"My victory, White Me."
Medea declared triumph after overwhelming her counterpart with a barrage of magecraft.
"Well, it seems I've lost."
White Medea's Spirit Core shattered, her form beginning to fade.
"As expected of my grown self. I couldn't match you in magecraft."
"Of course. The seasoned skill honed through life's joys and sorrows—how could it compare to the dream-chasing days?"
"Hehe… You, me. So devoted, aren't we?"
"…What's that?"
"Betrayed, cursed, called a witch—yet you still serve someone, giving your all without expecting anything in return."
"…"
"This battle, too. You used far more magecraft than needed to defeat me. Why?"
"—Your existence just irritated me."
"Hehe, I know why. —For that disciple over there, right?"
"—For me…?"
Medea unleashed every form of magecraft to defeat her: the five great elements, traps, illusions. An excessive display of divine-age sorcery, almost ostentatious to onlookers…
"You got carried away wanting to impress your disciple. You must've been thrilled to have someone call you 'Master,' to make up for your past—"
Before she could finish, Medea stabbed her with a knife.
"Losers talk too much. Flee disgracefully, as befits your position."
"—You're so stubborn."
Her dissipation accelerated.
"—I'm sorry, Lord Jason. I wanted to protect you, chosen by that king, but I lacked the power. At least… I hoped you could see sweet dreams until the very end."
"Dreams always fade upon waking. Glorious triumphs, heartwarming joys—they all end someday. —If you truly cared for him, you should've 'faced him' instead."
Medea glanced at Olga Marie's window.
"—While offering advice to those living at the forefront of the era."
Medea smiled. Olga Marie blushed, looking down.
"—Hehe. Keep moving forward like a star."
"Like a star…?"
"Yes. The foes you face cannot be defeated by mages alone. —I, as a mage, was utterly defeated."
"—No…!"
Olga Marie was stunned.
Her Master, Medea, admitting complete defeat in magecraft…?
"Who's the mastermind? Tell me."
"That freedom's been stripped from me. —All I can leave is advice."
The princess spoke, offering a guiding light to pierce despair.
"Gather the stars. The countless shining stars that defy stormy seas, despair, and human savagery—"
Delivering her oracle, Princess Medea vanished.
"—Honestly, causing such a mess before leaving. That's White History for you…"
"…"
"You okay, Marie?"
"Master, you…"
"I'm fine. I'm used to it. Insults, slander—bring it on. It's part of being a witch, right?"
"—…"
"Hey, why are you crying? You'll ruin your pretty face! Oh, a handkerchief, a handkerchief… Oh, right, I'm Rayshifted…"
"—It's because you…"
"Hm?"
"Because you don't cry. Is it wrong… to shed tears for my precious Master…?"
Medea removed her hood.
"—I've still got a ways to go. Making my dearest disciple sad like this."
She began to walk.
"I'll wrap up some errands and head back. …Shall we sleep in the same bed tonight?"
"…Yes, Master."
"Hehe. I'm glad I was summoned to Chaldea."
Laughing, Medea floated gently upward.
"—All done, Medea?"
On the ruined Argo's deck, Heracles and a near-death Jason waited.
"Yes. …Where are Master and the others?"
"They went ahead. Said to let us talk privately."
"…I see."
"—Medea…"
"You're stubborn, Jason. It would've been easier to just die."
"…Fix me."
A frail plea, like a child's.
"Fix me, my Medea… It hurts, it hurts, it hurts so much…!"
Like a small child, he begged Medea for salvation.
"…"
Medea approached, drawing a knife.
"Master! That's—"
"It's fine, Director."
"—…"
She stood, looking down at him.
"—Jason."
"This…"
"?"
"This… slowpoke… I said fix me…"
"—Hmph!!"
Throwing the knife aside, she slammed both hands onto his gaping wound.
"Gyaaaahhh!!"
"Shut up! I'm healing you!"
"Do it gently, you psycho witch—!!!"
"Heracles! Gag him and hold his hand!"
"It's fine, it's fine… The pain will only multiply."
"Mmph—!!!!"
"You've caused enough trouble, so endure this hellish torment!! Here…!"
"Mmph—!!!!"
"It's okay, Jason!"
His gripped hand was crushed.
"Mmmph—!!!!"
"Whoops. Too hard."
"Hold his left hand."
"Right. Deep wound—brace yourself."
"Mmph—!!!!"
And so…
"I thought I was gonna die…"
Jason, barely restored in form and wounds, could speak again.
"You are dead. I just patched up your crumbling vessel's appearance. Your dissipation is certain."
"…I see. Another dream ends as a dream."
His murmur held no negativity.
"The obsession's gone, Jason."
"Anyone would feel lighter after venting that much. —Thinking back, I never had time to gripe like that in life."
Rolling over, he gazed at the sky.
"Whatever. Fading while basking in glory and dreams—I'm used to it. I'll just think I died in a storm on the way home."
"A storm, huh? Well said. —Gilgamesh right now is a storm, scattering fate and reason. I'd never fight him."
"Cowardly, Heracles. Some friend. —Gods, he's infuriating."
"…"
"To think I couldn't see you despite calling, and now here you are, standing in my way. It really hits me. —You're…"
For the first time, Jason…
"—You're the best, my friend Heracles."
He flashed a radiant, innocent smile.
"—Honestly."
…Yes, that's right.
Even betrayed, abandoned.
Even deceived from the start.
I was smitten with him. Weak yet innocent, irresistibly captivating. I was drawn to him again.
That was Medea's beginning.
The princess's first step.
That… was my first love.
"But I won't give up! No matter how many times I crawl or get crushed, I'll never quit! I'll build a kingdom where everyone's happy and fulfilled!"
"—I see."
"Oh, I remember, Heracles! You said there's no second chance for heroes! That we shouldn't fulfill our wishes!"
"—Yeah."
"You idiot! Moron! Wishes aren't for fulfilling!"
He pounded Heracles' chest.
"Wishes are for chasing! Whether they come true or not comes later! A cautious, calculating guy could never be a hero!"
"—Right. Yeah, that's it. Predestined wishes are just divine pranks and meddling… huh?"
"So I'll do it! I'll rebuild the Argonauts and create my kingdom! —And…"
"…"
"—On a detour in that adventure… saving the world wouldn't hurt."
"—Big talk, Jason."
"Are you nuts?"
"Shut up, Medea! This is why women are boring! All you do is doll up your fading looks with tacky—Gyaaaah, sorry, sorry!!!"
"Maybe I should kill you."
"I said I'm dying!! …So, Heracles."
"Hm."
"Come in that form next time. I'm done with the pathetic guard dog. And we're saving the world, right? It'd be a lie without you and me."
"—Of course. No matter how many eras pass, my essence won't change."
Heracles clapped Jason's shoulder.
"I am Heracles. In any age, I'm the great hero guarding you, the 'future king.'"
"—Yeah, that's right. Gotta be that way."
The moment of dissipation arrived.
"While I'm at it, teaching that Chaldea Master of yours how to handle sails might not be bad."
"Do it. I can't beat you at that."
"Obviously. Don't underestimate the Argonauts' captain. …You going, Medea?"
Medea donned her hood, floating upward.
"Yeah. I've seen you to your end, so I'm done. Die crushed, like in life."
"Alright, one thing."
"?"
Clearing his throat—
"—Isn't it embarrassing to be so girly at your age? Face reality."
"Makia!! Hecatic Graea!!"
"Save me, Heracles!!"
"—I'd love to, but my Master's not you anymore. Too bad."
"Heracles—!! Breaking your oath before the words dry?!"
"I'll leave no ashes!! Just die already—!!!!"
"—Hahaha…"
Like memories of old.
The Greek companions savored a fleeting peace.
"Master…"
Conversation Log
"…"
Confidentiality: Secret Level A+
Recording Complete
"—Sorry, Master. Forgive your disciple's mischief… hehe."
--------------------------
Thank you so much to everyone who has followed and supported the story! 🙏
Every like and comment means a lot to me.
If you want to go further, join my Patreon to be able to read the latest chapters!
👉 Check it out here: [patreon.com/Greyhounds]