"I waited for you."
"I was waiting for you all along."
Atalanta paused slightly, looking at Jason before her, who smiled and gazed at her.
A brief silence...
"Sorry." Atalanta lowered her hand and bowed her head slightly. "I got a bit too excited..."
"It's fine."
As Jason spoke, he reached out and plucked the weeds from her hair.
Gazing at Atalanta before him, her hair somewhat disheveled, her expression bearing undisguised fatigue, Jason did not know the specifics of what had happened.
But he understood that Atalanta must have exerted every effort to rush here.
Atalanta had indeed exerted every effort to reach him. Ever since the God of Light Apollo had made the Moon Goddess Artemis stand down that day, removing the obstacles before Atalanta.
From that moment on, Atalanta had not stopped or rested once.
She had chased all the way from the distant Greek mainland.
At the same time,
The hero who descended from the heavens like a shooting star...
Clearly, the one who had plummeted like a meteor, bringing Atalanta to Jason's side, was an old friend.
Pegasus, Brother Horse.
Thus, now, as he gazed at Atalanta before him.
Jason lifted his head to the sky, a trace of worry emerging in his eyes.
After all, Brother Horse was...
"That Pegasus... could it be that child's, Heracles'?"
Hera, who had been observing from the shadows, furrowed her brows slightly before ascending to the stars.
As she traced the magical residue left by Brother Horse, the Goddess of Night Nyx appeared before Hera.
"Queen Hera, what are you searching for?"
"Goddess Nyx, why are you here?"
Upon the stars, the great primordial deity, the goddess clad in attire as radiant as the stars themselves—Nyx.
She appeared before Hera.
At the same time, she gazed downward at the two children who had finally reunited.
A faint smile graced her lips as she recalled how, just moments ago, Atalanta had arrived on the shore, staring out at the boundless sea with a face full of regret and pain.
Clearly, Nyx had lent her aid.
Seeing that scene, Nyx had brought the Pegasus docked in the Underworld at Hecate's temple... Brother Horse.
"I saw the child was pitiable, so I sent her over."
Nyx did not answer Hera's question directly but pointed downward at Atalanta.
"...You did that?"
Hera paused in surprise.
"Yes." Nyx nodded lightly. "I had Pegasus deliver the child."
As she spoke, Nyx waved her hand gently, and several Pegasi pulled a chariot into view.
Seeing this, Hera dispelled the doubts in her heart.
And at that moment, a sacred Pegasus quietly emerged from the veil of night.
It cast a distant glance at Jason on the Argo below, then turned away, taking advantage of Hera being detained by Nyx.
It transformed into a shooting star under the moon and vanished into the night sky.
As the Pegasus departed, Jason, who had been gazing at the sky, caught sight of the fleeting meteor. The slight tension on his face eased.
It's fine now...
Having spent so much time with Brother Horse, they shared that much tacit understanding at least.
Withdrawing his gaze, Jason turned back to Atalanta.
Atalanta, who had also lifted her head to the sky, saw the meteor streak by and lowered her head just in time.
Their eyes met once more.
And somehow, the two fell into silence.
This wordless silence was ultimately broken by a small bird that crawled out from Atalanta's embrace.
After emerging, the little bird looked at the golden-haired, blue-eyed Jason before it, its eyes lighting up.
Then it flew up excitedly, chirping away at Jason to express that it had completed its task.
Seeing the little bird's excited wing-flapping and chattering, Jason could not help but smile.
"Yes, I know. Thank you very much..."
As Jason spoke, he deftly produced the food he had prepared earlier and placed it in his hand, allowing the little bird to perch there.
Then Jason looked up again at Atalanta, who was silently tidying her disheveled hair, and said with a smile: "And thank you too, Atalanta."
"For what?" Atalanta looked at Jason in puzzlement.
"For coming after receiving my invitation... it must have been tiring along the way, right?"
"Indeed, and I have no idea which divine lord had such refined taste to meddle."
Atalanta sighed.
She was no fool; with all the chaotic events on the road, it was impossible not to realize.
The only thing puzzling her was why the Moon Goddess Artemis had not heeded her devout prayers...
Jason chuckled softly and added: "Thank you for coming, Atalanta."
"No need; after all, this was your invitation."
To this, Atalanta gave a flat reply.
"Moreover..."
As she spoke, the corners of Atalanta's mouth curved up slightly. She said: "This is the first time you've sought me out, invited me."
In the past, it had always been Atalanta searching, inviting, waiting for him.
"But since you've said that much, then..."
Atalanta paused briefly, then smiled at Jason. She said: "I'm here... it feels like I've finally caught up to you, Jason."
The moonlight bathed the two of them.
The sea's surface under the moon appeared exceptionally calm and beautiful.
But alas, beautiful things are always fleeting.
"Ahem."
A light cough shattered the atmosphere between the two who had been gazing at each other.
The ship spirit Argo, her pale blue long hair swaying in the sea breeze under the moon, stepped forward.
Hmm... one wonders if the goddess who had thrown open the moonlight tonight would give a thumbs up to this ship spirit lady upon seeing this sight.
"Sorry, Master Jason, for interrupting you... but right now, we need your command."
The ship spirit, dressed in her maid outfit, approached the two.
"...Master Jason?"
Atalanta looked at Jason.
Her expression was very calm.
But facing that calm gaze, Jason instinctively offered an immediate explanation: "She is the Argo, the spirit of this ship beneath us."
"Correct. I am the ship spirit of the Argo, created by the noble and great Goddess Hephaestus, Goddess Hecate, and Goddess Athena."
The ship spirit provided a timely explanation as well. She said: "And Jason is my master, the owner of the Argo."
"I've told you several times already: you really don't need to call me master. I'm not into that..."
"Then, Master Jason, could you tell me your preferences?"
The ship spirit maintained her smile and said to Jason: "I am a creation of the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus. Though I cannot change myself immediately, I can record it and request a reforging from the noble Goddess Hephaestus next time I see her."
"Moreover, Master Jason, you are my master, my eternal master. This is an unchanging fact, so please allow me to address you as such."
The ship spirit expressed her unwavering loyalty to Jason.
It was just that the timing... was not ideal.
"...You're still so beloved, aren't you, Jason."
Atalanta's expression remained calm as she said this indifferently.
But Atalanta had grown quite accustomed to it by now.
"Uh, this... ahem, Argo, didn't you say you needed my instructions? What happened?"
Jason wisely changed the subject.
"Yes, Master Jason." Hearing this, the ship spirit's expression turned serious. She gestured forward and said: "Master, a massive monster has appeared about one hundred kilometers ahead, and it harbors clear hostility. It is approaching us.
Master Jason, please issue your command!"
"A monster?"
Jason paused.
"One hundred kilometers?"
Atalanta also paused.
"Yes, Master Jason." The ship spirit nodded. "This is the result detected by the mana probe designed by Goddess Hecate."
"Hmm... what kind of monster is it?"
Jason thought for a moment before following up.
"...A giant crab."
The ship spirit, peering a hundred kilometers into the distance, provided an accurate report after a period of scanning.
Do you remember the tale of Heracles and the Hydra?
In that story, to deal with Heracles, Hera dispatched a massive giant crab to aid the Hydra.
Its claws nearly bisected Heracles, but fortunately, Heracles wore impenetrable lion skin and emerged unscathed in the end.
Moreover, he ultimately used the Hydra's poison to slay it.
Because of Jason's involvement, the crab had not appeared at the time.
But evidently, though late, it had arrived now.
This was, naturally, a trial from Hera.
However, she truly had not anticipated its discovery tonight.
Hera had already instructed it to appear only tomorrow morning.
The purpose, of course, was to deliver a harsh blow to these seekers heading to distant Colchis for the Golden Fleece—Jason and his companions!
To that end, Hera had specifically told the crab to avoid damaging the ship; just splash some seawater and ocean debris aboard to disgust the lot.
Hearing the ship spirit's words, Jason pondered and said: "Can we shake it off?"
"If I increase speed, it cannot catch up to us, but shaking it off... that should not be possible." The ship spirit shook her head.
After all, with Hera involved, evasion was impossible.
"I see."
Jason indicated his understanding. "Then let's take it down... can you do that, Argo?"
"Of course, my master."
Hearing this, the ship spirit's face lit up with a smile once more.
"Leave it to me. Protecting you is the absolute order from the great goddesses. On the seas, as long as I am here, nothing will harm you, Master Jason!"
With that, the ship spirit prepared to depart and take further action.
But at that moment...
"Wait, Argo."
Jason suddenly grabbed her, then said to the puzzled Argo: "Use the Argo's main cannon... you know, the one that requires energy gathering and can only be used once a month."
Jason had already reviewed the "manual" provided by the ship spirit.
And the so-called Argo main cannon, as the name implied, was the Argo's most powerful offensive weapon. After use, it required a full week to recharge mana before it could fire again.
"...Eh?"
At Jason's words, even the ship spirit was stunned.
"Use the main cannon... Master Jason, are you certain?"
Under Atalanta's slightly tilted head gaze, the ship spirit widened her eyes and said to Jason: "Master Jason, this, this... is this really necessary?
Of course, I am not questioning your command, Master Jason.
But the opponent is merely a giant crab..."
"No, Argo, you don't understand. Listen to me: use the main cannon!"
Jason said to the ship spirit with utmost seriousness: "Because none of us know exactly what kind of monster that crab is. Against an unknown enemy, we must go all out, naturally!
And not just the main cannon: Argo, listen, when firing the main cannon, you must simultaneously deploy all available protective barriers... ah, actually, if not for the fact that these all require mana support.
The mana-gathering array constructed by Teacher Hecate needs time, so normally, these protective barriers should not be deactivated."
No, no, they should be off; only activate them in critical moments!
These thoughts left the ship spirit lady somewhat disoriented in the face of Jason's words.
And Atalanta, though she did not fully understand, could not help but laugh.
"You're still completely unchanged, Jason..."
"No choice; to survive in this dangerous world, this level of caution is necessary." Jason sighed, wearing an expression that said he did not want it this way either.
In response, Atalanta rolled her eyes.
Atalanta very much wanted to say that even if the whole world perished, he would probably still be fine.
The ship spirit lady was somewhat flustered regarding Jason's instructions.
But the master's command was absolute.
Thus, after a moment of hesitation and confirming with Jason once more, the ship spirit lady ceased further deliberation.
"I understand, Master Jason. Then... Master Jason, Miss Atalanta, please move slightly to the side."
Hearing this, Jason led Atalanta to a nearby corner.
Then, the ship spirit's entire form dissolved into a faint ethereal light and vanished before them.
As Atalanta puzzled over this.
"Command received; Argo has accepted. Main cannon preparing to activate, activating..."
A voice, from an unknown source, suddenly echoed across the entire Argo.
Faced with such a voice, the heroes naturally awoke in alarm.
Then, in their confusion, as they instinctively tried to leave their rooms, they found the doors would not open...
"Command received; Argo protective barriers deploying formally, deploying... weapon protective barrier deployed, mana protective barrier deployed, divine power protective barrier deployed..."
As these words fell, upon the Argo's sacred hull, over a hundred meters long, magical seals and barriers suddenly appeared.
Vast mana followed the magical circuits built by Hecate, forming layer upon layer of protective barriers that enveloped the Argo.
"...What is this?!"
A certain goddess peeking from the moon could not help but exclaim.
She had planned to keep watch on Atalanta and Jason tonight, only to witness such an explosive scene!
At the same time, Nyx and Hera, who had been conversing, naturally noticed the anomaly with the Argo and looked down toward it.
"Protective barriers fully deployed. All personnel, please remain in place. Resistance will result in immediate teleportation to the brig. Attention, attention..."
"Protective barriers fully deployed. Now channeling full power to Argo main cannon... main cannon activating, main cannon activating..."
Boom, boom, boom...
At this moment, because of the Argo's warning, the heroes—whether still in their rooms or already teleported to the brig—did not witness it.
The forefront of the Argo warship suddenly split open; the deck parted slowly to the sides.
And Atalanta, the only one fortunate enough to stand on the deck with Jason, had not yet recovered from the sudden deployment of barriers around her.
When she was startled anew by the scene before her.
She even instinctively reached out and hugged Jason beside her.
Then, as the front of the Argo split open, a massive, pitch-black main cannon slowly extended from within...
The enormous black main cannon bathed in the moonlight's glow.
It stunned everyone except Jason, as well as the lofty gods above.
Even the great primordial deity, the Goddess of Night Nyx, was momentarily dumbfounded, staring at the Argo below.
And then...
"Argo main cannon fully prepared. Target locked... Argo lock confirmed. Seeking permission from Master Jason once more: fire?"
"Permission granted!"
Jason's response was crisp and decisive. Unlike the shocked crowd and gods, while enjoying the dependent cling of Atalanta—who resembled a startled kitten instinctively seeking security—he watched the scene before him with keen interest.
"Command approved. Argo main cannon entering final preparation..."
Buzz, buzz, buzz...
Accompanied by the ship spirit's inexplicably heightened voice, the pitch-black main cannon suddenly illuminated.
The surrounding mana gathered toward the main cannon with terrifying intensity.
And as the mana converged, the nearly fully inscribed magical seals and arrays on the main cannon gradually lit up.
Forming a strange sense of beauty.
And when this light reached the forefront, piercing so brightly that Atalanta could scarcely keep her eyes open...
"Argo main cannon... fire!"
As the ship spirit's words fell—clearly excited, after all, this was her first time using the main cannon—a thunderous roar echoed.
Tonight, on the vast sea, a beam like an aurora piercing the world itself appeared!
The golden aurora, formed from converged mana and divine power, parted the sea ahead of the Argo and shot toward the giant crab swimming a hundred kilometers away.
Soon, the giant crab also spotted the light ahead.
Just as it puzzled over what it was, under this dazzling radiance.
It turned to light.
And ceased all thought.
After a few seconds, everything returned to calm.
The magics and arrays inscribed on the main cannon dimmed completely.
The parted sea rejoined.
...But Atalanta, witnessing this, found her mouth now agape, unable to close.
As was Artemis, hiding in the moon.
And Hera and Nyx, who had been conversing...
In this instant, everything was so quiet.
As if even time had halted.
Until,
"Report to Master Jason: Argo has successfully eliminated the target!"
The ship spirit's exhilarated report rang out, having thoroughly enjoyed the moment!