Chapter 128: Loyalty!
Zeus’s voice became even more affectionate and increasingly high-spirited: “My most trustworthy partner, I will forever entrust my back to you without worry, because I know your loyalty is impeccable.”
“You are so steadfast and upright in your allegiance and support for me, unyielding and unshakable.”
“Styx, I will trust you just as firmly as you are loyal to me; this trust will never change!”
“I hereby appoint you as the sacred witness who oversees the gods in the sacred order I have newly established!”
“You will be the first river of the Underworld, and the most important river. You will encircle the entire Underworld and become its majestic supporter!”
“You will comb the ocean currents entering the Underworld, and you will assist Hades in strengthening the netherworld.”
“All living beings of the universe, whether gods or mortals, must pass through your rivers to enter the Underworld.”
“You are both a god of the Underworld and a god of Heaven. Mount Olympus will forever open its gates to you, and atop the divine mountain, a divine palace will always be reserved for you!”
Zeus’s deep voice suddenly became incomparably solemn and magnificent. A tremendously loud thunderclap reverberated through the universe, and He proclaimed majestically in a loud voice:
“All gods and all living beings of the universe, including me, Zeus—anyone who swears an oath by the River Styx represents the most sacred oath I witness!”
“You are the eternal witness and final judge of sacred oaths! Oaths sworn in your name possess absolute binding force and must never be violated!”
“If mortal beings violate them, they will face severe punishment! Even if immortal gods violate them, they will pay a heavy price!”
Zeus’s majestic gaze swept over all the gods present. After looking around, He said clearly and coldly: “We are the masters of the universe, the incarnation of cosmic laws, the sacred gods!”
“Trust is the cornerstone of all interactions; the gods must set an example for all living beings in the myriad worlds of the universe!”
“A god must not be without trust! A god must not speak falsely! A god must not break oaths!”
“Any god who swears by the name of Styx, including me, Zeus—if they violate the oath, they will immediately fall into the netherworld, be immersed in the waters of the River Styx, lie in a coma for ten years, their consciousness sunk, never seeing the light of day!”
“For a hundred years, they will not be allowed to attend any feasts held by gods and will be isolated by the gods! For a hundred years, they will not be permitted to set foot on Mount Olympus and will be exiled by the divine mountain! For a hundred years, they will not be allowed to drink honey wine or eat ambrosia, losing sacred nourishment!”
The gods did not yet know exactly how long this “one hundred years” was, but from Zeus’s stern and determined tone, they knew this punishment would not be short—it would surely be long and unbearable.
In truth, this punishment set by Zeus was already terrifying enough for the gods.
The gods were not afraid of injury or bloodshed; what they feared most was endless loneliness and isolation.
Now, failing to honor oaths would mean isolation, deprivation of the daily pleasures and socializing of being a god, and no longer enjoying the lively and wonderful universe—this was too unbearable!
Zeus added: “For those who repeatedly break oaths, the punishment time will be doubled and extended.”
Styx’s heart was filled with ecstasy at this moment; the immense glory and authority made her excitement indescribable.
The ocean god couple was also overjoyed; they knew Zeus would not mistreat the ocean lineage, and indeed He did not!
Zeus, what a dignified god! So dignified!
All the ocean gods were now absolutely certain of one thing: pledging loyalty to Zeus was their eternally most correct decision!
But this was not over yet.
Before Styx could express thanks, Zeus continued: “And your children, these lovely and powerful children—they are just like my own children, so let them stay by my side.”
Zeus continued to proclaim: “From this day forward, the left, right, front, and back of my divine throne symbolize the four directions—east, west, south, and north—representing the radiation of my power and honor.”
He looked at Styx’s several children behind her and said majestically:
“Nike, from this moment on, you stand at my right hand, representing my eternal success and victory, invincible in battle!”
“Bia, you stand at my left hand, representing my forever infinite and absolute power, unmatched!”
“Kratos, you stand before me, representing my supreme power and majesty, intimidating the universe!”
“Zelus, you stand behind me, representing my unparalleled courage and glory, invincible wherever you go!”
Zeus’s high-spirited voice echoed in the divine palace: “From this day forward, you will be with me, forever standing by my side, becoming my intimate aides and symbols!”
Styx’s heart grew even more ecstatic, nearly fainting.
The authority granted was too great!
It was truly worth rushing to pledge allegiance at the first moment!
Indeed, the first to pledge allegiance gets the most benefits!
The children’s futures were all arranged!
God King’s close attendants!
Moreover, close attendants representing the God King’s every power and glory—what unparalleled honor!
From now on, the children’s names would accompany the God King’s name, sung and praised by all living beings of the universe.
Styx led her four children to the center of the divine palace. Overwhelmed with excitement, she even knelt on both knees, her voice filled with infinite gratitude and submission to the God King:
“Great God King! Generous God King! Merciful God King! Styx thanks you for your bestowal and will forever remember your kindness. I will be forever loyal to you! Your will will always be my will!”
Her four children were also extremely excited. They followed their mother, respectfully kneeling on both knees, and once again swore unwavering allegiance to the God King.
A pleased smile appeared on Zeus’s majestic face. In a gentle and affectionate tone, He said: “My dearest comrade, please sit down. We will forever be the most steadfast friends.”
After thanking Him respectfully again, Styx returned to her divine seat.
Her four children—Nike, Bia, Kratos, and Zelus—had already taken their positions behind Zeus’s divine throne of their own accord.
They became the new God King’s most loyal and powerful close attendants and symbols.
Victory and glory would forever stand by Zeus’s side.
Because Zeus stands tall, they can represent all victory and glory.
Zeus possesses eternal victory and glory!
Next were the sons of Crius—Astraeus, Pallas, and Perses, the three brothers, these majestic starry sky giant gods.
Zeus’s majestic face was filled with a hearty smile as He looked at these three loyal allies, genuinely happy from the heart.
Many primordial great gods were not convenient to command casually; for future matters, these second-generation gods would still be needed.
These three brothers were sufficiently loyal, capable, and reliable in divine quality. Having such subordinates was truly worth rejoicing over.
His voice was filled with affection and praise: “Sons of Crius, my dear comrades, do I need to say more about your loyalty and strong support for me?”
“In this world, who does not know that you always charge forward fearlessly, fighting and killing for me?”
Zeus laughed heartily as He spoke. The three brothers laughed loudly along with Him, and the other gods in the hall also showed genuine smiles, making the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.
Especially Crius, who smiled brilliantly, completely unlike his usual serious, majestic, and solemn demeanor.
After a good while, Zeus restrained his laughter and continued: “The old God King feared the gods’ power and restricted the gods’ honor; I will never do so!”
“All gods loyal to me and helping me—I will forever share honor with them!”
Zeus proclaimed solemnly in a loud voice: “Pallas, from this day forward, the vast starry sky south of my divine throne, including all stars and constellations within it, shall be under your jurisdiction. You will be the supreme ruler of the southern celestial domain!”
“Perses, the boundless starry sky north of my divine throne, including all stars and celestial bodies within it, shall be governed by you. You will be the eternal manager of the northern celestial domain!”
Zeus turned his gaze to Astraeus: “Astraeus, my loyal comrade! I will never forget that you were the first to kneel and pledge allegiance to me. I will never betray your loyalty!”
“Because I, Zeus, am a god who never betrays those by His side!”
“From this moment on, you will control the trajectories and laws of all stars in the night sky. You will be the symbol of the vast night sky; the order of all celestial movements will be managed by you. You will be the weaver and guardian of the star paths!”
“And your lovely children—how lovely they are, and how full of vitality. I like them so much.”
“From this day forward, they will be the harbingers of my thunder and rain’s arrival, the wind gods of the four directions—east, west, south, and north! They wield the winds of heaven and earth, bringing vitality and change to the world!”
Immense joy and glory instantly filled the hearts of these three star gods and their children. The excitement of being recognized and entrusted with heavy responsibilities left them speechless.
Under the old God King’s rule, even though they possessed extremely powerful strength, they could only hide all their radiance.
Only Zeus generously bestowed upon them this supreme honor!
They were not ungrateful gods; endless excitement and emotion filled their entire hearts.
Only Perses felt he had lost out, because he alone had no wife or children yet.
He had already resolved to quickly find a goddess to marry and promptly respond to His Majesty the God King’s call by having children!
The sooner the better, to seize the best authority! Look at his two brothers’ children—all close attendants to His Majesty the God King!
The three star gods led their children, kneeling respectfully and solemnly, and called out in unison, their voices filled with absolute loyalty and gratitude to the God King:
“Great God King, thank you for your generous bestowal. The Astraeus（ Pallas）（ Perses） family will forever be your most loyal subjects. Your will is our eternal direction! We swear to follow you to the death, never abandoning!”
Zeus smiled and nodded, his pleasure evident.
Then, He slowly stood up. Without extending His thunder divine body, He appeared quite small in the hall, but no god would shift their gaze from Him, nor would any dare to underestimate Him in the slightest!
He opened His arms toward the three immensely huge figures behind the Mother Goddess of All Things Gaia, offering an embrace full of friendship, and said in a clear, enthusiastic voice: “Brontes, Steropes, Arges, my dear friends, come forward and receive the glory you deserve!”
The three Cyclopes moved upon hearing this. Their tall bodies, somewhat restrained, stepped one by one toward the center of the hall.
They had previously stood silently behind Gaia, awaiting the God King’s summons.
At this supremely important grand ceremony of the gods, all gods attended in person, fully displaying their divine bodies to show respect for the meeting and the God King.
Many great gods’ divine bodies were immensely huge. Considering this, the council temple of the gods was specially built extremely vast and spacious—Mount Olympus was exceptionally magnificent and towering; otherwise, it truly could not accommodate so many great gods.
Even so, once the three Cyclops giant gods stood in the hall, the magnificent divine palace immediately seemed not so large.
Zeus looked outside the divine palace, where there were three even more gigantic Hundred-armed Giants. Their divine bodies were so enormous that they could not enter the divine palace at all, so they stood respectfully outside.
One of their palms was several times larger than the entire divine palace; their extreme size brought extreme oppressive pressure.
Even the immensely majestic cosmic framework Crius, whose majestic divine body could play with stars like marbles, was no different from an insignificant ant before these Hundred-armed Giants, appearing extraordinarily tiny.
These six giant gods had been imprisoned for too long and always unwelcome. Now attending this supreme grand ceremony of the gods that decided cosmic order, though their divine bodies were incredibly tall and burly, they were even more restrained than the other gods.
Zeus opened His arms in embrace, laughing loudly: “Briareus, Cottus, Gyes, oh, my dear friends, you are truly so burly and huge—your massive bodies could almost support the universe! Please forgive my poor hospitality; I can only trouble you to stand outside the divine palace and listen to my words.”
Briareus’s voice boomed like Zeus’s thunder: “Your Majesty the Great God King, illustrious God Zeus, to hear your decree is already our supreme honor!”
“We are immensely grateful for your hospitality. That you allow us to set foot on your sacred Mount Olympus fills us with boundless gratitude—this is already our highest glory!”
Zeus laughed heartily: “My dear friends, though you cannot easily enter this ‘narrow’ divine palace, remember that Olympus will forever welcome you!”
“Though your bodies are immensely huge, you will always remain in my, Zeus’s, magnanimity, because you are forever my most loyal and reliable friends!”
Zeus looked at the six giants, laughing very openly, his inner joy overflowing.
Having six such reliable, powerful, humble, and loyal allies would make any god happy.
His high-pitched, powerful voice resounded throughout the world: “My dear friends, you have achieved indelible merits in this war!”
“Here, under the joint witness of the gods, I, Ruler of the Universe, King of Gods, Zeus, solemnly declare to the entire universe: You are forever my most loyal friends! Forever the eternal guardians of Olympus! Forever the defenders of my sacred order!”
“Here, I even more solemnly declare: Any god who dares to harm or humiliate you is harming and humiliating me, Zeus! Then, they will surely endure the punishment as witness to our friendship!”
“The witness to our friendship—my most powerful force of thunder, lightning, and thunderbolts—will forever defend our great friendship!”
“The loyalty you have shown me is sincere and without reservation; I will repay you with eternal shelter, letting you forever enjoy peace!”
The three Cyclopes and three Hundred-armed Giants, upon hearing this, knelt down in unison with their massive bodies, causing the council temple and all of Mount Olympus to tremble under the giants’ actions.
They called out in unison, their voices like thunder from the heavens, resounding throughout the world: “Great Zeus, generous and tolerant God Lord! Thank you for your supreme bestowal and eternal shelter!”
“Under the joint witness of the universe’s gods, we swear an eternal oath to you: Forever loyal to you! Obeying all your will, we will go through fire and water for you without hesitation! This oath is eternal and unchanging, never to be abandoned!”
The giants’ unanimous call echoed throughout the world, weighing heavily on the hearts of several gods in the hall.
The new God King was not only invincible in personal strength but also had such powerful and loyal allies; no god could stop whatever He wanted to do.
The Mother Goddess of All Things was even more exhausted; her own six children were loyal to Zeus to an indescribable degree.
She had no doubt that though they would not act against her, if her commands conflicted with Zeus’s, they would unhesitatingly prioritize obeying Zeus.
Zeus laughed heartily, signaling the six giants to rise, and said gently: “My dear friends, you currently have no laws—well, in a sense, this is also a good thing; you do not have to bear the toil and burden of maintaining the universe’s operations like other great gods.”
“Then, I promise you: You will forever nestle in the embrace of the Mother Goddess Gaia, freely wandering the universe, fully enjoying every inch of this beautiful world’s scenery, without restraint!”
“Wherever you go, the gods must treat you as they would me, granting you the highest courtesy and respect!”
The six giant gods’ 153 heads and 153 large mouths all grinned widely, and they gratefully said in unison: “Benevolent and merciful God King, to accompany the Mother Goddess is our greatest wish. Your even more generous bestowal of the right to enjoy the world’s beauty—we will forever engrave your kindness in our hearts!”
“Praise Zeus!”
Zeus shook His head and said earnestly: “My dear friends, please do not say such distant words; all this is the reward you deserve!”
“However, the Cyclopes are still fine—though huge in size, they can still move on the earth—but you”
Zeus helplessly spread His hands, a wry smile on His face: “You are simply too big; the world cannot withstand you playing freely. You standing on the earth is already a burden to the Mother Goddess.”
