"Heroes from the Greek mainland, aboard the Argo..."
A deep and resonant voice echoed throughout the entire banquet hall, instantly silencing the festivities.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the source of the sound, at the center of the palace.
The one speaking was none other than the king of Colchis, Aeetes.
Medea's description of him as having an "uncle face" wasn't entirely accurate.
He was in the prime of his life, strong and robust, appearing remarkably heroic and imposing.
As the son of the former sun god Helios and the ocean nymph Perse, he inherited a powerful divine bloodline.
Though he ruled as king, he was a warrior no less formidable than the Argonauts themselves.
Standing tall in the grand hall, Aeetes solemnly declared, "Welcome to the Kingdom of Colchis.
Compared to the nations of you heroes, Colchis may seem a bit humble. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, please forgive us."
The banquet hall erupted in a chorus of agreements, especially from the Argonauts, who naturally lavished praise upon Colchis.
This wasn't mere politeness; it was their genuine sentiment.
After all, Colchis was situated near the Mystra Academy.
As the saying goes, those near vermilion are stained red, those near ink are stained black, from the Mystra Academy, Colchis had absorbed many advancements ahead of their time, making the kingdom far more progressive and civilized than any place on the Greek mainland.
At least in terms of cuisine, Colchis had truly broadened the Argonauts' horizons that evening.
What followed was a round of courteous exchanges, with both sides flattering each other, you praise my nation's prosperity, I admire your heroic vigor. In the end, it was a joyful affair for hosts and guests alike.
"Earlier today, I received word of your intentions."
Aeetes shifted the tone abruptly.
The Argonauts present knew the main event was about to unfold. They perked up their ears, faces turning serious as they watched him intently.
"According to your messengers, the Argo and all of you have come for our Colchis' national treasure, the 'Golden Fleece.'"
These words caused an uproar in the hall.
The Colchian nobles, who had been getting along harmoniously with the Argonauts, suddenly viewed these heroes with changed eyes, from admiration to outright hostility.
They all understood the importance of the Golden Fleece and naturally saw the Argonauts as nothing short of bandits.
However, Aeetes didn't show any overt anger; instead, he offered a generous smile.
"Please forgive my rudeness, but this treasure is truly our nation's heirloom, tied to my fate and that of our kingdom. We cannot hand it over."
Among the crowd, Jason's expression immediately darkened.
Was this a outright rejection?
He had anticipated this answer, more precisely, he had guessed it long ago. For most people, even compared to a divine oracle, their own life was still more important.
He had already prepared many persuasive arguments and countermeasures for this.
Yet, before he could even speak to persuade him, Aeetes suddenly changed his tune.
"However, considering that you have traveled thousands of miles, enduring countless hardships to reach Colchis, and that you come bearing a divine oracle, I am not an unreasonable man, nor would I defy the will of the gods.
Therefore, I have decided to grant you a trial, letting fate decide the ownership of the Golden Fleece.
If you can complete my trial, it will prove that the heavens decree the Golden Fleece belongs to you, and I shall present it to you.
Conversely, you must return the way you came and never think of the Golden Fleece again. What say you?"
Aeetes' words left Jason momentarily stunned.
This proposal sounded... quite reasonable.
He had even imagined that in the end, both sides might come to blows over the Golden Fleece.
After all, you have your oracle, I have mine, if the other side stubbornly refused to hand it over, even at the risk of offending the gods, it could still be justified.
But a trial? Though it wasn't a direct refusal or agreement to relinquish the Golden Fleece, it was a response that even the gods couldn't fault.
It just seemed overly lenient.
Such an attitude from the other side filled the Argonauts with joy, yet also a hidden wariness.
None among them was a fool; they wouldn't assume success would come so easily.
Thus, Jason stepped forward, courteous and polite as he said, "Treasures belong to the strong; without sufficient power, they only invite calamity.
Your Majesty setting a trial for the Golden Fleece is entirely reasonable, so on behalf of the Argonauts, I fully agree to this condition.
However, I still worry that if the trial's challenges are too unrealistic..."
The Argonauts all nodded inwardly at Jason's words.
There was indeed a potential trap here.
Gaining the treasure through a trial was a normal condition, but if the trial was overly impractical or excessively troublesome, like slaying a god or counting from one to a billion, it would be utterly impossible to complete.
"Rest assured, my trial will be entirely reasonable," Aeetes said with a faint smile. "At least, it's something mortals can accomplish."
"I have two divine bulls that breathe sacred fire from their nostrils. I use these two bulls to plow the fields.
Your first trial is to subdue that pair of divine bulls and make them plow obediently.
Additionally, the Colchian dragon that guards the Golden Fleece sheds and replaces its dragon teeth every year.
We collect these teeth and transform them through special methods. When sown, these dragon teeth can produce a group of fully armed warriors.
I will give you a bag of dragon teeth; your second trial is to defeat the warriors born from these teeth.
Jason, if you can accomplish this, I will allow you to go to the sacred grove and take the Golden Fleece."
Jason fell silent for a moment, uncertain, for he knew that he alone could not complete Aeetes' trial.
But thinking of the throne of Thessaly, and of his many companions, Jason immediately felt at ease.
After all, everything depended on them.
Thus, he declared firmly, "No matter how arduous the task, we are willing to undergo the trial. King Aeetes, I am prepared to die for this."
Aeetes glanced at Jason in surprise.
From outward appearances, Jason did indeed seem like the perfect hero, even he couldn't see through his superficial facade.
But recalling the fervent, ill-intentioned gazes from those Mystra Academy folks, he nodded and continued.
"Very well! In that case, I look forward to your performance. I hope you consider it carefully, if you fail to complete the task, then I trust you will harbor no further thoughts about the Golden Fleece."