Chapter 136: Zeus Is The Worst!
Tethys looked at Mother Goddess Gaia and said gently: “Respected Mother Goddess, Atlas and his brothers are merely juniors. How could their wrongdoing trouble a supreme Mother Goddess like You to personally step forward? And moreover, to do so together with the Abyssal Sea and Ano.”
“Today we request His Majesty the God King to release Atlas and them, so in a few days, will we also need to request the release of those far more important to You, the imprisoned Cronus and them?”
“We have gathered together in such a massive lineup. Is this a humble request, or invisible coercion?”
“We certainly have no such idea, but it is best that we do not do anything that could cause misunderstanding, so as to avoid creating unnecessary rifts.”
“It is not only His Majesty the God King who would misunderstand, but all the gods of the universe; they too would speculate in secret.”
“After all, His Majesty the God King has just established the sacred order and divided the honors of the universe. The universe has only just stabilized, and any unusual movement could trigger terrifying chain reactions.”
Tethys looked at the several gods whose expressions had become increasingly serious, their solemn faces proving that her words had sunk deep into their hearts.
She continued: “We must consider His Majesty the God King’s majesty. His Majesty the God King is merciful and generous, but this is not a reason for us to make excessive demands of Him.”
“What Atlas and they did is an unforgivable wrongdoing. We can request, but the final outcome should be decided by His Majesty’s wise judgment.”
“Moreover, we must make all the gods of the universe understand one thing: our absolute loyalty and submission to His Majesty. That we receive bounty is because His Majesty has mercy on us gods who are fathers and mothers, and thus grants forgiveness.”
“We absolutely cannot let the gods of the universe feel that His Majesty’s majesty has been damaged or His authority challenged.”
“Even more, we cannot let His Majesty feel that His own majesty has been challenged. Everything must be His Majesty’s bounty, not something forced upon Him.”
“Whether good or bad, it is His Majesty the God King’s decision.”
Pontus grew more and more shocked as he listened, horror surging in his heart, followed by boundless fear. Even with his eternally indestructible divine body, cold sweat had seeped from his forehead.
He had nearly done something he would regret forever!
If the God King truly misunderstood, their future days would be impossible to live.
That Sea King was surely watching the Sea and Ocean for mistakes at every moment, waiting for an opportunity to erode the authority of the ocean!
Now, with the God King holding things down, Poseidon dared not act recklessly, but if the God King supported him, it would all be over!
Pontus hurriedly said: “Wise Tethys, You are truly worthy of being the mother of the Goddess of Wisdom Metis. Your wisdom likewise earns the admiration of the gods, even surpassing hers!”
“Every word You say is spot on. Thank You for the reminder; otherwise, we might have caused a massive misunderstanding with His Majesty the God King, turning cleverness into blunder and committing a grave error!”
Mother Goddess Gaia also nodded gently at the side. She truly hadn’t thought of this point. With their three gods going together, it did carry a hint of applying pressure, equivalent to Earth, the Inner Sea, and the Ocean jointly pressuring Zeus.
Even if everyone had no such intention, to the God King and the gods, it would look like coercion.
With the God King having just ascended, for Earth, the Sea, and the Ocean to join hands in such a matter was undoubtedly equivalent to a declaration of war.
If they really did it, the just-eased relations would immediately fall into even deeper conflict, and it wasn’t impossible for it to erupt into direct battle.
Even if it didn’t erupt into battle, regardless of whether the God King agreed or not, no one would be able to live peacefully afterward.
A trace of fear flashed across Gaia’s flawless, delicate face, filled with approval. She nodded and asked: “Tethys, my wise daughter, what You say truly makes sense. So, what do you think we should do?”
“We must avoid things that could cause misunderstanding. This is just a small matter; we absolutely cannot let Zeus have any misunderstanding.”
Tethys continued gently and softly: “Respected Mother Goddess, You are right. This is just a small matter. I feel it does not require troubling You to personally go. You should not be involved in this.”
“Your face is of crucial importance, and so is His Majesty’s majesty. If You step forward directly, regardless of whether His Majesty agrees or not, it will brew unimaginable terrible consequences. That is not our intention, nor what we want to see.”
“I understand Your care for Cronus and those children of theirs, but now is not the time.”
“His Majesty the God King has just ascended and still needs time to consolidate His rule. His Majesty has already given You a promise; You should wait patiently and trust in His mercy and tolerance.”
Tethys looked at Pontus and said softly: “As for Your Excellency Pontus of the Abyssal Sea, You absolutely should not participate either. You have no standing to do so. What You should do now is express loyalty and submission to His Majesty.”
Tethys had spoken quite tactfully, but Pontus understood the deep meaning. He nodded silently, gratitude and fear surging in his heart.
Gaia also suddenly realized, fully understanding the reasoning, and fell silent.
The wise Nurturing Goddess continued: “Therefore, this matter can only be handled by the Ocean alone, and by Ano, in the identity of a father and grandfather, going to implore the God King. This maximizes the chance of success and will not make His Majesty the God King feel any offense, while better demonstrating our humility and loyalty.”
“Moreover, we cannot plead for Atlas and them anymore.”
“Originally it could still be tried, but since the Mother Goddess and the Abyssal Sea have come today, we absolutely cannot plead for Atlas anymore, or misunderstandings will inevitably arise.”
“We cannot let His Majesty the God King misunderstand, nor give the gods of the entire universe the wrong signal, making them think there is any conspiracy, nor let the gods feel the God King is being coerced.”
“What we can do is plead for these junior children, requesting His Majesty to pardon them. Request that the children serve at His Majesty’s side as attendants to atone for their sins, until His Majesty of His own initiative bestows mercy and pardons their sins.”
“We should show absolute loyalty and humility. Everything else should be left to His Majesty to decide on His own initiative; we should not make the slightest demand.”
“We should trust in His Majesty’s mercy and tolerance and not proactively make excessive requests, especially those that might put His Majesty the God King in a difficult position.”
Pontus nodded repeatedly, fully approving, sighing inwardly in admiration: ‘Truly worthy of being the mother of the Goddess of Wisdom Metis! I had thought too simply and nearly caused a great disaster, placing the entire family in peril!’
He also regretted in his heart that he shouldn’t have come, at least not bringing the Mother Goddess along.
Even if he went directly to request the God King’s grace, it would be better than now, at least without the risk of misunderstanding.
Tethys looked tenderly at Oceanus and said with a smile: “Of course, this is just my humble suggestion and may not be correct. His Majesty the God King has always had a magnanimous heart and may not think so much. My love, in the end, this all depends on your decision.”
Oceanus had now fully reacted, a wave of fear and shock in his heart. He had indeed failed to consider this matter carefully.
The Ocean God’s expression was extremely serious as he nodded emphatically and said: “No matter what His Majesty the God King ultimately thinks, we should not do anything that could cause His Majesty the God King, or any god, to misunderstand.”
“This is the respect and awe we must show to His Majesty the God King!”
“His Majesty the God King generously and tolerantly treats us, and we should repay Him with the same respect and loyalty!”
“My love, you are right. Not only must we have respect and awe in our hearts, but we must also show it in our attitude. I have no other opinions; everything will be as you say!”
Oceanus looked at Mother Goddess Gaia and asked: “Mother Goddess, what do You think?”
Gaia pondered for a moment, sighed lightly, nodded gently, and said: “What Tethys says makes sense. In that case, I will not participate in this matter. You handle the arrangements.”
With that, Gaia turned and left directly.
She had only come because she couldn’t refuse Pontus’s request; she didn’t truly want to stir up trouble.
Now that the pros and cons had been made clear, she had no intention of having any conflict with Zeus.
Especially such a meaningless misunderstanding.
For the matter of Cronus and them, she was willing to wait. She still trusted Zeus’s divine quality.
After seeing off Gaia, Oceanus looked at Pontus: “Lord of the vast saltwater, what do You think?”
Pontus bowed humbly and said deferentially: “Great Ocean God, what the wise and gentle Tethys has said is already the best solution. I considered this matter too simply and insufficiently thoroughly, nearly causing a great disaster!”
“Thanks to your timely reminder, fortunately it is not too late. I have no objections; let’s do as Tethys suggests.”
“Just, everything from now on will trouble You; I ask You to take the pains.”
The Ocean God smiled faintly and said with a sighing laugh: “It is all for the children; what hardship is there to speak of?”
With that, the two Primordial Great Gods looked at each other, each forcing a smile, fully aware of the helplessness and heaviness in each other’s hearts.
Afterward, Oceanus gave further instructions to Clymene and the others. Clymene and Pleione felt a heavy weight in their hearts.
But they were also sensible gods and naturally knew this was already the best outcome, the greatest bounty they could strive for at present.
Some things cannot be rushed, and certainly cannot be forced, or it would only backfire and bring even more terrifying consequences.
With the plea plan confirmed, Oceanus delayed no longer and immediately set off for Mount Olympus with Clymene and Pleione, as well as her children.
At this time, Zeus had just taken a brief break from the arduous weaving of the Heavenly Dao System and was happily teasing the silly goat Amalthea, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.
This goat goddess who had accompanied him since childhood, carefully caring for and nursing him.
Teasing this naive, lovely, innocent, and adorably dumb nymph was something Zeus would never tire of.
The three nymphs who had cared for Zeus since childhood—the Ash Tree Nymphs, the gentle and delicate Adrasteia, the loving and elegant Ida, and the goat goddess Amalthea.
As well as the god of bees, Melisseus.
These ‘retainers who followed from the hidden abode’, though they had no qualification to participate in the previous grand enfeoffment and did not dare to, Zeus would naturally not forget them.
All the gods of the universe, after the announcement of the new order, were successively heading to Mount Olympus to pay respects to the new His Majesty the God King, Ruler of the Universe.
But the universe and world were simply too vast; even many gods and nymphs could not arrive all at once.
The gods who had already arrived were waiting at the foot of the Mount Olympus mountains, awaiting the gathering of all the gods of the universe.
At that time, Zeus would convene a Council of Gods to more formally announce the new Holy Justice Order and the future plans for the universe.
By then, Zeus would bestow rewards upon these god and nymph caretakers from his childhood.
Melisseus felt too much pressure by Zeus’s side to be at ease, and with Zeus being so busy, he had now gone to play with several giants.
The six giants now had new bodies and could finally live comfortably in the world.
The lovely Adrasteia sat under Zeus’s divine throne, secretly watching Zeus all along, her lively eyes filled with disbelief.
Even now, she dared not believe that the child who had once cried hungrily in her arms had now become the ruler of the universe.
He had clearly been such a small child, easily hungry, sleeping after eating his fill, eating after waking, fussing when hungry, crying without shedding tears.
But now he was already—the immortal, invincible, supreme His Majesty the God King!
The heaven-destroying, earth-extinguishing battle between Zeus and Cronus was enough to scare all gods into unsteady legs and trembling hearts.
Yet even after Zeus and Cronus had battled for several rounds, deadlocked for many years, too many gods did not believe Cronus could be easily toppled. The God King had ruled the universe for countless ages, and ordinary gods had long held deep-rooted fear.
Too many gods thought that perhaps the universe would have two rulers in the future, jointly governing.
As Ash Tree Nymphs born of Heavenly Father Uranus’s blood, they deeply knew Cronus’s ferocity and terror.
He was a terrifying existence who needed only a glance to drive an ordinary Ash Tree Nymph mad.
When receiving the dangerous task of caring for Zeus, they had already prepared themselves for death without burial.
They never imagined they could emerge unscathed.
Successfully toppling God King Cronus? They didn’t even dare think of it.
They only dared to do what they should and leave the rest to fate.
But who could have imagined!
That mighty God King had truly been toppled!
That once so tiny child now possessed terrifying power to shake the universe!
Those thunderbolts filling the sky—even the smallest bolt was enough to easily destroy an Ash Tree Nymph.
It was truly too unbelievable!
She stared foolishly at Zeus, innocence and shock interweaving, giggling foolishly from time to time.
The wise and elegant Ida was a bit more mature and steady than Adrasteia, but now she too wondered if she was dreaming.
She and Adrasteia stuck together, dazedly watching Zeus, completely opposite to her usual gentle and refined demeanor.
As for the most naive and adorably dumb Amalthea, she had now been turned by Zeus to the size of a palm, held in his hand, poked and prodded in intimate teasing, leaving her both angry and helpless.
She couldn’t escape, couldn’t resist; puffed up like a ball, she now lay motionless in Zeus’s hand, no matter how he teased, as a form of protest.
After the war began, she and the two Ash Tree Nymphs had been sent by Rhea Mother Goddess to Mother Goddess Gaia’s side—this was Zeus’s special instruction.
Zeus feared they would be caught in the crossfire and accidentally turned to ash.
This timid goat goddess had always worried for Zeus’s safety, but she was too weak to have any qualification to participate in the Titan war.
She didn’t even know whom to pray to; in the war between the two God Kings, no one was suitable.
Only after Zeus’s victory did she follow behind Gaia onto Mount Olympus.
But Zeus at that time had such terrifying majesty that it frightened this silly nymph.
Zeus sat high on the supreme divine seat, overlooking the entire universe. All the gods of the universe had to bow and prostrate to Him; even the stars’ orbits paused at that moment to show complete obedience and awe to the God King.
Even her creator, the great Mother Goddess of All Things, had to sit at His lower seat.
The God King’s authority was unimaginably shocking.
Heaven knows what this goat was like when those giant gods she had never even seen bowed respectfully to Zeus.
She shrank at the very back of Gaia, not daring to lift her head the entire time, only perking up her ears to listen to Zeus arranging the future of the entire universe and bestowing honors upon the gods.
After the meeting, at the gods’ feast, Zeus had specially allowed these four little gods to join the feast of the many great gods, to drink the gods’ divine wine and ambrosia. This bounty alone had left them overwhelmed with favor.
At that time, this silly goat didn’t even dare approach Zeus, let alone look directly at him, much less play and frolic as before.
It was Zeus who took the initiative to grab her, kneading her cheeks like dough, before she barely calmed her mind. The familiar intimacy gradually relaxed her.
But now, the detestable Zeus was even worse!
He had broken off her most beautiful horn before, waaah, turning her into a unicorn goat.
Now even more excessive, turning her so small and casually ravaging her in his hand!
Zeus was the worst!
Zeus poked at the puffed-up, ball-like Amalthea, his face unable to suppress a smile, doting affection overflowing.
As he poked, he asked: “Maia（ Zeus’s affectionate nickname for her）, do you really not want to transform into your divine form?”
“If you don’t change, I will keep you in my hand to play with forever, so you can never escape.”
Amalthea’s four hooves were tucked under her, head buried, puffed up indignantly. Her golden fleece reflected radiance, like a golden ball in Zeus’s hand.
A muffled voice rang out, carrying a hint of dissatisfaction yet utterly lovely and cute: “Zeus! You are the worst!”
“You promised to help restore my beautiful horn!”
“You know how ugly it is to have only one horn! Waaah—”
Amalthea’s cute appearance made Zeus unable to hold back laughter, his hearty laugh echoing inside the hall.
There were now few gods who dared address Him directly by name.
Among ordinary nymphs, there was not even one; only this dumb, innocent goat goddess dared call Him directly by name.
The friendships of old days were always precious beyond measure.
