"By the way. It, you continue to hold onto it as well."
Just as Jason received Apollo's 'gift', and the golden bow and arrow disappeared from before Jason into the light.
Apollo took out another item that Jason was extremely familiar with.
That golden saber.
In the Underworld, Jason had handed it over to Asclepius, protecting Asclepius and his mother.
Thus, naturally, the saber finally returned to Apollo's hands.
Athena's guide, Asclepius had also returned to Jason.
This saber was the weapon that Apollo had lent to Jason back then. It originated from three years ago, when Jason first set out on his journey to save Underworld Queen Persephone.
Just as in the rumors, recited through Atalanta's mouth among the hunters in the natural paradise of Arcadia.
This sharp sword had slain all the enemies that stood in Jason's way.
Jason looked at the golden sharp sword that Apollo handed over, stunned for a moment as he looked at Apollo. In a brief hesitation that surprised both Apollo and the gods observing in secret, Jason did not take it.
Instead, he shook his head at Apollo.
"No, Lord Apollo. It. It is time for it to be returned to you."
Jason refused Apollo's golden sharp sword.
Saying this, the golden bow appeared in Jason's hand. Holding the bow, Jason smiled at the slightly stunned Apollo and said, "Three years ago, I accepted it because I could only rely on it. But now.
Moreover, I have already received your gift, Lord Apollo. Therefore, it is time for me to return it to you. I should not continue to depend on it."
Hearing this, Apollo came back to his senses.
Looking at the Jason before him, who in the blink of an eye had reached sixteen years old, grown into a youth, with most of the childishness faded from his face.
Gradually, a smile also appeared on Apollo's face. He put away the saber and said, "Yes, you truly no longer need to continue depending on it. Child, according to our agreement, you have returned this saber to me today as promised."
"And according to our second agreement, you also offered me beautiful lyre music. The strings you plucked even attracted the attention of the nine Muse goddesses!"
"Therefore. It is my reward to you."
Saying this, the golden seven-stringed lyre appeared in Apollo's hand. Apollo held it and placed it in Jason's hand.
This was not a gift, but a reward.
The boon bestowed upon Jason by the God of Light Apollo.
Jason looked at the golden seven-stringed lyre in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and looked up at Apollo. He originally wanted to refuse.
But after meeting Apollo's gaze, Jason ultimately accepted it.
Because Jason sensed that Apollo had made up his mind to give it to him. Continuing to decline would instead anger the other party.
As for the boon Apollo gave, the surrounding gods felt a little surprised. After all, this seven-stringed lyre was an item Apollo cherished.
Incidentally, this seven-stringed lyre was something Hermes had given him as an apology for the unreasonable matter with the divine cattle back then.
But it was just a little surprise.
Moreover, with the matter of the Underworld not long ago, everyone also felt that this seven-stringed lyre was indeed worthy of Jason.
But this. Sea Queen Amphitrite, who was watching from the side, felt a headache coming on.
Because she had originally planned to give the sea-blue lyre she had temporarily lent to Jason as a future gift to him.
But now. How could she still give it now!
"No. It seems I must go back and discuss it with Sea King Poseidon!"
After hesitating for a moment, Amphitrite, although she actually still wanted to play with Jason for a while longer, could only grit her teeth now and grab her sister's hand.
Taking the unwilling her away from the land.
At this point, Jason had completed the long-standing agreement with the God of Light Apollo and also offered tributes that satisfied Apollo.
Thereby obtaining the boon Apollo gave him, the seven-stringed lyre, as well as the gift Apollo gave him, the bow.
At this point, Jason formally offered to
The initial Moon Goddess Artemis.
To the goddess Artemis, who possessed everything, was doted upon endlessly, and was thus the easiest to deal with, he offered that night's romance.
Thereby harvesting the gift from Artemis, the Moon Goddess's arrow.
Later, the God of Craftsmen Hephaestus.
To the goddess Hephaestus, who had nothing and suffered neglect, and was thus the most difficult but also the easiest to deal with, he offered care.
Thereby harvesting the gift from Hephaestus, the God of Craftsmen's forging techniques.
Next came the War God Ares who cut in line.
To the War God Ares, the symbol of power and authority, who delighted in slaughter and bloodshed, the embodiment of human calamity, he offered a fervent battle.
Thereby harvesting the gift from War God Ares, the War God's belt.
Now it was Apollo.
To the god Apollo, who appeared the most radiant and happy but was actually the most tragic, forever unable to obtain what he himself possessed, the tragic deity, he offered happiness.
Bringing Asclepius from the Underworld, as well as his partner Coronis, back to his side. And because of this, he also mended the relationship between Apollo and his child Asclepius.
At the same time, he completed the agreement with Apollo.
Actually, in this way, without a doubt, for the matter of offering tributes to the God of Light Apollo, Jason had prepared the most.
Geryon's divine cattle, learning lyre skills from Sea Queen Amphitrite, the great battle in the Underworld. This journey, how long it had been!
But just as Jason said, he had always been depending on the sharp sword lent by Apollo. Thus, repaying kindness when received. Jason had clearly done it.
And the Jason who returned the golden sword also obtained a gift and a boon from Apollo.
Gift, the God of Light's bow. Boon, the seven-stringed lyre.
Therefore, now. It was time to fulfill the agreement with the gods' messenger Hermes, to rescue Io who was guarded by the hundred-eyed giant Argus!
Moreover, now, possessing the War God's belt, the God of Light's bow, and the Moon Goddess's arrow, Jason had completely satisfied all the conditions.
Satisfied all the conditions to shoot that arrow which was legendary even among the gods!
And after rescuing Io, what awaited Jason next would be Athena's tribute, the road of the Golden Fleece, as well as the tributes from Underworld King Hades and Underworld Queen Persephone, the wedding in the Underworld.
Evidently, these lively days. Would continue for a very long time!
Next, Jason resided around this ancient forest for a period of time. To be honest, after learning that Amphitrite and Callirhoe had run away, Jason truly felt worried. As for what he was worried about, everyone understands.
But fortunately, now, aside from Asclepius who was immersed in his laboratory, Apollo had an additional partner, Coronis, by his side.
After a few days of interaction, Jason instantly felt that helping Asclepius bring Coronis out of the Underworld was simply the best decision he had made in his life!
Because just as a day apart feels like three autumns, these two former lovers separated by life and death for so long, now reunited, in this recent period, Apollo had no time to bother with Jason.
This made Jason so happy that he almost shed tears of excitement!
Although like father like son, Apollo did have quite a few romantic entanglements, but for this Coronis, the woman he had once personally burned to death and who was now back by his side, moreover with the addition of the reason of Asclepius.
Apollo had sworn to protect her for life.
Thus, by a fortunate mistake, Jason had unconsciously resolved a great trouble for himself.
In this way, time passed bit by bit.
Every night, Jason would run to the Underworld to bother Hecate, until he had bothered Hecate to the point where she almost wanted to run away from home.
On the evening when a week had passed, accompanied by a golden lightning bolt suddenly striking down from the night sky's curtain.
Then the earth split open, and the Underworld's chariot galloped out from the cracked earth. After the noble Underworld King Hades personally came from the Underworld to the human world.
Jason understood that Senior Brother Asclepius. He had succeeded!
And in fact, just as Jason thought, after a period of time, Asclepius, with obvious dark circles under his eyes and not having rested for about a week, appeared before Jason.
At this moment, although death had descended before Asclepius, his face showed only excitement, no fear.
He who came before Jason handed a portion of golden potion to Jason. That was precisely the divine medicine that Asclepius had spent his lifetime creating, the divine medicine that could bring the dead back to life!
He handed it to Jason.
Along with half of the golden apple.
Then he came gracefully before Underworld King Hades.
Just as Asclepius was about to leave, Apollo appeared. Regarding Apollo's appearance, Asclepius's expression appeared slightly complex.
In the end, he looked at Jason again.
Thus.
"Father, I am leaving."
The softly spoken Asclepius, under Apollo's slightly stunned gaze of disbelief, turned and entered Hades's Underworld chariot.
Then Hades drove the Underworld chariot back to the Underworld, and the cracked earth also restored to its original state.
Jason silently watched Asclepius's departure.
"This should be what a hero is."
Jason said softly, "So I. Will never become a hero. Never!"
The next day, Jason had to leave.
In the early morning,
And just as he returned from the Underworld and prepared to ride the pegasus away, to his surprise, Apollo and the nine Muse goddesses appeared before him.
They had come to see Jason off.
Thus, amid the music played by Apollo and the accompaniment of the nine Muse goddesses, amid that beautiful voice.
The white-clothed Jason sat on the sacred pegasus that spread its pure white wings and flew toward the vast blue sky.
Once again, he set out on his journey.