Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Classic Scene—A Love Triangle Showdown!
Watching Medea so close to Moran, a fire rages in Atalanta's heart.
She doesn't want to see this.
Yet, at the same time, she yearns to hear Moran call her name.
Bitter. Her heart feels bitter.
"Moran... Did I mess up...?"
Medea's face fills with unease.
Seeing her so innocent and confused—
"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to Atalanta. She's not usually like this... The problem is with me..."
Moran lets out a sigh.
He had walked straight into the most infamous of situations.
"Aha! I know this one! This is a classic love triangle showdown! A scenario only a man fated to attract romance could experience!"
Jason strokes his chin knowingly.
The other heroes watched as Moran revealed a subtle smile.
Normally, they would see Moran and Atalanta tossing flashbangs together, but today, they were witnessing a rare battlefield of emotions.
Hmm, they had to admit—it was quite satisfying.
"But… are all women this jealous? Or could it be that Atalanta, that violent woman, is also affected by… that thing women get every month? No way..."
Jason was still seriously analyzing the situation.
Unbeknownst to him, the other heroes instinctively distanced themselves from him.
They knew what was about to happen.
"JASON!"
"Do you think my ears are deaf?! If you're looking for death, I'll grant your wish right now!"
Atalanta was like a lioness whose tail had been stepped on.
Her green hair whipped around wildly as magic surged from her limbs. She drew her arrow on the Celestial Bow, pulling it to a full moon.
"Die!"
The sheer killing intent was enough to freeze the air.
Jason's face instantly turned pale.
BOOM—!!
An impact as if a star had fallen.
The arrow shone brilliantly as it shot toward Jason, its immense force nearly capable of shattering mountains.
"I'm… I'm gonna die..."
Jason was pinned to the Argo by his sleeve, narrowly avoiding a fatal shot to the head.
If he hadn't activated his dodge ability at the last second, his heroic journey would have ended right then and there.
"This... Atalanta..."
"Hmm? Moran, do you have something to say?"
Atalanta toyed with another arrow in her hand.
[You swallowed your words.]
[Atalanta is still furious, and you know that anything you say now will only make things worse.]
[The other heroes also signaled with their eyes.]
[This situation can only be resolved once Atalanta cools down on her own.]
"Hmph!"
Atalanta shot a glare at the group.
With nowhere to vent her simmering rage, she turned and strode off in a different direction.
Even she didn't understand why she was so angry.
She didn't know what was wrong with her.
"Moran-sama... um... Captain Jason... he seems to have passed out... Should we do something?"
Medea, ever the innocent one, asked.
She was remarkably pure when it came to emotions.
Having grown up under the tutelage of the goddess Hecate, she was like a sheltered princess, unfamiliar with the outside world.
"I'll take care of that idiot.
Seriously, he needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut. One of these days, he's going to get himself killed."
Asclepius remarked with his usual sharp tongue.
The future god of medicine despised dealing with trivial injuries, and Jason was constantly giving him unnecessary trouble.
"By the way, Moran, give me some more of your blood.
The Gorgon essence in your blood is even more potent than I expected. I think I've found the key to making an immortality elixir. It's all thanks to you."
Asclepius expressed his gratitude.
His respect for Moran, who provided the Gorgon blood, was far greater than his regard for Jason.
"No problem. Just save me a dose once you succeed. For now, take care of that fool. He may be an idiot, but he's still our captain."
"I will definitely complete the immortality elixir. And as for Jason... hmm, I suppose I'll let him have some too—if there's extra."
Moran and Asclepius continued their conversation.
Both of them were disciples of Chiron.
Asclepius had a rather blunt way of dealing with people.
His desire to create the immortality elixir was simple—
Sailing with the Argonauts had been a joyous time for him. He cherished his comrades and did not want to lose them.
For that reason, he refused to let any of his friends die.
He would make the immortality elixir for their sake.
[You watched as Atalanta walked away.]
[In the end, you felt like you couldn't just leave her alone.]
[You instructed Medea to stay on the Argo and wait while you followed Atalanta.]
[Medea watched you leave.]
[A hint of loneliness appeared on her face.]
[She didn't understand why she felt this way, but she didn't want to stay on the ship—she just wanted to be by your side.]
"Asclepius, do you know what the relationship between Atalanta and Moran is?"
"Oh? Are you curious?"
Asclepius smirked.
Mentioning his fellow disciple, his usually indifferent expression gained a hint of warmth.
Medea's face was filled with seriousness.
"Yes! I want to know! I want to know everything about Moran-sama! Please tell me!"
"Well then, I'll be straightforward.
Atalanta and Moran are partners."
He didn't sugarcoat anything.
As a physician, Asclepius was used to being direct—so he spoke without beating around the bush.
"Partners..."
Medea trembled slightly.
It felt as if something inside her had shattered.
An unfamiliar pain spread through her chest, accompanied by a deep sense of defeat.
"Although my understanding of romance is purely theoretical, I can still see what's happening.
Princess of Colchis, you witnessed Atalanta's fury just now—are you still not going to give up?"
"Of course not! I will never give up! I... I've already fallen for Moran-sama!
Atalanta was scary, but I think we can get along!"
Medea shouted with a flushed face.
It was a stark contrast to her previously timid and fragile demeanor.
She now expressed a firm determination not to let go of love.
Even Asclepius was taken aback by this change.
"...Moran, I think your days of peace are over."
He shook his head with a wry smile.
He could already foresee Moran facing more chaotic situations in the future.
As both a physician and a friend—
He decided he would prepare stomach medicine and painkillers for Moran in advance.