Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Rumors from Afar
You plan to support Jason in becoming king, just to dispel the Gorgon rumors.
You, who have become heroes, are worshiped by the world.
As soon as you returned to Iolcos, the people offered you songs and flowers, and everyone was spreading the epic adventure you and the heroes created.
You brought back the Golden Fleece from the trials.
But King Pelias is still hesitant to hand over the throne. Because of your prestige as heroes, and the oath to the gods that you had him make beforehand, he can't openly go back on his word.
Even so, Pelias still uses the excuse that the country is currently at war and doesn't hand over the throne to Jason.
You know he's using delaying tactics.
Pelias is avoiding the peak of your prestige, waiting for the momentum to weaken before finding a way to weaken you.
He's waiting for an opportunity, planning to slander Jason by exploiting loopholes, and then question the legitimacy of his claim to the throne.
Although Jason hasn't noticed,
You, with the wisdom of a transmigrator, immediately see through Pelias's conspiracy.
You immediately think of using your prestige as an Argo hero, and Pelias's violation of his oath to the gods, to question his authority and legitimacy to rule to the people of Thessaly.
With your help, Jason will surely become the king of Iolcos easily.
But at this crucial moment,
A rumor spreads to your ears.
On an island overseas, there lives a monster who has slaughtered countless warriors and drunk the blood of countless heroes.
The sea area where she lives has almost become a demon's lair.
You immediately think of the Gorgon.
It's been nine years since you last left the island, and you estimate that Medusa will be unable to suppress her demonization within ten years.
Now is the last year.
You are only one step away from dispelling the rumors.
You face two choices:
You choose to return to the Shapeless Isle first to check the situation.
For safety's sake, the safety of the Gorgon sisters is the most important thing, to find out if Medusa has really fallen into demonization.
You choose to stay in Iolcos. You are only one step away from realizing your plan. You can help Jason become king and then return to the Shapeless Isle. Dispelling the rumors can better suppress Medusa's demonization.
It's another classic either/or choice.
There's no need to say what to choose.
"Of course, only option one."
Moran has always been concerned about the Gorgon sisters.
Now, he has become a hero.
If a tragedy occurs because of his lateness, that's something Moran can't forgive himself for.
You choose to return to the Shapeless Isle.
You tell Medea and Jason about this.
"Huh? You're going back at this crucial time? But I really have no reason to stop you from going back to protect your family's safety, but my uncle is clinging to the throne, and I don't have your help…"
Jason's words lack confidence.
Along the way, he has come to understand that Moran is far superior to him in both combat and wisdom.
If it weren't for the help of this close friend, he wouldn't have been able to compete with Pelias for the throne so easily.
And it's precisely out of gratitude to his close friend that he can't refuse Moran's return to his hometown to take care of his family.
"What are you saying? You're the famous captain of the Argo. Haven't you heard the people praising your heroic deeds? Do you really think you've gotten this far entirely because of us?"
Moran asks Jason in return.
Jason is a fool with both desire and arrogance.
But that doesn't mean he's not a hero.
"If you hadn't proposed such a dream, and had the courage to say those big words, we wouldn't have chosen to board that ship. Although it's stupid, it just means that we're also a bunch of fools who want to pursue our dreams. See, isn't there no difference?"
Moran speaks on behalf of all the Argo members.
They're just hero fools who saw Jason's pure dream and accompanied him in dreaming it together.
Heroes aren't that far away.
Jason, who proposed this dream and acted on it, is by no means useless.
He's also a member of the ship as a hero.
The action, leadership, analytical skills, judgment, etc. that the captain of the Argo should have… he doesn't lack any of them.
The only thing he lacks is a little confidence.
Now, he has awakened after being pointed out.
"Haha, hahaha, that's right! Thanks, when did I forget…? That dream of the initial journey, even without your help, my epic story will still be written! Laugh, scold, I'm just such a big fool!"
Jason can't help but laugh.
His worries have been swept away.
Seeing that the guy who used to say big words has returned, Moran can also leave Iolcos with peace of mind.
That doesn't mean he didn't take precautions.
"If you really encounter trouble, go to the distant kingdom of Corinth. There, you should be able to get help."
Moran leaves these words for Jason.
He knows Jason's future in mythology.
Although Jason doesn't know why Moran mentioned Corinth, he still keeps his close friend's words in mind.
This also lays the groundwork for his future claim to the throne.
As he prepares to return to the Shapeless Isle,
Medea proposes the idea of going with him.
After thinking for a moment, you have a bad feeling about this return trip, and you don't plan to let Medea encounter danger.
"Wait for me here. Medea, after I find out what's wrong on the island, I'll take you to meet my three sisters. They should like you very much."
"Sister… what are they like…?"
"Well, Stheno is very scheming, Euryale is very lively but moody, they also like to tease people very much, and they're also very harsh to people… well, they're all flaws, but they actually have no malice. Medusa, she's very gentle, almost the opposite of the eldest and second sisters…"
Moran speaks with great nostalgia.
It even makes Medea a little jealous.
She had long planned to marry Moran and become his wife.
Moran wants the Gorgon sisters to be witnesses.
For this reason, the problem of the three sisters must be solved first, and the marriage ceremony has been delayed.
"Let's call Atalanta then."
"That's right, if we don't call her, she might shoot me with an arrow again when we see her next time."
Moran chats with Medea about family matters.
The time of parting still arrives.
Looking at the back of the man who is about to leave the city, Medea has a reluctance and an impulse to stay.
But the man will go no matter what.
She knows that the Gorgon sisters are not only family to Moran, but also the first love in his heart.
"Moran, promise me, you'll come back safely."
Medea says with a worried expression.
She withdraws the hand she wants to reach out.
A kind of illusion gradually spreads in her heart, as if if she doesn't grab this figure tightly, it will disappear.
"Yes, I'll come back safely. As long as I'm still alive in this world, I'll find you."
Moran leaves these parting words.
Heroes don't need to leave too many words; one sentence is enough to release all his feelings.
Looking at the gradually receding back,
Medea can only silently offer her blessings in her heart.
You prepare the ship for the journey.
As you are about to step onto the sail to the Shapeless Isle, another unignorable aura suddenly appears.
You keenly capture it.
The first impression is silver-white like the moon.
She has a bright smile on her face, and her eyes are shining.
That platinum hair, and snow-white skin like a snowfield,
A beauty as if made by a craftsman, more upright than any doll, more vibrant than any model or actor,
The Moon Goddess, Artemis.