It's Not What I Want to Do-It's What You Want to Do / Tensions Rise and a Compromise

Looking at Zeus, whose expression remained indifferent and whose emotions showed no sign of wavering, Zeus shook his Gwen slightly.

"But isn't it another kind of tragedy to make people live in cities you've arranged, repeating the same monotonous and unchanging urban life day after day, while strangling those who seek change and ideas?"

This is nothing more than imprisoning human thought in an eternal cage, turning them into frogs in a well and birds in a cage.

Losing the ability to create value independently also means losing the ability to live independently in this world;

Losing hope for the future and merely indulging in the false happiness bestowed by the gods, humanity will also lose its future, forever stuck in the present, devoid of any hope.

Such a life, no matter how affluent, is nothing more than a spiritual death.

Even if one has a lifespan of ten thousand years, what difference is there between it and a lifespan of only one day?

In the normal course of history, the reason why humans have become the leaders of primates is precisely because they are able to think, create, and, in their dissatisfaction with the status quo and their pursuit of a better future, transcend their own limitations and gradually transform themselves and the environment.

In order to control everything and maintain the continuation of the divine age, you deprived them of their potential, turning them into sheep that could only wander in the sheepfold.

For all the black goats that leaped out of the pen, you also ruthlessly raised your butcher's knife, erasing the courage and efforts of those brave individuals.

"..."

Hearing Gwen's words, the three people behind Gwen, including Fujimaru Ritsuka, exchanged a silent glance, all seeing the surprise in each other's eyes—

We've all only recently arrived in this Lostbelt, so why does Gwen seem to know so much about it?

However, although they hadn't deliberately tried to gather intelligence during their short time in the city, they had vaguely sensed the situation Gwen had mentioned through their limited contact with the Olympian, though they hadn't yet confirmed it.

Behind Gwen, the siblings he had pulled from their hiding place and brought here listened to Gwen's words, a strange glint in their eyes—

Although their parents were members of the resistance and even died because of it, they continued to provide assistance to the resistance throughout their long lives.

However, despite its long history, the resistance organization has always lacked sufficient theoretical basis due to constant suppression and destruction by the gods.

Even though Adele and Macarios had been working on this for thousands of years, they only had this feeling in their hearts. However, due to their limited abilities in this area, they could not extract it into detailed texts and theories, which made the original story seem empty and lacking in evidence.

Now, listening to Gwen's words, although they differed somewhat from their own understanding, the two still felt as if they had suddenly gained some insight.

It seemed that Gwen was putting all the thoughts that had lingered in his mind for a long time, or those that had flashed into his mind but he had failed to grasp, into words, venting all the frustration in his heart.

Therefore, as they looked at Gwen figure, the young boy and girl couldn't help but feel more affectionate and less wary.

Above the temple, Zeus listened to the sharp accusations in Gwen's calm voice, yet his emotions remained stable.

This great god was not swayed by Gwen's few words—

"Under the rules of the gods, they can still freely develop their interests and hobbies, pursue art, and fully experience the beauty of the world. Isn't this another kind of freedom?"

"Oh..."

Faced with Zeus's unoriginal rebuttal, Gwen chuckled lightly. The oppressive pressure emanating from Zeus, almost tangible, remained as calm and detached as a mountain facing a gentle breeze.

"Art originates from life and can only be built upon life."

You created a perfect world for them that required no effort from them, allowing them to amuse themselves in it, but never letting them truly face the challenges of reality.

The exploration of art and knowledge, without a foundation in reality, will ultimately become nothing more than a pipe dream.

Even one's life isn't something they've built through their own efforts, but rather something bestowed by the gods. Such art, no matter how magnificent, is nothing but a castle in the air, easily shattered.

No matter how well someone sings, it's nothing more than the babbling of a caged bird.

Zeus frowned slightly, the lightning bolts on his forehead flickering faintly, somewhat displeased with Gwen's words that almost completely negated his decision—

"You mean the Gods should abandon humanity, letting them be slaughtered by monsters, robbed by bandits, and starve to death due to drought and floods that cause them to lose their harvest?"

"..."

Gwen merely raised an eyebrow at Zeus's clearly emotionally charged words, his smile even deepening—he was getting impatient.

Stroking his chin, Gwen sized up Zeus, whose physique was even more robust than that of an ancient Greek statue, and chuckled softly—

"If I didn't roughly know your origins, I would have suspected you were some kind of neon god from somewhere—"

Why is it like a diode, a binary choice, either completely controlled or completely left to its own devices?

"?"

Two Far Easterners present blinked at Gwen's remarks, exchanged a glance, but neither offered any comment on his sharp critique of their homeland.

Even Fujimaru Ritsuka, who lives in modern society, can roughly understand through the internet that many people in her country do indeed have this bad habit.

Miyamoto Musashi, in his early years, was a firsthand witness to this situation.

Gwen didn't stop speaking and continued—

"As someone whose true form is a space battleship, you should be well aware of the importance of precise control over variables."

And...

As you said, the gods you command may indeed have saved humanity from various crises in the past, and humanity should indeed be grateful for and praise your good deeds.

But have you ever thought about this—

Now, you, who use your rules to confine humanity in this interstellar city, have become another form of disaster?

Ample sunlight allows crops to grow vigorously, but drought will only cause everything to lose its vitality;

Abundant rainfall can provide crops with sufficient water, but too much rain can turn into a devastating flood.

The gods who saved humanity from a primitive existence were benevolent and great, but have you now become a different kind of drought and flood?

What was once a blessing has now become a new shackle.

You have eliminated the threats of the past, but in stagnation you have also stifled the possibilities of the future, becoming a new threat yourself.

Chapter 597 It's not what I want to do, it's what you want to do.

"What you said may have some truth to it; 'appropriate amount' is always a very difficult thing to achieve."

Faced with Gwen's accusations, Zeus remained silent for a moment, but did not continue to refute them. His voice was low and deep, like the gloomy sky that might unleash a thunderbolt at any moment.

"Every mistake will bring immense harm to fragile humanity, and may even lead to destruction."

It's far more likely to fail halfway than to stumble forward through repeated mistakes.

Gwen nodded slightly, not denying Zeus's concerns—

Looking at history from a modern perspective, humanity has indeed teetered on the brink of self-destruction more than once.

But Gwen was clearly not going to be persuaded by Zeus so easily—

"So, what you want to see is turning those humans who once made you stop and cheer like pets?"

"..."

After a moment of eye contact with Gwen, Zeus saw a calm and indifferent look in Gwen's eyes, and knew that Gwen would not agree with his point of view.

While Zeus agreed with Gwen's reasoning, he deemed it absolutely impractical.

Therefore, they simply couldn't see eye to eye...

Zeus, whose divine power seemed to be slowly diminishing, but whose lightning-streaked spear was flashing with increasing danger, looked at Gwen, his voice solemn—

"So... powerful foreigner, what exactly do you want by coming to this temple and denying everything I've done?"

This time, Zeus's voice was calm, like the sky gradually fading away after the thunder. But as the starlight scattered in the temple dimmed, everyone realized that this was Zeus's final ultimatum.

Perhaps, as soon as Gwen utters his next word, this great god will wield his thunderous spear and launch a deadly attack.

"It's not what I want to do."

Faced with Zeus's ultimatum, Gwen remained calm, even smiling with amusement.

"It is up to you, Zeus, to decide what to do."

Although your actions have nearly extinguished hope for humanity in this Lostbelt, compared to the great lecherous worm in Greek mythology of the Pan-Human History, you have done quite well and deserve the title of a god.

However, now you, as the head of the family, are no longer a helper to your child's progress, but rather an obstacle to their advancement.

Are you prepared to make changes, leading these children under your protection to a brighter future, or will you stubbornly cling to your illusions, dragging millions of people in this Lostbelt into a state of stagnant bliss, only to be destroyed in an even greater crisis in the future?

If this Zeus is as scoundrel as the Zeus in Pan-Human History, then Gwen will have no qualms about dismantling him or turning him into a puppet Kusanagi.

However, Zeus has objectively protected humanity in this Lostbelt since the age of gods. Although he made some mistakes, his achievements cannot be completely erased.

Originally, the Gods who could persuade Zeus had been destroyed or enslaved by Zeus, and humans, as the protected ones, obviously did not have the ability to persuade Zeus.

Now, Gwen wanted to see how Zeus would react to a suggestion... or rather a threat, from such a formidable enemy.

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's unexpected answer, Zeus's eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

At the same time, all eyes in the hall were focused on Zeus—

Whether Zeus were Zeus's supporters or his open or covert opponents, they all watched Zeus silently, wanting to see how this great god would respond to Gwen's suggestion, which contained an implicit threat.

Captured by Gwen and now with all her power restrained, Aphrodite, held at sword-to-sword by Miyamoto Musashi, seemed to want to say something—

Humans, mere insects without the protection of the gods, can't even survive, yet they shamelessly crave more?

However, no matter how agitated Aphrodite was, the golden light emanating from her body rendered her speechless.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zeus did not remain silent for long, and gently tapped the ground with his thunderbolt.

What if I say no?

What are you planning to do?

Although they were discussing the future of the Olympian, Zeus didn't even glance at the two Olympus residents present, but instead focused his attention on Gwen.

"It's obvious—"

Gwen raised his hand and patted Adele's shoulder, who was warily watching Zeus.

"Stand on the side of these struggling rebels."

"..."

Suddenly, Gwen put his arm around her shoulder. Adele turned her head in surprise to look at Gwen. She was taken aback when she saw the gentle smile Gwen gave her, and then gave a faint smile in return.

Although their first meeting wasn't pleasant, the girl took to heart everything Gwen said.

"Then what?"

Zeus was not surprised by this, and lightning crackled in his eyes—

"Destroy us gods, and let the humans of Olympus return to the era of eating raw meat and drinking blood, struggling to survive."

And then, before these humans can find their own future, will they be destroyed along with Finality Fantasy Tree, having been hunted down by you Lostbelt?

"?"

Upon hearing Zeus's words, Aphrodite, whose divine power and actions had been sealed, widened her eyes, which were adorned with vibrant eyeshadow, and stared at Zeus in disbelief—

Although Zeus's words had already rejected Gwen, she saw it as a weakness that could never be found in Zeus.

Meanwhile, Europa was silently observing all this alongside Demeter, had an unfathomable glint in his eyes—

Although equally incredulous, Europa saw hope amidst the surprise.

As a heroic spirit from the Pan-Human History, Europa, who was once ravaged by Zeus from the Pan-Human History, holds a considerable fondness for this Zeus from the Lostbelt.

Having witnessed Zeus's inhumanity in the Pan-Human History, I have a deep respect for this overly human Zeus in the Lostbelt.

Therefore, if possible, Europa also hoped that Zeus could have a better ending.

However, she lacked both the strength and the ability to persuade Zeus to change his mind, so she could only secretly assist the resistance forces in their development.

Now Zeus has shown a slight softening, unlike his usual unwavering stance. Though small, it has given Europa a glimmer of hope.

Behind Gwen, Zeus's words, though devoid of sarcasm or doubt, stirred complex emotions within Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others—

No matter how eloquently Gwen refuted Zeus, their purpose in coming here was to cut down the Fantasy Tree and conquer the Lostbelt.

That is to say... to destroy everything that these humans who live happily here have.

Chapter 598 Tensions and Compromise

Even though Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, who have already conquered seven singularities and four Lostbelt, will not stop their efforts, the kind-hearted girl's sensitive heart is inevitably affected by this.

Subconsciously glancing to the side, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash were surprised to find that Adele and Macarios, who were said by Zeus to be destined for death even if they won, were surprisingly calm, their expressions unwavering.

Unlike the unexpected Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, Gwen was not surprised at all.

For thousands of years, Adele and Macarios had been suppressed and forced into hiding, with little hope in sight, despite being part of the resistance.

The oppressive life they had endured for so long, without a glimmer of hope, had begun to change the way the siblings thought—