#882 The Gods’ Reconciliation

The banquet meant to settle our differences with Cronus, the ancient god of agriculture, is still ongoing.

It feels like the gods are just looking for an excuse to drink and make merry, though.

But we, who earnestly wish for world peace, can only continue to offer food and drink as the gods desire.

It feels like we’re being taken advantage of here...

“Phew... Hic... The day I would share drink with mine own sons, I never thought would come to pass.”

The guest of honor, Cronus, is thoroughly drunk and content.

“In such moments, memories of days spent playing with mine own children doth return to me... Little Hades and Poseidon chasing puppies with great zeal... Hehehe...”

“When we were but little, were we not swallowed by thee, Father, and resided within thy belly?” “Memories that never existed art bubbling forth...!”

Yet, the fine details show there’s still a deep rift.

“But Father, now that thou art free from Tartarus, where dost thou plan to reside? The earth is left to the living, so we would prefer if thou didst leave it be.”

“Hmm, how about the underworld where thou dwellest?”

“Ngh?!”

Hades almost chokes on his drink...

“Koff, koff...! Nay, nay, mine own underworld is a sanctuary for the souls of the departed...! For this cause, my kin doth labor tirelessly within the bounds of the underworld. ‘Tis possible they may disturb thy peace...!”

“Is that so... Shall I impose upon Poseidon’s domain, then?”

“Nay!!!”

The god of the sea screams in protest.

“Nay, rather...! The realm of the sea is of a special nature, Father! Should thou, unadapted to the marine condition, venture there, might it not impose upon thee undue inconvenience...?!”

“Hmm, so it might...!”

The current generation of gods, clearly not thrilled at the prospect of living with their father, are barely concealing their true feelings.

And with Cronus comes the entire Titan clan, a rather large household.

No one wants to invite that kind of trouble into their own territory.

“Lo! What of the heavens, Father! The celestial realm inhabited by Zeus!”

“Therein, surplus space abounds, and Zeus, along with his retinue of celestial gods, doth naught but dally in leisure most days; thus, thou canst dwell in tranquility!”

The gods band together, eager to push the troublesome parent onto another sibling.

With Zeus not around to object, they see a perfect opportunity to saddle Cronus with the problem.

“That cannot be.”

“WHEREFORE?!”

“Hast thou forgotten, my sons? I am Cronus, the god of agriculture, the keeper of earth’s temporal flow. How can I, who govern such things, dwell far from the earth in the heaven and yet respond swiftly should the earth require me?”

“Ngh...!”

The gods find themselves unable to argue against such sound logic.

“Besides, even if we hast reconciled, I care not to dwell with Zeus.”

“Zeus is currently in seclusion, so the chance of encountering him is slim...”

“Nay, I will not.”

“But Father...!”

“Nay, I say...!!!”

“...”

They are at a loss for words against Cronus’s firm refusal.

They can hardly push the matter, knowing full well they wouldn’t want to live with Zeus either.

“Hmm, this is troublesome. Having been released from Tartarus, I find myself without a place in this world.”

“But Father, that is...!”

“Considering mine own beloved Titans, I would not wish to move to a cramped and uncomfortable place... Ah, I have an idea!”

Such declarations usually precede terrible ideas.

“Why trouble ourselves with moving? We Titans, having gained our freedom, shall continue to dwell in Tartarus!”

Are you sure about that?

“Having lived there for many thousands of years, it may be more comfortable than moving elsewhere. Besides, the difference between being imprisoned and having the freedom to come and go as we please is significant.”

“H-Hmm...! “If Father thinks it best...!”

The gods are perplexed, but in the end, the freed Titans decide to continue residing in their former prison, Tartarus.

...Is this truly for the best? One cannot help but wonder.

“…Anon, I shall bestow a cushion of low resilience upon thee, Father.”

“From me, a change of wallpaper...”

Both Hades and Poseidon seem somewhat suffocated by the situation.

“What, fret not mine own children! Aye, for mine domain of Tartarus lies even deeper than Hades’ realm of the dead! Which means… it is as though we dwell in a duplex abode!!!”

“Guhah!”

Hades faints, spitting blood.

Was it really that bad an idea?

“Fuahahaha! To be freed from this confinement and find camaraderie with mine own sons, what a fine world this is!”

Cronus gulps down his alcohol.

“‘Tis thanks to the flourishing of humanity upon this earth that such fine fare and sweet wine do soothe the heart of a god! And thou, Hades and Poseidon, art the architects of this mankind!”

“I-Indeed…!” “Verily so…!”

Hades and others seem troubled.

The farm, after all, isn’t a product of their creation but mine, from another world, something that weighs heavily on their minds.

“I am greatly impressed by the feats of mine own sons… Thus, I have decided!”

Decided what?

“I, Cronus, shall follow in mine own sons’ footsteps and endeavor to create a new mankind!”

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!”

And just like that, another god starts on another outlandish venture.

“Stay thy hand, dear Father!”

“Indeed, Father! To bring new life unto the earth is no trifling matter! Canst thou truly tend to them till the end?”

The sons, too, scream in protest.

It’s as if their father had announced he’d make a living as a novelist from now on.

“Fret not, mine own sons. Dost thou not trust thine own father?”

“Not in the slightest!”

“Introducing new life into a world where those created by thee hast achieved perfect harmony is indeed worrisome. A mere new element can disrupt a delicate balance. Fear not, for thy father is well aware of this!!!”

“Were it so, ‘twould be best to reconsider…!”

“Yon is why great god Cronus intends to bring forth a new life, flawless and free from troubling the existing beings on the earth! Ponder upon it! A wise and perfect life, incapable of error, shall surely prevent all conflicts.”

“That premise itself is flawed.”

It sounded akin to “Imperfect beings are ours to manage.”

“Behold, the plot for the ultimate life form I, Cronus, shall create!”

- Mightiest in the world. Stronger than any god.

- Immortal, outliving even the world’s end.

- Soars through the skies.

- Immune to all diseases.

- Beautiful.

- Melodious voice.

- Wise.

- Absolute obedience to the gods.

Truly, “the ultimate creature of my imagination” that grade schoolers would think of.

Looking at the outrageous list of features, I realized something.

“If there’s a being that fits those characteristics, it already exists.”

“What sayest thou?!”

“It’s the angel, Horkosfon.”

Summoned by my introduction, Horkosfon steps forward.

“Might I interest you in some natto?”

She never forgets to offer natto, no matter the situation.

“Angels art creations of Zeus from yore, some four thousand years past.”

“What?! Zeus?”!

Cronus is shocked.

Ignoring his father’s turmoil, Hades continues to explain.

“Lo and behold, ‘twas a race sent forth by Zeus, the fool, to dominate the earth. Yet, they were beings of unbridled idealism, devoid of discretion, causing untold suffering to us all. In the end, to repel them, the world itself was brought to ruin.”

“The idea of Cronus, god of agriculture, overlaps with that of Zeus...?! Uoooooooooh...!”

“Indeed, it seems he inherited the trait from thee.”

“Nay! To be likened to him is a fate I refuseeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

The realization that his idea overlapped with that of his most detested son seems to shock him quite a bit.

Like father, like son, as they say.

While it’s a troublesome similarity for us mortals, it does underscore the profound connection between this divine father and son.

“It seems my existence has become a stain on the gods, which is quite unsettling.”

Horkosfon has a point.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t dragons also be considered a similar creation, being deemed the strongest creatures by Mother Gaia herself?”

“What was that?! We dragons are the noble sovereigns of the earth! Don’t lump us together with convenient beings like yourselves!”

Veil, the dragon, is enraged.

This conversation seems likely to spark conflicts elsewhere, so I want to settle things here.

Whether the gods fought or reconciled, they would always bring calamities upon the world.