Under the effect of the legendary spell Plague Rampant (Aphrodite's Special Edition), the crew who had been indulging in leisure and all the women of the nation grew increasingly insane.
The original Plague Rampant, though terrifyingly lethal and capable of killing even many strong individuals, could be resisted or rendered harmless by those strong enough or with sufficient immunity to negative-energy-based plagues.
But this Pink Plague was different.
The template for this seemingly harmless plague was based on Aphrodite's power. This force was not deadly, yet it was far more insidious and impossible to resist.
Those who were initially infected, men and women alike, were the first to descend into madness.
They became like zombies whose brains had been scorched by the fire of desire, running rampant through the city, pouncing on any person of the opposite sex. Anyone caught would immediately contract the Pink Plague.
However, each infected person's optimal target was someone not yet infected; their secondary target was another infected individual.
Thus, the entire city erupted into a pink "biochemical crisis."
Yet, unlike zombies that kill their prey on sight, these Pink Plague zombies were strangely more acceptable to the populace.
Consequently, no defensive measures were taken in the city.
Within a single day, the plague had spread to every person in the city. Even the demigod heroes were without exception infected.
Once the last uninfected person in the city succumbed, it was as if the city had come under the control of gods of lust, succubi kings like Meishukante, or dark forest deities like the Black Goat of the Woods.
Pink had completely taken over everyone's minds, leaving only one desire in their consciousness beyond basic survival.
This desire-induced madness was unbearable, even for heroes, especially given that the city's male population was far smaller than its female population.
The women, though of ordinary constitution, could at least rest.
The men, however, were plunged into an endless pink vortex, day and night, unable or unwilling to escape.
Even with their extraordinary physiques, they could not withstand it.
Alaric could already foresee the depletion of their reproductive organs in the future.
While Alaric sat idly on the ship, waiting for this spectacle to conclude, Hercules could not remain still.
On the morning of the fourth day, the giant approached him.
"Good morning, Alaric," he said politely, despite his rough and wild appearance. "Do you happen to know what Jason and the other crew members are doing in that city?"
"Of course I know," Alaric replied with a helpless, wry smile. "Naturally, they're doing what they enjoy."
"Don't you think this is utterly inappropriate?" Once he confirmed that Alaric knew as much as he did, Hercules' face showed displeasure.
"We set out on this journey guided by the gods, boarding the Argo for glory and adventure, not to seek marriage and territory, those we could have obtained in Greece. Why travel to a foreign land?
Yet these brothers are now blinded by immediate pleasures, forgetting our fundamental purpose. This is simply unacceptable, isn't it?"
"You are correct," Alaric agreed. "It is fortunate that you are a reliable companion among them."
Seeing Alaric's agreement, Hercules' expression brightened.
"Alaric, you are wise, a fact I have understood during these days together. We all admire your intelligence, and I trust you are not the type to be swayed by mere desire.
Could you perhaps grace the city of those women with your presence and reason with those controlled by lust? I am certain they would heed your words."
Alaric, of course, did not intend to agree to Hercules' request.
, How could I? I'd rather they die in the Pink Plague. A death caused by such a ridiculous reason would, at least, be a sort of blessing for them.
Of course, Alaric could not say this aloud, so he found an excuse.
"In truth, I had considered doing exactly that myself," he said sincerely.
"But upon reflection, given my position, I cannot.
While they respect my insight, our relationship does not allow me to dictate their decisions.
If they voluntarily sought my advice, I would gladly offer my wisdom, but if I were to intervene proactively, especially in matters like this, I would only be despised."
"I still think that, as a hero they respect and are close to, you are precisely the one who should reason with them."
Circe warned Hercules in a stern tone: "You black giant, don't expect the uncle to step into such a place or interact with those women. If anyone goes, it's you."
Hercules paused to consider, then nodded.
"Apologies, I did not think it through. Alaric, I will entrust the Argo to your care to prevent accidents, while I, together with Chiron, will go reason with them."
And with that, he promptly left with his adopted son.
Watching them depart, Alaric sighed.
"What's wrong?" Atalanta asked with concern.
"Nothing," Alaric shook his head, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Should he really tell Atalanta that he was sighing over Hercules possibly never returning? Or sighing over little Chiron finally stepping into the adult world?
Atalanta, sensing something unusual, did not press further.
A night passed, and Hercules indeed did not return.
It was no surprise. Without Alaric's spells, perhaps Hercules could have persuaded the heroes indulging in pleasure to come back to their senses.
But now, a horde of "zombies" could not be reasoned with.
One careless step, and even Hercules himself would fall prey.
And indeed, that seemed to be the case.
Just as Alaric was somewhat gloating, Circe and Atalanta noticed something amiss.
"Those guys… why haven't they returned yet?" Circe, having waited three full days, was growing impatient. "Are they planning to settle here? I knew they were unreliable."
"Indeed, such shallow men," Atalanta agreed.
"I must go see for myself what happened in that city. How is it that even that big fool hasn't returned?" Circe, now resolute, suddenly made up her mind.
Alaric was taken aback by her decision.
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