Just as the gods were at a complete loss, Hermes, the divine messenger, suddenly stepped forward.
Ever since the war with the magic gods, where Alaric had used the creation light of the light-creating god Helios to cost him a leg, forever robbing him of his former freedom to dash about unrestrained, this once optimistic, humorous, and clever deity had undergone a drastic change.
From then on, his heart grew shadowed, turning ruthless and cunning.
Hermes had always harbored deep resentment toward Alaric for taking away the leg he prided himself on.
Now, the gods' plan to use the Argonauts to weaken the magic gods had his hand in pushing it forward.
At this moment, as the gods fretted over how to deal with the Colchian dragon, he stepped up with an idea.
"Who says we have to defeat that dragon head-on?" Hermes said in a sinister, chilling tone that made several gods furrow their brows.
"Actually, though our heroes are no match for that dragon, someone can handle it with ease, and remember, to achieve our goal, we just need the heroes to get the Golden Fleece from the dragon's grasp."
"Then who is this person you speak of who can take the Golden Fleece from the dragon?" Zeus's eyes lit up with interest as he asked. He had always known his son's wit.
"This person... you should all remember her quite well," Hermes teased slightly, drawing the gods' attention to him. Only then could he feel a sliver of his former pride restored.
It wasn't until he noticed the impatience in Zeus's gaze that he continued.
"This person is none other than Aeetes' daughter, Hecate's student, the princess of Colchis, Medea."
The moment he finished, Zeus let out a cold snort.
"Of course I know Medea could take the Golden Fleece from the dragon. With her status, the dragon wouldn't dare trouble her, I've always known that.
But so what? She's Aeetes' daughter, Hecate's pupil. Given her position, how could she possibly help the heroes?
What conditions would we offer to make her betray them? A seat among the Twelve Olympians?"
Zeus's words dripped with sarcasm, and the other gods dismissed Hermes' plan with disdain.
Only Athena, who had remained silent, furrowed her brows as if realizing something, her gaze toward Hermes filled with wariness.
Unfazed by the gods' scorn, Hermes maintained his composure and declared loudly.
"Of course, I know ordinary conditions wouldn't sway this girl, even a seat among the Twelve Olympians wouldn't tempt her, I believe."
"You... know that?"
Hearing Hermes' words, Zeus laughed in furious disbelief.
"If you know, then why waste our time?"
But facing Zeus on the verge of eruption, Hermes merely shook his finger lightly.
"No, no, while ordinary conditions won't shake this girl, there is one thing that could make her willingly become our pawn."
"What is it?" the god-king pressed.
Thus, Hermes intoned in his hoarse voice, like a dramatic aria.
"This thing can make the mightiest hero bend the knee with ease, melt the coldest woman's heart like spring rain, and stir countless lovesick souls to ecstasy and despair. It is love."
"Love?"
Zeus frowned, but it was Hera who reacted first, shooting Zeus a mocking glance before saying.
"A man like you, with a mind full of nothing but lust, naturally wouldn't understand love's influence on women.
Don't you know? For love, a woman can do almost anything, and I see this girl is exactly that type."
"Worthy of the queen of heaven; you grasped my meaning at once."
Hermes offered a compliment before continuing, "I think it's time to use the asset we've hidden by that goddess's side.
Only the power of the Cyprian goddess can make Princess Medea serve us.
With just a subtle touch from Aphrodite, making Medea fall for Jason, the Golden Fleece will be ours.
Moreover, that girl's status is high among those remnants of the old dynasty and the rebels. Her betrayal could shatter their alliance, plunging them into internal strife, a true two birds with one stone."
Once Hermes spoke, the other gods found it highly reasonable.
Thus, Zeus immediately decided.
"Good, that's the plan. Let's contact Aphrodite at once.
The love god's power is silent and invisible, let her act, and make our enemies taste the bitterness of betrayal by their own."
With that, he revealed a satisfied smile.
...
As the gods settled on their scheme, Aphrodite, who had been lingering in the magic goddess's hall, soon received the message.
"Make me shoot an arrow of love at Medea to make her fall for Jason? What a joke, how could I let a good child like Medea love a worthless fool like Jason?"
Upon hearing Zeus's command, Aphrodite immediately flared up in anger.
As Hecate's student, Medea, like Circe, had not only earned Hecate's favor but also Aphrodite's affection. This goddess, who upheld the greatness and fidelity of love, was naturally unwilling to casually play matchmaker according to the gods' whims.
But if she didn't follow Zeus's orders, wouldn't her undercover identity be exposed?
Though with the current strength of the magic gods, even if her true allegiance came to light, there wouldn't be much risk, she still preferred to remain hidden if possible, to continue spying on the Olympian gods for the magic gods, for Alaric.
Thus, her eyes sparkled as an idea formed.
"Isn't my darling mixed in with the Argonauts? Their goal is just to get Medea on the Argonauts' side anyway. I can simply make Medea fall for my darling instead. After all, that little girl..."
No sooner thought than done. Aphrodite stealthily turned invisible and approached the hall, then theatrically shot an arrow of love toward Alaric and Medea.
In myth, the arrow of love is Cupid's artifact, and Cupid is Aphrodite's child.
But for now, Alaric hadn't yet had children with Aphrodite, so there was no Cupid. The arrow of love remained in the goddess's own hands.
The power of the arrow of love was immensely strong; its influence on love and hate was something even gods couldn't fully resist.
Alaric, naturally, was an exception, his soul, materialized through magic, possessed resistance to external influences that surpassed even the gods, so he wouldn't be affected by the arrow.
As for Medea...