The Unity of Rights and Obligations 3/4

Half an hour later, the hunters returned with their spoils, and the two groups piled their catch on the open ground.

Samael, Chiron, and Themis patrolled and observed, scoring the wounds based on their location and depth, weapon proficiency, the strength of any remaining ether, and the prey's level, and recording these scores in their performance evaluation.

The two teams were initially close in score, but when the centaur sage noticed that among Athena's prey was a doe with a slightly protruding belly and her entire skeleton crushed, he frowned and marked a large red X on the parchment, deducting ten points.

Following closely behind, Samael and Themis nodded in agreement.

Ultimately, victory belonged to Anna's Group 2. As a reward, they were exempt from preparing lunch and could simply lie down and wait for the meal to be served.

The group couldn't help but turn their gaze to the central Hydra. Unable to control their strength and bestiality, Hydra drooped its head, its expression gloomy and guilty, and couldn't help but hiss in grievance.

Athena gently stroked the little guy's smooth, cool head to comfort him, then raised her right hand and looked at Chiron.

"Teacher Ma, bloodlust is Xiao Jiu's nature. In this era, killing and competition are the norm. Shouldn't destructive power and combat power be more important evaluation factors?"

"I don't understand why this restraint towards prey is used as a standard to measure scores."

Then, the Goddess of Wisdom glanced at the arrow in the centaur's hand and pondered.

"Moreover, I think that since you're going to kill that stag anyway, your mentality of helping it get rid of its stag is a bit ridiculous."

"Titan bloodline, combat and slaughter are our means of survival. Is it too hypocritical to restrain our power and show off so-called benevolence?"

Although everyone remained outwardly quiet, their flickering eyes and the confusion between their brows spoke volumes.

Compared to most ordinary creatures in the world, they are powerful and terrifying. They are high above and mighty. Dealing with these weak creatures is as simple as stepping on an ant. Why should they put on shackles and be taught to have so many considerations?

Chiron gently stroked the long sword in his hand, organized his thoughts, his expression solemn, his voice low.

"I was abandoned by my parents when I was a child and got everything I needed to survive in nature."

"Therefore, I am very clear that beneath the seemingly tranquil and gentle exterior of the natural ecosystem lies a landscape of dripping blood and stark white bones."

"In fact, the entire universe facilitates competition. In nature, metals can be forged into weapons, plants can be crafted into tools, and animals can provide the ether needed for the body..."

"Therefore, in the competition of nature, I do not oppose killing, and even advocate and encourage this behavior."

"But remember, what I support is reasonable and necessary killing, not meaningless and rampant massacre!"

The centaur sage paused, then gestured with his hands, and the students sat obediently on the grass, patiently looking up to listen.

"To put it simply, I could shoot that stag without any guilt, just to fill my stomach and learn the basics of hunting."

"I killed it; it was going to provide us with fur and flesh, discard its entrails, bury them in the soil, and eventually nourish the flowers and plants."

"It gives everything that nature has given us, and through our hands, it returns it back to nature. This is a sacred cycle of life."

"We're not saying we should be so sentimental as to repay and celebrate this normal natural pilgrimage, but at least we can avoid abusing these creatures, alleviate their suffering, and not waste the gifts they leave behind."

The students sat on the ground, listening and thinking as usual, and each had their own understanding of Chiron's actions in freeing the stag.

This is not hypocrisy, but respect for nature, respect for life, and respect for oneself.

Therefore, in the struggle for survival, killing and plundering are permissible.

However, relying on force to inflict meaningless abuse on other lives is extremely foolish.

"Furthermore, let me explain why we should expend effort to identify our prey."

Themis leaned against the tree trunk from behind, broke off a branch, and approached with a smile.

"You beasts only live to fill your stomachs, while the young and pregnant females continue their species, providing a constant supply of fur and flesh."

"Our innate bloodline certainly puts us at the top of the natural ecosystem, allowing us to take whatever we want from the entire Cilician Marshes."

"But force is not a panacea. If we take without restraint, it will inevitably lead to a more intense counterattack."

"For example, the Man-faced Spider that you almost ate to extinction is a very bad example."

Speaking of this amusing incident, all the Typhon's Offspring who had tasted the delicacy of roasted spider legs couldn't help but grin knowingly, still somewhat reminiscing about its delicious flavor.

Seeing the students' reactions, the Goddess of Justice nodded inwardly, then pursed her lips and pondered before explaining a deeper truth.

"Indeed, in Greece, we are much stronger than most life forms."

"Our bloodline inherits divine power and authority, allowing us to dominate a vast territory, to be above many species, and to crush them with the mere lifting of a finger."

"Perhaps, no matter how outrageous the actions, there's no need to worry about retaliation."

"But precisely because of this, we need to learn to restrain our arrogance and recklessness!"

"Hold goodwill toward this world, learn necessary restraint against violence, and respect life. Only then can you be worthy of the Titan blood in your veins and worthy of our expectations of you."

As she pondered intently, Themis, through her blindfold, cast a gentle, morning-like gaze over the students.

"You are very lucky. You were born to stand at the top. The world is your pasture."

"But at the same time, you also have an obligation to control your animalistic instincts and protect your own territory."

In an instant, the Goddess of Justice recalled a teacher's words of wisdom during a lesson, and she couldn't help but recite them as her conclusion.

"Divine power is bestowed at birth!"

"God's duty, from beginning to end!"

"The world may be more beautiful without your existence, but it should at least not become worse because of you."

To remember those casual remarks in that situation, it seems you haven't reached your limit yet.

The ancient snake's lips curled slightly, its smile strange.

Themis noticed the teasing gaze behind her, her body stiffened, her cheeks flushed slightly, and as she turned her head, a hint of reproach appeared in her eyes.

Are you done talking? Can we eat now?

The Harpy, who was most concerned about her three meals a day, immediately perked up when she saw the Goddess of Justice step down from the platform, and the ahoge-like feather on her head immediately stood up and trembled.

"Well, now, let me say a few words..."

Hearing this familiar accent during his daily summaries, Harpy felt a wave of dizziness and almost collapsed.