Only two days remained of the one-week deadline agreed upon with Athena.
Moreover, one full day would still be spent hunting the Calydonian Boar... but this could not be blamed on Jason.
Throughout this week, Jason had not been slacking at all.
After meeting Hestia, he slew the magical beast Chimera, leaving behind the name of the hero Heracles.
By chance he encountered Antaeus, son of Poseidon the Sea God, and, following Hermes' hint, defeated him by breaking both his arms and legs before throwing him into the sea.
At the same time, relying on information provided by Hermes, he offered "romance" to Artemis, thereby causing a huge commotion.
In just five short days, everything Jason had done was enough to leave anyone aware of these events utterly dumbfounded.
However, precisely because only two days remained...
"You're saying that after hunting the Calydonian Boar tonight, you're leaving immediately?"
In the afternoon,
inside a room of the palace of the Kingdom of Calydon, Atalanta heard Jason explaining this to Heracles and could not help frowning.
"Yeah." Heracles nodded as well and said to Jason, "Junior Brother Jason, aren't you rushing a little too much? Didn't we agree that afterward we would properly celebrate together?"
"I want to as well, Senior Brother Heracles." Jason sighed and replied, "But I only have two days left... I must ensure that by sunset tomorrow, I meet the great God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus.
This is the oracle given to me by Athena, Goddess of Wisdom."
Hearing that it was an oracle, Heracles could only reluctantly let it go.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother Heracles. Sooner or later, the day will come when we meet again. The wise gods will guide us to reunite."
"...What's this? You've suddenly become willing to meet us?"
The tall and sturdy Heracles smiled and said, "You, who kept saying you didn't want to become a hero, once told us you didn't want to meet us so easily, didn't you?"
"Times have changed... There are things you cannot keep avoiding forever. Constantly dodging them is meaningless. It is far more effective to calm down and think about how to handle them instead."
Jason gave a faint smile, hesitated for a moment, then looked toward Atalanta.
Understanding the meaning in Jason's eyes, Atalanta lightly raised an eyebrow before walking out of the room.
"You and her... seem to get along really well."
Seeing this, Heracles could not help commenting to Jason.
"It's nothing like that. It's simply because Goddess Artemis has taken good care of me, so she is only slightly less hostile toward me."
"Oh? Then... what do you think of her?"
"Hm?" Jason locked eyes with Heracles for a moment, understood what he was asking, and could not help laughing in exasperation. He waved his hand and said, "Nothing, nothing at all! It's impossible between her and me, and just two days ago she was still extremely angry with me!"
"...Really?"
"Yes!" Jason answered very readily and added, "And for the time being, I absolutely will not consider matters of romance!"
Even if Jason were to think about love and affection now, he would only do so after achieving immortality.
Moreover, even after becoming immortal, a beautiful (and dangerous) woman like Atalanta was someone Jason would have to seriously weigh.
After all, this world is Greece, and the chief god is Zeus.
Jason did not want to one day find a patch of green above his head.
And then have to raise demigod children!
Heracles stared straight at Jason. After confirming that Jason was not lying, he hesitated for a while before finally saying hesitantly, "Then you also know that Meleager has taken a liking to her, right?
If you truly have no feelings for her, then perhaps...?"
"Stop right there, Senior Brother!"
Jason interrupted and said seriously to Heracles, "Although Senior Brother Meleager has always taken good care of me and I very much want to repay him, this matter alone is an exception!
Atalanta is the most faithful follower of Goddess Artemis, so I cannot intervene in any way regarding this!"
Hearing this and seeing Jason become unusually serious, Heracles naturally dropped the subject.
"Let's not talk about that anymore. Actually, Heracles, there is something I want to discuss with you. You know I am quite familiar with some of the great gods, and my teacher is Goddess Hecate, so I know a few things about you and the great Queen of Heaven, Hera... I hope Senior Brother will take this matter seriously.
Also, if one day you pass through Lycia and hear certain rumors, I hope you will not be too surprised..."
Heracles' Twelve Labors originated because of Queen of Heaven Hera, and before the Twelve Labors, a tragedy had occurred.
Heracles, who had already started a family, went mad and killed his own wife and children.
And the culprit behind all of this was none other than Queen of Heaven Hera...
Jason could not directly intervene in this matter, so for now he could only subtly hint at it to Heracles.
He also advised Heracles to keep in closer contact with Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Athena would surely be very willing to help him.
After all, among the many heroes admired by Athena, Heracles definitely ranked near the top.
After leaving a slight impression on Heracles, Jason stopped there.
He actually did not want to touch matters that would cause him trouble and entangle him in karma.
But after these few years, and having received so much care from them, Jason naturally could not remain completely cold-blooded.
...
...
Time passed,
and soon night arrived.
As darkness fell and tonight was once again a full moon night, with the pure moonlight illuminating the earth, a grand banquet was held within the Kingdom of Calydon.
After the banquet ended, the warriors who had gathered from all directions to attend would raise their weapons and set off to subjugate the Calydonian Boar!
However, not all heroes attended the banquet. Jason and Atalanta, for example, did not.
"You're not going?" Inside the stables, while feeding the heavenly horse, Jason asked Atalanta curiously.
"I am a follower of Artemis. I only eat prey that I myself have brought down." Atalanta explained simply.
"Oh..." Hearing this, Jason could not help recalling that yesterday morning, he seemed to have fed her.
So it seems this girl really likes apples.
"Chirp chirp—!"
The heavenly horse urged Jason.
"There's no more!"
Jason rolled his eyes and said, "And I'm telling you, Brother Horse, you've really been eating a lot lately. If you keep eating like this, be careful you won't even be able to fly one day!"
"So, did you come to find me for something?" After complaining about the heavenly horse, Jason looked at Atalanta again in puzzlement.
"Now that you mention it... it feels like you've been following me around all day today."
Hearing this, Atalanta was momentarily stunned. After thinking for a while, she said, "Being near you feels... a little more comfortable."
"Eh?" Jason blinked.
"They are all too barbaric... and there are some people's eyeballs that I really want to dig out right now."
You should have said that earlier! I thought I had unknowingly won you over without realizing it. You scared me to death.
"Moreover... Lady Artemis actually told me that my perception of you was mistaken and that I should use my own eyes to see the real you again."
"So, have you seen it clearly now?" Jason asked with slight curiosity.
"...Before that, there is one question I have always had. I hope you will answer me seriously."
At this point, Atalanta's gaze toward Jason sharpened as she said, "Three years ago, when we first met, I need an explanation for the attitude you showed me!"
"You still remember that?" Jason looked a little embarrassed.
Atalanta did not speak.
Of course she remembered. It was the first time Atalanta had ever met someone who disliked her so openly, and the most important part was that this person actually had a good relationship with Artemis!
If not for that, Atalanta would not have remembered Jason for so long.
"If I give you the reason, does that mean... we can let bygones be bygones?"
After tentatively saying this and before Atalanta could turn around, Jason continued, "Actually, the reason is very simple. The main reason is that Atalanta, you are... just too beautiful."
"...Huh?" Atalanta was stunned.
"Really." Jason told the truth and said, "You are too beautiful."
"...I'm too beautiful, so you disliked me?" Atalanta stared wide-eyed at Jason, clearly finding this answer utterly absurd.
Yet what was even more absurd was that she realized Jason did not seem to be lying!
"Yes." Jason nodded honestly. "Because it's troublesome. Atalanta, you yourself just said you want to dig out a lot of people's eyeballs. Do you understand the phrase 'beauty is a source of misfortune'? That's exactly what I mean!"
While Atalanta was speechless for a long time over Jason's words, even the heavenly horse beside them could not help chirping.
And it looked at Jason with an expression that clearly said, "As expected of you!"
"Are you serious?" Atalanta finally asked.
"Really!"
Seeing Jason nod seriously at her, Atalanta fell silent.
And somehow... after finally learning the truth, Atalanta realized she actually felt a little happy.
And right at that moment...
"Oh my."
The golden-haired god wearing a winged hat and short sleeves, Hermes, suddenly stepped out from the shadows, looked at the two of them, and said with a smile, "Could it be that I've come at a bad time?"
...Hermes?!
Jason's eyelid twitched.
Why is it you again!
"Um, Lord Hermes, may I ask what brings you here?" Jason said warily. "You know I'm about to participate in the hunt for the Calydonian Boar tonight, and tomorrow night I must go before Hephaestus, God of Craftsmanship.
I only have these last two days left!"
The subtext of these words was obvious: I'm very busy, please leave quickly!
"Yes, I know. That's precisely why I came."
Hermes pressed down his hat and said to Jason with a smile, "And little Jason, you can relax. This time, Athena sent me to find you."
"Lady Athena?" Hearing this, Jason finally relaxed a little and asked, "Then may I ask what Lady Athena wants with me, Lord Hermes?"
"First of all, Athena congratulates you for offering an almost perfect tribute to the Moon Goddess Artemis, who is both the easiest and the most difficult goddess to please... By the way, little Jason, that tribute of yours really was exaggerated.
It even makes me regret it a little now. Can we pretend our agreement about Io never happened?"
Hermes had once said that if Jason could resolve the matter with Io, it would count as offering a tribute to him.
Naturally, Jason immediately showed an extremely bright smile and replied, "How could that be, Lord Hermes? Because I respect you so much, I will definitely complete the task you gave me with utmost seriousness!"
"You little..."
Hermes was speechless for a moment before saying, "Fine. Who told me to agree to it in the first place? So... the reason I'm here this time is to convey Athena's message regarding the tribute for the next god you will meet, Hephaestus."
"Athena knows that originally you planned to visit the foreknowing god Prometheus to ask about a tribute for the gods, but clearly there is no longer enough time now.
Therefore, she had me bring you this oracle..."
Originally, Athena had not intended to interfere with the matter of the tribute; she believed Jason could handle it well.
But the problem was that Jason's first tribute had been handled far too perfectly.
So at this point, she had no choice but to step in; otherwise, it would be unfair.
"Listen carefully, Jason..."
Hermes' lips moved, and the oracle from Athena that followed could no longer be heard by Atalanta or even the heavenly horse nearby. Only Jason could hear it.
And what rang in Jason's ears was not Hermes' voice, but the pleasant voice of Athena herself.
"If Artemis is the goddess who possesses everything and is doted upon by all, making her both the easiest and the most difficult goddess to deal with!
Then Hephaestus is the goddess who possesses nothing and has been neglected by all, thereby making her the most difficult yet also the easiest goddess to deal with!"
"...Eh?"
After hearing the words Hermes conveyed, Jason could not help blinking in surprise.
"Hm?" Hermes looked at Jason and asked, "What's wrong? Do you have any questions?"
"Ah, no, it's just... Lord Hermes, the god Hephaestus... is a goddess?"
Jason asked with extreme astonishment.
And the moment Jason finished speaking, Atalanta beside them was also stunned and said with equal surprise, "A goddess?... Isn't Hephaestus a male god?"
"Yes, it is not strange that you think Hephaestus is a male god, because normally she appears in the form of a burly man, but that is merely a mask she crafted. Her true identity is indeed a goddess!"