To judge this matter in the name of Themis, the most impartial Goddess of Judgment in the world.
That had been Jason's decision from the very beginning.
Yet in truth, Jason was not entirely impartial.
As he had confessed to Hecate long ago, he had deliberately given Circe time to buffer Scylla's anger and allowed Scylla to vent a great deal of her resentment before stepping in.
Temples were places built by mortals to worship and offer faith to the gods.
Themis, Goddess of Judgment, held an exalted position not only among the gods but also among humankind.
In ancient Greece, courts already existed, and the fair and just Goddess Themis commanded immense reverence.
Medea led the group to the Temple of Themis and used her authority to clear the premises.
Jason had no desire to make this matter widely known; the fewer people who knew, the better.
Inside the temple, they faced the sacred statue of Themis: in her left hand she held the Scales, in her right a sword, radiating holiness and majesty.
Just as Jason was about to bow in reverence,
"There is no need for you to bow to me, Jason."
A gentle voice rang out. From the shadow of a pillar stepped a radiant goddess.
She wore a pure white robe that clung to her body, perfectly outlining her flawless figure. Holiness and an indescribable allure coexisted within her.
Her eyes, capable of seeing through all things in the world, were covered by a strip of white cloth.
The moment she appeared, everyone froze.
Then, with the exception of Jason, Medea, Atalanta, and the others instinctively turned to glance at the statue of Themis.
When they looked back at the goddess before them, their eyes were wide with shock.
Who else could it be but Themis herself?
Themis walked up to Jason and gazed at the white-clad youth and the floating Scales of Judgment beside him.
"You are the inheritor of my divine office. Why should you bow to me?" she said softly.
The moment those words left her mouth, even Atalanta (who had long grown used to meeting gods wherever Jason went) was stunned speechless.
Inheritor… of a divine office?
The words echoed in everyone's minds. They turned to Jason with disbelief.
He was going to ascend to godhood?!
Jason himself gave no reply. After a brief moment of surprise at Themis's sudden appearance, he quickly regained his composure.
"No. Courtesy is a sign of respect. I am merely an ordinary person. How could I show disrespect to you, Lady Themis?"
Facing the goddess who now stood before him, Jason took two steps back and bowed respectfully, his tone polite and measured.
His manners were impeccable, yet the sense of distance was obvious even to Scylla and Circe.
Themis fell silent for a moment.
She naturally understood the reason for Jason's aloofness.
Her lips parted slightly as though she wished to speak, but no words came. She did not know what to say.
After a brief silence, Jason spoke again, still respectful. "May I ask why the esteemed Goddess Themis has suddenly graced us with her presence? Is it to bear witness to this trial?"
"…Yes," Themis answered softly with a small nod. "This is your first judgment. Naturally, I must be present to witness it."
"With all due respect, Lady Themis, this trial will not be entirely impartial. I am biased," Jason said after a moment's thought, deciding to be completely honest. "Circe is my senior sister under the same teacher. I deliberately favored her by allowing Lady Scylla to vent her anger for a time before stepping in today to render judgment."
When dealing with Greek gods, honesty was always the best policy. It was better to say everything upfront; otherwise, they might hold a grudge forever.
Themis did not reply immediately. Instead, she turned to Scylla and Circe.
"Nymph Scylla, Witch Circe," she asked, "do you believe this trial will be fair and just? Are you willing to place the authority of judgment in Jason's hands?
If not, I shall judge the matter between you in his stead."
"I am willing, great Goddess Themis!"
Scylla, having recovered from her shock, looked at Jason and answered without hesitation. "I trust him. He is the one who saved me. Even if… no, there is no 'even if.' I will accept whatever verdict he gives."
She felt boundless gratitude toward the hero who had freed her from her curse and brought her here to face Circe.
In truth, even without a trial, if Jason asked her to stop, she would very likely agree.
"I am willing too!" Circe, now recovered, naturally had no reason to refuse.
Having her own junior disciple brother act as judge could only benefit her.
She was well aware that if the trial were truly perfectly impartial, she would be the one at a disadvantage…
Hearing their answers, Themis gently nodded and turned back to Jason.
She even gave him a faint smile.
Though her eyes were covered, Jason somehow felt she had just winked at him twice…
(For the record, Themis is not blind. She covers her eyes so that she will not be swayed by what she sees, only by what she hears, thus granting the fairest judgment possible.)
"Very well. Then I—"
Before Jason could finish, the floating Scales of Judgment drifted to his left side and blazed with dazzling holy light.
The Sword of Judgment flew from Themis's hand and positioned itself at his right.
Themis then removed the cloth covering her eyes (revealing the breathtakingly beautiful eyes few had ever seen) and gently tied the cloth over Jason's own eyes from behind.
The instant the cloth touched his eyes, Jason understood that it was no ordinary item; it was a divine artifact of extraordinary power.
Though it blocked his mortal sight, it allowed him to see far more.
"The trial… begins."
As Themis's soft voice fell, Jason lifted his head and "looked" at Scylla and Circe.
In that single glance, it was as though he gazed straight into the distant past.
He saw the full history of the conflict between Scylla and Circe, every detail of the events that needed judgment.
Memories and images flashed before him at unimaginable speed.
While Jason was still reeling from the experience, the Scales of Judgment settled into his left hand, and the Sword of Judgment came to rest in his right.
Everyone present (Scylla, Circe, Medea, Atalanta, and the spirit of the Argo) bore witness to the scene.
They beheld Jason clad in white, his already handsome face (comparable to Apollo, God of Light) partially veiled and accentuated by the white cloth.
In his left hand he held the Scales of Judgment; in his right, the Sword of Judgment.
Even Atalanta could not help swallowing hard.
Medea's eyes turned into shining stars; she was utterly enchanted and could not look away.
"You truly are… the most suitable person," Themis whispered, stepping back.
A radiant smile bloomed across her face.
Then, as if remembering something, she drew forth the Light of Time and preserved this moment forever…
Once Jason recovered, the trial officially proceeded.
He listened calmly as both parties spoke.
"There is no doubt, Circe: you are guilty.
Out of jealousy, you committed an unforgivable wrong against the nymph Scylla. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"I…" Circe hesitated.
She looked at Jason standing before her in the full aspect of the God of Judgment, then at the true Goddess Themis nearby.
Finally she lowered her head. "I won't deny it… But for the past month I never once fought back! I've been chased and beaten for an entire month!
I already know I was wrong!"
"Yet that cannot possibly make up for the wrong you committed," Jason replied calmly. "Because of your jealousy, you transformed the nymph Scylla into a monster feared by all mankind, and that state lasted for an entire century. Do you acknowledge your crime?"
"…I do. Punish me however you see fit."
Circe hung her head in dejection.
"The punishment is not for me to decide. It shall be decided by Lady Scylla herself. However…
Before that, Lady Scylla, this judge has a question for you. Are you willing to acknowledge the wrongs you yourself committed?"
"Eh?" Scylla blinked in confusion.
What did I do wrong?
"It is true that Circe transformed you into a terrifying sea monster out of jealousy.
But that is no excuse for you to abandon yourself to despair, to release your monstrous form, to waylay passing ships and devour their crews.
The potion she used did not affect your mind."
Jason's voice was calm yet carried unshakable authority. "Therefore, Lady Scylla, do you acknowledge your guilt?"
Scylla opened her mouth, but no rebuttal came.
She could not rebut.
Yes, the potion had turned her into a sea monster, but it had not clouded her reason. She had swallowed the fishermen who once loved her out of pure rage. And because she hated the fear and disgust people showed toward her new appearance, she had demanded six sailors as tribute from every ship that passed.
That was how the legend of the terrifying sea monster Scylla had spread far and wide.
"I… acknowledge my guilt," she finally said, lowering her head.
When both women admitted their sins, the Scales in Jason's hand swayed once, then settled perfectly balanced.
"Since both of you have acknowledged your crimes, you shall naturally receive fitting punishment!"
As he spoke, Jason drew the Sword of Judgment and plunged it into the ground. Both Scylla and Circe trembled involuntarily.
"From this day forward, Nymph Scylla, you shall atone for the lives you took. This judge commands you to swear upon the River Styx of the Underworld: for every innocent life you devoured at sea, you must save twice that number in the time to come.
During this period, you may not create accidents deliberately in order to save people.
This duty shall be supervised by Circe!"
"Huh? Me?" Circe, who had been secretly gloating over the woman who chased her for a month, froze.
"Likewise, Circe, you have acknowledged your guilt, and this entire matter began because of you. Therefore you bear equal responsibility and must carry out the same atonement alongside Scylla.
Furthermore, to make amends for your crime, from this day forward you shall serve Scylla until she has completed her penance!"
"What?! Serve her? That's—"
Circe's eyes went wide.
"If you refuse, then you shall experience Scylla's suffering for yourself and live as a sea monster for one hundred years…"
Before Jason could finish,
"Please leave it to me, Judge Jason! I accept this punishment!"
Circe answered instantly.
Jason nodded lightly and turned to Scylla. "Lady Scylla, do you have any objection to this sentence?"
"None. I willingly obey," Scylla replied, shaking her head.
She then swore upon the River Styx. Circe, with great reluctance, followed suit.
Finally, Jason looked toward Themis. "Goddess of Justice and Judgment, Themis, will you bear witness to this?"
"I will," Themis answered, smiling warmly at Jason.
While answering, she quietly put away the Light of Time once more.
With that, the trial concluded.
The Sword of Judgment rose from the ground and returned to its sheath.
The Scales that could weigh all things descended.
Jason removed the cloth from his eyes and let out a long, slow breath.
Thus, the matter between Circe and Scylla finally came to an end.
Afterward, Jason had intended to speak with Themis, but the moment she retrieved her sword and cloth, she turned and fled without giving him the slightest chance.
There was nothing he could do but let her go.
After all, Themis's affairs would have to wait for now.
Through this trial (especially after donning the cloth and witnessing the origin of their conflict: love turned to hate born of a woman's jealousy and fickleness), Jason gained deep insight.
The longer he delayed, the more troublesome it could become.
When it came to feelings, indecision only invited chaos!
Jason had always been a decisively resolute person. His gaze now firm with determination, he immediately gave instructions to Atalanta and the spirit of the Argo.
The time had come to bid farewell to Colchis. The Golden Fleece was already in hand, and he had returned. It was time to sail home.
And also…
"Medea, where is her temple?"
He did not call her "little sister" this time. Taking a deep breath, Jason looked straight at the slightly stunned Medea and asked seriously,
"The temple of the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena… where is it?"
Clearly, Jason intended to face Athena directly.
To confront, face-to-face, the love of the Goddess of Wisdom herself!