Baal.
Behemoth.
Astaroth.
Asmodeus.
At this moment, these four demon gods were laughing so hard that tears were nearly streaming down their faces. It was pure, unrestrained joy.
"What? How do you know about His Majesty's blessing?"
This phrase had practically become a catchphrase!
There was no helping it. The relationship between the Underworld Gods and their Perfect Underworld Warriors wasn't merely one of master and servant, or a simple superior-subordinate dynamic. Instead, terms like mentor, disciple, or deputy would be more appropriate. Every Underworld God understood clearly just what their Perfect Underworld Warriors represented to their King.
And now, for every Underworld God, having a Perfect Underworld Warrior under their command was a matter of trust from their King. If you had one and others did not, what did that imply?
It was self-explanatory.
Especially for the Four Demon Gods, this was nothing short of ascending to the heavens in one step!
### The Greek Pantheon: The Mythic World
Within this mythic realm, it had always been the line of Erebus and Nyx that busied themselves and reaped the benefits.
Although competition within the Underworld was healthy and non-destructive, the seventy-two Demon Gods often felt overshadowed by Erebus's lineage. It was a blow to their pride.
But now? There was no need for words. The Four Demon Gods had ascended to the status of God-Kings and received His Majesty's blessings. That symbolized their elevated status and favor.
Baal, seated upon his divine throne, smiled at Grom with a calm, wise demeanor devoid of arrogance or condescension.
"Grom, how do you find the principles of earth?" Baal asked gently.
"Lord Baal, thank you for your guidance!" Grom bowed slightly, his tone respectful but warm.
For a deity to share their insights into the laws they governed was an act deserving of immense gratitude.
Baal shook his head with a faint smile. "There's no need to thank me. The principles of Earth, one of the four primordial elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—are intricate and boundless. This is an infinite path."
After a brief pause, he continued thoughtfully, "I cannot guarantee that I will reach higher realms in this path. But you, as one of His Majesty's Underworld Warriors, have a vast road ahead of you."
"Perhaps," he mused, "through you, I might glimpse the future of the earth's laws."
Then, with a serious tone, Baal emphasized, "But Grom, you must remember this: the path of earth cannot be rushed. It is a slow and steady journey, requiring each step to be firm and deliberate."
"At no time should you feel pressured or hurried. Always follow a stable path and progress steadily. That is the core principle of the earth's laws—its very foundation."
Grom nodded solemnly, fully taking in Baal's guidance.
The same scene played out with the other three Demon Gods:
- Behemoth instructed Wendine.
- Astaroth guided Salamander.
- Asmodeus mentored Sylph.
These Four Underworld Warriors, born from the four primary elements, were naturally gifted in their respective domains. While their godly powers were simplified upon becoming Underworld Warriors, reducing them to Seventh Sense Cosmo, their natural affinity and the teachings of their mentors promised a solid foundation and a brighter future.
With steady cultivation, their progress would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
After their sessions with their mentors, the four elemental warriors returned to their respective stars for further training. Meanwhile, the Four Demon Gods gathered in Baal's Earthly Hell.
### The Creation of the Earthly Hell
Europa had created the Grand Earth Hell, while Baal had established his Earthly Hell, a realm of even higher origin. Despite the differences, any new hell born within the Underworld contributed to its overall strength, forming a symbiotic relationship between the Underworld, its hells, and its deities.
The Underworld's structure operated as a trinity:
- Hades, the Underworld, and the World Tree.
- Hades, the Demon Stars, and the Underworld Warriors.
- The Underworld, its hells, and its deities.
Even Hades himself, having ventured further than any god in cultivating divine nations and systems of belief, could not predict the correctness of his path. But to him, such considerations were secondary. Stability and progress were his primary goals.
"Since no one has walked this road before," Hades thought, "then I will forge it myself."
### Three Paths of the God-King
Hades pursued a unique and perfected methodology, encompassing the refinement of divine laws, the harnessing of faith, and the cultivation of divine nations. He stood alone on these three paths, with perhaps only the Absolute God having ventured further.
"Baal!" Behemoth exclaimed excitedly. "This is incredible! His Majesty's trust, his blessing—what an honor!"
Laughing heartily, Behemoth was ecstatic. For him, this wasn't just about being a God-King-level Underworld God. It was His Majesty's trust that truly made him proud.
"Calm down," Astaroth said with a chuckle. "Don't embarrass His Majesty with excessive enthusiasm."
"Exactly," Asmodeus agreed with a smile.
"Understood!" Behemoth nodded earnestly.
Baal shifted to a more serious tone. "While we rejoice in His Majesty's trust, our priority must be to cultivate Grom and the others diligently. We cannot let His Majesty down."
The other Demon Gods nodded in agreement, pledging their utmost effort.
Baal continued, "Furthermore, with the conclusion of the Heroic Era in the Mythic World, His Majesty will soon reclaim the manifestations of humanity's evils seeded there and move on to other mythic realms. While we cannot partake in his divine actions, I do have a proposition for us to consider..."
The three other Demon Gods listened attentively as Baal laid out his thoughts.
### The Underworld Stirring
Meanwhile, the entire Underworld was abuzz with activity. Gods from Erebus and Nyx's lineage, including Aether, Hemera, Charon, and their siblings, gathered. Only Hypnos and Thanatos remained in secluded training.
The Underworld's factions were now clearly divided into three groups:
1. The descendants of Erebus and Nyx.
2. The seventy-two Demon Gods, led by the Four Pillars.
3. The independent trio: Mephistopheles, Europa, and Sparta.
Aether, calm and composed, addressed the assembly. "Charon, have you studied the nature of the Underworld Warriors?"
"Indeed," Charon replied with a smile. "Each Underworld Warrior is born seemingly at random, yet they are naturally aligned with specific laws. Finding suitable warriors could greatly benefit His Majesty."
Hemera frowned. "But traversing the Chaos Sea to locate them is no small feat."
Charon nodded. "True, the Chaos Sea is treacherous, filled with corruptive forces and malevolent entities. However, Father and Mother have been exploring ways to address these challenges."
Aether's expression turned serious. "I have an idea. It's only a hypothesis, but if it succeeds, it could bring unprecedented changes..."
The gods leaned in, intrigued as Aether began to elaborate.
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]
[+100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]