A relationship that could only be called ill-fated.
Aside from the gods themselves, Atalanta truly was the person who understood Jason the best.
She even knew more than Medea did.
Although Jason had spent far more time with Medea than with Atalanta,
back then he had always been on guard against Medea.
It was only after Medea willingly shot the golden arrow (an arrow that was still in Jason's possession) that he finally accepted her.
Jason looked at the smiling Atalanta, then glanced at Medea beside him and at Thetis, who had suddenly fallen silent.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Is Atalanta warning me to be careful of Lady Thetis…? The hero-saving-the-damsel trope is cliché, and more importantly, Zeus is still watching from above. Lady Thetis shouldn't have any room for such feelings, right?"
"Still, I should probably keep a little distance from her."
With these thoughts in mind, Jason's expression did not change in the slightest.
Soon afterward, the sacred warship Argo vanished before the heroes' eyes and turned back into the maid-clad Ship Spirit who stayed by Jason's side.
While everyone was busy, Jason leaned close to Medea's ear and whispered something, pointing toward Thetis.
Medea blinked and nodded gently, showing that she understood.
Watching Medea obediently walk over and cling to Thetis, Jason gave a small nod of approval.
From the original Persephone and Demeter to the current Thetis, one really had to admit that Medea was extremely obedient.
If only she weren't constantly plotting to "ride her big brother and take charge," she would be the perfect tool… ahem, the perfect little sister in Jason's eyes.
Afterward, the entire group finished packing and set off for the kingdom of Iolcos while the weather was still fine.
They had not walked far when they heard beautiful lyre music drifting from the distance, so pure and cleansing that it seemed to wash the soul.
The moment Jason heard it, his expression changed slightly.
He recognized the player immediately.
After a brief hesitation, he made up his mind and led the curious companions toward the source of the music.
Soon they saw a handsome golden-haired man sitting on a smooth boulder in a sunlit clearing.
Under the spell of his playing, all manner of creatures had emerged from the forest to gather around him and listen.
Many people stared in stunned silence, then looked toward Jason.
The scene was almost identical to when Jason himself played.
And Jason's golden seven-stringed lyre had been a gift from Apollo, God of Light.
Those who thought quickly immediately guessed the identity of this breathtakingly beautiful golden-haired man.
At that moment, the man stopped playing.
He rose from the boulder and fixed his gaze upon Jason.
A radiant smile appeared on his handsome face.
"It has been a while, Jason."
"Great Lord Apollo, God of Light, it is my greatest honor to see you again."
Jason hurriedly bowed.
Hearing this, many people around them nodded in sudden realization and thought, "As expected."
Apollo gave a small nod, swept his gaze across the assembled heroes, and finally rested it upon the white-veiled Thetis standing beside Medea.
He walked over slowly and stopped in front of her.
Even through the veil, a trace of admiration appeared in Apollo's eyes.
"You must be Lady Amphitrite's younger sister, Thetis. You are indeed as beautiful as the rumors say… Very good, very good."
He examined Thetis carefully, then looked at Jason and nodded with a kind, paternal smile.
This naturally put Jason on high alert.
Seeing Thetis show not the slightest trace of panic before Apollo (son of Zeus's son), a hint of doubt flashed through Jason's eyes.
Something really is off… But why haven't either Lady Athena or Teacher Hecate warned me?
Just as Jason was about to ask Apollo why he was here,
Apollo revealed his purpose.
He had come to guide the heroes through the final leg of their journey and had been waiting here for them.
"Now is the moment you return with the Golden Fleece and bring this extraordinary voyage to its close.
Go and receive your glory, heroes of the Argo.
And you, my child… go and receive your gift."
Apollo gave Jason a meaningful, gentle smile that only made Jason's internal alarm bells ring louder.
Then Apollo waved his hand, summoning a flood of golden light that enveloped everyone.
The blinding radiance forced every person present to close their eyes.
When they opened them again, the vast plains had vanished.
They now stood inside the magnificent royal palace of Iolcos.
King Pelias, Jason's uncle, sat upon the throne, gazing at the heroes of the Argo who had appeared in a burst of golden light, exactly as the divine oracle had foretold.
His eyes especially lingered on the young man in pure white robes standing at the very front, the golden-haired and strikingly handsome Jason.
Deep helplessness and defeat filled Pelias's face.
He understood that everything was now beyond saving.
"They're here! They're really back!"
"The heroes of the Argo! Are those the great heroes?!"
"Just as the oracle said! Our Prince Jason has returned with the Golden Fleece!"
"And look at those pure white holy garments! And the sacred Pegasus flying in the sky… Prince Jason truly is the great hero Heracles! Our prince is the mightiest hero in the world!"
Witnessing this miracle, the courtiers and soldiers who had long awaited within the palace could no longer contain their excitement and began shouting.
At the same time…
"My child!"
Jason's father Aeson and his anxiously waiting mother rushed forward and embraced him tightly while he was still stunned.
Medea, Atalanta, and Thetis instantly turned their gazes toward the couple.
So these are Jason's parents?
The three women thought the exact same thing.
"Come here, child! Let Mother see if you've lost weight… Oh, my poor boy, you've been through so much!"
The long-absent warmth of family caused Jason to temporarily set aside the suspicion that had just arisen.
Meanwhile, the heroes straightened their backs proudly, basking in the worshipful gazes from all sides.
The fact that people were already calling them "the heroes of the Argo" showed that tales of their deeds had spread throughout the Greek world.
After all, when they first set sail, the undertaking had already shaken the entire Greek mainland.
Now they had returned!
And they had returned with the Golden Fleece, with the blessings of the gods, and with boundless glory!
Every one of them would bring pride and honor to their families and to the citizens of their homelands.
"Silence!"
At last, King Pelias, who had remained silent until now, spoke.
He rose from the throne that symbolized sacred royal authority.
His voice brought the noisy hall to silence.
Pelias looked at Jason, and Jason looked back at him.
"You have returned, Jason…"
Pelias's heart was filled with complex emotions as he spoke with a sigh.
"Yes, Uncle. I have returned."
Jason replied, giving his parents a gentle nod before stepping forward.
From his silver pouch he drew forth the priceless treasure that represented boundless glory: the Golden Fleece!
"And as promised, I have brought it back with me!"
The radiance of the Golden Fleece instantly seized the attention of everyone in the hall except the heroes of the Argo.
They stared in stunned at the glowing treasure.
Pelias, gazing upon the fleece, seemed to age ten years in an instant. Deep dejection covered his face.
"Yes… you have returned, my nephew. And you have fulfilled the promise."
Pelias looked with complicated feelings at the dazzling Golden Fleece and at Jason, who shone even brighter than the fleece itself.
Then, with trembling hands, he removed the crown that represented sacred kingship from his head.
Seeing this, a trace of surprise appeared in Jason's eyes.
He had not expected Pelias to be so decisive and not put up any futile resistance.
The reluctant, struggling look in Pelias's eyes showed just how much he coveted that power.
Yet it was also within reason.
The great gods themselves were watching this very moment. They were all bearing witness.
"It belongs to you now, Jason."
Pelias said with a sigh.
"No. It does not belong to me… Father."
Jason turned his head toward Aeson, his father in this world.
"My child, go ahead and take it. You went through such hardships—"
"No, Father. I truly have no desire for it."
Jason interrupted Aeson's excited words.
"I swear by the gods: everything I have done has been solely to win justice for you and Mother.
Therefore, Father, Mother, please do not refuse any longer, all right?"
Hearing Jason say this, what could they do but weep tears of joy?
Aeson stepped forward and accepted the crown once more from the hands of his younger brother Pelias.
He walked forward and sat upon the throne.
At this, soldiers and courtiers knelt and paid homage.
Even the heroes of the Argo bowed in respect to Jason's father, King Aeson.
And at that very moment, Aeson, who had been gazing at the scene with deep emotion, suddenly widened his eyes and stood up from the throne.
A pillar of golden light descended and enveloped him.
The gods sent their congratulations, and along with it came a divine oracle from sacred Mount Olympus!
"Father, what happened?!"
Jason asked in puzzlement as the golden light faded and Aeson came back to himself, staring straight at Jason.
"My child, to be your father is undoubtedly the greatest honor of my life."
Aeson looked at Jason in his white robes, his heart overflowing with happiness.
"The great gods of Olympus, the great God-King Zeus himself, have just sent their blessing and an incomparably glorious oracle."
"My child… they wish to bestow upon you a wedding of supreme honor!"
The moment those words left Aeson's mouth, Jason's eyes widened.
His mind went completely blank.
At the same time, Medea and Atalanta's minds went blank as well.
"Great God-King Zeus has declared that he shall grant you a beautiful and virtuous goddess in marriage!"
"And the goddess's name is… Thetis!"
In that instant, every single hero of the Argo turned their heads in perfect unison toward the white-veiled sea goddess Thetis.
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
Jason's face turned ashen.