And so,
Five days later.
Jason emerged from the mountain range blocking his path ahead.
Accompanied by the moon goddess Artemis, Jason encountered no troubles along this journey, though it was somewhat different from when he was with Apollo.
When Apollo accompanied him, he raised his golden bow and arrows, protecting Jason, and Jason hardly had to lift a finger.
But on this journey, the magical beasts and fierce animals they encountered were almost all defeated through the joint efforts of Atalanta and Jason.
The thing Artemis did the most was sit on the golden-horned deer, watching with great interest as the two gradually honed their combat coordination, and only occasionally going out to hunt some prey that caught her eye.
"It's finally over."
As they exited the mountains, before Jason could say anything, Atalanta immediately showed an expression of great relief.
During this time, Atalanta had been in a state of constant mental tension, after all, now all the hunters had left, leaving her alone as the guide.
And most importantly, it was under Artemis's watchful eye.
Seeing Atalanta like this, recalling her care over these past few days, Jason hesitated for a moment, but still thanked her: "Thank you for your trouble these days, Atalanta."
Atalanta glanced at Jason and said: "It's nothing, I'm not doing it for you, but for Lady Artemis!"
Hearing this, Jason smiled, then approached Artemis, who had lightly jumped down from the golden-horned deer, saluted her, and said: "I offer you my highest thanks, Lady Artemis."
"I've told you many times, there's no need to be so formal, little Jason."
Artemis smiled as she patted Jason's head, then pinched his cheek to show her displeasure, pouting slightly as she said: "You're Hecate's child, and you're good friends with little Atalanta, so you have to listen to me, okay?"
Who is good friends with him!
Atalanta opened her mouth, but she obviously wouldn't yell at the goddess she believed in, so after struggling for a bit, she said nothing.
"I've been very happy these days... Ah, if it weren't for the fact that you must continue your journey, I really would want to keep you two by my side and play with you for a while longer."
Artemis said this with a face full of regret.
But upon hearing this, black lines simultaneously appeared on the foreheads of Jason and Atalanta.
No, we don't want that!
After expressing her regret, Artemis placed her finger against her cheek, tilted her head slightly as she looked at Jason and thought for a moment, then said: "So now, what should I give you?... Hecate gave you protection, Athena gave you a direction to advance, Apollo gave you a sharp sword to slay dangers.
Now, what should I give you?"
Hmm... Did I just hear a certain incredible name?
Jason blinked, looking at Artemis who was tilting her head in thought, completely unaware that she had unintentionally sold someone out, even though Athena had repeatedly instructed her not to make a sound.
After thinking for a short while, Jason obediently shut his mouth.
Hmm, fine, pretend I didn't hear it!
But... So it was the wisdom goddess Athena...
Just as Jason had a look of sudden realization, finally knowing that the goddess he first met, dressed in a pure white long skirt, with silver hair and golden eyes, who made clothes for him, was her.
Upon hearing the names of the gods that Artemis mentioned, the nearby Atalanta's eyelids couldn't help but twitch.
Then she looked for a while at Jason in front of her, dressed in white, with golden hair and blue-green eyes.
She didn't make a sound.
After all, over these five days, she had naturally learned that Jason bore an 'oracle' on his back, but because this matter carried significant weight, even the somewhat airheaded Artemis hadn't revealed it to Atalanta.
"Hmm, this is so hard... Little Atalanta, what do you think I should give to little Jason?"
After thinking for a while, Artemis finally rubbed her head and turned her pleading gaze to Atalanta.
Of course, it's best to give nothing at all, why should this guy receive a reward from Lady Artemis!
That was naturally Atalanta's first reaction.
"Um, Artemis, you actually don't need to give me anything." Jason couldn't help but speak up.
In his heart, Jason actually didn't want to deal with these gods much, let alone accept their favors.
After all, anyone with even a basic knowledge of Greek mythology stories would understand.
The gods of Greece are truly too fickle!
One second they might greatly admire you, hold you in the palm of their hand, and bestow favors upon you.
But the next second, they might hold a grudge over a small matter and send down divine punishment!
Jason's dealings with them now were mainly out of necessity.
He had to learn from Hecate, and he sought her help to change his fate, so naturally he had to complete the tasks Hecate arranged, not to mention that this matter was closely related to him.
"No way!" But Artemis wouldn't have it, saying: "Hecate aside, Athena and Apollo both gave you things, so if I don't give something, wouldn't that make me inferior to them?!"
... Is there such a logic?
After hearing this, Jason didn't know what to say.
But the problem was that after Atalanta heard it, she nodded, feeling it made perfect sense!
Artemis is not inferior to any god!
Therefore, Atalanta now began to seriously think for Artemis.
After a brief contemplation, Atalanta said to Artemis: "Noble goddess Artemis, the current Jason has obtained protection, direction, and a sharp blade, so I think what he lacks now is... a mount!"
"A mount?" Artemis looked curiously at Atalanta.
"Yes." Atalanta nodded, saying: "He has protection, direction, and a sharp blade, so on his path forward, what he lacks most now should be a means of transportation!
Something to carry him across various dangers, to take him to his destination!"
After Atalanta finished speaking, not only Artemis, but even Jason felt that it seemed indeed so.
Although he could buy a horse along the way, even the horse brother given to him by Chiron had tragically died at the hands of monsters, so buying a horse would just be delivering food to the monsters.
"Ah, little Atalanta, you're so smart!"
Artemis's eyes lit up, and after happily patting Atalanta's head, she thought briefly, then said to Jason: "I have it!
In that case, little Jason, I'll temporarily lend you my most beloved golden-horned deer.
It will carry you through uninhabited ancient forests, across vast swamps, over numerous high peaks, and finally reach the destination!"
After Artemis finished speaking, the tall golden-horned deer beside her seemed to understand, let out two low calls, then walked out to Jason's front.
After rubbing its head against Jason's face, it nodded to Artemis, indicating it would complete this task!
At this point, Jason naturally wouldn't foolishly refuse.
And he had to admit, having a mount, an extraordinary mount, would indeed save him a lot of trouble.
"Then deer brother, please take care of me from now on."
When Jason finished speaking, the golden-horned deer stuck out its tongue and licked him a few times, covering his face in saliva, then turned its head away, ignoring him.
"Hee hee, little Jason, this isn't a deer brother, you should call it deer sister." Seeing Jason's embarrassed look, the nearby Artemis couldn't help but giggle and add.
Upon hearing this, the enlightened Jason quickly apologized to the golden-horned deer.
Then Jason mounted the squatting golden-horned deer and waved goodbye to the two.
Atalanta stood beside Artemis, silently watching Jason's departure.
Once Jason was far away, Artemis looked at Atalanta beside her, who was staring intently, and couldn't help but smile as she said: "What's wrong, little Atalanta, do you want to go with Jason?"
"No, I don't want to!"
Atalanta subconsciously refuted, then realized she was speaking to Artemis, so she quickly toned down and said: "I was just thinking... Can he really complete the task you assigned, Lady Artemis?"
"Hmm... I don't know." Artemis replied: "But it's not just me, even Hecate, Athena, and Apollo are willing to entrust this matter to little Jason."
"Then... Atalanta, do you think little Jason can complete it?"
"Me?" Atalanta thought for a while, furrowed her brows, hesitated for some time before saying: "I think... he must complete it! Because this is a task assigned by you, Lady Artemis!"
"Is that so... Well, let's leave it at that for now." Upon hearing this, Artemis didn't say much more, just reached out and patted Atalanta's head again.
Shortly after, Atalanta formally bid farewell to Artemis and headed back home, after all, she had been away for five days, it was time to return.
Her uncle who took her in had been anxiously pacing these days.
At the same time, around the same time...
...
...
The Underworld, Hecate's temple.
As Hecate walked out of the temple, preparing to meet with Artemis.
"Teacher Hecate, are you going out again?" Medea, who happened to see her and had hesitated for quite a while, finally called out to Hecate.
"Yes." Hecate temporarily stopped, looking at her student Medea, and said: "What's wrong?"
"Um... Teacher Hecate, I just wanted to ask, my junior brother Jason... how long until he comes?"
As she said this, Medea blinked her beautiful purple eyes, looking at her teacher Hecate with hopeful gaze.