Oceanus wept painfully: "Great Zeus, your heart as vast as the universe fills the gods with admiration and submission; your mercy and tolerance earn the reverence and admiration of all gods; your loving respect for Mother Goddess Rhea is known throughout the universe."
"Please, merciful and tolerant you, for the sake of these pitiful mother goddesses, pitiful wives, pitiful children, and this pitiful old father god, I beseech you to forgive the children's sins and give them a chance for rebirth."
"My daughters Clymene and Pleione will carefully discipline the children, absolutely not allowing them to commit errors again, making them loyal to you like Prometheus, forever obeying your sacred righteous order."
Zeus remained silent, his profound gaze unreadable to anyone.
Clymene and Pleione collapsed before the hall, instantly letting Zeus know that ocean daughters were truly made of water.
The two ocean goddesses immediately wept like pear blossoms in rain, crying pitifully in a way that could move even the hardest-hearted god.
Clymene, this extremely powerful, extremely beautiful, and very wise ocean goddess, now wept and pleaded: "Great Your Majesty the God-King, I know how excessive my request is. I begged my loving father god to come request your forgiveness—this troubles father god and troubles you."
"But merciful Zeus, please understand a mother's grieving heart. No mother can watch her children bear punishments they cannot endure! This pain is enough to completely crush us."
"Your Majesty the God-King, tolerant and merciful Your Majesty, I beseech you to forgive the children's sins. They are just insignificant young children. The sins were caused by their elders, not their own intention."
"I will certainly do everything to teach them, making them walk the correct path you established again, making them loyal to you, forever obeying your sacred supreme commands."
"The children's father god made the most wrong decision. The children cannot be said to be completely innocent because they also once basked in their father god's glory and shared the honor."
"But these poor children are small and fragile, only able to drift with the current. They had no power to choose."
"These children never dared show you any disrespect, never had any behavior disrespecting you, and will resolutely obey the sacred righteous order you established."
"I request your tolerance, allowing them to serve at your side, for your use, basking in your brilliance until they can wash away the sins brought by their elders and be reborn."
The virtuous and gentle Pleione also wailed and sobbed, almost unable to speak, pleading bitterly: "Great Your Majesty the God-King, I know my husband made the most foolish mistakes and committed unforgivable sins, but my children—they are still young, they are all well-behaved and obedient good children."
"Your Majesty the God-King, I dare not beg you to grant the children honors. I only want to request that great and merciful you forgive the errors their father god brought them, allow them to live on earth and feel your warm and bright sacred order, rather than forever living in shadows."
"I request that you allow the children to serve at your side, using your merciful rain and dew to cleanse the children's sins, feeling the supreme brilliant glory you bestow, letting their lives regain light."
Accompanying the two ocean goddesses' wailing and weeping, the children in the divine hall also bowed their heads and wept aloud. For a moment, the vast divine hall was filled with the sorrowful cries of beautiful voices.
Zeus was slightly surprised in his heart, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes.
He had thought the Ocean God was pleading for the Atlas brothers, but unexpectedly, what he sought was only to plead for these children.
He secretly nodded approvingly in his heart, very satisfied with the Ocean God's attitude. The Ocean God's wisdom and propriety quite comforted him.
Only his facial smile disappeared, his expression becoming increasingly stern. He said calmly: "The Iapetus family committed unforgivable crimes."
This single sentence chilled the ocean gods' hearts.
Zeus continued: "Iapetus is the most stubborn god who most resolutely walked the wrong path. His two children are equally the most resolute practitioners of the wrong order."
His sharp gaze looked toward Clymene, his tone carrying a trace of gentleness: "Clymene, I often hear of your gentle and gracious name. You are a goddess who understands reason."
"You love your husband and care for your children. Now you even risk angering me to petition me. You are a respectable mother."
These words made Clymene's heart rise with hope again.
"But you were unable to properly discipline Atlas and Menoetius."
This "but" made her heart sink to the bottom again.
Zeus gently shook his head, saying with great disgust: "I have never seen gods more stubborn, more foolish, more arrogant and violent than these two brothers."
"Even gentle ocean daughters absolutely cannot change their nature."
Clymene and Pleione completely lost heart, their eyes beginning to show despair.
"However..."
"You're right—the children had no choice. Although they once enjoyed their family's glory, that glory existed not because of them and won't perish because of them."
Zeus looked toward Oceanus, who was still kneeling and silently weeping, saying softly: "Ocean God, please rise."
"I forgive these children. Past matters are written off. From now on, they are no longer gods of the Iapetus family but your ocean gods. Your descendants will enjoy my protection."
"I allow these children not to bear responsibility for their elders' sins, allow them to live openly under my order, feeling the new universe's light and justice."
The sudden reversal of grace filled all gods' hearts with wild joy.
Under Zeus's words that played their heartstrings back and forth, Oceanus was already satisfied, gratitude and joy surging in his heart.
Clymene and Pleione were even more wildly joyful in their hearts. They were about to thank him, but before they could speak.
Zeus continued: "But Clymene and Pleione, you must discipline the children well, not letting them think of past matters anymore, absolutely not letting them violate the sacred order I established. Otherwise, I will bring down judgment again."
Clymene and Pleione knelt before the hall, hands clasped before them, their tear-streaked faces breaking into smiles as grateful words continuously poured out: "Great Your Majesty the God-King, merciful Your Majesty the God-King, tolerant Your Majesty the God-King, thank you for your magnanimous grace! Your gift will be our eternal glory!"
"Your benevolence we will forever remember, forever thanking you for your forgiveness. Please rest assured, we will certainly discipline them well, absolutely not disappointing your expectations!"
Zeus remained noncommittal, his profound gaze looking toward Oceanus: "Respected Ocean God, your beautiful and gentle ocean daughters—they cannot do harsh things. Many matters still need your supervision."
Oceanus smiled and nodded repeatedly, saying gratefully: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty the God-King. I will personally watch over these children. They are all obedient children who will absolutely obey your sacred righteous order and absolutely forever resolutely serve you loyally! Your will is the direction for all ocean gods!"
Zeus finally showed a smile again. He nodded, looking toward the two goddesses still kneeling, saying gently: "Rise. We're all family—no need to kneel at every turn."
"Valuing relationships is not wrong. Family is the most sacred relationship, and family members are the most precious existence. Gods who don't value family or feelings certainly lack loyalty and aren't worth entrusting or trusting."
"You are all gods who value family and cherish relationships. I like this very much. All rise."
"Yes, Your Majesty the God-King, thank you for your benevolent generosity." After thanking him once more, the two ocean goddesses rose and stood respectfully aside. Only now did Oceanus also rise.
Zeus looked toward Oceanus, smiling: "Today is quite coincidental. Originally, if the Ocean God hadn't come to me, I would have gone to find the Ocean God. This saves me some effort."
"Oh?" The atmosphere in the divine hall had relaxed considerably. Oceanus quickly smiled: "What matter does Your Majesty the God-King need me for? The ocean gods will certainly give their all. Sharing your worries is our honor."
Zeus waved his hand: "It's not really a big matter, though it's very important to me—it's my personal affair."
Speaking thus, Zeus took the curled-up Amalthea out from his embrace.
Now Amalthea was extremely well-behaved. She wasn't very brave and was always timid and shrinking when other gods were present. Her adorable naivety and timidity made all the deities present find her cute.
Zeus smiled: "In my childhood, I was greatly helped by Maya's feeding and companionship as I grew. She is my beloved playmate."
"I once accidentally broke her beautiful goat horn—that was her most beloved and proud part. It's just that my strength was too great unintentionally then, and I couldn't repair it."
"I want to request the Ocean God to take her back to the ocean and, together with the Nourishing Goddess, reshape her origin, re-nurture her divine body, and preferably nurture a good law for her."
Zeus shook his head, sighing helplessly yet with obvious doting: "She's too foolish and still needs to be a bit stronger to protect herself well. She also needs gentle and wise Tethys to teach her so she can become smarter and not so silly anymore."
Amalthea was moved in her heart, but hearing Zeus's last sentence, she was still both shy and annoyed. Though she didn't dare make any big movements, she still quietly nudged Zeus's palm.
This small action was all seen by Oceanus, who immediately understood in his heart that this goat goddess must hold an extraordinary position in Zeus's heart and must be treated with care.
His expression became serious as he said solemnly: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty the God-King. Leave everything to Tethys and me. We will personally and carefully care for and nurture her."
Zeus nodded in thanks, smiling: "Respected Ocean God, thank you for your generous help. Please convey my gratitude to dear Tethys."
"By the way, this silly fairy really loves her horns. When you nurture her divine body, please give her a pair."
Oceanus couldn't help but find this amusing, smiling: "Being able to help you is the ocean's honor. Please rest assured—everything that should be there will be there. Everything will be done according to your wishes."
Zeus smiled and nodded, taking out the goat horn that had been accidentally broken during childhood play with Amalthea.
He was quite nostalgic for his childhood days. At that time, the former God-King's terrible threat loomed overhead. He had no system and didn't know if some accident might completely turn him to ash.
He could only hide carefully and grow with all his might. Little Crete was his entire world. In those long lonely days, only these few fairies accompanied him.
And those Curetes—Zeus had already elevated them to true deities. They were now guards of Zeus's temple on Olympus, though there wasn't really anything that needed guarding.
Zeus quickly returned from memory, his profound gaze becoming stern again.
He looked at the goat horn in his palm and declared with stern authority: "In my name as Zeus, God of Gods, King of the Gods, Master of the Universe, I declare: from this day forward, this horn shall be called the 'Horn of Plenty.'"
"All food, drink, flowers, and plants that the world possesses—from this horn, they are inexhaustible, endless, immortal and indestructible! This object is the symbol of wealth and abundance!"
As soon as the words fell, this goat horn blessed by the God-King immediately showed strange light, surrounded by seven colors, illuminating the entire divine hall.
The goat horn became hollow, with various crops, fruits, beverages, wine, flowers and grass appearing within.
This small goat horn, blessed by Zeus with immortality, indestructibility, size at will, abundance, endless energy, material transformation and other blessings, had become an extremely precious divine artifact in the world.
Zeus placed Amalthea on the ground. She returned to normal size, still bewildered, when Zeus reached toward her. Her divinity and divine power essence were perfectly separated, becoming a brilliant, flowing, multi-colored orb of light.
Only a golden fleece remained on the ground—just this shell left. Zeus casually waved his hand, properly storing away the fleece.
Zeus carefully handed the orb of light and Horn of Plenty to Oceanus, solemnly instructing: "Please, Oceanus."
Oceanus solemnly accepted them, immediately placing them directly into the depths of his divinity for nurturing, protecting them with layers of his own divine power, waiting only to return and nurture them together with Tethys. His caution and care were extreme, fearing any accident.
He could completely see how much Zeus valued this tiny fairy and how much he trusted the ocean, making this fairy the ocean's daughter—this was regard for the ocean.
In this matter, the ocean absolutely could not make any mistakes! They must do their best!
Seeing Zeus so dotingly value a small goat fairy, countless young gods behind Oceanus were dying of envy.
When this fairy appeared in the world again, she could truly walk sideways!
Which god in the entire universe would dare offend her!
What a fortunate fairy.
Seeing Oceanus so attentive, Zeus was very satisfied with Oceanus's performance today.
Nothing in this world escaped human relationships. The heavier and deeper the relationships, the more solid and reliable they became.
Paths without human relationships couldn't be walked long and were too difficult.
Zeus was satisfied that Oceanus didn't proactively ask for things.
What I give is yours. What I don't want to give, you cannot demand.
Since the Ocean God knew humility and loyalty, Zeus would instead grant rewards.
After all, they were all family gods.
Acting arbitrarily and doing whatever one pleased couldn't earn precious emotions.
He was the loving and merciful Great Father of all spirits—not Uranus, nor Kronos.
He wanted both power and emotion!
Because he was Zeus and didn't need to choose.
As long as the gods and spirits remained loyal and humble, he wouldn't be stingy with grace.
Zeus never doubted Metis's feelings for him. Since Oceanus knew propriety, he completely didn't want Metis caught in the middle feeling sad—that was completely unnecessary.
Besides, more than just one or two ocean daughters were his wives.
He looked toward Atlas's children and declared sternly: "You have an unforgivable father god—this is your misfortune."
"But you have mother goddesses who love you—this is your greatest fortune."
"Having an elder like the Ocean God is even more your fortune."
Zeus looked toward the seven beautiful Pleiades star goddesses and declared: "Pleiades, in my name as God-King I grant you honor. North of my divine throne, you will be the most dazzling star cluster in the starry sky. I allow you not to bear responsibility for your father god's errors, allow you to enjoy the beautiful world like all gods. You shall remain on Olympus to attend me."
Looking toward the melancholy and pure five Hyades sisters, he said: "You usurped my authority over wind and rain, which should be a capital offense."
Pleione's lovely face instantly paled, nearly collapsing.
"But I forgive you. From now on, you remain rain nymphs, accompanying me, serving as my subordinate gods, bringing life-giving moisture to the earth."
Finally, Zeus looked toward Pleione's youngest son and daughter, pondering a moment: "Hyas shall remain on Olympus as my attendant. He's still young, and with his sisters caring for him, he can grow up healthily."
"As for Calypso, it's too cruel for a mother to have no children by her side. Let her remain with Pleione for now. In the waters the ocean manages, let her organize the seawater."
Pleione was wildly overjoyed, her pale lovely face instantly flushed with color. The enormous surprise left her almost speechless.
Oceanus felt even more overwhelmed with honor. He knew Zeus was always a dignified god, but he hadn't expected such dignity!
These granted honors weren't just numerous!
Truly incredibly generous and tolerant!
These were things he originally wouldn't have dared even think about.
Pleione was already stunned by this sudden surprise. Even Oceanus was somewhat at a loss for words.
"Your Majesty the God-King, this..."
Zeus smiled and waved his hand: "Oceanus, respected Ocean God, no need for more words."
"You are the universe's most gentle, kind, magnanimous and merciful god. The universe is fortunate to have such a great god as you. Having your support beside me is my fortune."
"You have nurtured so many good and gentle gods, bringing prosperity and growth to the universe. Your children are loved by all gods. I must also thank you for nurturing and teaching so many wonderful deities and fairies. All respect is what you deserve."
"I will not disappoint the loyalty and humility of gods loyal to me."
Oceanus was deeply moved, kneeling on one knee before Zeus again, immediately causing the entire hall to kneel.
The Ocean God was immensely grateful, tears welling in his eyes as he choked: "Your Majesty the God-King, thank you for your generosity and favor. The ocean is forever your most loyal subject! Your will is our direction!"
(End of Chapter)
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