Chapter 6: You are Jason?
After leaving the oracle, Athena departed.
She never revealed her name to Jason and Promise.
After she left, Jason, who had breathed a sigh of relief, became extremely excited.
After all, Athena had made it clear that the oracle would help him reclaim his rightful throne from his uncle.
Everything that belonged to him!
Therefore...
"It seems that the day I reclaim my throne is near, and I don't even need your help, Promise!"
Sitting by the campfire in the makeshift camp in the forest, Jason couldn't help but taunt the young man who came with him, "If I had known this, I wouldn't have brought you down the mountain. You've only caused me trouble... But since we're fellow students, I won't hold a grudge.
From now on, just stick with me, and stop dreaming about becoming a great hero. When I reclaim my throne, I'll find you a good job!"
"Oh, I get it now. Chiron must have allowed me to bring you down the mountain because he wanted this. Yes, that must be it!"
Seeing Jason speaking so confidently, Promise couldn't help but say, "So, have you already deciphered the goddess's oracle?"
"Ah, well... it's just a matter of time, with my wisdom."
"Oh, right, I remember now. You were supposed to help me reclaim my throne. So, come on, help me figure out the goddess's oracle!"
Hearing this, Promise couldn't help but find it amusing.
But...
Thinking of the golden-haired, bright-eyed goddess, he couldn't help but look again in the direction where she had disappeared under the moonlight.
Who was she, bringing an oracle specifically for Jason?
Could she be a goddess of fate?
Hmm... whatever, as long as she's not a virgin goddess!
Promise couldn't help but think.
Because a certain clumsy, sweet, white-haired goddess had left too deep an impression on the time-traveling Promise, the three major virgin goddesses of Greek mythology had become entities he preferred to avoid.
After all, he didn't want to become Orion II!
As for the oracle, "Do not ignore the plea for help from the old, weak, and women," it actually referred to a very typical Greek myth.
At the same time, this is the beginning of Jason's legend!
...
...
Jason's father, Aeson, was originally the king of the kingdom of Iolcos and was renowned for his wisdom and virtue.
However, he was later usurped by his brother, Jason's uncle, Pelias.
Pelias imprisoned Jason's parents in a dungeon.
When Jason came of age and was ready to return home and reclaim everything that was once his, his uncle Pelias incurred the wrath of Queen Hera.
To avenge this, Hera came to Jason, disguising herself as an old, weak woman, standing before a raging river.
When Jason arrived, she pleaded with him to help her cross the river.
The latter agreed, and as he carried her across, Hera caused the river to surge, washing away all of his wealth and weapons, even leaving one of his shoes stuck in the river's mud.
Despite this, Jason did not abandon her to chase after his lost wealth and weapons.
And so, he passed Hera's test successfully.
From that day forward, he became a devotee of Hera, the child of the queen of olympus.
Without a doubt, this is a legend, and even considering participating in it would enhance the quality of a Heroic Spirit.
Promise had no reason to miss it!
Initially, he planned to stay by Jason's side, assisting him across the river to establish a presence in Hera's eyes for future interactions.
But he didn't anticipate...
...
...
A few days later, one evening.
As night was about to fall, and the sky was painted with the hues of twilight.
Promise was alone, holding a wooden bow, preparing to hunt nearby.
Although they had just resupplied with food and water in a town yesterday, he had nothing else to do, and he also wanted to check if there were any bandits around...
As for Jason, he was setting up a simple tent and campfire.
At that moment,
"Child..."
A sudden elderly voice made hom instinctively turn around.
In his slightly dazed green eyes, he saw a silver-haired old woman in plain clothes, leaning on a cane, standing on the path he had just walked.
Her amber eyes gazed at the young man before her, and she said, "May I ask you for a favor?"
She continued, not waiting for Promise to react, extending her trembling hand to point ahead.
"My home is on the mountain ahead, but to get back, I need to cross a rushing river. It's getting late... Child, would you help me return home?"
...Huh?
Blinking, Promise stared in bewilderment at the silver-haired old woman before him.
Of course, he had realized that this old woman was none other than Queen Hera in disguise.
After all, this scene matched the story he knew exactly.
Besides, the ability to suddenly appear behind him—who would believe that an ordinary old woman could do that?
As everyone knew, in the divine era, elderly people, women, and children who appeared out of nowhere were always the most dangerous!
But...
'Goddess Hera, you've mistaken me for someone else.'
The person you're looking for, Jason, is over there starting a fire and preparing dinner!
While Promises was confused by Hera's sudden appearance—and more so because she was looking for him instead of Jason—Hera's amber eyes were also carefully observing the young man in front of her.
His smooth black hair, clear green eyes, and that intellectual and artistic demeanor paired with a handsome face made Hera secretly nod in approval.
Clearly, she was very satisfied.
No wonder the goddess of fate said that this Jason would bring her honor; indeed, he looked very promising!
The goddess thought to herself.
Yes, she had mistaken Promise for Jason, which was why she appeared before him.
As for why Hera made such a mistake...
In fact, Athena, who had been watching from the shadows, was also quite surprised.
She had been observing because this concerned the future of the Argo, and her presence was to prevent any accidents.
With her wisdom, Athena quickly figured out the cause and effect of this situation.
The reason was actually quite simple, and she herself bore some responsibility!
Promises bore the marks of two gods: one from his teacher Chiron and the other from Athena.
When Athena gave him the golden apple, she had also left a mark on him.
She was naturally interested in a child abandoned by the goddess of fate yet full of infinite possibilities.
It just so happened that Hera knew from the goddess of fate that Jason was a student of Chiron and that it was Athena who had sent her to the goddess of fate.
So when Hera came down to the mortal realm and saw someone with Chiron's mark and Athena's personal touch, she thought, "This must be Jason!"
Thus, she appeared before Promise and was very pleased with this 'Jason'.
After figuring out the reason, Athena, whose role was to prevent accidents, didn't immediately step in to correct the situation.
Instead, she stayed hidden, watching with great interest...
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