A seafaring ship?
No, actually, describing this spectacle on the sea with the words "warship" is not an exaggeration at all!
The Argo, with its entire body measuring one hundred and twenty meters in length.
Such a length, when used to describe a warship, is indeed... somewhat insufficient.
Because in later generations, most warships could easily reach over two hundred meters, and the longest battleship of World War II, the Iowa-class, was even two hundred and seventy meters.
But consider what era this is now.
This is the Age of the Gods, the ancient era when the divine beings still thrived.
Moreover, the time spent crafting it was merely less than three months!
Although, the one who created it was no ordinary mortal, but rather an immensely noble divine being.
In fact, it was the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus, the Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, and the Goddess of Wisdom Athena, these three exceptionally unique divine beings.
The weight of the Argo is unknown specifically.
Because it can be light or heavy as needed.
When heavy, it can easily reach the level of ten thousand tons.
When light, the heroes present could lift it together with effort.
This is because the material used in its construction is the divine cable forged by the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus.
Moreover, the cable bears wondrous patterns, which are magical seals inscribed by the Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate.
The hull as a whole presents a sacred white color, which is clearly derived from the aesthetic taste of the Goddess of Wisdom Athena.
Shocking... well, this word naturally cannot describe the heroes who stood in stunned awe, gazing up at the sky and beholding the Argo.
Nor the divine beings who hid in the shadows, spying upon it.
But besides these two words, what other term could describe it?
A creation of the gods... yes, this unscientific grandeur, this miracle of the sea, can truly only be described as a creation of the gods!
Then...
Boom!
As the Argo steadily arrived on the open sea, its massive one hundred and twenty meter frame plunged into the ocean in that instant.
A thunderous roar echoed, startling all the beings who had been watching it.
A wave a hundred zhang high surged up due to its arrival.
When the giant wave subsided, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky above the Argo.
The brilliant sunlight shone upon its sacred form.
This magnificent and grand spectacle even stirred in the hearts of the heroes present an impulse to kneel and worship it!
Jason gazed at the shocked crowd, the corners of his mouth unable to resist curling up slightly.
Because this was the warship meticulously crafted for him by his teacher Hecate and Hephaestus... of course, along with Athena.
And most importantly, this was a gift from them to Jason.
It had taken three months to create, which is neither long nor short.
The two noble divine beings, Hephaestus and Hecate, had poured all their efforts into it.
Even they, after completing the Argo, were so exhausted that they desperately wanted to collapse and sleep for three days and nights.
The reason they worked so hard was because this was the Argo.
Because the one who would command this warship was their disciple.
It was Jason...
Therefore, in this instant, as the Argo descended onto the ocean and unleashed a hundred-zhang wave.
As Jason surveyed the shocked crowd before him, he smiled, and for once, revealed a proud and triumphant expression.
"Let's go."
Then Jason took the first step forward, leading the group toward the Argo. He said, "We should board the ship... and take a look at the Argo."
Watching Jason stride ahead, and then beholding the boundless grandeur before them, the miraculous warship of the sea known as the Argo.
It felt like a dream, like an illusion... the heroes seemed like lost wanderers led by butterflies, and in a daze, they subconsciously followed in Jason's footsteps.
Then, when they arrived at the foot of the Argo.
As they lifted their heads and gazed up at the Argo once more, shocked anew by its majesty.
Those who had regained a bit of their senses subconsciously glanced around.
They did not see any tools for boarding the vessel.
Just as they puzzled over this.
A mysterious blue magical array suddenly lit up beneath their feet.
From within the magical array, glowing nether butterflies danced into existence.
The ensuing light made them close their eyes instinctively, and when they opened them next, they were already on the deck of the Argo.
On the deck, a cool sea breeze brushed against them.
The brilliant sunlight shone upon their bodies.
Jason glanced at those who had boarded, the fellow disciples and heroes he had invited... and paid extra attention to Hermes, who had somehow slipped in unnoticed.
Just as he was about to say something.
"Welcome back, Master Jason."
Accompanied by the light and pleasant voice of a young girl, the spirit of the warship Argo came to Jason's side.
Her pale blue long hair cascaded like a waterfall, draping down her back.
Her exquisite, doll-like features revealed a smile as captivating as a city's fall... no, not like a doll, she was literally a doll.
Moreover, she was one of the most outstanding dolls crafted by the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus.
She was the princess doll that Hephaestus often carried with her, the one Jason had rejected long ago.
Now she had her own name: Argo.
Her originally pale golden hair had become light blue.
The once lavish princess gown had transformed into a black-and-white maid outfit, paired with white stockings.
Although some among those present had received Jason's invitations in the past and visited the Underworld.
But when this woman in a maid outfit and white stockings appeared before them once again, their eyes still went wide.
"Argo, did I not tell you not to call me master..."
Jason's slightly uncomfortable words were not yet finished.
"No, Master Jason, you are my master, and the sole master of this warship."
Argo directly interrupted Jason.
Then, to Jason, and to all present, as well as the divine beings watching from the shadows, she declared word by word: "I am the Argo, the ship spirit born at the behest of the great Goddess Hecate, Goddess Hephaestus, and Goddess Athena.
The great goddesses' sole command to me is to obey Master Jason unconditionally.
The noble three goddesses have sworn oaths to the pledged Underworld, granting the Argo, granting me, to you.
This is their bestowal, their gift to you.
And under their watchful gaze, I too have sworn to the pledged Underworld: you are my master, my one and only master.
I was born because of you; no one else can possess me, no one else can hold me.
Therefore, Master Jason, I am yours... this is an absolute fact!"
As Argo's voice fell, it stunned everyone present.
As well as all the divine beings watching in secret.
And these words were taught to Argo by Athena; she had instructed Argo to say them at this very moment.
Because Athena was one of the creators of the Argo, she knew full well what a divine miracle this warship was.
When this warship revealed its allure, Athena believed it would be a temptation even the gods could not resist.
Thus, she had sworn oaths alongside Hecate and Hephaestus, and taught Argo to deliver this speech at this opportune time.
To warn those who coveted the Argo.
If they dared to scheme, it would mean making enemies of them!
Hearing Argo's words, Jason was the first to regain his senses.
He looked at the Argo before him, his eyes filled with some complexity.
Because he knew very well that only Athena could have timed this so perfectly.
At the very least... she had indeed been using her wisdom to aid him all along.
The arrows of the Moon Goddess, the bow of the Sun God, Hermes' flute... all of these, Jason had obtained smoothly because of her.
And as Argo spoke such words, once the many heroes present recovered, many looked at Jason with eyes filled with undisguised envy.
Because through Argo's straightforward declaration, they understood.
This was Jason's ship, a gift from the gods.
They could not obtain it, not even seize it by force.
This warship named Argo had only one master.
That was Jason!
Then, beholding this magnificent warship... this grand vessel that even the gods could scarcely tear their eyes from.
How could these heroes not feel jealous!
Regarding the envious gazes cast upon him... even the admiring look from Heracles that he could not resist, Jason felt quite helpless.
But at the same time... there was a faint sense of pride and self-satisfaction.
Because this was a gift from his teachers.
And also a gift from his most beloved Hecate!
On the shoreline, a beautiful goddess stood beneath the dense shade of trees.
Her figure was tall and slender, draped in a black gown that clung to her graceful form.
Jason had once tried to have her wear a qipao, swearing that it would suit her perfectly, but even Cerberus had been tricked by him into wearing a maid outfit.
This goddess, however, rewarded Jason with a fist and a bolt of lightning.
Hecate watched from afar, gazing at the lively scene around the Argo.
Especially upon seeing that fleeting expression of pride and triumph on Jason's face, Hecate's own face revealed a faint smile without her realizing it.
One smile could charm a hundred souls; her smile was devastatingly beautiful.
The aloof goddess rarely smiled, but precisely because of that, when she did, it made her appear even more radiant.
Hecate seldom gave Jason gifts, but whenever she did, they were never anything less than extraordinary!
That scepter, obtained without graduation by Jason clinging to her thigh and coquettishly refusing to let go.
Even now, it remained Jason's trump card.
The domain of the Underworld, invisibility magic, full-body enhancement... it had helped Jason overcome crisis after crisis.
The beautiful nether butterflies that often danced around Jason had protected him time and again.
Whether in the shadowy depths of the inescapable Underworld or the endless abyss where even the concept of time seemed frozen.
Without this layer of protection, Jason could never have freely navigated those myriad perils.
As for Athena... yes, she had indeed played a significant role; without her wisdom always providing the most rational advice.
Without her, the creation of the Argo would not have gone so smoothly or perfectly.
But evidently, compared to the two teachers who had gradually grown affectionate toward Jason during the creation process, her greater motivation was still curiosity.
She wanted to see what kind of splendid creation the Magic Goddess Hecate and the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus, who had both reached the pinnacle of their domains, could produce...
She may have infused some affection of her own into it; this affection was genuine and not insignificant, but...
"It seems that child really likes the gift we gave him... though Hecate, you still haven't received any offerings, have you?"
With silver hair flowing, the goddess in a white gown who formed a stark contrast to Hecate cloaked in black and shadows, Athena, came before Hecate.
Facing Athena's arrival, Hecate withdrew the faint smile from her face.
Then she turned her head, looking at Athena who was smiling playfully beside her.
If it had been in the past, for such teasing from Athena, she might have furrowed her brows lightly and shown a faint expression of dissatisfaction.
But today...
Hecate smiled.
She looked at Athena, a trace of mocking amusement in her eyes.
Goddess of Wisdom Athena, you too... have moments of foolishness.
Ask the world who understands Jason the most.
Even the Athena with her infinite wisdom could not surpass Hecate.
But this was not Athena's fault.
Jason's wariness toward Athena had lasted for three years.
It was only when he emerged from seclusion and began his journey that Athena approached him, gradually opening Jason's heart and earning his trust.
Hecate, however, had achieved this three years ago.
Thus, Hecate understood all too well how bold her wayward disciple could be, yet how timid at the same time.
The white-clothed Heracles... that was actually the most representative example.
It was an absolute heroic feat, yet it was also an alias concocted by a cowardly fellow.
He could hold a grand wedding for the great King and Queen of the Underworld, inviting all the gods and breaking rules time and again.
But afterward, he would reveal a fearful expression, hiding in Hecate's embrace and trembling...
Hecate knew her student far too well.
Thus, last night, that anomaly Athena had sensed but not comprehended, Hecate had spotted at a glance, though she said nothing.
Because she was curious: this wise goddess, so lofty and above all, what reaction would she have when she realized everything?
At the same time... Hecate withdrew her gaze, looking toward Jason on the warship.
She sighed softly in her heart... tonight, she would have a good talk with him.
If Athena's wisdom kept Jason forever on the right path, using her intellect as a sword to cleave through all thorns ahead.
Then what Hecate gave was the butterflies that danced along that path, silently accompanying Jason at his side.
They fluttered gracefully, always watching over, accompanying, and protecting Jason in silence.
Whether it was Jason's wounded body or his increasingly weary soul.
The dust they scattered always nourished and guarded him.
After all, I am his teacher... Hecate thought to herself.