Strolling along a forest path, Morpheus felt utterly at ease. Beside him, however, someone else brimmed with excitement.
Medea was like a bird freed from its cage, bursting with energy. Her lively steps... three forward, two back, hopping and skipping... showcased a carefree spirit Morpheus could never mimic.
"Morpheus, look! There's a boar!" Medea exclaimed, tugging at his sleeve and pointing ahead.
It was indeed a boar, resembling its modern counterparts but with tusks two to three times larger and a hide that looked unnaturally tough, elevating it from mundane to mythical.
Though mystery was fading, this was still the Age of Gods, where the supernatural thrived. Even beasts carried traces of the mystical.
This made them formidable for ordinary humans. Arrows were useless, and even an axe might not pierce their defenses.
Thus, those who could slay such creatures were hailed as heroes.
"How about we have this for dinner?" Medea asked, her childlike enthusiasm making the already agitated boar even more furious. With a series of grunts, it charged toward them.
"Not a bad idea. We can sell the extra meat for some coin," Morpheus said, conjuring a starlit sword in his hand. With a casual flick, he sent the blade flying like a throwing knife, striking the boar.
In an instant, the sword's tip met the beast's hide. The seemingly impervious shell parted like soft cheese under the blade, which sank deep into the boar's body.
The creature didn't even have time to squeal. A charred scent filled the air, the sliced area visibly seared.
Morpheus withdrew the sword and fell silent for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Medea asked curiously. Then she watched as Morpheus cut a piece of meat from the boar's corpse, held it against the glowing blade, and a sizzling sound erupted, accompanied by dripping fat and a savory aroma.
"I think this magical formula could double as a grill," Morpheus remarked.
Medea froze, her mind nearly short-circuiting at his words and actions.
A magic modeled after the ancient weapon that felled the White Death, used as a cooking tool?
If the White Death knew the blade that destroyed it was being used like this, it might just rise from the dead in outrage!
But, smelling the tantalizing aroma, Medea nodded. "I think it works!"
She blinked eagerly. "Why don't we try it? That… grill thing you mentioned!"
The sanctity of magic? The dignity of the Sword of Promised Victory? Could any of that compare to delicious food?
In that moment, Medea was increasingly influenced by Morpheus's mindset.
So, in the dense forest, the broadened Sword of Promised Victory hovered at knee height, serving as a makeshift grill. Marinated pork sizzled atop it, releasing mouthwatering scents and dripping grease.
Suddenly, Medea raised her staff, channeling magical energy and aiming at a rustling bush nearby.
Something was hiding there.
Morpheus remained unfazed, continuing his grilling as if nothing could disturb him.
"No need to be alarmed. I'm just a passing hunter," a vibrant voice called out. A young girl emerged from the bushes, her eyes fixed on the cleaned boar carcass nearby.
Then, her gaze snapped to the sizzling pork.
The girl had long silver hair, fair skin, and curious pale blue eyes.
Perhaps there was a hint of longing in them too.
Noting her simple attire made of animal hides and the white longbow slung across her back, Morpheus, drawing on his limited FGO knowledge, recognized her.
This "passing" girl was Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon. Spotting the desire in her eyes, Morpheus gestured to an open spot. "Care to join us and try some?"
"Can I?!" Artemis, yet to introduce herself, asked eagerly. When Morpheus nodded, she happily sat down.
"What kind of magic is this? Was it made just for cooking food?" she asked.
Morpheus resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
You're a Greek goddess who fought the Velber, and you can't see what's special about this magic?
Or are you just pretending?
Looking into Artemis's seemingly innocent eyes, he decided not to dwell on whether she was feigning ignorance.
Her presence here was too convenient to be a coincidence. He didn't buy it as an accident.
But since she'd sought him out, she'd reveal her true intentions eventually. He'd wait.
Medea was initially wary of the sudden stranger, but the girl's cute appearance quickly dispelled her caution.
"I'm Diana, from Athens, training with my bow!" Artemis said.
"I'm Medea, from Colchis. This is Morpheus. We're traveling together!" Medea replied.
"That sounds amazing, traveling like that. I wish I could wander freely too," Artemis said, her tone tinged with envy, instantly boosting Medea's mood.
Eager to help the admiring girl, Medea offered, "You're training with your bow, right? Why not join us? Traveling around, you're bound to encounter all sorts of strange beasts!"
"Really?!" Artemis's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Morpheus, clearly aware he was the decision-maker.
Her true purpose here was to investigate this mysterious man who'd appeared from another dimension six months ago.
"Of course. The more, the merrier on a journey," Morpheus said with a smile, meeting Artemis's gaze. She cheered, her enthusiasm belying her identity as a battle-hardened hunting goddess.
Her acting is top-notch. She could star in a drama with that performance. Medea's completely fooled, not even questioning her motives, Morpheus thought, continuing to handle the food.
Artemis pressed again, "So, what's this magic?"
Morpheus hadn't answered before, but she asked again. He smiled. "Just a simple spell for cooking. Nothing special."
Artemis let out an "oh," but inwardly, she was scoffing.
The Sword of Promised Victory, called a cooking spell? It feels like an insult to the me who was defeated by Sefar. But this man is interesting!
It's not the true Sword of Promised Victory, though it's close. How did he create this magic? Coming down here quietly was the right move. This journey's going to be fun!
***
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