Beastly Parent

"You're awake? Come out and get something to eat."

Atalanta heard a slight movement inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, and extended an invitation.

"Hmm, I am actually a little hungry."

Samael rubbed his rumbling belly and obediently followed the big sister to sit down by the fire.

The Huntress then pulled out a spear and offered the roasted beast meat she had prepared.

It must be said that, since Atalanta has lived in the wilderness since childhood and had to take care of most of her own food, clothing, and daily life, her skills in roasting meat are quite good.

This small, rabbit-like monster bursts with oil and releases a fragrant aroma. Its golden-brown crust is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it's also seasoned with herbs and sea salt for a savory flavor.

Moreover, the artistic genius bard Orpheus, when in high spirits, would pick up his harp and play a tune for his teammates to cheer them up.

The ancient and rhythmic epic was sung by him in a rich and emotional tone, and the air vibrated with divine power, making people feel as if they were there, and like a massage, relieving muscle fatigue and soothing the spirit.

Even the arrogant and sharp-tongued Healer and the proud and grumpy Caenis couldn't help but feel good, drinking and eating in rhythm while tapping their knuckles in front of their knees.

Artemis, Atalanta, Circe, and Heracles were quickly captivated, their eyes filled with admiration.

In such a harmonious atmosphere, the Samael meal was extremely enjoyable.

After the meal, Caenis and Circe, for the first watch, heard that it was time to sleep. Artemis, eager to get rid of the teddy bear that was trying to slip out of her arms, excitedly and flushed, crawled into the tent.

"Here you are, here you are, Darling is just as cute at night."

"Don't come any closer! Can't I rest for a day?"

"Really, darling, are you having an affair?"

"There is absolutely none!"

"Aha, I knew my darling wouldn't betray me, I'll love you forever!"

"Don't keep using the word 'forever,' it's subtly creepy."

"Creak... creak..."

"Pause! Ouch! Stop strangling my neck! My neck... my neck... it's going to break... it's going to break..."

Under the flickering lamplight, two lively figures, one big and one small, chased and entangled inside the tent, their twisted laughter and wailing sounds constantly emanating from them.

Judging from the Asclepius, God of Medicine, and Orpheus, the genius singer, these two sons of Apollo, it was clear that the two nephews did not know that the Yandere woman in the tent, who used the alias "Diana," was their aunt Artemis.

With so many interesting people joining, the Argonaut Expedition's expedition shouldn't be too boring.

Samael looked around, gently swirled the wine, raised his glass with Heracles, and smiled slightly, unconsciously feeling a sense of novelty and joy, like a hike or adventure with friends.

But in an instant, he suppressed that lightheartedness, and his eyes became somewhat obscure and solemn.

After all, this Argonaut Expedition was completely different in nature from the previous two Argonaut incidents.

In reality, both the Calydonian Hunt and the Arcadia race were, for Samael, games to lighten his journey.

He possesses overwhelming strength and can become Rules- breaker or Rules- maker whenever he wants.

Therefore, whether he infiltrates the Calydonian Hunt party to play a role or lets Hippolyta unexpectedly win the race, whatever he does, it won't hurt. He is absolutely confident, or has dozens of strategies, to turn the result into the answer he wants.

On the contrary, those little surprises can be a good way to relax.

However, even before the Argonaut Expedition was fully formed, they had already gathered together the two chief gods, Artemis and Artemis, which also involved the deep mysteries of Zeus and indirectly affected the entire theocratic structure of Greece.

Along the way, they will encounter many formidable opponents of the same level.

Therefore, just to be on the safe side, he should tone down his entertainment-oriented mentality and consider things more carefully.

As night deepened and the campfire flickered, most people went into their own tents to rest and prepare for the journey the next day.

Samael, who was also planning to stay home, had just gotten up when he saw Atalanta sitting on the earthen slope behind a tree, staring blankly at the silver moon. He couldn't help but quietly walk over and sit down.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I wonder what will happen to the children born in the Amazon region in the future..."

The Huntress glanced at the vast mountains, lowered her eyes, and sighed softly.

"Don't worry, with the attention and support of Mount of Ares, Hippolyta will definitely treat those newborn babies well if she wants to change the current situation in the Amazon. She is a smart woman."

Samael raised his hand and took Atalanta's soft hand in his palm, dispelling the chill of the night wind, and smiled as he gently comforted her.

Immediately, the ancient serpent sensed the Huntress's subtle thoughts, seemingly triggered by the surrounding environment, and tentatively inquired about them.

"Here it is?"

"Yes, the border of the mountains of the Kingdom of Arcadia, where my father... no... King Iasos abandoned me."

Atalanta glanced back at the Arcadia capital, now hidden in the night, and responded faintly, her eyes now devoid of any remaining resentment or longing.

The calmness with which she openly discussed her wound was enough to prove that the Huntress had completely let go of the fact that she had been abandoned by her parents.

"Oh, right, come with me!"

After chatting for a while, Atalanta looked around, as if she remembered something, and immediately got up. Without saying a word, she grabbed Samael and they leaped and slid all the way into the depths of the Dunlin.

When the Huntress arrived at a lush, grassy, and babbling brook in a mountain hollow, she immediately jumped onto a nearby boulder, cupped her hands in front of her lips and teeth in a trumpet shape, took a deep breath, and roared loudly.

"Roar!"

Upon hearing that cutesy yet endearing tone, Samael couldn't help but let his facial muscles twitch slightly.

As a sinister gaze glared at it, the ancient snake immediately shrank its neck and wisely raised its hand to cover its lips and teeth, but the expression on its face still couldn't help but twist and change.

Fortunately, the awkwardness didn't last long, as another muffled roar came from deep within the mountain valley.

Atalanta was delighted and immediately responded with low growls of varying lengths, and the two sides thus positioned themselves to each other, their voices drawing closer and closer.

Rustle...

A few breaths later, amidst the rustling of branches and leaves, a mother brown bear, about two meters tall, standing upright like a human, with brown fur resembling a large plush toy, emerged from the darkness.

Atalanta, like a fledgling nestled in its mother's arms, excitedly rushed into her embrace, gently rubbing her cheek against her soft, warm fur, her expression one of contentment and joy.

It seems that Artemis appointed Atalanta to raise the sacred beast.

After all, the little bear plush toy Oryx was still in Artemis's arms, which clearly shows that this Goddess of Hunting had long had this taste and hobby of liking fluffy things.

"You, come here! My foster mother wants to see you!"

Just as Samael was lost in thought, Atalanta turned her face and hummed a beckoning hum.

Taking a few steps forward, the mother bear raised her paw, capable of shattering rocks and breaking trees with a single blow, and gently stroked Samael's head, her eyes filled with human-like agility and warmth.

Then, Atalanta held her foster mother's hand and whispered softly, as if bidding farewell to her mother and leaving home as a child.

"Mother, I have to go on a long trip. Please take good care of yourself here."

"Ugh..."

"Worried about me? There's nothing to worry about, I don't get hurt easily!"

"Don't worry, I'll protect Big Sister too..."

At the same time, Samael placed his hand on one of the mother bear's paws, opened his lips in contemplation, and solemnly made his promise.

The mother bear nodded happily and took Atalanta and Samael's hands, linking them together.

After a tender embrace, the mother bear growled repeatedly to bid farewell to her adopted daughter before reluctantly entering the forest and disappearing into the night.

After saying goodbye to her foster mother, the last bit of confusion in Atalanta's heart gradually dissipated. On her way back, her steps were light and cheerful, with a warm and satisfied smile on her lips. It wasn't until she arrived at the camp that she managed to hide her emotions.

However, some things, once they originate in the heart and are manifested in actions, cannot be completely hidden.

In the flickering firelight, Samael lowered his gaze and looked mockingly at the two hands clasped together.

These hands, without my noticing, have been holding each other all the way.