Once ashore, several fully armed female soldiers intended to follow, but all were politely refused by Jason.
This left the female soldiers feeling immense regret.
"You're quite popular."
After Jason sent away the pack of she-wolves, Atalanta said indifferently.
Then, pausing slightly, she added: "Though I thought you'd use magic to hide our landing."
"I considered invisibility magic, but realized that accidental discovery would invite trouble."
Jason explained: "Moreover, now with the great gods' oracle, they harbor goodwill toward us. Better to avoid petty tricks."
"..." Atalanta was momentarily speechless.
She could find no fault, but precisely for that reason, she knew not how to respond or evaluate it.
"Clearly, you could easily destroy this women-only nation... no, if you willed it, obliterating this small island would be simple."
Atalanta sighed softly.
She had seen Jason fire the Moon Goddess's arrow with her Bow of the Heavens.
She had also seen him, at the juncture of day and night, loose the Moon Goddess Artemis's arrow using the God of Light Apollo's bow.
Thus, she knew better than anyone aboard just how terrifying a power this youth before her wielded!
Yet even so, before such a trifle, he remained so cautious as to leave her wordless.
One could only say... you are too cautious, Jason!
Jason understood Atalanta's meaning, shrugged without reply, and the two proceeded along the serene island to the woods.
"By the way, Jason, which goddess did you offer tribute to this time?"
As they walked, Atalanta chatted idly with Jason.
"The great Goddess of Wisdom, Lady Athena."
To this, Jason harbored no intent to conceal.
At the same time, he glanced at Atalanta, who had unslung the Bow of the Heavens. "Atalanta, going hunting?... If so, could you make it quick?"
Atalanta, raising the Bow of the Heavens, looked at Jason in puzzlement. "Why so urgent?"
"I fear delays might breed unforeseen complications."
Jason sighed.
"Unforeseen complications?" Atalanta was baffled. "What are you talking about, Jason? How could anything unexpected happen here..."
Before Atalanta finished, a familiar neigh echoed in their ears.
Instantly, Jason's expression turned exceedingly awkward.
See, I knew I shouldn't wander; should have had Senior Brother Heracles handle it... but I just wanted a stroll to clear my mind, breathe fresh air. Is that so hard!
Jason grumbled inwardly while feigning nonchalance, looking up with Atalanta.
Toward the sacred Pegasus emerging from the clouds.
And the Lady Goddess descending alongside on its back.
"Little Jason~~"
The goddess, appearing about twenty from her looks, alighted and immediately pounced joyfully toward Jason.
She had beautiful brown long hair, amber eyes, fair skin, a graceful figure, refined features, and a mature charm.
Seeing her approach, helplessness flickered in Jason's eyes.
Then he gently caught her.
"...Lady Goddess Hestia?!"
Atalanta, recognizing the goddess's features, softly exclaimed her name.
Yes, Goddess Hestia, the noble goddess most renowned for purity.
Eldest daughter of the second-generation Queen Rhea, elder sister to God-King Zeus, Sea Emperor Poseidon, Underworld King Hades, and others.
One of Olympus's three virgin goddesses.
As known, the Greek gods were licentious and chaotic in conduct.
And she was Olympus's foremost virgin goddess.
Precisely because of her precedent came the later Moon Goddess Artemis and Goddess of Wisdom Athena as holy virgins.
These three goddesses stood as rare bastions of sanctity amid Olympus's debauchery.
And Atalanta recognizing her was no difficulty; she had met her with Jason during the affair of the hundred-eyed giant Argus.
"Ah, little Atalanta is here too..."
Hestia, who had nuzzled intimately against Jason, turned at Atalanta's exclamation.
Seeing this, the composed Atalanta hurriedly saluted Hestia.
And in this instant, she also understood what Jason meant by "complications"...
"Um, Goddess Hestia, why have you come..."
Jason looked at Hestia hesitantly.
"Easy, easy; rest assured, Hera has left. She went to find Athena, so that's when I hurried over."
As she spoke, Hestia tiptoed to pat Jason's head, revealing a brilliant smile.
Hearing this, Jason sighed in relief.
"The great Queen Hera... Goddess Hera went to find Goddess Athena...?" Atalanta tilted her head.
"Speaking of which, little Atalanta doesn't know yet." Hestia blinked, then grinned mischievously: "Little Jason was originally Hera's child, but later Hecate snatched him away. Hera was furious over it, so lately she's been stirring troubles to bully little Jason.
But Hera adores the white-clothed Heracles greatly."
"Eh?!" Atalanta widened her eyes at Hestia. "But Goddess Hestia, the white-clothed Heracles, Jason... are they not the same person?!"
"Yes, and now only Hera doesn't know!"
...Hiss!
Atalanta drew a sharp breath.
She looked at Jason.
"Jason, may I disembark now?"
Atalanta asked with utmost seriousness.
"Sorry, this is a one-way ticket; once aboard, no leaving!"
Jason refused with equal seriousness, then turned to Hestia, murmuring a slight complaint: "Goddess Hestia, why tell her all that..."
"Oh, it's fine; little Atalanta isn't an outsider... but little Atalanta, if you have time lately, best gather something to offer Artemis."
Hestia said to the puzzled Atalanta: "Artemis has been quite angry with you. Weren't you nearly unable to board the ship not long ago?
She's still fuming even now."
"Lady Artemis is very angry with me?!" Atalanta's eyes widened hugely. "Impossible; how could I do anything to anger Lady Artemis? I..."
Mid-sentence, recalling that unlucky period recently, Atalanta instantly understood the cause.
It was Goddess Artemis!
"B-but Goddess Hestia, I clearly remember never doing anything to anger Goddess Artemis.
Every day, I prayed devoutly without slacking a single day!"
The thought of Goddess Artemis angry at her panicked Atalanta, the most devout follower.
At the same time, her heart brimmed with incomprehension, wondering what she had done wrong.
Jason, however, faintly sensed something amiss...
"Hmm... it seems because you got too close to little Jason, that's why Artemis is angry."
"...Ha?"
Atalanta blinked.
"Yes, if I recall correctly, that's it." Hestia nodded. "Apollo told me."
Atalanta fell silent for a while.
"Goddess Hestia, you say Artemis is angry because I got too close to Jason? So that means... in Lady Artemis's heart, I rank below him!"
Atalanta pointed at Jason, asking Hestia in disbelief.
Hestia thought a moment, found it indeed so, and honestly nodded to Atalanta.
Thus, the next second, Jason noticed Atalanta's gaze toward him turn fierce once more...
Can I help that?
Jason felt quite depressed.
He professed he did not even want Artemis's love.
After all, Artemis's love was rather heavy; he felt he could not bear it...
Recalling Artemis's innocent, radiant face as she told Jason she would hide him away, play with him daily, just the two of them—that memory.
Jason could not help but shiver.
"Ahem, Goddess Hestia, may I ask what brings you here?"
With Hestia holding his arm, Jason changed the subject.
"Ah, right; I nearly forgot." Hestia tapped her head, then looked at Jason. "Little Jason, are you angry at Athena?"
Hearing this, Jason's eyes widened slightly.
"Goddess Hestia, what... what are you saying..."
Atalanta looked at Jason, blinking.
For she noticed Jason was now... flustered...
Eh, angry?
Aren't you offering her tribute?
Atalanta felt somewhat confused.
"Pegasus told me, so I hurried to see you." Hestia pointed to the Pegasus nearby.
Jason followed her gaze to the Pegasus, which shuddered violently under his wordless stare and hastily neighed.
It claimed it had overheard it unintentionally from the three-headed hound Cerberus of Hell, and Cerberus had chanced upon it in casual talk between Hecate and Persephone...
"Little Jason, what exactly happened? You always liked Athena, and she quite liked you too?"
Hestia blinked at Jason. "Why suddenly dislike her?"
"I don't dislike her..."
"Little Jason, this seems the first time I've heard a lie from you." Hestia could not help but laugh.
Hearing this, Jason was momentarily speechless; he realized he had truly panicked, even lying to a goddess!
"Did something happen?"
Then Hestia's voice softened, smiling gently at Jason: "Will you tell me, child... rest assured, I won't tell a soul what happens today. I swear by the River of Oaths!"
Hearing this, Jason could not help but look at Hestia.
Hestia gazed gently back at Jason, reaching out to lightly touch his eyes, smiling: "Child, your eyes remain so beautiful... I will not have them sullied, nor see you sorrowful.
So, can you tell me?"
Jason opened his mouth wordlessly, sensing Hestia's genuine concern.
Jason fell silent for a long time, recalling his childhood encounter with Hestia and events shared with her, ultimately gritting his teeth lightly: "Goddess Hestia, I... have never wished to become a hero."
"Yes, I know." Hestia smiled and nodded.
"But Goddess Athena wants me to become a hero... I know this tribute is, rather than something I offer to her.
More like Athena's way of seizing this chance to make me fully shed my fetters and become a true hero with true responsibility!"
Did Jason not understand Athena's true intent?
No, he had always understood.
"...Indeed, for Athena, that would truly be the finest tribute."
Hestia, slightly stunned as she looked at Jason for a time, finally said softly.
Through Jason's words, Hestia understood, truly understood the meaning behind this Golden Fleece quest.
Accomplishing the feat to alter destiny, escaping fate's grasp—these were not the tributes Athena valued.
What she truly prized was Jason's transformation in this endeavor.
Jason becoming a true great hero... that was the tribute Athena most anticipated.
Simply put, for Athena, the tribute she valued most had always been Jason himself...
And Jason knew this.
He had long comprehended Athena's intent... upon learning Athena had handed him, Jason's original fate, over to Hera, Jason had guessed Athena's true purpose.
After all, Athena—Jason knew her well too.
But precisely for that reason, Jason was angry.
Had Athena erred?... In truth, she had not.
And this was indeed for Jason's sake, for his good.
Because Athena knew of the deicide, knew Jason would eventually claim that sword to slay gods!
Thus she aided him, to hasten his growth in strength.
But she overlooked one thing...
"I do not wish to become a great hero."
From beginning to end, Jason had always said he did not want to be a hero.
Thus, naturally, he truly did not want to draw that deicidal sword!
Though his deeds along the way were already those of a hero.
And he drew ever nearer to that deicidal blade.
But in truth, he did not want to do it at all!
When matters came before him, he would accept and strive to complete them, but Jason... had always been unwilling!
Consider: when the name of the white-clothed Heracles echoed through the world, when his great deeds spread to every corner of the Greek mainland, did Jason ever smile at it? Was he ever joyful?
Evidently not.
Thus, Jason grew angry despite knowing Athena's intent.
Because he had truly considered confiding everything to Athena, hoping she might devise a way to free him from it all.
He... truly did not wish to become a hero.
Being a hero was too exhausting.
Yet in Athena's heart, Jason should become a hero.
Even in Athena's view, the one in the world most suited to be a hero was Jason!