Star Pioneers
"As far as we know, the Earth Mother Gaia, the Sky Father Uranus, Pontus, Tartarus, and Eros —the great Primordial Gods —have all become one with the Rules after several world re-creations, battles, and reproductions, falling into a semi-permanent dormancy. Therefore, Athena dared to mold you and Tina into the two founding gods of Orphic Cult, filling the void and shaping the mythology of humankind!"
Medusa pondered for a moment, but still couldn't help feeling a little worried.
"But at that time, it would mean that they should also be aware of this, and they would probably not be able to do it again, like last time, to preside over the Great Sacrifice and restrain Olympus in the name of the Mother Goddess Gaia. We will have to face all the problems alone."
In the era after the Twelve Titans disappeared, the power of the Twelve Olympians, enhanced by faith, was undeniable. Even if they formed a divine body with the Twelve Zodiacs governing the 88 constellations, maintaining the basic operation of the world might not be difficult. However, dealing with the Twelve Olympians and guarding against Old Gods like the Twelve Titans would likely be far more complex.
Upon hearing this, Samael nodded slightly, gaining a deeper understanding of the situation of the Greek Gods.
Gods also have an end, and their authority cannot be infinitely divided. The rise of the new gods will inevitably lead to the decline and silence of the old gods.
In the future "Orestes avenges his father by killing his mother," Athena may have sided with patriarchy and cast the crucial vote, a rational choice made after witnessing the decline of the old goddesses.
On the other hand, one must be strong to succeed. If one wants to challenge the Greek Gods and replace them, simply relying on the 88 Star Cloths that can amplify power and resonate with the stars is not enough.
But Samael had already come up with a brilliant idea. Once his thoughts settled, the snake on the chessboard grinned, its gaze deep and unfathomable.
"Since Orphic Cult mythology created two Origin God and Three Goddesses who perpetuate authority, why not also include the 88 constellations? And elevate the status of the Saint Cloth users?"
Themis looked astonished, and an answer that had been vague in her mind suddenly became clear, and she blurted it out.
"You mean—the Investiture of the Gods!"
Samael nodded seriously, his expression solemn.
"Athena Medusa possess the four great powers of the world: the sky, the earth, the sea, and the abyss. Combined with the order you have established, they are more qualified Olympus to absorb human faith and create gods among men!"
Medusa bit her lip lightly and murmured softly.
"Is such a massive undertaking possible?"
Athena immediately patted her chest, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I am familiar with the stories of the 88 constellations. Moreover, the alternation of day and night in the sky, the cycle of the four seasons on earth, the distant voyages on the ocean, and the growth and decay of life are all closely related to the movement of the stars. We can easily incorporate these into the doctrines of Orphic Cult, allowing them to absorb divinity from the four divine powers of the sky, earth, sea, and abyss, as well as from human faith!"
Samael nodded in agreement, recalling what he had seen and felt in Arcadia, and after a moment's thought, gave Athena her advice.
"Don't limit yourself to the city-state of Athens. The brilliance of the 88 constellations needs to illuminate the whole of Greece. I think we can start with Asclepius, the Ophiuchus. Since he has the healing power to save lives, let's hang the calamity bell in the temples of more city-states. Once a large-scale epidemic or infectious disease occurs, believers can ring the calamity bell to summon this god of healing from the stars to eliminate the disease!"
Establish one or two exemplary cases, then bundle them together and sell them to all 88 zodiac signs—brilliant!
This time, not only Athena, who was keen on taking unconventional approaches, but even the relatively conservative Medusa and Themis couldn't help but be moved.
This is indeed beneficial and harmless to humanity and the order of the world, and it also provides ample room for maneuver.
Maybe it will work!
At this moment, Themis, who had been unknowingly persuaded and was completely in a state of rapture, couldn't help but ponder and sigh.
"It's time for a change. The old divine bodies, nurtured by the power of nature, will eventually crumble. The human gods, representing the will of mankind, will set sail to conquer the stars and the sea, ushering in a new era..."
"To address them as gods seems too deliberate and creates a sense of distance. It would be better to call them—the Pioneers of the Stars!"
As he pondered, Samael's gaze drifted into the distance, and a meaningful smile gradually spread across his face.
"Using Human Order as our vessel, we shine among the stars; with our human bodies, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the divine!"
Let's strive to do it! When we can transform "Greeks' Athens" into "Athenians' Greece," then this world will be entirely in our grasp!
To turn Greeks' Athens, into Athenians' Greece?
The Three Goddesses murmured in awe, their hearts surging with emotion. The longing for the future in their eyes broke through the shackles of reason, bursting forth with a romantic and dreamlike beauty.
The light shone on Samael, giving his figure a captivating and awe-inspiring quality.
This is their god! Their king!
Deserving of it! Without a doubt!
"Alright, let's conclude the meeting here. The tasks for Mount of Ares are threefold: first, to attract Zeus's attention and prepare for me to excavate Paradise Island; second, to properly arrange the alliance with Poseidon and Hera and wait for the right opportunity; and finally, to find suitable candidates for the authority of the 88 stars. If we don't have enough heroes, this expedition will gather the 50 most outstanding heroes in all of Greece, from whom we can examine and select."
Near the end, Samael made the final decision, reiterating the key points of the meeting.
Then, the ancient serpent glanced at the fog-shrouded horizon, hesitated for a moment, and then quietly whispered another reassuring reassurance.
"Furthermore, there's no need to worry too much about the Old Gods causing trouble. You guys haven't been idle, and neither have I. We have our trump cards here too!"
"That..."
"What are you thinking! Unless it's absolutely necessary, you absolutely cannot play that card recklessly!"
Hearing someone's irritating snort, Athena, unable to suppress her curiosity, rolled her eyes in boredom and lay down on the chessboard like a dried-up salted fish, seemingly uninterested in anything.
"You're so stingy, not letting us know this or that."
"Alright, stop complaining. I'll give you a little gift to make up for what I missed last time. Are you satisfied now?"
Samael smiled mysteriously. The conditions that Samael had put forward had indeed made Athena, who had been holding a grudge against him, immediately perk up and look on with anticipation.
Done!
The ancient snake severed the connection, its consciousness returning to its body. Upon opening its eyes, it discovered that the carriage had already stopped in an open space. Lifting the curtain, it saw the night outside the window. The people who had gotten out of the carriage were either setting up camp or cooking ingredients, and everything seemed to be in good order.
Samael glanced down at the blanket covering him, a warmth appearing in his eyes. Then, taking advantage of the absence of others, he summoned the Golden Apple from the Sorcery Array and, using his finger as a pen, used his divine power to inscribe an interesting passage from his memory onto its golden surface.
"For the most beautiful goddess!"
Isn't this gift a pleasant surprise?
In an instant, the ancient snake, with a wicked grin on its face, raised its hand and handed the Golden Apple to the Little Mole who had been following it all along.
The snow-white owl blinked its golden eyes, pecked at Samael's palm, then obediently picked up the Golden Apple, flew through the curtains, and soared into the night sky.