In the blink of an eye,
three days had passed.
After bidding farewell to the centaur sage Chiron, the golden-haired, emerald-eyed youth Jason, who was about to turn thirteen, once again set out on his journey to seek a god.
This time, the one he sought was not Queen of the Underworld Persephone, but her mother: Demeter, one of the twelve Olympian gods, goddess of agriculture, grain, and harvest, and an extreme daughter-lover.
The weather that day was beautiful, with bright sunshine.
Perfect weather… for getting robbed.
"This isn't another one of Lady Athena's games, is it…?"
Jason, who had just been robbed yet again, sat wearily on a nearby rock.
At that moment, several unconscious bandits were tied to the large tree in front of him.
Jason had not killed anyone indiscriminately these past few days, mainly because he wanted to leave a good impression on the goddesses.
As a result, he had meddled a little more in other people's affairs.
In just three short days of travel, this seemingly harmless yet conspicuously wealthy little shota
had been robbed a full twelve times!
Three days. Twelve times!
"I haven't even left this ancient forest yet… Are you people that bored?" Jason muttered as he poked one of the unconscious bandits with a random stick he had picked up.
After resting, he stood up, looked at the bandits, thought for a moment, and shook his head. "Whatever. You can stay tied here… Whether wild beasts eat you or not is none of my business."
With that, Jason prepared to leave, sighing as he did so. "Lady Goddess, just where are you…?"
When I want to meet you, you never show up. When I don't want to meet you, you all pop out like you've taken stimulants!
Just as Jason grumbled inwardly and was about to set off again…
"Child, where are you going?"
An aged, elderly voice suddenly rang beside Jason's ear.
Jason's whole body stiffened slightly. He turned his head and saw that on the rock where he had just been sitting
now sat a white-haired old woman…
…Perfect. This entrance is very godly!
Lady Athena, don't you ever get tired of this?!
Complaining inwardly, Jason turned around, faced the old woman, and answered with a smile, "Following the guidance of the gods, I am going to seek the great Goddess Demeter."
"Demeter? You mean the Goddess of Harvest who has now brought barrenness to the earth, causing all things to wither and leaving not a blade of grass alive?"
…Huh?
Jason blinked and looked at the white-haired old woman.
After thinking for a moment, he dropped his smile and replied, "I do not believe causing the earth to wither and all things to fade is Lady Demeter's true intention. She is merely grieving too deeply over the loss of her beloved child."
"Her beloved child… Persephone?"
The white-haired woman gazed calmly at Jason. "Child, I know who you are… You who wear the sacred robes woven by Athena and always walk the correct path.
You who bear the blessed sword of Apollo, God of Light, and bathe in radiance.
Child of Hecate, Goddess of Crossroads: Jason!
It was you who took Demeter's child Persephone to the Underworld, causing Demeter to despair and abandon Olympus.
That is why the earth has withered and all things have perished!
Yet now, why do you still seek Demeter? Do you wish to receive divine punishment from her and be imprisoned in a divine prison for eternity, never to leave?"
"Tell me, child, what is the purpose of your journey?"
The white-haired old woman stared straight into Jason's eyes, as though peering directly into his soul. "Why do you take such a great risk? What is your true goal?!"
"…Because the matter began with me," Jason answered the old woman. "Therefore, it should be resolved by me…"
"No, you are wrong!"
The old woman cut him off decisively. "This matter has nothing to do with you. Even without you, Persephone was fated to leave her mother's side.
You know this in your heart!
After taking Persephone away, you have already obtained everything you desired. You have no reason to step forward and shoulder this responsibility.
Child, I will give you one last chance. Tell me… why have you once again set out on a journey to seek the gods?!"
"…To survive," Jason took a deep breath and finally answered. "Demeter is a great and powerful goddess. I accepted this task and set out once more to seek the gods only to protect myself and live."
Silence fell over the scene.
The old woman stared into Jason's eyes.
Under that gaze, Jason felt as though he were completely seen through.
Finally, the old woman smiled.
A kindly smile appeared on her wrinkled face.
"No, child… you are still wrong."
The old woman stood up, leaning on her cane as she walked toward Jason. "I have already seen the answer in your eyes!"
"You may believe you embarked on this journey for your own sake, but that is not the truth.
In your eyes, I see your resistance toward the gods. You never wished to become involved with any divine affairs, yet… you still stepped forward.
Child, have you ever truly looked into your own eyes?"
The old woman came before Jason and gently caressed his cheek with a smile. "Your eyes… they are so beautiful!
You are not a selfish person. In your eyes, I see a pure heart.
The true reason you set out on this journey again is the kindness in your heart… Am I right?"
The old woman smiled kindly at Jason. "Right now, as the earth withers and all things perish, countless lives have already been lost to this calamity in just these few days.
That is why you chose to set out immediately, even if it meant facing gods you did not wish to face, even if it meant facing gods who might harm you!
Because you blame yourself for this terrible disaster."
Jason opened his mouth. He wanted to tell the old woman that it was not like that. He truly acted only for himself. He was not that noble. That was something only heroes did. Everything he did was just to survive!
But under the old woman's loving gaze, Jason could not say a word.
Kindness? Responsibility…? Those were things that would only bring disadvantage.
Especially in the Age of Gods, in this dangerous and chaotic era!
So… did he have them?
Probably… just a tiny bit.
"I am going to find Demeter for my own sake… Granny, you are wrong. I am really not that noble."
Jason lowered his head toward the old woman.
The old woman smiled, not angry at all.
Then her appearance gradually changed. Her aged, withered features quickly faded and grew youthful.
In the end, a tall goddess wearing embroidered robes with long brown hair that reached her waist appeared before Jason.
She took Jason's hand and smiled gently.
"Is that so…? Then let us say that is the case."
This person… no, this goddess was not Athena.
Her name was Hestia!