Sitting idly and awaiting death was absolutely not Jason's temperament.
In life, mingling in the divine age of ancient Greece where gods walked the earth and demigod heroes were as numerous as dogs, although he acted cautiously and pondered repeatedly before proceeding.
But when encountering events, constant retreat and endurance were instead the worst strategies!
Thus, even knowing that the current storm was caused by the gods.
And that it would carry them, the crew of the Argo, to the so-called trial ground.
Sitting idly and awaiting death was absolutely not the correct answer.
Never hand control of direction to others.
Because doing so... was truly foolish!
Thus, the Argo, driven at full power under Jason's command, transformed into a golden light and directly burst out from under the storm!
In an instant, dazzling sunlight sprinkled onto the Argo, where the seals and magic arrays had dimmed, and onto the heroes above who had survived the ordeal.
Then...
"Ugh... Urgh—!"
Every single one of them.
These heroes of the Argo who had just gripped the ship tightly during the divine speed and avoided being flung off.
After recovering, immediately felt their stomachs churn and heave, vomiting one by one.
This made the ship spirit, who had just reassembled her body, turn her face completely black.
...
"If... this is also a trial."
Above the clouds, Queen Amphitrite of the Sea, who had used her divine authority to witness the Argo charging out of the storm, not only did not grow angry but instead revealed a smile on her face.
Then, to Hera beside her, she said, "They have evidently broken through once again, right, Hera?"
Hera did not answer.
Her beautiful golden eyes quietly gazed at Jason below, who had released Atalanta.
After a long while, she said, "Where is Athena... Why has she not come yet."
"I do not know." Goddess Hestia of the Hearth shook her head and said, "We have been unable to contact her recently; I do not know where she has gone..."
"Athena is not here, but I am."
Pressing down his feather hat, the cunning god Hermes walked over, smiling as he said, "Great Queen Hera, it is my honor to ease your worries. As for Athena, she...
I think she might have gone to play with that child Heracles in white robes."
As Hermes said this, he slightly pulled his hat down lower, his gaze very subtly observing Hera.
Carefully watching her face for any tiny reaction.
"...Is that so."
Hera was silent for a good while before saying, "Then, Hermes, what kind of trouble do you think we should bring to Jason next."
Hearing Hera's words, Hermes, who had pressed down his hat, smiled.
Athena, if you do not return soon, you might... miss the most crucial drama!
"As far as I know, in the strait ahead that they must pass through, there exists a sea monster named Scylla. To pass through her domain, one must offer six fresh lives, and only then will she allow the ship to pass."
"Scylla?... Why does this name sound somewhat familiar."
Hera murmured to herself.
"Of course it sounds familiar, great Queen Hera, because she was once a beautiful nymph, and moreover, the sister of the Hesperides nymphs who guard the golden apple garden for you."
Hermes answered Hera's question.
"She was a nymph?... Then how did she become a sea monster?"
Hestia asked doubtfully.
"Because of the excellent student of that goddess... The student of Goddess Hecate, the dark night witch Circe."
"...Hecate's student?"
Hera's brows furrowed.
"Yes." Hermes nodded, then slowly explained to the three goddesses.
Once, there was a handsome fisherman named Glaucus.
He received favor from the sea god and thus obtained a blessing, consuming a special herb. Upon waking, he became half-fish, half-man and joined the ranks of the sea gods.
Then, Glaucus fell deeply in love with the beautiful nymph Scylla. After pursuing her unsuccessfully several times, he sought help from the famous dark night witch Circe.
Hoping she could brew a magic potion for him to make the beautiful nymph Scylla fall in love with him.
Who would have thought that in this process, Glaucus's fervent love did not win Scylla but instead captured Circe's heart.
The witch advised him to abandon Scylla and be with her instead, but Glaucus refused.
Thus, the angry dark night witch Circe pretended to agree to Glaucus's request, brewed the potion, and handed it to him.
Then, as Glaucus excitedly sneaked to the place where Scylla usually bathed and sprinkled the potion into the water, waiting excitedly to the side.
Who would have thought that what he received was Scylla transformed into a terrifying sea monster as tall as a small island.
Then, the transformed sea monster Scylla learned that this was Glaucus's doing and, in rage, swallowed him whole.
In the end, Scylla became a famous sea demon, guarding the strait and devouring the lives of humans passing by on ships.
"To think such a thing happened..."
Queen Amphitrite of the Sea furrowed her brows.
"Yes... And for this trial, no matter the outcome, it will surely satisfy you, great Goddess Hera."
Hermes said with a smile.
"Why?"
The three goddesses all looked at Hermes with some confusion.
"Because to break through the sea demon Scylla's domain, there are only two methods.
The first is to offer her six lives as sacrifice.
The second is to kill her.
And no matter which method Jason chooses, Goddess Hera, you will have reason to mock and teach him a lesson."
Hermes said, "If Jason chooses to offer six lives, then Goddess Hera, you can undoubtedly mock his weakness without restraint.
As for if he kills Scylla, then you can tell Jason the origin of how Scylla became a sea demon.
And then question Jason for indiscriminately killing Scylla, condemning him!"
Hearing Hermes' words, Hera's eyes could not help but light up.
While Hestia and Amphitrite's expressions became anxious.
"This... This is not good!"
Hestia could not help but say, "For that child Jason, is this not too unfair..."
As Hestia spoke, she glared fiercely at Hermes.
What are you doing!
"No, I think this is very good."
Hera said to Hermes, "Then, leave this matter to you to handle, Hermes!"
"As you command, great Queen Hera."
After Hermes removed his hat and bowed to Hera, he turned and left.
Hestia and Amphitrite exchanged glances, both with anxious looks in their eyes.
No, we must tell Athena!
Hestia thought this inwardly.
And just as she thought to leave and search for Athena...
"Where are you going, Sister Hestia."
Hera spoke, stopping her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, smiling at the somewhat unnatural Hestia, and said, "My dear sister, why do you suddenly want to leave without a word.
Did you not say you wanted to help me?"
Hera smiled, but her eyes held no trace of amusement.
Even the most foolish person, after experiencing so many events.
Over nearly four or five months, half a year of day-and-night surveillance.
Would naturally notice something amiss.
Not to mention, Hera herself was not foolish at all.
The appearance of two such outstanding heroes and prodigies in one era, favored by so many gods, was not impossible.
But when the things these two heroes did and the words they spoke shared eight parts similarity.
Then, no matter how inconceivable, no matter how unwilling to believe.
The truth... became evident!
...
After the rain cleared, breaking through the encirclement.
On the Argo, aside from a few, most of the heroes had vomited all over the deck, and after being swept clean by the ship spirit with a face full of disdain, not long passed.
"What is it?"
Heracles looked at the seagull perched on his hand.
Seeing Jason's expression gradually turn serious upon hearing the seagull's words, he asked.
Jason did not answer immediately but took out the guide given to him by Athena.
After confirming the direction several times...
"It seems our trouble today is not over."
Jason's expression became serious as he replied, "The seagull told me that in the narrow strait ahead that we must pass, there exist two steep rocky mountains.
Those two rocky mountains sometimes come together, and sometimes separate. To this day, those two rocks have devoured the lives of countless people!"
"Is that so... But is there really a need to fear?"
Atalanta looked at Jason doubtfully and said, "Does your Argo still fear the collision of rocky mountains?"
In response to Atalanta's question, several Argo heroes listening nearby nodded together.
"No, you do not understand... We must pray to the great gods."
Jason said with slight helplessness, "Evidently, this will become another trial for us!"
What do you all know? Those rocky mountains will absolutely begin to close when we enter.
At that time, who knows what strange things might happen or what messy troubles we might encounter.
After all, Hera is watching me now!
Thinking this inwardly, Jason did not show it and turned to the spirit of the Argo, saying, "Argo, can you use divine speed one more time?"
"You can, but..."
As the ship spirit replied, she looked toward the heroes on the ship.
Seeing them, upon hearing there would be another round, their faces immediately turned ashen.
"...I see."
Jason scanned the crowd on the ship, who had reacted this way, and thought for a moment.
"What are the Argo's detection results... Is there any special existence in that narrow sea ahead?"
"There is none, Master Jason."
Hearing Jason's words, the Argo quickly replied.
After all, per Jason's instructions, the detection magic on the Argo had always been active.
If there were gods or demigods or the like, she would inform Jason immediately.
"I see."
Jason nodded, "Then use the main cannon."
"...Ha?"
"I remember it should have cooled down yesterday; exactly one month has passed."
As Jason spoke, he pointed toward the strait ahead.
"Argo, I command you: use the main cannon to blast that dangerous strait flat for me!"