After Rovi kicked away that child, Medea glanced back at him—and the fluttery feeling she'd felt earlier vanished entirely.
This confirmed for her that the child was indeed Cupid.
Only Cupid's arrows could cause someone to instantly fall in love at first sight.
But emotions manipulated by others rarely ended happily.
Medea felt somewhat relieved.
Naturally, her opinion of Rovi, who had prevented this, improved greatly.
"Alright, let's continue!" Rovi clapped his hands lightly and turned to King Aeëtes, who was still staring dumbfounded.
"You truly are... astounding," Aeëtes finally stammered after a long pause.
"No trouble at all," Rovi replied casually—and for him, it really wasn't.
Cupid, the mischievous god of love from Greek mythology, frequently caused trouble for both mortals and gods alike. Even the indulgent Olympians often couldn't escape his pranks.
But if one sensed his presence beforehand, caught him, and sent him away, his influence could be easily avoided.
This posed no challenge for Rovi. Naturally, he wouldn't let Cupid do as he pleased—after all, if memory served, it was precisely because of Cupid's meddling that Medea, princess of Colchis, had started down the tragic path of a vengeful witch.
As for offending Cupid's mother, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty—Rovi couldn't wait for some god to come along and finally kill him!
"Someone, prepare a seat for Lord Rovi," Aeëtes instructed courteously. Although he ruled his own people cruelly, he was outwardly polite to visitors.
Rovi, however, did not sit. He stated his purpose directly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but my intention has been clear from the start. I hope you'll grant my request."
"You mean the Golden Fleece?" Aeëtes tilted his head slightly, fingers tapping the armrest of his throne. "But you must understand: the Golden Fleece was a unique treasure granted to us by the gods through Lord Hermes. It isn't something just anyone can take."
"That's precisely why I can't miss this chance," Rovi said, revealing the blessings bestowed upon him by four gods—Ares, Athena, Artemis, and, as a bonus, Hermes.
Aeëtes's expression shifted subtly, and he reluctantly agreed, "Very well, then."
"But I have conditions—come, I'll explain along the way. You may leave at any time if you have second thoughts."
Just like in the original story, Aeëtes demanded that Rovi first tame his pair of bronze-hoofed, iron-bodied bulls that breathed fire and use them to plow a field. Then he must defeat the fierce warriors born from dragon's teeth planted in the soil. Finally, he had to overcome the cunning and deadly dragon guarding the forest.
All three conditions must be fulfilled.
Only then would Aeëtes, on behalf of his kingdom, grant him the Golden Fleece.
Rovi wasn't surprised by this, though he still pretended ignorance, nodding as if listening intently.
Aeëtes glanced at him, feeling rather smug.
The challenges he'd set were exceedingly harsh. Without divine aid, no mortal could possibly overcome them.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, Rovi's thoughts had long wandered elsewhere.
The group left the palace, escorted by guards. The streets of Colchis's spacious city-state were strangely empty, sunlight reflecting off rooftops and dust floating gently like feathers.
People hid in their homes, silent and motionless. Once prosperous, Colchis had slowly fallen into decline under Aeëtes's rule.
Rovi swept his gaze across the malnourished faces peering cautiously from their doorways, glanced briefly at Atalanta hidden atop a roof, quietly following along, and finally noted Medea's worried expression.
Interesting... He lowered his arms and faced forward again.
They had arrived at their destination.
"Please, Lord Rovi," Aeëtes pointed toward an expansive field ahead.
Rovi nodded and stepped forward—just as a deafening roar echoed.
Moo—!
The earth shook, flames erupted, and two massive figures emerged at the far end of the field.
Aeëtes's smug smile lasted only a moment before freezing in shock.
The two divine bulls had appeared ferocious at first, but as soon as they saw Rovi, they turned and fled immediately.
Aeëtes was stunned. Medea stared, lips parted slightly in disbelief. Only Rovi smiled easily.
"Where exactly did you get these bulls?" he asked curiously.
"They're said to be divine beasts from Uruk..." Aeëtes replied subconsciously.
Sure enough, they were the descendants—or more accurately, remnants—of the Bull of Heaven that Rovi himself had dispersed long ago, now condensed again from leftover divine mist.
Though they likely possessed only a fraction of their ancestor's original power, they clearly retained a deep-seated fear. Truly incredible—running into familiar faces everywhere he went.
"Get back here if you don't want a beating," Rovi called casually, not even bothering to move. The two bulls instantly stopped mid-stride, turned around trembling, and obediently trotted over to stand meekly before him.
Aeëtes watched expressionlessly as his beloved beasts complied like trained pets. He'd nearly lost his life capturing these creatures in the past, yet now…
He suddenly felt he'd gone through all that trouble for nothing.
Was this the effect of Artemis's blessing as goddess of hunting and taming beasts?
"Let's move on, Lord Rovi," Aeëtes said, struggling to maintain his composure. "Plow the field with the bulls, then plant these teeth into the soil. Soon fierce warriors will sprout from the earth."
"These warriors come from the teeth of the poisonous dragon guarding the forest. Blessed by the war god Ares, they are invincible—no weapon can pierce them except the blades they wield themselves. Be careful!"
At this, Aeëtes perked up again, excitement returning to his voice.
This time it'll definitely work...
"ROAR!"
The newly grown warriors immediately shouted in fury as they emerged from the ground. Clad in armor, wielding spears and shields, they charged toward Rovi the moment their eyes opened.
Only to be slapped square across the face.
"What the hell are you roaring at?" snapped the Sage irritably.
The warrior froze, utterly stunned.
Aeëtes also froze.
You're facing the mighty warriors blessed by Ares himself!
And you just slapped one!?
That's suicide—!
"You lot, hurry up and go capture the dragon in the forest—and make sure it's alive!" Rovi commanded directly, invoking the power he'd previously used against Ares. Using his own blessing from Ares, he effortlessly seized control of these similarly blessed warriors.
"Yes, sir!" The warriors bowed respectfully, swiftly assembled, and marched toward the forest.
"..."
Aeëtes went numb.
Am I testing him?
Why does it feel like he's the one testing the limits of my sanity?!
Medea, too, stared blankly at the scene.
She'd never imagined the tasks that had thwarted countless heroes would be so effortlessly resolved.
Could he truly be...the legendary Sage from ancient Uruk?
---
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