Weeks later, the Argo temporarily halted on an ocean in the Greek World.
The Heroes on the Argo temporarily put aside their work and gathered around Heracles, who, in the center of the crowd, looked at the giant oar broken in two in his hand with a troubled expression, a hint of apology on his face.
"This was an oar carved from a tree blessed by the Goddess," Jason said, scratching his head, looking bewildered.
"I'm sorry, everyone," Heracles said apologetically.
"It's fine, it's not your fault," Jason quickly comforted him. "For you to break it after weeks of such strenuous use, this oar was already very sturdy."
"So what do we do now?"
Perseus opportunely stepped forward to draw attention, asking reproachfully,
"Even such a sturdy oar was broken by him."
"There's nothing for it," Jason sighed. "Heracles, you can temporarily step down and rest. The rest of us will continue rowing. We'll find a populated island nearby to dock, and we also need to replenish our food and fresh water."
So, under Jason's command, the remaining forty-nine oarsmen managed to get the Argo moving, and they soon found an island in the nearby ocean.
From afar, the Heroes saw a continuous stretch of houses on the island, distributed along a mountain peak. Outside these houses, artificial city walls were clearly visible, indicating that not only was the island inhabited, but a city-state had also been established there.
"Excellent, it seems to be a populated island."
Upon seeing the state of the island, Jason also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Now we can properly replenish the supplies on the ship."
However, Orpheus, who was beside him, looked strange when he saw the island.
"Orpheus, is there something wrong with this island?"
Noticing his brother's expression, the ship's doctor, Asclepius, asked.
"When I used to learn songs from the bards from Sparta, I heard them talk about this island. Do you see that palace over there? That's the landmark of this island."
Orpheus pointed at the island and spoke eloquently:
"This island is called Lemnos Island. I heard that the women on this island angered Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, by not worshipping her. So she cast a spell that made all the women on the island reek unbearably. Consequently, the original men on the island abandoned their wives and the women of the island, fleeing to Thrace across the strait to find new partners. Later, in their fury, the abandoned women on the island killed all the men who remained. Only the original King Thoas was saved by his daughter, Queen Hypsipyle, and exiled from the island. Queen Hypsipyle then became the current Queen of this island. The women of Lemnos Island are very exclusive, especially towards men, whom they utterly detest."
"Well, indeed, if a man abandons his wife just because of a smell, such a man is quite disgusting," commented Miss Atalanta, a famous representative of the Greek Avengers League, upon hearing this story.
"Isn't it because Aphrodite went too far?"
Orpheus wondered.
"Shh! The Gods are watching our ship! You fool!"
Asclepius quickly covered his brother's mouth, raising a finger to him in warning:
"Our father can speak like that casually, but you and I are not Apollo. Shut up! Don't mention this again, understand?"
As Asclepius warned his brother Orpheus, the other Heroes on the ship also had varied expressions. Indeed, this ship was built by Athena, Jason's patron deity was Heavenly Queen Hera, and with various Divine Children on board, it could be said that this expedition involved almost all the Gods.
The Gods must be watching this ship, so it's best not to mention any topics concerning them. The pettiness of the Greek Gods, well, those who know, know.
After seeing Orpheus nod "mm-hmm," Asclepius snorted and released his brother. Jason also turned his head, pretending nothing had happened, and looked at the island, saying:
"But even if they don't welcome us, there's nothing we can do. Our ship's supplies are insufficient to continue sailing, and we also need to get Heracles a new oar. We can only approach. I hope, for the sake of all the Gods, these women of Lemnos Island won't make things too difficult for us."
The Captain had made his decision, so the Heroes rowed the ship and brought it to a shallow beach on Lemnos Island.
The Argo was blessed by Athena, making the entire ship extremely strong in carrying capacity yet very light in weight. After the Argo Heroes arrived at the shallow beach, they all jumped into the waist-deep water and then easily lifted the Argo onto their shoulders, carrying it to the shore.
Leaving a few Heroes to guard the ship, Jason then led a large group of Heroes towards the city-state on Lemnos Island.
Fearing that Queen Hypsipyle of the island might take offense at them, a group of men, and directly order the women of the island to kill them, Jason specifically brought the fully armed Heracles and kept him constantly by his side.
Jason had even thought out the escape route. If Queen Hypsipyle were to open the gates and send people out to attack him, he would have Heracles block the city gate, holding off a myriad of enemies. If Queen Hypsipyle pretended to welcome them in, then closed the city gates and unleashed hundreds of axemen, he would have Heracles carry him and charge out.
Even if it meant being taken advantage of by Heracles, that "gay," Jason accepted it. Life was always more important than chastity.
The Argo Heroes were numerous and all looked extraordinary. Therefore, when their grand procession arrived beneath the city walls of Lemnos Island, it startled Queen Hypsipyle within the city. After Jason explained their purpose to the women, the Queen quickly appeared personally on the city wall, looking down at the Heroes below.
"Heroes from afar, I have heard of your intentions."
After consulting with a few women beside her, Queen Hypsipyle directly spoke to Jason and the others below the city walls:
"However, because you are all powerful Heroes, I dare not let you enter the city directly. I must test your attitude towards women."
"How will you test us?"
Upon hearing Jason's question, Queen Hypsipyle's beautiful face showed a smile.
She looked down and asked:
"Are there any women in your group?"