Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality - Chapter 624 - Chapter 624: Chapter 204 The Second Breaker

Chapter 624: Chapter 204 The Second Breaker

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“If you think so, then let it be. Destiny’s guidance… After all, I can’t resist you, can I?”

She spoke indifferently, without further reactions, and Pandora gently closed her eyes.

Compared to Epimetheus, she had no interest in watching this so-called debate. Over the years, the faith surrounding her that she couldn’t absorb kept accumulating.

Even without direct contact, the countless pleas, curses, hatred, and fears accumulated tormented her incessantly.

Whenever the mortal realm faced natural disasters and diseases, she was evoked as the embodiment of disaster. Even if the faith she received in a single disaster wasn’t comparable to the deity officiating it, the combined faith exceeded it just the same.

In such circumstances, even though the blessings of all gods had never been withdrawn, Pandora still felt a profound pain and exhaustion from her soul.

For a moment, she felt a pang of regret.

Not regret for opening the magic jar, as she had already realized that perhaps her very creation’s purpose was to open it. She regretted her action a thousand years ago, during that first snowfall enveloping the world, where she carelessly revealed her name on a journey.

The woman who brought calamity once thought that the existence of “Pandora” would draw the gods’ attention, leading them to her and Epimetheus. She wanted to plead for divine forgiveness for her sins and end her aimless drifting across the Earth; however, the result left her greatly disappointed.

No god paid attention to her, as if she had done nothing noteworthy. On the contrary, the God of Hindsight seemed inspired and established a so-called church for her.

But of course, this church branded as a cult was of no use at all.

“Once a tool is used up, it can be destroyed. If it’s not known where it went, pretending it’s missing is no big deal.”

“Perhaps the gods haven’t retracted the blessings given to me, not only because it’s troublesome but more likely because they’ve forgotten about me.”

“On Olympus, hardly anyone remembered the existence of ‘Pandora.’”

Whether in a dream or reality, Pandora had not slept in a long time. With her eyes closed, the sound of debates in the venue and occasional applause seemed increasingly distant.

It was unclear how much time had passed, perhaps very long, or maybe just a brief moment. At a certain point, in her haze, Pandora seemed to hear a low exclamation from Epimetheus. Then, everything around her suddenly quieted.

Even the interference brought by the mixed faith seemed to have been cut off. She hadn’t experienced such peace in a long time.

“Are you Pandora?”

A woman’s voice echoed in front of her, and Pandora opened her eyes.

A woman who seemed about forty stood there, her brown robe embroidered with various patterns. Her long hair was gathered on her head, pierced by a transparent wooden hairpin. Pandora didn’t know this woman, but she knew she was no ordinary person.

Because Epimetheus was quietly standing next to her, just like when they first met.

“I am.”

Nodding slightly, Pandora admitted her identity, after all, she bore the clear mark of the gods’ blessing.

“That’s good, I’ve been searching for you for a long time.”

It wasn’t an illusion or a coincidence, just as Iapetus had seen, Gaia truly came to Athens, but not for this assembly, nor for the God of Speech.

After sizing up Pandora once more, Gaia smiled with satisfaction.

“Once a tool is used, it should indeed be destroyed; however, even as a tool, no one wishes to fade away silently, right?”

“…What do you want me to do?”

After a moment of silence, Pandora seemed to resign to her fate and spoke.

“I don’t know.”

Slightly shaking her head, as Gaia raised her hand, a sphere appeared, sparkling with starlight, with points of light inside of varying sizes.

At just one glance, Pandora seemed to see the collapse of all things, the end of material, and a shout of despair twisted in agony.

It felt somewhat familiar to her, this peculiar state … it was somewhat like what Epimetheus had mentioned, about those divine fragments scattered across Earth belonging to the Ancient Sun God?

At this moment, Pandora’s mind raced with numerous speculations, could this be the delayed fate of the magic jar? But this didn’t align with what she had prayed for.

She had seen many beasts that had integrated with divine fragments, but they were continuously subjected to the mental corruption within the fragments and could not become deities because of it.

In fact, after Typhon’s disaster ended, when the three “man-made suns,” containing authority, took turns rising into the sky, she and Epimetheus had discussed this issue. He assured her that even if someone could endure the mental assault brought by the three suns and held the corresponding authority, they wouldn’t count as true gods.

Since the dominion of a true god cannot be taken by entities beyond this world. But this kind of divine fragment, if taken by others, would result in losing the power originally belonging to you.

Thus, Pandora was certain that what she had once prayed for was to become a true god, with authority that could never be revoked, eternally undying in this world. Could it be that such destiny within the jar was unachievable, and so it had settled for an alternative?

Or perhaps, this hinted at something else, like what the role of these divine fragments could play in becoming a true deity…

At this point, Pandora’s mind churned with many thoughts, but Gaia clearly didn’t seem to notice what she was pondering.

Mortals being stunned when witnessing such a sight was quite normal, for they truly lacked any insight.

“I don’t know whether you understand what this thing is or whether you realize what power is required to cause such a result, but it doesn’t matter, I can tell you–it is Perseus, the God of Material Destruction, a true god who was arrogant and disrespectful to his parents and elders, and devoid of mercy to his offspring!”

“But that’s all in the past. Now, he is just what you see before you.”

Gaia narrated blandly, and Pandora listened quietly, while at this moment, Epimetheus already didn’t know what to say.

For the first time, he allowed Pandora to follow “destiny,” and she directly collided with the long-vanished Mother Earth… What Pandora could think of, he naturally could too, this encounter seemed indeed to contribute to achieving her “wish,” but it was definitely not the way he wanted.

‘Phew–at least two experiences could be summarized.’

‘Wishing to the magic jar was indeed effective; it probably only worked on the wish itself, while surrounding people, like me, might not be considered at all.’

‘Besides, water always flows where resistance is minimal, and perhaps destiny flows only towards the most direct trajectory once a destination is confirmed. Whether this aligns with the wisher’s original intent, no one knows.’

Epimetheus knew Perseus’ name, the God of Material Destruction, but how Pandora’s wish could be fulfilled through him, the afterthinker had no way to judge.

He also once fantasized about the power after the sun’s shattering, so he studied those divine fragments, generally understanding their benefits and drawbacks… Intuition told Epimetheus that whether Pandora could become a true god or not, he was unsure, but even if she did, it would certainly not align with her expectations.

******

In the palace of the Primordial Sea God, the sea of Pontus Euxinus.

Neither Gaia’s arrival nor Iapetus’ presence, these ‘unexpected’ participants of the assembly were noticed by the observing gods through the phantom vision.

Only Zeus, as the caster, seemed to have detected some trace of the God of Speech, but he said nothing and acted as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

However, Zeus’ lack of response didn’t mean the other gods watching the event didn’t respond. As Andrea’s increasingly incisive remarks were displayed before the gods through the projection, some deities were already unable to hold back.

“Your majesty, I didn’t know there were such blasphemous beings in the mortal realm, and she’s even capable of standing at a prestigious event in Athens, conveying her ideas to more mortals.”

His expression somewhat excited, Ares stepped forward and looked at Zeus upon his golden throne.

“I believe such a person has no right to remain alive; she should suffer eternal punishment like Tantalus. Please allow me to go to the mortal realm and personally deliver her due fate!”

Even without saying it aloud, the gods could hear that Ares’ eagerness stemmed solely from it being Athens.

As he spoke, he even kept glancing toward where Athena was, but unfortunately, she didn’t spare him a single look.

“Ares, this is a debate. One’s stance in a debate does not represent the speaker’s actual position. If you truly act on it, it would only damage the gods’ reputation.”

Speaking softly, yet addressing Zeus, Hestia aimed her words.

Ares’ opinion was unimportant; what mattered was what the Divine King thought. Based on past experiences, Zeus might not immediately voice his opinions, yet he would surely imply something.

The Goddess of Hearthfire didn’t know whether her advice would serve any purpose, but she voiced it anyway. Unexpectedly, this time, Zeus seemed not the least bit angry.

“Indeed, Ares, it’s merely a debate among mortals. Since I’ve promised not to punish them for their speech, I must honor that promise.”

He spoke lightly, oddly in good spirits.

“Moreover, if she manages to win the final victory, then, according to my previous promise, she will come here to decide the ownership of the Golden Apple.”

“If under such disadvantageous circumstances, standing on a seemingly unreasonable side, she can triumph ultimately, then undoubtedly her wisdom surpasses all among mortals — Zephyrus, it’s not too early, why not set out in advance?”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Also unclear about Zeus’ intentions, the God of West Wind never pried into matters he couldn’t understand.

Not even considering if a divine principal deity such as himself should go to meet a mortal, Zephyrus simply rose, saluted, and vanished into a gust of wind.

“Truly rare.”

Glancing at Ares below, Hera also couldn’t grasp Zeus’ maneuver.

Based on previous experiences, he should stay silent while some deity went troublesome for that mortal, with the Divine King stepping in afterward for conciliation, such as the queen whose seven sons and daughters were slain by Apollo.

Yet this time, he acted so upright…

“So that’s it, Zeus. I’ll keep an eye on you.”

After pondering a while, Hera suddenly realized.

Observing Andrea’s likeness in the phantom, she seemed to comprehend a bit. No wonder Zeus wasn’t angry, that was the reason.

“…You’re overthinking it, Hera. I’m merely maintaining order in this debate.”

A bit speechless, Zeus shook his head, and beside him, Hera merely sneered.

“Better be.”

“Of course.”

Ending the topic, Zeus didn’t wish to argue with Hera any longer.

Observing the phantom he had summoned, his gaze wandered among the audience.

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Iapetus’ power, even merely through his followers, he nonetheless sensed.

The Divine King didn’t know if it was due to someone’s leniency; he only pondered how even before his plans commenced, they seemed to be succeeding.

The first ancient god bearing grievances against the court and disobedient had appeared in Athens. Indeed, his idea was correct.

Solving them once and for all by dividing the world into two factions, and in the end, the victor would undoubtedly be him.

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