"Back already?"
When the sacred heavenly steed's soft neigh echoed through the temple of the goddess of craftsmanship, Hephaestus.
Dusk had already fallen, and time had arrived at nightfall.
The returning Jason had not even had a chance to rest a bit.
When he discovered that within the temple, his teacher was waiting for him.
Moreover, it was not just one teacher; two... The goddess of crossroads, Hecate, was there as well!
Within the resplendent temple, the sacred fire illuminated everything inside.
Beside Hephaestus, dressed in an exquisite embroidered gown with golden hair and amber eyes, sat the stunningly beautiful goddess Hecate with black hair and red eyes.
And evidently, she had come specifically to wait for Jason...
"Teacher Hecate, why have you come?"
Slightly stunned, Jason dismounted from the heavenly steed and looked at these two goddess teachers sitting together. Recalling the events of the past two days, he could not help but swallow.
But under the circumstances, he could only force a smile and approach them.
"What, is it not allowed for me to visit my own student?"
No sooner had Hecate finished speaking than Hephaestus beside her smiled faintly and said softly: "I did not say it is not allowed, but he is also my student, is that not right?... Jason, come here."
Hearing Hephaestus's words, Jason carefully glanced at Hecate and saw her expression unchanged, so he came before Hephaestus.
Then, at Hephaestus's gesture, Jason slightly bent down, allowing the seated Hephaestus in her wheelchair to reach his head.
Hephaestus then, as if brushing off some sticky substance from Jason's body, touched his head and patted his body before smiling at the puzzled Jason: "It seems this time things went very smoothly; Hera did not see through your identity, right?
After all, she had left a tracking mark on you, but rest assured, I just removed it."
In the instant Hephaestus removed the tracker from Jason's body, Queen Hera, far within her own temple, naturally sensed it as well.
Regarding this, although Hera hated it enough to stamp her foot, there was nothing she could do.
However, evidently, Hera would absolutely not let Jason... or rather, the white-clothed Heracles go just like this.
Next, it would depend on how she proceeded.
Thus, in the time that followed, facing the silent inquiring gazes of his two teachers, Jason, who had shrunk his head, instinctively recounted the general process of his interactions with Hera.
This naturally included the matter of obtaining the golden dagger.
Hera's relationship with Hephaestus was naturally poor, and because of Jason, Hecate's relationship with Hera could not possibly be good either.
Therefore, in the eyes of these two goddesses, Hera was naturally an enemy.
So, upon hearing that Jason had so easily gained Hera's trust... no, it should not be called trust, but rather favoritism.
Even being entrusted by Hera, as the white-clothed Heracles, to deal with Jason, Hecate and Hephaestus's expressions at this moment were naturally somewhat peculiar.
"As expected of you."
After listening to Jason's account, Hecate could not help but roll her eyes at him, saying: "To think you could wrap Hera around your finger even in such a situation... But then again, it makes sense; after all, even the ancestor of myriad demons, Typhon, and the senior god of the abyss have been deceived by you."
"No way." Jason softly protested to Hecate: "I have never deceived any god!"
"You have not deceived; you merely never mention things unfavorable to yourself at all." With one sentence, Hecate exposed Jason's little trick.
Evidently, she understood him all too well.
"Enough, stop bullying Jason... Besides, what is wrong with deceiving Hera.
If you ask me, given all the things she wanted to do to Jason, if it were not inconvenient to expose his identity right now, I would definitely cause her some trouble!"
Hephaestus shielded Jason, not allowing Hecate to continue speaking about him, while also expressing her strong dissatisfaction with Hera.
Although Hera's anger was understandable, after all, she had inexplicably lost Jason and even played the fool once.
But evidently, Hephaestus would not care about any of that.
She had only this one student; if not to dote on Jason, then whom?
Seeing this, Hecate truly did not know what to say to Hephaestus.
After glaring at Hephaestus behind her, at Jason who had an innocent expression, Hecate continued: "Fine, whatever you say is what it is... In any case, since the matter with Hera has temporarily come to a close, and Jason has offered you a tribute, then next, I should take him back to the underworld."
With that, Hecate paused slightly before continuing: "And this is not my request; it is Lord Hades who came to ask me... After all, now there are only a little over two months left until Persephone returns.
Jason, you should still remember your agreement with Lord Hades, right?"
"Mm." Jason nodded, saying: "Rest assured, Teacher Hecate; the things that needed preparing have actually, in these three months, already been commissioned by me to Teacher Hephaestus and Goddess Athena to make almost complete.
Although only two months remain, it is absolutely sufficient!"
Hearing Jason's words, Hecate could not help but look toward Hephaestus.
Hephaestus nodded to Hecate, indicating that it was indeed as Jason said.
"But Teacher Hephaestus, I do indeed need to return to the underworld with Teacher Hecate; after all, the wedding site still requires quite a bit of setup..."
Jason said carefully to Hephaestus. Seeing her expression dim somewhat after he spoke, Jason hurriedly added: "But Teacher Hephaestus, rest assured; as soon as I have time, I will absolutely come back to see you.
After all, I cannot even forge the most ordinary divine artifacts yet; when out and about, I would feel embarrassed to tell others that I am your student!"
Hearing this, Hephaestus looked at Jason before her, who was gazing at her, and smiled slightly, nodding softly: "Mm, I will wait for you."
Hecate, watching this scene before her, could not help but frown slightly.
Especially hearing Jason address Hephaestus as teacher, seeing how much he seemed to care about Hephaestus.
An inexplicable irritability lingered in her heart.
This caused Hecate to immediately rise, saying nothing more, and with a slight wave of her hand, a magic circle lit up beside her. Graceful underworld butterflies flew out from it, surrounding the somewhat surprised Jason.
And took him into the underworld.
At the same time, it also took along the heavenly steed beside them, who was munching on... oh, no, eating a grass cake.
Seeing Jason and the heavenly steed vanish amid the dispersing dancing underworld butterflies.
Hephaestus, who had pursed her lips slightly, could not help but say to Hecate: "Hecate, you are truly petty; Jason just returned from Hera's, and you will not even let that child rest a bit."
"Has he not rested enough? He has already stayed for three months." Hecate said pointedly.
Indeed, Jason had stayed in this temple, accompanying Hephaestus, for a full three months.
"Three months, but that child accompanied you for over three years." Hephaestus replied without yielding an inch.
"Only at night." Hecate said indifferently: "During the day, he was at the centaur Chiron..."
After speaking, Hecate's brows suddenly furrowed again as she looked at Hephaestus before her.
Why am I competing with her...
Thinking this, Hecate shook her head lightly, and with a thought, underworld butterflies surrounded her.
But just as Hecate was about to vanish from here, Hephaestus suddenly clapped her hands.
The next second, a mirror appeared within the temple, and in the instant the mirror's light shone on the underworld butterflies beside Hecate.
The underworld butterflies beside Hecate all vanished, sealed within the mirror.
And this mirror had even dispelled Hecate's magic...
The magic of the goddess of crossroads Hecate versus the forging of Hephaestus.
One was a special magic goddess whom even the gods feared somewhat.
The other was the goddess of craftsmanship who possessed endless creativity; as long as materials were sufficient, she could even create the god-slaying sword capable of killing King of the Gods Zeus.
These two goddesses whom Jason had apprenticed under were no simple figures.
"...Hephaestus, what do you mean by this?" Hecate cast a slightly displeased gaze toward Hephaestus.
"Rest assured, Hecate; I merely wish to speak with you."
Hephaestus smiled at Hecate: "After all, you and I are both Jason's teachers; even because of that child, I would absolutely not do anything to you.
Hecate, everyone knows that you hold an absolutely special position in Jason's heart.
Especially after this period of interaction, I have thoroughly understood that the child actually harbors a certain wariness toward the gods.
Although he respects the divine, he does not worship them... The child holds toward the gods what is probably merely awe for power."
"He is just afraid of dying." Hecate replied irritably: "Why phrase it so nicely!"
Hearing this, Hephaestus's smile remained unchanged as she continued: "Therefore, it is precisely under such circumstances that your uniqueness becomes so evident... Among the gods that child faces, he is different only toward you."
"No, there are a few more." Hecate shook her head, denying Hephaestus's statement: "The centaur Chiron, the goddess of wisdom Athena, and now... you, Hephaestus."
Hephaestus was slightly stunned, then looked at Hecate with some surprise, saying: "I thought you did not know; so... you are very clear on it."
Indeed, it was precisely because Hecate was actually very clear.
Moreover, she knew that the centaur sage Chiron and Athena were actually difficult to shake Hecate's position, but Hephaestus had such an opportunity!
This was why Hecate had recently appeared so displeased when watching Jason and Hephaestus.
After all, even she, as a goddess, possessed possessiveness.
Then, after a brief silence, Hecate looked at Hephaestus and frowned: "Hephaestus, what exactly do you want to say?"
"Me?... Actually, what I want to say is that you can rest assured for now."
Hephaestus said with a smile: "Your current position in that child's heart cannot be shaken by anyone; that child... depends on you immensely.
At the same time, I also hope that you will be careful, because there are many eyeing that child.
For example, Athena, and for example... me."
Hearing this, Hecate could not help but laugh, saying: "You do not even hide it."
"Is there a need to hide?... As long as that child wishes it, I will exhaust all I can to give him everything he wants!"
Hephaestus said softly: "But I am also a goddess, so naturally I too hope that child becomes my child, becomes my special existence."
"However, precisely because of this, I will not now say words that would make that child feel troubled, because I... cannot compete with you yet, Hecate."
"But that child said he would accompany me... Whether a century or a millennium, he is willing to accompany me."
"So..." Hephaestus narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips curving upward in a beautiful smile as she said to Hecate: "You must be careful, Hecate.
Because I... truly intend to take him from your side!"
As her words fell, the temple at this moment... was exceptionally quiet.
And this time, only this time, Hecate did not say "feel free," but instead silently met Hephaestus's gaze.
After a long while...
"Then try it."
Hecate said indifferently: "Try to take him from my side, but you must be careful; do not end up letting that guy, who is not even a teacher, pick up a bargain from between us!"
"Rest assured." Hephaestus said with a smile: "I will not give Athena such an opportunity."
In the instant Hephaestus's words fell, Hecate flicked her hand lightly toward the distant mirror; the next second, the space within the mirror cracked open.
Underworld butterflies flew out from the cracked space, taking Hecate to the underworld.
Hecate did not actually need the underworld butterflies to guide her to directly go to the underworld, but even she would be attacked by the shades of the underworld, because she was not an underworld god.
This was also why, whenever Jason and Hecate were in the underworld, graceful underworld butterflies always danced around them.
Just as Hecate departed for the underworld, Hephaestus, as if recalling something, hurriedly said: "Oh, and Hecate, do not tell Jason about our matter, and absolutely do not take your anger out on that child!"
Do not visit the sins upon the disciple!
Hephaestus's voice echoed in the empty temple.
However, evidently... it was too late!
Moments later, back in her own temple in the underworld, Hecate's expression at this moment... was exceedingly unpleasant!
This caused Cerberus, who happened to be in the temple beside her, to tremble in fear because of it.
Mm, that is right; the three-headed hellhound Cerberus had awakened... After all, a full three months had passed, so she had naturally awakened long ago.
Hecate noticed Cerberus, who had transformed into a black-haired red-eyed little loli somewhat resembling herself, and her brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment.
As if thinking of something, Hecate beckoned to Cerberus; after Cerberus swallowed and came over, Hecate said indifferently to her: "Cerberus, Jason is coming back; I am giving you a task now.
When he arrives at the temple gates, go out... and bite him!"
"...Ah?" Cerberus was stunned, looking at Hecate before her with slightly widened eyes, saying: "Bite Jason... You are certain you want me to bite Jason?"
"What, unwilling?" Hecate looked at Cerberus: "Did you not want to bite him long ago? After all, he made you suffer so much."
"Um, if you ask if I want to bite him, of course I do, but... Goddess Hecate, are you certain you are not angry?"
Cerberus asked carefully; after all, everyone knew Jason was your treasured student!
"No problem; I grant you this right; go bite him!"
Hearing this, Cerberus saw Hecate before her lightly grit her teeth in anger and knew she was not joking, so she became excited.
Jason, you cannot blame me for this; it is your teacher who told me to bite you!
Just as Hecate said, Cerberus had long wanted to cause trouble for Jason; after all, because of him, she had suffered so much. However, foolish Cerberus, although Hecate had indeed told you to go bite Jason.
But if you truly bite Jason and hurt him, in the end, the one injured will still be you...