Numb.
Truly numb.
He had been struck by lightning until he was unconscious!
After some time passed, Jason finally returned to the temple hall and came before Hecate.
"You are back."
Hecate said indifferently. She picked up a divine fruit from the crystal plate beside her and peeled it while saying, "Come here. You must be tired. Do you want to eat the divine fruit that Teacher peeled for you herself, my precious student~~?"
Looking at the beautiful goddess teacher before him, who smiled without showing her teeth but harbored a sword in her honeyed words.
Jason could not help but shudder all over. It might have been the aftereffects of the lightning strike still lingering.
"Teacher, do not do this. I am afraid."
"Afraid? What are you afraid of?" Hecate looked up. Her vermilion eyes reflected Jason in his white clothes. She smiled and said, "My obedient student is so brave. And yet you know fear?"
"Teacher, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong!"
Without hesitation, Jason surrendered directly. "Just now, I was indeed too carried away. I am sober now, completely sober!"
Hecate said nothing. Her beautiful eyes stared fixedly at Jason for a moment.
Then she said, "Fine. I told you to come, so come!"
Jason complied and sat down beside Hecate.
Before he could say anything, he saw Hecate shift her body to his side and stuff the peeled fruit into his mouth.
Jason blinked and looked at Hecate.
Then he happily savored the sweet divine fruit.
"How is the experiment going?" After feeding Jason, Hecate asked.
Jason took out the time hourglass and showed it to Hecate.
The sand grains were flowing drop by drop.
"After using it once, the hourglass will refill. I observed it for a bit. Preliminary estimate is that for the next use, it will take about a month."
In simple terms, one month of time in exchange for three minutes of time reversal.
"It is just a pity that when time reverses, the sand in the time hourglass does not reverse along with it. And I tried it. The reversal time is fixed at three minutes. If it could be controlled down to the second.
Its operability would increase by more than a hundredfold!"
Exploiting bugs and utilizing or developing it in multiple directions were not possible. This made Jason feel quite regretful.
Seeing this, Hecate could not help but find it amusing. She said, "Enough, you greedy little one.
Even among all the divine artifacts in your possession, it ranks at the forefront. You obtained it so easily, and you still are not satisfied?
But to achieve what you described, controlling the time hourglass down to the second, it is not entirely impossible."
Hecate took the hourglass from Jason's hand, examined it for a moment, and smiled. "Once I use this item and that golden dagger to explore Cronus's authority, and research the corresponding magic to engrave it on there."
"Wow, Teacher, I love you to death!"
"Spare me!" Hecate rolled her eyes. Her finger lightly pressed against the forehead of Jason, who was about to pounce. She said, "Three days without a beating, and you are up on the roof uncovering tiles!
If you do not want to be struck by lightning again, then behave yourself right now!"
"Tch. Then Teacher, how long will it take approximately?"
Hecate pretended not to see Jason's little mood and tossed the hourglass back to him. She said, "Do not even think about it. Without several years, it will be hard to see results.
After all, this is an item made from an innate divine artifact of a king of the gods.
You must know that in the current world, counting from ancient times to the present, only three have borne the title of king of the gods!"
Exactly. In the current world, even looking back to ancient times and adding the present, only three had appeared with the title of king of the gods.
Thus, for Jason to obtain his gift, and to acquire it in such an easy way with basically no effort.
It could only be described as stepping in dog shit luck!
Even Hecate found this speechless. She could not help but say, "The Endless Abyss of Tartarus is a place that even among the gods, all avoid like the plague.
That place can imprison even a king of the gods!
But why does such a terrifying place become like a treasure trove for you.
Every time you go, you bring back a pile of divine artifacts!"
"Um. It is probably because Teacher Goddess, you are super invincible beautiful!"
Jason thought seriously for a moment, then replied solemnly.
"Um?" Hecate blinked in confusion.
Jason said earnestly, "Because Teacher, you are super invincible beautiful, so your student has a very good face too!"
Hearing this, Hecate naturally could not help but laugh.
She reached out and gently pinched Jason's cheek. Rolling her eyes at him, she smiled and said, "Spare me. I will not fall for that!"
At this moment.
"Hm? Could it be that I came at a bad time?"
With a light smile on her face, dressed in a skirt adorned like stars in the night sky, the Goddess of Night, Nyx, walked in. Her eyes watched the interaction between teacher and student before her, and she smiled.
Hearing Nyx's voice suddenly, Hecate immediately let go of her hand and stood up somewhat flustered. She looked at Nyx, who was smiling at her.
"Cough. Nyx, Goddess, why have you come?"
"I came to see how you were wasting your disciple." Nyx blinked at Hecate and said, "When Jason left, were you not shouting that you did not want this scoundrel anymore, and that when he returned, you would definitely throw him away?"
"What? There was such a thing!" Jason stood up in shock, eyes wide as he looked at Hecate. Then he made an expression of utmost heartbreak and said, "Teacher, I never expected that you, you actually."
Before he could finish, seeing arcs of lightning appear in Hecate's hand again, Jason's expression immediately returned to normal. He gave an awkward yet polite smile and sat down obediently and sensibly.
"Ah, boring." Seeing this, Nyx could not help but shake her head. She said, "I never expected that in just this short while, he has already been properly trained once."
"Nyx, Goddess!" Hecate raised her voice.
"Fine, fine. I will not say it, I will not say it. I came here mainly because I sensed Jason's aura returning."
Nyx walked in and looked at Jason before her. Then she smiled and said, "It seems everything is completely fine now and does not need worrying."
"Far from just not needing worry. He even offered a tribute to Cronus and received a precious gift!"
Hecate said irritably, but she did not tell Nyx what the return gift was.
Hearing Hecate describe the gift as precious, Nyx could not help but look at Jason with peculiarity.
"How is it that every time you go to the Abyss, you have some huge gain?
By the way, did Cronus not see through your identity?"
"That is, it was exposed from the start." Jason said awkwardly, "As soon as I went in, the great God of the Abyss, Lord Tartarus, and the great Lord Cronus were playing chess, so I was discovered by Cronus right away."
"He discovered you and you still got a precious return gift from him?" Nyx widened her eyes. This time, she truly looked at Jason with some incredulity.
"Um. Luck, luck. Mainly because Cronus is magnanimous."
Jason replied while scratching his head.
"Spare me. Do you think I do not know Cronus?" Nyx could not help but roll her eyes.
"So I said from the beginning, worrying about this scoundrel is completely unnecessary!"
Hecate pursed her lips and interjected. "I estimate that even if the world ended, he would probably still be bouncing around alive, running everywhere."
"Yes, yes, yes. But who knows who it was that was so angry she nearly drew her weapon and ran to Olympus to fight Athena."
"In any case, it was not me!" Hecate turned her head away.
"You. If one day you get stolen away by Athena again, do not come running to my arms crying."
Nyx looked at Hecate amusedly, then turned to Jason. Her beautiful eyes sized him up and she said, "Speaking of which, little Jason. Look, you are quite close to me, right?"
"Um?" Jason blinked at Nyx.
He sensed a slightly ominous atmosphere.
"You have offered tributes to Tartarus, Cronus, and the others. When is it my turn!"
Looking at Nyx, who watched him with her beautiful eyes, Jason gave an awkward yet polite smile.
Damn, it really was this line!
"Do not even think about it. I have not even received a tribute yet!"
Hecate said irritably, "The one he is offering tributes to now is Athena!"
At this point, Hecate clearly got angry.
She glared fiercely at Jason several times.
In response, Jason could only lower his head and pretend not to see, hoping to muddle through.
"Oh. Then has that child Hephaestus received Jason's tribute?" Nyx thought for a moment, then suddenly asked again.
Upon hearing this, Jason nearly cried. He looked toward Goddess Nyx.
Please, Goddess Nyx, say a few less words!
If you keep going, I will be bedridden by Teacher again!
"I gave it. How could I not." Hecate replied with a squinting smile. "I even gave it right in front of me. Hephaestus was so happy at the time."
"Um, well, you two great goddesses continue chatting. I. Right, I am going to find Sister Persephone, Brother-in-law Hades, and the others.
They must be very worried about my situation!"
Knowing it was not wise to linger, Jason grabbed the Helm of Invisibility without another word and covered his head, then slipped out of the temple in a puff of smoke.
This scene made Nyx laugh so hard she could not straighten up for half a day.
"Goddess Nyx, lately. your mischievous streak has gotten worse."
Hecate, who also found it amusing, looked at Nyx with some helplessness.
"No helping it. Because you two are truly so fun." Nyx smiled and said, "It is too interesting. I want to stop but find I cannot!"
After saying this, she laughed a bit more. Then the lazily seated Nyx said to Hecate, "So, have you told that child about Themis's matter?"
"No." Hecate shook her head.
"You plan to drag it out?"
"I cannot drag it out." Hecate said, "It will not be long before Jason completely resolves the matter with Hera.
At that time, he will have completed the trials from Themis and Athena in this matter.
Athena will give her heart's blood to Jason.
Themis will likely acknowledge him as well.
Thus, the forging of the god-slaying sword. is right before us."
"Then you plan to hide it from that child?"
"How to hide it? It is already right before us." Hecate said helplessly.
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"What can I do? I am his teacher, so I will not interfere with the path he chooses. So."
Hecate hesitated for a moment, then finally said very reluctantly, "Later, I can only tell him about this matter and let him make the choice himself.
And then. go find Athena once."
How terrifying an existence the Goddess of Wisdom was could be glimpsed from the chessboard that concealed the game on Cronus's board.
Thus, even though Hecate was very dissatisfied with Athena now, when facing such a major event, seeking her out was undoubtedly the most correct choice.
Because one point was now confirmed.
Athena had already 'gone mad'. Just like the first-generation Goddess of Wisdom, Metis, back then.
Therefore, even if she would harm everyone in the world, the one existence she would not harm now was. Jason.
Hecate, who had met Metis, and as the Goddess of Roads, had known her outcome from the start. She had even kindly reminded Metis out of goodwill, only to receive the reply 'For him, even so, I am willing'.
On this, she was clearer than anyone.
That was the only weakness of the Goddess of Wisdom, and her only forbidden fruit.
"Hecate."
"What."
"The sins you commit yourself, do not come crying into my arms one day."
Nyx poked Hecate's cheek.
"As if I would. And absolutely, such a thing will never happen!"
.
"Brother Pegasus, Brother Pegasus, slow down!"
After several months, riding on Pegasus once more, Pegasus was unusually excited. He carried Jason flying all over the skies of the Underworld.
Pegasus kept licking Jason, causing Jason to laugh and scold him.
Then, Pegasus brought Jason to the River Styx.
He landed before the ferryman god Charon, who was slightly stunned.
"Grandpa Charon, long time no see."
Charon stared at Jason for a good while. Then his skull head trembled, emitting that special laughter. He said, "Little one, long time no see!"
While the two talked.
The two-headed dog Orthrus, who had been guarding the gates of the Underworld in the distance, ran over.
He looked at Jason before him and said, "It really is you. Jason, you are alright?!"
"Yes, I am already fine, Lord Orthrus." Jason returned a smile and patted his chest, indicating he was completely fine.
Then he chatted with the two for a while before sitting on Pegasus again and flying off into the distance.
Along the way, Jason saw many familiar faces, or some not so familiar, and greeted them one by one.
He arrived at the land of the Undying Flame and talked with the fire spirit sisters for a long time.
At the same time, this time the fire spirit sisters gave Jason a huge amount of fire lotuses. Even when several conspicuous lotus embellishments appeared on his white clothes, the spirit of the Undying Flame finally relented.
Finally, Jason arrived at the palace of the King of the Underworld.
And at this moment, Persephone and Hades, who had already heard the joyful report from the nymphs, had been waiting for Jason for a long time.
Upon meeting, joy that could not be concealed shone in Persephone's eyes.
But she pursed her lips, turned her head away, and huffed.
"She is unhappy. She waited so long, and you only came now."
Hades smiled and explained to Jason.
Hearing this, the suddenly enlightened Jason hurriedly stepped forward with sweet words. After coaxing Persephone for a good while, he finally coaxed her into smiling brightly.
Seeing that Jason was truly fine, Hades and Persephone naturally breathed a sigh of relief. Although, to be serious, this turmoil had not lasted too long.
Then, the clingy Persephone, who would not let go of Jason, forcibly kept him in the temple for several days.
But Jason had originally wanted to come and accompany them anyway. Otherwise, he would not have come to the palace of the King of the Underworld last.
And as Jason stayed, and with the news that Jason was fine gradually spreading through the Underworld, the entire Underworld gradually became lively once more.
In the following days, Jason would follow beside the King of the Underworld, Hades, wandering and patrolling the Underworld.
At the same time, he would take out the seven-stringed lyre to accompany his sister, Queen of the Underworld Persephone, and the nymphs and Underworld goddesses who gathered.
Playing beautiful music for them.
After such days continued for a period, Jason finally returned to Hecate's side once more.
.
"You are preparing to leave?"
Seeing Jason return, Hecate, who was drinking tea, directly pointed it out.
"Yes. It has already been nearly ten days. The journey for the Golden Fleece is still waiting for me. And at the same time. I still need to go see Goddess Hera again."
As Jason spoke, looking at Hecate, he could not help but feel somewhat ashamed.
This time, even in his daze, Jason could sense Hecate's worry for him.
But he alone had not been able to spare time to accompany her.
Because. Jason was actually a bit afraid.
He had heard what Hecate said to him.
Thus, he was truly afraid. Afraid that after accompanying Hecate, he would ultimately not be able to hold back from telling Hecate to take him away.
To make himself forever 'disappear'.
"Yes, I know. Be careful on this trip out.
Especially with the Goddess of Justice and Judgment, Themis. I have already told you her intentions and goals. As for what to do, consider it yourself."
Hearing this, Jason nodded.
Themis's goal. To be honest, this matter truly exceeded Jason's expectations. But after knowing it, Jason instead breathed a sigh of relief.
Because from the start, he had not believed in a free lunch falling from the sky.
So in Jason's heart, he had always been wary of Themis.
Now that he finally knew the reason, Jason naturally felt a bit more at ease.
Although this matter was not something that allowed him to relax completely.
"And the god you need to be careful of is. Athena.
Although she will absolutely not harm you, Athena. is not necessarily a good thing for you."
Hearing this, Jason looked up in some surprise and glanced at Hecate several times.
After hesitating for a while, he ultimately asked nothing. He nodded and said, "Yes, I understand, Teacher."
"Then hurry and go. This time, take Pegasus with you too. You no longer need to continue hiding.
Moreover, when you appear before Medea riding Pegasus, she will surely be very happy."
"Teacher, between my sister and me, actually."
"Shut up. I will not meddle in you two's affairs!" Hecate waved her hand impatiently. "On this alone, do not bother me. Solve it yourself. If you cannot solve it, then as your teacher, I will solve you!"
Seeing this, Jason could only shut his mouth and nod helplessly and obediently.
"Right, Teacher. Can I now use the caduceus to return to the Underworld?"
Facing Jason's expectant gaze, Hecate shook her head. "Not for the time being."
"Why!"
Hecate glanced at Jason but gave no explanation.
Because this journey was, after all, a tribute offered to Athena.
And now, Athena had already 'gone mad'.
Seeing that Hecate gave no explanation but her attitude was exceptionally resolute, Jason could not help but feel somewhat dejected.
"Then Teacher, one last thing. I am leaving again this time. Will Teacher not bless me a bit?"
Hearing this, Hecate's delicate body could not help but stiffen.
Her mind recalled the words she had said to Jason on the Argo, and the scene of leaving a kiss mark on Jason's face.
A blush gradually appeared on her face.
Hecate had truly believed back then that she would not see Jason again until the Golden Fleece journey ended.
That was why she said so many words and did such things.
But who knew that so many accidents would occur midway, turning into the current situation!
And seeing Hecate become shy, Jason naturally froze directly. His eyes widened in exclamation. "Heavens, Teacher, you are actually shy."
Before the words fell, Jason felt his vision blur. In the next second, Hecate appeared behind him.
Then she gave Jason a fierce kick.
Kicking him out of the Underworld.
Without doubt, this counted as a form of blessing too~~
Thus, the brief days of rest finally came to an end.
And the journey. obviously still lay ahead, quietly waiting for him.