The way she looked at me resembled the gaze one would give to a repulsive stray dog rather than a person. Full of disdain and annoyance.

"How long have you been there?" Myrina asked. My mother frowned at the Amazoness' disdainful look directed at me.

"Since you started talking," I replied honestly, pointing at the goat hiding behind my legs. "This little guy woke me up."

"He was supposed to be unconscious…" Myrina muttered under her breath, her eyes darting around.

From what I could gather so far, it seemed like Billy had successfully played the role of an unconscious goat, fooling her. Wait... She was outsmarted by a goat? Yeah, I would be embarrassed about something like that too.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Myrina frowned.

"Nothing," I shrugged. Billy rubbed his head against my leg, and I affectionately patted him before picking him up.

He was a brilliant little goat!

My mother narrowed her eyes on me. "Son, be mature and rise above this. We can never truly know the struggles others have faced."

Shouldn't she be giving this advice to the other person?

Noticing my confusion, my mother turned to Myrina with a smile and suggested, "Perhaps you should retrieve your armor. It's under the bed where you woke up. While it may not be as powerful as your weapon, it's still better than nothing."

Myrina nodded enthusiastically and walked off with a wide smile. However, she leaned against the wall the entire way back to my room. She appeared energetic, but it was probably just an act. Given all the venom inside her, it was a wonder she was even awake or even alive.

With the Amazon gone, my mother frowned. "Idas, learn to be more tactful. She may be annoying, but it's likely because she has endured a great deal... I can only imagine the horrific things she must have experienced to develop such disdain for men. It seemed like she was repulsed by the mere thought of touching a man. Poor girl."

It seemed my mother had misunderstood something, but I understood her perspective considering the barbaric times we lived in. "You know she's an Amazonian, right?"

Her hatred of men was something she had been taught, not the result of traumatic experiences as my mother seemed to assume.

"So what?" My mother tilted her head, confused. My mother was still a village woman who had never ventured beyond these lands. She was unfamiliar with the Amazon Warriors. Or perhaps the existence of these warrior women hadn't become widely known yet?

As far as I knew, Amazon Island existed only in mythology. But then again, I wasn't an archaeologist, and people believed Troy was fictional until recent discoveries before I died.

Myrina's footsteps echoed through the house, growing louder as she approached. My mother shot me a warning glare. "Remember, be considerate."

I wanted to tell my mother about Amazon Island, but explaining the source of such knowledge seemed tedious. So, I kept my mouth shut and retreated to the sidelines, petting Billy. The little guy trotted around my feet, occasionally headbutting the stone wall.

As Myrina entered the room, I couldn't help but somewhat agree with my mother. The Amazon Warrior looked dreadful, resembling a half-mummy.

Being an adult— mentally—I possessed a certain wisdom called common sense. Some youngsters were hotheaded individuals who never wanted to lose an argument, resulting in escalating tension and shouting matches. Sometimes, all that was needed to resolve a conflict was kindness and a willingness to talk.

"Hey, man," she addressed me with a disgusted expression, as if talking to someone like me was the most unpleasant experience in her life. "Go and get me a spear. An Amazon Warrior without a weapon is like someone without a soul."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

However, some conflicts were inevitable. Nobody was perfect, including myself. "Huh, you're quite an annoying bitch, aren't you?"

"Idas! Language!" My mother screeched, briefly waking up my groggy-eyed father, who soon fell back asleep, realizing he didn't have to deal with this nonsense.

The Amazon Warrior was angered by my insults and let go of the wall she was leaning on. She stumbled towards me with shaking legs, clearly in pain.

I warned her, "If your legs break like twigs, I'm leaving you like that."

However, she didn't seem to listen and attempted to punch me. I swiftly caught her fist and lightly slapped her across the face. "Wake up and realize the situation you're in. I saved your life, and I didn't expect anything in return."

Well, truth be told, I didn't really expect anything since saving her was a spontaneous decision. I hadn't considered the consequences at the time because all I wanted was to prevent her from dying. But now that she was awake, some money would be helpful. I had already checked her clothes, but she had no coins on her.

"Hitting an injured opponent. I shouldn't have expected anything from a man! Do you have no honor?" she exclaimed. I tuned her out as soon as she mentioned honor.

Regardless, this girl needed a reality check before she did anything foolish that would make anyone regret saving her. After the Amazoness finished her rambling, I started my own. "Some people are naturally strong, fast, or live longer. Some are born into wealthy or powerful families. In an unfair world like this, playing by the rules and clinging to honor won't end well for you. If the world isn't abiding by the rules, but you are, then you're putting yourself at a significant disadvantage."

Playing fair in life against certain kinds of people was like playing chess with someone where they could move their pawns like queens, while you were still bound by conventional rules.

She furrowed her brow, contemplating my words, resting her chin in her cupped hand. She briefly opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again and finally uttered, "Your words carry an animalistic quality. It is rules and principles that distinguish humans from creatures."

What did she mean by that? I hadn't advocated for criminal behavior or disregarding rules. I simply recognized that reality in this world doesn't always align with fairness. The world was an unfair place, and for there to be even one winner, there had to be numerous losers.

***

Myrina was utterly confused, but she remembered something her teachers said about rules.

Panic surged through her as she dreaded negative rumors that could tarnish the Amazons' reputation. Which could lead to people believing that all Amazons were unintelligent based on her actions.

Idas, the young man, fixed her with an inscrutable gaze. "I do not follow your code of honor. I chose to save your life, so you don't owe me anything for my own decisions. However, if you want something, you must offer something in return."

Myrina struggled to decipher Idas' implications until it struck her like lightning!

He had saved her life and now wanted a life in return. Idas was suggesting she bear his child?!

Her heart skipped a beat, leaving her feeling dizzy. Yet, she understood the allure of having Amazon warrior blood in her lineage, guaranteeing formidable warrior offspring.

"I... I understand," she uttered meekly. Myrina recognized her weakened state and realized that resisting his advances would be futile.

Idas beamed and approached her, but Myrina averted her gaze, focusing on anything but him. She wasn't prepared for this. Part of her had already surrendered, plotting to kill him once she regained her strength!

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Idas spoke. "Alright, I'll retrieve your spear, on one condition: you must teach me the art of spearmanship."

"Huh?" Myrina failed to conceal her confusion.

"What?" Idas raised a questioning eyebrow.

Myrina looked down, determined to avoid eye contact. She had never felt such profound embarrassment in her life. It felt like shame would drive her to tears. No! She wouldn't allow others to think of the Amazons as dim-witted warriors prone to tears. She should commit self-sacrifice for such a shame!

Therefore, she changed the subject. "By the way, you need to be cautious. The creature I fought is likely still alive. I can sense it through my warrior's instinct."

Idas tilted his head. "Warrior's instinct?"

"Yes," she proudly nodded. "It manifests itself as a hollow feeling in my stomach."

Instead of being impressed, Idas seemed concerned. "Are you sure that isn't just you being hungry?"

Myrina frowned, but Idas continued, "You were unconscious for quite some time. It's only natural to develop an appetite."

This man was so annoying to deal with!