Bidding farewell to the two goddesses, as well as the dolls in the temple who watched his departure with reluctance.
The white-robed hero once again mounted the sacred celestial horse, grasped the reins bestowed by the divine, and galloped beneath the blue sky.
And when the celestial horse carried him toward the distance, leaving the sacred mountain of Olympus behind.
Jason, turning back to gaze at the sacred mountain, recalled the various scenes from this journey to the sacred mountain and could not help but murmur softly: "Goddess Themis seems to be avoiding me."
Themis, the goddess of law in ancient Greek mythology.
She was a goddess whose eyes were covered by a white cloth, alluring yet impartial as iron, representing absolute justice.
At the same time, she was the divine one who had placed the scales of judgment in Jason's hands, intending to pass the divine position to him.
Jason suddenly mentioned her naturally because he had heard from Hecate Teacher about Themis's bold idea.
The reason she had suddenly sought out Jason back then, wishing to pass the divine position to him.
Was precisely to use Jason's hand to forge a special god.
A god capable of judging all the divinities, with a blade suspended above them all, to constrain the gods!
Although Themis was already the goddess of law and thus a special existence, she was far from sufficient to constrain all the gods!
Otherwise, Zeus would not have been able to revel so freely for so long.
Though Themis had created the law of marriage to curb Zeus, invented the concept of family, established the obligations between men and women to bind them.
And granted these rights to Hera.
The result, evidently, had been far from satisfactory.
To this end, Themis had even declared that when Jason became a god, she would marry him and grant him all divine authority.
Truth be told, when Jason learned of Themis's idea, his first reaction was that it was far too fanciful.
How could existences like King of the Gods Zeus or Sea Emperor Poseidon possibly allow a sword to hang over their heads?
But what Jason had not expected was that Hecate said this matter had a chance of success, and that chance was not small!
As for the reason, Hecate had not concealed it but stated it directly.
"The reason is simple."
That was how Hecate had told Jason at the time.
"Even setting aside me, Hephaestus, Hades and Persephone, as well as Goddess Nyx and the God of the Abyss Tartarus.
So long as you wish it, then you have an opportunity.
Because there is one fellow,
That fellow now would satisfy your every demand!"
Who possessed such immense power that Hecate would say such words?
The answer was self-evident.
Jason withdrew his gaze, along with his thoughts.
Though he was somewhat puzzled as to why Themis was avoiding him, now was not the time to seek her out.
The matter was still far from certain...
That troublesome affair would, at the earliest, arrive only when he became a god.
And most importantly, at present, he had no time.
The journey for the Golden Fleece, offering tribute to Goddess Athena, had yet to conclude!
As he thought about it, a long-absent smile appeared on Jason's face.
"Jason, have you encountered something joyful?"
The celestial horse, seeing Jason's heartfelt smile, asked curiously.
"Yes."
Jason nodded, smiling as he said: "This time, it truly is worth rejoicing... A stone weighing on my heart for many years can finally be set down.
From now on, I will no longer have so many nightmares!"
These words were no exaggeration.
And that joyful matter was undoubtedly regarding Hera.
Hera was fixated on Jason, and Jason...
In truth, was he not as well?
If he had not truly been driven to desperation, how could Jason possibly have plunged the dagger into his own heart and ventured toward the throne of the queen of the gods!
There was no helping it; the weight of the four words Queen Hera was far too heavy.
So heavy that the Jason of back then had often been unable to sleep.
Among the Greek gods, Hera was one of the divinities one could least afford to offend.
Why say so?
A brief perusal of ancient Greek myths would reveal the reason.
Even setting aside other matters, considering only the events Jason had experienced up to now would show it clearly.
The serpent woman Lamia, Io guarded by the hundred-eyed woman, the great hero Heracles... Countless people had suffered Hera's persecutions!
Even if most incidents had their causes, it was enough to frighten Jason thoroughly.
After all, the offenses Jason had committed, compared to theirs, were undoubtedly greater and without equal.
What was more, Hera happened to control the divine thunder capable of striking him dead.
Thus, this matter was not merely a lingering illness in Hera's heart.
In truth, it was the same for Jason.
But now, this great stone could finally be set down.
Thinking to this point, Jason could not help but recall the scene several days prior in that temple, where Athena had appeared to block the divine thunder for him.
He could not help but sigh: "Ah, the debts I owe to Goddess Athena seem to be growing ever more numerous..."
Hearing Jason's sigh, even the celestial horse nodded in agreement.
He was the mount "borrowed" by Hestia from Sea Emperor Poseidon to protect Jason, the living being who had accompanied Jason the longest.
In this regard, even Sister Deer or the three-headed hellhound had to step aside.
He himself could no longer remember clearly how many times Athena had stepped forward to guide Jason onward.
Thus, just as Jason had said, it was difficult for him to hate Athena.
Because Athena's favors toward him were far too great.
It was merely unfortunate that after Athena came the word "goddess."
And Athena had also missed the best opportunity to strike those two words...
...
Holding the guide of wisdom, Jason would never lose his way.
After expending nearly five days, he finally caught up to the Argo sailing on the great sea.
On this night, deep into the darkness,
The heroes of the Argo were engaged in their daily routines.
But suddenly, some of the more sensitive heroes sensed something approaching at extreme speed!
Though puzzled as to why the spirit of the Argo, the ship spirit, had not reported this.
The heroes still took up their weapons and vigilantly came to the deck.
And when dozens arrived here, they discovered that the beautiful huntress Atalanta, who had vaguely assumed the role of proxy since Jason's departure, had already arrived.
Moreover, beside her stood the excited spirit of the Argo, as well as the wise centaur Chiron...
"Teacher!"
A few people came before Chiron and greeted him respectfully.
"What has happened? Is it an enemy attack?"
Then, someone asked.
After all, that rapidly approaching surge of magical reaction had no concealment whatsoever and was exceptionally conspicuous beneath the midnight sky!
"No."
Chiron shook his head gently, replying softly to the tense crew with a smile: "It is merely that he has returned."
He?
The crowd's confusion did not last long.
For soon, like a shooting star. From amid the midnight stars, it descended from the heavens to here.
Seeing this scene, a few people were stunned for a moment.
Then they looked toward Atalanta.
They vaguely recalled that when Atalanta had boarded the ship back then, she had arrived in much the same way... They had originally prepared to go greet her.
But they had been held back by Heracles and Theseus, preventing them from disturbing her.
Then came the celestial horse's resounding neigh.
In their contemplation, they gradually discerned who this figure was, plummeting as if from the stars, bathed in moonlight and shrouded in its glow...
"...Jason, Captain?!"
Hearing the voice, Jason naturally turned his gaze toward it.
And saw the familiar figures before him.
After a slight pause, those emerald eyes naturally fell upon the excited spirit of the Argo, the smiling wise centaur Chiron.
And Atalanta, who tucked a lock of blue-green hair behind her ear as she looked toward him.
After lingering for a short time.
He withdrew his gaze, with a faint smile, and dismounted from the celestial horse.
Looking at the heroes staring at him in a daze, he laughed: "What is this? After just this short time apart, you no longer recognize me?"
In response to Jason's question, among the heroes, Theseus reacted instantly.
He appraised Jason before him for a moment, then chuckled lightly: "Indeed, this attire suits you far better..."
"Is that so?" Jason tilted his head slightly and replied: "I rather think this outfit is a bit too conspicuous...
Were it not for certain reasons, I would have taken it off long ago."
Yes, it truly was not something he could remove now.
After all, that hardest shield in the world could still be used a full two times!
"No, it is absolutely the most fitting for you."
Theseus shook his head and said firmly to Jason: "Because even here, Junior Brother Jason, you yourself... are the most radiant one!"
Not long after Theseus's words fell.
At that moment, someone looked at Jason before them, as if noticing something, and could not help but widen their eyes, saying: "There is a legend of a hero in the world.
He vanquished countless enemies and defeated one powerful monster after another.
Under the guidance of wisdom, he forever treads the most righteous path.
He offered the gods tributes rare in the world.
To the great moon goddess Artemis, he offered romance.
To the great god of craftsmanship Hephaestus, he offered art that rivals heaven's own work.
To the great god of light Apollo, he offered peerless music brought from the underworld.
To the great goddess of agriculture Demeter, he offered the moment of greatest joy and excitement in her life.
To the great king of the underworld Hades and queen of the underworld Persephone, he offered a shocking, world-defying wedding!!!
And he wears white robes that never stain with mortal dust, rides a sacred celestial horse.
With a handsome countenance reminiscent of the god of light Apollo.
That hero, his name is..."
"Heracles."
Theseus smiled, speaking on behalf of the wide-eyed, exclamatory hero.
"But he is not the true Heracles."
Chiron smiled as he looked at the currently embarrassed Jason, adding.
"In truth, that is just a fool."
Atalanta rolled her eyes.
"He is my proud master!"
The spirit of the Argo raised its head proudly.
The celestial horse also raised its head.
"Please, I beg you all, please stop!"
And as the center of the event, Jason covered his face under the converging gazes of the crowd and said: "Do not look. Do not speak. Be silent, all of you!"