In front of Mount Othrys, the gods all gathered together.
But this time was different from the past; they were neither invited nor came voluntarily to offer congratulations. They were here to overthrow the master of this place.
The intertwining powers of numerous deities formed an invisible oppression, casting a silence over the entire Mount of the Gods. At this moment, there were no non-divine beings here.
"Just twenty years, it's just a fleeting moment. Thaesis, I don't know why, but I'm feeling a bit of regret."
Standing to the side and a little behind, Oceanus, the God of the Ocean, looked at Zeus standing in front. He didn't know what to feel.
A hundred years ago, the latter was just a weak newborn infant, and with a mere wave of his hand, he could have changed his destiny. Twenty years ago, he had nothing and could only risk sneaking into the Mount of the Gods to save his few brothers.
But now, his power had grown so strong that it made Oceanus slightly wary. If this continued, even if they overthrew Cronus, Zeus could become a threat to himself.
Perhaps even a greater threat than his own father.
"But this is the end, Oceanus. The power of a deity is like that. External objects like the Golden Apple can help us reach our peak faster, but they cannot increase it by even a slightest bit."
The primordial water goddess could also feel the power emanating from the deity in front, but she had a different opinion.
"Perhaps he could obtain the Divine Authority, but his may not be comparable to his father's. With each succession by force, the power of the Divine King diminishes, and at this level, he poses no threat to us."
Nodding, Oceanus thought of the other as somewhat his 'son-in-law' and thus felt more at ease.
Uranus lost his kinghood and could pin down his own children to beat them. Cronus, with the kinghood in hand, is being attacked by all the gods. By the time of Zeus, one would think he would be a bit more subdued.
Unless he could possess power beyond Godhood and Divine Authority, which is impossible. So far, Oceanus had only seen similar signs in the Lord of the Spirit Realm, and the power he showed wasn't that strong.
Intermediate Divine Power, or perhaps now it's powerful Divine Power. If it weren't for those enviable and powerful Divine Artifacts, his power would be just so-so.
"What do you think, what is Cronus thinking right now?"
Having put his worries aside, Oceanus's mood relaxed.
Without asking, you would know that his brother is probably sitting on his throne, tormented by regret and fear.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed the gods to corner him without showing his face until now.
"Be vigilant. After all, he is the Divine King. And then there's the Underworld. Have you sent someone to watch over it?"
From worry to complacency, the primordial water goddess felt somewhat helpless as she looked at her husband. In front of her, Oceanus was always this way.
"Of course, our aloof daughter, Styx of the Styx River, has also somewhat taken Zeus's side. Let her take care of that place."
"But I think, even if something happens, she'd probably just be a spectator. In comparison, the two Primordial Gods who returned without success last time might pay more attention."
"It's good that you remember."
Thaesis also felt somewhat helpless about his eldest daughter. Since her birth, she had lived in the Underworld, and her only time away was not long ago when Zeus was establishing the Olympian pantheon.
She chose an appropriate opportunity, as the first deity to join voluntarily, she asked Zeus to become the guardian of oaths. Faced with this request, the young deity agreed decisively.
As a king, possessing such a status makes it easier for others to believe in his words. Moreover, with this power, the promises he made henceforth held some binding force. Zeus had no reason to refuse a win-win situation .
As for having to be careful with his own words and actions from now on, Zeus wasn't too concerned about it. For trivial matters, he naturally meant to keep his word. And if it were some major event with significant consequences, he would simply pay a price.
While they were talking, from the corner of their eyes, the couple noticed a commotion among the deities surrounding Mount Othrys. Shortly after, a deity stepped out from the crowd.
"All right, it's about to begin. Thaesis, let's witness the downfall of the second-generation Divine King together."
Thinking about the peril of the last Divine King's succession and the ease of the present moment, Oceanus couldn't help but smile.
"Well, it's like bidding farewell to Cronus."
Nodding, as Thaesis' gaze fell upon Zeus, who had stepped out from among the deities, the primordial water goddess could see that Poseidon next to him seemed a bit unwilling, but he still made no move.
Whether in terms of achievements or connections, Poseidon was far from comparing to his younger brother, so at this moment, it was natural for Zeus to be the one to step forward.
"Time flies by so swiftly."
Standing in front of the gods, Zeus thought silently.
Even he had not anticipated that in just a short span of twenty years, when he returned to Mount Othrys, it would be as a conqueror.
"Indeed, strangers can't be trusted, and neither can brothers. Even wives and children are few and trustworthy."
Although Queen of Gods Rhea had aided Zeus, he took this as a precaution.
It was, instead, his adoptive parents, Oceanus and his wife, whose family relationship inspired Zeus to learn.