneath him. With a mighty shout, he hurled the giant stone with all his strength at the oncoming lion.

"Hah!!"

As Hercules swung his arm, the wind whipped around them, threatening to uproot trees. The earth trembled around him as he focused his throw, propelling the stone straight towards the lion.

"——"

With the force of Hercules's throw, the lion lunged forward, its attention drawn by the speeding stone and Hercules. Yet it was only at this moment that it realized—there was a person atop that stone!

"Too late!" Cyd grinned savagely, driving their fist down hard onto the stone.

The lion's eyes widened in shock. Previously fixated on the sudden onslaught of the stone and Hercules, it now belatedly discovered there was a person on top of it!

"You've surprised me with your power, but..." Cyd sneered, disdain clear in their voice. "You thought I'd compete with you in strength?"

Cyd's fingers dug deep into the stone, anchoring themselves firmly to avoid being thrown off as Hercules launched the stone.

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