Hecate's assertive stance surprised everyone present.
The key issue was that even Queen Hera, faced with such an infuriating display of dominance, could do nothing about it.
Setting aside the primordial goddess of night Nyx standing behind Hecate, Hecate herself was a goddess not to be underestimated.
In this regard, only Athena, the pearl of Olympus as goddess of wisdom, could barely suppress her by a few points.
Thus, the holy Pegasus soon carried Jason, Helen, and the little bird nestled in Helen's arms away from Thetis's temple.
Thetis could only watch this scene helplessly.
In that instant, not just Thetis.
Many gods present gained a clear realization.
To possess Jason, they would have to defeat an utterly detestable goddess.
The name of that wicked goddess was Hecate...
"Helen, do not speak to anyone about what you saw today. Understand?"
Under the starry night sky, illuminated by moonlight.
Jason, seated on Pegasus, patted Helen's head in his arms. "Because the great gods dislike others discussing them behind their backs."
Hearing Jason's words beside her ear, Helen nodded gently. "I understand, Lord Jason..."
"Don't call me lord. Just call me Jason."
Jason lightly pinched Helen's cheek and smiled softly.
Helen paused, then revealed an extraordinarily stunning smile and nodded happily.
Some time passed. Leaning in Jason's arms, feeling safe yet with her heart pounding endlessly, Helen unknowingly fell asleep.
Though she had done little that day, she had clearly experienced much.
Her body might not be tired, but her mind was exhausted from the repeated emotional highs and lows.
Even Hestia's messenger, the little bird hiding in her arms, had fallen asleep.
Pegasus, however, was full of energy.
It could stay spirited even without a sip of Jason's magic potion.
After all, scenes like today's, though not minor, were something Pegasus had witnessed more than once at Jason's side.
Pegasus turned its head, looking at Helen asleep in Jason's arms, and could not help saying, "What a lucky girl."
"Hm?" Jason looked at Pegasus in puzzlement.
"If Medea and Atalanta and the others saw this, who knows how jealous they would be."
"...Brother Horse, you've been talking a lot lately."
Jason glared at Pegasus for teasing him.
Pegasus chirped twice and said no more.
It knew Jason was quite petty. If it kept talking, its feathers might suffer again!
"Little master, what do we do next?"
Having spent long with Jason, Pegasus had picked up some habits and skillfully changed the subject.
"Take Helen home, complete the oracle Goddess Hestia gave me, and then... try to offer a tribute to Goddess Hestia."
Jason thought for a while before replying to Pegasus.
Pegasus paused at this, turned its head to Jason, and said in mild surprise, "Little master, have you already decided what to offer Goddess Hestia?"
"For some time now, I've been thinking about it deeply... The fact that the foreknowing Prometheus and Goddess Athena gave me no oracle on this is itself a hint."
Jason paused briefly before continuing, "Because the tribute for Goddess Hestia is an obvious answer."
"An obvious answer?"
Pegasus paused again, looking puzzled at Jason.
"The tributes people offer Goddess Hestia have never changed."
Jason said, "She is the eldest sister of the gods, guardian of the family. Thus, her tribute... a happy reunion banquet would suffice."
"A banquet?"
Pegasus reacted but grew even more confused. "Little master, are you planning to cook a meal as tribute to Goddess Hestia?
She would accept it, but this...
She has been looking forward to your tribute for a long time!"
"I know, so of course it won't be that simple... An ordinary yet extraordinary banquet is the tribute I should offer Goddess Hestia."
Pegasus blinked.
It did not quite understand.
Well, it did not matter.
"Then, little master, have you decided how to do it?"
"Hm... No."
Jason shrugged helplessly at the somewhat surprised Pegasus. "I've only recently sorted this out, and... I'm not sure if I'm right.
If there's a better choice.
You know Goddess Hestia has helped me a lot, so I want to do my utmost to offer her tribute."
Hearing this, Pegasus nodded.
"That makes sense. Come to think of it, I was captured by Hestia... Back then, I was still running freely in the sea and sky."
Brother Horse said with some sentiment.
"Your meaning is that following me has wronged you."
Jason raised a brow lightly.
"Not at all. Following little master is the greatest honor of my horse life, my greatest fortune!"
Pegasus chirped in reply.
Then it took a light punch from the amused Jason.
"Smooth talker... Who taught you that!"
"Wasn't it you, little master..."
"Hm?!"
"I said nothing!"
...
...
Happy times are always very brief.
When Helen gradually lowered her guard and sincerely thanked Goddess Hestia from the heart for allowing her to meet Jason.
The kingdom of Sparta was already not far away.
Only three days had passed since the events with Goddess Thetis.
Pegasus brought Jason and Helen to the kingdom of Sparta.
This was Helen's homeland, the place she had most longed to return to when abducted by Theseus and Pirithous.
But today, under the dawn light tearing through the night, shining upon them soaring in the sky.
As Helen's purple eyes gazed at the royal city below.
Her expression grew very complex.
"What's wrong?"
Jason noticed her unusual mood. "Nervous? ...Don't worry. The great Goddess Hestia will always watch over you.
Your family must be waiting day and night for your return home."
Jason instinctively thought Helen was timid.
Afraid because she had been away too long and now felt fear upon returning.
When Jason had gone home... even if it was not a true "home," he had felt this way, so he understood Helen well.
But had he truly understood?
Helen's complex expression did stem partly from this.
But the main reason was...
She tilted her head slightly. In her purple eyes reflected Jason with his gentle smile.
The hero who, in her view, shone more brilliantly than the god of light Apollo.
The moment of parting had arrived.
Helen had prepared herself mentally for this.
Yet... the journey had been so short.
And so brilliant, so dazzling.
Even as a single flower of time in a long life, it would surely be the most radiant one in Helen's heart!
One had to admit, Helen had always regretted her playful curiosity back then, leading to such a great calamity in her life.
But at the same time, she felt fortunate.
Fortunate to meet him in the final stretch of that journey.
Yet... why not from the beginning?
And why... could it not continue like this forever?
Jason reached out and patted Helen's head, saying softly, "Go back with peace of mind. Your family is waiting for you."
Looking at Jason comforting her, Helen's lips trembled slightly, but in the end she said nothing, merely giving a soft hum.
In this moment, Helen perhaps hated her own "maturity."
Hated how clearly she understood in her heart that no matter how she tried to hold on, she could not keep this hero more dazzling than the god of light Apollo.
He was destined to be only a passerby in her life.
Jason truly failed to read Helen's thoughts this time.
Because in his eyes, Helen was merely a child.
Thus Pegasus prepared to descend with them.
Jason had intended to land with Helen in a quiet spot in the royal city, but then the little bird, which had taken residence in Helen's arms at some point, spoke, delivering a new oracle from Goddess Hestia.
Hestia had already informed Helen's mother and the king of Sparta. They were now in the royal city, eagerly awaiting Helen's return.
Thus, with a touch of helplessness.
The bird flew out, guiding the three to land in an open area within the palace.
Many people had gathered there.
The stern king wearing his crown, the glamorous queen in luxurious attire, and Sparta's warriors.
In their shocked gazes, the holy Pegasus seeming to descend from the dawn sun, carrying a figure in white robes like the god of light Apollo himself.
And their princess, Helen, landed here.
Though not the first time being "observed" like this, no matter how many times, Jason always felt somewhat unaccustomed.
Thus, after Pegasus crouched, Jason patted Helen's head one last time in farewell and prepared to leave.
At that moment.
"Brother Jason!"
"Hm?"
Hearing Helen's voice, Jason instinctively looked down at her. Helen suddenly leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck.
And pressed her lips to his.
Because it was so sudden, Jason could not dodge.
Yet it lasted only a moment.
Soon after, Helen released Jason.
And turned to leave.
"...Little master?"
Pegasus looked at Jason.
Though surprised by Helen's action, it could understand.
Jason gazed at Helen's departing back, paused for a while, then gently shook his head. "It's nothing... Let's go."
Without lingering further.
Hearing Jason, Pegasus looked up at Helen running away without turning back.
Then it rose, spread its wings, and ran, carrying Jason away from the place under everyone's gaze.
Soaring into the blue sky amid the morning light.
This is for the best... Even Pegasus felt so.
Pegasus did not dislike Helen.
After all, the child had been exceptionally obedient the entire journey.
Toward such an adorable and sensible child, Pegasus naturally felt positively.
Even in this final moment, she had only been slightly willful, not saying a single word that might trouble Jason by trying to keep him.
Pegasus carried Jason away without the slightest pause.
Helen, running straight into her mother's arms, could finally no longer hold back and burst into tears in her mother's embrace.
Helen did not look back, but she knew this outcome.
Yet no one would understand her. Everyone would think Helen cried from emotion at returning home and reuniting with family.
Of course, that was part of it, but...
The budding flower withered before it could bloom.
This was the end of this story.
And it was a destined end.