"I did not expect it to actually work..."
At this moment, on the surging waves of the River Styx.
Under the escort of the butterflies of the underworld, Jason, playing the lyre while walking on the waters of the River Styx, was actually quite surprised himself.
He had just tried it casually... After all, as Charon had said, Jason, who had been baptized by the waters of the River Styx, could even swim across if needed.
Of course, ordinary people should not even think of trying it.
Because even if you could swim across, the ghouls and monsters full of resentment in the water would appear and drag you into the River Styx.
But who let Jason have Hecate's protection and not fear the waters of the River Styx.
After some time, Jason formally stepped into the underworld once again.
Then, as if returning home, Jason skillfully took a shortcut and arrived at the River Styx of the inextinguishable fire, where he met the old acquaintance, the underworld nymph fire spirit.
Regarding the previous matter with the cattle herd of Geryon, he expressed thanks to the fire spirit, spent a brief time with her chatting, and ultimately promised that next time he would definitely make time to properly accompany her. Then, Jason continued forward.
He arrived before the River of Hatred, Styx.
The underworld has a total of five rivers of the underworld.
The River of Pain, Acheron.
It is a surging black river, and the souls arriving in the underworld must first cross this river, with the ferryman Charon ferrying the departed souls on it.
The River of Flame, Phlegethon.
The River Styx guarded by the fire spirit, bearing the inextinguishable fire of the underworld.
The River of Lamentation, Cocytus.
This river originates from the tears of souls punished to perform hard labor, so the river surface often emits terrifying wails.
The River of Forgetfulness, Lethe.
Also known as the River of Oblivion, this river flows through the land of forgetfulness.
And now, before Jason's eyes, the River of Hatred, Styx.
Also known as the River of Oaths, this river encircles Hades's palace nine times.
In ancient Greece, when swearing oaths, people would mention the name of this river; if the oath was broken, one would suffer eternal curses, and even the gods were no exception!
Jason stood on the river, just preparing to take out the token given by the lady of the underworld Persephone, when suddenly a underworld bridge emerged from the water.
Seeing this, Jason was slightly stunned, then stepped forward across the underworld bridge and arrived before the magnificent temple. The gods residing inside this temple were precisely the lord of the underworld Hades and the lady of the underworld Persephone!
After entering, under the guidance of the underworld nymphs serving there, Jason walked into the temple and saw the lord of the underworld Hades, dressed in ornate black and gold attire.
Upon seeing Hades seated in the temple, Jason immediately bowed to him.
Hades nodded lightly, indicating that Jason need not do so, after which the scene suddenly fell into an eerie silence.
Clearly, Jason was still not quite accustomed to being alone with the lord of the underworld Hades.
"Um... Lord Hades, may I ask if Sister Persephone is in?" Then, Jason asked Hades somewhat unnaturally in a soft voice.
"Persephone left the underworld yesterday and will not return for six months." After Hades replied faintly, Jason could not help but be stunned.
"Did you come to find her for something this time?"
"Um... It is like this."
Jason hesitated for a while, then told Hades about his senior brother Asclepius being taken away by the god of death Thanatos.
Hearing this, Hades nodded, rose, and walked out of the temple.
When he reached the temple gates, he paused slightly, turned his head to look at Jason.
Seeing this, Jason understood and hurriedly followed.
Thus, under the personal guidance of the lord of the underworld Hades, Jason walked with him toward the palace of the god of death Thanatos.
Along the way, the two remained silent. Facing the lord of the underworld Hades, Jason did not know what to say.
Thus, Jason's heart could not help but feel some regret. If he had known things would turn out like this, he might as well have gone to find Teacher Hecate.
And just as Jason was thinking these things and silently following behind Hades, the Hades walking ahead suddenly spoke, saying, "I heard from Persephone that you are involved in a very troublesome matter... For my tribute, you need not go to too much trouble, because I have already received the best tribute from you."
Hearing this, Jason could not help but be stunned.
Then, Hades paused slightly again and continued, "However, Persephone is very expectant about your tribute... Although I think she would be happy no matter what you give her, but..."
"Oh... Oh." Jason blinked, looking at the hesitant Hades ahead, thought for a moment, and suddenly understood, saying, "Lord Hades, um... Do you perhaps have something you want to give to Sister Persephone?"
"If you do not mind, I would be happy to do it on your behalf!"
Hades was silent for a while, then said, "I saw the tribute you gave to Artemis; it was very beautiful, so... Can you recreate it in the underworld? The underworld does not have the vibrant colors of the surface."
Hearing this, looking at the hesitant Hades speaking ahead, and thinking of Persephone, thinking of their matters.
As Jason thought and thought, an idea suddenly popped into his mind.
I seem... to know what kind of tribute to offer!
"Lord Hades, I understand your meaning... With the graces given to me by Demeter and Sister Persephone, I should be able to recreate the scene from back then.
However... Lord Hades, I have a suggestion. Could you please listen for a moment?"
Hades stopped his steps and turned to look at Jason.
Jason looked at Hades and said softly, "Actually, all along, I have felt that something was missing... When I see you, Lord Hades, and Sister Persephone, I always feel something is lacking, and now I suddenly thought of it!"
"Something missing... What is missing?"
Hades furrowed his brows lightly, looking at Jason in confusion.
Jason smiled slightly and said, "Lord Hades, between you and Sister Persephone... It seems you have not held a wedding, right?"
"Wedding?"
Hades was stunned.
"Yes." Jason nodded and said to Hades, "Lord Hades, I think now is a good opportunity. Look, Sister Persephone has left the underworld and will not return for six months.
And now, from the goddess Demeter's side and the other gods, they have all tacitly approved your matters. In other words, in six months, you can completely drive the underworld chariot to welcome Sister Persephone in marriage and inform the entire world that from now on, Sister Persephone will be your lady of the underworld!"
Persephone was 'abducted' to the underworld by Hades... Although it was voluntary, precisely because of this, the two had not held a wedding.
After all, at that time, Demeter did not acknowledge it at all and even caused the earth to wither in protest. If Hades had held a wedding and invited the gods back then, it would be strange if Demeter did not lose her temper.
But now it was different. Over these three or four years, although Demeter was still unhappy about Hades's actions back then, she had actually indirectly acquiesced.
Thus...
"Wedding...?"
Murmuring softly, Hades's eyes gradually lit up.
Not to mention anything else, just Jason's words about welcoming Persephone in marriage and telling the whole world that Persephone was his lady of the underworld were enough to make Hades's heart stir!
Because it was an abduction, actually, in the current Greek world, many people did not know that the underworld had a lady.
And because of the ambiguous attitude of the goddess of harvest Demeter, plus the precedent of making the earth wither, the gods did not dare to proclaim this matter.
Now, seeing Hades's emotions expressed on his face, Jason naturally understood he was moved, so he stepped forward two steps and said to Hades, "Lord Hades, regarding this matter, I have one more presumptuous request. I hope you can agree!
For the wedding, I hope you can leave it to me... I swear on my teacher Hecate's name that I will prepare a grand wedding!"
Jason said seriously to Hades, "In my heart, actually, I have always been very grateful to you, Lord Hades, and Sister Persephone, so I hope you can give me this opportunity.
I will do my utmost to complete this matter, as a way to... express my gratitude to you and Sister Persephone!"
Jason was sincere, because whether it was Persephone or Hades, they had helped him a lot.
The privileges of the underworld, Jason had used them time and again.
He had even caused the gods of death and the underworld deities to go to Hades to reason with him, yet Hades ultimately suppressed them directly!
And the matter of Hades and Persephone was also the starting point of Jason's journey. Jason had personally witnessed how difficult it was for these two.
Thus, the words he said to Hades at this moment came from the bottom of his heart.
Even though Jason understood that this matter was very troublesome and that one misstep could anger the lord of the underworld Hades, he was still willing to take on this trouble proactively!
When it was time to act, just act.
Be careful and cautious in doing things, but also have a clear conscience!
Hades looked at Jason before him, who was speaking to him with utmost seriousness and sincerity. He naturally also felt Jason's intent.
After all, regarding Jason, Hades paid quite a bit of attention.
Thus, he also knew his personality and knew that Jason was a child who did not even want to be a hero, only wanting to live peacefully and safely.
But now, such a child was willing to step forward.
"...Alright, I leave it to you."
Hades smiled, came before Jason, and patted his head.
Then, he turned around, paused his body slightly, and said to Jason, "Also, do not call me Lord Hades anymore. Since you call Persephone sister, then just call me brother directly."
Hearing this, Jason was stunned.
Looking at Hades ahead, he blinked, then laughed and said, "Alright, I understand, Brother Hades-in-law!"