Having secured the Golden Fleece, I descended from the tree with the prize in hand.
"Before I stepped out, I told Jason not to leave the ship until I returned."
I spoke these words to Medea, who had rushed to my side.
"Then, now..."
"Yes. Let’s go together, Medea."
At my words, Medea’s expression brightened more than I had ever seen it.
I looked back one last time.
The sleeping dragon.
The silent forest.
And the stillness of the night, as though nothing had ever happened.
"..."
No one had noticed yet.
Without another word, I turned away.
"Let’s hurry."
Medea gave a quiet nod.
And so, leaving no trace of our presence, we slipped out of the forest and headed for the harbor.
Only the gentle lap of the night sea filled the air, and the Argo waited for us, oblivious to the events that had transpired.
Under the veil of night, we traversed the terrain without leaving so much as a shadow.
The Golden Fleece draped over my shoulder emitted a faint, ethereal radiance with every step, but thanks to the concealment magecraft Medea had prepared, the sentries of Colchis failed to spot us.
As we reached the harbor, I saw the silhouette of Jason on the deck, pacing anxiously just as I had instructed.
The moment we approached the ship, Jason hurriedly lowered a rope ladder.
"Astellon! You're safe! And that... no way!"
Jason's eyes widened in shock the instant they fell upon the golden bundle on my shoulder.
Instead of answering, I took Medea’s hand and pulled her up onto the deck. Then, I spoke with absolute authority.
"Raise the anchor. We leave this harbor immediately. I will explain everything once we are clear."
At my command, the heroes moved in perfect unison. The Argo cut through the night mist in silence, slipping away from the coastline of Colchis.
As the land receded and the horizon blurred into the distance, we finally let the tension bleed away and breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Once we were safe, I introduced Medea to my companions and revealed the Colchian king’s treacherous scheme.
When I finished, the reactions varied, but the underlying currents of betrayal and rage were the same for everyone.
"To think he welcomed us with a smile while hiding a knife behind his back... For the King of Colchis to be so vile!"
Jason shouted, his fists clenched tight, while the other heroes gripped their weapons, their breathing heavy with anger.
However, that anger soon shifted toward Medea, who stood beside me.
It was only natural; to them, she was still the princess of an enemy nation, the daughter of the man who had tried to murder them.
"Astellon, can we really trust this woman? Why would the princess of Colchis help us? What if this is just another one of the king's traps..."
At the sound of the doubtful voice, Medea’s shoulders visibly trembled.
She lowered her head, clutching the fabric of my clothes even tighter.
I placed my hand over her cold fingers and addressed the group.
"This girl has already turned her back on her country and her father to choose me. If that were a lie, we would have been torn apart by the dragon or burned alive in the banquet hall by now."
The heroes fell silent at my resolute tone.
"If you still cannot trust her, then I will consider your suspicion of Medea as a lack of faith in me. Anyone with an objection, step forward."
The air on the deck froze instantly.
Only the low rumble of the waves remained; no one dared to speak.
After a heavy silence,
"...No."
Jason was the first to break the quiet.
He stepped forward, shaking his head.
"Having come this far, I have no intention of doubting your judgment, Astellon."
Jason turned his gaze toward Medea. Caution remained, but the blatant suspicion had vanished.
"...But let me make one thing clear."
The other heroes leaned in to listen.
"We all risked our lives on this journey. We cannot afford to lose everything because of someone's whim or a sudden change of heart."
He paused, then added in a low voice,
"So... prove yourself."
The demand was directed squarely at Medea.
"..."
Medea remained silent.
She kept her head bowed, her grip on my clothes tightening.
I gently released her hand and stepped forward in her stead.
"The proof has already been given."
My voice was quiet, yet unwavering.
"Without this woman, we would never have obtained the Golden Fleece."
Several heroes exchanged glances. It was an undeniable fact, and the admission gradually softened the atmosphere.
"...Ha."
Jason let out a short, defeated breath.
"Fine. I admit it."
Finally, Jason nodded.
"For now, at least... she is on our side."
With those words, the rigid tension on the deck finally eased.
Later that night, as most of the heroes slept in shifts, a faint moonlight bathed the deck in silver.
I leaned against the railing, staring out at the expanse of the sea.
The black waters, and the Argo cutting a path through them.
Then, a voice called out.
"...My king."
It was a cautious voice, one I recognized without needing to turn around.
It was Medea. I turned my head slightly to look at her.
"Why are you not resting?"
She hesitated for a moment before stepping up beside me.
"...I couldn't sleep."
Her eyes were not on the horizon, but on me.
"Because... everyone doubts me."
Her voice trembled slightly, but unlike earlier in the day, she did not collapse. She was enduring.
"..."
I remained silent for a moment, my gaze fixed on the dark water.
"That is only natural," I said briefly.
"...Pardon?"
"You were the princess of an enemy nation, and we are the ones who fled that nation."
It was the cold, unvarnished truth.
Medea's expression stiffened, but I continued.
"Even so... I chose you."
"...!!"
Medea's eyes widened, trembling with emotion.
"That is enough."
I finally turned to face her fully.
"Nothing else is required."
Medea's lips quivered.
"...Truly... will you truly not regret this?"
The question was barely a whisper, but I could feel the deep-seated fear within it.
I looked down at her for a moment before giving a short answer.
"Regret..."
I turned my gaze back to the sea.
"...is not something I do."
"...!"
Medea seemed to catch her breath, stunned.
Then, she lowered her head in a quiet, reverent gesture.
"...Then I..."
Her voice still trembled, but she looked at me with newfound clarity.
"I will remain by your side... until the very end."
I offered no verbal reply.
I simply stood there as the ship continued its journey across the calm, midnight sea.
And then, in the distance, beyond the dark horizon, a faint light began to flicker.
"..."
I narrowed my eyes.
That was no ordinary torch.
"...So, he's come," I murmured.
The King of Colchis had finally begun the pursuit.
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