An hour later, the Argo Heroes, who had been cavorting with the women on Lemnos Island, returned to the Argo near the beach.
The Heroes all looked a bit listless, their clothes loose, reeking of Athena's special spices, and most of them had a reluctant look on their faces. The women of Lemnos Island who had hosted them also came to the beach, led by their Queen Hypsipyle, to reluctantly bid farewell to these men.
After all, they were different from the Amazon women. The Amazon were a race personally created by Ares, upholding the faith of the God of War and the Moon Goddess, full of martial virtue, and all believed that men were unnecessary except for procreation. However, if not for Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty, casting a curse, the women on Lemnos Island would have lived with men, just like women in other parts of the Greek World.
After all, food and sex are human nature; this saying not only describes the physiological needs of men but also applies to women.
Unfortunately, under the gaze of Heracles, who stood on the beach like an iron-blooded drill sergeant, they ultimately did not dare to speak words of retention to Jason and the others. Heracles's reputation was widely spread in the Greek World, and during this time, Jason and the others also told them anecdotes about this superhero, which led to all the women on Lemnos Island fearing him greatly, revering him as a god or demon.
"Jason, we will raise your children well." On the beach, Queen Hypsipyle embraced Jason one last time, then reluctantly said to him, "Your children will be the next generation to rule this island; they will be called Minyans."
Before Jason could reply, he heard Perseus on the ship impatiently shouting at them:
"Hurry up and get on board! Are you here for women or the golden fleece? If you don't leave now, do you believe I'll make you listen to the Goddess's battle roar again?"
The Argo Heroes, who were reluctantly bidding farewell to the women, heard this and showed dissatisfaction. Unfortunately, Heracles was there, so they dared not act out, but many of them developed a hatred for Perseus because of this.
Admittedly, Perseus's position in this matter was indeed correct; it was these Argo Heroes who were greedy for women and a life of luxury and extravagance, forgetting the purpose of their expedition. However, if being correct meant not being hated, then they wouldn't be human.
Originally, the standards for boarding the Argo did not include virtue, and the character of these Argo Heroes was not necessarily noble. Coupled with the fact that Perseus had already offended them during the arm-wrestling match, this time, these Argo Heroes resented Perseus and Athena behind him even more.
As for Heracles, these Heroes were also somewhat displeased by his intervention, but unfortunately, Heracles was simply too powerful, so powerful that they didn't even dare to hate him. Therefore, according to the inherent flaws of human nature, they very naturally transferred their hatred for Heracles, an "unmanageable" person, to Perseus, a "bullyable" person.
Perseus didn't care about this. He acted as if he completely misunderstood the surrounding atmosphere. After Atalanta, who had gone hunting in the forest, was called back, he took it upon himself to direct these Argo Heroes to carry the supplies into the ship's hold and then lift the large ship from the beach into the deep water area some distance away from the beach.
Even with many supplies loaded, this miraculous large ship still maintained the same weight. The Argo Heroes could easily lift it and carry it on their shoulders.
The Heroes placed the ship in the water, then boarded it one by one with the help of Medea's magic. Seeing that they were truly leaving, the women of Lemnos Island could no longer suppress their emotions. One by one, they ran to the beach, calling out the names of the Heroes with whom they had been "one-day spouses," their eyes filled with tears.
In this moving scene, even the most displeased Heracles remained silent. However, there was always someone who didn't understand how to read the atmosphere. Facing a group of crying, reluctant women, he hardened his face, even casting a sound amplification spell on himself, and then shouted loudly at the women on the beach:
"What are you shouting for? What are you crying for? You were the ones who let them in! You knew we were sent by the gods for an expedition and would leave sooner or later, and now you're reluctant. Aren't you shameless?!"
Then, he turned his head and roared at the Argo Heroes, who were staring at him with dark faces:
"Why are you staring at me? You can't control your lower bodies, do your pants not have belts? I think all of you are thinking with your lower heads!"
"Perseus."
Seeing the surrounding Heroes enraged by him, looking as if they were about to fight on the ship, Jason, as the captain, had to step forward in time and mediate, saying:
"Don't speak so harshly. Many women on Lemnos Island can now practically be considered the wives of our companions on board. You should be more mindful of your words when it comes to companions' wives."
"Oh, they're your wives, so what do I care?! They're not my wives!"
Perseus pointed at the beach and cursed angrily:
"Queen Hypsipyle only slept with you, not with me, so why should I give him face?"
Hearing his furious curses, some of the Argo Heroes around him had already rolled up their sleeves, but Jason's eyes darted around, and he had a sudden idea. He then smiled at Perseus:
"Perseus, are you perhaps unhappy because we all got to eat, and you didn't?"
"F-fart… I am wholeheartedly devoted to Athena! What are mortal women?!"
Seeing Jason react and fall into his trap, taking the bait, Ares seized the opportunity to express, through Perseus, a look of longing but too embarrassed to say it directly, like a sour grape.
He was currently bound by vows and temporarily couldn't touch women. However, Perseus had to show his desire to minimize Athena's suspicion of him.
Seeing Perseus's reaction, Jason pointed at him and burst out laughing:
"You're lying, you're clearly envious!"
"Envious of what? I have Athena!"
"But you didn't enter the city that day."
"I am Athena's Goddess Warrior, second only to one person and above ten thousand in Athens. If I truly wanted, I could have as many women as I desired."
"But you didn't enter the city that day."
"What the hell are you saying?! Are you sick?!"
Jason, using his ability to adjust the atmosphere, quickly turned the focus on Perseus, who was the target of everyone's scorn, from fighting to mockery. The other Heroes on the ship also started laughing, and the previous tension seemed like an illusion. The entire ship was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
However, amidst the mockery, perhaps Queen Hypsipyle had given Jason too much confidence, as this fellow actually smugly went to provoke Heracles, who was sitting nearby watching the show.
He smiled at Heracles:
"Hey, Heracles, it's a pity you also left that day, otherwise I really would have let you see my 'masculine prowess.'"
"Masculine prowess? Heh." Heracles looked at his friend with an expression like a father looking at his son, and smiled at him tolerantly.
"Hey, what do you mean? Don't you believe me?" When it came to such a topic of male dignity, Jason immediately became assertive. He said defiantly, "My ability has been acknowledged even by Queen Hypsipyle!"
"How many at most in one night?" Heracles retorted.
"Thr… W-what do you mean?" Seeing Heracles's confident look, Jason stammered.
"Me." Heracles pointed to himself, then spread all his fingers.
"Five, five? Hmph, quite impressive, I have to admit you're stronger now…"
"Fifty."
"Huh?"
"I said fifty." After Heracles finished speaking, he turned his head and no longer looked at Jason.
"Hey! You're lying, right?!" Jason pressed. Heracles did not answer him, but Orpheus, who was sitting next to Heracles, laughed:
"It's true. I heard my father say that they were the fifty princesses of Thespiae, but Heracles misspoke. It was actually forty-nine, because one princess was too shy and refused him."
"Damn." Jason looked at Heracles and gave him a thumbs up: "Brother, you're truly inhuman."