After Athena left and took the painting with her, she left the Kingdom of Iolcus with a brisk pace.
However, she did not return to the Holy Mount Olympus, but came to a forest not far from the kingdom.
Athena didn't stop until she reached the deep end of the lake, where the water was as clear as a mirror and reflected the night sky.
Sitting elegantly beside the lake, he took out the painting with a smile on his face, and carefully arranged it. Then he looked at the shadow of a big tree in the distance and said in a boastful tone: "Come and see the tribute that the child presented to me!"
Athena's words elicited a good-natured chuckle.
Then, under the moonlight, a tall centaur was seen walking out of the shadows.
He has blonde hair and blue eyes, and she almost always has a gentle and warm smile on her face.
He is the teacher of Theo and Jason, the most famous mentor in ancient Greece, the Centaur sage - Chiron!
When Athena first met Nuoyan and Jason and left the oracle, she said that Nuoyan was protected by Chiron.
To be exact, it is a positioning.
Chiron kept looking at Theo and Jason who had already gone down the mountain.
But there was one thing Athena didn't say at that time, that is, Chiron not only watched them, but he was also following them all the time!
He just stood there quietly in the distance, watching them silently.
"Chiron you have an excellent student."
Athena's words made Chiron smile even more happily, because for a teacher, this was undoubtedly the greatest compliment and recognition.
Then Chiron corrected him gently, "But Jason is also an excellent child."
Athena did not answer, neither nodded nor shook her head.
Just quietly appreciate the painting.
Then peace returned to the forest again, until a long time passed before Chiron let out a sigh.
"Goddess Athena, that oath..."
"Now that you have seen it all, you know that it cannot be changed." Athena interrupted.
"I know." Chiron sighed, a little sadness on his face, and asked Athena: "But I sincerely hope that day will come later."
"I can't guarantee that. If there is an ending that suits that child, I can't ignore it... Chiron, since it is the child's wish, why do you keep blocking it?"
Chiron was silent for a while, then he answered: "Because I am his teacher."
Late at night, Athena returned to her temple on Mount Olympus.
The eternal sacred fire lights up the magnificent temple.
The busy nymph maids and gods welcomed her return and informed her that a distinguished person had been waiting for her in the temple for a long time.
Athena came into the hall and saw the god they had been talking about in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. She saw the beautiful golden curly hair falling from the crown. She sat there quietly, noble and majestic.
"Hera?"
Athena looked at her with some surprise and confusion.
"Why are you here?"
"Athena, where have you been?" Hera raised her eyebrows slightly, looked at Athena with some displeasure for making her wait for so long, then stood up and said, "Forget it, now is not the time to talk about this."
"Athena, help me think of a trial for the throne of the Kingdom of Iolcus."
Upon hearing this, Athena's face showed realization.
So that's what happened...
"I see. But before that, Hera, let me show you something good!"
Then, Athena took out the painting again and showed it to Hera, saying, "Hera, look, this painting is... a tribute given to me by a child..."
Athena, who was originally in high spirits, suddenly got stuck in the middle of her speech.
She looked at Hera who was looking at her.
The smile on his face froze slightly.
Athena realized something was wrong, after all, this painting was given by Theo to her!
"A tribute from a child?"
When Hera saw the goddess of wisdom in the painting, who was as dazzling as a pearl, she was surprised and said, "A human child...isn't he the Muse, the goddess of art?"
"No, I remember that one of them could draw a picture like this. I even saw some...divinity in this painting?!"
Hera was surprised, but instantly became interested and said to Athena, "Which child is this? Do I know him? Why not ask him to draw a picture for me?"
"This..."
Athena was embarrassed.
If it were any other day, Athena would not hesitate, but today she saw everything, and also because of the prophecy of Clotho, the goddess of fate.
Athena could guess without thinking how important Theo was in Hera's heart at this moment.
And it is well known to everyone that Hera is jealous.
This was the first painting of Theo, and Hera was not the first god to receive the child's tribute...
Athena was not afraid, but when she thought about the fact that she had set a trap for the child again...
Even Athena, when she thought about the various troubles she had caused for Theo in the past two days.
She felt ashamed.
The main thing is that this is also the child that the goddess of fate Clotho predicted would bring her glory, and he also gave her tribute, so even Athena felt a little guilty at this moment.
Then,
"Well, this kid is Chiron's student. Go find Chiron and you'll find out!"
At this moment,
In the candlelit room, Theo silently looked at the Heroic Spirit Card in his hand, the column about the bonus for Heroic Spirit Legendary Events.
[Offered tribute to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. ]
.....Hey, so offering tribute can increase your legendary status?
It seems that what I learned in painting is not completely useless.
I have to offer huge tributes to all the gods!
Next time I'll draw a picture for Hera and send it to her!
A sleepless night.
The next day, the sun god Helios and the night goddess Nyx alternated day and night, and when the first ray of dawn light shone on Promise who was sitting by the window.
He was staring at the canvas in front of him.
The canvas is spotlessly white, just like a newly created folder - "Painting Dedicated to Hera"!
"Sure enough, yesterday was a special situation." Theo's mind was blank and he had no idea what to do. So he could only put down the paintbrush in his hand.
He sat here all night but didn't feel tired at all.
The effect of the golden apple was better than Theo had imagined. Not only did he not feel tired but he felt very energetic.
In fact, when Theo finished the painting yesterday, he realized something in his heart. It was a flash of inspiration that was hard to come by and it was not normal.
After all, after only meeting each other once, he was able to piece together the other person's true self in his mind and present it perfectly in the painting, even drawing out their divinity. This is already comparable to a treasure!
"Forget it, I won't paint anymore. As for the tribute... I'll do it next time, definitely next time!" Theo shook his head, stood up, and put away his paintbrush.
I checked my luggage as well.
There was nothing of note, except for a few scholar's robes, and the only thing of value was another golden apple.
That was the gift Athena gave him when he first met her, but Theo never ate it.
Although I was very greedy along the way and curious about what it tasted like, I kept it until now considering that it was a treasure that could restore my strength.
However, I was fed one yesterday and found that although it tasted sweet, it was actually just a normal taste. But the effect was really good. I didn't sleep for a night and now I feel full of energy.
"Well, it's good that it's not broken... But something like this that belongs to the God side can't possibly be broken."
He took out the golden apple and looked at it. After finding that it was not broken, he put it back.
Then he sat by the window again, staring at the canvas in front of him in a daze.
But this time I wasn't thinking about how to paint. Instead, I was organizing my thoughts and thinking about what to do next.
Theo thought in his heart:
Jason's affairs have come to an end for the time being... no, it should be said that they are officially back on track. After all, the trial given by Hera will most likely end up focusing on the Argo and the Golden Fleece.
Athena's oath was another kind of joy, an ending that shocked the world...although her final yandere-like speech made people pay attention.
But all in all, this is undoubtedly a good thing, at least that's what it seems like... So my focus from now on will still be on improving the quality of my Heroic Spirit.
I don't want to get an S-level or even a crown-level level the first time, but at least we have to get an A-level.
At the worst, it's gotta be a B!
With this in mind, I still need to participate in more legendary stories, such as the hunting of the Calydonian boar and the twelve trials of Hercules. After all, I remember that the construction of the Argo took about one or two years...
Oh, yes, and there are treasures!
This is also very important, and if I remember correctly, the Noble Phantasm is usually related to the content of the legend...
Okay, it's decided!
As soon as Hera decided on the trial and Jason and the others began preparing the Argo, I ran to find Hercules and the others!
If you didn't take me down the mountain, I would go looking for them one by one now!
Just when Theo made up his mind, he suddenly felt a slight pain in his hand, as if something was biting him.
Theo looked down subconsciously and saw a little bird.
The little bird had landed on his leg at some point and was pecking at his hand to get his attention.
After noticing that Theo finally lowered his head and saw it, the bird spread its wings, chirped twice, and lowered its head to signal him to look at its feet.
Then Theo found a letter on the feet of this spiritual little bird.
He took the letter down, spread it out and looked at the familiar handwriting on it. After a moment's pause, Theo couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "You're finally here... That's good."
Having said that, Theo stood up and walked out.
It was still early in the morning, dawn had just arrived, so the palace was still deserted.
Theo had a smooth journey...Although the sleepy guard was still standing there, but after what happened yesterday, Theo could proudly say that everyone in this kingdom knows him.
So after a while, Theo walked out of the kingdom, came to the suburbs, and saw the clever little bird again.
The little bird flew around his head twice and then landed on his shoulder.
It chirped and used its little head to indicate the way forward.
Seeing this, Theo smiled and touched its head, then walked in the direction it pointed, entered the forest where few people had been, and went deeper into the forest.
Finally, when the sun was already high in the sky, we arrived at the beautiful mirror-like lake in the forest.
Even before he arrived, Theo could hear the familiar and beautiful music from afar.
When Theo approached, he saw the small animals in the forest who had stopped by the lake to listen, surrounding the Centaur sage Chiron, who was squatting and playing the piano with his eyes closed.
Some of them fell on Chiron, and some squatted beside him.
The spiritual little bird also joined in.
This scene was just like the legendary Apollo, the god of light, who, as long as he played the piano, all living things would put down everything and come to listen to him.
Theo did not disturb Chiron when he came here, but found a place to sit under the shade of a tall tree.
After waiting quietly for a long time, Chiron finally opened his eyes and put down the silver harp in his hand.
But even so, those creatures were unwilling to leave him, until he smiled and uttered words that only gods could utter, and then all the creatures left his side.
Then Chiron stood up and came to Theo's side, and shook his head to indicate that Theo didn't need to stand up.
He came to Theo, touched his head gently, and said in a gratified and proud tone: "Theo, you have done very well. I have been watching you. As your teacher, I am proud of you!"
He did not blame Theo for disobeying his orders and going down the mountain on his own.
Theo was silent for a while, then replied: "I'm sorry, teacher, I didn't listen to you..."
"No, I am the one who should apologize." Chiron shook his head and said, "I have been keeping you in the mountain, worried that you would not be able to come down the mountain... But you have proved to me that you are outstanding, and extraordinary."
"Even the goddess of wisdom and the queen of heaven Hera are willing to stop in front of you."
Hearing this, Theo was slightly stunned, and then looked at Chiron in surprise and said, "In that case, Teacher Chiron, aren't you here to take me back to the mountain?"
"Of course not." Chiron smiled softly, shook his head and replied: "On the contrary, I came to say goodbye to you... I am looking forward to the day when your name will resound throughout the world."
Theo looked at Chiron and opened his mouth silently by no where came out...
All this was beyond his expectations, but it seemed so natural.
After all, this is Chiron, the mentor of almost all famous heroes in ancient Greece.
"But even so, I still cannot accept your oath with the goddess Athena in my heart."
Chiron sighed softly and continued, "So I'm sorry, but in this matter, I can't give you my blessing."
"No, that's enough. Teacher, you don't need to apologize. And..." After a slight pause, Theo said to Chiron from the bottom of his heart: "Thank you for this journey."
How could Theo not guess what was happening at this moment? His teacher, out of worry, was actually guarding him silently and following him all the way.
"Yeah." Chiron smiled softly.
Then he stood up and said, "But before I leave, I have one last gift for you... or rather, for Jason. Come with me."
Having said that, Chiron carried his promise all the way to a wooden house on the outskirts of the kingdom.
There, Theo saw two middle-aged men and found that they were somewhat similar to Jason... Yes, they were Jason's parents.
The former king and queen!
After seizing power, although Pelias ordered them to be imprisoned and even beheaded, in fact they did not die, but were saved by a prophet at the time.
The prophet predicted Jason's return and knew that he was Hera's favorite.
That's why we rescued them and have been keeping them here ever since.
One of the things that Theo had promised was to save Jason's parents, but after arriving at the kingdom, he learned that they had already died, so he gave up. He never expected that such a thing would happen...
So that afternoon, Theo quietly brought Jason here.
When Jason saw Chiron, he was scared to death at first, but then he was so excited that he was speechless after seeing his parents.
Then that night, Chiron left and returned to the Cave of Pirion, because there were students waiting for him there.
As a teacher, Chiron had undoubtedly done the best he could before his student officially set out on his journey, accompanying and protecting Theo through that initial journey.
Time passed, and three days passed.
Hera finally came here again and brought the oracle that almost everyone in the city had been waiting for for a long time.
And just as Theo thought, that is the legend of the Argo!
...