As a hero, she would not simply dump the burden onto someone else.
That would only be running from the problem.
In truth, as long as she blamed all the mistakes on you, she would probably be able to go on living with ease.
But as a hero, Atalanta could not do that.
She could not hate you like this.
She was clearly a hero like him, one whom the world believed capable of overcoming the impossible.
Yet her life had been filled with confusion and regret.
Did someone like her truly deserve to be called a hero?
Though the memories from the previous simulation were hazy, Atalanta still remembered those unforgettable feelings.
Inside a deep pit steeped in lingering, dense magical energy.
The huntress was pinned to the ground.
"Atalanta... you... You did not avoid me because you hated me... You could not forgive yourself, could you...?"
Moran looked at Atalanta beneath him.
Her once-clear, resolute azure eyes.
Were now consumed by guilt and regret.
She could not forgive that version of herself.
"I missed so much... Even in the end, I was still one step too late. I was angry with you... but what angered me more was myself, for doing nothing at all... The world calls me a hero, yet I cannot hold on to anything I want...!"
Atalanta clenched her fist and slammed it into the ground.
Her self-destructive appearance was heartbreaking.
Blaming others was an act of weakness.
As a hero, Atalanta was undoubtedly noble. Rather than resent others, she would first reflect on herself.
But you did not agree with her thinking that way.
There was no way you could hear those words and remain indifferent.
"Atalanta, you are wrong. What you cannot forgive is not your past self, but your future self. Because of those memories, you believe that no matter what you do, you will still lose everything.
No matter what you do, you cannot hold on to what you love.
But that is wrong. I am here right now! I can promise you that the future will not be like that!"
Moran stared straight into Atalanta's eyes.
He would not allow either of them to keep avoiding this.
Perhaps it was precisely because they had lacked honest communication that she had developed such terrible thoughts.
"A promise? At this point... what can you possibly promise!?"
"In those memories of yours, my final ending was dying on this island. In truth, even if you had returned to the island with me back then, you still could not have changed that ending..."
Moran explained the past in greater detail.
You believed Atalanta had always held herself to standards that were too high.
She had taken too much of the blame onto herself.
There had been no cure for the demonized Gorgon. The outcome of you offering up your life had been almost inevitable. Even if you had not sacrificed yourself, you could never have allowed yourself to slay Gorgon and continue living.
The truth was often even crueler.
After learning it, Atalanta became even more consumed by sorrow.
"Then in the end... I still could not do anything..."
"That was indeed how it was back then. There was nothing to be done. The Gorgon Sisters were family to me—no, they were more important than family. If you or Medea were in danger, I would also do everything in my power to save you."
That was truly what Moran believed.
He could not place the people he loved on a scale.
Now that Atalanta had encountered a similar problem, Moran would reach out and save her.
"Which is more important, the result or the process?
You lost a great deal, but did you truly gain nothing along the way? No, that is not true. You should know that better than I do."
Moran's question struck directly at her heart.
The ending had indeed been full of sorrow.
But the little moments of happiness she had gained before that were absolutely not worthless things that could be priced away.
Medea had understood that very point.
That was why she had embraced love and swallowed her resentment.
"Ah... I, I..."
Atalanta recalled it once more.
Along with the unforgettable regret came the memories of every day she had spent with him aboard the ship.
"Blaming others is the easy thing to do. As long as you throw all the fault onto someone else, life becomes easier. But you did not do that. Atalanta, you have a strong heart. It is because of that kindness that you are a hero beyond all doubt."
Moran spoke with great sincerity.
It was a quality even he did not possess.
It was Atalanta's light alone, and that was why she appeared so beautiful in Moran's eyes.
"So let me make you a promise. Since you cannot find enough confidence to hold on to happiness, I will help you hold on to it. That is what I can do.
Atalanta, will you let me bring you happiness? Will you believe in me?"
Moran was affectionate, yet anxious.
If Atalanta rejected him, honestly, it would not have been strange if he cried.
He had no cards left in his hand.
From the very beginning, he had laid everything bare before her.
"Ah... ah, ah... Aah—"
An undignified, choked sob escaped her.
The sincere words of the man she loved struck home, making her heart ache at her own foolishness.
He was still willing to reach out and help her like this.
She kept sobbing, painfully aware of her own weakness.
Atalanta believed she had no ability to obtain happiness. When she thought herself beyond all hope.
Here, there were still arms that held her tightly.
Telling her, I will seize happiness for you.
That was what you said—
"I will stay by your side until the very end. Even if the day you obtain happiness has not yet arrived, I will pray at every moment for you to find the happiness that belongs to you. I will work hard together with you. I hope you can forgive yourself, even if you choose to blame all the fault on me."
"So although it is cruel, I hope you can return to the confident, dazzling person you once were."
"Atalanta, I like you that way."
Looking at the man's slightly embarrassed smile.
She understood that saying things so directly, despite how shy he was, meant he truly had not held anything back.
But her heart had already been moved.
The darkness and confusion within her were gradually fading away.
"Moran, I—"
Atalanta's eyes shone brightly.
The familiar huntress of old had returned before him.
She trusted Moran more than anyone.
After hearing words that had moved her heart so deeply, there was no way she, who loved him, could remain unmoved.
In the end, Atalanta reached out and grasped that radiance.
She chose to entrust everything to him.
P.S.: Emotionally, the protagonist is both affectionate and serious. Otherwise, how could he keep the harem stable~~
Five updates' worth of effort! Doesn't that deserve some flowers and monthly votes~!
The Approaching War—Please Give Flowers! Please Give Monthly Votes!
Responding to your sincere feelings.
Atalanta believed you could bring her happiness.
From then on, there were no more barriers between the two of you.
Afterward, Pelasgi City was established.
You, watched by countless eyes, ascended the throne. The people sang and danced in celebration of your coronation, believing you would lead the nation toward prosperity.
And that was indeed the case.
You made Medea your queen.
Atalanta did not choose to take the title of queen. Instead, she chose to lead your armies from within the military.
For twenty years, you kept your promise and moved toward happiness alongside them.
You did not neglect the governance of the nation either.
You opened maritime trade routes and conducted commerce with other countries. Jason, the newly crowned king of Teteley, was the first to establish diplomatic relations with Pellasgi.
Using the historical knowledge you had learned in the modern era, you consolidated your authority through a feudal system while rapidly increasing the nation's strength. All your subjects bowed before your wisdom and power.
Centralized rule paired with your strategies allowed Pellasgi to grow stronger by the day, drawing the attention of other nations.
Even though yours was a newly established country.
The Four Great City-States of Greece, the most powerful of all, did not dare underestimate it.
The Pelasgians enjoyed the Mother Goddess's protection to the fullest and possessed specialties unavailable in other regions.
Namely, an endless supply of Phantasmal Beasts.
Medusa, who possessed the Mother Goddess's authority, was known as the Demon Beast Mother Goddess. As her divinity greatly increased, even noble Divine Beasts could be born beneath her hands.
The Demon Beasts and Divine Beasts regarded you as their father.
Under your leadership, Pellasgi emphasized the concept of coexistence between humans and beasts. The citizens and Demon Beasts helped one another in daily life.
The citizens did not regard the Demon Beasts as tools.
Instead, they regarded them as equal companions and brethren.
In the army, soldiers and Phantasmal Beasts went into battle together.
When soldiers from invading nations saw such a ferocious force, they fled in terror before the battle had even begun.
In ordinary times, Demon Beasts and children played among the woods.
This nation of Demon Beasts presented a harmonious and peaceful sight, so fantastical and wondrous that visiting bards never stopped praising it. Artists called this land a paradise of dreams.
Under your rule and management.
The entire nation was no longer merely a nation. It was more like a child you had personally raised to adulthood.
Your subjects revered you as the Emperor of All Beasts.
Although everything in Pellasgi continued to flourish.
Before you continue