Greece: I am Zeus!

Chapter 303 Take Care, Brother

He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse as if two stubborn stones were rubbing against each other: "It's my fault...it's all my fault."

"If I had been more patient back then... if I had tried sincerely first, and then sought change after failing... I would never have ended up like this today."

Epimetheus's face was heavy with an unprecedented somber expression.

He cannot see the more distant future, but He always sees the "past" more clearly than anyone else.

Even gods have uncontrollable desires and emotions; even gods, driven by desires, will fight and kill.

All things and all living beings are like this, and humankind is no exception.

But the old, dark, and cruel order has long been completely ended.

The true Lord has already established a completely new, sacred, and just order.

His Majesty the God-King has long ago set the main theme of the universe as "Truth, Goodness, and Beauty".

And this first step is about being "true".

Without "truth," all other forms of "goodness" and "beauty" are like water without a source or a tree without roots.

Deception is the beginning of all evil; similarly, sincerity is the beginning of all happiness.

Was the "sacred guest right" established by the God-King really just to protect those unfamiliar travelers?

No.

The God-King's meaning is already very clear.

That is, you must first learn to give some "sincerity" and "goodwill".

Only in this way can "sincerity" and "goodwill" have a chance of being reciprocated.

If from the very beginning, the initial investment is "distrust" and "deception," then it is impossible to expect the other party's "sincerity" and "goodwill" in return.

If all beings are like this, then this universe will become the most cruel, foul, and filthy dark swamp.

What difference would that make from the dark old order of the past?

However, it's yet another new cycle.

Ultimately, it will all be ended again.

Even a god cannot rely on himself alone.

All living beings will eventually know that only unity and kinship are the true path to lasting prosperity and happiness.

Epimetheus spoke slowly, his voice soft yet unwavering: "My dear brother, it is not too late for you to understand that sincerity is the most important thing."

"You get what you give in return."

"This is true of everything in the world. If you take sincerity as your spring, you will reap clear nourishment; if you take deceit as your seed, you will only reap poisonous weeds."

"Since the dawn of humanity, the path we have taken has been far too smooth. This has led us to fail to appreciate many things and to lack a clearer understanding of them."

"They weren't unaware of what was amiss, but not a single person voiced their doubts."

"The lessons learned from this incident are not without merit."

"At least, they can learn a sense of awe and understand another truth."

"Many times, we must have our own principles, uphold the truth, uphold order, and uphold justice."

"Instead of blind trust."

"Don't be blind, and don't follow blindly."

"Even if the one you trust is an omnipotent God; even if he is their creator; even if he is their teacher, it is not enough to have complete faith."

"The ability and awareness of self-reflection are essential elements for progress."

"The lessons learned from this experience are extremely valuable and will enable their civilization to flourish even more, which is a blessing in disguise."

Prometheus listened quietly, without saying a word.

Epimetheus had a point, but the price He could not accept for gaining this experience was too high.

It is easier to grow from setbacks, but such setbacks can be devastating.

Humans learn this through gentle growth; such extremes are unnecessary.

Epimetheus, unaware of Prometheus's thoughts, continued:

"The arrival of 'death' sows the seeds of 'desire' in them. But what kind of fruit this seed will eventually grow into depends on what kind of water it is nourished with."

“And you, my dear brother, used the most poisonous ‘source of poison’ to water it from the very beginning.”

"If you don't restrain yourself and carefully guide and correct it, then ultimately, this seed will never bear any good fruit."

"I think that's definitely not what you want to see."

Upon hearing this, Prometheus turned even paler.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but his throat seemed to be blocked by guilt, and he could not say anything.

In that brief moment of lucidity, He could clearly foresee the terrible impact His actions today would have on the future of humanity. Things that should be obtained through honesty and sacrifice, once acquired through trickery, sow the seeds of irreversible disaster.

Epimetheus looked at Him quietly, his expression slightly somber.

But in His eyes, there was a complex, brotherly forgiveness.

Instead of gently admonishing Prometheus, as one might do between brothers, He whispered, “If you truly wish to make amends, then use your wisdom to begin a genuine act of asceticism.”

"You should know that His Majesty the God-King's sacred and just order is supreme and absolutely cannot be desecrated or destroyed in any way."

“You weren’t directly sent to Tartarus this time…” Epimetheus paused here, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

What Prometheus didn't know, but He, who had been "hanging out" on Olympus, did.

To be honest, He really didn't mind.

After all, that was the great God-King, and it certainly didn't disgrace the Mother Goddess.

Moreover, the Mother Goddess's mental state has indeed become much more cheerful and optimistic lately.

The Mother Goddess would like to see a better life.

He is a god who understands only after the fact, so he understands even more clearly that living in the past is meaningless.

Everything in the past is for a better future.

"Well... in short, there are some... well, deeper reasons behind this."

"However, in the end, it was His Majesty's magnanimity and mercy that saved you. Otherwise, given what you did today, it would not have been an exaggeration to banish you to Tartarus."

Epimetheus’s slight unease went unnoticed by Prometheus.

He really wasn't in the mood to think about anything right now.

Epimetheus's expression sharpened, becoming even more serious: "My dear brother, what I am about to say is something that more than one god has advised you."

"But I hope that after you have learned this lesson you deserve, you will truly take these words to heart."

“You are very clear about His Majesty the God-King’s sacred and just order. You are also very clear that this order is absolutely correct.”

"But you seem to have never truly understood why His Majesty's order exists."

Is it because you're too 'smart'? That's why you're always too 'self-centered'.

"Haven't you noticed? On far too many occasions, you've been far too arrogant?"

Prometheus remained silent.

Could He really be unaware of these shortcomings of His own?
No, of course He knew.

It's always easy to recognize a flaw, but it's always too difficult to correct it.

Intelligent people tend to trust themselves more and are more willing to do things according to their own ideas, no matter what.

Epimetheus then said earnestly, "Now that you have been punished, go and make amends for your mistakes."

"But please remember, you must first learn how to walk on the earth in a 'mortal' manner, rather than looking down from a high and mighty 'god' position."

"You must learn to look up to His Majesty the God-King, and you must truly understand the grandeur and necessity of His Majesty the God-King's order!"

"You must learn true 'reverence,' reverence for the 'order' that cannot be challenged."

"You are a god, and you should learn to look at this universe with a broader and more comprehensive mind."

“You are the god of ‘foresight’, and you should learn to take a better and more prosperous ‘future’ as the premise of all your actions.”

Epimetheus sighed again and said finally, "His Majesty has forbidden you from using any divine power to 'help' any living being. Do not violate His Majesty's supreme order any further."

"Human beings should go their own way. Please just observe, if it is truly unbearable, and please just teach, but do not do it yourself anymore."

"Take care of yourself, brother."

"Don't bring yourself and other living beings an unbearable price because of your foolish 'cleverness'."

As soon as he finished speaking, Epimetheus vanished.

"My dear brother, I don't want to never see you again. I hope you, being so clever, won't actually send yourself to Tartarus."

Only this last sentence remains, a word that is both teasing and deeply concerned, drifting in the deserted wind.

Prometheus also wanted to ask whether the Mother Goddess's current situation had been affected by Him, and whether she was worried and saddened by Him.
However, before she could ask the question, Epimetheus had already left.

He thought again, and realized that the Mother Goddess should be alright.

Your Majesty is not the kind of god who would take his anger out on His God.

Epimetheus was able to come to see me, and judging from his appearance, the Mother Goddess must be alright.

However, this is actually quite different from what He thought.

Clymene is now making a great "atonement" for Him!
Although His Majesty the God-King was not truly angry, he was still quite furious.

While Prometheus brought prosperity and civilization to the earth, he also brought "filth".

How could His Majesty the God-King not be angry?
(End of this chapter)