Athena is willing to help the hero

Facing the overwhelming pressure radiating from the Queen of Gods, Hera, Thaumas remained indifferent, but the same could not be said for the pathetic blonde.

Jason's body trembled; had Thaumas not been secretly supporting him, the man would have likely collapsed. After all, Jason currently had no connection to the Queen of Gods.

To be suddenly confronted by a deity and not faint from terror was already quite an achievement for such a coward.

At this moment, Thaumas finally noticed that Hera's eyes were flickering and her authority was flowing; she was actively exerting pressure upon Jason.

Not bad, Jason, he thought. He hasn't collapsed yet.

Enduring the intense discomfort, Jason spoke: "Res... Respected Queen Hera, first of all, I am very grateful for your assistance. But please forgive a mortal's ignorance—I do not understand why someone as noble as you would choose to help me?"

"Not bad at all," Hera said, retracting her authority and nodding slightly. Suddenly, the Queen of Gods paused, then added:

"Why don't you take a guess? There is a reward for the correct answer."

She didn't know what Athena was trying to achieve by sending a telepathic message, but since she was in a good mood, she decided to indulge this small request.

"And... what if I guess wrong?" Jason asked weakly. Truly, you are yourself, Jason! To dare ask such a thing—ignoring the question to ask about the consequences—he certainly had a talent for courting death.

Hera did not speak, merely staring at him coldly. An icy, powerful aura enveloped Jason; clearly, she was already displeased.

Not everyone could enjoy the favor of the Queen of Gods, though in reality, that favor had been snatched away by Thaumas...

"This... could it be because my brilliance and dashing good looks have left you in awe, my Queen..." Seeing the increasingly ominous expression on Hera's face, Jason hurriedly changed his tune:

"Then it must be because of your benevolence and wisdom, my Queen. After all, such a beautiful goddess was actually profaned by that swine Pelias.

He not only stole my throne but dared to commit violence within your temple, defiling your noble statue! Such a heinous beast naturally deserves the punishment he is due."

Finally, after hearing this, Hera's expression softened. She waved her hand slightly and said:

"Get out! You didn't get it right, but it wasn't entirely wrong either."

Jason breathed a quiet sigh of relief. After bowing, he turned and left silently. He would soon have to discuss with Thaumas how to obtain the Golden Fleece; after all, Colchis was separated from here by thousands of mountains and a vast, endless sea!

He was at a loss, but Thaumas, who had set all of this in motion, should have a way. He was quite confident in his understanding of Thaumas, and even if he didn't, hadn't the Goddess of Wisdom already promised him her help?

His mood improved instantly. Stepping out from the shadow of the Queen of Gods, he felt that everything was slowly getting better.

Thaumas followed in Jason's footsteps, but before they had gone far, he was gently tugged back by a slender, fair hand.

"Child, you cannot leave yet!" Hera said with a look of pure bliss. Now that the annoying person was gone, she could properly play with her child.

Helpless, Thaumas had to stay behind, only to be caught by Hera and ruffled like a small kitten.

Is this what they call 'favor'? he wondered. I thought the Nasuverse was all about heavy, dark themes... though, if Hera were to betray her marriage, that would truly be hilarious.

Let her ruffle me if she wants, he thought. This is the deity I should believe in, unlike that God of Amusement or the Plug God.

On the other side, regarding Hera keeping Thaumas behind, Jason was puzzled but didn't think too much of it; after all, Thaumas was always doing unexpected things.

The most important thing now was to rest and enjoy himself; after all, he had Thaumas.

"That won't do!"

The sudden, cold voice made Jason's dog-like body shudder. Wait, no? I haven't even enjoyed my wealth yet, and another goddess is already here...

He didn't really want to do it himself; after all, he was much better suited for the important responsibility of being a commander.

"You can do it. I can make you a captain!" Athena said, full of temptation, like the whisper of a demon.

Eh? Do the gods know what I'm thinking? If so, then just now inside... Hiss~ No wonder Goddess Hera was acting so strangely...

"Although I seem to have missed something good, the most important thing now is," Athena said, sounding full of regret, but deciding to fulfill her duty nonetheless, "Jason, I have said that as long as you follow my oracle, I will help you seize the throne."

Jason didn't even dare to breathe, fearing he might miss a single word. This concerned his throne!

"Although there were many interesting little interludes along the way, I am generally very satisfied.

So, I will help you build a ship laden with glory, using wood that will never sink!

It will carry you across the vast sea to the distant kingdom of Colchis. You will gather the greatest heroes in the world to complete the trial of the gods together!" Athena coaxed, slowly igniting Jason's drive. Finally, "And you, Jason! You will be the captain of this ship, the 'Argo'! You will be the leader of the heroes!"

He! Jason! From this day forward, he would believe in the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena!

She gave far too much.

"And it is not just the materials; I will provide the technology, and the believers of the gods will come to help. I will even work on it myself, but I need your supervision!"

Jason immediately decided to act. As for Thaumas? Deep in the embrace of Goddess Hera, it would be hard for him to get out, right?

Then this arduous task would be left to him, Jason! As for Thaumas, he would have to pray for his own luck. I—no, no! Now, I should be called Captain! I will definitely build that ship that belongs solely to this captain!

Thus, completely swayed by wisdom, Jason left the temple to coordinate the shipbuilding with Athena's followers. From this day on, if the ship wasn't finished, it would be very difficult for him to see Thaumas.

The paths between people are never replicable, and every hero has their own mission.

Athena hid her form and sat quietly before Hera's temple, twisting her purple hair over and over, thinking earnestly.

This way, Jason won't bother little Thaumas anymore!

Although Jason also seemed like a decent toy, she had already found something better.

Someone like Jason was merely a puppet, his fate manipulated by others; while that sounded pleasant enough, it wasn't as thrilling as the unknown.

She was looking forward to it—could this be the key to helping their gods win the Third Divine War? Although Heracles could also do a good job, she found she preferred this child after all.

Thaumas, I have done so much for you in secret, so you must satisfy me! Let me see if you can bring about a miracle, just as your name implies!

"Θαύμα" (Ancient Greek spelling)

"Thaumazein" (Modern Greek spelling)

Both of these terms represent "miracle," and are read as "Thaumas."

These past few days, I have personally written many, many scripts for you. Let me see whether you will submit, perish, or choose to defy the Goddess of Wisdom once again to shatter your destiny!

Thaumas, my dear hero! Put on a performance that brings me a miracle!