Clearly, Jason had not anticipated this at all.
The matter would develop to this extent.
In an instant, so many gods had gathered.
One could only say Jason still underestimated himself somewhat. He underestimated his position as the social flower among gods and heroes.
In the deep sea exposed by the parting of the ocean.
Watching Queen Hera step forward, Queen of the Sea Amphitrite, the occasional lightning flashing overhead, and the god of light Apollo.
Seeing this scene, Achelous, transformed into a bull-headed humanoid monster, finally realized the enormous trouble he had caused.
This could not help but fill him with fear.
But soon, seeing Jason sigh silently within and step forward, the fear in Achelous's heart vanished completely.
Because he only needed to win. Yes, just win.
Defeat the human before him.
In the eyes of the gods present, defeating this human would allow him to claim the beautiful Goddess Thetis.
And was that not very simple?
Thinking this, Achelous regained his confidence, and his mood immediately improved.
Even Oceanus felt some concern and could not help instructing Achelous, "Be careful not to kill him later. Understand?"
Hera and Amphitrite naturally heard Oceanus's words clearly, but they showed no particularly strong reaction.
They even looked at Achelous nodding seriously, and the corners of their mouths curved slightly in mocking smiles.
But Oceanus and Achelous had not truly misunderstood anything.
After all, they were exalted gods.
And Jason was merely a child.
A human so insignificant in their eyes.
"My child, boldly claim the victory that belongs to you!"
Then Queen Hera in her golden gown looked at Jason and said softly, "You need only win. Do not hold back too much, for I will always stand behind you!"
Apollo glanced at Hera, considered Jason for a moment.
In the end, he refrained from contradicting Hera.
Over those words, "my child"...
"I understand, noble and beautiful Goddess Hera."
Jason nodded obediently to Hera. "I will bring back victory!"
Indeed, the developments had been completely unexpected.
But since things had reached this point, rather than regretting his actions and words, it was better to act and resolve the matter beautifully.
Fight magnificently and win handsomely.
Walk resolutely on the path he had chosen, firmly believing in his decisions and the road ahead, no matter how difficult or perilous.
Stand tall and advance step by step!
Jason sometimes worried and sometimes felt lost, but even so, he had never directly given up.
The involved party is confused, while the bystander sees clearly.
Jason lacked absolute self-awareness.
In just a few short days, Helen already believed the light Jason radiated was more dazzling than even the god of light Apollo.
And this was actually the feeling most people had along his journey.
A fortunate existence. Meeting him was absolute fortune.
Because he would resolve everything and handsomely overcome all difficulties and troubles!
One had to admit that Athena's goal.
Had truly been achieved.
She had obtained the tribute she once desired most.
Jason's name now resounded throughout the Greek continent.
And he no longer harbored any confusion about his path.
Fight magnificently, win handsomely, risk his life to protect what is important. Now, without doubt, he had become a hero!
After the Golden Fleece voyage, during that journey, Jason completed his transformation. Though Athena might feel some regret about it.
Because having undergone that transformation, he no longer needed to rely on her.
Thus Athena's feelings toward the current Jason were inevitably complex.
Happy for him, yet annoyed.
Jason had indeed become a hero, but at the same time, he had escaped her grasp and "left" the side of the goddess of wisdom.
"...Will it really be okay?"
Her amethyst-like beautiful eyes gazed worriedly at Jason as he walked forward toward the terrifying bull-headed monster Achelous.
The only one present worried for Jason was clearly Helen.
Though she had heard stories about Jason and witnessed his heroic side that afternoon drawing the golden bow to shoot the monstrous birds.
The opponent was not a monster, but a god.
That was a deity!
Not just Helen. Even the little bird hiding in her chest felt some worry and fear.
"Chirp chirp!"
At that moment, Pegasus protecting them whinnied twice.
Hearing this, the bird could not help looking suspiciously at Pegasus.
Then, as Helen glanced over, it translated, "He says we need not worry, because no one is a match for Lord Jason..."
"The sun is about to set."
Amphitrite looked up at the sky in the parted ocean world and suddenly said softly.
Yes, the sun was about to set.
Hunting the birds had occurred in the afternoon, and reaching Thetis's temple had taken another two or three hours.
Soon, the sun would descend.
"I wonder if we will see that arrow today."
Saying this, a faint smile appeared on Amphitrite's face.
That arrow?
Helen looked puzzled at Goddess Amphitrite.
"Is he not your brother?"
Hera glanced at Amphitrite.
"I am not familiar with him."
Amphitrite replied faintly.
This was understandable, after all, with nearly six thousand siblings.
"Is that so... Then I am quite looking forward to it."
Hera nodded lightly. "After all, I have not yet seen that arrow shot by child Jason..."
Saying this, Hera could not help glancing at the silent Apollo.
Recalling past events made her brow furrow slightly.
But looking at Jason now, she ultimately said nothing.
Then, under the witness of the gods, Jason approached the river god Achelous.
Achelous, transformed into a bull-headed humanoid monster, towered more than twice Jason's height. Merely standing there exerted immense pressure.
"Kid, if you surrender now, you can avoid some physical suffering."
"Thank you for your kindness, river god Achelous."
Jason smiled lightly. "But you are right. How can a man evade his responsibilities?"
"Is that so? Then draw your weapon!"
"Hm..." Jason thought for a moment, then shook his head at Achelous. "Sorry, Lord Achelous. I cannot draw it.
Because I do not wish to harm you."
The god-slaying sword had been forged by Hephaestus with untold effort. Even without unleashing full power to avoid Zeus noticing anything amiss.
It was still far beyond what this deity could withstand!
But Achelous took this as mockery, causing his eyes to turn red.
He roared, lowered his head, and charged at Jason.
The horn Apollo had shot through had already regrown.
His massive horns gleamed with cold light.
His charge shook the ground, making Helen's eyes widen and her face pale further.
Because Jason neither dodged nor blocked, as though frozen in shock.
Oceanus frowned at this, but seeing no change in Hera and Amphitrite's expressions, he suppressed his doubts.
"Foolish."
Apollo offered his evaluation. "Jason is a warrior seasoned in hundreds of battles, and war god Ares even granted him his power.
This is suicide!"
The next second after Apollo spoke, before Helen could cry out, Jason extended his right hand and effortlessly, precisely grasped the charging Achelous's horn.
That terrifying brute force could not move Jason in the slightest.
"...The war god Ares's belt."
As Helen stared at this scene in complete daze.
Oceanus, brow furrowed, said, "The rumor is true. Ares really granted this child his power!"
"Things are not that simple."
Hera smiled, watching Jason seize Achelous's horn, lift him, and hurl him aside. She said proudly, "Watch, Oceanus. My child is not someone a mere Achelous can challenge.
He is the greatest hero in this world!"
"Your child? If I remember correctly, that is Hecate's child."
Apollo could no longer bear Hera's arrogance and could not help speaking.
At his words, Hera stiffened, then glared fiercely at him.
Gnashing her teeth.
Regardless, the battle continued.
With an expression of disbelief, Achelous rose and launched another savage assault on Jason.
Jason assumed the fighting stance taught by the centaur sage Chiron and engaged Achelous.
But calling it a battle was less accurate than a one-sided thrashing, for Achelous could not land even a single blow on Jason.
With both skill and strength suppressed.
Even as a god, Achelous could only endure the beating.
Gradually realizing this, Achelous suddenly transformed into a massive venomous serpent, opening its jaws to spew venom at Jason.
The venom forced Jason to retreat.
But before Achelous could feel triumphant, Jason brought forth Athena's divine shield.
"The Aegis..."
Recognizing the item, Oceanus's eyelid twitched.
Then, gazing at his son Achelous, he could not help feeling pity.