The journey back to the ship was much lighter in atmosphere compared to before. Paris, though still somewhat wary of our group, seemed much more at ease after deciding to join us. Apollo, still comfortably perched atop Paris' head, observed the surroundings with keen interest.
We made our way through the small forest that connected the beach to where our ship was anchored.
From time to time, the rustling of leaves in the wind and the chirping of wild birds accompanied our steps.
However, our journey wasn't entirely smooth. Several times, we had to stop due to the sudden appearance of wild boars blocking our path.
"Eh? Again?" Paris muttered as yet another wild boar emerged from the bushes ahead of us.
The animal stared at us with sharp eyes, appearing cautious.
"How many times has this happened now?" Fujimaru sighed, raising a hand to his chin as if trying to count.
"The fifth," Mash quickly answered while keeping a firm grip on her shield.
"Well, if they keep showing up, why don't we just hunt them?" I suggested, glancing at the others.
Paris looked slightly surprised. "You can hunt?"
I gave a small smile. "Yeah, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Besides, instead of letting them keep interrupting our journey, we might as well make use of them."
Paris turned to Apollo, seemingly seeking his opinion. The god simply chuckled and nodded. "Not a bad idea. Wild boar meat is quite delicious when prepared properly."
Mash hesitated. "But bringing them back to the ship might be troublesome..."
Suddenly, static crackled from Fujimaru's communicator, followed by Dr. Roman's curious voice. "Are you guys talking about wild boar meat?"
Fujimaru pressed the communicator button. "Yeah, Doctor. We've encountered several wild boars on our way back. We were thinking of bringing some to the ship."
Roman chuckled. "Actually, that's a great idea. Your food supplies on the ship are limited, right? If you can bring some back, maybe we can cook something nice later."
Paris looked more excited after hearing that. "In that case, let's hunt them!"
With good teamwork, we managed to take down several wild boars. I then used my skill to create a large sack to store the carcasses, making them easier to carry.
As our journey continued, our conversation became more relaxed. Paris, who had initially been hesitant, was now more open and asked a lot of questions.
"So, what exactly is Chaldea?"
Mash explained, "Chaldea is an organization responsible for maintaining the balance of human history. We came to this Singularity to fix the anomaly occurring here."
Paris seemed thoughtful. "So, you guys are like... guardians of the world?"
Fujimaru chuckled. "More or less."
Apollo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "I feel that there's something different about your group... especially you." His gaze shifted toward me.
I fell silent for a moment, then met Apollo's gaze. "What do you mean?"
Paris looked intrigued. "Yeah, actually, I also feel like there's something strange about you. You're a Caster, but I can't sense your presence the same way I do with other Servants."
I gave a faint smile. "Maybe because I'm not an ordinary Caster."
Apollo narrowed his eyes, as if trying to perceive something beyond the visible. "I'm not entirely sure, but your aura... it doesn't feel like that of a hero who has died and been summoned back as a Servant. There's something more to it."
I didn't respond immediately. I could feel everyone's curious gazes now fixed on me.
Fujimaru turned toward me. "Is that true?"
I let out a sigh and shrugged. "I can't say too much. But you're right, Apollo. I'm not just an ordinary Servant."
Paris looked at me with curiosity, then stepped a little closer. "So... if you're not a fallen hero, then who are you really?"
I gave a mysterious smile. "That's an interesting question, but maybe the answer will have to wait for another time."
Apollo studied me for a long moment before finally nodding slightly. "I understand. Not all secrets need to be revealed now. But I'll be watching."
We continued our journey with lighter conversations.
Paris started talking more about his life in Troy and how he was glad to have met us, even though he had been hesitant at first.
Mash and Fujimaru listened eagerly to his story, while Apollo and I occasionally exchanged glances of understanding that only the two of us shared.
After several hours of walking, we finally arrived at the beach where our small boat was docked. The vast ocean stretched before us, welcoming our return with a gentle sea breeze carrying the scent of salt.
"Finally, we're here!" Fujimaru stretched his body with relief.
Mash smiled. "It was quite a long journey, but I'm glad we managed to bring Paris to our side."
Paris looked proud. "Heh, of course! I won't disappoint you."
Apollo, still perched on Paris' head, gazed toward the horizon. "However, this journey is only the beginning. I can sense that something much greater is waiting ahead."
I nodded slightly. "I think so too. This isn't over yet."
I then lifted the large sack containing the wild boar carcasses and tossed it onto the small boat.
We're aboard the small boat and then, we're reach the ship that not too far from the beach.
I lifted the large sack and throw it up at the ship deck.
One by one, we boarded the ship. As we stepped onto the deck, light footsteps echoed from the other side of the vessel, accompanied by the ocean breeze carrying the salty scent of the open sea.
It didn't take long before Atalanta appeared from above, her silhouette sharp against the slanting sunlight. Her keen eyes immediately scanned us, filled with the wariness of a hunter who had just spotted prey.
Behind her, David followed with a relaxed stride, a faint smile playing on his face. His gaze quickly fell upon the new figure among us—Paris—and he studied the boy with curiosity.
"So, this is the Servant you brought along?" David asked, crossing his arms. His eyes swept over Paris from head to toe, as if trying to gauge his strength in an instant.
Paris, who had seemed confident before, took a slight step back under David's scrutinizing gaze. There was something in the way David observed him—not mere curiosity, but more like someone attempting to read another person at a glance.
"Is there something wrong?" Paris finally asked, his tone slightly defensive.
David gave a faint smile and shrugged casually. "Not really… I'm just curious. So, what's your name and class?"
Paris, though slightly uneasy under everyone's attention, straightened his shoulders and tried to speak with confidence. "I am Prince Paris of Troy! My class is Archer, and…"—he raised his hand, pointing to the small creature perched atop his head—"this is Apollo-sama!"
For a moment, the atmosphere on the deck shifted.
Atalanta, who had been silently observing until now, suddenly tensed. Her eyes widened at the mention of that name, and she stepped forward with an expression of pure shock.
"What did you say…? Apollo-sama?!" Her voice nearly trembled, something rare for a hunter like her.
Paris flinched slightly at Atalanta's unexpected reaction. "Y-yes! This really is Apollo-sama!" he insisted, though now there was a hint of confusion in his voice.
The small lamb on his head, which had been still until now, lifted its head gracefully. As if enjoying the sudden attention, it spoke with a voice that was soft yet carried the confidence of a god.
"Indeed, I am Apollo. I have chosen this form to accompany Paris on his journey," he said calmly.
Atalanta stared at him with an expression filled with complex emotions—shock, doubt, and perhaps… a touch of reverence.
"Impossible…" she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself. "A god like you… choosing to walk among us in such a form?"
Apollo chuckled softly, his voice soothing. "Gods have their own ways of descending to this world, Atalanta. I simply took the form I deemed most suitable for this situation."
David stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… so, the god renowned for his grandeur and wisdom… chose the form of a small lamb?" He stifled a laugh. "This is truly unexpected."
Apollo merely smiled serenely, unbothered by David's remark. A faint golden light shimmered around his small body, giving the impression that despite his tiny form, his divinity remained ever-present.
Atalanta, on the other hand, still seemed shaken by this revelation. Her usually composed face now displayed an expression that was hard to decipher—a mix of surprise, nostalgia, and slight hesitation.
But after a moment, she finally let out a long breath and straightened her posture, once again becoming the resolute hunter she always was.
Suddenly, Apollo's gentle voice resonated, carrying a warmth and calmness that felt oddly familiar.
"It's good to see you again, Atalanta."
That voice, though coming from a small lamb, carried a weight far beyond its form. It transcended the physical, reaching something deeper—history, memories, and perhaps, a past they once shared.
Atalanta tensed for a moment, her sharp eyes locking onto Apollo's. There was something in his voice—something that reminded her of long-forgotten times.
"...Apollo-sama," she finally said, her voice softer than before, almost like a whisper.
Though she did not immediately show deep reverence as she once did, there was sincerity in her tone.
As someone who had once dedicated herself as a huntress to the Goddess Artemis, she naturally knew her brother, Apollo. Atalanta could not simply ignore the presence of a figure who had once been so influential in her life.
Apollo gave a small smile, still as calm as ever. "Time has led us down different paths, but fate seems to have brought us together again here. I hope this is a good sign, not the opposite."
Atalanta let out a deep breath, her gaze remaining sharp but now softer than before. "I don't know if this is a good or bad sign… But I hope you'll watch over my steps, Apollo-sama."
Paris, who had been observing the conversation until now, looked slightly confused. "Uh... Apollo-sama? You two know each other?"
Atalanta turned to him, staring for a moment before looking back at Apollo. "In the past, I was one of Artemis' followers… and Apollo is her twin brother."
Paris blinked several times, seemingly just realizing something. "Oh... So that means—"
"There's no need for further explanation," Atalanta quickly interrupted, her voice returning to its usual flat tone. "What matters now is how we move forward."
Apollo chuckled softly, as if he was enjoying Atalanta's unchanged nature. "Just as I expected, you haven't changed much, Atalanta."
Atalanta sighed again, as if she had already anticipated that this conversation would be longer than she had hoped.
Though her expression remained composed, a slight tension lingered in her gaze. However, she chose not to dwell on it any further.
Meanwhile, David, who had been silently observing all this time, finally decided to speak up. He stepped forward casually, a small, serene smile on his face as he looked at Paris with interest.
"Well then, nice to meet you, Paris," he said in a calm yet confident voice. "I am David, a Servant of the Archer class, just like you."
Paris, who had previously been focused on Atalanta and Apollo, now turned his attention to David. He looked the man up and down, his expression reflecting confusion and slight skepticism.
"Archer...?" Paris repeated with a doubtful tone. "You look more like a Caster than an Archer."
Immediately, Mash and Fujimaru stifled small laughs, while Atalanta simply watched from a distance.
David did not seem offended by the remark. Instead, he chuckled lightly, as if he had heard such statements countless times before. He raised an eyebrow and smiled in amusement.
"Ah, you're not the first to say that," he remarked playfully. "Indeed, I don't carry a big bow or dress like a hunter, but don't be mistaken. I have my own way of fighting."
Paris still looked doubtful but also intrigued. "Then, could you show me your abilities? Isn't an Archer supposed to have a bow or something?"
David chuckled again, this time more softly, then raised a single finger as if he were about to give a lesson.
"The true arrows of an Archer are not just about the weapons they hold," he said. "But about precision, timing, and will. Even without a bow in my hands, I can still strike my target."
Paris blinked a few times, still trying to grasp the meaning of those words. Meanwhile, Fujimaru smiled slightly, appearing to be more familiar with David's reputation.
"Trust me, Paris," Fujimaru said, patting the young prince's shoulder. "If there's one thing you should never doubt about David… it's his ability as an Archer."
Paris still looked uncertain but was now slightly more intrigued. Perhaps this journey would give him a clearer answer about this mysterious man.
I, who had been quietly observing their interaction, finally couldn't hold back a small laugh. The soft chuckle I let out was enough to draw everyone's attention.
They all turned to me at once, some with curiosity, while others looked slightly suspicious. Atalanta, always serious in situations like this, crossed her arms and stared at me intently.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, her tone sharp, though more out of curiosity than anger.
I shrugged casually, still wearing a slight smile. "No, no... I just think this is kind of funny," I said, glancing around. "It seems like we have more Archers in this team than we probably should."
Mash gave a small smile, while Fujimaru chuckled, realizing the truth in my words. Among us were Atalanta, David, and now Paris—three Servants of the same class.
David smirked. "I suppose that's true. If this were a regular war, we'd probably be considered a specialized archer unit."
Atalanta clicked her tongue lightly, but her eyes narrowed as if she was beginning to understand my train of thought. "And you think this has something to do with strategy?"
I nodded slightly. "I think, given our current team composition, we can use our strengths to our advantage. If we're attacked at sea, we can shoot down the Sea Demons before they even reach our ship."
Paris and Apollo exchanged glances, both looking a bit confused. Paris furrowed his brows, while Apollo leaned slightly forward, intrigued by the term I had used.
"Sea Demons?" Paris repeated, his voice puzzled. "What kind of creatures are those?"
I realized they might not have encountered the same threat we had before. I took a deep breath and leaned back slightly against the ship's mast before beginning my explanation.
"Sea Demons are creatures that emerge from the ocean in this Singularity at night," I said in a more serious tone. "They're not just ordinary monsters—they're entities created by the anomalies disrupting this world's balance."
Paris looked a little tense. "So... they're like sea beasts?"
I shook my head. "More than that. They are manifestations of chaos. They have the bodies of octopuses, but their heads resemble the gaping mouths of desert worms. But the most dangerous thing about them is..."
I paused for a moment, letting the suspense build before continuing in a heavier tone.
"...They move incredibly fast in the water and attack in large groups."
Paris swallowed hard, looking more wary. Apollo, who had previously seemed relaxed, now showed a contemplative expression.
"In that case, it seems we really do need a solid strategy," Apollo said in a calm voice. "The sea is a difficult battlefield, but if we have three Archers on our side, our chances of survival will be much higher."
I gave a small smile. "That's what I was thinking. So, what do you all say? Are you ready to hunt some sea monsters?"
Paris, though slightly nervous, gripped his crossbow tighter. "I won't lose when it comes to archery!"
David chuckled, while Atalanta simply nodded, accepting the challenge ahead.
However, after enjoying the light atmosphere for a moment, David's attention suddenly shifted to something else.
His eyes landed on a large sack lying near the side of the ship, not far from where we had boarded. The sack looked quite heavy, and its outer surface was stained with patches of dried blood.
With curiosity evident on his face, David pointed at the sack. "What's that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
I followed his gaze, then casually walked away from the mast toward the sack. With a calm motion, I patted the large bag, causing its contents to shift slightly. "This is a wild boar carcass. I brought it here so we can prepare it for food."
I smiled slightly as I continued speaking. "Don't worry. I've made sure it's properly secured, and besides, this was our catch on the way back to the ship. It would be a waste to just leave it behind, wouldn't it?"
David nodded. "I see. Alright then."
Fujimaru, who had been listening all this time, finally nodded. "We can start preparing the food after we make sure the area is safe."
I patted the large sack once more, this time with more enthusiasm. "Good! In that case, let's start getting ready. After tonight's battle against the Sea Demons, we'll be eating better than usual."
The sea breeze blew again, carrying its signature salty scent. In the distance, the vast ocean still held many mysteries yet to be uncovered, but for now, we could enjoy this small moment before the next storm arrived.
***
Author note:
I'm thinking about speeding the story pace so that the singularity Okeanos is end within four more chapter.
What singularity next should I do? It's The Camelot? Or Babylonia? Or should I do the E Pluribus Unum? I think that's the three of them the far interesting than the rest singularity. So what do you think about this?
Leave comment and I'll respond it.