New Era

New Era

On Mount Othrys, everything was just as Ryan had expected.

The feast on Divine Mountain lasted for three months. Aside from Cronus, even Mnemosyne had set aside her displeasure and enjoyed a rare stretch of freedom.

They had cast everything aside. It was the first time in their divine lives that no one had restrained them. Unfortunately, there was no "wine" in the world yet, so the gods could not drink themselves senseless.

Three months later, the feast was drawing to an end. Earth Mother had withdrawn beneath Divine Mountain after the first month to nurse her ravaged origin, so only the Titan brothers remained on the mountain, feasting and drinking. But as time passed, the atmosphere still grew somewhat delicate.

There was no disputing that Cronus would become the God King. But the fact that the former God King had treated the gods as servants was something they could not accept.

Just because Uranus had been able to do something did not mean Cronus could do the same. He lacked Sky Father's immense power, and so the Titans could not help but harbor thoughts of their own.

Especially Okeanos and Hyperion. One had originally been the Firstborn, while the other possessed the powerful Divine Office of the sun. Even if they could not become the God King, they intended to become "kings" within their own domains.

At last, amid the delicate atmosphere, Okeanos rose first. He looked at his former younger brother, now his "older brother." Because of his sudden movement, the Titans all turned their eyes toward him.

Seeing this, Cronus kept his expression impassive, but his gloomy mood gained several more traces of panic. This was no longer the time of their previous battle. The power Rhea had borrowed for him from the "past" had already vanished, while the God King Power had only just begun to gather. His strength was now weaker than ever.

If he fought someone at this moment, he would have no choice but to seek Rhea's help. But doing so would only expose the problems within him even further.

"My brother, is there something you wish to say to me?"

"On such a day worth celebrating, I'll give serious consideration to your request."

Cronus did his best to appear both gentle and dignified. He did not even address his former elder brother as "younger brother."

"You're overthinking it, Cronus. I'm not here to oppose you." Lord of the Ocean shook his head.

He could sense that something was off with Cronus's emotions, but he did not think the other man was afraid of him.

In his view, Cronus simply did not want him to oppose him openly. After all, as Lord of the Outer Sea and master of the World-Encircling River, even if Cronus was stronger than him, he could hide in the ocean, leaving Cronus powerless to do anything to him.

However, he had no intention of challenging Cronus for the throne. Even if the other man could do nothing to him, the other Titans would never submit to him.

In truth, apart from Rhea, who knew the inside story, the Titans had all acknowledged Cronus's strength. But acknowledging it was one thing; they were unwilling to kneel before the New God King as they had served Sky Father.

"You've proven your strength, Cronus. I'm no match for you." He said, "I've only come to bid you farewell. After this, I may not return here often. I'm going back to the sea. That is where I belong."

As he spoke, Okeanos beckoned to his sister. Tethys hesitated, but when she looked at her brother, she still stepped forward with him.

"You can keep Mount Othrys. I'm going to become neighbors with my uncle. I hope you recover soon, Mother. And may your reign last forever, Cronus."

After saying his final farewell, Okeanos did not wait for a response. Instead, he took his sister's hand and flew away from Divine Mountain.

He was not afraid that Cronus would turn against him without mercy. Cronus was no Sky Father; he did not possess the power to fight a group of them alone. If he dared attack Okeanos, Okeanos believed his brothers would not stand by and watch.

Watching Lord of the Ocean and Goddess of Primordial Water leave, Cronus's expression stiffened slightly, but it soon returned to normal.

At least this was not the worst possible outcome. Even without the missing origin, he had never truly expected his brothers to bow their heads to him.

After working to calm himself, Cronus was just about to say something to ease the atmosphere when Theia and Hyperion rose next, making his expression impossible to maintain.

After Lord of the Outer Sea left, he had already realized that it was impossible to make these brothers submit. Thus, he had planned to yield of his own accord rather than do so under pressure from the gods.

But clearly, the Sun God had no intention of giving him that chance.

"Haha, my newly enthroned king. Just like our elder brother and elder sister, we're preparing to leave as well."

"Divine Mountain is no match for the warmth of the sun. I still prefer that place."

Hyperion looked at his somewhat grim-faced "former younger brother," and a trace of delight rose in his heart.

You schemed through everything and deceived Father from the very beginning, but so what?

Even if you sit upon the God King's Throne, no one will truly submit to you!

"I'm sure you won't force us to remain by your side as Father once did, will you?" Hyperion said with a beaming smile, as though he truly respected the God King before him. "Such a brutal act is not something a God King should do."

"Of course. You're right." Cronus spoke coldly. Among all his brothers, Hyperion had always possessed the greatest ambition.

Perhaps because of his Divine Office, the sun naturally yearned for power.

"Then go back. Return to your sun. Since you like that place so much, you might as well stay there forever."

"Heh, of course. As the Center of the Starry Sky, I ought to remain there."

With a soft chuckle, Hyperion paid no heed to the God King's words.

The earth belonged to Mother and Mountain God, the ocean belonged to the two sea gods, and the starry sky belonged to him. He was curious to see what remained for Cronus, the God King.

"Let's go, Theia. I hope you recover soon, Mother. And may your reign last forever, my dear younger brother."

The Sun God left with Goddess of Luminous Bodies and God of Sight, and Divine Mountain immediately seemed much emptier.

Seeing this, the remaining Titans exchanged glances. In the end, they rose one after another and bid Cronus farewell.

Phoebe and Coeus went up into the heavens together. As celestial bodies and luminous bodies, they would become neighbors to Hyperion and Theia. Themis did not explicitly say that she was leaving, but she said she wanted to travel around the earth and take a look, since she had been confined to Divine Mountain for too long. Mnemosyne still bore a grudge against Ryan. She wanted to try visiting Lady of the Night and find out exactly what had happened to Ryan.

She did not dare go directly to the Underworld to confirm it. After all, she knew very well just how weak her power was.

In the end, only Rhea, Crios, and Iapetus remained.

The weather was unpredictable, so Crios stayed behind and used Divine Mountain as a place to settle. Rhea had always remained close to Cronus under the influence of their powers, so she had no intention of leaving either.

As for Iapetus, he simply felt that he was too weak and decided to stay on Divine Mountain.

"You're welcome to remain. I'm not Father. Here, you may act as you please."

Cronus managed a weak smile and did not care whether anyone had noticed his disappointment. Everything that had happened today had humiliated the New God King, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"You simply need more time, Cronus." Rhea comforted her younger brother. "Once you have fully mastered the authority of the God King, things will be different."

"I'll stay with you. Even if you can't compare with Father and Mother, you can gradually establish your own reign."

"Yes, you're right, Rhea. At least you've always been by my side."

Somewhat comforted, Cronus arranged lodgings for Crios and Iapetus. When he was finally alone, he stood atop Mount Othrys and looked down over the earth.

Under the night sky, the stars glittered, while the empty earth was utterly silent.

Regardless, the old Era had passed, and the New Era had arrived. At least he was the God King now.