"Golden-Horned Deer!"
Seeing the Golden-Horned Deer step forward beneath the moonlight, Meleager and Heracles were naturally extremely surprised and did not dare show the slightest negligence.
Because everyone knew that the Golden-Horned Deer was the beloved messenger of Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt. It represented the goddess Artemis herself.
And for this Calydonian Hunt, the deity Meleager had prayed to for protection and blessing to kill the Calydonian Boar was none other than Artemis… although that boar had also been sent by Artemis herself as revenge.
Therefore, just as Meleager and Heracles saw the Golden-Horned Deer and their expressions turned solemn.
"Big Sis Deer!"
Jason happily ran forward and hugged the Golden-Horned Deer tightly.
Under the astonished gazes of the two, not only did the Golden-Horned Deer not resist, it even clearly enjoyed Jason's intimate embrace.
It then nuzzled Jason's cheek, licked his face, and let out soft cries.
"Heehee, that tickles, Big Sis Deer, stop licking… Eh, don't bite my hair either, don't pull… Ah, I got it, I was wrong, okay, Big Sis Deer? From now on I'll definitely make time to visit you often, I promise!"
Only after Jason solemnly swore did the Golden-Horned Deer finally let him go.
"This… this is…"
Meleager's mouth slowly fell open. Heracles, on the other hand, nodded thoughtfully and muttered, "It seems that legend… is true."
"Legend?" Meleager looked at Heracles in confusion.
"It's a legend that circulates among the hunters in the Arcadia region… I only heard it by chance."
Heracles looked at Jason and the Golden-Horned Deer and said to Meleager, "Rumor has it that three years ago, a white-clothed youth once passed through the land of Arcadia.
He bore an oracle from the gods and was on his way to accomplish a great deed.
It is said that Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, personally guided his direction.
Though young, he was as dazzling as Apollo, God of Light, so even Lord Apollo doted on him and bestowed upon him a sharp sword capable of slaying any ferocious beast.
Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, gave him her most beloved Golden-Horned Deer so that he could cross any mountain.
And his name was… Jason."
Three years ago, an oracle… Meleager's eyes slowly widened.
After all, he knew that three years ago, Jason had indeed been carrying an oracle!
When Heracles reached this point, he paused slightly, then suddenly looked at Meleager with a strange expression.
"And… I also heard that this matter was spread by a certain female hunter who even personally protected that hero for a time."
"And the name of that female hunter, if I remember correctly… was Atalanta, the most beloved follower of the Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis…"
"…Huh?" Meleager stared blankly at Heracles.
While the two fell silent, Heracles momentarily at a loss for words and Meleager completely stunned by the flood of information, Jason walked back from the Golden-Horned Deer and said apologetically to them, "I'm sorry, senior brothers. I had really planned to have a good get-together with you tonight, but…"
Jason tilted his head toward the Golden-Horned Deer and said helplessly, "I have an appointment tonight… Tomorrow, tomorrow I will definitely bring the most precious wine and make it up to both senior brothers!"
"Mm… It's fine if you have to leave, but are you going to meet…" Meleager glanced at the Golden-Horned Deer.
To this, although Jason did not answer and brushed it off vaguely.
But watching him ride away on the Golden-Horned Deer, how could Meleager and Heracles not know who he was going to see tonight.
"This little junior brother's change… isn't it a bit too big?!"
Only long after Jason had left did Meleager come back to his senses and couldn't help asking Heracles.
"What are you talking about?" Heracles laughed. "Hasn't he always been like this… Don't forget, back in the cave on Mount Pelion, he was the junior brother most doted on by Teacher and everyone, wasn't he?"
Hearing this, Meleager thought about it and realized it seemed to be true.
After all, even he had taken very good care of Jason.
"So even among the gods now, he is greatly favored?"
"…The very end of that rumor described him that way." Heracles was silent for a moment before replying, "They called him the one beloved by all the gods!"
"The one beloved by all the gods… But if I remember correctly, little junior brother Jason really hates running into gods, doesn't he?"
Meleager said hesitantly, then asked in a quiet voice.
Teacher Chiron, I want to drop out!
Teacher Chiron, I absolutely will not become a hero!
Senior brothers, you have to take care of me in the future, okay?
Even now… no, precisely because he had just seen everything before him, Meleager remembered the events of three years ago even more clearly.
"Yeah." Heracles couldn't help sighing. "And he hasn't changed at all even now. You saw it yourself. Teacher Chiron even specially sent a letter. That's why until just now I was doubting the truth of that rumor, but…
Clearly, it's all true!"
"Mm…"
Meleager scratched his head and said, "Although I don't understand exactly what's going on, it seems we don't need to worry about Teacher's instructions anymore.
Oh right, what was the name of that female hunter you just mentioned?"
"…Atalanta."
"Huh?" Meleager froze for a moment. "Atalanta… Wait, isn't that the female hero? The two of them… they already know each other?!"
...
...
Bathing in the gentle moonlight, Jason, riding the Golden-Horned Deer, felt the scenery before him abruptly change the moment he left the Kingdom of Calydon.
Soon after, he, the Golden-Horned Deer, and Pegasus who followed beside them arrived outside a quiet ancient forest cabin.
Just as Jason had not fully recovered from this, he discovered that his vision was shrouded in darkness… soft, tender hands covered his eyes.
"Heehee, little Jason, guess who I am?"
A joyful laugh, clear as silver bells, rang softly by Jason's ear.
"Hmm… I think it must be that noble and beautiful being, like the moon hanging in the sky, making all the stars in the world pale in comparison, the great and beautiful Goddess Artemis, right?"
The moment Jason's words fell, unstoppable laughter from Artemis sounded beside his ear.
Then, a delighted Artemis let go of her hands.
"Little Jason has such a sweet mouth, so obedient!"
Her laughter continued. Clearly very pleased by Jason's praise, the overjoyed Artemis even lightly kissed Jason's forehead in the end.
And in the next second, Jason felt a terrifying killing intent coming from beside him.
Turning his head, beneath the moonlight stood a female hunter dressed in beautiful emerald-green clothing: Atalanta…