This "protection" does not mean it must extend down to each "individual."
What is protected is a region. So long as the area that worships a given god is kept from great, annihilating harm, that is enough.
As for the fate of individuals within that region—whether to grant special shelter—that still depends on the particular god's choice.
After all, a single mortal—or even a small tribe—has no ability to build a temple capable of bearing a god's radiance.
This also means the human race is destined to learn more "cooperation," to form larger "collectives," so they can sustain a temple and win a god's favor.
Invisibly, this also forces human civilization to advance more quickly.
For with their current low productivity, they simply cannot support large collective undertakings that might "move" the gods; and the fewer the people, the more backward the civilization, the harder it is to draw a god's eye.
Therefore, the more they wish to receive divine protection and blessing, the more they must strive to gather together and unite to do greater things.
At the same time, the more they gain divine protection and blessing, the better their development will be; their lives will be safer, and their civilization will advance faster.
Thus they will be all the more able to do greater and more numerous things to seek the gods' favor.
The "threshold" for worshiping a god will become a powerful driver pushing humankind's "internal competition."
This, too, counts as a kind of "virtuous cycle" between gods and men.
One only hopes this road does not run awry…
All paths that look like shortcuts are often riddled with traps.
Prometheus listened quietly to the proclamations, feeling a trace of regret, yet knowing this was likely the best outcome that could be won.
Under this "covenant of gods and mortals" as it stands, it is enough to ensure that human society can grow in relative peace and vigor.
At the very least, they need no longer fear that some god, on a mere whim, will make one or even several human tribes vanish outright.
Only, there was one point he found curious: Why did His Majesty address the proclamation to "all mortals," rather than specifying "humankind"?
Clearly, at present only humankind possesses the wisdom to understand and carry out this covenant, no?
A vague thought flashed through his mind.
But he had no time to seize on it, for there was something more important to do—he had to continue fighting for humankind!
Prometheus bowed deeply, even more humble than before.
With a voice of utmost reverence, he cried: "None more merciful than Your Majesty! None greater than Your Majesty!"
"All living beings in the cosmos depend upon Your Majesty's loving radiance to endure!"
"In my heart remains a most exalted reverence I wish to take this opportunity to offer to Your Majesty!"
"My proposal is this: Regardless of which honored god of the cosmos mortals ultimately choose to have faith in and worship, they should at the same time place Your Majesty in the supreme position of worship!"
"Your Majesty's peerless divine image must be the principal seat of worship among the deities honored in any temple!"
"For Your Majesty is both the Father of all we mortals and the Father of all we gods!"
"All mortals must have something to believe in; so too must the gods have something to believe in! And what the gods collectively worship will forever be one, and only one!"
"That is You!"
"Our Father of all the gods! Our Lord of all spirits! The supreme Sovereign of all existence! Great God-King Zeus! You who are most high, most good and most fair, omniscient and omnipotent!"
Prometheus spoke with tremendous volume and overflowing feeling.
So deep in the act was he that he did not notice the many strange looks from the gods.
Naturally, none of the gods above dared voice opposition to his words.
That would be the end of them.
But Zeus, seated on His throne, silently cursed in His heart: "Unfilial wretch! Such a greedy wretch!"
"Fine, fine words for the stage—but inside, it's all self-interest!"
"This wretch! He's a master at gaming the rules!"
Zeus sneered inwardly.
What need has He of these paltry, insignificant devotions?
Is there any being in this cosmos who would dare profane Him?
However great the power of faith, it would scatter with a breath from Him.
Faith from gods or mortals—what difference does it make?
Prometheus's proposal was clearly an attempt to use the title "Most High Father-God" to force-bind Him to all mortal beings, thereby making Him assume unlimited responsibility to "protect all mortals" by another name!
He says "protect all mortals," but who, at present, even has the ability to worship a god, if not humankind?
If every temple must place His image in the principal seat, then on one hand this openly seizes faith from other gods, which is extremely harmful to the healthy development of each pantheon.
On the other hand, under the rules just established, would it not mean that He, the God-King, must personally protect all mortals who have built temples?!
Then, when facing mortals, the other gods would be forced to hold back at every turn.
"Such an unfilial wretch! A head stuffed with petty cleverness!"
Zeus cast an apparently casual glance at Clymene, the chief steward standing to one side, a meaningful light in His eyes.
He then turned His gaze back to Prometheus—still bowed and not rising—having already made up His mind: "Prometheus, I ***!"
(Clymene sensed nothing; she would likely pay dearly to atone for her good son yet again. Though… with how well His Majesty knows her, chances are… she will rather enjoy it…)
Such small tricks—trying to exploit loopholes and play at moral blackmail—were beneath notice to the all-knowing Zeus.
Keeping an impassive face, Zeus said slowly, "Prometheus, what you say is not without reason. But I have no need to encroach upon the radiance that should belong to all gods."
"Do the gods and mortals of the cosmos truly require a specific statue to know to revere Me?"
At these words, the gods all hurried to speak, praising the God-King's breadth of heart and declaring they had never entertained such a thought!
Zeus waved lightly to quiet them, then continued: "What I protect is the entire cosmos; all gods and beings willing to follow My order."
"What I uphold is the Sacred Just Order I have personally established and proclaimed, to ensure that all beings may develop healthily beneath the radiance of this Sacred Just Order."
"How could I then single out one race alone for protection? How would that be called fairness?"
"This is childish talk. Say no more."
Prometheus's overreaching plea failed completely.
Hearing that final line, he started within and dared not say another word.
He only answered respectfully, "None broader of heart than Your Majesty! It is Prometheus whose vision is too narrow, who failed to fully apprehend Your Majesty's great heart that loves the cosmos. Prometheus acknowledges his fault."
Zeus nodded lightly and continued in that majestic voice: "Mortals are benighted and ignorant; they do not know the gods' greatness, nor the gods' holy names; they understand not the gods' august countenance, much less their authorities. Thus they find it hard to honor the gods correctly. This is indeed not good."
"My dear Themis."
When the flawless Goddess of Justice heard her beloved God-King call, she at once stepped forward.
Her face like cold jade, solemn and dignified, she bowed her head and said, "Honored Majesty, Your Themis is here."
Zeus smiled tenderly: "My flawless Themis, my dear Justice, I ask you to personally preside over the clarification of the Olympian gods' genealogies, authorities, and honors (abbreviated as the divine roster ~)."
"And select, in the mortal realm, a place most fitting to build a 'Pantheon.' Let the Olympian gods all set divine images within the hall."
"Thus let mortals learn the gods' august forms and discern the gods' honors and authorities, so they can honor and have faith in the gods correctly. This is the proper law."
"My own image will be preserved only in this one temple. Wherever this hall stands, all disputes, defilements, disrespect, and profanation are to be forbidden."
"This 'Pantheon' shall be My only formal temple in the mortal world."
The flawless Goddess of Order kept a grave face and bowed to receive the command: "Themis obeys."
She hesitated a moment, then added softly, "Honored Majesty, You harbor all beings in Your heart and shelter all beings; what You love is all life—this heart is supremely fair and just."
"All Your great honors and radiance, naturally, need no redundancy for proof."
"However, You are, after all, the Father of all beings. If beings wish to express their reverence and respect for You alone, how are they to worship? With only this one temple, it would in any case be unsuitable."
"Moreover, Prometheus and humankind have already set the first and last days of the Sacred Twelve-Cycle as Your exclusive days of sacrifice. If there is no temple for worship, then what should be done?"
At this, Zeus pondered briefly, then nodded: "What you say has sense. In that case, if mortals wish to worship Me alone, a temple will not be strictly required. Let them, in a pure place, erect a temporary altar, offer sacrifices, perform the proper rite, and praise My holy name. Whatever mortals hold in their hearts, I will feel."
Only then did Themis withdraw, satisfied.
She could not bear to let her most beloved, most admired, most magnanimous, and most merciful husband be left without a dedicated mortal worship.
Her husband may not care—but One so radiant must be honored!
Zeus now turned to the gods and gave the final notice.
With a faint smile at His lips, He said slowly, "Gods, all is settled. Now let us together partake of this first sacrifice offered by mortals."
He turned His gaze to Prometheus, his eyes holding a hint of meaningful mirth, and spoke softly: "Prometheus, those sacrificial bulls below—are they all to be slaughtered?"
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