No matter how Euryale teased her younger sister, when Medusa learned that her two older sisters had decided to pledge themselves to the Goddess of the Magic Network for her sake, and that Alaric was the envoy sent by the goddess, she fell silent, her head bowed.
The matter of joining Hecate's ranks had been kept secret from Medusa by Stheno and Euryale, all to spare her worry.
After all, for two immortal goddesses, pledging allegiance to an unfamiliar deity was a monumental decision, one that would irrevocably alter their eternal futures.
Medusa knew her sisters well. They were carefree by nature, not particularly powerful, nor ambitious for the kind of dominance wielded by the Twelve Olympians.
Their greatest joy was simply living together as sisters, content in each other's company.
Yet, for her, their unworthy younger sister, her two siblings had already sacrificed so much.
They had abandoned the lush forests, the creatures, and the lavish offerings that came with their divine status, choosing instead to accompany her to this desolate island with its crumbling temple and the endless sound of crashing waves.
They lived in seclusion, far from the world, save for the occasional "heroes" who came to disturb their peace.
And now, for her sake, they were willing to bind themselves to a goddess they had never even met.
Medusa's heart swelled with both gratitude and unease.
What if Hecate turned out to be a harsh mistress?
What if her sisters were mistreated under the Magic Goddess's command?
The thought gnawed at her, and she lifted her gaze to Alaric.
After a moment's hesitation, she finally spoke, "It's truly an honor for you to come to such a remote island, Envoy.
But this decision to join the Goddess's ranks was made rashly by my sisters. I think…"
She was about to voice her refusal when she was swiftly interrupted.
"Enough, Medusa."
The speaker was her eldest sister, Stheno.
Though petite in stature, her voice carried a sharp edge of authority. Medusa, despite her towering and mature figure, shrank back like a startled fawn, nodding quickly.
"…Yes, Stheno, but…"
Medusa tried to continue, but Stheno cut her off again.
"Medusa, my foolish little sister, didn't we make a promise long ago?"
Stheno's expression softened, her youthful, almost childlike face radiating the tender warmth of an elder sister.
"The three of us swore to stay together forever, didn't we? Whether we rise as gods or fall as demons, we'll always be by your side."
"…You're right," Medusa murmured, her voice heavy with emotion.
"So, when we saw a chance to free you from that curse, how could we not seize it?"
Stheno continued, her tone resolute yet gentle. "What does it matter if we serve another deity? As long as we're together…"
Stheno reached out, grasping Medusa's hand. Euryale joined them, their hands intertwining in a quiet vow of unity.
Watching the deep bond between the three sisters, Alaric chose his moment to speak.
"Rest assured, I've examined Miss Medusa's curse. It's nothing we can't handle.
And, by the way, my Hecate is a kind soul. You won't have to worry about her mistreating you once you reach Colchis."
"My Hecate?"
While Alaric's words about the curse eased the concerns of Stheno and Euryale, it was his casual reference to the Magic Goddess that caught their attention.
They suddenly realized that this envoy's relationship with the goddess was far closer than they had imagined.
And with that realization, their worries began to fade.
After all, dealing with a man was far simpler than navigating the whims of a goddess.
Or rather, as goddesses embodying the "ideal woman" and the "ideal maiden," handling men was their forte.
As for Medusa, seeing her sisters' resolve, she, ever the teased younger sibling, couldn't bring herself to argue further.
She accepted their decision, albeit reluctantly. Still, she turned to Alaric and said, "Lord Envoy, could we… speak privately for a moment?"
The request felt awkward for her, especially since it involved a man, a man she had just fought tooth and nail against.
Alaric's eyes traced her alluring figure and cool demeanor before he nodded. "Of course."
A chance to get closer to such an enigmatic, icy beauty was not one to pass up.
"Then let's walk and talk," Medusa said, waving a hand and striding toward the temple without waiting for a response.
Alaric shrugged and followed, leaving the two goddesses behind to whisper among themselves.
"Stheno, do you think little Medusa… has taken a liking to that man?" Euryale's voice was bright and teasing, like a playful melody.
"…It's possible," Stheno replied slowly, her tone measured. "After all, he defeated her in just a few moves. Maybe our Medusa is the type to be swayed by someone stronger."
"Ugh, how annoying!" Euryale pouted, her voice taking on a childish whine. "I finally found such a fine man, and now Medusa thinks she can compete with her big sister?"
Stheno chuckled, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. "If it's Medusa, it's not such a big deal, is it? In fact, what's hers is mine.
And if that man really has *that* kind of relationship with the Magic Goddess… well, I might just make an exception and let little Medusa join in."
…
Regardless of the goddesses' gossip about Alaric and Medusa, as Alaric stepped into the dilapidated temple, his eyes fell upon a haunting sight.
Amid the broken walls and scattered debris stood numerous stone statues.
Most were of warriors, though a couple depicted mages.
There were dozens of them, each frozen in a unique pose: some held shields, peering cautiously from behind; others raised swords high, poised to strike.
A few were caught mid-stride, bodies leaning forward, heads turned back as if fleeing in terror…
Yet, despite their varied stances, their expressions were eerily uniform, etched with raw fear.
And there was another striking similarity.
The statues were almost too lifelike.
From their dynamic poses to the finest details, the texture of muscles, the faint lines of skin, the scratches on armor, everything was perfect, as if they weren't stone at all.
No, they had been real people.
Dozens of petrified figures, their faces frozen in horror, stood in this desolate temple. At night, the scene would surely be chilling.
"…Terrifying, isn't it?" Medusa's voice broke the silence after they had walked a short distance.
Her tone was cold, matching her aloof demeanor and her tendency to speak as little as possible. It was easy to mistake her for someone cruel or detached.
But Alaric knew better. She was simply… averse to unnecessary effort.
When Medusa spoke first, Alaric glanced at her curiously but didn't respond.
He wasn't about to ruin the moment by admitting he wasn't scared.
Medusa didn't seem to mind his silence. She continued, her voice steady, "These… they are my sins."