“Ooooh! So this is the Golden Fleece!”
“...”
In the palace of Iolcos, Pelias sat on the throne, a villainous, cunning smile on his face as he received the Golden Fleece from Jason.
At the sight of Pelias, Iskios‘s expression twisted.
Indeed, Jason‘s father had earned a reputation as an incompetent king, but Pelias was a tyrant beyond mere incompetence. Iskios recalled the face of that puppet president from his previous life—less capable than a chicken—who was ousted and imprisoned, but he shut that thought down immediately.
This king was no puppet, yet his rule was equally dire. Jason‘s father had emptied the treasury by distributing taxes to the people, earning him the label of a derelict ruler, but Pelias filled his own coffers and ruled the city by violence and power alone.
“Uncle, I‘ve brought the Golden Fleece. As promised, I request you to abdicate the throne.”
“Ah, hahahaha... yes, we did promise, didn‘t we? But you must be tired from your journey. Rest well today. We‘ll talk about the throne tomorrow. Heh heh heh...”
Pelias dodged the succession discussion for the day. Iskios saw Jason grind his teeth at this, but Jason released his anger outside.
Jason, unable to contain his fury at his shameless uncle, punched the wall repeatedly. Medea, alarmed, cast a healing spell on his bleeding knuckles.
“J-Jason! Are you all right?!”
“Damn it! Damn it! I knew it—he has no intention of surrendering the throne to me!”
“Well, no ruler willingly relinquishes power. Once they taste it, they cling all the more...”
As Medea soothed the agitated Jason, Iskios shrugged and spoke as expected.
Originally, Iskios had planned to leave the children in Iolcos and secure them positions, but under the current circumstances, he intended to depose Pelias without shedding blood—forcing him to step down from fear.
Of course, he couldn‘t use Pelias‘s brute methods again; that would only provoke rebellion. But first, he had business elsewhere and addressed Jason.
“Jason, I‘ll help you win the throne legitimately, but I need to make preparations. Return to the cabin and rest thoroughly. We‘ll start the real takeover tomorrow.”
“You... you‘re helping me?!”
“I can‘t leave the children in this chaotic city, can I?”
Iskios‘s outstretched hand felt like salvation to Jason. Normally terse, Iskios shone brighter as he offered aid.
Jason responded with a joyous “O-okay~!” half out of pride, half in genuine relief. Medea watched with relief as Iskios then quietly addressed her.
“Pelias will see Jason as an obstacle. He might hire assassins or send him on deadly tasks to eliminate him.”
“What? Jason—”
“Shh.”
Iskios anticipated Pelias‘s next moves:
The passage of time is monstrous.
When I returned to the forest—my home for a year and a half—and reached the cabin, children rushed to greet me. All were alive and well, but one thing had changed.
Over that time, the children had grown, but the biggest change was in Pell, the leader and son of the village chief. Once a lanky boy on the brink of adolescence, he had blossomed into a fine young man.
His body rippled with muscle worthy of a bodybuilder, and his handsome looks had matured remarkably. With that stature, he wouldn‘t be bullied anywhere.
“Pell, you‘ve become a man while I was away.”
“Yes! It‘s been a long time, Master Iskios!”
Though his demeanor hadn‘t shifted much, Pell burst into tears at the compliment. Iskios still wasn‘t used to being called “Master,” and seeing Pell cry brought a wry smile to his face.
Iskios sat as Pell recounted their life in the forest for the past year and a half. Using fire to drive off beasts, setting traps for bandits, harvesting honey from the beehives Iskios had left, gathering fruit, and reaping their crops—they lived self-sufficiently.
Pell led the children, protecting the forest single-handedly without casualties or severe injuries. Iskios felt like applauding at the tale.
After hearing everything, Iskios shared his future plan: to return the children to Iolcos and rebuild it into a proper realm for people to live.
“Is this truly... farewell?”
“More of a ’see you again.‘ You‘ve grown strong enough to guard this forest. I‘m proud I raised you. But...”
Iskios asked them to support Jason‘s rightful claim to the throne.
He already knew how to secure Jason‘s rule without exile—there‘s a saying he held dear:
“Public opinion is divine will.”
With every preparation made, he packed lightly and led the children out of the forest. In just one day, they returned to Iolcos, where Absyrtus awaited them at the main gate.
“Nothing happened while I was gone, I trust?”
“No... nothing at all.”
“Jason asked for the throne again, but Pelias dodged him once more today.”
Iskios sighed, deducing Pelias had chosen to stall.
Pelias‘s credibility and popular support were already teetering, yet no rebellion surfaced because he favored the privileged—those wielding weapons—who crushed any dissenters loyally.
“You‘re late, Iskios! Keeping me waiting—what nerve—ouch, oof!”
“Don‘t get too cocky, Jason.”
Entering Jason‘s home, Iskios endured Jason‘s mock outrage until he pinched his cheek, silencing him. Thus began the project to make Jason king.
Jason imagined a grand plan, but Iskios‘s project started humbly.
“What is this? These rags?! Why must I wear such trappings?!”
“So you can connect with the common folk.”
Jason glared at the simple linen. Even so, Medea smiled warmly at him in his modest attire.
Jason bristled with resentment, and Iskios explained:
“Listen closely, Jason. If you want to ascend the throne without opposition, this is crucial. Public opinion is divine will.”
“What...?”
Jason realized that public opinion meant the hearts of the people, which were as important as the heavens. He slapped his knee in understanding.
“I see! I must rally the people of Iolcos to my side!”
“Exactly. If Pelias refuses to relinquish the throne, unite the people, Jason.”
Jason‘s eyes blazed as he grasped Iskios‘s insight. Standing, he felt small clothes mattered little compared to gaining the people‘s support.
He closed his eyes momentarily, plotting his path to kingship with the hint from Iskios. Opening them sharply, he turned to Absyrtus and Pell.
“All right! Spread word of me—tell everyone who followed Iskios and Absyrtus here!”
“Sp- spread word, you say...?”
“Hey, why should we follow your orders?”
Absyrtus was hesitant but intended to follow. Some of the children who had come with Iskios, including Pell, expressed displeasure at Jason‘s arrogant command. Looking at Pell, Iskios gently admonished:
“Take it easy, Pell. He‘s the next king, and soon your lord.”
“...Yes, sir.”
“—And Medea and I will support him fully!”
Iskios nodded, and Medea smiled in agreement. Thus began the project to win the hearts of the people for Jason.