Jason kept up appearances as always.
Everyone knew his combat ability ranked near the bottom aboard the Argo.
Along the way, the heroes had basically been escorting him, while he stood at the bow with his hands on his hips, posing dramatically.
In other words, he was the designated atmosphere guy.
His only merits worth mentioning were his leadership as captain and his strategic mind. Everyone aboard the Argo knew he often acted like an idiot, but deep down, they also knew he was indispensable.
"Mr. Jason, I have some magically infused ointment here. It should at least be enough to keep you alive through the trials..."
"Oh, oh, oh! There's something that useful?! You should've told me earlier! Then I wouldn't have been so scar—ptooey, not scared. I was worried about your safety. Yeah, this way nobody will be able to hold me back!"
"Hold you back? From what I can see, Mr. Jason, you're the one who needs protection the most..."
Medea said innocently.
There was not the slightest hint of malice in her.
She simply said whatever she saw.
Jason's face twisted like a bitter melon after hearing that.
The surrounding heroes could barely hold back their laughter. At last, someone had spoken the honest truth right to his face.
In the past, everyone had treated Jason like a brother.
So they had not nitpicked over it.
"Eh... Did I say something wrong?"
Medea had not caught on to the mood.
There was a saying that airheads were black on the inside once you cut them open.
She fit that saying perfectly.
The next day, the heroes went to undertake the trials.
You left the heroes' group with Medea.
While the heroes planned to subdue the Fire-breathing Bulls first, you returned to the royal palace of Colchis.
Medea was somewhat confused.
"Lord Moran, why are we going to the palace? Shouldn't we be helping Atalanta and the others?"
"Medea, if Jason and the others complete the trials, do you think your father will really be willing to hand over the Golden Fleece?"
"Father probably won't... Oh! I understand! Lord Moran, you want to steal the Golden Fleece first while everyone's attention is on the heroes, when the palace's defenses are at their weakest?"
"Smart."
Moran gave Medea a thumbs-up.
Medea's little face flushed red.
She had not expected Moran to praise her like that.
Her heart overflowed with sweet joy.
"You don't mind if I steal your nation's treasure?"
"Not at all. Father only keeps that thing around as an antique anyway. If Lord Moran can use it, I think that's much better than letting it gather dust in the treasury!"
Medea spoke with innocent romanticism.
She did not think there was anything wrong with it.
At that moment, the person she loved most was Moran, so naturally she believed he was the most valiant hero in the world.
Naturally, such a treasure should belong to him.
Medea would naturally do something as filial as selling out her own father for Moran without a moment's hesitation.
This love was undoubtedly heavy.
Because she was willing to devote everything to it.
"Medea, I hope you can promise me something."
"Mmm, Lord Moran is actually asking me for a favor... I... As long as it's something I can do... I'll agree to anything!"
Medea looked flattered beyond measure.
She was happy to be able to help Moran.
"I'm happy that you care so much about me, but... I hope you'll cherish yourself more."
Concern showed through Moran's words.
This left Medea looking confused.
"I don't want you to get hurt, nor do I want you to do something I wouldn't want because of these excessive feelings. Because if that happens, you won't find happiness in the end."
Moran spoke earnestly.
As the one Medea had fallen in love with.
He wanted to correct Medea's lack of self-love. If he did not address it, it would eventually become a hidden danger.
Not to mention that, during his time with Medea.
He had genuinely begun to develop feelings for the adorable girl.
"I want you to find happiness, so I don't want you to do anything that will make you regret it. Remember, nothing can be obtained by abandoning something else. I hope you understand that."
"Lord Moran... I don't understand..."
Medea did not quite understand.
Because all she had ever thought about was how to satisfy the love in her heart. She had never believed love could bring her pain.
That belief was far too absolute.
And being so absolute was not necessarily a good thing.
"It's all right if you don't understand yet. When you hesitate, think carefully about what I said. I believe you'll make the right choice."
Moran smiled faintly.
He believed Medea would understand someday.
After all, what happiness could come from committing the crime of chopping up her own younger brother?
Moran did not want Medea to make that mistake.
Nor was there any need for the Traitor Witch to be born.
You and Medea infiltrated the royal palace.
With the support of concealment magecraft, you easily entered the palace treasury.
Most of the palace staff had gone to watch how the Argo Heroes would overcome the trials. With Medea's identity as a princess helping to cover for you, no one believed anyone would come to steal the Golden Fleece.
Inside the treasury, you successfully took the Golden Fleece.
The two of you left the palace.
Not long afterward, the Argo Heroes overcame the three trials imposed by King Aetes.
Just as in your myth, King Aetes completely abandoned his earlier gentle attitude and still refused to hand over the Golden Fleece. You stopped Jason, who had been about to start a huge argument.
"I'm pissed to death! Moran! Don't stop me! Today, I'm going to argue with that old bastard to the bitter end!"
"Calm down!"
Moran whispered softly.
The instant Jason heard it, his eyes widened as round as bells.
He looked as though he had just witnessed an earthquake.
"Ahem! Honestly, you king are far too shameless! I, Jason, disdain arguing with a lying scumbag like you! It's beneath me! But don't think I'll give up on the Golden Fleece! I'll be back!"
Although Jason's tone was still irritable.
The heroes around him all felt something was off.
Based on the Jason they knew.
If he learned that someone had dared to toy with him like this, he would never back down, even if he had to throw a tantrum and roll around on the ground like a rascal.
There was no way he would simply flee like a deserter.
Unless someone had remade his personality.
"Hmph, the Argo Heroes are nothing special after all. Aren't they still wary of Colchis's mighty national power?"
Aetes revealed a smug smile.
He had previously heard countless people say that the Argo Heroes could not be provoked.
Now, it seemed they were nothing more than this.
Watching the heroes leave the palace with their tails between their legs, Aetes was thoroughly pleased with himself as the ruler of a nation.
Yet he felt as though something was not quite right.
But he could not say what it was.
"Jason, don't bottle it up if you're sick. Did you contract some rare mental illness? You should know that illnesses need treatment."
Asclepius's expression was extremely grave.
He judged that Jason was seriously ill.
Otherwise, he could not possibly give up on the Golden Fleece like this.
The other heroes shared Asclepius's thoughts and mostly believed Jason had been possessed.
"No one's watching us anymore, right?"
Jason looked around like a thief.
He could not have looked any more suspicious.
"You haven't really gone crazy, have you? No one's watching us. At least, I can't sense anyone."
Atalanta rarely showed a worried expression.
She felt Jason had knocked his brains loose.
The instant he received confirmation that no one was nearby, Jason immediately ran with all his might.
"Why are you idiots still standing around?! Run already! Get back to the ship! That shameless old man might figure it out soon! Move!"
He ran so fast it was as though he had greased his feet.
The heroes were left dumbfounded.
Though they had no idea what was going on with Jason, they hurried toward the Argo as well.
Only on the way did they learn what had happened.
"No wonder. I was wondering why you weren't there when we faced the trials, Moran. So you went to steal the Golden Fleece."
"Keep it low-key. I call that foresight."
"Heh, you really are something."
Even Atalanta could not help praising him.
The more she looked at this man who had considered everything so thoroughly, the harder it became for her to imagine leaving him.
The affection in her heart continued to well up.
"Hehe, Atalanta, I helped too! It was my first time doing something bad like this. It was kind of exciting!"
Medea playfully stuck out her little tongue.
She looked utterly adorable and mischievous.
Before you continue