Time!
For ordinary gods, time is truly meaningless.
To these gods, no matter how much time passes or how much effort they expend, the outcome is always the same. Advancing further? That's simply impossible!
This is the undeniable truth! An unchangeable fact!
However!
For God-Kings, it's different.
For God-Kings like Hades, Poseidon, and Polos, time only serves to increase their accumulation of power.
This accumulation!
That is what is most dangerous. Metis understood this all too well, the kind of accumulation that happens over time.
And!
Given this accumulation, Athena's desire to join the fray now? It was almost impossible.
Metis could only shake her head.
Athena, on the other hand, spoke calmly, "That's why, for the Sanctuary, trying to enter this time is nearly impossible."
"This time?" Metis was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted, with a trace of surprise, "Athena, you believe this game will have a second round?"
"Unless..."
"Unless everything proceeds as originally planned."
"Otherwise!"
"There will still be a second round. The mythical world will not allow everything to deviate from its initial course, and the losers will not accept defeat so easily."
Athena's voice was calm, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she saw everything clearly.
Sometimes!
Certain things!
Once the first battle begins, stopping after that? That's almost impossible unless everything goes according to the set path.
But!
How could things ever be that easy?
Even if everything follows the initial plan, once the first battle happens, some people will naturally want a second one.
"Moreover," Athena continued, "For the Sanctuary, as the ruler of the terrestrial realm, no matter who emerges as the dominant race, it will only benefit the Sanctuary, not hinder it."
You might win?
But!
I will never lose!
This was Athena's mindset, and there was no denying that her thinking was sound. From any perspective, Athena's approach was flawless.
You might gain something, but for the Sanctuary, as long as it remains on the terrestrial realm, it will always be in a position of never losing.
"Mother, let's leave it at that."
"Next."
"We just need to wait quietly for the game to begin."
"Indeed."
Athena and Metis.
This mother-daughter duo.
The goddesses of wisdom.
They exchanged a glance and shared a smile.
Yes!
Since they couldn't participate, there was no point in forcing themselves into the game. Watching from the sidelines would be enough, to see what the outcome would be.
Watch.
And wait.
To see what would happen next. After all, being a bystander might be even more rewarding than getting involved. This much was certain.
Athena and Metis understood this very well.
At this moment.
Metis looked at her daughter—no!—at the Earth Ruler.
A smile appeared on Metis' lips.
How wonderful!
This was the feeling Metis had long desired—the feeling of a God-King providing a sense of security to their subjects, of having everything in the palm of their hand.
In the past.
Zeus had briefly given her this feeling, but! That time was far too short.
In fact!
That fleeting moment was so short that Metis could hardly even recall it.
But!
It no longer mattered.
...
The Terrestrial Realm!
The temple!
Here.
The four God-Kings had gathered once again.
Hades, Poseidon, Polos, and Athena.
The four God-Kings took their seats, all calm and composed.
"Hehehe~~"
Polos chuckled lightly, saying with amusement, "Hades, Poseidon, Athena, it seems this is our first true meeting, isn't it?"
Poseidon glanced at Polos and spoke coldly, "Polos, you will be a more fitting opponent than Zeus ever was."
In Poseidon's eyes, Polos was a worthy adversary.
As for Zeus?
Hehehe~~
What was he even?
In Poseidon's view, he had never considered his younger brother to be a real rival. His only true competitor had always been his elder brother. As for his younger brother?
He wasn't even worth thinking about.
"Hehehe~~"
Polos chuckled, saying, "That's something to look forward to. But thinking about it, I seem to be Zeus in some ways, which is rather annoying!"
"You're easily annoyed."
"Not really."
Poseidon and Polos casually exchanged words.
Athena, however, remained silent, quietly observing everything in front of her. She had no intention of getting involved.
She had absolutely no desire to participate.
To Athena, all of this was practically meaningless.
She had no need to be part of it.
The second Holy War!
The outcome had already been decided—Hades would ensure the Sanctuary's victory.
As for whether the Sea Realm and Heaven Realm would agree?
That...
Wasn't up to them to decide. After entering the Underworld, Athena had come to understand this well. For the Underworld, unless Poseidon or Polos resorted to underhanded tactics...
The result had been predetermined from the very start.
But!
At this point, things were becoming more interesting.
Underhanded tactics?
If they used such tactics casually, they would not be facing the Underworld under relatively fair rules, but a far more terrifying force—the Underworld that truly inspired endless fear.
If it came to that, what would the outcome be?
Surely!
That outcome was already obvious.
"Alright."
Polos spoke casually, "So! Hades, Athena, the second Holy War is about to begin. Any thoughts?"
Hades spoke calmly, "In five hundred years, the second Holy War will commence. The rules will follow the original guidelines."
With Hades' words, everything was set in place.
At this moment.
The three God-Kings nodded.
In truth!
Though they were discussing the Holy War, the four God-Kings were all distracted, their minds elsewhere.
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