"Hmph!"
Half an hour later, the warning Runes set around the perimeter let out a low hum before shattering.
Samael, lying in bed, snapped his eyes open. Turning his head in surprise, he saw a graceful figure slipping quietly through the door under the deep cover of night.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, scattering across the room in pale, mottled patches, just enough to outline the visitor's form.
From the rise and fall of her chest, the Ancient Serpent quickly determined that it wasn't Hassan of the Serenity, but the Amazon Queen Hippolyta.
"Why aren't you asleep? Your room's next door. We don't need to share a bed tonight…"
Samael pushed himself up reluctantly, wrapping the blanket around himself as he coughed lightly in reminder.
On their journey from the Land of Nothingness to the Vulture's Nest, they had often slept out in the open, sharing the same ground.
After entering Persia, to maintain their cover as a "fleeing couple," and with Samael suffering from Angra Mainyu's Curse, the two had naturally continued staying together.
Still, with pressing matters on all sides and a powerful enemy looming, the Ancient Serpent had no interest in stirring up romance.
Yet after arriving at the Vulture's Nest, a certain expert in night raids who had grown addicted to close contact would slip into his room every few days, eager to cling to him.
Just to get a proper night's rest, Samael often had to switch rooms or occasionally share a bed with Hippolyta.
Over time, they developed an unspoken understanding, keeping a careful and steady distance from each other.
"We'll part ways tomorrow. I have a request… I hope you'll grant it."
"Uh, what kind of request? Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
Bathed in soft moonlight, Hippolyta walked slowly toward the bed, her gaze fixed on him as she spoke with quiet seriousness.
"By the grace of the gods, I hope you will grant me a daughter…"
As she approached, the Amazon Queen casually removed her cloak, then her armor piece by piece. Under the silver glow, her sculpted, marble-like physique shimmered faintly.
Somewhere along the way, under his careful influence, this friendship had not only deepened but gone a little too far.
Samael instinctively looked away, his gaze drifting.
"Well… having children isn't exactly something I'm in charge of. Shouldn't you be asking Leto, the goddess of childbirth?"
"To serve Artemis, goddess of the hunt, I have remained a virgin. But the queen's bloodline must continue… and I have ruled for far too long."
"..."
"Once I return to the tribe, I will likely pass the throne to Penthesilea… and go to the island to take part in the Day of Life."
"…Do you really have to go?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself, catching Hippolyta off guard. Samael quickly realized what he'd said, a trace of awkwardness crossing his face.
"It is the queen's duty to pass on the strongest bloodline and protect the tribe. Since this is a responsibility I cannot escape, I must bear it."
Hippolyta spoke solemnly. Then, biting her lower lip lightly, she paused for a few breaths before lifting her gaze toward the man who, years ago, had nearly been taken back to her tribe for breeding.
"It's just… I hope the father of my child could be you…"
Silence slowly filled the room.
So… it really isn't possible, is it?
Even though Amazon women treat reproduction as nothing more than a means of survival… what was I even hoping for?
A faint sense of disappointment welled up in Hippolyta's heart. She shook her head, forcing those thoughts away, her expression tightening as she struggled to maintain the dignity and pride of a queen.
Before this man, who had made her taste failure time and again, who always seemed just out of reach…
This was the only thing she still had left to hold onto.
"Of course, this is only a request. If it puts you in a difficult position, I'll go to the island myself and choose a partner…"
"Smack!"
Before Hippolyta could finish, a hand suddenly caught her arm and pulled her forcefully toward the bed.
She stumbled, losing her balance, and fell straight into Samael's arms.
"I think it's better to settle it right here!"
Their bodies pressed close, their eyes locking. As the air between them heated, the Ancient Serpent stared at Hippolyta, his voice low and rough as he gave in to his instincts.
"Looks like I can't escape my fate of siring the Amazons after all. If I have to choose, then I want that person to be you… my queen."
Samael lifted Hippolyta's face in his hands. His lips brushed lightly against her forehead, then slid to her ear, his tone turning teasing and light.
That equal response made the feelings budding in Hippolyta's heart, and the plea she had lowered herself to make, no longer seem so humble.
"I want a daughter!"
"Mm…"
"I've even picked out her name!"
"W-what?"
Leaning close, Samael whispered into her ear, looking down at the Amazon Queen on the bed, who still hadn't fully steadied her emotions. In the darkness, the corners of his lips curved upward into a pleased smile.
"Since you worship the Moon Goddess, we'll call her… Diana."
Diana had once been an alias used by Artemis during her expedition, later inherited by the Roman system of the Twelve Olympian Gods.
Luna, Diana… these were all names associated with her.
Of course, the real reason for choosing that name was simply to indulge a certain spur-of-the-moment whim.
But clearly, neither of them had the luxury to dwell on their future daughter's name right now. After all, figuring out how to create that daughter was the first matter they needed to tackle together.
"Before coming here, I calculated it. These next couple of days should be my ovulation period…"
Hippolyta lightly bit her lower lip. As she murmured, she raised her head, her gaze burning as she looked at the man she had chosen. A deep, unmistakable longing rippled through her eyes.
"That doesn't really matter. This might take a while."
Samael's gaze flickered as he looked at the Amazon Queen, his tone carrying a deeper implication.
The doors and windows slammed shut, and two Runes once more sealed the small house off from the outside world.
Outside, the night stretched on endlessly.
Inside, spring overflowed.
...
At the same time, in the Celtic tribe.
"Haa…"
Inside a hidden hut, the purple-red Runes that had filled the space and danced in orderly patterns gradually dimmed with a long exhale, revealing the true form of the staff forged from Cen tree branches.
Seated cross-legged on the bed, the Snow and Ice Goddess lowered her staff and slowly opened her eyes. Starlight shimmered deep within her pupils, reflecting a galaxy-like brilliance.
"Lady Skadi, have you recovered?"
Hearing the movement, Boudica pushed the door open and stepped inside, asking with concern.
Skadi answered honestly, "Not fully. I can probably use seventy to eighty percent of my former strength. But it should be enough to travel across the Sea of Chaos."
Boudica caught the implication and paused.
"You're leaving? So soon? Won't you stay a little longer?"
"No. That girl from the Hun tribe has already set out for Greece. I can't fall too far behind. Besides, the Magecraft array in the Land of Shadows has already been completed, and the situation here is stable. There's no real point in forcing myself to stay."
The Goddess of Winter shook her head, refusing Boudica's concern. Then she looked at the Queen of Victory, who had grown into a close confidante, hesitated for a moment, and frowned slightly.
"And for some reason, I've felt uneasy all night. To avoid any unforeseen trouble, it's better to leave early."
"Alright. Then go on ahead. I'll stay behind to guard Britannia and Ireland. As for Avalon, the Six Fairy Clans, and the Horned God… we've found some leads. I'll take people to verify them as soon as possible."
"Okay. Stay safe, and don't push yourself too hard…"
"You too. Take care!"
The two women exchanged their farewells, shared a brief embrace, then separated without hesitation, each heading toward her own battlefield.