Just as Laine said, she indeed should summon some who align with her ideals and are willing to follow her will. Over the past period, she had been observing these newly born humans.
Among them were the bad and the good, those who disgusted the goddess and those who brought her joy. She would select those who met the criteria, and then split her power into two parts: one part, guided by the "Golden Balance," would aid them in judging right from wrong in the mortal world.
The other part, embodied by the "Sword of Judgment," would pureheartedly decree life or death based on the simplicity of good and evil.
This divine artifact that embodied the authority of "justice" was already capable of detecting the sins committed by living beings. With a mere application based on the authority's power, Themis could bestow this strength upon her followers, granting them the ability to "Detect Evil" as well as more formidable power over the sinful.
Even more so, the goddess planned to visit those 'Celestial Clan' neighbors once her realm in the Spirit World was established. As a convergence of positive energy, they would surely be willing to contribute.
When the time came, those chosen humans would be called "Saint Knights."
"Wait, you mean, you're leaving the Divine Court?"
Zeus's expression subtly shifted when the goddess's words fell, uncertain of what she was contemplating. He had considered using more persuasion, as he had in the past, but what he hadn't anticipated was Themis making such a decision.
He wanted to say more, but this time, the goddess wasn't interested in listening.
"You wanted a law that fits your requirements, Zeus, and I have provided it. With your current power, it seems I cannot stop you from doing whatever you may."
"Such is the Deity Race... Perhaps the world of the gods truly doesn't suit me. Here, power is more useful than rules."
With a detached voice, Themis took one last look at Olympus. On this somewhat dilapidated Mount of the Gods, her temple had been destroyed and would no longer need to be rebuilt in the future.
Turning away, the goddess took out a black cloth, covering her eyes once again after an era had passed. Then, for the first time in her life, she drew the Golden Sword from her waist. (See 1-17/2-7)
The Golden Sword hummed faintly, as though responding to its master's power. It instinctively sensed that it finally had a purpose for its existence.
"From now on, it shall replace my eyes and 'see' the world for me. If the gods agree with your reasoning, then they won't need my help. But if we meet in the Mortal Realm..."
"It will show no mercy to you!"
Fading into light, the goddess's form gradually vanished. On Mount Olympus, the Divine King stretched out his hand, but ultimately did nothing.
He remembered the fleeting darkness from not long ago and another force...
"...Ha, Primordial Deity... It won't be long, Gaia was the first, but she won't be the last—."
Whispering quietly, he set another goal for himself in his heart. However, before he finished speaking, Zeus's expression subtly changed.
"...Divine King, come to me."
The voice entered his ears silently, without any trace of its source. Yet sensing a breath suddenly rising from afar, Zeus recognized the visitor.
"The incident is over, my fellows, return to the mountain first."
With a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, the Divine King addressed the gods without any outward sign.
He headed toward the ravaged Olympus, while on the other side, a form quietly retreated into the distance.
Below ground, the Underworld.
The events on the surface had concluded, but beneath the earth, today's occurrences still continued. A change that would once again affect the world was about to happen, but, just like every time in the past, there had been a slight mishap.
Standing before the gates of Tartarus, Gaia incredulously discovered that the Abyss, a place of pure instinct, had actually denied her.