Chapter 51: Chapter 28 Oracle of Delphi
Translator: 549690339
On the nameless great plains, countless newly created beings had just gained consciousness and, driven by instinct, were now crawling on the ground.
Humans had been made, and all other forms of life were also teeming with vitality. They were touching the world for the first time and trembled under the unconscious divine pressure emanating from the gods above.
But no god paid them any attention. At this moment, their gaze was all focused on the newly ascended Divine King and the humans upon the earth.
“…Thank you for your assistance, Prince Laine.”
Embodying a powerful divine aura, Cronus struggled a bit to control his own strength. He stared at Laine for a few seconds but ultimately, a smile appeared on his face.
“Thanks to your blessing, humans have been created, a truly perfect form of life. I wonder if you plan to take some with you, to let their presence grace the Spirit Realm?”
“There is no need. That is not their place to dwell, and the realm of spirituality does not welcome the enduring residence of mortal beings. When their day to die comes, their souls will naturally return to my kingdom.”
Laine shook his head, declining Cronus’s suggestion. He glanced toward where Mother Earth was, feeling her gaze that had not yet dissipated.
From her aura, it seemed that Gaia had recovered somewhat, but her situation remained dire. The remnants of her Great Divine Power had barely been stabilized, but Laine knew she wouldn’t last much longer.
After all, whether it was Typhon, Demeter, or even the future ruler of the Underworld, none had yet been born.
“Very well, then,” said the Divine King, seemingly regretful, nodding his head. “However, as the place where the gods have created life, it deserves a name. It shall become a sacred place for humans to commemorate the deity’s deeds.”
“Prince Laine, since you’ve participated in the creation of humans and you do not wish to take any with you, perhaps you would like to name this place?”
Raising his eyebrows, Laine didn’t understand why Cronus was so keen to associate him with humans, but he didn’t plan to refuse.
“A name…” After pondering for a moment, Laine finally said, “Then let it be called Delphi.”
“The Delphic Great Plains, birthplace of Golden Humanity.”
Laine extended his hand, lightly tapping the void in front of him. In the next moment, an invisible force enveloped the land. Hills rose, ancient trees reached for the heavens, and on the slopes, a temple adorned with reliefs and patterns materialized out of nothing, appearing before the gods and humans.
Inside the main hall of the temple, the Lord of the Spirit Realm, the Divine King, and Mother Earth were enshrined together in the center, for they each had granted souls, bodies, and the right of existence to mortal beings. The other gods who participated in creation were venerated on the sides, a testament to the fact that mortal life had been blessed by the deity.
Of course, Laine did not create statues of other gods. He left only his own—a shifting polyhedral symbol, indescribable in language.
He had no intention of displaying his visage in the Mortal Realm, not even his name. Should mortals choose to worship him, they should worship the Spirit Realm itself instead.
“The Oracle of Delphi, that is its name. As for this mountain, it shall be called Parnassus.”
In later times, there was also a temple at Delphi. Apollo obtained the Oracle Stone Tablet there, gained the power of Prophecy, and slew the serpent Python. But now, it was unlikely to be associated with that son of Zeus any longer.
“The Oracle… a place for mortals to pay their respects to the gods and to listen to the divine will, truly a fine name.”
Cronus nodded his head and divine power surged into the temple, and the Divine King’s statue also appeared within the magnificent building.
Unlike Laine, his statue showcased his own likeness unabashedly. The Divine King wielded a scepter in one hand, with three gemstones symbolizing dominion over the Sky, the seas, and the earth, and with his other hand in front of him, as if embracing the whole world.
“I shall also establish an Oracle at the foot of the Mount of the Gods. In time, those humans who belong to me will gather there to hear my will.”
“A sound plan.”
Laine appeared indifferent to Cronus’s intentions.
He was planning to leave. But remembering the way Cronus had looked at him earlier, Laine decided to stoke the Divine King’s ambition a little more.
“Let him be busy expanding his authority,” Cronus, having his Origin taken by Laine, is considerably weaker compared to his mythical self.
“Cronus, the creation of mankind has ended; this is the first generation of humans. Now, it’s time for me to leave.”
The fluctuation of space emerged, and Laine looked at the humans before him, speaking slowly:
“They are the ‘Golden Humanity,’ the most splendid, the happiest, and the most carefree generation of humans there has ever been. But with life comes death, and once the era that belongs to them ends, the humans of the Silver Age will replace their existence.”
“Silver Humanity?”
Hearing this, the Divine King turned around, curiously asking, “Is this a prophecy? If so, I wonder, what does the interchange between these two generations of humans signify?”
“It’s nothing much, humans are insignificant to the gods.”
Laine shook his head.
“It’s just that during the era of the Silver Humanity, strife will arise on the land.”
“The battles of the gods will obscure the skies, divine blood will flow through the mountains and rivers, thrones opposing each other.”
Fading slightly in form, Laine’s voice continued to reach clearly. Many gods born later did not understand its significance, but the Titans’ expressions all turned solemn.
Especially Cronus, who for thousands of years gave no heed to so-called fate, but from the fact that he has yet to sire children, it was evident that Laine’s prophecy and Uranus’s curse weighed heavy upon his mind all this time.
‘Strife will arise on the land… So after the second generation of humans is born, will a god challenge my authority?’
‘My child? Yes, under the world’s promptings, I cannot delay forever.’
Keeping his expression unchanged, Cronus silently clenched his teeth. Everyone had left, yet he was burdened with such words. The Divine King felt the increase of power in his body, but it still did not set his mind at ease.
Even now, with his full might, he was nothing compared to Uranus at his peak. Even the Heavenly Father, reduced to half his power and stripped of his throne, was beyond his reach at this moment.
If such power could wane under fate, then what of his own present state?
‘The second generation of humans? Then let there be no second generation at all.’
‘As long as the humans I created are the only ones, the prophecy can be postponed. I will make preparations until I’m ready to break free from fate’s shackles at ease.’
Making a secret decision in his heart, Cronus slightly eased his mind. His rationality told him that fate was not so easily fooled, but it was much better to have some direction than none at all.
“About the allocation of humans, it is time for us to discuss it.”
Speaking up to break the silence, Cronus did not intend to let the gods dwell on fate any longer.
Upon hearing this, the gaze of the gods fell upon the Divine King. Regardless of subsequent opinions, the initial division being conducted by Cronus was more than reasonable.
With one act of legislation and the creation of mankind, the newly appointed Divine King finally established basic authority among the gods. He should have been pleased, only the parting words of Laine stopped him from feeling any joy.
“Let’s begin,” Cronus said evenly, under the gaze of the gods: “Let us take a thousand individuals as a collective, so they can cooperate to survive on the land.”
“Each of the True Gods present will receive at least their due share, and as for the rest, let them be ranked according to their own power and contributions.”
The gods nodded in agreement. Such is the way of Chaos, where power always precedes contribution. Thus, in a relatively harmonious atmosphere, in front of the newly born humans, the gods commenced their division.
