The Crew of the Argo (Argonautai) (3)
The soldier maintained a respectful facade while inwardly sneering at the pair. The black-haired beauty who had arrived with the child looked far too refined to be one of those battle-hardened heroines from before, and the boy seemed no different.
“What’s this? Doesn’t even look like a weapon, yet it’s ridiculously ornate.”
The soldier dismissed the notion that the child could be carrying anything of value, a judgment that set him apart from Jason. Had he possessed even a shred more insight into arms, he might have noticed the dried bloodstains still clinging to the mace.
“Munch… munch-munch… Mmm, this is actually pretty good~? I used to think it was gross and never touched it before!”
“If you like it, I’ll peel more for you. Open wide.”
“Okay~! Ah, this one’s tasty too~!”
“Don’t sit with your legs spread like that. I won’t lecture you about acting modest, but you’re a taken woman—show a little consideration.”
“Munch-munch… Why~? Jealous~?”
“………Are you an idiot?”
“Oh my, my husband is so adorable~!”
The sight of an adult woman acting coy toward a young boy felt profoundly out of place. It had nothing to do with the age gap—after all, this was Greece, where thirty-year-olds could casually abduct teenagers. What unsettled the soldier was the inversion of roles: the woman’s intellect seemed to have migrated to the boy, while the boy’s childishness had shifted to her.
“Ahem!”
““………?””
The soldier boldly inserted himself into the bizarre scene. The black-haired beauty still sat with her mouth open, while the boy calmly deposited a piece of peeled shrimp into it. She looked displeased at the interruption, but the boy merely offered his professional smile, revealing nothing.
“What’s the matter? As you can see, we’re eating. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t disturb us.”
“Don’t disturb you? This is the recruitment site for the Argo’s crew! A wench and a brat have no business here! Yet here you are, shamelessly helping yourselves to the feast meant for the heroes!”
Thud!
The soldier slammed the table in anger. Just as Adanasia Achilles gripped her spear, Perseus 2 extended a hand to stop her and spoke in a clear, ringing voice.
“Elder. Don’t you think it’s rather rude to barge into someone’s meal without even exchanging names?”
“What? Who the hell are you two?”
“This is Adanasia Achilles, who received her epithet from Lady Tetis herself, and I am Perseus 2 from Argos. We heard that anyone bearing an epithet was welcome to participate, so we came. I fail to see why you’re so angry, Elder.”
“Perseus?”
At the mention of Perseus 2’s name, the heroes’ gazes sharpened with sudden intensity. They had been curious about the pair, but the name that emerged was far grander than expected. Achilles’s name carried the stigma of an ancestor who had failed to slay a monster from the divine age, earning her little respect among heroes. Perseus, however, was different. His bloodline stood shoulder-to-shoulder with true heroes like Bellerophon and Heracles, who had also arrived today.
『────────.』
“………Oh no.”
The soldier who had spoken finally realized his mistake as killing intent flooded toward him. Even the most oblivious person could not ignore such murderous stares. His body tensed instinctively. Desperate to defuse the situation, he made yet another blunder.
People react to mistakes in many ways—admitting fault, smoothing it over, apologizing, or lashing out in anger. The soldier chose the worst possible response among them.
“I don’t know how a brat like you even knows the name Perseus, but there’s no way it’s true! Everyone’s heard the rumors—Perseus 2 is a hero who rules Argos with ease! How dare a little whelp like you claim that name! Lie to me one more time and I’ll beat both you and that wench senseless before throwing you out!”
“What? Has this bastard lost his mind…?”
Adanasia Achilles’s patience was thinner than a rubber band. The soldier had just tap-danced across it. She lunged with her ash-wood spear to skewer his side, but Perseus 2’s mace intercepted the thrust, sparing the man’s life.
“Now, now, Achilles. Let’s not spill blood at such an auspicious gathering. The elder has a point, but we haven’t lied either. All we need to do is refute him point by point and prove our innocence.”
“Are you an idiot? One good beating would settle this far quicker than a hundred words. Leave it to me. I’ll ram my spear down that arrogant mouth and he’ll never flap his lips again.”
“A spoken word cannot be taken back, like water poured on the ground—yet in truth, it isn’t always so. Unlike spilled blood, words can be mended. That’s the crucial difference.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Stay still. The sight of blood will ruin my appetite.”
“You really……”
Adanasia Achilles reluctantly lowered her spear. The soldier, convinced the woman had been bluffing, wiped away his cold sweat and looked down at Perseus 2. Despite the heroes’ piercing stares, the boy showed no sign of nervousness, maintaining his professional smile.
“Elder? Please forgive my companion’s rudeness. However, your own words were rather sharp. As you can see, my companion has a short temper. If you had shown a little consideration first, I believe we could have cleared up this misunderstanding much more easily.”
“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? A brat who still reeks of blood is ruining the mood at this glorious occasion.”
“I’ll explain the misunderstanding one by one. First, we are not beggars. Second, while the true heroes present remain silent, you have no reason to speak. Third, the heroes gathered here are no fools—they have already discerned our identities. Fourth, therefore, we have never hidden who we are. Fifth, the one who failed to realize this and ruined the atmosphere is you, with your loud voice. —Do you understand?”
“You talk pretty well for a child. How many people have you fooled with that mouth?”
“Suppose, for a moment, that someone currently speaking with me is making a very grave mistake. If that were the case, I would earnestly admonish him with honest words for the sake of his bright and beautiful future. If you still insist on calling that ‘deception,’ then I suppose I would become a great villain who even deceived the Twelve Olympians.”
“Are you saying I’m making a mistake right now?!”
“Hahaha! You’re very perceptive! I was worried you might not catch on!”
“Wh-what?! What did you—?!”
Before the soldier could finish, a burst of laughter erupted.
『Wahahahahahahahaha!!!!』
Just as Perseus 2 had said, the true heroes present had already seen through Adanasia Achilles’s valor. That was why they had remained quiet, assuming the boy who followed her must also be someone of note. And sure enough, the boy had praised the heroes while treating the soldier like a fool—naturally, laughter followed.
“E-everyone’s being deceived! Just because the brat talks well doesn’t mean he’s qualified to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the heroes here! A child is still a child!”
“Our Perseus is no ordinary child. Even the people here are starting to recognize him as a prodigy.”
“Nonsense~! At that age, any child gets praised as a genius! But when they grow up, they become ordinary! Being smart as a kid doesn’t mean you’ll stay smart!”
At those words, Perseus 2 tapped his head twice and opened the Wisdom Pocket. Eager to refute the claim cleverly, he searched for relevant information and naturally turned it against the man.
“Yes. You speak wisely. Judging by how eloquently you say such things, Elder, you must have been greatly praised as a genius by everyone around you when you were young.”
“Of course! I was such a clever child that all the neighborhood elders adored me──?”
For a split second he sensed something wrong and tried to stop, but before he could, another wave of laughter exploded.
『Bwahahaha!!! Bwahahahahaha!!!!』
The soldier had just declared that smart children grow up ordinary—then immediately claimed he himself had been smart as a child. In doing so, he had called himself a fool. The quick-witted heroes roared with laughter, and the soldier trembled with shame.
“Exactly! Elder, you are entirely correct! From the look of it, being smart as a child doesn’t mean you stay smart as an adult! Hahahahahaha!!!”
『Hahahaha!!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!!』
Perseus 2 delivered the final blow, openly mocking the man and returning every insult. The heroes clutched their stomachs and rolled with laughter. The line he had quoted was the famous childhood remark of Kong Rong from the Three Kingdoms, and it landed perfectly. The soldier’s face turned crimson, as though he might faint at any moment.
“Do you have anything else to say? If not, please step aside. Everyone is in an excellent mood after such hearty laughter. Right now, both we and they can laugh off your earlier rudeness and move on.”
“……Ugh.”
At Perseus 2’s suggestion, the soldier glanced around. The heroes nodded and jerked their chins toward the exit. “Thanks to you we had a good laugh—now scram.” Only then did the soldier realize he had become the evening’s clown. Trembling with humiliation, he withdrew from the table.
“I apologize. I overstepped without knowing my place.”
“It’s fine. I’m also at fault for sending you as bait while knowing full well what would happen. Thanks to you, we’ve gauged his caliber. This matter is settled. Everyone’s in high spirits after the laughter, so you should forget today’s events and go drink with your comrades.”
“………Yes.”
As the soldier retreated, Jason—who had been silent until now—stepped forward. He pressed some drinking money into the soldier’s hand and strode up with a thoroughly pleased expression.
“My apologies, everyone. I ended up standing by and doing nothing. Still, thanks to that, I’ve confirmed that Perseus 2 lives up to his reputation. I hope you’ll forgive my subordinate with your usual magnanimity.”
At Jason’s request, the heroes nodded and returned to their meals. Since the insulted party had not caused a scene and the matter had been resolved with clever words, there was no longer any need for them to intervene.
‘Still… I never expected Perseus 2 himself to come… He’s younger than I heard, yet far cleverer than the rumors suggest… Hahaha…’
Bellerophon, Heracles, and now Perseus…
Jason approached them with a covetous smile. Sensing that conversation might finally flow smoothly, Perseus 2 greeted him first. Adanasia Achilles, however—having been interrupted at her meal multiple times—regarded the newcomer with open displeasure beyond mere annoyance.
“A pleasure. I am Perseus 2.”
“Adanasia Achilles.”
Embarrassed by his wife’s curt response, Perseus 2 shot her a warning glance, but Jason merely laughed heartily and waved it off.
“I am Jason, the eleventh to bear the name and leader of this expedition. It’s truly an honor to have two renowned figures join us. I never imagined such a young woman and a child would be the celebrated heroes. My subordinate caused you trouble because of it.”
“The apology is accepted. Um… so… Jason… sir…?”
“I’m the one who should add the honorific. Our epithets are on different levels, after all. You carry the name of Perseus, after all.”
“That puts me in a difficult position. I’ll just speak casually.”
Jason laughed again, unconcerned, and extended his hand for a handshake. Perseus 2 accepted without hesitation, and Adanasia Achilles followed suit, sealing their acquaintance.
‘This guy’s incredibly sociable. He doesn’t even bat an eye at being spoken to casually by a child… Is that why he’s called a hero?’
‘That brat’s got guts to match his mouth. Teasing someone older than him like that… Only someone like that could carry the name of Perseus.’
They silently praised each other. The two seemed to get along well, launching into lively conversation about the upcoming expedition and the legends of their ancestors, laughing together. One woman, however, watched the exchange with clear displeasure.
‘This bastard… what the hell is he suddenly doing… Is he after my husband’s ass…?!’
Adanasia Achilles, who adored her husband Perseus 2 yet showed nothing on her face, spent the entire conversation suspecting and guarding against the possibility that Jason might be a rear-end enthusiast.
“Prrr… prrr…”
Shake, shake…
Epiphos, the eldest son, gazed at his mother from behind with pity.
“Prrr… prrr…”
『That’s why Father calls Mother an idiot.』
Epiphos delivered the sarcastic remark with practiced ease, but no one present could understand the horse’s words. Adanasia Achilles’s pointless vigilance continued until the two men finished their conversation.