It had been a week since Atalanta followed Iskios and Callisto back to Iolcos. Day by day, she wandered through the palace to get her bearings on its layout.
Compared to the palace of her homeland, this one was slightly larger, yet inside its walls rang with children's chatter, laughter, and the sound of running feet. And then—
"Alright, you lot! Class is starting!"
As Iskios's low, commanding voice echoed, the room fell silent. When he stepped into the chamber where the children had gathered, every footstep ceased. Atalanta focused her gaze on him.
Yesterday, Jason had told Atalanta that Iskios was teaching the children a subject called "morality" here in the palace. Atalanta had no clue what morality entailed, but Iskios claimed he was teaching people how to be truly human.
She still didn't fully understand what being "human" meant... and expecting Iskios to drill the children with stern discipline, Atalanta watched quietly as Iskios spoke.
"Today's lesson is about your own life."
"Our lives?"
"What you want to think or become in the future... or how you see yourselves. Feel free to discuss it with the person next to you."
The children's faces registered confusion as nearly half of them glanced at each other in puzzlement. Their reaction came from the fact that this lesson differed from any Iskios had given before.
The goal of this class was for the children to learn about and embrace their own identities. Since this group was what you might call the upper grades, the assignment had a different format. Despite it being an assignment, Atalanta witnessed something remarkable.
The children clustered together, talking in groups or shouting out what they wanted to become. There was no sign of discrimination between boys and girls; they laughed and shared freely.
"Iskios... you truly are remarkable..."
At that moment, Atalanta couldn't help but offer a faint smile. At the same time, she admired the way Iskios watched the children with folded arms.
To her, men had always been savage beasts driven by their desires. But Iskios was different. He stood out so much among Greek men that one might call him an outlier.
And here he was, teaching something more than weapon handling or scholarship—he was teaching children how to become fully human. Atalanta remembered Iskios's words: "I teach humans, not livestock." Only now did she understand their meaning.
This was an idea no one else had thought of. Although Atalanta carried the hope of saving all these children, the person closest to realizing that dream stood before her eyes. And not only was he saving them—he was guiding them. Soaked in silent awe, Atalanta recalled what Iskios had once said to her; those words resonated deep in her heart.
"You are amazing..."
"I didn't expect you'd been listening in all this time."
Iskios had sensed Atalanta's gaze during class for several days. But since she only observed quietly, he paid it no mind until she finally revealed herself and spoke up.
"Watching you... I thought perhaps you'd lost some confidence. Could you teach these children and bring smiles to their faces, too?"
Over these past few days, Atalanta had learned so much from watching Iskios. At the same time, she lamented how small and uncivilized she felt in comparison.
Seeing Atalanta's face darken, Iskios sighed and flicked her forehead with a light blow before she could even react. Startled, Atalanta stared back at Iskios.
"Then just learn, will you?"
"What...?"
"Besides, you've learned a fair bit yourself, haven't you? You've been secretly eavesdropping on my class... And in this land, education is equal for everyone. Of course, schooling is mandatory for children."
With his arms folded, Iskios spoke in a sly tone unlike his usual manner. Though the mask concealed most of his face, Atalanta could see the faint curve of a smile.
In truth, Iskios had long planned to give Atalanta a proper education in becoming human. But forcing it on her would have been pointless; he needed her own willingness—her voluntary participation.
Even though she was his wife, they had a strict no-contact relationship. Thanks to that, they were more like close friends or dependable colleagues than a married couple.
"So, special tutoring it is, Atalanta. Make sure you keep up, understood?"
***
That evening, after finishing my remedial lesson, I heard from Jason—who was completing his own duties—that Peleus was getting married.
No, to be precise, he invited us as guests on the groom's side. And the bride was none other than the sea goddess Thetis—she of the prophecy that her child would surpass his father in greatness.
Rumors said she was beautiful, but I didn't care. I detested drawing any more attention from the gods than necessary. Well... some gods might have favorable feelings toward me, but...
"So why are you telling me this, Jason?"
Peleus and I—and even Heracles—had all studied under Chiron. Among the Greek heroes aside from myself, Peleus was the quietest and most timid.
So my relationship with Peleus was neither bad nor exceptionally close. To me, I loathed overly deep friendships. And besides, who knew if this might spark something else in him... I could attend as a formality, but one big reason I didn't want to was...
"Hah! Are you that stupid, Jason!? It's obvious you'd be attending too!!!"
"—But I refuse."
"—However, I refuse!"
Jason was determined to lock in my attendance with unwavering resolve. But when it came to this event, I dodged him with every ounce of effort. I didn't want to attract any needless attention from the gods.
The real reason I didn't want to attend Peleus's wedding was because of the other gods present. It meant the unruly Olympus crowd would gather… and if I made a mistake and my face was revealed, my life would be over.
"Argh! Just leave me the hell alone, will you!!! You know exactly what going to that wedding implies, don't you?!"
"Of course I know. It's the goddess's public wedding, so the gods will attend."
"Have you finally lost your mind, Jason!? You know how badly the other gods have treated me!!!"
…Though Apollo wouldn't interfere unless I wanted it, the other gods were a different story. Especially the ones I had to watch most closely: Zeus and Poseidon. They were top on my list of concerns.
I couldn't simply ignore Peleus, as we'd known each other for so long under Chiron. But the gathering sounded dangerous. Still… Jason looked uncomfortable.
"Hm... I want to hear your opinion as much as possible. But..."
What was that "but"? According to Jason, the request came straight from a goddess through the oracle who always watched over the land's prophecies.
The goddess who gave the order was Selene… my mother. The oracle said to relay the message to me… and that message was a request for me to attend Peleus and Thetis's wedding.
"Of course it would have to be Mother..."
My head felt like it was splitting. According to Jason, almost all of the Twelve Olympians would be there. That was a hazard in itself, but…
Thinking it through… Mother was still Mother. If anything, she'd miss her child and want to see me. If I refused her plea, she'd probably throw a tantrum and impose divine punishment. Even if she ranked below the Twelve, there's a saying that even a decaying fish is valuable. Selene was a proper goddess.
"The ceremony will be held not far from here. If we take a chariot and go at a leisurely pace, it'll take half a day."
"Hmm... Considering the mountains, it really isn't that far."
Jason said the wedding would take place in front of Hera's temple deep in the mountains. The ceremony would begin tomorrow at noon.
Goddess Hera... I remember meeting her in person a year ago... Thinking back, I must be just as reckless as the others. Even if it was because of my own bad habit… challenging Hera was beyond bravado—it was outright foolishness…
…That's how it felt—but I had no regrets.
"Since it's Peleus's wedding, we'll dress appropriately. Understood?"
"—Isn't this cloak okay?"
"No! What if the gods punish us later?! You can't wear a cloak to an important event!"
In the end, Jason forbade me from bringing the cloak, but I refused to give up my mask. A cloak might be forgivable, but if I went to the wedding without my mask, it would turn the ceremony into total chaos.
"…Fine, then at least I'll wear the mask."
"Hmm... A mask should be all right."
Jason, who knew exactly what would happen if I removed my mask, agreed—at least I was allowed to keep my mask. Thank goodness he at least expected the confusion that would ensue if I went unmasked.
This might be the result of my own actions. Even if a god, Mother was Mother. Because I hadn't kept in touch, I'd been forced into attending the wedding where all the gods would gather.
I must ensure no one suffers because of me.
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