The Theory of Creation

The scene returned to Mount Othrys. Once Ryan returned to the Spirit World, the banquet officially began.

In the past, for various reasons, the gods of Khaos rarely gathered together. But taking advantage of this rare grand occasion, even some divine factions that had held grudges set aside their disputes and sat together in the same temple.

Perhaps because they could often learn something new, the Divine Mountain had shown signs of leading the trends over the past millennium. Regardless of whether they liked Cronus, the gods of Khaos genuinely enjoyed his hospitality.

In the blink of an eye, three months passed. In this era, when the earth was still desolate, the gods had little sense of the passage of time, since there were no short-lived humans to use as a comparison.

To the gods, a month at this time was even briefer than a day would be in later generations.

The banquet was about to end, but just as the God King was preparing to raise his cup, an unexpected topic sparked heated discussion among the gods and eventually landed before him.

The cause was simple. Just as the God King had once done, over the past millennium, the God of Destruction had visited more than one god on the earth. Living in the remote Underworld Soil, where even plants struggled to grow, this was one of the few forms of entertainment available to him.

Thanks to him, the gods had all become interested in Nymphs, a kind of non-divine intelligent lifeform. But Crios had declared that they were creations of the Lady of the Night. They did not dare face the might of an Ancient God of Creation, so they could only suppress their thoughts.

That was until today, when Ryan had created a monster comparable to a True God in full view of everyone. Only then did the Titan gods finally recall that Lady of the Night had seemingly obtained these lifeforms known as Nymphs after visiting the Netherworld.

Furthermore, Ryan possessed the Divine Office of Spirituality and had once obtained the Life Treasure Bottle from the Earth Mother. Quite a few gods could not help forming certain suspicions.

The gods discussed the matter animatedly during the banquet. In the end, Iapetus, the God of Speech, was the first to step forward. As one of the only two gods among the Titans with Weak Divine Power, the God of Speech could not feel the slightest bit of divine dignity. Compared with the other gods, he wished more than anyone for the earth to have more weak but intelligent lifeforms.

Happiness had always been relative. That was true for humans, and the gods were no exception.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of the gods, Cronus quietly listened to Iapetus's explanation. The God of Speech hoped that the God King would create some new life on the earth, just as Ryan and the Mother of Night had done.

"I understand what you mean."

"But I don't know much about this matter either."

Sitting on the high platform, Cronus lied through his teeth with his eyes open. "I once borrowed the Life Treasure Bottle from the Mother Goddess, but I failed to create life with consciousness. Perhaps the intelligence of life differs from that of plants and involves the authority of other domains."

"As for how His Highness Ryan and Her Highness Nyx managed to do it, I have no idea. As Ancient Gods born at the beginning of creation, perhaps they know secrets that I do not."

Although Cronus had long since heard about Spirit World Lifeforms from Themis, he still pretended not to know.

Others might not know that he and Themis had borrowed the Life Treasure Bottle, but the God of Speech and God of Meteorology Crios lived next door to him on the Divine Mountain. They knew about it very well.

Now that Iapetus had brought up the matter, he obviously wanted Cronus to step forward and, in the name of the God King, ask one of those two Ancient Gods for help.

Although Cronus also approved of creating life, asking someone himself was absolutely out of the question.

As Cronus's voice faded, the first-generation Titans exchanged glances. They did not express an opinion, but the younger generation of gods began discussing the matter.

Most of the new gods had never seen the Earth Mother, and their knowledge of the previous epoch was limited to legends. Now that they had heard that the God King had once failed to create life, they could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.

"Even the Life Treasure Bottle can't create living beings?"

"Incredible. I thought the Earth Mother's supreme treasure was the source of life itself."

"I heard that the original treasure bottle contained a Seed of All Things, which the Earth Mother used to grow a Golden Apple Tree. I wonder whether using a Golden Apple could create intelligent life."

"It seems the God King is nothing special after all. They say the previous God King possessed power equal to that of the Mother of Night. If he were still alive, he could probably create life just like Her Highness Nyx."

"I heard my Father God mention that when the Sky Dominator was still around, my cousin here didn't even dare breathe too loudly."

"Is that so? Your Mountain God lineage really does know a lot."

"His Highness Urea was one of the few Ancient Gods who was not oppressed by the Sky Father. Of course he has no qualms about these matters. Naturally, things were different for your Titan God Race."

"..."

His expression unchanged, Cronus still found it difficult to endure as the gods' discussion drifted further and further off course.

He cast a sidelong glance at the God of Speech and made up his mind. Since you're so interested in creating life, I'll let you face Ryan.

"Cough, cough—"

After clearing his throat, Cronus drew the attention of all the gods. Looking at Iapetus, he said with a gentle smile:

"Iapetus, God of Speech, when it comes to granting creations intelligence, the respected Lord of the Spirit World may indeed be more knowledgeable."

"Since you were the one who proposed this matter, my brother, I'll leave it to you."

"In the name of the God King, I entrust you with visiting His Highness Ryan and asking him to join you in creating life. If this endeavor succeeds, I believe the gods will remember your contribution."

"But, Your Majesty—"

The moment the God King finished speaking, Iapetus's expression changed.

The battle three months ago was still fresh in his mind. He could not even defeat the monster Ryan had just created, so he had no desire whatsoever to go to the Underworld.

But clearly, now that a willing scapegoat had jumped forward on his own, the gods would not give him a chance to refuse.

"I think His Majesty the God King is right." Okeanos spoke first.

Perhaps because Cronus's God King authority had been steadily growing, the Lord of the Outer Sea used an honorific this time.

"Isn't that what the Divine Office of Speech is for, my brother? I believe you can persuade him."

"If conscious life can spread throughout the earth, I hope you'll remember to add some new life to the sea as well."

"Yes." Nereus, Pontus's Firstborn, also refused to be outdone. "There should be life in the coastal waters as well. If you can accomplish this, my father will also be grateful for your contribution."

The two sea gods spoke in succession, and the other gods began discussing the matter as well. In the end, under the watchful eyes of the gods, Iapetus still accepted the task.

The banquet, which had originally been scheduled to end, was extended. The gods watched the God of Speech head toward the Underworld, waiting for the result he would bring back.

Although they were not entirely sure what creating life would require, they did not believe Ryan would reject the requests of so many gods if the task was not too difficult.

But whether he refused or not was one thing. Whether the person who went to make the request would be remembered by the Lord of the Spirit World was outside their concern.

Even the Lord of the Outer Sea no longer cared about Atlas after learning that Atlas had a mediocre relationship with his father and brothers.

The Divine Office of Speech was ultimately far too weak.