Chapter 47

"Athena-sama, haven't you come out yet?"

After the little princess stomped her foot, Cyd turned his head to leave, glancing angrily at the demon dragon as it cooled.

"Did you sense my presence?" Athena's head appeared in front of the large dragon.

"No, but I thought you'd be here by now," Cyd replied, handing the Golden Fleece to Athena. "I've obtained the Golden Fleece. Give it to Artemis-sama; it's troublesome."

"About that ~" Athena said, smiling as she approached, "Artemis doesn't want the Golden Fleece."

"~ I went all out for this," Cyd said, clutching the Golden Fleece and forcing it into his pocket.

"The gods can be fickle," Athena said, Hurrying to stand before Cyd. "But the gods' rewards and punishments are distinct. You completed your trial very well, so this Golden Fleece is yours. Is this what you want now?"

"~ I completely understand," Cyd said, bowing his head.

"Then you only need to give this to Jason," Athena said, smiling as she took out a Golden Fleece identical to the one in Cyd's pocket.

"Is this... a counterfeit?" Cyd asked, reaching out to hold the Golden Fleece, unable to distinguish any difference by feel.

"No, this is real, but it's not the one Jason should obtain," Athena said, wagging her finger.

"I don't completely understand," Cyd said, shrugging.

"Hero of Pure White, your trial is not over," Athena said, patting Cyd's shoulder. "Many more challenges awaiting you. This demon dragon was just the start."

"That isn't good news," Cyd says despairingly

Having returned to the Argo, Cyd was relieved to see Jason and the crew celebrating in the city rather than in a vulnerable position. If Jason were assassinated, it would be a difficult situation.

"Your trial is complete," Cyd said, exhausted, handing the Golden Fleece to Jason.

"How did you... achieve this?" Jason asked, staring in awe at the Golden Fleece in his hand.

"Did you steal the Golden Fleece from the demon dragon in less than a day?" Jason asked, amazed.

"It was just some small things," Cyd said, patting Jason on the shoulder. "You should leave before Aeëtes responds. You might not be able to leave later."

"Won't you come with us?" Jason asked, concerned.

"I'm not part of your crew, and someone needs to stay behind," Cyd replied. "Besides, I have some unfinished business."

"I'll remember you!" Jason said earnestly, pressing the Golden Fleece to his chest. "You're a true hero."

"You should set sail," Cyd said with a smile, then jumped off the Argo.

"I believe you," Jason said, raising the Golden Fleece high.

"Time to mark the perfect end to this journey!"

"!!!"

Even though Cyd didn't know how Jason did it, he was glad it was over. Each second they stayed increased the risk of Aeëtes' wrath.

"Finally finished," Cyd said, watching the Argo sail away.

"Do you think he will thank you?"

"Haven't I meant? This might make your father suspicious. I don't want to destroy someone's family happiness," Cyd said, tilting his head to look at Medea, who wore a black robe.

"I'm following you," Medea said, shrugging, but the packed bags on her back suggested she was serious.

"That's not good," Cyd said, raising his left hand. "Perhaps, the only thing waiting for me is the Netherworld. I don't want to implicate you."

"Why not?" Medea asked, glaring in Medusa's direction. "What about her?"

"I'm here to protect him," Medusa said, drawing her black robe over her head. "Also, who else can do this?"

Purple hair, loli, black robe, too conspicuous!

"I'm trying to be low-key," Medea said, adjusting her black robe.

Don't test Cyd's patience!

After all, in a few years, she might not have the chance.

"You're different from us," Cyd said, putting his hand on Medea's head, covering it with her robe. "You have a family. You can't abandon them because of a temporary rejection of over ten years of kinship. That would be truly sad, wouldn't it?"

"It's not..." Medea said, looking down, her hands gripping her skirt tightly. "It's just for a while."

"It's not good ~ Hestia-sama won't be happy ~" Cyd said, pressing his fingers to Medea's face.

"Hestia-sama won't care about these things," Medea said, staring at Cyd. "Taking the Golden Fleece away will cause problems for my family, regardless. Who can solve them? The heroes who took the Golden Fleece?"

"Then... same as you," Cyd said, handing the Golden Fleece from his pocket to Medea. "I'll solve all this."

"You don't need it!?" Medea resisted, not wanting to take the Golden Fleece.

"Yes, I need it, but not right now," Cyd said, placing the Golden Fleece in Medea's hands. "This way, everyone gets what they want. Jason takes the Golden Fleece and sets off for home. Your father hasn't lost the Golden Fleece, and no one will think of taking it. Very perfect, right? But please, conceal my involvement. It would be very troublesome otherwise."

"What did you get?" Medea asked, looking at the blood-colored crystal on Cyd's left-hand bracer. "Did you fight to the death? Glory, wealth, women, you should get these, but no one gives you these. You can ask these from me. I can give you more, but you ask me to conceal it."

"I didn't start this for those reasons," Cyd said, pointing to the lion tooth necklace around his neck. "Concealing this is my reward to you."

"You're a real fool," Medea said, clutching the Golden Fleece tightly.

"Sometimes fools live easier lives, and sometimes they get unexpected rewards," Cyd said, lifting his left hand. The white jade bracer glowed with a transparent crystal, now filled with white. He again placed the black robe over Medea's head and gently held her face. "You should look like a princess."

"In any case, I won't become a princess," Medea mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing!"