Bullying Atalanta

[T/N: Double-sized chapter.]

Actually, initially, Atalanta was in a very good mood today.

Because the goddess Atalanta admires, the Goddess of Moon, Artemis has actually called her to meet tonight.

And also prepared Atalanta's favorite, apples, for her.

'Only if...if this guy in front of me was not here!'

"Hee hee, little Jason, guess, guess who is this child?" Artemis, with her beautiful long silver hair, spread out, pulled Jason to Atalanta.

But Artemis did not notice at all, that Atalanta, who had just shown a beautiful and worshipping smile at her, has turned her head towards Jason and immediately switched to the expression of gnashing teeth while shooting glares at Jason.

'What is wrong with her...'

Jason sighed in his heart while feeling speechless and helpless.

Jason has heard from the Meleager and Heracles that Atlanta has already arrived, and he also remembers from the myth that Atalanta will indeed come here and even shine brightly in the Caledonian boar hunting, subsequently making her legends spread to the whole of Greece.

Therefore, Jason had expected that he will be meeting Atalanta sooner or later.

But Jason didn't expect that Artemis will be so impatient and they will meet soon after he entered Calydon, that too in one of the worst possible situations, in front of Artemis.

"Who is she, Goddess Artemis?"

So, just to irritate Atalanta in return, Jason pretended to be confused and asked Artemis under Atalanta's vaguely contemptuous gaze.

After all, a straightforward question isn't a lie.

"Hee hee, little Jason can't guess it?... You forgot, she is Atalanta, the same Atalanta who had slept with you back then!"

As soon Artemis's happy words fell, Jason immediately felt Atalanta's murderous aura towards him have grown stronger, and he wouldn't even be surprised if it materialized anytime now.

'Although I indeed wanted to annoy Atalanta, I will still prefer if you don't use such triggering words.'

'And Goddess Artemis, even after standing so close, how can you not notice how she is looking at me now?!'

"Goddess Artemis!" Atalanta called out a little anxiously, with her ears already turned red; maybe because of remembering what has happened back then, or because of the misleading words used by Artemis, or because of both.

Atalanta is acting like this only because it is Artemis who has spoken these words.

After all, if it was someone else, with only Jason as a witness, Atalanta would have definitely taken out Tauropolos (Bow of Heavenly Vault) and began preparing for scoring a double headshot.

[T/N: Tauropolos is Atalanta's favorite bow given to her by Artemis and literally translated as Bow of Heavenly Vault.]

"Oh, don't be shy, Atalanta... moreover, weren't you looking forward to meeting little Jason?"

"I wasn't!"

"You weren't? But..." Artemis tilted her head: "Weren't you asking me just a while ago, whether little Jason will come this time?"

'So the actual situation is this?'

With this clearly written on his face, Jason blinked while looking at Atalanta.

So when Atalanta heard Artemis's words and noticed Jason's clearly teasing expression, she subconsciously wanted to deny it, but because Altalanta also knows that she can't tell lie in front of the gods, the words of direct denial were ultimately stuck on her lips.

Therefore, Atalanta hastily reorganized her words and opened her mouth to explain in a small voice because her words might sound like she is blaming the goddess most respected by her: "Well, isn't it because Goddess Artemis, you have been continuously mentioning him; moreover, you have also said I will again meet him one day!"

Then Atalanta turned to stare at Jason.

"...What are you looking at, I didn't miss you, I don't want to miss you at all! "

'Have I provoked you?'

Jason couldn't help feeling a little depressed about this, then Jason reminisced a little about the past three years ago as well as what he has been doing till now.

'Well, I have indeed annoyed you...but do you really need to stare at me like an angry feral cat?'

"Hey, you shouldn't tell lies, little Atalanta."

But as soon as Atalanta finished shouting at Jason, Artemis unhappily pouted, then walked to Atalanta, and while rubbing her face, she said: "Atalanta, you have obviously been thinking about little Jason every day and looking forward to meeting him, I know it."

"Impossible, nonsense, how could I..."

"Don't lie to me, Atalanta." Artemis pouted and even the way she had been referring to Atalanta changed: "Otherwise I will be unhappy...you have been, right?"

"I..."

Looking at blushing and speechless Atalanta.

Jason was startled.

Then, Jason looked at Atalanta in shock, with clearly written on his face:

'Atalanta, unexpectedly, you are so greedy for my body.'

'I really didn't expect you to be such a person, Atalanta!'

"What are you thinking about?!"

Although Jason didn't say it, she clearly noticed Jason's purposefully shown expression as well as him even taking a few steps back.

Therefore breathless, distraught, and furious Atalanta picked up the apple, given to her by Artemis and she had just bitten, then threw it at Jason.

But Jason just stretched out his hand to easily catch it.

After doing this, Atalanta finally calmed down.

After all, Atalanta has been indeed thinking about Jason, almost every day, just the purpose of her doing this is almost opposite to what it is sounding like.

Therefore, Atalanta straightforwardly admitted to Artemis: "Yes, great Goddess Artemis, you are right, I have been indeed remembering him all the time and I must not have lied to you, so..."

After saying this, Atalanta stepped forward and said to Jason: "Let's duel, Jason, under the witness of Goddess Artemis!"

"The loser will be at the winner's disposal... For the past three years, I have been thinking about you while looking forward to this day! "

'...Oh, although somewhat expected, the real situation is indeed like this.'

'It is a woman's grudge.'

Therefore although he has slightly guessed it, Jason was still taken aback, so he took a bite of the apple in his hand to suppress his shock, then gave a reply, that is quite obvious to him.

"I see...but, I refuse!"

Jason naturally chose to refuse because he isn't able to find even a single reason for agreeing to this.

With the condition that the loser will be left to the winner's disposal, in Jason's view, whether he wins or loses, it will undoubtedly be troublesome.

After all, Jason believes that losing definitely won't lead to something good for him.

And even if Jason won fair and square, Jason also believes that irrespective of whether he wants to do something to Atalanta or not, with Artemis being here he won't be able to do anything, not even have a small revenge.

"Refuse... You actually refused, and even in front of Goddess Artemis?!" Atalanta widened her eyes and said in disbelief.

'We are in front of a goddess!'

'And he actually refused to duel!'

"Yeah, I refuse."

Jason nodded and took another bite of the apple.

"You!... Wait, this apple...stop, isn't this the one I have just bitten on?!"

Jason turned the apple in his hand and found the place where Atalanta has bitten, then looked at Atalanta, who is pointing at him and the apple with wide eyes.

But after thinking only for a moment...

'Chomp-'

Jason deliberately bit the side that Atalanta has just eaten from.

"Yeah!" Jason nodded: "It is delicious!"

Although Atalanta is silent, this time even Artemis could see that Atalanta, who is trembling all over, is just on the verge of going on a rampage.

"Little Jason, you are really, haven't I already said that you are not allowed to bully little Atalanta?" Artemis said in an amused tone.

Jason didn't say anything in reply, after all, he has been really doing most of it on purpose, even biting on the apple last time, because he has also been feeling upset and resentful.

After all, Jason has obviously noticed that whether it was three years ago or now, three years later, Atalanta always seemed to have a strong negative opinion about him.

Jason also knows and admits that he is indeed the one who has started all this because he really didn't want to have any contact with her at first.

Therefore, Jason also understands that he has already left a bad impression on her.

But because of this, during the travel three years ago, Jason has tried many ways to make up to Atalanta and the Goddess she believes in, Goddess Artemis.

And even used to believe that they have parted on at least not bad terms, rather, it was Atalanta who has spread words about him, that he had almost decided to ignore.

However, Jason obviously concluded immediately after meeting Atalanta that she isn't willing to put down what has happened at that time.

And although Jason hates trouble, it absolutely doesn't mean he is a coward without his own lines and temper, he just isn't someone who can continuously remain silent without even taking revenge.

"Well, since little Atalanta wants to duel with you, then you should have a good fight. After all, for the last years, this child has been working hard just for today."

After Artemis spoke, even if he is not willing, Jason agreed: "Then, in this case, let us remove the condition that the loser is left to the disposal of the winner."

"No, this can't be done." Artemis said with a smile: "Since this is a duel, there must be a corresponding reward."

'...Goddess Artemis, I think you're purposefully making trouble.'

Jason speechlessly looked at Artemis, who is visibly excited, and after not knowing what to say for a while, suddenly remembered something.

'Artemis, she wants to bring two of you together.' Simultaneously, in Jason's mind appeared what Hestia has said to him at that time about Artemis and Atalanta.

'Now, it looks like, Artemis really wants to match me and Atalanta, although, I am still not sure if it really isn't just for putting two of us together in a box; however, I also don't want to find out anything more.'

Therefore, looking at Atalanta in front of him, suddenly, Jason felt that his dissatisfaction with her has dissipated significantly.

'Yeah, compared to Atalanta, most of the Gods I have met don't even bother seeking my opinion, after all, in a way, they are almost the most reckless beings in the world.'

"Thank you, Goddess Artemis."

After Atalanta finished expressing her gratitude to Artemis, she looked at Jason in front of her with strong fighting intent in her eyes.

After all, she has been indeed looking forward to this for a long time, looking forward to this fight.

Then, under the guidance of Artemis, both of them walked to an open meadow.

However, compared with Atalanta, who is full of fighting spirit, Jason is visibly looking that he is not very motivated about this duel.

'Follow the plan, and solve it sooner...'

While thinking about the already prepared plan in his mind, after Artemis signaled that they can start, Jason quickly took out the Mage Staff and immediately used the stealth spell on it.

And prepared to detour behind Atalanta, then stun her.

However, after a brief surprise, Atalanta didn't seem to have become too flustered due to Jason's disappearance.

Rather, she instantly began moving and ran towards the forest not far away.

Seeing this, Jason subconsciously took big steps to chase her.

"Here!"

After suddenly pulling the bow, Atalanta turned around and fired several arrows at Jason.

"Put away this little trick, Jason."

Atalanta looked at the arrow appearing to be floating in the air and has been clearly caught by Jason with his hands, then determined his position and stopped running before saying: "Even if you can hide your aura and sound, I can still hear the sound of the leaves moved with your footsteps, don't despise me!"

After being silent for a while, Jason removed the stealth spell.

'It seems I have been confused by the interaction just now and broke my own rules...'

Immediately, just when Atalanta was about to say something more, Jason, who has suddenly begun glowing with the faint blue magical light of the strengthening spell, sharply accelerated and rushed towards Atalanta, who now couldn't dodge.

Atalanta got startled, and was about to draw her bow to fight back, but found that a ball of white light has been thrown by Jason's hand and it suddenly exploded into a bright light in front of her eyes.

After subconsciously closing her eyes, Atalanta, who knew that it is going to be bad, could only pull the bowstring and blindly fight back following the sounds she is hearing.

However, after several arrows were fired, Atalanta tilted her head and opened her eyes, only to find that Jason has already appeared behind her.

And Jason's Mage Staff is pointing at Atalanta's back.

"You're right, I did underestimate you just now, so thank you for your reminder." Jason showed a faint smile to the stiff Atalanta while thinking: 'I forgot, I should never try playing sheep in wolf's clothing and never underestimate any opponent.'

'At the same time, I should not give my opponent even the slightest chance to act...'

Then, after putting away his Mage Staff, Jason continued with a smile: "Oh, and Atalanta, I discovered something interesting, you too seem to have underestimated me."

"...Despicable!" Atalanta angrily looked at Jason, while tightly holding Tauropolos (Bow of Heavenly Vault) in her hand.

'I lost...'

But obviously, Atalanta is not convinced by such a defeat.

After all, she didn't even get time to do anything, and Atalanta feels like she has practically lost while being in a daze.

Therefore, now, Atalanta really wants to pull the bowstring and continue fighting against Jason.

But Atalanta knows that the Goddess of Mood, Artemis is watching her from the side.

So, how unwilling or aggrieved she might be feeling, Atalanta has to accept that under the witness of the Goddess of Moon Artemis, in this duel, she has undoubtedly lost.

Therefore, finally, Atalanta weakly lowered Tauropolos (Bow of Heavenly Vault) in her hand.

"You win..."

Atalanta has to almost squeeze out the next few words from between her teeth because currently, she is tightly clenching her teeth while feeling unwilling.

"Starting today, I... am at your disposal!"

章 63: Bullying Atalanta

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章 63: Bullying Atalanta

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