The two maiden goddesses were overjoyed, their faces lighting up in an instant.
Even the slightly brooding Arke revealed a faint, moving smile at this moment.
They bowed gently and thanked the God-King for his supreme favor.
Pontus and Thaumas also bowed deeply once more and loudly expressed their thanks to show their loyalty.
To entrust the goddesses of the Inner Sea with weighty posts and take them on as personal envoys—nothing could better signal support than this!
Sea and Ocean still kept silent, quietly accepting all of it.
Just then, Zeus turned his gaze to Thaumas's wife, the goddess from the Ocean—Electra.
He said warmly: "Electra, your husband and children are doing very well. And you, too, are very well, a very good goddess."
"From this day forth, you are the Mother of all Ocean Miracles, the Mother of Miraculous Vitality."
"Henceforth assist your husband well. When there is anything, seek your elder sister Metis's counsel often."
In the end Zeus still left the Ocean god a touch of leniency, softening his stance a little, and this was also for the sake of his beloved goddess of wisdom.
Oceanus, who had kept his head bowed in silence, suddenly looked up toward Zeus upon the throne when he heard this, his eyes filled with endless gratitude.
The goddess of wisdom also looked at Zeus with deep tenderness, moved to the core.
In her beloved god's heart, he still cared for the Ocean. In the end, he still kept her in mind.
Zeus looked around at the gods in the hall, and the expression on his face grew gentle again.
Upon his grand and stern features there came once more a faint smile.
Within the great hall, the extremely oppressive, stagnant atmosphere began to flow again because of the God-King's smile.
All the gods secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zeus looked toward those few companions who had been by his side since childhood, his dearest playmates: Melisseus, who gathered and brewed nectar-honey for him; the two beautiful and gentle ash-tree nymphs who carefully accompanied and attended him—Adrasteia and Ida; and his most beloved playmate and nurse—Amalthea.
He said with a smile: "Melisseus, Adrasteia, Ida, Amalthea. In my childhood, upon that small island of Crete, it was thanks to your careful care and night-and-day companionship. The bond between us is a treasure I will cherish forever, the most precious of all."
"Here, under the joint witness of the gods of the universe, I shall grant you the honors you long ago deserved."
At these words, the four deities hurried to step forth, came to the center of the hall, and respectfully dropped to one knee, quietly awaiting the God-King's favor.
Zeus looked to Melisseus and said slowly: "Melisseus, from this day forth, all birds, insects, bees, and butterflies in the universe, whether god or mortal, shall revere you and submit to your governance."
"Also, from today, the god-wine of the God-Realm shall be coordinated by you for the gods to brew."
Zeus turned to the two ash-tree nymphs, and his gaze grew even softer: "Adrasteia, Ida, you are noble ash-tree nymphs, gentle and loving goddesses. From this day forth, all flowers, grasses, trees, and woods in the universe, whether god or mortal, shall revere you two and submit to your governance."
"In addition, Adrasteia is specially appointed 'Goddess of Loving Protection,' and Ida 'Goddess of Loving Nurture.'"
"From now on, when the myriad beings of the universe are in their infancy, you shall shelter them to grow strong. You shall be the foster-mothers of all beings."
At last, Zeus looked at that still somewhat simple, utterly pure goat nymph.
No—now she should be called a nymph of the Ocean.
The corner of his lips curved into a smile of pure indulgence, and he said in an exceedingly gentle voice: "Amalthea, from this day forth, you are the goddess of 'Nourishment,' 'Healing,' and 'Purification.'"
"All living beings shall grow strong through your nourishment; all wounds shall be made sound through your healing; all filth and sin shall be washed clean through your purification."
"When any being endowed with spirit and wisdom is born, by your baptism they shall be made new and come pure into the world; and after their death, by your sacred washing they shall have the stains of the past removed and enter the Underworld without dust."
"And upon my supreme throne, you shall be the brightest star, whose name is 'Polaris'! (The four sides of Zeus's throne—left and right, front and back—are east, west, south, and north.)"
"You shall be with me forever! Bringing to all living beings an unchanging, most correct direction! Guiding them toward sanctity and transcendence!"
The four deities were both astonished and delighted, so overwhelmed by this sudden, immeasurably great joy and honor that they stood there a little dazed.
Especially Amalthea, this charmingly simple newborn daughter of the Ocean, who had never imagined that, though she had done nothing, it was as if she suddenly possessed everything.
Though she was innocent and lively and just a little simple, she was not foolish!
She naturally understood how greatly Zeus favored her; this indulgence could truly be called the utmost pampering!
She lightly pressed her charming, delicate lips together, snuck a glance up at Zeus upon the supreme throne, but dared only a single glance before quickly lowering her head again.
"Zeus… is the best!"
Melisseus was the first to come back to himself. He instantly dropped to both knees and, with all the strength he had, cried out in a voice of utmost devotion from the depths of his divinity: "Great Zeus! Illustrious Zeus! O supreme, generous, and merciful God-King! The humble Melisseus thanks you for your supreme favor!"
"Your will is Melisseus's eternal, unchanging will!"
The three goddesses, still a bit lost in thought, were startled by Melisseus's ringing shout, but thereby completely recovered themselves.
They too hurriedly offered the God-King upon the throne their most sincere thanks, filled with gratitude.
Zeus smiled and waved to them lightly, indicating they should rise and return to their places.
After investing those deities who ought to be invested, this protracted Assembly of All Gods finally drew toward its end.
Zeus lowered his gaze to survey the gods and, with majesty, summed up at last: "The new Heavenly Order and the Divine Network order are now in force. From this day forth, the universe has entered a brand-new era. I hope the gods will take the Sacred Twelve Laws as the highest program, join hands with me, and together make the universe more flourishing and prosperous!"
"Under the brand-new Sacred Just Order, all is orderly. From this day forth, the gods shall actively integrate into the Divine Network system and actively create life! Let the pulse of life spread to every corner of the universe! Let the radiance of spirit thoroughly illumine all nothingness!"
"By your command, Your Majesty the Supreme Eternal God-King!" the gods responded in unison, their voices shaking the vault of heaven.
Zeus looked to Prometheus, who stood with bowed head in silence, and said slowly: "Prometheus, my dear friend. This world is still far too empty; the gods are still far too few."
"Compared to the boundless cosmos, we gods are but a single drop in an endless ocean."
"Only the growth of life can bring the true prosperity of the universe; only the radiance of spiritual wisdom can make the universe shine forever."
"Prometheus, you are famed among the gods for your wisdom; you are the son of Iapetus, Weaver of Death, the Ever-Revolving. No god understands the boundary between 'life' and 'death' better than you."
"Please travel the world for a time. Take along your brother—Epimetheus. I entrust to you two brothers the task of creating more life, especially the creation of 'intelligent life.'"
"Set yourselves to it earnestly. If you need anything, you may at any time seek help from me and from the gods."
Prometheus, who had remained silent and filled with anxiety and unease ever since his elder brother committed a grave mistake, felt his high-strung heart finally settle completely after hearing the God-King's words.
He was deeply moved.
The God-King—truly worthy of being a merciful God-King!
Though his own elder brother had done such a foolish thing, His Majesty not only did not vent his anger upon him, but even entrusted him with such an important task!
How truly great!
And this was exactly the image Zeus wished to present to all the gods.
The God-King of today is a most just God-King!
He judges only the matter and never implicates the innocent!
The supreme sovereign has not only the supreme majesty of thunder, but also the merciful benedictions of rain and dew!
Under the God-King's brand-new order, any deity may strive with an easy mind!
So long as one does not commit error, then there is nothing to fear!
He hurried to the front of the hall, respectfully dropped to one knee, and in a voice of utmost sincerity said reverently: "Illustrious Zeus! Great and merciful God-King! Thank you for your regard and favor!"
"Prometheus shall surely obey your sacred will! I will not fail this heavy trust! I will surely create the finest life to dedicate to your sacred justice and supreme, most righteous, great order!"
Just then, from among the host of gods, a deity who seemed somewhat honest and stolid slowly stepped out.
He came to Prometheus's side and knelt with him.
Clearly, his reaction was a beat behind.
In a steady monotone, he said word by word with utmost formality: "Epimetheus pays homage to the majestic God-King."
This "late-knower," always the most low-key, who in ordinary times scarcely left his own home—Prometheus's "twin" younger brother—
Only today, at this Assembly of All Gods to pay court to the God-King, did he reveal his true countenance before the gods for the first time.
In build and features, he was five parts akin to Prometheus, likewise a stalwart and handsome deity.
But the feeling he gave the gods—especially in temperament and expression—was the polar opposite of Prometheus.
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