Chapter 119: The huntress

(Titus's POV)

As the pressure of marriage mounted on Atalanta, she found herself compelled to entertain suitors. However, as a dedicated and chaste huntress, the idea of marriage was utterly foreign to her. To address this dilemma, she devised a challenge: any suitor who could surpass her in a footrace would win her hand in marriage. Those who failed, however, would meet a grim fate at the tip of her arrows.

Numerous suitors, lured by Atalanta's beauty, attempted this daunting challenge, only to lose both the race and their lives. That was until Hippomenes entered the picture. Realizing the impossible task ahead, he sought assistance from Aphrodite. Aphrodite, who harbored resentment towards Atalanta for her steadfast commitment to chastity, readily agreed to aid Hippomenes, providing him with three golden apples.

These apples weren't ordinary; they were said to grant immortality and were utterly irresistible to mere mortals. Hippomenes cleverly used these enchanted apples to distract Atalanta during their race, causing her to lose.

Bound by her own promise, Atalanta married Hippomenes. However, Hippomenes neglected to honor his pledge to Aphrodite for her assistance. As a result, while staying in Cybele's temple, Aphrodite inflicted a curse upon them, driving them into a lustful frenzy. This sacrilege in the sacred space angered Cybele, leading to the couple's transformation into lions.

Their story ended in tragedy. And as fate would have it, I was not just any spectator of this tale; I was Hippomenes himself, complete with the golden apples in my pocket.

This meant that my encounter with the formidable goddess Aphrodite was not just likely, but inevitable.

"Whelp, there's not much I can do here," I thought, surveying my surroundings. Around me were other men, but it seemed it was my turn to compete. I noticed several bodies pierced with arrows, likely those who had lost the race against Atalanta. I couldn't help but wonder about their motivations. Were they simply infatuated with Atalanta's beauty, or did they underestimate her because she was a woman? Among the spectators, an old man sat under a tent, likely Iasus, the king of Arcadia.

Ignoring the others, I faced Atalanta directly. Up close, I could see why these men were so captivated. She was petite and slender, a paragon of Greek beauty, with blond hair tinged with green and piercing eyes. However, Atalanta's expression towards me was anything but welcoming; she clearly had no desire for a conventional marriage.

"The race starts here," Atalanta said curtly, pointing out the course. "First to the finish line wins." Before she could walk away, I grasped her hand, halting her in her tracks.

"Miss Atalanta, a mere footrace shouldn't dictate your future. Perhaps you should consider other qualities in a suitor," I suggested, offering a wink.

She glared at me, yanking her hand away. "How dare you touch me? Do you wish to die?"

"Not at all," I replied nonchalantly. "I'm merely suggesting that you might want to look for strength and trustworthiness in a husband, not just speed. Though I'm confident I could win this race..."

"You're rather bold for a nobody," Atalanta sneered. "Win the race, then we'll talk."

"Fair enough," I agreed, smirking slightly. "You're going to lose, but I'll let you set your conditions." With that, I took my place at the starting line, ready for the challenge ahead.

Atalanta snorted dismissively and took her position beside me. The race was a straightforward 50-meter dash across an open field. As the race commenced, I was astonished to see Atalanta vanish almost instantaneously. With each step, she covered significant ground, her speed akin to lightning.

But I was not an ordinary contender either. I was Titus, with a level surpassing 80. In my world, I was as formidable as a five-star servant, making a mere mortal like Atalanta seem almost insignificant by comparison.

Channeling my mana into my legs, I activated the runes etched onto them. Before arriving here, I had made certain modifications to my body, embedding runes on my limbs to avoid casting spells continuously.

As if I were a cheetah boosted by Red Bull, I swiftly caught up to Atalanta. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as I raced beside her.

"Lady Atalanta, you might want to start thinking of names for our child!" I called out to her, a mix of astonishment and anger flashing across her face as I surged ahead, finishing the race at double her speed.

In the distance, King Iasus leapt with excitement, while the other suitors cursed my victory and began to disperse.

Huff* Huff*

Huffing sounds caught my attention, and I turned to see Atalanta, her eyes wide and face growing pale. Initially, I thought her reaction stemmed from an aversion to men, but the true reason for her disbelief was something entirely different.

"You... you're from the future, aren't you?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and uncertainty.

---

As I stood there, the realization dawned on me that my true identity as a time-traveler had been a closely guarded secret until this dreamshift. But this encounter with Atalanta was proving to be far more complex than I had anticipated. She seemed to know about my origin from the future and had anticipated that someone like me would defeat her in the race.

To better understand the situation, I discreetly whisked Atalanta away after the race, teleporting us to an unknown, secluded location. "Did you learn of this from an oracle?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow at her. At the mention of the oracle, Atalanta visibly tensed and adopted a defensive posture.

The legends suggested that Atalanta had once sought the guidance of an oracle, who advised her to remain unmarried. I realized then that I had overlooked this crucial detail. If Atalanta had indeed consulted an oracle, the prophecy she received might have been different, which would significantly alter my plans.

"Lady Atalanta, could you please explain what you know about me?" I asked, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

Instead of responding to my question, Atalanta countered with her own. "Where have you taken me?"

Her resistance was starting to frustrate me. Suddenly, Atalanta found herself levitating, pulled towards me against her will. Fear mixed with confusion in her eyes as she struggled to comprehend what was happening.

"Lady Atalanta, I'm asking you one final time," I said, narrowing my eyes and stepping closer, my magical pressure intensifying around us. "What did the oracle tell you about me?"

Despite the overwhelming force and magical energy I exerted, Atalanta remained defiant, clenching her teeth and refusing to speak. Her breathing became labored, her eyes widened with fear, but she remained silent.

After a moment, I released her, realizing that forcing the information out of her wasn't the right approach.

"Cough! Cough!" Atalanta suddenly fell to the ground, coughing hysterically. My plans were instantly derailed.

"Fuck, all my plans are gone," I cursed under my breath and started walking away.

There wasn't anything I could do in this situation. While I could have coerced her into speaking or physically subdued her, that approach would only ensure she'd never trust me. Atalanta had a wild nature and a profound disdain for men, not unlike a feminist, but her animosity was understandable given the context of ancient Greece, where women were often treated as mere objects, abused and discarded by heroes and deities alike.

If I allowed the gap between us to widen further, she might never open up to me, and my mission would be jeopardized. Besides, this particular dreamshift felt different somehow. I had a suspicion that the Whore of Babylonia might be involved here as well.

"Stop!" Atalanta's voice halted me in my tracks.

Turning around, I saw Atalanta slowly standing up, her eyes meeting mine. "You said that you would grant any demand, correct? Then I want you to promise me two things," she said.

I smiled and stepped closer. "Is it about protecting your chastity and saving children, correct?"

"How did you...!" Atalanta stuttered, taken aback.

I laughed softly and drew closer. "And what will I get in return? Since romance is impossible between us and you will never give yourself to me, how will you satisfy me?"

"You lecher!" Atalanta glared at me, but after a moment of tension, she looked at me firmly. "You must have other objectives, right? Apart from my chastity, I will assist you in any way I can. I have knowledge of many people and places, and…"

"That's okay," I interrupted, grinning. "But are you certain about your chastity? Most women can't resist me and end up falling for me. Are you sure you won't regret it?"

"I-I will not," Atalanta replied, her cheeks coloring slightly as she averted her eyes.

"Very well then," I said, extending my hand. "My name is Titus Dusklock, but you can call me Titus. From now on, we will work together to save children across Greece. I will also protect your chastity, and I will not break this vow under any circumstances."

Atalanta nodded and removed her glove, shaking my hand. "Then I will listen to you. If this is all it takes to protect my chastity and give salvation to the pure ones, then I will do anything for you."

With that handshake, we forged the first bond of trust between us.

---

(3rd Person's POV)

"In the future, if a person defeats you in a footrace, know that he is different. He will come from the future and is the only person whom you could trust with your unrealistic goals."

That was the prophecy Atalanta received from the oracle. It was the reason she hesitated to disclose anything to the man named Titus Dusklock. If she shared the oracle's words with Titus, there was a risk he wouldn't trust her.

Walking beside Titus, Atalanta could sense his incredible strength. Titus was as powerful, if not more so, than Heracles. With him, Atalanta saw the possibility of her dream coming true – saving all the children in the world.

'Romance huh…' Glancing at Titus's face from time to time, Atalanta couldn't deny his attractiveness. In addition to his ideal face, he possessed an irresistible purity and honesty. Even Atalanta, a huntress who didn't like strong Greek men, found herself being charmed by him like a maiden.

However, she abruptly shook her head, dismissing those feelings. Romance was impossible, and even if Atalanta were to open her heart, she knew she would face a deathly consequence. It was because of the second part of the oracle.

"But never fall for him, if you would. You will be deceived and break like glass."

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Stones please!!

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