66 The Call of Typhon, the Ancestor of Monsters

[T/N: Another double-sized chapter, and please read Author's Thought.]

"Remember Jason, of all the Gods you will be offering tribute to, Artemis, she is the easiest god to deal with but also the most difficult god to deal with!"

These were the original words that Hermes, the Messenger of Gods, has spoken to Jason that day after Jason agreed to solve the matter of Io.

At that time, Hermes had explained to Jason.

"Artemis is the daughter of God-King Zeus and Titan Goddess Leto, the twin sister of Apollo, the God of Light, and one of the twelve main gods of Olympus".

"Artemis's character is free and independent, she loves life in the wild and opposes marriage between men and women. She likes unmarried maidens as well as those who despise Aphrodite... Thus, it can be seen that her relationship with the Goddess of Love is not very good."

"At the same time, Artemis and Athena are also the two daughters of the god-king Zeus who are most valued and indulged... but upon precise subdivision, Zeus values Athena the most and unconditionally dotes on Artemis."

"Therefore, God-King Zeus hardly refuses any of the requests from Artemis, and she is also one of the most worshipped gods by the whole of Greece."

"And for such a goddess..."

"No matter what tribute you give her, she will not be satisfied, because she actually doesn't lack anything and she can easily get everything she wants, after all, as long as she wants something, almost every god on Olympus will come forward to help her."

Then, Jason recalled what Hermes has finally said to him at that time before leaving.

"So for the tribute to Artemis, Jason, you must remember not to look for any 'precious' tribute, because Artemis doesn't lack anything."

"Of course, this doesn't mean she doesn't need tribute, she just doesn't need physical objects, what she needs to see is your heart!"

"So Jason, remember that you must not act sloppy while offering the prepared tribute to Artemis."

"And as long as your tribute to her contains and can deliver your sincere thoughts, even if it is just a flower, she will be very happy!"

Jason does not doubt Hermes' words, after all, he only needed to refer to the Boar Hunt of Calydon to confirm it.

After all, keeping aside the issues of whether Artemis has really released the boar as punishment to Calydon, it doesn't change the fact that the King of Calydon has indeed forgotten to pay tributes to her during the Harvest Festival.

But when the prince of Calydon, Meleager, sincerely prayed to Gods and asked for their blessing to succeed in hunting the boar, it was Artemis who has first come forward and blessed him.

Therefore, in terms of offering tribute, she is undoubtedly the best but also the most difficult god to deal with.

Because most of the other gods have their own desires they want to fulfill.

But Artemis doesn't have any desire she hasn't already fulfilled on her own.

However, in Jason's understanding, this situation can be explained in very simple terms.

'Artemis is obviously like a wealthy and powerful woman with more material things than she desires, so she has naturally stopped pursuing material things, but she is now pursuing spiritual things.'

After thinking of this, Jason also understood why Artemis seemed to be so concerned about the relationship between Atalanta and him.

....

So, now, at this moment, after Jason asked Atalanta for help.

"Tribute?"

Atalanta looked at Jason in doubt, then thought for a while and nodded while saying: "Well, you really should pay a tribute to Goddess Artemis... Then, you are preparing to make me assist you in killing the Calydonian Boar?"

"Why?" Jason looked at Atalanta in puzzlement.

"What why?" Atalanta is also puzzled: "Besides the Calydonian Wild Boar, do you have any other hunting target?"

Fighting = Offering to Gods = Destruction and Killing

Jason understood that although Atalanta is very disdainful towards other heroes' barbaric actions, even for her this is just common sense in this world.

"No, but I'm not going to offer my hunted prey to Goddess Artemis." Jason shook his head.

"Not offer your prey?" Atalanta frowned and asked in doubt: "Then what are you going to offer?"

"Something romantic." Jason gave a brief reply.

After carefully considering every option, Jason concluded that Artemis will be most satisfied with a tribute following this theme.

"Romantic?" Atalanta was stunned: "What is romantic? Is it some kind of terrible monster?"

"Well... It will be really hard to explain this in a few words, but it's not a monster. And haven't I already said that I'm not going to hunt, so just tell me, are you are willing to help me?"

"...If it is related to Goddess Artemis's tribute, I will help you." Although Atalanta is still puzzled, she finally agreed.

"Thanks, Atalanta!"

After receiving a positive reply from Atalanta, Jason also breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, the tribute Jason is going to present will take some time to prepare, and during this time, Jason doesn't want Artemis to disturb him and learn about his tribute in advance because he knows that otherwise, the effect of his tribute would be reduced.

Then, after leaving Pegasus outside and telling him to let it find a place nearby outside and play or rest by himself, for a short while, because he will easily attract too much attention, Jason and Atalanta entered the Royal palace of Calydon.

"Jason, you're back..."

Meleager said upon seeing Jason enter, but noticing Atalanta also enter following behind Jason, he couldn't help but be stunned.

"Jason, we are thinking of organizing the hunting of Calydonian Wild Boar tomorrow late night, what do you think?"

Heracles, who was on the side, noticed Meleager staring blankly at Atalanta, so he could only come forward and say to Jason.

As for why late-night, because moon represents Artemis and her blessing will be strongest in the presence of moonlight.

"Is it late night tomorrow? Got it."

Jason nodded, then apologetically said to the two of them: "Meleager, Hercules, I came here to apologize to both of you... I was originally planning on joining the banquet with both of you today, but can I drag our get-together for a day?"

"It's alright...but what happened?"

"He wants to make a tribute to Goddess Artemis." Atalanta lightly explained to Heracles, who was puzzled by Jason's sudden request.

And at the same time, Atalanta gave Jason a strange look.

Because it is just a while ago that Atalanta found out about Jason also being a student of Chiron, the legendary Centaur Sage.

'Hasn't he already said that he is a student of Goddess of Paths, Goddess Hecate?'

"A tribute to the noble Goddess of Moon Artemis?... Jason, are you going to hunt the wild boar alone?" Upon hearing Jason's words, Meleager couldn't help but ask.

"No." Jason shook his head: "It's not hunting that wild boar... anyway, in short, I'm sorry Meleager, Heracles, I will definitely compensate both of you after this matter is over! "

After he finished speaking, Jason turned around and grabbed Atalanta's hand, then began walking out with still stunned Atalanta, after all, Jason knows that since he has decided, he can't spend too much time here.

"Jason, wait!"

Seeing the scene of Jason leaving with Atalante, Meleager, who has already opened his eyes wide, almost subconsciously stopped him.

Then, under Jason's puzzled gaze, Meleager hesitated for a few moments and asked: "Can I go together?"

"No way, you can't." But before Jason could answer, Heracles said to Meleager: "You still need to greet those warriors who have responded to your call."

"Makes sense."

Meleagloss smiled wryly.

So, finally, Jason left with Atalanta.

But after a period of silence, Meleagloss suddenly weakly said to Hercules: "Don't you think that Jason and Atalanta seem to be quite an appropriate match?"

"A man handsome man like God Apollo, the God of Light, and a woman beautiful like Goddess Artemis, the Goddess of Moon."

Hercules looked at Meleager, then after hesitating for a while, he cautiously replied: "It should... it looks like a good match."

"...Really?" Meleagloss shook his head, then smiled and continued: "I think so too, they really look like a good match."

"Then you..."

"I admit defeat." Meleagloss raised his hand as if surrendering, before continuing: "If it was someone else, I would have definitely not been reconciled and even gotten really unhappy or angry, but...since it is our youngest brother Jason, forget it."

*****

After Jason left the palace with Atalanta, they went outside and Jason, who has already let go of Atalanta's hand, found Pegasus, then immediately said to Atalanta: "Atalanta, wait for me here, just for a short while... and if you get bored, let Pegasus take you around the sky, but don't leave for too long."

"Chirp—!"

Before Atalanta can say anything, upon hearing Jason's words, Pegasus neighed loudly while kicking the ground.

"Stop yelling, what's wrong with taking someone to fly around for a while, anyway I'll give you a few cakes as compensation after this."

Upon hearing this condition, Pegasus is obviously satisfied.

"Where are you going, I'll go too." Atalanta frowned while saying.

"I'm going to Underworld... Are you sure you want to follow?"

Jason, who is already holding his Magic Staff in his hand, looked at Atalanta while asking.

Hearing this, Atalanta froze for a moment, then silently took a few steps back.

Seeing this, although Jason felt amused, he did not embarrass Atalanta as he doesn't have much time and also needs Atlanta's help.

Then Jason found a relatively dark place on the side and lightly tapped his Magic Staff on the ground.

So with the support of ghost butterflies, Jason again entered Underworld.

And immediately appeared in front of the gate of Underworld, guarded by the three-headed hellhound, Cerberus.

"Why did you come back suddenly?"

The three-headed hellhound looked at Jason in doubt and continued asking: "Haven't you said that you are going on a journey and won't be back in a short time?"

"I came back to ask the teacher for help... Oh, and Cerberus, do not tell Teacher Hecate about my return, otherwise, Teacher Hecate will definitely close the door of her temple and pretend that she is not there!"

Jason, who has already become familiar with the three-headed hellhound, said this.

And, it is obvious for Jason to be very familiar with the three-headed hellhound, after all, for the last three years, Jason had passed by the three-headed hellhound many times.

Moreover, although this three-headed hellhound, Cerberus guards the gate of the underworld for Hades, the King of Underworld, its actual owner is not Hades, but Hecate, Jason's teacher.

It is just another proof of Hecate having a high position even in the Underworld, even after not being an Underworld Goddess.

So after a brief conversation with the three-headed hellhound, Jason reached the Styx and met the Ferry God Charon.

"Child, why did you suddenly come back?" Charon curiously looked at Jason and asked: "Is there any difficulty that can't be solved?... I remember that you have killed Chimera just two days ago, right?"

"Ah, please accept my deepest gratitude for your help two days ago, God Charon."

Then Jason jumped on the boat and said to Charon, who has a skeleton head with ghostly flames burning in his eyes: "I haven't encountered any difficulties, but I need to ask Teacher Hecate to help me with something."

"Okay." Just when Charon nodded lightly and was about to start rowing the boat, he suddenly stopped.

Then he said to Jason: "Child, you will probably need to wait a little longer before you can get ashore."

"What's wrong?" Jason looked at Charon in puzzlement.

"God Hades has already known that you have arrived, and now Goddess Persephone is coming towards you."

"Sister Persephone?... It just so happens I also need to meet her."

Jason nodded in understanding.

Although all these interactions and scenes have long ago become normal for Jason, if Atalanta has really followed him to Underworld, one just can't guess what kind of expression she would have put on her face while asking:

'Is this really the underworld?'

'That dark and terrifying underworld where living can't enter?'

'Are you sure this isn't your home?!'

Actually, after Persephone, the Queen of Underworld, declared herself as Jason's sister, with Hecate, the Goddess of Paths, being his teacher, and even Hades, King of Underworld secretly supporting him, it really isn't impossible for Jason to regard this Underworld as his second home.

Simultaneously, Jason also really likes Underworld more than the land.

Because so far, Underworld Gods have hardly brought any trouble to Jason, rather Jason is aware of the fact that he has been bothering many Underworld Gods.

And as a matter of fact, Jason has even seriously begun considering and liking the idea that he should join Underworld and even get a position here, after becoming a God with the help of Athena.

'It will be better to become a neighbor with Teacher Hecate.'

Just when Jason was thinking about this...

"Child, come here."

"Child, I know you can hear my voice, come here, I won't hurt you."

A faint muffled voice suddenly sounded in Jason's mind.

Jason was stunned, but only for a moment and he didn't look too surprised, because he has heard this sound more than once, starting three years ago.

"Child, I feel the desire and destiny of destruction in you...come here, child, I will help you."

Just like always, Jason silently listened to the summoning.

Then, Jason slightly tilted his head and turned his eyes to Tartarus, the abyss of the Underworld.

'...Sorry, son of the great primordial god Tartarus, Titan God Typhon, King of Titans, I will not come to you.'

Jason softly replied in his heart, already knowing from experience that Typhon can hear him.

"No, child."

Typhon's muffled voice again rang in Jason's ear: "I know that you'll come to me one day...I'll be waiting for you, child."

Hearing this, Jason finally let out a slow breath.

"What's wrong, child?"

Charon doubtfully looked at Jason, whose expression had suddenly become serious.

"No...it's fine."

Jason slowly shook his head and again smiled at Charon.

Typhon, the ancestor of all Monsters, is the son of two of the five primordial gods born at the beginning of the world, Tartarus, the God of Abyss and Hell, and Gaia, the Goddess of Earth.

Its birth has been predicted as the destruction of Olympus.

Some even say that Typhon's existence in itself represents destruction!

Therefore, what other gods can't easily, or even with effort, feel or sense on Jason, it has already felt.

And Typhon has been making such calls to Jason since around three years ago.