"Regarding this matter... I will go see for myself. In this world, even your own parents can harm you, only I will not,"
Arching an eyebrow slightly, Artemis stretched languidly and then continued to lean against the pinnacle of the high tower, admiring the beautiful view. This was not the first time Hecate had brought up Zeus to her, but this was always her response.
When she saw for herself, she would know what kind of person this nominal father really was. Just like no one believed the Goddess of Nursery would not love her own children, before seeing it with their own eyes, all judgments and impressions by others were conventional, nothing but biased opinions mixed with personal thoughts.
"It's always like this, little Al, since you're so keen to see, then go ahead. However, I think it's more likely that he will come to you first,"
When she said 'little Al', in fact, Artemis's stature was quite tall among the goddesses, all the more obvious compared to Hecate. But the Goddess of the Magic Net was used to it, so she just smiled casually and said no more.
She wasn't actually worried that Artemis would make a wrong judgment in the future, because just like when she had faced Zeus, she had secretly used the Crystal Ball in her hands to divine the outcome, and at least in terms of disappointment, the third-generation Divine King never fell short.
He had a way to enrage a goddess; in the past, when facing his wife and lovers, he could resolve their anger in other ways. But when this goddess was his daughter, those sweet words of his had no place to take effect.
"... Olympus, the pillar of The East, the Home of the Gods, the domain of the Divine King's rule — just like Mount Othrys, not exactly a pleasant place."
Shaking her head, the girl in red looked towards the Starfall Lake where Selene was with the centaur brought by the instructor, teaching magically gifted human children the arts of witchcraft.
Learning the skill to train their physique, honing willpower, and then integrating divine fragments to eventually join the church's guard corps and clear the nearby wild beasts in the wilderness; or learning meditation and witchcraft, mastering the craft of wielding elements to provide convenience and aid to production and work, this was the experience magical children of Silver Moon City presently underwent.
Of course, whatever path they chose, it was destined that only a few could succeed. The Transcendent path demands innate talent; it's not like farming or herding, which one can master with hard work alone, so in reality, there weren't as many children truly studying it as one might think.
But regardless of the number, Hecate couldn't be bothered to teach others. The talents of mortals were limited, not at all like the Deity Race that could understand with a word or succeed with some practice.
As they talked, the phenomena on the horizon started to dissipate. Hecate didn't ask any further about the response from the tablet.
She was indifferent to the slight increase in power, for she couldn't see any chance for these powers to elevate her to the level of the Primordial Gods. However, since spreading magic would perfect the Tome of All Spells... she supposed she would let her students work a little harder.
And compared to these mundane 'tasks', what truly drew Hecate's attention was the rhythm emanating from the earth at the moment. Utilizing the Magic Net that covered most of the material world, she vaguely sensed something.
The great battle between the former Divine King and Mother Earth was still fresh in the memory of the Goddess of the Magic Net. It was not just dangerous, but thrilling.
"Tablet, oh tablet, if they were to fight, who do you think would win?"
Resting her cheek on her hand, Hecate asked with anticipation.
[There will be no winner or loser, but the fight itself will be the only thing without a victor.]]
[For some, regardless of the outcome of the battle, even before it starts, she has already lost.]
The handwriting slowly emerged and then quickly vanished. No one else could discern it, but he saw clearly, the Sea of Origin's tremors were not just because of Athena's birth but also because of another reason.
As for what that reason was, he would know soon enough.
...
Spirit Realm, the fifth layer.