Praise the Moon!

[T/N: Since I managed to get some free time, here it is.]

'Golden Horned Deer!'

Seeing the Golden Horned Deer walking in the moonlight, Meleager and Heracles are naturally very surprised and did not dare to act negligently at all.

Because it is a widely known fact that the golden-horned deer is the beloved mount of Artemis, the Goddess of Moon and Hunting, and in a way she is the representative of the Goddess Artemis.

Moreover, in this Caledonian boar hunt, when Meleager asked the Gods for help, the God who has come forward and blessed him to kill the wild boar of Calydon is exactly Artemis, although, this wild boar was also released here by Artemis.

Therefore, the moment Meleager and Heracles saw the Golden Horned Deer, their expressions became serious.

"Sister Deer!"

But on the other side, Jason happily greeted and hugged the Golden Horned Deer.

And under the surprised eyes of Meleager and even Heracles, who knows about previously Artemis lending her Golden Horned Deer to Jason, the Golden Horned Deer not only did not resist but also enjoyed Jason's intimate embrace.

Then she rubbed Jason's cheek, licked his face, and let out a soft bleat.

"Hehe, it's really ticklish, Sister Deer, stop licking... eh, don't bite my hair, don't pull it... Ah, I see, I'm sorry, I was wrong, Sister Deer, I will definitely find time to see you often in the future, I promise!"

Only after Jason made a solemn pledge, did the Golden Horned Deer finally let Jason go.

"This...this is..."

Meleager's mouth slowly opened, but Heracles, who has already recovered from his surprise, nodded thoughtfully and muttered: "It seems that the legend...is true."

"Legend?" Meleagloss looked at Hercules in puzzlement.

"There is a legend spread among the hunters in the Arcadia region...I have heard it only by accident."

Hercules looked at Jason and the golden-horned deer, then said to Meleager: "It is rumored that three years ago, there was a young man dressed in white, who passed by the land of Arcadia."

"On his shoulders, he was carrying the Oracle of Gods to do a great task."

"It is said that Goddess Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, had personally pointed the direction for him."

"And although he was young, he was as dazzling as Apollo, the God of Light, so even God Apollo favors him and gave him a sword that could kill any ferocious beast or monster."

"Artemis, the Goddess of Moon and Hunting, had lent him her favorite golden-horned deer, making him capable of crossing any mountain or forest."

"And his name is... Jason."

'Three years ago and oracle of Gods...' Meleager's eyes slowly widened.

After all, Meleager remembers that Jason, who has gone down the mountain three years ago along with him, was indeed carrying the oracle of Gods.

But after saying this, and after a slight pause, Heracles's gaze towards Meleager suddenly became a little strange, then he continued.

"And... I have also heard that this incident was spread through the mouth of a huntress, who has even protected the hero herself for a while."

"And the name of that huntress, if I remember correctly... is the most beloved believer of Goddess Artemis, the Goddess of Moon, Atalanta..."

"...Ah?" Meleagloss stared blankly at Heracles.

Just when the two of them were speechless, because Hercules doesn't know what to say for a while, and Meleager is completely stunned by the massive amount of information.

Jason walked back from the Golden Horned Deer and apologetically said to the two of them: "I'm sorry, brothers, I was originally thinking of enjoying the banquet with you two and others tonight, but..."

Jason tilted his head to look at the Golden Horned Deer, then said helplessly: "I need to go to an appointment tonight... Tomorrow, as an apology, tomorrow I will definitely bring the most precious wine for both of you!"

"Well... it doesn't matter if you have to leave because of something important, but are you going to see..." Meleager didn't continue but looked at the Golden Horned deer.

Regarding this, Jason did not answer directly and only vaguely replied.

But watching him leave while sitting on the golden horned deer, there is no way Meleagerus and Heracles would not be able to guess correctly who he is going to meet tonight.

"This, Jason's change...isn't it a bit big?!"

It is a while after Jason left that Meleager regained his senses and couldn't help asking Hercules.

"Why are you saying this?" Heracles smiled: "Isn't he always like this... I don't think you would have forgotten, when he was on Mount Pelion, he was our youngest brother, the one most favored by the teacher and everyone, wasn't he?"

After hearing this, Meleager thought about it and discovered that it indeed seems to be the case.

After all, although it was indeed Jason who has taken the initiative to start their friendship, even he has helped and taken care of Jason more than once, that too on his own accord.

"In other words, now, he is really loved and favored by the gods?"

"...At least from the rumors, that's is exactly the case." After being silent for a while, Heracles replied: "Some even call him, the Hero loved by the gods!"

"The Hero loved by the gods... But if I remember correctly, isn't Jason... he hates encountering gods as well as becoming a hero?"

Meleagloss hesitated, but still asked in a low voice.

After all, Meleager still remembers how Jason used to behave while studying under Chiron, especially the incident and because of the incident of meeting Hecate for the first time.

'Teacher Chiron, I want to drop out!'

'Teacher Chiron, I will definitely not become a hero!'

'My Brothers, please look after me in the future.'

As well as, how Jason reacted upon encountering Hecate.

"Yeah." Heracles couldn't help sighing before continuing: "And he hasn't changed until now, as you also know, Teacher Chiron has sent a letter specifically because of this, that is why, even until just now, I was doubtful about the authenticity of rumors, but now..."

"Obviously, those rumors are true! "

"Alright..."

Meleager turned his head around and said: "Although I don't exactly understand what's going on, at least now it seems like we don't need to follow Teacher's instructions."

"Oh, by the way, that huntress is really...?"

"...Atalanta." Again after a short pause, Heracles replied.

"Ah?" Meleagloss continued in surprise: "Atalanta... isn't she the same heroine we were just... so two of them, originally, already know each other?!"

*****

Facing the soft moonlight, Jason, who is sitting on the golden-horned deer, felt that, as soon as he stepped out of the Kingdom of Calydon, the scenery in front of him has suddenly changed.

And immediately, Jason, Golden Horned Deer, and Pegasus appeared in front of a hut in the quiet ancient forest.

But even before Jason fully recover from this, he suddenly found that his eyes are shrouded in darkness as soft and tender hands have covered his eyes.

"Hee hee, little Jason, guess who I am?"

At the same time, excited and pleasant laughter rang softly beside Jason's ear.

"Well... I think it must be the goddess who is noble and beautiful like the moon hanging in the sky, making all other stars in the world look inferior in front of her, a goddess whose greatness and beauty cannot be compared with, you are Goddess Artemis, right?"

As soon as Jason's words fell, the unstoppable laughter of Artemis reached his ears.

And immediately, Artemis removed her hand from Jason's eyes.

"Little Jason is still so sweet and clever!"

The continuous laughter of Artemis obviously proved that she has really liked Jason's praise.

And because Artemis is feeling very happy, she even gave a light kiss on Jason's forehead.

But the very next moment, Jason felt a terrifying murderous aura coming from his side and directed towards him.

So Jason turned his head and saw that under the moonlight, standing beside him is a huntress in beautiful emerald green clothes, Atalanta...