Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Chapter 629 - 208 Choices, Jokes, Father and Son

Pontus Euxinus, inside the palace of the Primordial Sea God.

The debate in the Mortal World had ended, and the illusory images shattered accordingly. As Andrea spoke within her mind, the gods within the Great Hall were similarly awaiting her arrival.

At last, the God of West Wind had invited the victor of the mortal assembly.

The destiny of the Golden Apple was about to be settled, yet the atmosphere inside the Great Hall remained heavy. The gazes of the gods intertwined, slightly distorting the air itself.

"Zeus, it seems the ’Arbiter’ you found is not too fond of Olympus," said one.

"Even if it was just a temporary stance for the debate, the words she spoke do not sound like those from someone who holds faith in deities."

The eyes subconsciously swept across Phoebe, the Goddess of Luminous, as Hera clenched the armrest.

Why do the old things of yesteryear still covet their affairs? The current Chaos belongs to the era of the Olympian Pantheon.

"Never mind, Hera. As the King of All Gods, I can always tolerate those dissenters, as long as they aren’t as mad as that rebellious child. As my Heavenly Empress, you should also demonstrate your magnanimity," said Zeus.

With a slight wave of his hand, compared to Hera, Zeus seemed completely unconcerned about Andrea’s previous Speech.

Lies do no harm, but the truth is a swift blade, all built on equal status and power.

No one gets angry over an ant’s provocations; they find it amusing most of the time, unless they are in a foul mood and simply crush the ant on a whim.

And Andrea, it was clear she was but an ant in Zeus’s eyes, even though he was only observing through the eyes of his followers. As the reigning Divine King, he had already discerned certain details about her, such as her probable role as a Godhood Practitioner, her concealed true appearance, and the Iapetus he had noticed earlier.

As Laine had previously suggested, using the power of the Serpent of the Central Court for a Transformation might indeed possess very potent effects. It could deceive the majority of deities, allowing them to be fooled by a false exterior, but this certainly did not include Zeus, who had already partially completed the Sovereign Ritual.

He was able to see the issues, just as Laine had thought. Although Zeus had realized something, he had no intention of disclosing it.

Among many professionals of the Mortal World, Godhood Practitioners are the least regarded by the gods, since they can never pose a threat to deities, and their actions are often directed by divine will. A Godhood Practitioner criticizing Olympus for the destruction of the Bronze Age clearly doesn’t represent her own views.@@@@

It likely isn’t Athena; his dear daughter wouldn’t do something so blunt. Quietly, has this deity of the Old Titans era aligned herself under my daughter’s command?

Then there’s this disguise... Previously seen through a layer, Zeus couldn’t discern it clearly. Now observing in person, he noticed several discrepancies.

Athens was suppressed by many kingdoms, yet a single mortal stabilized the situation. When the gaze of All Gods turned toward the Mortal Realm, his own daughter had already acquired such schemes. If it hadn’t been for the grand Sovereign Ritual, Zeus doubted whether even he, the Divine King, could see through the deception.

Truly a daughter ’stronger than her mother’, and fortunate that the ’son stronger than his father’ hadn’t come to be. Such methods of forming alliances and increasing power right under his own eyes indeed were startling.

He secretly celebrated his past decisiveness; after so many years, the image of Metis had seemingly blurred in Zeus’s memory.

That was the right choice, and now, he was about to make another correct decision.

"She has arrived."

Suddenly, a deity spoke softly inside the great hall.

Laine, slightly lifting his head as the portal opened, soon sensed the presence of the newcomer.

Under the gaze of all gods, the God of West Wind entered the hall first, followed closely by a tall, blonde girl.

At this moment, her appearance was not inferior to the deities in the temple, but in Zeus’s eyes, once the covering dissipated, she was just an underage mortal.

"Letting a woman choose the most beautiful goddess... but this too can be considered fair,"

On one seat, the God of Heavenly Light, Aether, nodded slightly. Beside him, his sister and wife, Hemera, the Goddess of Daylight, seemed eager to try.

She had not participated in the scuffle for the Golden Apple, but that was simply because reason had prevailed over desire.

Hmm... It’s unknown where this joke originally came from, but it indeed spread widely later, even inspiring some to write an alternative ancient mythological novel. However, Laine certainly couldn’t proceed with such a plan, his mission was to quell fires.

Shouldn’t be a problem, right... Laine pondered. His arrangement was rather impromptu, he didn’t know if it would work out. But there was no helping it, who could expect to sleep through millennia?

"Come, have you seen the deity I transferred to you?"

As a unique message was passed, a seductive and enchanting image appeared in Andrea’s mind.

She had never seen this deity, nor was there any statue of her in the mortal realm, but with such a distinctive appearance, she recognized it instantly.

"Let’s choose her, she’ll take all the blame, remember?"

"...okay then."

After hesitating for a moment, Andrea agreed.

I just need to make a choice, while you handle complicated strategies behind the scenes, it’s quite a trouble, isn’t it? Why don’t you come and make the choice?

Thus, in the temple of the Ancient Sea God, Andrea suddenly stepped forward, picking up the Golden Apple placed in front of her.

At the same time, the gods who had promised her fell silent.

"...It seems the gods’ speeches ultimately couldn’t sway your mind, arbiter from the mortal realm, have you made your decision?"

Atop the Golden Throne, Zeus asked with a smile.

"Yes, regardless of external influences, the truth remains unchanged. And among the gods present, I had already made my choice long ago."

With a slight bow, under the nervous and expectant gaze of the gods, under Zeus’s confident watch, Andrea turned slightly.

Then at that moment, those millions of gazes seemed to turn sharp as spikes.

"You are the most beautiful goddess in my heart, Your Highness."

Whispers rose—

Who is she?

Who is she!

The atmosphere among the gods was tumultuous, and although Zeus’s expression remained unchanged, he was taken by surprise.

He looked at the goddess who had taken the Golden Apple, undoubtedly also a beautiful deity, but why did she seem unfamiliar?

Their eyes met, the Divine King gazed into her eyes, hoping to discern something, yet for some reason, he seemed to see a pair of eyes both familiar and strange.

You, who are you?!

...

At the same time, in Tartarus, the ninth layer of Hell, on the ninth layer.

Asmodeus stood alone in the vast sky, a slight smile on his face.

"It’s a good strategy, indeed, just a pity, it seems you have forgotten."

"While we are indeed allies against the Abyss, that doesn’t mean I’m your puppet."

"And she, is a deity under my command."