Tethys looked toward Mother Goddess Gaia and said gently: "Respected Mother Goddess, Atlas and his brother are just juniors. How could their faults warrant such a supreme Mother Goddess as yourself personally intervening? And together with Profound Sea and Ano at that."
"Today we request His Majesty to release Atlas and the others, so in a few days, when it comes to those more important to you—the imprisoned Kronos and the others—won't we also need to request their release?"
"With all of us gathered together in such a massive formation, is this humble pleading, or invisible coercion?"
"Of course we have no such intentions, but we also shouldn't do things that might appear to cause misunderstandings, lest we create unnecessary friction."
"Not only might His Majesty the God-King misunderstand, but all the gods in the universe will also speculate in secret."
"After all, His Majesty the God-King has just established the sacred order and divided cosmic honors. The universe has just settled down, and any disturbance could trigger terrible chain reactions."
Tethys looked at the several gods whose expressions had become increasingly serious, their grave faces proving her words had struck home.
She continued: "We must consider His Majesty the God-King's dignity. His Majesty is merciful and generous, but that is not our reason to make excessive demands of him."
"Atlas and the others committed unforgivable errors. We can request mercy, but the final result should be decided by His Majesty's wisdom."
"Moreover, we must make all the gods in the universe understand one thing: we have absolute loyalty and submission to His Majesty. If we receive grace, it is because His Majesty takes pity on us gods who are fathers and mothers, and thus grants forgiveness."
"We absolutely cannot let the cosmic gods feel His Majesty's dignity has been damaged or his authority challenged."
"Even more, we cannot make His Majesty feel his dignity has been challenged. Everything must be His Majesty's grace, not something forced."
"Whether good or bad, it is all His Majesty the God-King's decision."
The more Pontus listened, the more shocked he became. Horror surged in his heart, followed by infinite fear. Even his immortal divine body broke out in cold sweat.
He had almost done something he would regret forever!
If the God-King truly misunderstood, life afterward would be unlivable.
That Sea King was definitely watching for sea and ocean to make mistakes, just waiting for a chance to erode ocean authority!
Now the God-King was holding him back so Poseidon didn't dare be presumptuous, but if the God-King supported it, everything would be over!
Pontus quickly said: "Wise Tethys, you are truly worthy of being Wisdom Goddess Metis's mother goddess. Your wisdom equally commands the gods' admiration, perhaps even surpassing hers!"
"Everything you say is reasonable. Thank you for the reminder, or we might indeed have created huge misunderstandings with His Majesty the God-King, which would have been counterproductive and a grave error!"
Mother Goddess Gaia also nodded lightly beside them. She truly hadn't thought of this—the three gods going together did indeed have implications of applying pressure, equivalent to earth, inner sea, and ocean jointly pressuring Zeus.
Even if everyone lacked such intentions, to the God-King and the gods, it would appear as coercion.
The God-King had just ascended, and earth, sea, and ocean immediately joined hands to do such a thing—undoubtedly, this was tantamount to a declaration of war.
If they really did this, the just-improved relations would immediately fall into deeper conflict, even direct fighting wasn't impossible.
Even if no fighting occurred, whether the God-King agreed or not, no one could expect peaceful days afterward.
Gaia's flawless lovely face also showed a trace of fear, her expression full of approval as she nodded and asked: "Tethys, my wise daughter, what you say is indeed reasonable. So what do you think we should do?"
"Such things that might cause misunderstandings should indeed be avoided. This is just a small matter—we absolutely cannot let Zeus have any misunderstandings."
Tethys continued speaking gently: "Respected Mother Goddess, you're right—this is just a small matter. I don't think it's worth troubling you to personally intervene. You shouldn't be involved in this matter."
"Your dignity is crucial, and His Majesty's authority is equally so. If you intervene directly, regardless of whether His Majesty agrees, it will create unimaginable terrible consequences. That's not our intention, nor what we want to see."
"I understand your concern for these children like Kronos, but now is not the time."
"His Majesty the God-King has just ascended and needs time to consolidate his rule. His Majesty has already given you a promise. You should wait patiently and trust his mercy and tolerance."
Tethys looked toward Pontus and said softly: "As for His Majesty Profound Sea Pontus, you absolutely shouldn't participate either. You don't have this standing. You should now demonstrate loyalty and submission to His Majesty instead."
Tethys had spoken quite tactfully, but Pontus understood the deeper meaning. He nodded silently, gratitude and fear surging in his heart.
Gaia also suddenly understood, completely grasping the logic, and remained silent.
The wise nourishing goddess continued: "So this matter can only be handled by us ocean gods alone, and it must be Ano, in his capacity as a father and grandfather, petitioning the God-King. This has the best chance of success and won't make His Majesty the God-King feel any offense, better demonstrating our humility and loyalty."
"Moreover, we can no longer plead for Atlas and the others."
"Originally we might have tried, but since the Mother Goddess and Profound Sea came today, we definitely cannot plead for Atlas anymore, or misunderstandings will certainly arise."
"We cannot let His Majesty the God-King misunderstand, nor give wrong signals to all cosmic gods, making them think there's any conspiracy, much less making the gods think the God-King was pressured."
"All we can do is plead for these junior children, requesting His Majesty to forgive them. Request that the children serve beside His Majesty as attendants to atone, until His Majesty proactively grants mercy and pardons their sins."
"We should show absolute loyalty and humility. Everything else should be left to His Majesty's proactive decision. We shouldn't insist on anything."
"We should trust His Majesty's mercy and tolerance, not proactively make excessive requests, especially requests that might make His Majesty the God-King uncomfortable."
Pontus nodded repeatedly, extremely agreeable, marveling inwardly: 'Truly worthy of being Wisdom Goddess Metis's mother goddess! I was still thinking too simply and nearly caused great disaster, putting the entire family in danger!'
He also regretted coming, or at least shouldn't have brought the Mother Goddess along.
Even if he directly requested the God-King's grace, it would be better than now—at least without the risk of misunderstanding.
Tethys looked tenderly at Oceanus and smiled: "Of course, these are just my shallow suggestions and may not be correct. His Majesty the God-King has always been magnanimous and perhaps wouldn't think so much. My love, ultimately this still depends on your decision."
Oceanus now completely understood, his heart filled with fear and alarm. He had indeed been inconsiderate about this matter.
The Ocean God's expression was extremely serious as he nodded emphatically: "Regardless of what His Majesty the God-King might actually think, we shouldn't do anything that might cause His Majesty the God-King, or any god, to misunderstand."
"This is the necessary respect and awe for His Majesty the God-King!"
"His Majesty the God-King treats us generously and tolerantly. We should repay him with equal respect and loyalty!"
"My love, what you say is right. We must not only have respect and awe in our hearts, but also show it in our attitude. I have no other opinions—let's do everything as you said!"
Oceanus looked toward 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. Since this is so, I won't participate in this matter. You arrange it as you see fit."
With that, Gaia turned and left directly.
She couldn't refuse Pontus's request in this matter, but she didn't really want to cause trouble.
Now that the stakes had been explained clearly, she had no intention of creating any conflict with Zeus.
Especially not such meaningless misunderstandings.
Regarding Kronos and the others, she was willing to wait. She still had some faith in Zeus's character.
After seeing off Gaia, Oceanus looked toward Pontus: "Vast master of salt water, what are your thoughts?"
Pontus bowed humbly and said with deference: "Great Ocean God, what wise and gentle Tethys said is already the best solution. I was too simple in my thinking about this matter, not thorough enough in my considerations, and nearly caused great disaster!"
"Thanks to your timely reminder, fortunately it's not too late. I have no objections—let's do as Tethys suggested."
"It's just that I'm troubling you with everything that follows. Thank you for your hard work and concern."
The Ocean God smiled slightly, sighing with a smile: "It's 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, both understanding the helplessness and heaviness in the other's heart.
Afterward, Oceanus gave Clymene and the others new instructions. Clymene and Pleione immediately felt heavy-hearted.
But they were also sensible deities who naturally knew this was already the best outcome and the greatest grace they could currently strive for.
Some things couldn't be rushed, much less forced, or it would only be counterproductive and invite more terrible consequences.
Since the pleading plan was decided, Oceanus delayed no further and immediately brought Clymene and Pleione, along with her children, to Mount Olympus.
At this time, Zeus had just taken a brief break from the heavy work of weaving the Heavenly Way system and was enthusiastically teasing the silly goat Amalthea, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.
This goat goddess had accompanied him since childhood, carefully caring for and feeding him.
Zeus never tired of teasing this charmingly naive and innocent adorable fairy.
The three fairies who had cared for Zeus since childhood—the ash tree nymphs, gentle and lovely Adrasteia and kind and elegant Ida, as well as goat goddess Amalthea.
And also Melisseus, god of bees.
These 'early followers from the hidden residence' weren't qualified to participate in the previous great investiture, nor did they dare participate, but Zeus naturally wouldn't forget them.
All gods in the universe, after the new order was announced, were successively coming to Mount Olympus to pay respects to the new God-King His Majesty, Master of the Universe.
It was just that the universe and world were truly too vast. Even many gods and fairies couldn't arrive all at once.
The gods who had already arrived were all waiting at the foot of the Olympus mountain range, waiting for all cosmic gods to gather.
At that time, Zeus would convene a Grand Divine Assembly to more formally announce the new sacred righteous order and future cosmic plans.
Then Zeus would grant these several divine spirits and fairies who had cared for him since childhood their rewards.
Melisseus felt too much pressure beside Zeus and couldn't relax. Zeus was also too busy, so he had now gone to play with several giants.
The six giants now had new bodies and could finally live comfortably in the world.
Lovely Adrasteia sat below Zeus's divine throne, constantly stealing glances at Zeus, her bright eyes full of disbelief.
Even now, she didn't dare believe that the child who had once wailed for food in her arms was now the universe's master.
He had been such a small child who got hungry easily, sleeping after eating, eating after waking, fussing when hungry, crying without tears.
But now he was already the immortal, invincible, supreme His Majesty the God-King!
Zeus's earth-shaking battle with Kronos was enough to frighten all deities until they couldn't stand steady, terrified.
But even though Zeus and Kronos fought multiple battles over many years, too many deities didn't think Kronos would be easily overthrown. The God-King had ruled the universe for countless ages, and ordinary deities had long-ingrained fear.
Too many gods thought that perhaps the universe would have two masters ruling together in the future.
As ash tree nymphs born from Sky Father Uranus's blood, they deeply knew Kronos's power and terror.
He was a terrifying existence who could frighten ordinary ash tree nymphs to madness with just a glance.
When they received the dangerous task of caring for Zeus, they had all prepared for death without burial.
They never expected to remain safe and sound.
Successfully overthrowing God-King Kronos? They didn't dare even think about it.
They only dared think about doing what they should do—everything else depended on their fate.
But who would have thought!
Such a powerful God-King was actually overthrown!
That once tiny child now had terrifying power to shake the universe!
That sky full of thunder—even the tiniest lightning bolt was enough to easily destroy an ash tree nymph.
It was truly unbelievable!
She stared foolishly at Zeus, innocence and shock intertwined, giggling from time to time.
Wise and elegant Ida was slightly more mature and steady than Adrasteia, but now she also doubted whether she was dreaming.
She pressed close to Adrasteia, staring dazedly at Zeus, completely opposite from her usual gentle and refined appearance.
As for the most charmingly naive Amalthea, Zeus had now shrunk her to palm size, holding her in his palm, stroking and poking her, intimately teasing her, making her both angry and helpless.
She couldn't escape or resist, puffing up angrily into a ball. Now she just lay in Zeus's hand, no matter how he teased her, refusing to move, expressing her protest this way.
After the war began, she and the two ash tree nymphs were all sent by Mother Goddess Rhea to Mother Goddess Gaia's side—this was Zeus's special instruction.
Zeus was terrified they would be affected and accidentally turn to ash.
This timid goat goddess had always worried about Zeus's safety, but she was too weak to qualify for participating in the Titan War.
Even for prayer, she didn't know to whom to pray—in the war between two God-Kings, no one was reliable.
Only after Zeus's victory did she follow behind Gaia and ascend Mount Olympus together.
But at that time, Zeus's majesty had truly frightened this silly adorable fairy.
Zeus sat high on the supreme divine throne, overlooking everything in the universe. All cosmic gods had to bow to him, and even stellar rotation had to stop at that moment to show complete submission and awe to the God-King.
Even her creator, the great Mother of All Things, had to sit below him.
The God-King's authority was unimaginably shocking.
Heaven knew what this goat was frightened into when those cosmic giant gods she had never even seen respectfully saluted Zeus.
She shrank behind Gaia, not daring to raise her head the entire time, only daring to prick up her ears, listening to Zeus arrange the universe's future and grant honors to the gods.
After the assembly ended, at the gods' feast, Zeus specially allowed these four minor deities to participate in the great gods' banquet, drinking divine wine and ambrosia. This grace was enough to overwhelm them with honor.
At that time, this silly goat didn't even dare approach Zeus, didn't dare look directly at him, much less play and frolic like before.
It was Zeus who proactively grabbed her and kneaded her cheeks into dough that she barely recovered her senses. The familiar intimacy gradually relaxed her.
But now, hateful Zeus was even worse!
Before, he broke off her most beautiful horn, wuu wuu wuu, turning her into a unicorn goat.
Now he was even more excessive, shrinking her so small and grabbing her to torment at will!
Zeus was the worst!
Zeus poked the sulking, ball-shaped Amalthea, the smile on his face simply wouldn't fade, his doting obvious.
As he poked, he asked: "Maya (Zeus's affectionate nickname for her), are you really still not changing to divine form?"
"If you don't change, I'll keep you in my palm to play with forever, so you can never escape."
Amalthea tucked her four hooves under her body, buried her head beneath herself, sulking. Her golden fleece shimmered with radiance, like a golden ball in Zeus's hand.
A muffled voice emerged, carrying a trace of dissatisfaction yet extremely charming and adorable: "Zeus! You're the worst!"
"You promised to help restore my beautiful horn!"
"Do you know how ugly having only one horn is! Wuu wuu wuu—"
Amalthea's adorable appearance made Zeus unable to suppress his laughter, which echoed through the hall.
Now there truly weren't many gods who dared directly call his name.
Among ordinary fairies, there wasn't a single one—only this silly, innocent goat goddess dared call him by name directly.
Old friendships were always precious.
(End of Chapter)
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