Atalanta moved with utmost caution, fully displaying her skills as a huntress.
Her light footsteps skimmed across the ground like flight, producing not a single sound. Such techniques made her invincible when hunting beasts or ambushing enemies.
However, for the Colchian dragon, such behavior seemed somewhat unnecessary.
As Medea softly sang her lullaby, the dragon responded with deep, resonant snores, the two harmonizing in what felt like some bizarre symphony.
From this, it was clear that the dragon had undoubtedly fallen into a profound sleep.
Atalanta closed the distance in a few swift strides, reaching the dragon's side.
Though she carried the divine bow "Bow of the Heavens" on her back, she harbored no thought of seizing the opportunity to slay the dragon, becoming a dragon-slaying hero, and eliminating its threat once and for all.
The other Argonauts felt the same.
They trusted that, with the dragon's defenses, even a sneak attack wouldn't inflict serious harm. And if they attempted to assassinate it, the dragon would surely sense the danger and awaken instantly, making stealthy theft the far wiser approach.
Silently bypassing the slumbering dragon, Atalanta arrived at the base of the towering oak tree.
As if sensing her arrival, Medea, though her eyes remained closed, gave a barely perceptible nod, while Lurue, the unicorn beneath her, snorted in greeting.
Atalanta, meanwhile, quietly adjusted her attire and began to climb the oak's canopy with careful, stealthy steps.
True to her reputation as the huntress raised by a sacred bear and favored by Artemis, Atalanta scaled the extraordinarily tall oak, towering dozens to hundreds of meters, with remarkable speed. She soon reached the canopy and effortlessly claimed the Golden Fleece hanging there.
Instead of climbing down, Atalanta leaped boldly, plunging from the hundred-meter-high branches.
This daring move startled the distant Argonauts watching on.
Was she trying to end her life?
Yet, they soon witnessed Atalanta's prowess.
The leaping Atalanta didn't plummet straight down due to gravity, instead, she glided toward them like a leaf carried by a gentle breeze.
This was the effect of the constant "Feather Fall" spell on her treasured boots, the Boots of Lightness.
Under Feather Fall's influence, no matter the height, Atalanta needn't fear a fatal drop. She could even use it to mimic having glider wings, greatly enhancing her mobility.
Before long, the Argonauts saw this formidable huntress gracefully land before them.
"Well done, Atalanta."
"I didn't expect you had that trick up your sleeve."
"As expected of Lady Artemis's huntress."
The heroes crowded around her, showering her with praise.
However, Atalanta seemed oblivious, silently walking to Jason and tossing the Golden Fleece to him.
It was as if what she had just stolen wasn't a supreme treasure, but merely an ordinary clump of wool.
But that was understandable, for Atalanta, this fleece, lacking any combat utility and offering nothing beyond its beautiful appearance and soft touch, held little value in her eyes.
For Jason, though, this was the goal he had dreamed of relentlessly.
Fumbling to catch the Golden Fleece, Jason addressed Atalanta warmly: "Thanks to you, risking so much to obtain it, I'm truly grateful."
Yet, to his thanks, Atalanta showed no reaction, merely giving him a cool glance before turning away.
She then quietly approached Alaric's side and tugged at his sleeve.
"What a aloof woman, completing such a dangerous task yet remaining silent," Jason said with a wry smile, looking at Alaric.
"Only a man as charismatic as you, Brother Ye, could easily get her to speak more than a few words."
"You're overthinking it," Alaric shook his head. "Atalanta isn't deliberately staying quiet... I just forgot to dispel the 'Deafness' spell on her earlier."
With that, he snapped his fingers again.
A magical glow shimmered over the huntress, and immediately, her long-lost hearing returned.
This finally eased the unease and discomfort that had plagued Atalanta.
"Losing my hearing was too much for a huntress like me."
"So, she didn't hear any of our words just now?"
Jason couldn't help but chuckle ruefully.
But the pressing matter wasn't to dwell on that.
After wrapping the Golden Fleece securely and tucking it into his bosom, Jason turned to the surrounding heroes.
"Now that the Golden Fleece is in our hands, it's time to leave, before the dragon realizes and it's too late."
He then looked at Alaric.
"What about Princess Medea? Should we leave someone to escort her?"
"No need."
Alaric shook his head.
"Even if the Golden Fleece is lost, the dragon won't harm her. We'll head straight back to the Argo, she'll catch up using magic."
Seeing Alaric had no objections, Jason nodded.
"In that case, everyone, let's depart immediately and return to the ship."
Thus, the Argonauts turned around, with Jason leading the way as they raced toward the Argo.
With the dragon still present, even lulled by Medea's song, it remained incredibly dangerous for the Argonauts.
In truth, under the dragon's aura, though the Argonauts weren't severely affected to the point of being unable to wield weapons or move, their nerves had been on edge the entire time.
The brief nap of a few minutes earlier had somewhat relieved their mental strain.
But even now, they were struggling to endure it.
Being able to leave now was the best possible outcome for them.
Soon, the Argonauts had departed from the heart of the sacred grove.
Beneath the towering oak tree.
As Jason grew farther away, the Golden Fleece in his possession also distanced itself from the grove's center.
The slumbering dragon suddenly felt an instinctive unease.
The Golden Fleece, a treasure coveted even by the gods, lacked the overwhelming power or earth-shaking effects of a divine artifact.
Yet, beneath its vain exterior lay a special ability.
It brought serenity to the mind.
As a divine-level treasure, the Golden Fleece's beautiful appearance and exquisite texture were manifestations of its power.
Both its look and feel were designed to bring comfort, to uplift the spirit, this was the essence of the Golden Fleece.
Anyone near it would instinctively feel their mood brighten.
Since Aeetes entrusted the dragon to guard it decades ago, the dragon had felt its influence every day.
That profound, soul-deep comfort was incomparable to anything else.
But now, that sensation was fading, nearly vanishing.
Even in sleep, the dragon immediately detected this anomaly.
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