To encounter Jason is a fortune blessed by the goddess of fate.
Although Jason himself does not agree with this notion, it is actually the consensus among many who know him.
Even in the legends sung by the bards, meeting the white-robed Jason, as pure as snow, is called a stroke of luck, a moment when the goddess of fate shows mercy.
Because wherever Jason goes, he inevitably brings dazzling, radiant light.
All gloom and filth are swept clean by Jason's arrival.
All troubles are resolved by the coming of this hero.
It seems as if there is nothing in the world he cannot solve.
Thus, meeting him is undoubtedly a great fortune, an honor.
The honor of witnessing a miracle descend!
And such sayings gradually spread, even earning silent nods from the gods in secret. Naturally, this is not mere fabrication.
When Jason follows Heracles back to Mycenae and meets the king.
The king naturally does not trouble Jason in the slightest; on the contrary, he shows exceptional enthusiasm.
The king's name is Eurystheus.
He was originally supposed to be Heracles's younger brother, but Queen Hera, to spite Heracles, made him born first, thus turning him into the king.
Thus, Eurystheus worships Hera greatly, and the so-called twelve labors were also her way of having him torment Heracles, ultimately leading to their creation.
And at this moment, the matter of Queen Hera favoring Jason is already known to all on the continent, so Eurystheus naturally dares not slight him.
At the same time, Eurystheus gives Heracles a new task: to go to Mount Ceryneia and capture alive that beautiful golden-horned deer.
Jason hears this and thinks, what a coincidence.
Because that golden-horned deer is none other than Sister Deer, the pet of the moon goddess Artemis.
Eurystheus sending Heracles to capture the golden-horned deer is clearly an attempt to have the moon goddess Artemis teach Heracles a lesson.
Heracles accepts this task. He was originally preparing to go with Jason to the Caucasus Mountains to rescue the prophetic god Prometheus.
But Jason stops Heracles.
That very night, he sincerely requests the moon goddess Artemis.
Then, in the dead of night, Eurystheus is awakened by the two.
Under Eurystheus's dazed gaze, the beautiful golden-horned deer is captured alive by Heracles just like that.
"This, this..."
With dark circles under his eyes, watching the golden-horned deer playfully frolicking with Jason, Eurystheus is momentarily at a loss for words.
Of course, he dares not do anything to the golden-horned deer. Thus, racking his brains, Eurystheus comes up with the next challenge for Heracles.
What a coincidence again: he tells Heracles to go to the underworld and bring back the three-headed hellhound Cerberus.
At this point, even Heracles's gaze toward Eurystheus becomes peculiar.
Eurystheus, naturally oblivious to this, turns to go back to sleep when he sees Jason take out his caduceus.
He taps it lightly on the ground, chants an incantation, and amid a flurry of underworld butterflies.
The projection of the three-headed hellhound appears directly in the king's palace.
Before the wide-eyed Eurystheus can express fear at the sudden appearance of Cerberus.
He sees Cerberus transform into a white-haired, red-eyed little loli, who cutely pounces toward Jason with momentum.
"Jason, you left me behind again. I'll bite you; this time, I'll bite you to death, woof woof woof!"
The honor of witnessing a miracle...
Eurystheus recalls the legends sung by those bards, then looks at the scene before him.
He cannot help but feel numb.
At the same time, he glances at Heracles.
Is it really okay to cheat so openly like this? Eurystheus very much wants to ask, but the key is that he cannot.
Because Jason is the beloved of Queen Hera, known to all under heaven.
Thus, in the latter half of the night, Eurystheus racks his brains for a long time and finally thinks of the next labor.
That is to have Heracles retrieve a golden apple.
He does not even require Heracles to complete it alone. After assigning the task to Heracles, he heads directly to Hera's temple and prays to her.
Hera, who would never respond in the past, projects herself before Eurystheus the moment she hears Jason's name.
After hearing what Eurystheus says, Hera looks at him with speechless exasperation.
Capturing the golden-horned deer, bringing back Cerberus; how did you even think of that!
And the golden apple; do you not know that Jason completed that feat years ago?!
Facing Hera's reproach, Eurystheus endures it on the surface, but inwardly, he feels quite helpless.
Because this truly cannot be blamed on him; the tasks he devised were already extremely high-risk, but who knew that Jason could complete any of them with ease.
Then, Eurystheus subtly hints to Hera whether it is time for Jason to leave, lest the twelve labors to torment Heracles cannot proceed at all!
Who would have thought that Hera, upon hearing this, replies without a second thought: "Why make that child leave? He seems to be having quite a bit of fun, so let it continue.
Mm... Oh, right, do not assign tasks that are too dangerous; it would not be good if that child Jason gets hurt."
Hearing this, Eurystheus instantly understands.
In Hera's heart, he and Heracles are mere dregs compared to Jason; as long as it pleases Jason, anything goes!
Thus, upon returning, Eurystheus begins to painstakingly study the legends about Jason, striving to find twelve labors that Jason can complete with ease...
"Senior Brother Heracles, do not worry about how to find the golden apple; actually, I know where it is."
On the way away, Jason says to Heracles: "I will lend you the compass given to me by the goddess Athena for now; ride the heavenly horse and hurry there.
Moreover, I am quite familiar with the Hesperides goddesses there and the dragon Ladon guarding the golden apples. Take this caduceus as a token and find them.
If all goes as expected, they will not trouble you and will give you the golden apple."
Hearing this, even Heracles feels somewhat numb.
Heracles, who has never experienced anything like this, hesitates for a long while before saying to Jason: "Junior Brother Jason, is what we are doing not a bit improper? This is a labor given to me by the great gods..."
"It is fine, it is fine. The merciful, noble, generous, and beautiful Queen Hera surely will not mind such a small thing. Heracles, rest assured."
Jason flashes an extremely brilliant smile at Heracles.
Back then, Jason would naturally have some reservations, but now... well, those who are favored have no fear!
However, for ordinary people, Jason would not risk helping.
The main reason is that the other party is Heracles, the senior brother who took great care of him back then and with whom he has the best relationship.
Thus, Jason practically forces these things upon Heracles.
"Senior Brother, once you obtain the golden apple, just ride the heavenly horse directly to the Caucasus Mountains; I will wait for you there.
Oh, right, when you see Lord Prometheus, you can ask him about the next labors; Lord Prometheus surely knows them all.
I tell you, do not be so passive; listen to me. Once you know all the labors, go ahead and complete each one first.
Then, when you bring them back to face Eurystheus, for every labor he announces, we present the corresponding item and say it is done.
We must turn passivity into initiative; striking first is the best choice!"
Heracles listens to Jason's words and nods silently.
Although he finds it a bit strange, he cannot pinpoint where the strangeness lies, and it does seem to have some logic...
Moreover, imagining Eurystheus announcing a labor and him completing it on the spot, followed by the other's shocked expression...
Well, it does sound rather satisfying!
Thus, after seeing Heracles and the heavenly horse off into the distance, Jason turns back to look at the golden-horned deer and says with a smile: "Then, Sister Deer, the rest of the journey will trouble you again."
The golden-horned deer lets out a soft cry and comes to Jason's side, gently nuzzling him.
Clearly, the golden-horned deer is quite happy to travel with Jason once more.
Next, the golden-horned deer leads Jason toward the Caucasus Mountains.
At the same time, because he has temporarily lent Athena's compass to Heracles, for this period, Jason does not know if he is on the right path; he leaves it entirely to Sister Deer.
With the gods in heaven watching, it is impossible to get lost.
After a few days, Sister Deer leads Jason past the outskirts of a coastal city-state named Troy.
The Trojan War.
Yes, this is the place where, in the not-too-distant future, a war erupts around it, the most famous conflict among heroes in Greek mythology.
Because he knows a bit about Greek myths, Jason is naturally aware of that war.
And the reason it erupts.
The golden apple offered to the fairest goddess...
At the same time, Jason thinks of the most famous hero in that war: Achilles.
The great hero renowned for his invincible strength and immortal body, with only his heel as a fatal weakness.
I wonder if in this lifetime, I can meet him, this hero second only to Heracles in ancient Greek myths...
Completely unaware that Achilles's mother is none other than the sea goddess Thetis, Jason harbors such thoughts in his heart.
Then, with no interest in entering the city, just as Jason prepares to leave with Sister Deer.
Along the way, from occasional passing hunters, Jason overhears what is happening in Troy right now.
"It is tomorrow, is it not? Princess Hesione is so pitiful..."
"Indeed, so young and having to sacrifice her life."
"Hush, do not speak carelessly; that is the sacrifice to the great sea emperor Poseidon, a sacred honor!"
"But I heard it was originally King Laomedon's fault; he was the one who first broke his agreement with the great sea emperor Poseidon, so Poseidon sent the sea monster to assault the city of Troy."
"In any case, we should stay farther from the city for this period; who knows if the great sea emperor Poseidon will calm his anger because of this..."
Whether it is himself in his snow-white robes or the moon goddess Artemis's golden-horned deer, both would bring considerable trouble in disguise.
Thus, during travels, Jason casts illusions... After all, he is the disciple of the magic goddess Hecate; even as a half-baked one, he knows some magic.
Especially lifesaving spells like illusions, which Jason diligently studied in his early years.
Thus, upon coincidentally overhearing such talk, Jason pauses for a moment.
Then he looks at the golden-horned deer and, after a brief hesitation, asks her: "Sister Deer, did you come here because of guidance from some great god?"
The golden-horned deer shakes her head at Jason.
Jason thinks for a moment and says: "Then, Sister Deer, is there any great god looking for me now?"
The golden-horned deer shakes her head at Jason again.
Seeing this, Jason falls silent.
"Then, Sister Deer, let us go."
The golden-horned deer stares at Jason for a while, then slowly nods.
She leads Jason onward toward the Caucasus Mountains.
But this time, her pace is much slower.
Because she knows Jason will eventually call her to stop.
At dusk, as the city of Troy gradually fades from view, in a serene ancient forest, Jason stops Sister Deer.
He says that tonight, he wants to rest.
Sister Deer obediently stops and quietly accompanies Jason.
Until time passes into the deep night.
Under the moonlight, Sister Deer falls asleep, sleeping until morning.
When the first ray of dawn sunlight falls upon Sister Deer and she opens her eyes, she finds Jason gone.
Sister Deer does not panic at this; she looks around, and upon not finding Jason, lowers her head to sniff his scent.
She turns and heads toward the coast of Troy.
And almost at the same moment, the beautiful princess named Hesione, bound to a rock high on the coast, looks desolate and despairing, quietly awaiting death's arrival.
As the surrounding soldiers and people, out of fear of the sea monster, have long since fled.
"I think... actually, I should not have come here."
With a soft whisper in her ear, under Hesione's incredulous upward gaze, a man appears by her side just like that.
As the handsome man's beautiful blue eyes reflect the figure before her, Hesione's first reaction is that she has encountered the god of light Apollo.
After all, bathed in the first rays of sunrise rising from the sea, the golden-haired, blue-eyed Jason appears so dazzling.
Jason ignores Hesione's reaction and merely mutters to himself: "After all, this time, I did not receive any oracle... But if I truly ignore it, what if the companions from the Argo find out?
I just proclaimed what a true hero is; even if I expose my true nature, it should be after some time... Do you agree?"
Only then does Jason turn his head to look at Hesione.
Before Hesione can say anything to Jason, she hears him continue: "Oh, right, Princess Hesione, after you return this time, please persuade your father well. I have already confirmed it was indeed your father who broke the agreement first.
At the same time, I asked Lord Hermes to help persuade the sea emperor Poseidon... Because of this, the matter of him watching the show back then is written off; I took quite a loss."
As Jason speaks, a slightly displeased expression appears on his face.
And the reason for this is quite simple.
The sea emperor Poseidon once helped King Laomedon build the walls of Troy, but the king, stingy with money, did not pay the reward.
Thus, in revenge, Poseidon sent a sea monster to trample the land, devour people and livestock, and intend to destroy Troy.
When King Laomedon later regretted it and hoped the sea emperor Poseidon would calm his anger, promising to pay the reward, it was already too late.
Thus, in desperation, following the oracle's suggestion in the palace, King Laomedon had no choice but to offer his beautiful daughter Hesione.
Hoping in this way to seek the sea emperor Poseidon's forgiveness.
Listening to Jason's words, Hesione does not respond, because her mind is in chaos right now, staring blankly at the suddenly appeared Jason.
In her head, there is only one thought.
Such a handsome man must be the great god of light Apollo.
"Great god of light Apollo, have you come to save me?!" Hesione says excitedly to Jason.
"Sorry, I am not."
Jason shrugs at Hesione and replies: "I am not the great god of light Apollo."
"Is that so? But you are so handsome..."
Hesione looks at Jason in disbelief.
"Um... thank you?"
Jason smiles and says to Hesione: "But sorry, I really am not the great god of light Apollo; I am..."
As he speaks, accompanied by a massive roar surging from the sea.
A giant beast emerges from the sea, its enormous body surfacing under the daily sunrise, arriving before the now deathly pale Hesione and Jason.
This is a terrifying giant serpent.
It flicks its tongue, its two huge eyes fixed deadly on Hesione and Jason before it.
"... You really are not the great god of light Apollo?"
Hesione turns her head to look at Jason again, asking him with the last flicker of hope in her heart.
"Sorry, I truly am not."
Jason's answer extinguishes the last spark of hope in her heart.
"Then hurry and go... Messenger of the great sea emperor Poseidon, I am the Trojan princess Hesione, offered as sacrifice to you."
The despairing Hesione, with a bitter smile, says to the giant serpent before her: "This man has nothing to do with it; I hope my life can appease the great sea emperor Poseidon's anger!"
The giant serpent is clearly sentient; it listens to Hesione's words.
It glances at Jason.
Then it opens its great maw, emits a piercing cry, and slowly moves its body from the sea, coiling around Jason and Hesione in a circle.
Its scarlet eyes stare straight at the two, flicking its tongue.
In response, the still utterly calm Jason says to the giant serpent: "As I understand it, you, who obey Lord Poseidon's orders, have already destroyed and devoured most of Troy's living beings.
You have done more than enough; the sea emperor Poseidon will not blame you.
I have had Lord Hermes go to the sea emperor Poseidon; I think now he will accept the tribute from Troy for atonement.
Your task is over!"
Jason's calmness stuns Hesione beside him.
But the giant serpent clearly will not heed such things; it only finds Jason annoying. Roaring at Jason and Hesione, it then opens its mouth to bite at Jason.
The giant beast opens its great maw; in this moment, it seems to swallow even the light. Below it, Jason and Hesione are plunged into darkness.
And in this instant, as Hesione closes her eyes, preparing to meet her end... one second, two seconds pass.
Feeling no pain, the puzzled Hesione opens her eyes.
Then she sees an utterly terrifying sight.
Above her, in her view, is the giant serpent's coiled enormous body all around.
Yet no matter how it tears and bites, how it presses down with its massive form, even breaking a tooth, it cannot devour Hesione and Jason.
Because a golden shield forms a golden domain, protecting the two.
It is precisely the world's hardest shield, the boon from Athena: the divine shield Aegis!
As Hesione stares at this scene in slight daze.
A light sound rings in her ear.
Jason draws the sword at his waist, the blade once fused with the stone that replaced god-king Zeus and was swallowed by the second god-king, thus veiling its original black hue and making it appear utterly holy: the god-slaying sword!
Now, Jason has sufficient reason to strike at the giant beast.
Thus, in Hesione's sight, the seemingly minuscule Jason compared to the giant serpent charges out from the protection of the divine shield Aegis.
Holding the holy divine sword, he easily slices through the serpent's scales, bringing it unimaginable pain as blood splatters everywhere.
Thus, the giant serpent's body begins to thrash violently.
But no matter how it writhes its massive form, it cannot harm Hesione below, protected by the divine shield, in the slightest.
At the same time, it cannot shake off Jason on its body.
Jason stabs the giant serpent's body sword by sword; he does not kill it.
He just cuts off a chunk of flesh here, a piece there.
Soon, the thrashing, roaring giant serpent, carrying Jason, rolls into the sea, stirring up wave after wave.
Its pained cries naturally alarm the people of the nearby kingdom of Troy.
But no one dares come to investigate.
In this past month, countless have died in the giant serpent's maw.
They can only pray, pray that after devouring the sacrificial princess, the sea emperor Poseidon calms his anger.
Only the Princess Hesione, protected by the divine shield, knows how miserable the giant serpent is at this moment.
Because that blood visibly dyes this coast red.
Its thrashing, struggling momentum also gradually weakens.
Finally, the giant serpent yields; it emits a wailing cry.
That sound is desolate and helpless.
Only then does Jason descend from the giant serpent's body and come ashore.
In Hesione's shocked gaze, the white robes on Jason remain utterly untainted, still as snow-white as ever.
Forming a stark contrast with the blood-red coast and the serpent covered in wounds.
"Go."
Jason says to the giant serpent.
He harbors no killing intent.
But the giant serpent does!
Suffering such heavy wounds, its eyes now blazing scarlet, the giant serpent looks at this ant that has finally come down from its body, without that strange shield's protection.
As Jason turns his back to it, preparing to leave, it thinks nothing and opens its great maw to bite at Jason.
It wants to devour this damned bastard!
"Watch out!" Hesione sees this and widens her eyes.
She struggles, wanting to throw the shield to Jason.
But she is bound, and bound quite tightly.
Thus, as she witnesses the giant serpent biting down at Jason, thinking all is lost.
Jason suddenly turns, swinging the god-slaying sword in his hand.
A black sword beam directly cleaves the giant serpent, maw agape, in two!
Scarlet blood falls like rain.
Yet it cannot taint Jason in the slightest.
Jason looks at the giant serpent bisected by his single sword and cannot help but shake his head lightly.
And it is at this moment that, with a soft cry, the golden-horned deer runs over.
She stands outside somewhat disdainfully, calling to Jason.
"Sorry, Sister Deer; I will be right there!"
Jason calls to Sister Deer, then, in the scarlet rain, returns before Hesione.
He withdraws the divine shield Aegis.
"Remember to have your father offer tribute to the sea emperor Poseidon upon your return. As for its matter, I will personally apologize to the sea emperor Poseidon."
As he says this to the stunned Hesione staring at him, Jason flourishes two beautiful sword flowers, severing the ropes binding her.
Then he turns and leaves the place.
"Wait, what is your name!"
Behind Jason, Hesione's questioning voice rings out.
If it were before, Jason would naturally not reply, but in this situation now... there is truly no need to conceal it.
"Jason, mm... reluctantly counts as a hero, I suppose."
He, who once least wanted to be a hero, now finally gives such an answer, during his... final journey.