[You ride Pegasus away from the Invisible Island.]
[In the end, only Medusa comes to see you off. Stheno and Euryale do not appear before you.]
[Although you feel a hint of regret, after taking one last look at the Invisible Island, you resolutely fly toward the distant horizon.]
"Big sister, Moran... he's already gone..."
"I know. You don't need to remind me, you fool."
Stheno's beautiful face remains expressionless.
On the other hand, Euryale puffs out her cheeks, refusing to speak, her sulky mood practically written all over her face.
Even though neither of them says a word, they still can't help but secretly watch Moran leave.
If they were to personally bid him farewell, they would undoubtedly find themselves unable to resist the urge to make him stay.
How could they possibly want the man they love most to leave their side?
Medusa wished her sisters could openly express their feelings.
Unfortunately, Stheno and Euryale were the way they were.
"Medusa, you're thinking something rather rude, aren't you?"
"N-No! Absolutely not!"
"Now that Moran has left, all of his previous tasks fall onto you. Don't worry, I'll be holding you to the highest standards," Stheno said with a mischievous chuckle.
"Yes, dear sister..."
Even though the one they cherished most had left the island, they knew he would return one day.
Everything seemed to return to how it had been centuries ago.
Yet, deep in their hearts, the three sisters felt a loneliness they had never known before.
The island remained unchanged.
But their hearts had.
[You ride your Pegasus and quickly reach the mainland.]
[The Pegasus nuzzles you reluctantly.]
["Take care of them for me. I'll return as soon as I finish my task. Now, go back."]
[The Pegasus slowly ascends into the sky.]
The Pegasus was a gift from Poseidon to the three sisters.
While some gods persecuted them, not all deities bore ill will toward the Gorgon sisters.
Moran and Medusa often rode the Pegasus together.
Those days were now just a fond memory.
["First, I need to gather information from various sources on land. Then, I'll formulate my next course of action."]
[You swiftly put your plan into motion.]
[For the first few days, you traverse deep forests with no sign of human life. Relying on the combat skills you honed on the hidden island, you hunt wild beasts to sustain yourself.]
[After a week, you catch the scent of smoke and find a human village.]
[From the villagers, you learn that if you travel northwest from here, you'll reach a royal city named Iolcos. The land you are in is Thessaly.]
[The name Iolcos feels strangely familiar.]
[Following this faint sense of recognition, you set out for Iolcos.]
[Along the way, you cut through obstacles. Even dragonkind can only grit their teeth in frustration, bowing before your superior combat skills.]
[You rescue many people on your journey, and your name begins to spread, carried by merchants and wandering bards.]
[Word spreads of a mighty warrior—a bold, kind-hearted hero clad in leather armor—heading toward Iolcos.]
[At last, you arrive in Iolcos.]
"Hey, listen up! There's a hero traveling along the trade routes—draped in animal pelts, built like a god! Rumor has it he's headed for Iolcos!"
"Hah! I've heard about him too! They say even the mighty Geryon fell before him without putting up a fight. But what's he coming to Iolcos for?"
In a bustling tavern, a group of drunkards enthusiastically discussed the latest rumors.
Among them, the very subject of their conversation—Moran—was also present.
It was well known that taverns were prime places for gathering intelligence, especially in an age where communication was scarce.
Taverns were one of the few information hubs.
"Could he be here to find Chiron?"
"No way! Even that hero would seek out the wise centaur? Though, to be fair, I have heard Chiron takes in many students..."
"Why not?!"
[The drunkards' discussion catches your attention.]
[You decide to join their conversation.]
[Soon, you recall why Iolcos felt familiar—this is the departure point of the legendary Argo expedition.]
[You begin to refine your plans.]
[To shatter the rumors surrounding the Gorgon sisters, securing a legendary achievement would be ideal.]
[Boarding the Argo would be the perfect opportunity.]
[This could be your starting point.]
At this moment, the Argo had yet to be built, and Iolcos was still under the rule of King Pelias.
The future captain of the Argo—Jason—would soon arrive in Iolcos to reclaim his throne. Pelias, however, would challenge him with the quest for the Golden Fleece.
"Right now, Jason should still be training under Chiron. Maybe I should go there too..."
Moran contemplated his next move.
Having knowledge of the script, he could plan ahead—an advantage granted by being a transmigrator and a simulator user.
[Through inquiries, you locate Chiron's whereabouts.]
[After several days of travel, you finally reach Chiron's academy.]
[Your exceptional martial talents immediately catch Chiron's eye. Without hesitation, he accepts you as his disciple.]
"Hm, placing you among common men would be a waste of your talent. I wouldn't bear to see gold buried beneath rubble. Since you've chosen to be my disciple, I will train you to become a true hero."
Chiron examined Moran with a warm smile, his gaze as focused as a sculptor admiring his finest work—so intense that it was slightly unsettling.
[And so, you became Chiron's disciple.]
[Under his guidance, your martial prowess grew at an astonishing rate.]
[Not only that, but you also befriended your fellow students—Heracles, Jason, Asclepius, and others.]
[Training, hunting, learning—each day passed with purpose.]
[Though you had come here with a goal in mind, the bonds you forged with your fellow disciples became genuine and unbreakable.]
"The throne of Iolcos is mine for the taking! I will build a kingdom where everyone can receive an education! At the very least, it'll be more respectable than this rundown stable! I know not everyone can be as brilliant as I am, but I'm fully prepared to make it happen! Hah! I'm a worthy investment! You all should follow me—the future king—while you still can!"
Jason planted his foot atop a wooden crate, pointing dramatically into the distance, his nose practically tilted skyward.
His fellow disciples, taking a break from training, could only shake their heads and chuckle in amusement.
Heracles, as always, listened in silence.
Moran, lounging beneath the shade of a tree, smirked in amusement.
"There will be no fear in my kingdom! No one will see you as monsters! Because I will make sure the world understands— You are my comrades, my friends, my most treasured possessions! You will be the greatest heroes the world has ever known!"
Jason spread his arms as if unveiling a grand vision.
He was utterly convinced of his own words, as if this dream were already a reality.
A fool, perhaps the greatest fool of all.
Yet, not one among them laughed at him.
Because, truly, it was a beautiful dream.