Kingdom of Colchis, inside the castle.
Upon entering the castle palace, Jason, holding the olive branch symbolizing peace, arrived before King Aeëtes of Colchis, who had been waiting for them for quite some time, accompanied by Theseus, Meleager, and several other heroes.
As for Atalanta and Chiron, they had been led by the elder who called himself the seer of Colchis to a reception room that had already been prepared.
Once Jason and the others entered, the burly man seated on the throne, King Aeëtes of Colchis, who was also Medea's father, naturally cast a scrutinizing gaze toward Jason, the center of the group.
Even though King Aeëtes had already mentally prepared himself to some extent.
But when he looked at the young man before him, dressed in white robes, with golden hair and blue eyes as radiant as the sun god Apollo.
Aeëtes could not help but be stunned for a moment.
"Esteemed King Aeëtes of Colchis, Captain Jason of the Argo extends his respects and greetings to you. It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
It was only after Jason bowed in greeting and those beside him followed suit one by one that Aeëtes came back to his senses.
"No need for such formality, guests from afar."
Nodding lightly, Aeëtes looked at the handsome youth before him, dressed in spotless white robes.
A satisfied smile gradually appeared on his face as he said to him: "Especially you, Prince Jason from the distant kingdom of Iolcus."
It was not just Aeëtes who felt this way; even the queen seated beside him nodded in satisfaction as she gazed at Jason.
Seeing this, Theseus and the others noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere and exchanged puzzled glances among themselves.
At that moment, King Aeëtes suddenly laughed and said: "The hero in white robes, riding a heavenly steed... Prince Jason from the distant kingdom of Iolcus, you are a hero favored by my great father, the sun god Helios, a friend of my brother Phaethon, and thus naturally my friend as well.
Not to mention, you are also the brother of my beloved daughter Medea, so there is no need for you to be so reserved."
Hearing this, Theseus and Meleager beside him were stunned for a moment before simultaneously turning their gazes toward Jason.
What?!
You never mentioned this!
But wait, Medea... Meleager, who had once been invited by Jason to attend the wedding in the underworld, fell into thought.
Soon, he recalled it.
Although much time had passed since the underworld wedding.
But like a massive boulder standing in the sea, it had left an indelibly deep impression in Meleager's heart.
Thus, Meleager remembered that there had indeed been a woman named Medea at that wedding.
Moreover, she had entered the wedding hall alongside the underworld queen Persephone and served as the most radiant companion beside the goddess Persephone at the time!
Although she had seemed utterly unremarkable among the gods, she had left an unforgettable mark on the human attendees of the wedding.
Because at that time, only she and Jason, who wore a mask, had the qualification to move freely among the gods!
As Meleager recalled these things.
"No, esteemed King Aeëtes, this is the courtesy I should show."
Jason still replied respectfully to King Aeëtes: "Because at this moment, I am the captain of the Argo, representing everyone on the Argo, not just myself, Jason... However, King Aeëtes, beautiful Queen Idyia, once the current matters are concluded, if you are willing to accept the long-overdue greetings from Medea's unworthy brother, I would be immensely honored!"
Hearing this, King Aeëtes and the queen were slightly stunned, then exchanged a glance.
The beautiful queen smiled lightly and nodded, looking at Jason with approval as she said: "In that case, I am already somewhat impatient for it."
"Haha... Then, Captain Jason of the Argo, what brings you here?"
"To seek your kingdom's rare treasure, the Golden Fleece."
"Then do you know that the Golden Fleece is our national heirloom? How could we easily hand it over to you?"
"Of course I know." Jason nodded. "Therefore, for this purpose, we are also willing to offer rare treasures to King Aeëtes."
Once Jason finished speaking, Theseus, Meleager, and the others immediately presented the treasures they had prepared long in advance, displaying them respectfully for everyone present to see.
Over the course of this half-year voyage, they had accumulated quite a few items.
However, Aeëtes found these things utterly uninteresting. As the son of the sun god Helios and the king of a nation, what pearls or gems had he not seen?
Until Jason presented his most esteemed offering.
It was a pair of beautiful winged sandals and the moonstones he had collected thus far... Yes, those winged sandals were the ones Hermes had dropped in fright from the Argo's main cannon last time and which the Argo had fished up.
As for the moonstones, they were the stones the moon goddess Artemis had thrown at him and Atalanta...
Seeing that Jason had brought out a pair of shoes and a pile of pretty stones, King Aeëtes could not help but ask curiously: "Jason, what are these...?"
"Your Majesty, these are the winged sandals of the great messenger of the gods, Hermes, and the divine stones bestowed upon me by the great moon goddess Artemis."
Jason said: "These winged sandals are the lost item that Lord Hermes has been searching for. If you take these sandals to find Lord Hermes, he will grant you one wish.
As for these divine stones, only the goddess Artemis possesses them; they are priceless treasures.
At this moment, I wish to offer them to you, Your Majesty."
Just as Jason handed these two items to King Aeëtes.
In the clouds not far away in the sky.
Question marks appeared above the heads of Hermes and Artemis simultaneously...
"When did I agree to grant a wish? Anyway, it was indeed you who stole my winged sandals!"
Hermes rolled his eyes.
"The stones I threw are priceless treasures?"
Artemis tilted her head, blinking her eyes in a dazed and cute manner.
Their remarks drew light laughter from many gods nearby.
Including Queen Hera...
Yes, at this moment, almost all the gods of Olympus had arrived.
Except for Zeus and Poseidon, who had no idea where they had gone, and Hades, who could not come.
After all, this was the day Jason and his crew arrived at their destination after a long journey.
It was like reaching the final, most crucial, and exciting part of a television series.
The gods would naturally not miss it.
But no matter how much Hermes and Artemis wanted to say at this moment, upon hearing Jason's words, King Aeëtes's eyes lit up instantly.
"Quick, quick, bring me the treasures in Jason's hands!"
Clearly, King Aeëtes liked them very much.
Moreover, one was a divine artifact from a god, and the other a divine object from a god.
This was far superior to those so-called rare treasures.
However, like them though he did, a troubled expression appeared on King Aeëtes's face as he said to Jason: "Jason, I like the gifts you have brought, but if you intend to exchange them for the Golden Fleece..."
"No, esteemed King Aeëtes, I do not intend to exchange them for your kingdom's Golden Fleece. I merely wish to offer them to you, King Aeëtes, in exchange for an opportunity from your hand."
"An opportunity?"
At this moment, not only was King Aeëtes puzzled, but Theseus and the others were as well.
However, due to the prestige Jason had built over the past half year and the fact that he was their junior brother.
Theseus and the others said nothing more, leaving everything to Jason.
"Yes." Jason nodded and said: "On the way here, after inquiring with that seer elder, I have learned that the generous King Aeëtes is willing to give warriors who come seeking the Golden Fleece a challenge to obtain it.
Therefore, by offering these rare treasures to King Aeëtes, I hope you will grant us such an opportunity."
"Since you already know, I will generously grant you this opportunity. Why then do you still offer me these treasures?"
King Aeëtes was puzzled.
"Because we are guests from afar, not bandits!" Jason replied: "Although the generous King Aeëtes is willing to give anyone who comes to challenge the opportunity to take away the Golden Fleece.
But the Golden Fleece is your kingdom's heirloom treasure, something that inherently belongs to your nation, something we should not and have no right to covet.
Therefore, it is only right that we offer gifts to King Aeëtes and seek this opportunity from the esteemed king; this is the most basic courtesy.
If we cannot even do this much, then even if we complete the challenge and take away the Golden Fleece, it would be the act of bandits!"
Hearing Jason's words, everyone present was stunned, including the soldiers standing to the side.
They cast gazes of immense surprise toward Jason, who had spoken so eloquently.
Until now, they had seen countless people come to claim the Golden Fleece.
Most had been arrogant and conceited, certain they would take it away.
Utterly unaware that such behavior had secretly angered how many people.
Because as Jason said, the Golden Fleece was their nation's treasure, even a symbol of their nation!
Thus, it was clear that Jason's words had struck a chord in their hearts.
King Aeëtes looked at the youth before him in surprise, his heart truly deeply touched.
The hero in white robes, riding a sacred heavenly steed... These opening words undoubtedly indicated that King Aeëtes knew who Jason was and what he had done.
Thus, King Aeëtes had subconsciously assumed Jason was a man full of immense pride and arrogance.
After all, at such a young age, he had achieved such feats.
But after this meeting...
The queen beside him gazed at Jason with eyes that had completely lit up, unable to look away.
It was clearly the gaze of a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, growing fonder the more she saw...
"Jason, do you know how dangerous challenging for the Golden Fleece is?!" King Aeëtes asked Jason seriously.
"Of course, esteemed king."
"Even so, you still wish to challenge it?"
"Yes, King Aeëtes!"
"Very well, then as you wish, I grant you this opportunity!"
Hearing this, Jason could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, a slight smile lifting the corners of his mouth as he bowed to King Aeëtes in gratitude.
And just then...
"Is it really necessary to offer so much just to seek an opportunity? He was going to give it to us anyway." Someone could not help but whisper.
Though the voice was soft, those nearby, including the surrounding soldiers, could not help but nod, clearly unable to understand this behavior.
After all, those winged sandals and moonstones were genuine divine items.
It felt like a huge loss!
In response, Jason merely smiled without explanation... He could not explain at the moment either.
The reason was simple: Jason was determined to take the Golden Fleece.
And Jason knew that if he took the Golden Fleece, the unwilling King Aeëtes and his people would surely send soldiers to pursue them.
In the original fate, the one who blocked those pursuers was Medea; for this, she even did not hesitate to kill her own brother...
So, in the current situation, if Jason and his group succeeded in the challenge and took the Golden Fleece, would King Aeëtes still send people to pursue them?
Even if he did send pursuers, Jason would then stand completely on the side of reason.
With ample justification to counterattack.
Once King Aeëtes instructed his subordinates to warmly host the Argo's crew, Jason did not leave but approached the king and queen.
He inquired about Medea... He still had not seen her, and Jason truly felt puzzled.
Then, he received a warm response from the queen, who looked at him with a beaming smile.
She told Jason that Medea had been waiting for him all along.
In the temple of the goddess Hecate, not far away...
After Jason bowed in thanks and departed, the beautiful queen looked at his retreating figure and said to King Aeëtes beside her, who was happily toying with the winged sandals and moonstones: "What if he truly passes the trial? What then?
That child is a hero guided by wisdom, undefeated to this day."
"If he truly passes the trial?" King Aeëtes was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and said: "Then let him take it."
"Eh?" The queen withdrew her gaze and looked at King Aeëtes in surprise.
"The Golden Fleece has always brought us trouble anyway. It is a gift from the noble gods, so we cannot give it to others.
But now he is our daughter's brother, a student of the goddess Hecate, and the hero most valued by the goddess of wisdom Athena.
If he passes, then let him take it.
Besides, we lose nothing; we even gained Lord Hermes's winged sandals and Artemis's divine stones."
Hearing this, the queen thought for a moment.
She realized they indeed lost nothing...
"It is strange. Why do I feel so angry when others want to take the Golden Fleece, but if this child truly takes it, I would feel happy for him instead?"
After careful thought, the queen could not help but mutter.
Hearing this, King Aeëtes thought for a while and found it was indeed the case.
But the two could not figure out why, so in the end, they concluded: "It must be because he is Jason.
Anyway, come look. These stones are truly divine; not only are they so beautiful, but they glow in the dark too!"
...
After bidding farewell to Theseus and the others and explaining his intentions, Theseus and company naturally did not stop him.
Thus, Jason headed alone to the temple of Hecate in the kingdom.
On the way, thinking of Medea, a faint smile appeared on Jason's face.
Medea... This name had long been a nightmare-like existence in Jason's heart.
There was no helping it; she was a fated tribulation in Jason's destiny.
But things were different now. At this point, Jason naturally would not cast strange or even fearful emotions toward his sister merely because of the three words "Medea."
It was just... This was ultimately a hurdle in his heart.
Medea would bring Jason glory, but at the same time, she would also bring him destruction; this was what fate had originally decreed.
Thus, even though the current Jason could face Medea with a calm heart.
It did not mean he could completely accept Medea without a care.
And regarding this, Medea, who had been with him for many years and was exceptionally intelligent herself, naturally understood it very well.
So Medea knew that she... had to do something.
Very, very long ago, Medea had understood this.
Otherwise, forget about a deeper relationship; even as a sister... she could not achieve true closeness with Jason!
And then,
Jason entered the temple.
At this moment, Hecate's temple was extraordinarily quiet.
Because Medea had already dismissed everyone before his arrival today.
She was sincerely praying to her before the statue of the goddess Hecate.
From several days ago, this had continued until today...
Silently waiting for Jason's arrival.
Now, Jason entered the temple.
His gaze fell upon the figure of the young woman with her back to him.
He also saw the statue of his teacher Hecate, to which she was praying.
Seeing this, Jason smiled and opened his mouth to call out to Medea in that instant.
"Medea..."
The change occurred just like that!
The magic arrays that had long been set up activated simultaneously around them, chains formed from magical power emerging from each array.
With the fastest speed, they bound Jason, who had no time to react!
This sudden turn of events not only stunned Jason.
It also stunned the gods who were secretly watching.
For example... the goddess of wisdom, Athena.
Then, as Medea withdrew from her prayer, slowly rose with a resolute expression, slowly drew her bow, and suddenly turned, aiming the arrow at Jason in that instant.
Athena's expression changed instantly!
"The bow and arrow of the love god Cupid!"
With just one glance, she recognized what this bow and arrow were.
Thus, she instantly moved to enter the temple.
But at that moment...
Underworld butterflies fluttered their wings, blocking her path.
The goddess of the crossroads, Hecate, appeared before Athena.
She reached out, stopping her outside the temple.
"Hecate, what are you doing? Get out of the way..."
Before Athena's anxious words could finish,
Under her wide-eyed gaze.
The drawn golden arrow shot from Medea's hand with utmost decisiveness.
To fire this arrow, Medea had... prepared for many years.
And due to her thorough understanding of Jason, Medea knew very well how to have a chance to hit him.
That was to give him no preparation whatsoever, in the instant he relaxed.
In this temple of the goddess Hecate, his teacher.
To shoot... this golden arrow at him!
This was the golden arrow of love that even gods could not resist; it was a divine item that had even tricked the sun god Apollo once.
Then, under Athena's wide-eyed gaze, the golden arrow pierced... into Jason's body.
"Hecate!"
In that instant, Athena was furious.
But Hecate, who had anticipated this, unfolded a domain she had prepared long ago.
Enveloping the entire temple and drawing both her and Athena into it.
Endless chains assaulted Athena, attempting to imprison her.
But when Athena drew her spear, took up her shield, and launched an attack on Hecate with boundless fury.
Hecate immediately realized... she could not defeat her.
The goddess of wisdom Athena was, after all, the most brilliant and radiant pearl of the Olympian pantheon.
Before her, all her sisters and brothers could only yield.
Even figures like the lord of the underworld Hades and the sea emperor Poseidon could not claim certain victory over Athena.
But delaying her for a few minutes, Hecate could undoubtedly do.
For example... three minutes!
Ah,
Hecate sighed lightly in her heart.
Hurry and end it.
These two... troublesome students!
"...Sister, what did you shoot at me?"
In Hecate's temple, Jason, bound entirely by chains and unable to move, remained extraordinarily calm.
"The arrow of love fated to strike you, dear brother."
Medea replied softly to Jason, equally calm as she said: "This is the golden arrow of the little love god Cupid. One arrow has already pierced my body, and its paired counterpart... is now in you, brother."
"Why?" Jason looked at her. "Why do this?"
"To confess my feelings to you, dear brother."
Medea smiled as she replied to Jason: "And also... for our future."
"For... the future?" Jason's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Medea.
"Dear brother, I actually knew long ago why you were unwilling to accept me... I saw very early on the fate between us."
"So I have always understood that I am a burden to you, brother. But... this will not do. This is wrong.
Because I truly like you, brother.
Why must fate be so cruel to me, brother?"
With that, Medea sighed and slowly descended the steps, walking toward Jason as she said: "I am your stumbling block... the stumbling block you must kick away. But I know you are very kind-hearted, brother.
Even knowing full well that I am a stumbling block, you still willing to be my brother. But... this will not do, brother.
A stumbling block must be kicked away."
"But I am unwilling to be kicked away by you, brother. So I have always pretended to know nothing and stayed by your side. But... this still will not do."
As she spoke, Medea showed a very troubled expression and said: "Brother, if things continue like this, I cannot even be your sister. So I know I must do something...
Brother, I hope there is a place for me in your story.
Thus,
This arrow, brother, I prepared for you for over three years.
For me, and... for you."
"For me?" Jason tilted his head.
Seeing this, Medea could not help but laugh and said to Jason: "Brother, others may not know you, but do I not? ...This golden arrow could not have hit you at all, right, brother?
I know very well that a shot golden arrow has only two outcomes.
You are willing to be hit.
You are unwilling to be hit!"
Hearing this, Jason fell silent for a moment.
Then he rolled his eyes at Medea, wriggling his bound, immobile body, and said: "My dear sister, do you not think your words now lack any persuasiveness?"
"Because no matter what, I had to try!"
Medea raised the bow and arrow in her hand toward Jason and said: "What if it succeeds? If it succeeds, then you are mine, brother!"
"You have succeeded now..."
"Come on, brother, stop acting." Medea rolled her eyes and said: "If it truly succeeded, you would be shouting for Teacher Hecate to save you right now!"
Jason was speechless...
"The reason." Jason said.
Medea smiled lightly and said: "The reason, brother, have you not already guessed it? ...For me, and for you, brother.
We both know that in the fate we saw, the little love god Cupid's golden arrow would strike both of us.
So rather than waiting for the little love god Cupid to shoot us, why not do it ourselves, right, brother?
Since we cannot avoid it, then take control of everything in our own hands!"
Jason was speechless.
Who was it? Who had corrupted his sister? Step forward—who was it!
"I have already cast a spell on this golden arrow, a spell Teacher Hecate taught me. Now one golden arrow is in my body, and the other is locked onto you, brother.
This way, even if another golden arrow strikes me or you in the future, before these two take effect, it will have no impact!"
Hearing this, Jason was stunned for a moment.
"In this way, brother, the fate you feared most has been broken... Brother, you who now hold the golden arrow no longer need to worry about the fate you saw. You have completely leaped out of destiny!"
"And for this... I am the same."
Medea smiled at Jason and said: "This way, brother, you will no longer reject me. I can truly come to your side, open my arms to you, and embrace you."
"Therefore, for this arrow... I prepared for three years.
And no matter the final outcome, I can accept it.
...To be honest, such a method is something you taught me, brother."
As she spoke, Medea playfully stuck out her tongue at Jason.
Indeed, whether it hit or not, Medea would not lose.
It was strikingly similar to everything Jason had done until now.
"You..."
"That is enough for now, brother." Medea interrupted Jason and said to him: "The spell I left can only hold back the spread of divine power for a short time... It is time to decide, brother."
"Is that so... Medea, what do you want me to do?"
"Me?" Medea was stunned for a moment, then looked at Jason and revealed a beautiful smile as she said: "I hope there is a place for me in your story... Brother, you are not that Jason. You are not him.
You are my dear brother."
"...I understand."
Jason said softly: "Sorry, Medea, for making you... go to such lengths.
And... sorry."
With those words, a golden hourglass appeared in his hand.
Medea gazed at Jason, and at the same time... sighed in her heart.
She lowered the bow and arrow in her hand.
As she had said from the beginning, though she believed Jason could turn everything around, but...
How could she not wish to shoot this golden arrow into Jason's heart!
The sands of time reversed in the hourglass,
Time flowed back,
Three minutes earlier.
When Jason stepped into the temple hall!