The most difficult and also the easiest goddess to deal with!

[T/N: Two-and-a-half-sized chapter.]

Athena has given Jason the time of a week to complete all the tasks she has given him.

But now, only two days are left.

Furthermore, even in these two days, it will take at least a day to hunt the wild boars of Calydon...

However, it really isn't much of Jason's fault that such a short time is left for him to complete all the remaining tasks.

Because even the Gods can't really say that Jason has been lazy during the last past five days.

After all, after encountering Hestia, he killed the monster Chimera while leaving behind the name Heracles as the hero.

Then Jason encountered Antaeus, the son of the sea emperor Poseidon, and relying on Hermes's reminder, Jason defeated him by breaking his hands and feet before throwing him into the sea.

Next, relying on the information simultaneously given by Hermes, he offered a 'romantic' tribute to Artemis, which seems to have caused a great commotion.

Therefore, as a matter of fact, in just five days, Jason has indeed done more than enough to make any other Hero, and possibly even many Gods, feel stunned upon knowing about it.

However, it is exactly because Jason knows that only two days are left...

"You are trying to say that after hunting and killing the Calydon wild boar tonight, you will be immediately leaving?"

In the afternoon, inside a room of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Calydon, even Atalanta frowned when she heard Jason explaining this to Heracles.

"Indeed." Heracles also nodded and said to Jason: "Jason, aren't you in a bit too much of a hurry? Haven't we already agreed that after the successful hunt we will be drinking and celebrating together? And this is after you have already postponed this twice."

"Sorry, Heracles, I also wish to do the same." Jason sighed and continued: "But I only have two days left... I must make sure that by the end of tomorrow's sunset, I get to meet the God of Smithing Hephaestus."

"This is an oracle given to me by Goddess Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom."

Hearing this, upon finding out that it is due to an Oracle, Heracles can only regrettably give up.

"Don't worry Heracles, we will meet again sooner or later, and the wise gods will surely guide us to meet again."

"...What, how do you suddenly want to meet us?"

Hearing Jason's words, Heracles was visibly surprised, then he smiled and said: "Haven't you always said that you don't want to become a hero, I even remember you once saying that, for the same reason, you don't want to meet us too frequently, just to not get involved in any big event?"

"Well, that time was that time, the present is now... After all, there is no point in hiding from something that cannot be avoided. Rather, calming down and thinking about how to deal with it, will prove to be more effective."

Jason smiled lightly, then after hesitating only for a moment, he looked at Atalanta.

Atalanta, who understood the meaning of Jason's eyes, raised her brows, then walked out.

After all, what Jason has just said is indeed what has happened in the relationship between him and Atalanta.

"You and her... seem to have a very good relationship."

Seeing this, Heracles couldn't bear saying this to Jason.

"There is nothing like that, it's just that Goddess Artemis takes good care of me, so she is a little less repulsive to me."

"Oh? So... what do you think of her?"

"Huh?" Jason and Heracles looked at each other for a while, and after figuring out what Heracles wants to ask, Jason couldn't help but be dumbfounded, so he waved his hands and said: "No, it's really difficult for me and her to be together; moreover, just two days ago, she was very upset at me!"

"...Realy?"

"Yeah!" Jason replied rather happily, then added: "And for the time being, I will definitely not consider this aspect!"

'Because even if I ever think of having a deeply loving relationship between man and woman, I will consider it only after becoming a God.'

'And even if I become a God, for a beautiful woman like Atalanta, in other words dangerous, I need to seriously consider this, depending on the level of feelings between us, before making a decision.'

'After all, let alone the trouble she herself will bring along with her, this is the Greek Age of Gods, with the King of Gods being Zeus, with many others similar also under him.'

'And I surely do not want to unknowingly or knowingly raise a demigod!'

'Therefore, unless I really have deep feelings for someone, I don't want to clash against them just for beauty, after all, this is exactly what those gods do.'

Heracles looked directly at Jason, and after concluding that what Jason is saying doesn't seem to be a lie, he thought for a while, and finally asked hesitantly: "Then you also know that Meleager has a crush on her, right?"

"If you're really not aiming for her, why not...? "

"Heracles, stop!"

Understanding what Heracles is trying to say, Jason immediately stopped him, and said seriously: "Heracles, although Meleager has always helped and looked after me, and I really want to repay him, this is one of the few exceptions!"

"Atalanta is the most loyal believer of the Goddess Artemis, so I just can't interfere with this matter in this way!"

Hearing Jason say this in a rare serious tone, Heracles naturally did not mention this again.

"Let's stop talking about this, Heracles, actually I have a few things I want to talk about with you."

"You also know that I am familiar with a few of the great gods and my teacher is Goddess Hecate, so I also know a few things about the matter between you and the great Queen of Gods Hera... So, brother, I hope you can pay attention to a few things..."

Jason knows that the real origin of the Twelve Labors of Heracles is Hera, the Queen of Gods, and is even responsible for the tragedy that will happen before the Twelve Labors.

In this tragedy, Heracles, who has been originally married, will suddenly turn mad, then he will kill both his wife and daughter with his own hands.

And Jason knows that the real culprit behind all of this will also be Hera...

But Jason is also aware of the fact that, at the moment, he just doesn't have enough capital to directly intervene in this matter, so for now he can only warn Heracles and show him another path.

So, after warning Heracles about a few things, Jason also told Heracles to contact Athena as she might help him with this.

After all, Jason knows that Athena, who is also called the Goddess of Heroic Endeavor, has helped many heroes with their problems, and he is also aware that in the myth she has helped Heracles many times.

As a matter of fact, Jason actually doesn't want to touch something that will almost definitely cause him trouble later on or even involve himself in something that originally doesn't have much to do with him.

However, at the end of the day, Jason obviously couldn't act cold-blooded towards those who have helped him so many times, otherwise, he would have originally decided to choose Hera at that time and separate from everyone else.

Still, even after saying all this to Heracles, Jason didn't forget to add at the end.

"Also, if you someday pass by Lycia and hear some rumors, I hope you won't be too surprised..."

[T/N: In case someone hasn't remembered it, Chimera had appeared in Lycia, where Jason has given his name as Heracles.]

*****

So, the time passed, and the night arrived.

And because Artemis has blessed this hunt, tonight is once again the night of the full moon, so while bright moonlight was shining on the earth, a grand dinner was held in the kingdom of Calydon.

So that, after the banquet, the warriors who gathered from all around the land will raise their weapons and set off to hunt and slay the Wild Boar of Calydon.

However, not all heroes have attended this evening's banquet, because Jason and Atalanta are the only two who didn't join.

"Aren't you going to join them?" Jason, who is feeding the Pegasus in the stable, asked Atalanta in a puzzlement.

"I am a believer of Goddess Artemis, and I only eat the preys I have hunted myself." Atalanta simply explained.

"Oh..." When Jason heard this, he couldn't help but think of the fact that she seemed to have eaten apples given by him yesterday morning.

'So this girl really does like apples.'

"Chirp—!"

Pegasus urged Jason.

"There is nothing left!"

Jason looked at Pegasus in exasperation and said: "Moreover, don't tell me I haven't told you before Brother Pegasus, you've been really eating a lot recently. Be careful, if you continue eating like this then someday, even if you flap your wings, you won't be able to rise above the ground!"

"Then, do you have something you want to ask me?" After complaining to Pegasus, Jason looked at Atalanta in puzzlement.

"Speaking of which...you seem to have been with me all day today."

Hearing this, Atalanta couldn't help being stunned, then after thinking for a while, she said: "It is more comfortable to be by your side."

"Huh?" Jason blinked in surprise.

"They all are so barbaric... that for some people, I'd love to straight out dig their eyeballs."

'Then say this earlier, I almost thought I have unknowingly captured you...'

"Also... Actually, Goddess Artemis has told me that I had a wrong perception of you, so I should use my own eyes to again understand you."

"Then, do you understand me now?" Hearing this, Jason asked while feeling slightly curious.

"...Before that, there has always been a question in my heart, I hope you can answer me earnestly..." After thinking for a moment Atalanta added: "And truthfully."

Speaking till here, Atalanta's eyes looking at Jason became sharper, and she asked: "Three years ago when we first met, I need an explanation for your attitude towards me!"

"Do you still remember it?" Jason's expression visibly seemed to turn a little embarrassed.

But in response Atalanta maintained her silence while thinking in her heart: 'Nonsense, that was the first time I had met someone who had despised me so much, and the most important thing is that this fellow has a good relationship with Goddess Artemis!'

And indeed, if not for this, Atalanta really wouldn't have remembered Jason or his actions for this long.

"Then if I answer the reason, we'll be... will you let go of the past animosity between us?"

After speaking a tentative statement, before Atalanta could say anything in reply, Jason continued: "Because the reason is actually very simple, the main cause is that Atalanta, you are really...a little too beautiful."

"...Huh?" Atalanta was stunned.

"Really." Jason repeated his reasons truthfully: "You are just too beautiful."

"...I'm too beautiful, so you repulse me?" Atalanta looked at Jason with wide eyes, apparently thinking this answer is too outrageous.

But what Atalanta felt is even more outrageous is that she feels like Jason doesn't seem to be lying!

"Yeah." Jason nodded and continued speaking honestly: "Because it's very troublesome, Atalanta, you have just said it yourself that you really want to dig out the eyes of those people."

"Although this hasn't developed into anything more till now, can you say for sure that it won't turn into anything troublesome?"

After all, Jason knows that in the Myth, it is Atalanta's beauty that has led to Meleager's tragedy of getting killed by his own mother.

"So, do you understand, at that time, I honestly felt like that taking you along may turn from them escorting me out of the forest to everyone protecting you for playing in the forest?"

"This is the truth of that time!"

While Atalanta was feeling like she doesn't know how should she respond to Jason's words, Pegasus on the side couldn't help but neigh at Jason and at the same time looked at him with a gaze that is clearly saying: 'As expected of you!'

"Are you serious?" After being silent for a long while, Atalanta finally asked.

"Yes, I am!"

Looking at Jason, who is earnestly nodding to her, Atalanta didn't say anything more.

After all, contrary to her every rational and logical thought... Upon finally learning the truth, Atalanta found that now she seems to be feeling a little happy.

But at this time...

"Oh? Well."

A blond god wearing a feather hat and short sleeves, Hermes suddenly walked out of the shadows, then looked at the two of them and asked with a smile: "Is it possible that I have arrived at the wrong time?"

'...Hermes?!'

This time, Jason was finally unable to control his expression and his eyelids unconsciously twitched.

'Why are you here again?!'

"God Hermes, may I ask, do you need something from here?" Jason continued in a vigilant tone: "You also know, I will soon be participating in the hunt for the Calydonian wild boar, then I will be immediately leaving to appear in front of the God Hephaestus."

"And I only have the last two days left to complete all these! "

The hidden meaning of this sentence, which can barely be associated with the word hidden, is obviously: 'I am very busy now, you should leave!'

"Well, I know, that's why I have arrived."

Hermes held down his hat and said to Jason with a smile: "And little Jason, don't worry, this time, it is Athena who has asked me to come to you."

"Goddess Athena?" Jason felt slightly relieved upon hearing this, so he asked: "Then may I ask you, God Hermes, does Goddess Athena have any instructions for me?"

"First of all, Athena has expressed her congratulations to you for offering an almost perfect tribute to Artemis, the Goddess of Moon, who is both the easiest and most difficult to deal with... By the way, little Jason, that tribute you have offered was really exaggerated."

"I'm feeling a little regretful now, so can we not count the promise in return for solving Io's matter?"

At that time, Hermes had said that as long as Jason could deal with Io's matter, Hermes will consider it as a tribute to him.

So in response to Hermes's words, Jason naturally showed a very bright smile and replied: "How can I possibly do this, God Hermes? I really respect you, God Hermes, so I will definitely use my best efforts to complete the task personally given to me by you, God Hermes!"

"You, little fellow..."

After being speechless for a few moments, Hermes continued: "Alright, who told me to promise you from the beginning even before seeing a single tribute from you, so... this time, I am here to convey Athena's message about what you should do next about the tribute of Hephaestus, who you will be meeting next."

"Athena knows that you should have prepared to meet Prometheus, the God of Foresight, and ask about the tribute to the gods, but now, there is obviously not enough time for doing so."

"Therefore, she made me bring this oracle to you..."

As a matter of fact, at first, Athena had indeed not prepared to give any instructions or help with the tribute, believing that Jason could deal with it well by himself.

But the problem is that after getting a hint from Hermes for Artemis's tribute, which Athena indirectly allowed due to her believing that it was indeed a difficult case, from Athena's perspective Jason handled his first tribute too perfectly.

Therefore, at this time, Athena can only come forward and give hints for other gods' tributes, otherwise, she feels that it will be unfair to both Jason and other gods.

"So Jason, listen carefully..."

Hermes's lips moved to transmit Athena's oracle, but Atalanta and Pegasus on the side were unable to hear anything and only Jason was able to hear it.

And it wasn't Hermes's voice that sounded beside Jason's ear, rather, it is the pleasant voice of Athena.

"If Artemis is the goddess who has everything, is loved, and therefore is the easiest but also the most difficult to deal with..."

"Then Hephaestus is the goddess who has nothing, is snubbed, and therefore is the most difficult but also the easiest to deal with!"

"...Eh?"

After listening to Hermes' words, Jason blinked with visible surprise on his face, but not because of how Athena has described Hephaestus...

"Huh?" Hermes noticed Jason's change in expression and asked: "What's the matter, do you have any doubts?"

"Ah, no, it is just... God Hermes, is God Hephaestus... is she a goddess?"

Jason asked in a surprised tone.

And when Jason finished speaking, Atalanta on the side also couldn't help but feel stunned, and asked in surprise: "Goddess?... Isn't God Hephaestus a male, a god?"

"Well, it's not surprising seeing you two believe that Hephaestus is a male god, because she generally does appears with the appearance of a burly male, but in fact, it is just a mask she has made. And her real identity is indeed that of a goddess!"