Chapter 79: Family Affair! It’s Just A Family Affair!
Her attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, nor did it show any closeness, merely maintaining the etiquette befitting the Goddess of Order, yet also revealing that she had not completely closed the door to dialogue.
This was already enough to ignite hope in Cronus.
Although she had invited the former God King Cronus to step into the hall for a deep conversation, the Lady Themis, known for her charm, was stern and solemn in expression, serious, showing not the slightest bit of closeness or gentleness.
Her eyes, which should have flowed with captivating divine light, were now like cold autumn water, reflecting an unquestionable seriousness and indifference.
God King Cronus looked at Themis’s attitude that kept others at a thousand miles away, a strong dissatisfaction surging in his heart, but in the end, he forcibly suppressed his rage and pretended not to see it.
He even thought to himself in self-mockery that he was already accustomed to it.
He could not even remember when the last time was that Themis had shown him a kind smile, her words carrying warmth.
When was it?
Why had such a favorable situation turned into this now?
After the two Primal Titans had each sat down, Themis’s clear voice, carrying an indisputable cold austerity and solemnity, slowly resounded in the hall: “Respected Your Majesty the God King, you are not at Mount Othrys, yet you have now come personally to my place of seclusion—what is the matter?”
Hearing this, Cronus barely squeezed out a smile, trying to ease the atmosphere: “Dear Themis, you are so wise and intelligent—surely you know my intentions?”
“Now, the sacred order of the universe has been challenged like never before by the traitors—do you really intend to sit idly by? Do you really intend to watch the traitors trample the sacred order?”
The God King’s voice even carried a hint of plea, trying to awaken Themis’s duty as the guardian of order.
However, Themis’s expression remained serious and calm. She looked straight at Cronus and said without concession: “Your Majesty the God King, the matter is not as serious as you say. This is merely a family private affair between you and your children.”
At these words, rage instantly exploded in Cronus’s heart, nearly erupting.
But in the end, He forcibly suppressed it, frowning tightly, and earnestly advised: “Dear Themis, Oceanus’s children, Crius’s children, Hyperion’s children, and even almost all the powerful gods of the entire universe have been drawn into this grand war.”
“Can this still merely be considered a private affair of my family? Goddess of Justice, if you truly adhere to the principles of justice, then in the name of sacred justice, please tell me seriously—do you really think the sacred order of the universe is not threatened now?”
Faced with the God King’s plea that was nearly a questioning, the sacred Goddess Themis chose silence.
As the incarnation of justice, she would never utter a lie against her conscience.
She could only avoid the topic and say straightforwardly: “Respected Your Majesty the God King, thank you for thinking so highly of me, but in this war, I cannot help you.”
Hearing this, Cronus could no longer endure it.
He, as the supreme ruler of the universe, the supreme and strongest King of Gods, had already humbled himself so much and swallowed his anger to request help, yet what he received was only cold rejection!
His eyes widened, and he sternly questioned: “Why? Themis, why is this? You once swore allegiance to me—you are the firm upholder of order, so why now do you not fulfill your sacred duty?”
Themis’s expression remained indifferent, her golden eyes bottomless, her words calm yet resounding: “Your Majesty the God King, deep in your heart you know—I will only protect those just orders truly worth protecting.”
“You!” Cronus suddenly stood up, His divine power nearly out of control around Him, almost unable to hold back from striking directly.
However, in the end, He forcibly held back.
Even though the goddess’s implied meaning was that His order was no longer worth protecting, which infuriated Cronus nearly to the point of spitting blood on the spot.
The angry God King forcibly suppressed his towering rage, gritting his teeth, and squeezed out one word from between them: “Fine!”
He took a deep breath, his tone becoming icy cold with a warning: “However, as the guardian of order, even if you do not protect my current order, you surely will not rebel against order, will you?”
“You once swore a sacred oath of allegiance to me—you haven’t forgotten, have you?”
Themis fell into silence again, the atmosphere inside the hall heavy.
After a long while, she slowly spoke, her voice carrying a faint trace of weariness: “I will not forget. I will abide by the laws of justice and uphold my own principles.”
“Remember your words!” Cronus threw down this final sentence and was unwilling to say another word.
He turned directly, carrying a belly full of rage, and strode away from Themis’s divine palace.
Since He ascended to the throne of the God King, no god had ever made Him feel such immense humiliation and grievance.
He was afraid that if he said more, he really would not be able to hold back from striking.
Themis watched the furious departing figure of God King Cronus, gently shaking her head, then letting out an inaudible sigh.
The God King was indeed still that God King—He could not even maintain His disguise for a moment.
If the God King’s order had even the slightest possibility of salvation, she absolutely would not do something that completely violated her own principles.
However, the fact was that the God King’s order had already thoroughly decayed, beyond salvation.
Only by completely overthrowing and starting anew could the universe find rebirth.
The God King’s rotten order, filled with foul stench—even if it meant violating some of her principles, she could no longer defend it.
Arriving a step late, Zeus, who had cleverly hidden at the foot of the mountain, took in the sight of Cronus’s furious departing back.
He immediately knew that the God King’s visit must have ended unpleasantly, with nothing gained.
Watching the God King’s angry departing back, He blinked lightly and cheerfully, his mood instantly becoming very pleasant, the corners of his mouth unable to stop rising, revealing a happy smile.
Only at times like this, when alone, could He show a bit of youthful liveliness.
Only after confirming that the God King’s figure had completely disappeared from sight did He leisurely and slowly step onto the mountain path to visit Themis.
He spoke only when he reached the gate of the divine palace, his volume not loud, his words flowing with gentleness and respect: “Sacred incarnation of order, noble Lady of Justice, Son of Rhea, Zeus, comes to seek an audience with you.”
Inside the hall, the beautiful brows of Themis, sharp like a fine sword, furrowed slightly upon hearing the voice.
She thought to herself: This father and son—one just left, and the other arrives right after; what perfect timing.
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to receive this child who might replace Cronus.
