A pure white winged horse galloped across the sky.
Riding upon it were the dignified and breathtakingly beautiful goddess Hestia, and Jason, who was currently nestled in her arms with a perfectly upright and solemn expression.
Yes, Jason's face was the picture of righteousness and gravity as Hestia held him. As for what he was actually thinking… only the gods knew.
Although Hecate was no longer actively shielding Jason with her divine power, that was simply because it was no longer necessary.
When Lord of the Underworld Hades infused his own power while Jason's soul was being tempered in the inextinguishable flames, even the major gods could no longer easily read Jason's thoughts.
In just one day of flight on the winged horse, Hestia brought Jason to a temple whose surroundings had already turned into barren wasteland.
It was the very temple from which Jason had once taken Persephone.
The moment the winged horse landed in front of the temple gates, Jason immediately escaped Hestia's embrace, leapt down from the horse, and let out a long breath of relief.
Though an entire day and night had somewhat numbed him, divine favor was something only protagonists were qualified to enjoy!
Aside from his own teacher, he absolutely refused the favor of any other god!
Jason declared himself extremely steady.
The winged horse crouched down. Hestia gracefully dismounted and looked at Jason, who had quietly shuffled a few steps away, not daring to stand too close to her.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
She found it quite amusing.
After all, in Greece, everyone was either already a lecher or well on their way to becoming one.
A pure (steady) reaction like Jason's was a rare novelty for most goddesses, especially stunning ones like Hestia.
Of course, there were people who acted pure in front of them, but gods could read minds. How many could truly resist a goddess's charm?
Yet Jason was genuinely pure (steady), even treating them like tigers and wild beasts he had to avoid at all costs.
Still, Jason was a man… well, a boy.
He was not a saint, so he could not be completely unmoved. All in all, though, he valued his life far more!
The two guardian beasts at the gate immediately crouched in submission before Hestia, clearly sensing the majestic divine power radiating from her.
"Come, Jason…" Hestia extended her hand toward him with a beaming smile.
"Um, Lady Hestia, I'm really fine…"
"Come here, little Jason." Hestia had no intention of letting him off.
Helpless, Jason could only reach out and let Hestia take his hand.
Just like taking a small child out, Hestia led Jason into the temple.
Upon entering, they were greeted by nymphs who served the goddess.
These nymphs were clearly not their usual selves; undisguised fear filled their eyes. Evidently, after Persephone was taken away, they had suffered no small amount of Demeter's wrath.
As one of the twelve Olympian gods and the eldest sister of Zeus and the others, the first child of Cronus,
the nymphs naturally recognized Hestia's identity at a glance. Thus, without any obstruction, the two were quickly led to Demeter's chambers.
Hestia knocked on the door.
"Did I not say not to disturb me?!"
From within came Demeter's voice, thick with barely concealed anger.
"Demeter, it is I, Hestia."
Silence fell inside the room for a time.
"Wait a moment…"
Under Demeter's instructions, Hestia and Jason were led by the nymphs to the temple hall to wait.
It did not take long before the beautiful matronly Demeter appeared. She had lovely golden hair tied into a long braid down her back and eyes the color of amethyst, though at the moment those beautiful eyes were clouded with gloom.
"Why have you come, big sister…?" As she spoke, Demeter naturally noticed Jason sitting beside Hestia.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she found him somewhat familiar. "And this human child is…?"
"Jason," Hestia answered softly. "You should know who he is."
At those words, Demeter froze for a moment. Then her teeth clenched, and she glared at Jason with fury. A vast wave of divine power immediately pressed down upon him.
How could she not know? This was the name of the scoundrel who had abducted her daughter!
If Jason had tried to resist that power head-on, even his invulnerable body would have suffered severe internal damage. But Hestia naturally blocked it all.
"What is the meaning of this, big sister?!" Demeter turned her furious gaze to Hestia.
Just as Hestia sighed helplessly and opened her mouth to soothe Demeter,
"Great Goddess of Harvest Demeter, please calm your anger. I have come at the request of Sister Persephone."
Jason spoke up at the perfect moment, stating his purpose.
His deliberate use of "Sister Persephone" even caused Hestia to glance at him in mild surprise.
Sister?
Demeter was also stunned.
"What right do you have to call her sister?!"
"Great Goddess Demeter, it was Sister Persephone who told me to address her that way."
One must never lie in front of gods, for they can see through falsehood instantly unless one is protected by Hermes, Messenger of the Gods and God of Lies.
Thus, eyes wide, Demeter stared at Jason and suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
The guy who kidnapped her daughter actually had a good relationship with her daughter?!
Demeter was so angry her chest heaved dramatically.
"Goddess Demeter, I was sent here by Sister Persephone," Jason continued. "She said she does not hate you, Mother, and that she is willing to return!"
Hm… though he had artfully phrased it, the meaning remained unchanged.
Demeter froze for a moment, then turned from anger to joy. She asked Jason in shock, "Wait, what did you say? You said… my daughter will come back?!"
"Yes, but… it will require a certain amount of time."
Jason then explained the conclusion reached in the Underworld and even swore to the gods that his words were true.
After six months, Persephone would return to the surface, but after another six months on the surface, she would have to return to the Underworld.
Though Demeter's brows furrowed in dissatisfaction, she ultimately accepted it in silence.
After all, it was still better than never seeing her daughter again.
With that, Jason's task was complete… In truth, the matter itself was not difficult. The hard part was getting an enraged Demeter to sit down and talk with Jason.
Originally, Jason had planned to seek Athena's help.
But in reality, even Athena would probably have needed to expend considerable effort.
Yet in front of Hestia, the eldest sister among the Olympian gods, even if Demeter was furious upon seeing Jason, she could not recklessly attack the boy Hestia was protecting again and again.
Seeing Demeter's expression gradually calm, Hestia gave Jason an approving glance before turning seriously to Demeter. "Demeter, do you realize how much trouble you have caused all living things during this period?!"
What followed was a thorough scolding from the eldest sister.
Faced with Hestia's reprimand, Demeter could only lower her head and accept it obediently.
After some time, having learned that Persephone would return and having been scolded by her eldest sister, Demeter naturally began to exercise her authority.
She restored vitality to the withered earth and revived all things.
As Demeter's power manifested, the gods naturally noticed the change almost immediately.
In the hall of Olympus, Zeus, seated upon his throne, stroked his long white beard and laughed. "It seems that child has successfully resolved the matter with Demeter.
Hm, not bad… Truly worthy of the great hero who will save Olympus in the future. Well done!"
Just as Artemis, who happened to be wandering in the hall that day, was about to nod in agreement and praise Jason as an obedient and capable child,
"Hmph!" Hera let out a cold snort, her expression extremely dark.
Because she had no idea this had even been happening!
"Who was it?" Hera gritted her teeth and demanded of Zeus. "Who helped him behind the scenes?!"
If it had been anyone else, even Athena, Zeus might have hemmed and hawed today and refused to tell Hera, but…
"It was our eldest sister," Zeus replied with a smile. "She probably couldn't bear to watch all things wither any longer, so she stepped in to help."
"Our… eldest sister?!" Hera's eyes widened.
Upon learning it was Hestia, even though Hera was furious enough to stomp her feet, she could only let it go for now.
While Zeus and the others noticed, Athena, who was still waiting in that forest for Jason to arrive, naturally noticed as well.
Therefore…
"Eh… Eh, e-e-e-e-eh?!" Athena's beautiful golden eyes widened as she gazed toward Demeter's location.
After realizing she had wasted her efforts yet again, she stomped her foot in anger and cried, "Jaso——n!"
That's twice now!