Rumors from Afar / I Can't Accept You

That did not mean there was no solution at all.

She could choose to face the oath she had sworn, as well as Artemis, the goddess she worshipped.

Atalanta now had a goal beyond faith.

She wanted to obtain this true love.

Returning to Arcadia was her first choice. Perhaps she could see Artemis there.

Did vows and love truly conflict?

Why could she not seize both?

She understood that she wanted both, and felt ashamed of her own greed, but she could not help it.

It would be wonderful if she could achieve it.

She would strive for it and reach out for happiness.

It was a motivation she had never possessed before—not the wildness brought from those forests, but a desire that had sprouted from every moment she had spent with Moran throughout the voyage.

She had fallen in love with this man too.

"Moran... after I settle things in Arcadia... you will not need to come looking for me. I will return to find you...!"

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The story of the Argo Heroes had come to an end.

You had supported Jason in becoming king according to your plan, all to dispel the rumors surrounding Gorgon.

Having become heroes, you were worshipped by the world.

The moment you returned to Iolcus, the people had offered you songs of praise and flowers. Everyone sang of the epic adventures you and the heroes had created.

You had brought back the Golden Fleece as required by the trial.

Yet King Pelias still hesitated to surrender the throne. Because of your reputation as heroes, as well as the oath to the gods that you had made him swear beforehand, he could not go back on his word to your faces.

Even so, Pelias used the kingdom's current state of war as an excuse and did not hand the throne over to Jason.

You knew he was employing a delaying tactic.

Pelias was waiting out the peak of your reputations, intending to weaken Jason once the momentum faded.

He was waiting for an opening, planning to slander Jason through loopholes before questioning the legitimacy of his claim to the throne.

Although Jason had not noticed it.

With the wisdom of a transmigrator, you immediately saw through Pelias's scheme.

You immediately thought of using your prestige as an Argo Hero, along with Pelias's violation of his oath to the gods, to challenge his authority and legitimacy as ruler before the people of Thessaly.

With your help, Jason would surely become the king of Iolcus with ease.

However, at this critical moment.

A rumor drifted into your ears.

A monster lived on an island somewhere overseas. She had slaughtered countless warriors and drunk the blood of countless heroes.

The waters around her home had nearly become a demon's den.

You immediately thought of Gorgon.

Nine years had passed since you left the island. You had estimated that Medusa would be unable to suppress her demonic transformation within ten years.

This was the final year.

You were only one step away from dispelling the rumor.

You faced two choices.

First, you could return to The Invisible Island and inspect the situation.

To be safe, the safety of the Gorgon Sisters was most important. You could determine whether Medusa had truly fallen into demonic transformation.

Second, you could remain in Iolcus. The plan was only one step away from completion, and you could help Jason become king before returning to The Invisible Island. Dispelling the rumor would better suppress Medusa's demonic transformation.

Another classic choice between two options.

There was no need to say which one you would choose.

"Of course, only the first option."

Moran had always been worried about the Gorgon Sisters.

Now, he had become a hero.

If a tragedy occurred because he arrived too late, that would be something Moran could never forgive himself for.

You chose to return to The Invisible Island.

You told Medea and Jason about it.

"Huh? You are leaving at such a crucial moment? Still, I really have no reason to stop you from going back to protect your family. But my uncle is clinging to that throne for dear life. Without your help, I..."

Jason's words lacked confidence.

Over the course of the journey, he had come to understand.

Whether in battle or wisdom, Moran far surpassed him.

Without the help of this close friend, he could never have contended so calmly with Pelias for the throne.

And it was precisely because he was grateful to his close friend.

That he could not refuse Moran's return home to look after his family.

"What are you talking about? You are the renowned captain of the Argo. Have you not heard the people praising your heroic deeds? Do you really think you made it this far entirely because of us?"

Moran threw a question back at Jason.

Jason was a fool filled with desire and arrogance.

But that did not mean he was not a hero.

"If you had not voiced that dream, and if you had not had the courage to boast like that, we would never have chosen to board that ship. It may have been foolish, but that only means we were also a bunch of fools chasing dreams. See? There is no difference, is there?"

Moran spoke on behalf of everyone aboard the Argo.

They were merely heroic fools who had seen Jason's pure dream and chosen to dream alongside him.

Heroes were not so distant.

Jason, who had proposed that dream and acted on it, was by no means worthless.

He too was one of the heroes aboard the ship.

The captain of the Argo possessed the drive, leadership, analytical ability, judgment, and everything else required... He lacked none of it.

The only thing he lacked was confidence.

Now that it had been pointed out, he finally realized it.

"Ha, hahaha, that is true! Thanks. When did I forget... that dream of setting out in the beginning? Even without your help, this great man's epic would still be written! Laugh if you want, curse if you want—I am just that kind of big fool!"

Jason could not help laughing.

His worries had been completely swept away.

Seeing that braggart who resembled his former self return, Moran could leave Iolcus without concern.

That did not mean he had not left behind some insurance.

"If you truly run into trouble, make a trip to the distant Kingdom of Corinth. You should be able to get help there."

Moran left Jason with those words.

He knew Jason's future in the myths.

Although Jason did not understand why Moran had mentioned Corinth, he still took his close friend's words to heart.

It also laid the groundwork for him becoming king in the future.

As you prepared to depart for The Invisible Island.

Medea suggested traveling with you.

After thinking for a moment, you had an ominous feeling about this return journey and did not intend to let Medea face danger.

"Wait for me here, Medea. Once I find out what is happening on the island, I will bring you to meet my three sisters. They should like you very much."

"Your sisters... what are they like...?"

"Well, Stheno is rather devious, and Euryale is very lively but temperamental. They both love teasing people, and they can be quite sharp-tongued... Well, that makes them sound like nothing but flaws. They do not actually mean any harm. Medusa is very gentle, almost the complete opposite of her eldest and second sisters..."

Moran spoke with great nostalgia.

It even made Medea a little jealous.

She had long planned to marry Moran and become his wife.

Moran wanted the Gorgon Sisters to serve as witnesses.

For that reason, they first had to resolve the problems of the three sisters, and the wedding ceremony had been delayed all this time.

"Let us invite Atalanta then."

"True. If we do not invite her, she might shoot me with arrows again the next time we meet."

Moran and Medea chatted about ordinary domestic matters.

But the time for farewell still arrived.

Watching the man's back as he was about to leave the city, Medea felt reluctant to part with him and had the urge to keep him.

However, he would go no matter what.

She knew that to Moran, the Gorgon Sisters were not only family, but also the first people he had loved in his heart.

"Lord Moran, promise me that you will return safely."

Medea spoke with a worried expression.

She withdrew the hand she had wanted to reach out with.

An illusion gradually spread through her heart, as though if she did not seize that figure tightly, he would disappear.

"Yes, I will return safely. As long as I am alive in this world, I will find you."

Moran left behind those parting words.

A hero did not need to leave behind too many words. One sentence was enough to convey all his feelings.

Watching his receding back.

Medea could only silently offer her blessings in her heart.

You prepared a ship for the journey.

Just as you were about to board and set sail for The Invisible Island, another presence that could not be ignored suddenly appeared.

You keenly caught it.

Your first impression was silver-white, like the moon.

She wore a brilliant smile, her eyes sparkling brightly.

Her platinum-blonde hair and skin as white as a snowfield.

Her beauty seemed sculpted with exquisite delicacy, more perfect than any doll and more vibrant than any model or actress.

The Moon Goddess, Artemis.

P.S.: Seeing the flowers suddenly surge by two thousand made this author both delighted and shocked! The two extra chapters will be posted later. Please continue supporting me! I would already be very satisfied if three or four hundred people were reading this book...

I hope the results will not be too poor... If I can achieve that, writing a million words will not be a problem. Every time I refresh the page to check the numbers, I still feel very anxious.

Everyone's support is my greatest encouragement. I am off to keep writing~!

I Cannot Accept It—Please Send Flowers! Please Vote!

"Dear, are you planning to travel far?"