Her attitude was neither servile nor overbearing, nor did it show intimacy—she merely maintained the proper etiquette befitting a goddess of order, yet it revealed she hadn't completely closed the door to dialogue.
This was enough for Kronos to kindle hope.
Although she had invited the former God King Kronos to enter the hall for deep discussion, the lady Themis, known for her charm, maintained a stern expression, solemn demeanor, and unsmiling countenance, showing not the slightest trace of closeness or gentleness.
Her eyes, which should have sparkled with captivating divine light, now reflected like cold autumn waters the undeniable seriousness and indifference.
God King Kronos, seeing Themis's attitude that kept others at a thousand miles' distance, felt strong displeasure in his heart, but ultimately still forcibly suppressed his anger, pretending not to notice.
He even thought self-mockingly that he had long grown accustomed to this.
He couldn't even remember when he had last seen Themis show him a kind smile or speak with warmth in her words.
When was it?
Why had such a good situation become like this now?
After the two Primordial Titans had each taken their seats, Themis's clear voice, carrying undeniable coldness and solemnity, slowly rang out in the hall: "Respected Your Majesty the God King, you are not at Mount Othrys, yet now personally visit my place of seclusion—what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, Kronos forced out a trace of a smile, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Dear Themis, you are so wise and intelligent—surely you cannot be unaware of my purpose in coming?"
"Now, the universe's sacred order has faced unprecedented challenges from rebels. Are you truly going to sit idle? Are you really going to watch helplessly as rebels trample upon sacred order?"
The God King's voice even carried a trace of pleading, trying desperately to awaken Themis's duty as order's guardian.
However, Themis's expression remained serious and calm. She looked directly at Kronos without yielding: "Your Majesty the God King, the matter is not as serious as you claim. This is merely a family private affair between you and your children."
Upon these words, rage instantly surged in Kronos's heart, nearly erupting.
But he ultimately still forcibly suppressed it, furrowing his brow tightly as he earnestly persuaded: "Dear Themis, the children of Oceanus, the children of Crius, the children of Hyperion, and even almost all powerful deities in the universe have already been drawn into this grand war."
"How can this still be considered merely my family's private affair? Goddess of justice, if you truly follow the principles of justice, then please tell me seriously in the name of sacred justice—do you really think the universe's sacred order is not under threat now?"
Faced with the God King's pleading that bordered on questioning, sacred Goddess Themis chose profound silence.
As the embodiment of justice, she would never speak lies against her conscience.
She could only avoid the topic and state directly: "Respected Your Majesty the God King, thank you for your regard, but in this war, I cannot help you."
Upon hearing these words, Kronos could no longer endure it.
As the supreme master of the universe, the most exalted and powerful king of all gods, he had already humbled himself to such an extent, swallowing his pride to request help, yet what he received in return was only cold rejection!
His eyes widened as he demanded sternly: "Why? Themis, why exactly? You once swore loyalty to me, you are order's steadfast defender, yet now, why do you not fulfill your sacred duty?"
Themis's expression remained indifferent, her golden eyes unfathomably deep, her words calm yet resounding: "Your Majesty the God King, deep in your heart you know clearly—I will only guard those just orders truly worthy of protection."
"You!" Kronos suddenly rose, his divine power nearly losing control, almost unable to restrain himself from striking directly.
However, in the end, he still forcibly endured it.
Even though the goddess's implication—that his order was no longer worth defending—made Kronos so angry he nearly vomited blood on the spot.
The furious God King forcibly suppressed his towering rage, gritting his teeth tightly, squeezing out a single word from between his teeth: "Good!"
He took a deep breath, his tone becoming coldly threatening: "But as order's guardian, even if you won't protect my current order, surely you won't rebel against order itself?"
"You once made sacred oaths of loyalty to me—you haven't forgotten, have you?"
Themis fell into silence again, the atmosphere in the hall heavy.
After a long while, she slowly spoke, her voice carrying a barely perceptible weariness: "I will not forget. I will abide by justice's laws and hold fast to my own principles."
"Remember your words!" Kronos threw down this final statement, unwilling to say another word.
He turned directly and left Themis's temple, carrying his full rage.
Since ascending to the God King's throne, no deity had ever made him feel such tremendous humiliation and grievance.
He feared that if he continued speaking, he truly wouldn't be able to restrain himself from taking action.
Themis watched God King Kronos's angrily departing figure, gently shaking her head before letting out an barely audible sigh.
The God King was indeed still the same God King—he couldn't even maintain pretense for a moment.
If the God King's order had even the slightest possibility of salvation, she would never do something that so completely violated her own principles.
However, the fact was that the God King's order had already completely decayed beyond redemption.
Only by completely tearing it down and starting anew could the universe find rebirth.
The God King's putrid and corrupt order—even if it meant violating part of her principles, she could no longer defend it.
Zeus, who had arrived one step late and cleverly hidden at the foot of the mountain, caught sight of Kronos's furiously departing figure.
He immediately knew that the God King's visit must have ended in discord and returned empty-handed.
Watching the God King's irritated departure, he cheerfully blinked, his mood instantly becoming quite pleasant, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips that revealed a happy smile.
Only when alone could he display such youthful and lighthearted demeanor.
Only after confirming the God King's figure had completely disappeared from view did he unhurriedly and slowly climb the mountain path to visit Themis.
He went directly to the palace entrance before speaking, his voice not loud, words flowing with gentleness and respect: "Sacred embodiment of order, noble lady of justice—Zeus, son of God Queen Rhea, comes to seek audience with you."
Within the hall, Themis's eyebrows, beautiful as slender swords, furrowed slightly at the sound.
She thought to herself: This father and son—one leaves and the other immediately arrives. What perfect timing indeed.
She hesitated briefly, but ultimately decided to receive this child who might potentially replace Kronos.
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Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
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American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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