Chapter 170: The Calydonian Boar Hunt (12)
“What?! Meleager!! My nephew—are you seriously saying this makes sense?! How can you hand over the divine beast’s hide to that woman while abandoning your own people from Calydon?!!”
“As I’ve said multiple times, Atalanta’s contribution was the most decisive. That’s why she gets first pick. Everyone else agreed—only my uncles are making a fuss like this.”
“Damn it! How in the world did Althaea raise you to be so selfish?! The ones who suffered the greatest damage in this trial were us—the nobles of Calydon! And instead of compensating us, you’re handing all those priceless parts over to outsiders?!!”
Before the argument between nephew and uncles erupted—
When Meleager had returned from his deep conversation with his father, the heroes—who had failed to settle their dispute through combat—had turned to him and asked him to decide who deserved the greatest credit.
He was the commander of this hunt, a hero in his own right, and the prince of the kingdom. More than anyone, he was recognized as the fairest among them.
The heroes who had fought under Meleager’s command knew just how thorough and impartial he was—never letting personal feelings interfere.
“Hm… Perfect timing, then. I was just about to discuss the matter of the divine beast’s remains anyway. After speaking with His Majesty Oeneus, I’ve been granted full authority over the carcass. Therefore, I’ve decided to divide the rights to it among the heroes here. We’ll proceed in the order I determine—each of you may choose in turn.”
Meleager’s announcement sent a shockwave through the heroes. His words were that explosive.
Even dividing an ordinary beast’s corpse was difficult—let alone one from a divine beast personally chosen and raised by a goddess.
They had all personally felt the power of Artemis’s sacred beast.
Normally, hunting something this special would bring only honor and whatever reward the kingdom offered.
Yet Meleager was simply going to divide it among them…
“Uwaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!”
The heroes roared so loudly the palace shook.
It was only natural.
…
…
…
Once the excited heroes had calmed down somewhat,
“Good. Now that you’re settled—let’s move quickly. In order: Atalanta, Theseus, Caeneus and Jason, then Ancaeus. The rest will be announced in two days after discussion among me and these five.”
Meleager’s announcement broke expectations somewhat, but it wasn’t unreasonable.
—Hm… I guess it’s acceptable.
—Makes sense if you consider who had the most direct impact on the hunt.
—Yeah… we were judging based on strength, role, and so on.
—Meleager must have judged fairly.
Everyone trusted Meleager’s fundamental fairness.
With that acknowledgment from all the heroes, the five selected gained the right to claim first pick of the divine beast’s remains.
And from the very beginning, the Calydon faction—the ones most dissatisfied—began to move. Led by Toxeus and Plexippus.
***
“So what you’re saying, uncles, is that the carcass should belong to you and the nobles under you?”
“Yes! We suffered the greatest damage, and we are the ones who run this country—so we should be compensated first before outsiders!!”
“You’re still too young to understand. Without us, do you think this country would function at all?!”
Toxeus and Plexippus—perhaps too excited—spoke openly in a way they would normally only discuss among themselves.
Right now, several heroes were watching this scene.
To speak so recklessly in front of them—and to the next king of Calydon, no less—was extremely dangerous.
“…….”
Unlike his uncles, Meleager remained completely silent.
He knew they had crossed a line.
But Atalanta’s quiet words from earlier—and the advice he had received from the mage in the forest—came back to him.
—Since you invited him… I’m just saying, be careful. The Artemis I know doesn’t end things so easily. She’s tenacious, like a true hunter. And don’t you think it’s strange? The ones who suddenly rushed in while you were unconscious…
—Meleager, at your request I checked those crazed people, but I couldn’t find any clear problem. All I found were traces of a blessing. The only unusual thing is that the blessing is contagious. For now, using the authority you gave me, I’ve sealed the palace entrances just in case. But Meleager—Ancaeus and I both feel something ominous in this palace. Be cautious. The trial might not be over yet.
His sharp, exceptional mind connected those warnings with the sight of his uncles—now losing all reason—and one possibility rose clearly.
(‘Could it be… my uncles and the Calydon nobles have already gone mad?’)
What made him most suspicious was that not a single one of the nobles—led by Toxeus and Plexippus—was trying to stop them.
Right now, heroes from various kingdoms and noble houses were present.
To act so recklessly in front of them—and so openly against the next king of Calydon—while opposing the rewards he intended to give?
That was tantamount to a death sentence for nobles. It would bring ruin to their houses.
(‘If they had simply said they couldn’t let Atalanta take the hide, I could understand—she was just an ordinary hunter before meeting her master. But… what they’re saying right now is the kind of talk that turns the entire world against them.’)
Meleager clearly sensed something wrong. Unconsciously, his hand tightened around the hilt of the sword at his waist.
***
In the devastated forest clearing where Njord and Artemis had been fighting moments ago—
“Honestly. Lady Artemis, Lord Njord—is this really the time for this? And my lady, it feels like something big is about to happen down there. Are you sure this is okay?!”
Just as Callisto said, their view showed Meleager gripping his sword tightly while facing off against his uncles Toxeus and Plexippus.
“Hahaha! I knew it would come to this. Those two could never overcome their greed!”
“…But didn’t you say you were going to raise Meleager yourself?”
“Hm? Unfortunately, after they insulted me in Calydon, I can no longer take Meleager under my wing. Well… if he survives this ordeal unscathed, I might still personally take him in.”
Njord inwardly marveled at Artemis’s personality (?), which only grew more astonishing the longer he knew her.
(‘She really is insane the more I see. The situation’s already a complete mess—and she’s talking about “if he survives unscathed.”’)
“…….”
“You… did you just insult me?”
“No? I didn’t say anything.”
“No, that feeling—it’s definitely the feeling you get when you’re cursing me.”
“…….”
Poseidon clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched his overly perceptive nephew.
They hadn’t been together that long, yet already she was developing the same sharp instincts as his wives…
“…What’s with that silence?”
Artemis’s hand slowly rose, and just as another private war between the two seemed about to erupt—
Boom!
A battle broke out in the palace before them.
Led by Toxeus and Plexippus, the Calydon noble faction drew the swords they had kept hidden and charged at Meleager.
Naturally, Meleager and the heroes supporting him fought back without yielding.
The only problem was that Meleager’s side lacked proper weapons—they had to swing plates, forks, or even pig leg bones.
Ironically, this made the fight oddly balanced and surprisingly intense.
“Hup! So this is what you call reinforcement?”
“Exactly. For some reason, they suddenly got this strong.”
Meleager blocked Toxeus and Plexippus’s swords and glanced at Jason—who had scrambled to his side—and asked.
(‘…Is this the blessing Atalanta mentioned? If it’s truly contagious, things just got a lot more complicated.’)
He easily parried their blades while surveying the battlefield.
Even without proper weapons, the heroes weren’t about to be overwhelmed by Calydon’s nobles.
No matter how enhanced those nobles were.
“Jason, can you lead them and suppress the rest?”
“Okay. Easy enough.”
After entrusting Jason with the task—despite his usual laziness—Meleager turned his full attention to his uncles.
From Meleager’s perspective, his uncles were easy opponents he could kill at any moment.
Their attacks were full of openings.
Clang!
He had just blocked their swords with mana-coated hands, but honestly, he didn’t even need to. Extending a mana blade would have ended it in one stroke.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Aaaargh! Die, Meleager! You’ve always pissed me off!”
“That’s right! Do you have any idea how hard life has been for us because of you?! Those insolent merchants and commoners no longer fear us!”
Meleager simply shut his ears to their vulgar, baseless insults and began formulating a plan.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After clashing for about ten minutes, he had a clear estimate.
(‘Hm… Jason’s side should wrap up soon too. I’d better subdue them first. Even with the blessing, they’re weak.’)
Meleager knocked their swords into the air with a single motion, closed the distance, and gripped their throats—channeling mana directly into them.
Thud. Thud.
The two collapsed pathetically.
“Sigh… What a disgrace. I was worried for nothing. Maybe it’s also thanks to having stepped onto the path of a hero.”
***
While Meleager relaxed slightly,
Njord wished—if he could—he could give the boy some advice.
(‘This is ridiculous… Artemis isn’t going to let things end like this. So easily? So anticlimactically? Kid, you need to activate the palace’s grand protective magic array right now. That’s the only way to even slow down Artemis’s blessing.’)
Njord regretted that Artemis was right beside him—he couldn’t speak directly.
Look at her now: watching the situation with no change in expression.
Anyone who truly knew her would be trembling in fear at that look.
Perhaps his inner thoughts reached her.
Artemis spoke.
“You noticed, didn’t you? Tonight is the night of the waxing crescent.”
Helios’s chariot had already set, and Selene’s silver carriage was rising.
With it, the waxing crescent moon began to show itself.
Unfortunately for them—
“Kwaaaaaah!!!”
“Kyaaaaah!!!”
Ear-splitting howls soon echoed from Calydon’s palace.
And from that place…
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