Ordinary gods.
Or rather.
They had no right to witness the simple gambit between Persephone and Apollo just now—a clash resolved in a single thought.
To even qualify to behold it, one needed at minimum the level of a Supreme God.
"Hmm~~~"
Alistair sat in his chair, leg crossed, one hand resting on his knee, propping his head as he pondered thoughtfully: "Between a God King and those below."
"There is an essential gap."
"To be precise."
"It should be called a disparity in the origin of life itself."
"If."
"Gods evolving from humans is an advancement in life's origin, then ascending to God King is yet another elevation from that same source."
"In a sense."
"Gods at the God King level are an entirely new form of life."
"..."
Demeter listened to Alistair's musing soliloquy without interjecting. She didn't know who Alistair was or the full situation, so less talk meant fewer mistakes—best to stay silent.
No matter what.
She had finally reunited with her daughter. Even if the current Underworld seemed a bit off, that no longer mattered.
Demeter simply acted like a concerned elder mother, not wanting to burden her child.
"That said..."
"God King-level power: one thought to destroy a universe, one thought to birth it."
"Then..."
"Single-universe level?"
"No!"
Alistair pondered briefly, shaking his head: "Theoretically, God King level surpasses simple single-universe combat power. It should be called an exceptional single-universe level, but not yet true multiversal?"
"Hmm~~~"
Alistair rubbed his brow. Much to consider.
Don't let Alistair's daily leisure fool you—he seemed to eat, drink, and play, doing little else.
In truth.
Alistair's progress in learning was astonishing, and his grasp of knowledge profound.
All this required personal study, to bolster his divine throne, add fuel, ensuring the divine fire he ignited in the future burned ever brighter.
"Seems like..."
"More to deliberate once Persephone returns."
Alistair thought for a moment, then paused.
For now.
That would do. More considerations later.
Alistair simply continued watching the battlefield quietly.
In the vast cosmos.
The phantoms of Persephone and Apollo, coalesced, still stared each other down.
"..."
Apollo extended one hand, and a staff crackling with world-shaking thunder materialized in his grasp.
The Thunderbolt.
Forged for Zeus by the three Cyclops brothers long ago, with this divine artifact, Zeus earned the title of the strongest God King.
Thunderbolt and Aegis.
Empowered by these two, offense and defense unified, Zeus became the mightiest of the third generation God Kings.
Likewise.
These two artifacts were what Zeus left for Apollo.
One could say.
To outsiders, Zeus seemed ninety-nine percent doomed—leaving both artifacts for Apollo, taking only his God Cloth, nothing else.
Wasn't that suspicious?
In reality.
Anyone versed knew Zeus wouldn't perish; he schemed in the shadows.
Apollo was but a pawn thrust into the light.
Did Apollo not know this?
Of course he did.
Unfortunately.
Apollo had no means to alter his fate—at least not yet. He could only endure passively; he lacked the power to change it.
"Thunderbolt."
Persephone extended her slender hand, and a divine sword similarly appeared in her palm.
At the same time.
A gleam emanated from her brow, and a dark purple gem floated before it.
Helm of Darkness.
Sword of Hades.
War?
Bring it!
Who fears whom?
Just same-tier divine artifacts?
I've two; you have one. We're both upstart God Kings—who's truly stronger? Laughable!
Persephone feared not clashing with Apollo.
As for the end of the fight?
Truth be told.
At worst, they'd end up clawing at each other's hair. Truly deciding a victor? Near impossible.
Between them, slaying a God King outright? Utterly implausible.
"Helm of Darkness."
"Sword of Hades."
Apollo eyed the two divine artifacts deeply.
He knew of Hades's death, of course, but knowledge aside, Persephone's emergence and ascension to God King were far too anomalous.
Now, it seemed.
Persephone had truly inherited all that was once Hades's.
Then.
Apollo withdrew the Thunderbolt. He had been testing: if Persephone hadn't fully inherited everything, dealing with her would be simpler.
But now, it seemed, long-term planning was needed.
"Persephone, the Aegis may stay with you for now."
"In the future."
"I will reclaim this artifact with my own hands."
Apollo's phantom dissipated tracelessly, as if it had never appeared.
Persephone paid it no mind.
Threats?
Meaningless!
Her phantom too faded away.
In this era, the clash between two God Kings.
Ended with a mere brush, no true God King battle ensuing.
After all.
A God King battle's repercussions were too vast. And with Persephone holding two divine artifacts.
Apollo had no way to secure true victory.
Most crucially.
Thunderbolt, Aegis.
These were Zeus's artifacts; even Apollo didn't truly own them—merely wield them to full power.
In Apollo's view, even if Persephone had reached God King, she couldn't truly master the Aegis, make it her own.
But alas!
Who could say for sure?
Sometimes, events unfolded in unexpectedly profound ways.
Within Hades' Castle.
Persephone slowly opened her eyes. She extended her hand, taking the Aegis from Demeter.
Then.
With divine power, Persephone sealed the Aegis outright.
Until she could fully master it, sealing was wiser. Otherwise, as Zeus's artifact, any mishap would spell trouble.
"Whew~~~"
With everything settled, Persephone exhaled softly.
Alistair asked curiously: "Persephone, how was it, the clash of God Kings?"
"The clash of God Kings..."
"Hmm~~~"
Persephone pondered briefly, then shook her head: "A God King clash can't be settled quickly. Even with two artifacts against Apollo, I might win, but I couldn't kill him—or even truly defeat him."
"As expected."
Alistair nodded knowingly: "Not surprising. Same-level fights, especially at higher tiers, aren't resolved with a few words."
"Let's go."
"We'll handle the rest back in the Pure Land of Bliss."
"Alright."
Alistair stood. Persephone approached, gently linking arms with her mother: "Mother, let's return first."
"Good."
Demeter's eyes brimmed with tenderness as she lightly stroked Persephone's golden locks.
In this moment.
Tears glistened in Demeter's eyes. How long had it been? She couldn't recall! For ages untold, she hadn't touched her daughter's golden hair with her own hands.
The three returned to the Pure Land of Bliss.
As for what had just transpired.
The women bustling within the Pure Land had no inkling.
After all.
That level of clash was beyond their realm to perceive.
Alistair, Persephone, Demeter.
The trio entered the vast living hall.
Alistair lounged on the sofa, while Persephone naturally sat beside him, pulling her mother to sit on her other side.
Alistair didn't mind Demeter's presence, casually wrapping an arm around Persephone's slender waist—all gestures effortless.
Demeter watched the scene, seemingly lost in thought.
Alistair produced a Subordinate God Contract: "Persephone, explain this to Demeter."
"Alright."
Persephone took the contract, beginning to describe to Demeter what had occurred and the current state of affairs.
Moments later.
"I see."
Demeter nodded in understanding. She gazed deeply at Alistair, who sat there lighting a dark cigarette, seemingly pondering something.
The supreme rank, representing 666, rivaling or surpassing the Absolute God as the God of Darkness.
The Dimensional Star River Map, truly traversing all heavens and myriad worlds.
And!
The events of recent months—merely four short ones—yet so much had unfolded!
Demeter took the Subordinate God Contract, signing her name without hesitation.
Alistair sensed his subordinates increase, snapping from his reverie.
"Demeter."
Alistair said amusedly: "No need to think it over more?"
Demeter replied mildly: "Then, Dust, if I don't sign, would you let me stay in the Pure Land of Bliss?"
"No issue there."
Alistair nodded: "If unwilling, stay as a mascot. You'd have no resistance here, but you'd never leave the Pure Land afterward."
"In that case."
"I can remain with my daughter always, and witness an even more glorious future."
"I have no reason to refuse."
Demeter shook her head gently. She wouldn't choose refusal, nor did she see grounds for it.
"Good."
Alistair was pleased. After all, she was a Supreme God. Though far below exceptional ones like Athena or Ares.
Still a Supreme God. His household wasn't destitute, but manpower was sorely needed—a single one was invaluable.
Alistair asked: "Persephone, at God King level, you can create and destroy universes. So, can you create true worlds?"
"Impossible."
Persephone shook her head: "Creating parallel universes is easy, even life. But divine materials, resources—these require world force to gestate. And true worlds contain inherent world power."
"At minimum."
"That's beyond me. Perhaps at Absolute God level."
Alistair nodded thoughtfully, musing.
If.
His calculations held, below God King was intra-universal tier. God King transcended universal limits.
True single-universe level.
No!
No!
Not ordinary single-universe—gods' laws and artifacts made it exceptional single-tier.
"Hmm~~~"
"What about Primordial Gods corresponding to multiversal?"
"And!"
"The further Absolute God, reaching omnipotent universal? Hard to confirm for now."
"However."
"If proven that Absolute Gods can create multiverses, then it's essentially confirmed: omnipotent universal level."
Alistair pondered deeply.
For now.
Most was speculation, not firm. But that was natural.
His current level was still low; knowing more provided ideas and benchmarks.
"But anyway!"
Alistair shelved the scattered thoughts, shifting tone playfully: "After this, the next Holy War will be interesting, no doubt. I bet Apollo will dive right in."
"Not surprising."
Persephone agreed, while Demeter listened quietly, learning that her lord and daughter eyed the divine resources birthed every 243 years on Earth.
Though.
Alistair could traverse heavens and worlds, theoretically never lacking divine resources—who would disdain having fewer?
Evidently.
Lack of ability was one thing; having it and forsaking? That would be too humiliating.
Anyway, was Alistair such a person? Greed and pride were facets of darkness too.
"That said!"
Alistair eyed Persephone and Demeter, beginning to muse thoughtfully.
"Heh heh heh~~~"
Persephone, from Alistair's gaze alone, curved a smile, teasing softly: "Dust, is this really alright? Mother just became your subordinate."
Alistair spread his hands: "Come on, I'm the God of Darkness—having ideas is normal, right?"
"Besides."
"Ideas are ideas. Why hide them?"
Demeter knew full well.
In short.
Alistair craved a mother-daughter feast.
Demeter glanced at her daughter, who showed no intent to refuse.
Then.
She was indifferent.
For Demeter, as a widow, none of this mattered. She prized only her daughter above all—as long as her daughter was happy and aided, that sufficed.
Her daughter was evidently the most special among all subordinates and kin.
But!
The future?
As Alistair's subordinates and kin grew, her daughter might no longer be the most special. Thus, she must help her daughter become even more so.
In the Pure Land of Bliss, within the palace complex Alistair had prepared—right in this grand hall meant as a reception or living space.
Demeter and Persephone.
This mother-daughter pair jointly prepared a feast for Alistair: a lavish dinner, truly lingering and unforgettable.
***
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