At nightfall,
a grand banquet was held in the kingdom of Colchis to celebrate the heroes of the Argo.
The purpose of the banquet was naturally to honor the heroes of the Argo.
This banquet was not only held within the palace but also, as time passed, attracted crowds from outside the palace.
People brought out treasured foods from their homes and spontaneously expressed congratulations, reverence, and admiration to the heroes of the Argo.
Thus, the kingdom of Colchis was exceptionally lively today!
Although the Golden Fleece was originally their nation's treasure, making this seem somewhat odd at first glance, a little thought would make it easy to understand.
After all, these heroes of the Argo who had come from afar were great heroes witnessed by the gods!
This morning, that sacred golden light had descended upon the earth, and the testimony of the great gods had only just passed.
How could the people who witnessed such a miracle not be excited?
Seeing this scene, Jason thought for a while and then gathered the crew of the Argo.
He then led them outside the city, doing as he had done on the Isle of Women back then. He took out the blessed ears of wheat granted by the goddess of agriculture Demeter and the queen of the underworld Persephone.
He scattered the seeds into the earth and used his own divine power to make them bloom and bear fruit.
He prayed to the goddess of the hunt Artemis and obtained a large amount of meat and food.
He also summoned numerous animals, having them use large leaves to collect sweet, clear spring water.
"Heroes may love wealth, but remember to acquire it with propriety. Things that are not yours cannot be accepted without reason.
Only with effort can there be reward."
As Jason did all this, he also said to them, "We have come to this land and received a warm welcome from its people. They revere us, call us heroes, and are willing to hold a banquet for us. This is naturally our honor, but do we truly have the qualification to enjoy all this?
The Golden Fleece is the treasure of another nation. Although we obtained it through our struggles, and the benevolent king is willing to give it to us.
But in the end, we have taken away something important from them without giving them anything valuable in exchange.
Especially those who revere us, we have not brought them any benefits.
We have not helped them hunt beasts, nor have we resolved any dangers for them.
Thus, although they call us heroes, in truth, we have not done anything heroic for them.
So even if we can accept their goodwill, we absolutely cannot take it for granted. We must do our utmost, accomplish what we can."
The heroes listened to Jason's words.
Under the gratified gaze of the centaur sage Chiron.
These unruly heroes, many of whom were proud sons of heaven.
For example, Theseus, and Heracles who had left ahead.
In normal circumstances, it would actually be difficult to make them change, as they all had their own pride.
But this did not mean they would always remain so.
When someone more outstanding than them, whom they trusted and respected, led by example in teaching them, they would naturally listen.
Although this was not something that could be accomplished in a short time, one must know that Jason had spent nearly half a year with them.
During this half year, especially since the Isle of Women, Jason had been restraining himself.
Just as he had promised Athena back then, he would become a hero and show them what a true hero was!
After Jason distributed everything, he had them bring it back to the kingdom.
Then, as Jason had anticipated, when they entered the kingdom with these things, people immediately came forward curiously to inquire.
Upon learning that these heroes had gone out this time specifically to forage and hunt for food to supplement the banquet supplies.
And that the heroes had even stopped the busy people, telling everyone that they would prepare the banquet and hoping that everyone would attend.
They immediately received gazes of surprise, gratitude, and admiration from the people.
Along with admiring looks from the women.
Seeing this, Jason could not help but reveal a slight smile.
He naturally knew that merely preaching the path was useless; they also had to taste the sweetness of doing so.
And the worship from the people would naturally satisfy their needs.
Because many of these heroes of the Argo had extraordinary backgrounds.
For example, the god of medicine Asclepius, the prince of Calydon Meleager, the prince of Athens Theseus, and others.
At the same time, Jason used this silent method to tell them how to obtain the fame and glory they valued.
Thus, even without Jason's reminder, they would naturally attempt to change.
And once they tasted the sweetness, they would naturally strive along the path Jason had pointed out.
However...
"Sigh."
"Hm?" Atalanta looked puzzled at Jason, who suddenly sighed beside her, and said, "Why are you sighing? Has not your taming been quite successful?"
"Can you choose your words better..."
Jason looked at Atalanta speechlessly.
Then, looking at them, Jason could not help but shake his head lightly and say softly, "A hero... is a brilliant, dazzling existence that bursts forth in the long river of human life. Each one is the most shining star of the current era.
A hero is a being born from the human collective.
Therefore, it belongs to humanity, not to..."
With that, Jason could not help but look up at the stars in the sky.
And he closed his mouth.
"This path is destined to be winding... Can you see it?"
In the end, Jason said softly.
Goddess of wisdom Athena, can you see it?
Can you see that when they understand the path they must take, they will inevitably clash with you?
When they realize that they exist as humans.
Athena, your most beloved heroes...
Will drift away from you.
Heroes will eventually part ways with the gods!
Atalanta looked at Jason, who was gazing at the starry sky and suddenly fell silent.
After tilting her head, she could not help but pat him lightly and say, "What are you thinking about? Let us go back too."
"Um... I will pass."
Jason smiled lightly and replied to Atalanta.
"I want to go home first."
Atalanta was slightly stunned, looking at Jason.
Then, probably understanding something, she said nothing more and turned to leave Jason's side.
After Atalanta left, Jason waved to Chiron and the others who were looking from afar. Once they had all departed, he turned and walked into a corner.
He went invisible and left the place.
When he reappeared, it was in an open area outside the palace, where the sleepless dragon lay eating meat sent by the king.
"Dragon Lord."
Jason chuckled lightly and came before it.
"It is you." The sleepless dragon glanced at Jason and then said, "What do you want?"
"Um... I want to ask, Dragon Lord, from now on, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"... What are you up to?" The sleepless dragon looked at Jason.
Jason said no more and took out the ink-black shepherd's flute.
"In exchange for sleep, I hope Dragon Lord that you can temporarily follow me."
At this point, Jason paused slightly and continued, "At the same time, I am willing to swear by the River Styx that when you wish to leave, I will absolutely not stop you."
"You will not stop me?" The sleepless dragon was somewhat puzzled and looked at Jason. "Then you get no benefit at all?
I thought you wanted to take me as a mount..."
"I already have Brother Horse and do not lack a mount."
Jason shook his head and said frankly, "Dragon Lord, I know you can never sleep and need external help, and I happen to have such power.
The Golden Fleece was taken from you by me, causing you to lose your credibility and your place to stay.
At the same time, this is not out of my compassion or pity, but merely my compensation for what I have done..."
Upon hearing this, the sleepless dragon gave Jason a strange look and then could not help but say, "You are truly too strange!
But it does not make me dislike you.
Fine, I really do not know where to go next. Since you can let me sleep, I will follow you."
The sleepless dragon agreed directly and straightforwardly.
After all, there was no reason to refuse.
Seeing this, Jason could not help but smile on his face. He nodded lightly to the sleepless dragon and said, "Alright then, Dragon Lord. When we are ready to leave, I will come find you again."
With that, Jason left the place.
And as Jason left, the sleepless dragon vaguely heard him muttering, "Um, with this, the materials are settled. With materials, I can forge weapons to give to Master and the others, as remuneration for this time..."
Although the sleepless dragon did not know exactly what Jason meant, its body reacted to it, shivering.
In its heart, it felt slightly uneasy...
Leaving the sleepless dragon, Jason casually found an unoccupied place.
He looked at the stars in the sky, then took out the caduceus and took a deep breath.
He began to pray to the goddess of the roads Hecate, with the prayer going as follows...
"Teacher Hecate, I have completed the task this time too. If you still do not let me go back, then I... will go straight to Teacher Hephaestus!"
"Oh right, I can also ask Sister Persephone and Brother Hades for help, and the goddess of night Nyx..."
After Jason finished his threat, he tapped the ground with the caduceus and then used the magic engraved on it.
Immediately, that familiar magic circle appeared at his feet.
The underworld butterflies that flew out from the magic circle carried Jason back to the underworld.