Greece: I am Zeus!

Chapter 287 "Faith"

At this point, Zeus suddenly changed the subject and asked:
"You are one of the creators of humankind, and also its first teacher."

"Since humans can now represent all mortal beings, then you can also represent humans."

"Now, it's your turn to tell us: how should humanity express its piety and respect for the gods?"

All of this was somewhat different from what Prometheus had originally envisioned.

However, He had made preparations well in advance, and had prepared numerous plans.

He himself knew that based solely on his few words, he did not expect His Majesty the God-King to protect humanity for free and to command all gods to never again harm humanity at will...

That's wishful thinking.

It is utterly impossible for humanity to achieve true equality with God.

How can mortals talk about equality with gods? That's utterly ridiculous.

Now, to receive His Majesty's explicit promise of "father and son's" approval and protection is already the best possible outcome.

The world is not ruled by only His Majesty the God-King.

His Majesty the God-King will naturally punish those gods who dare to violate the sacred and just order.

However, humans and gods are ultimately different.

If it were merely a little bit of whimsy from the gods...

The punishment, in any case, will not be too severe.

However, the little whims of the gods often bring the most terrible and unbearable annihilation to mortals.

How can we please His Majesty the God-King so that he can be more strict with the gods and stop being capricious towards humanity?
And how can we universally please the Olympian gods so that they will value humanity and stop treating humans arbitrarily?
This is the most important thing to do next.

The relationship between "father and son" is the most appropriate!

Yes, the identity of "father" represents power and glory, but it also represents responsibility and commitment.

It is only natural for all spirits to regard God as their father, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Simply by showing some respect and reverence, one can avoid being harmed by God and even be favored by God. This is a huge win no matter how you look at it!

As for how to make offerings to the gods?
Prometheus had also been planning this for some time.

The gods wouldn't really care even if humanity gave away all of what it had.

Moreover, if everything is given away, how will humanity survive?

Instead of being unrealistic and trying to move the gods with trivial material things, it's better to change your strategy as soon as possible!

Use human reverence and obedience to move the gods!
By establishing a solemn set of formalities and specific behavioral norms, special symbolic meanings are given to ordinary offerings and rituals.

Rituals serve as a means and practical expression of human respect and obedience, offered to the gods, and used to please them.

Simply put, it means substituting the real for the virtual.

In this way, the effect may be better; on the other hand, it can also greatly reduce the survival pressure on humans themselves.

However, His Majesty has now brought the issue back to me, and I wonder if my idea will be approved by His Majesty.

Prometheus felt a chill run down his spine, but he knew that the only option was to bite the bullet and give it a try.

Since His Majesty has handed the problem back to us, it means that success is now a possibility.

He secretly encouraged himself: It's already decided, so what's there to hesitate about?

It's done!

He took a deep breath, feigning seriousness, and pretended to be deep in thought.

A hint of confusion flashed in Mingrui's eyes, then, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, a brilliant light of "sudden realization" burst forth.

This "performance" was so skillful and masterful that it was truly unparalleled.

After a long period of "contemplation," He spoke with an excited tone, as if suddenly enlightened: "Your Majesty! Everything depends on your foresight and careful consideration! Your wisdom is an indispensable guiding light for all living beings in the universe!"

"Under the guidance of your radiant wisdom, I... have come up with a small idea, which I humbly wish to present to Your Majesty."

He paused for a moment, and seeing that Zeus was listening quietly, he continued respectfully: "Your Majesty, when Epimetheus and I descended to earth to create life at your divine command, we were deeply moved by your great and divine virtues, and therefore created several kinds of divine life that symbolize your virtues."

"Because of your supreme majesty and kingly aura, we created the lion."

"By your infinite power and boundless compassion, we created the whale."

"Because of your great responsibility and integrity, we created Mengniu."

Zeus nodded slightly, saying nothing more. He already knew about these things. He had already reported them when he and his brother returned to Olympus to report on their work.

That's not all; there's more I haven't mentioned yet.

Their brothers also used the authority they had granted to bribe Claunia, the "overseer" they had sent.

Klaunia reported all of these things in detail.

These things were harmless, and the only ones who benefited were his loyal confidants. The two brothers had also accomplished a great feat by completing their mission, so he couldn't be bothered to fuss over such a trivial matter.

Seeing Zeus nod, Prometheus felt reassured and emboldened before continuing, "Your Majesty, your majesty is inviolable, your mercy is not to be profaned, and your power is not to be coveted."

"However! Your great 'responsibility' and 'integrity' are worthy of being learned, cherished, and forever promoted by all living beings in the universe!"

His voice rose higher and became more resounding: "Therefore, I believe that there is nothing more suitable as the most sacred gift that mankind should offer to you than this mighty bull, which represents your great 'responsibility' and 'faithfulness'?"

“I propose that, in the great cycle of the twelve sacred cycles, on the first and last days of the ‘first month’ and ‘last month’ that represent your supreme holiness and glory, humanity shall set aside all its affairs, and all people from every tribe shall gather together.”

"With the grandest and most solemn ceremony, we offer you the fattest and most magnificent bull! With that sacred bull, we offer you sustenance and worship you! I call this ceremony—'sacrifice'!"

"Of course, humans also worship and offer sacrifices to the other great gods of Olympus, in order to express their offerings and respect to them!"

"Benevolent Your Majesty! Great Your Majesty! Do you, who are so lacking in mercy, think that such an action can fully express humanity's highest and most sincere respect and reverence for the gods?"

Zeus's lips curled into a faint smile.

What a Prometheus! What a masterful use of the unreal to represent the real! What a masterful way of "binding the bull to my virtues"!
That's a clever use of moral blackmail!

He was forcing himself; if he refused this "gift," he would be denying his "responsibility and faithfulness."

What a cunning fellow.

Zeus found it amusing, but outwardly remained oblivious, nodding and smiling, "Very good, Prometheus, I am very satisfied with your suggestion."

“I never intended to make demands on humans, and the gods naturally wouldn’t really care about the meager offerings and sacrifices from mortals.”

"However, this 'attitude' of humankind is of paramount importance."

"Your analogy was very apt. Children respect and love their fathers, and fathers should also love and care for their children."

"As long as mankind can devoutly worship and venerate me and the gods; as long as they can strictly abide by my sacred and just order; let me and the gods see their commendable attitude; let me and the gods be certain that they truly respect their father like children."

"Then I will not be stingy and will give them the reward they deserve."

After stating this series of preconditions that gave him the right to interpret everything, Zeus paused for a moment before continuing with his solemn speech, though his tone seemed to contain a hint of mockery.

“The ox you created represents my ‘responsibility’ and ‘trustworthiness’.”

"In that case, let's divide this offering in two."

"Humanity will leave behind 'trustworthiness,' and I will take on 'responsibility.'"

"From then on, humanity's sublime and sincere faith and admiration for the gods was called 'faith'."

"Humans worship God with faith, and God responds to humans with protection and care."

"This is the fairest way to get along."

It's done! His Majesty has indeed approved it!

Prometheus was overjoyed and could hardly contain his excitement!

He hurriedly bowed again, and with all his might shouted: "Praise be to Your Majesty! No one is more benevolent than Your Majesty! No one is more compassionate than Your Majesty! No one is more magnanimous than Your Majesty!"

"Great Your Majesty! Your compassionate radiance illuminates the entire universe! The entire universe is filled with endless hope because of your supreme virtue!"

Zeus smiled slightly, raised his hand to gesture for Him to rise, and then said:

"That's settled then. On the first day of the first month of the next Sacred Twelve Cycle, I will personally lead the Olympian gods to the mortal realm. At that time, we will formally establish this 'covenant' between gods and men."

"At that time, please divide the bull, which is the covenant, into two parts in advance. They will each represent a token of the covenant between us, God and man."

Zeus smiled slightly, and said with a hint of profound meaning, "Prometheus, go to the mortal realm now and make preparations. Prepare everything properly. Show me the sincerity and piety of humankind, and do not disappoint me."

The heaviest boulder in Prometheus's heart was finally lifted.

He was both relieved and joyful, finally free from the heavy psychological burden.

He replied almost joyfully, "Prometheus obeys! Thank you for your great kindness and favor! I will immediately return to the mortal realm to make preparations and carry out everything as Your Majesty has instructed!"

"Go then, I look forward to that day." Zeus smiled slightly, a smile that held a profound meaning.

(End of this chapter)