"Hey, hey, hey! What's with those looks?! I'm the one who best utilizes all your strengths! So naturally, the biggest credit should go to me, right?!"

  "Yeah, yeah, we get it, you're the greatest."

  "Oh? You finally understand! As expected, I—!"

  [Laughter and lively chatter filled the deck.]

  [The heroes enjoyed their usual banter, while you quietly stepped to the stern, letting the sea breeze wash over you as you gazed at the ocean.]

  [You sensed someone approaching.]

  [It was Atanta.]

  "Honestly, those fools... Don't they realize that arguing with Jason will only make that idiot even more insufferable?"

  "Heh, well, that's just who he is."

  "Atanta, not interested in hanging around with those big guys? You'd rather come here?"

  "Is that a problem?"

  [She walked with the grace of a cat.]

  [Without hesitation, she sat down beside you.]

  [As if recalling something, she gnced at you, and a soft blush spread across her cheeks.]

  [Back when you fought the Sirens, Atanta and half the heroes had been ensnared by their song, falling into a trance.]

  [But your strong resistance to magic allowed you to withstand the spell.]

  [When Atanta opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was your worried face—and realized she was in your arms.]

  [She remembered that moment once again.]

  [It seemed like everything had changed from that day forward.]

  As she gazed at the fwless full moon reflected on the sea, her heart no longer held only reverence for the goddess she worshipped.

  There was something else.

  A feeling that surged uncontrolbly within her.

  She couldn't understand it.

  She didn't know how to release the growing turmoil in her chest.

  For a moment, she feared her heart might burst.

  If she didn't press a hand to her face, it felt like her cheeks might melt from the heat.

  Yet, the sensation wasn't unpleasant.

  It filled her chest with an indescribable light.

  A warmth that surged from her neck to her mind, like a numbing tide. A completely unfamiliar experience.

  Both exhirating and terrifying.

  "I thought you were going to keep avoiding me. If those idiots on the ship ever find out our retionship is just an act, you'll have a whole crowd of admirers chasing after you again."

  Moran spoke with a teasing smile.

  That day, when he fought off the Sirens, he had surprised even himself—his first instinct had been to protect Atanta.

  Before he could even think, he had pulled her into his arms.

  He knew their retionship was just a facade.

  He respected the vow of chastity Atanta had once sworn.

  And besides, he still had lingering attachments to the invisible isnd.

  Was his heart too rge to be carrying thoughts of so many women?

  "Just an act...?"

  Atanta's voice seemed to drop slightly, as if tinged with disappointment.

  But Moran didn't notice.

  Not even she realized it herself.

  "You're always staring at the sea like that..."

  "Well, no matter where I go, the ocean looks the same as the one I grew up with on my isnd. Don't ugh at me—I guess I just feel a little homesick..."

  "Sying giants, defeating monsters... A hero as powerful as you—who would've thought you'd have such a sentimental side?"

  Atanta spoke pyfully.

  In truth, she was struggling to suppress her emotions.

  [You never waver, never falter.]

  [To her, you are like an arrow shot straight toward your goal, overcoming every obstacle in your path.]

  [She thought she must be mistaken—surely, she was wrong about this feeling.]

  [That night, after speaking with you, Atanta quietly csped her hands together at the stern of the ship.]

  [Once again, she prayed to the Moon Goddess.]

  [Ever since the Siren incident, Atanta's prayers had become more frequent—far more than what was expected of an ordinary devotee.]

  "Lady Artemis, please hear my prayer. I humbly beg you, O great one, to guide me through my confusion... This strange feeling in my heart—what is it...?"

  Atanta folded her hands with deep reverence.

  She bowed her head before the radiant full moon.

  She didn't know how to face this unknown emotion.

  Lost, she could only pce her faith in her goddess.

  [Perhaps it was a love too deep to contain.]

  [Or perhaps it was merely chance.]

  [But the Moon Goddess took notice of the shimmering light of her prayer.]

  [Even if it was only a small glimmer, in the darkness of night, it shone brilliantly.]

  "Huh? Isn't that the child I took in from Arcadia? Wow! She prays so earnestly every day—what a devoted follower! Among all my believers, she's definitely one of the best!"

  Artemis spoke with delight.

  Sensing the immense energy behind this prayer, she decided not to brush it aside.

  She examined it closely.

  After all, if her devoted child was praying so hard, as a goddess, she ought to respond accordingly.

  However, this prayer was different from all the others.

  It was something even Artemis could not fully comprehend.

  "Hmm? What is this...?"

  She had expected a typical request—humans always prayed for something.

  Normally, she would bestow blessings:

  For hunters, she granted the ability to sy rare beasts.

  For common folk, she blessed them with a life free from illness.

  For warriors, she made them heroes.

  Her divine powers covered hunting, nature, war, and healing—granting such gifts was effortless.

  But this time, even Artemis could not decide what to do.

  Even the records of the machine gods held no answer.

  Curious and puzzled, she focused on one man—Moran, the strange warrior aboard the Argo.

  "If this man is the cause of her turmoil, then all I have to do is figure him out!"

  Artemis nodded to herself.

  And so, the gaze of the Moon Goddess, drawn by Atanta's prayer, settled upon one man.

  A twist of fate so bizarre—

  Even Moran himself would never have imagined it.

  ****

  If you want to support me or read advanced chapters (8+), consider checking out my pat.

  patr*on.com/Salsita2k