You have been targeted by the troublesome Athena!
When Hecate uttered those words, Jason froze for a moment, then revealed an expression of utter despair.
What did I even do? How is this my fault?!
Deep depression welled up in Jason's heart.
He did not doubt Hecate's words in the slightest. He knew exactly how petty the Greek gods could be.
After wallowing in misery for a while, Jason glanced at Hecate, who was secretly laughing at him. His eyes spun, and suddenly a dazzling smile bloomed across his face.
In an exceptionally obedient tone, he said to Hecate, "Teacher Hecate, I am your student, your most faithful believer…"
"Save it." Hecate rolled her eyes and lightly bonked him on the head. "I have zero interest in getting involved. I moved to the Underworld precisely to avoid them. The trouble you stirred up? Deal with it yourself after you graduate!"
"But didn't you tell me to come find Lady Persephone in the first place…"
"What was that?!" Hecate raised her voice slightly.
Jason immediately shut his mouth.
"Have I been too nice to you lately?" Hecate gently pinched his cheek.
"I feel you've been showing less and less respect for your teacher…"
It was true he had become less reverent, but at the same time far more familiar.
Almost half a year had passed since he had formally become Hecate's disciple.
Over these months, Jason had gradually come to understand Hecate's personality.
Although she often gave off an unreliable impression, she was actually extremely dependable. She simply cared about very few things, so she appeared extraordinarily casual in most matters.
In terms of power, status, and even wisdom, Hecate was truly outstanding.
Yet the real reason Jason had slowly set aside his awe of her recently was the quiet conversation they had shared that one night.
Hecate had clearly stated: all gods are nothing but trouble!
A kindred spirit!
Even though she herself was a god.
"So, Teacher Hecate, aren't we leaving yet?" Seeing the topic turning unfavorable, Jason hurriedly changed the subject.
"Hm…" After releasing him, Hecate thought for a moment, glanced at Jason, and finally shook her head lightly. "Never mind. I had originally planned to take you away once everything was over, but you did walk all this way yourself."
With that, Hecate raised her right hand, and a beautiful magic staff appeared in her grasp.
This was the first time Jason had ever seen Hecate wield a staff. Normally she only used divine words or casual gestures.
But this time they needed to deceive gods, and main gods at that, so Hecate was naturally taking it seriously.
Her lips moved slightly as she chanted a spell, casting magic on both herself and Jason. Then she teleported them directly to a spot not far from where Hermes and the golden-horned deer waited, concealed within the shadows of the moonlit night.
When they appeared, Hermes seemed to sense something and looked around, yet even he could not see through the illusion.
Just as Hermes frowned slightly, Persephone arrived, propelled by divine power through the Talaria.
Under the effect of Hades's Helmet of Invisibility, she easily passed through the barriers Demeter had set for her.
She escaped the mountain where every plant served as Demeter's eyes!
The instant she appeared and removed the helmet, the earth eagerly split open. Endless darkness swallowed the ground beneath them!
Jason and the golden-horned deer beside Hermes instinctively panicked for a moment, but with gods standing at their sides, no harm came to them.
Just as Jason steadied himself and was about to ask Hecate what was happening,
he heard the neighing of horses and the sound of hooves striking the ground.
Four black horses wreathed in underworld flames emerged from the chasm, pulling the war chariot of the King of the Underworld!
"You didn't really think Apollo, Artemis, and Athena acted together just to provide cover for you, did you?"
While Jason stared in shock, Hecate whispered softly in his ear.
Jason froze for a second, then gradually understood as he watched the chariot come to a halt.
Hades had come…
The King of the Underworld, Hades himself, had personally arrived to welcome his wife!
This was the only thing that made sense. Only an event of this magnitude would warrant four major gods working together to conceal the heavens and earth!
Almost the instant Hades appeared, far away atop lofty Mount Olympus, Demeter—who had been absent-mindedly dealing with Athena, Apollo, and the others—suddenly shot to her feet.
She turned sharply toward the place where Persephone had been hidden, her expression changing.
"The aura that just appeared in that area… Hades!"
Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, grain, and harvest. Her divine power was by no means weak.
Incidentally, she was also the elder sister of Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus!
Otherwise, Hades, King of the Underworld, would have simply taken Persephone long ago…
Yes, you heard that right. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter and Zeus…
This? This is just standard Greek mythology!
"How did Hades suddenly appear… Wait, that other divine aura is… Persephone?!
Impossible! How could she leave the temple without a sound? And why now, of all times, when I'm not there…"
Demeter's eyes widened as realization dawned. Her expression changed completely!
She glared fiercely at Athena and the others.
The three who had just been chatting and laughing with her instantly looked away in perfect unison, refusing to meet her gaze.
"You lot… You've really done it now!"
How could Demeter not understand the situation at this point?
She wasted no more time and immediately departed.
Athena and the others naturally did not stop her.
Because at that very moment, Hades had already extended his hand to Persephone. Everything was now set in stone.
"It's over?" After Demeter left, Artemis asked curiously.
"Yes, it's over," Athena nodded. "That child succeeded."
Apollo added, "The divine power I left in the sword on that child has just been cut off. Hecate must have retrieved him. He is safe."
"So… everything is settled?" Artemis, who had left nothing on Jason, tilted her head.
"Yes, very smoothly."
Athena smiled, then turned to Artemis with an even brighter smile. "Now then… Artemis, it's time we settled our account!"
"Account? What account?" Artemis looked bewildered.
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out that you told that child about me?"
Athena gritted her teeth lightly. "I specifically warned you over and over again… Do you know how much I was looking forward to it? That child made me fail more than ten times in a row!"
"Ehhh?! How did you know it was me who told Jason?!"
Apollo watched Artemis cry out in her natural way, shook his head helplessly, hugged his lyre, and left the scene.
Around the same time, Hades invited Persephone into his chariot. Before departing, he glanced briefly in Hecate's direction, gave a slight nod, and then drove the chariot back into the Underworld.
The cracked earth quietly closed and returned to calm.
"Alright, it's time for us to go too. I can feel Demeter rushing here at full speed."
Hecate patted Jason's head. "Next… it is time for you to reap the fruits you have earned!"