Greece: I am Zeus!

Chapter 294 Prometheus, I'm fucking idiot!

This "protection" does not necessarily mean that it must be provided to "individuals".

The protection is for a region; as long as one guards the region that one believes in, it is enough to prevent great destruction and harm.

As for the fate of individuals within the region, and whether they need special protection, that depends on the choice of the specific deity.

After all, no single mortal, or even a small tribe, has the capacity to build a temple that can bear the glory of the gods.

This also means that the human race is destined to learn more about "cooperation" and must build larger "collectives" in order to support a temple and gain the favor of a deity.

This, in a way, is also forcing human civilization to develop more rapidly.

Because their current low productivity makes it impossible to support large-scale collective activities that would "move" the gods. The fewer people there are, the more backward the civilization is, and the harder it is to attract the attention of the gods.

Therefore, the more they desire God's protection and blessings, the more they need to work harder to gather together and unite to do greater things.

At the same time, the more protection and blessings they receive from God, the better their development will be, the safer their lives will be, and the faster their civilization will develop.

In this way, one will be more capable of doing bigger and more things to win God's favor.

The "threshold" for worshipping deities will become a powerful driving force forcing humanity into "involution."

This can be considered a "virtuous cycle" between God and man.

I just hope we don't go astray on this path...

All seemingly shortcut paths are often riddled with potholes.

Prometheus listened quietly to all these announcements, feeling a slight sense of regret, but he also knew that this was probably the best outcome he could achieve.

The current "divine covenant" is sufficient to ensure that human society can grow relatively steadily and healthily.

At least, there's no longer a constant worry that some deity might cause the complete disappearance of one or even several tribes of humans simply because of a small act of capriciousness.

However, there was one thing that puzzled Him: why did His Majesty proclaim "all mortal spirits" instead of just "human beings"?
Humans are the only ones who possess this wisdom, are capable of understanding and fulfilling this contract.
A vague idea flashed through His mind.

But He didn't have time to dwell on that idea, because He had more important things to do—He had to continue fighting for humanity!

Prometheus bowed deeply, his posture even more humble than before.

He exclaimed in a tone of utmost reverence: "No one is more merciful than Your Majesty! No one is more great than Your Majesty!"

"All living beings in the universe depend on Your Majesty's benevolent glory for their survival!"

"Prometheus still holds the highest reverence in his heart, and wishes to take this opportunity to present it to His Majesty!"

"I suggest that, regardless of which deity in the universe mortals ultimately choose to believe in and worship, Your Majesty should also be enshrined in the highest position!"

"His Majesty's supreme divine image must become the principal image of all deities worshipped in all temples!"

"Because Your Majesty, you are the father of all mortals and all gods!"

"All mortals have faith, and so should the gods! But the one whom all the gods worship together is only one, and can only be one!"

"That is you!"

"Our great Father of all gods! The great Lord of all spirits! The supreme ruler of all existence! The great King Zeus! You who are supreme, good, beautiful, all-knowing, and all-powerful!"

Prometheus's words were spoken with tremendous volume and were filled with immense emotion.

Because I was so immersed in the role, I didn't even notice many strange looks I saw.

Of course, none of the gods in heaven dared to object to His words.

That's practically a death wish.

However, Zeus, seated on his divine throne, cursed inwardly: 'Rebellious son! What a greedy and rebellious son!'

'His words sound noble and righteous, but deep down they're all driven by selfish motives!'

'That unfilial son! He's too good at exploiting the rules!'

Zeus sneered inwardly.

Why should I need such humble and insignificant beliefs?

Is there any living being in this universe that would dare to desecrate me?
No matter how much faith one has, it dissipates with a breath. What difference is there between faith in God and faith in mortals?
Prometheus's proposal was clearly an attempt to use the name of "Supreme Father God" to forcibly bind himself to all mortals, thereby indirectly making himself bear the infinite responsibility of "protecting all mortals"!

It is said to protect all mortal spirits, but nowadays, aren't only humans the ones capable of making offerings to God?
If every temple must have its own idol as the main deity, it would be an open competition for the faith of other gods, which would be extremely detrimental to the healthy development of each god's pantheon.

On the other hand, according to the rules that were just set, wouldn't that mean that he, the God-King, would have to personally protect all the mortal spirits who built the temple?!
At that time, when facing mortal spirits, the other gods will be constrained and hampered at every turn.

'What a rebellious son! His head is full of petty tricks!'

Zeus glanced at Clymene, who was standing to the side, seemingly casually, his gaze full of meaning.

He turned his gaze back to Prometheus, who remained bowed, and in his heart, he made up his mind: 'Prometheus, I...!'

(Clymene is completely unaware of this; she will likely have to pay a heavy price to atone for her good son once again. Although... given His Majesty the God-King's deep understanding of her, she probably... likes him quite a bit...)
This little bit of cleverness, this little trick of trying to exploit loopholes in the rules and engage in moral blackmail, is utterly insignificant to the all-knowing Zeus.

Zeus remained expressionless, and slowly said, "Prometheus, what you say is not without reason. However, I do not need to usurp the glory that belongs to all the gods."

"Do all the gods and mortals in the universe need a specific statue to know how to revere me?"

Upon hearing this, the gods hurriedly spoke up, praising the God-King's magnanimity and declaring that they had no such intention!

Zeus waved his hand gently, silencing the gods, before continuing, "What I protect is the entire universe, and all gods and creatures who are willing to follow my order."

"What I defend is the sacred and just order that I personally established and promulgated, which ensures that all living beings can develop healthily and well under the radiance of this sacred and just order."

"How can I possibly protect only one kind of creature? How can that be called impartiality?"

"These are the words of a child; do not say any more."

Prometheus's excessive efforts led to utter failure.

After hearing that last sentence, He was even more terrified and dared not say another word.

He could only reply respectfully, "Your Majesty's heart is more expansive than mine! It is Prometheus's vision that is too narrow, and he has failed to fully comprehend Your Majesty's great heart that loves the universe. Prometheus knows his mistake."

Zeus nodded slightly and continued in his majestic voice, “Mortal beings are ignorant and foolish, unaware of the greatness of the gods, their holy names, their dignified appearance, and their authority. Therefore, they cannot properly pay homage to the gods. This is indeed not good.”

“My dear Themis.”

Upon hearing the call of her beloved god-king, the flawless goddess of justice immediately stepped forward.

Her face was as cold as jade, solemn and dignified. She bowed her head and replied, "Your Majesty, your Themis is here."

Zeus smiled gently and said, "My flawless Themis, my dear justice, I ask that you personally preside over the determination of the genealogy, authority, and honor of all the Olympian gods (in short, the theogony)."

"And he selected the most suitable place in the mortal world and built a 'Pantheon'. He ordered all the Olympian gods to place their statues in the temple."

"Thus, mortals may know the majestic appearance of the gods, understand their honor and authority, and thus be able to properly worship and believe in them. This is the true Dharma."

“My idol will only remain in this one and only temple. Where this temple is located, all strife, defilement, disrespect and blasphemy shall be forbidden.”

"This 'Pantheon' is the only official temple I have in the mortal realm."

The flawless goddess of order, with a solemn expression, bowed and accepted the command: "Themis obeys."

She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Your Majesty, you cherish all living beings and protect all living beings. You love all sentient beings, and your heart is naturally impartial and just."

"Your great honors and glory need no further explanation."

“However, you are, after all, the father of all living beings. If living beings wish to express their reverence and respect for you alone, how should they perform sacrifices? A single temple is, in any case, absolutely inappropriate.”

"Furthermore, Prometheus and humanity have designated the first and last days of the sacred twelve-cycle as your exclusive days of worship. What will happen if there is no temple to offer sacrifices?"

Zeus pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded: "What you say makes sense. In that case, if mortals wish to offer sacrifices to me individually, they do not necessarily need a temple. They only need to build a temporary altar in a clean place, offer sacrifices, perform the appropriate rituals, and chant my divine name. I will be aware of what mortals think."

Themis then returned to her original position, satisfied.

She couldn't bear to see her most beloved, most admired, most magnanimous, and most benevolent husband without the exclusive rites for mortal spirits.

My husband doesn't care, but His radiance is essential!
Zeus then looked at the gods and gave his final announcement.

A slight smile played on His lips as He spoke softly, “Gods, all is settled. Now, let us together offer this first sacrifice to mortals.”

He then turned his gaze to Prometheus, a meaningful smile in his eyes, and said softly, "Prometheus, those sacrificial bulls below, are they all to be slaughtered?"

(End of this chapter)