Summoners: One Golden Term per Level

Shen Fei and the other two followed the priest into the temple’s interior. Compared to the magnificent Apollo Temple, Athena’s Temple appeared more dignified and grand, yet it focused more on divine oracles.

The largest feature in Athena’s Temple was the statue of Athena, clad in armor, holding a spear in her right hand and a shield in her left, her eyes fixed straight ahead. Below the statue, a book lay open.

[War] and [Wisdom].

Athena’s two most prominent forms of divine authority. Seeing this sculpture, Shen Fei almost understood the relationship between Athena and Ares; it could only be described as a clash akin to fire and water.

When Athena was born, she more dominantly symbolized [Wisdom] and [Peace]. However, over time, with evolution, peace usurped war to become the main theme.

Under the guidance of certain gods.

[Peace] is derived from the concept of [War]’s victory, thereby leading to Athena also being a War Goddess.

Without the triumph of war, where would peace come from?

This is the evolution of Greek divine authority.

Of course, there were many other maneuvers involved, like the Trojan War which entangled numerous divine spirits.

As Shen Fei and the other two stepped in, the statue began to change; the original stone sculpture transformed into a valiant young woman clad in armor.

Seeing her appearance, Shen Fei’s eyes flashed with a trace of amazement.

Indeed worthy of comparing to Hera and Aphrodite, truly a nearly perfect creation.

"Three messengers."

Athena said with a smile. She noticed Shen Fei’s awe and nodded with satisfaction.

She too was a goddess, naturally delighted to have her beauty acknowledged by the opposite sex.

"Sit."

With a casual wave, Athena made three chairs appear before them; Shen Fei sat down without hesitation.

Then Athena’s beautiful eyes fell upon Shen Fei, and she spoke: "I’ve known about you since you received Artemis’s assessment."

"Are you a child of the old gods or my father’s son?" Athena’s beautiful eyes showed a trace of inquiry; if Artemis was aware of it, naturally she would be aware too.

No need to ask like Apollo, and she understood the conflict between Artemis and Ares better than Apollo, and even her own involvement.

Shen Fei merely smiled.

Athena did not delve deeper, for if it were easily explained, Artemis would have known long ago.

It’s sufficient to know that Shen Fei can play a part in this matter.

"Since you know Artemis’s temple was burned, do you know its origin?" Athena asked across from Shen Fei, her demeanor graceful, combining the heroic spirit of a female general and the presence of a maiden.

Indeed infinitely charming.

Yet, Shen Fei was more interested in what Athena said, raising an eyebrow, "Was it not the goddess who instigated conflict between my god and Ares?"

Athena is indeed strong, but standing behind him now are Artemis and Apollo.

Moreover, this is also Artemis’s question, essentially Shen Fei’s question, as there is more indifference between Artemis and Ares.

The only real conflict is that Artemis dislikes Aphrodite.

But it wouldn’t necessarily lead to opposition easily, the burning of the temple isn’t just a simple matter of a son being killed.

The temple to divine spirits serves as an anchor for faith in the mortal world, equating to a life-and-death rivalry.

Seeing that Artemis and Athena have a good relationship, she didn’t inquire when anticipated.

But now Shen Fei asks naturally since he could use Athena’s help, and needs to understand his stance.

Additionally, Athena is a clever goddess.

Smart people understand weighing pros and cons, and this type of questioning by Shen Fei surely won’t make her angry.

Because Athena wants to continue to encroach on Ares’s [War] divine authority, she still needs the help of Artemis and Apollo.

Athena didn’t directly answer Shen Fei’s question, but instead, she said, "I can assist Artemis in gaining [Moon] divine authority."

"Now with Apollo’s divine assistance, as long as my god’s [Moon] rank elevates, naturally it’s possible to acquire [Moon] rank."

Athena however spoke calmly: "Ever since Hercules achieved godhood, the positions of the Twelve Main Gods are permanently set. Without the Divine King’s gift, no matter what, divine authority remains unchanged..."

Athena’s words made Shen Fei and the others raise their eyebrows, for this was major news.

"Otherwise, do you think Ares could still be called War God?" Athena’s tone shifted slightly.

Given Ares’s record, can he truly be called War God?

"Just because the Divine King didn’t agree to give the [War] divine authority to you?"

Shen Fei stroked his chin, considering Ares’s deeds, he wouldn’t really count as War God.

"Hmm."

"Why? Doesn’t the Divine King want the gods to become stronger?"

Athena sneered: "Due to the Divine King’s curse, the Divine King is destined to be overthrown by his offspring, yet previously, he sought to solidify the divine system.

Thus he combined with other goddesses to bear children and construct his divine system, but later, when he sought no more ancient goddesses, he turned to nymphs or even mortals.

It was all to avoid the prophecy’s outcome."

Listening to this, Shen Fei felt a bit puzzled, "But why does the Divine King continue to bear offspring? Wouldn’t it be sufficient for him to keep himself clean..."

Athena shook her head: "This is related to Aphrodite. Do you know how Aphrodite was born?"

"Related to Chronos?"

"Clever, I enjoy speaking with clever people." Athena began: "She was born from Chronos’s male symbol. Chronos’s curse will be enacted by her.

In those years, the Divine King wanted to press her ’rank’ underneath him, to completely suppress the source of the curse, yet ironically, he was bitten by the residual power of Chronos, causing Zeus’s divinity to become polluted.

If he did not produce offspring, Chronos’s power would help his brother come into being."

"He could only delay Pollux’s birth and remain vigilant over the potential for subsequent offspring to become gods."

Athena coolly explained: "In the past, any of his offspring would become gods. But since Hercules, his offspring no longer have the potential to achieve godhood.

By then, Chronos’s influence on him had weakened significantly.

He was merely compelled to continue bearing children but no longer needed to combine with beings possessing divine power, so he turned to mortals."

"Thus he began dealing with his previously divine offspring. Now only I, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Dionysus, Hermes, and my brother in his womb remain capable of becoming the next Divine King."

Athena stated quite calmly: "In those days, Zeus and his siblings, born from Chronos’s stomach, worked together with my mother to overthrow Chronos, so the Divine King fears us."

"Among us, except for the better relations between Apollo and Artemis, the others either have poor relationships or compete over divine authority."

"Destiny cannot be altered, but it can be postponed or balanced."

"He seeks to use this method to constantly delay his ’overthrow’ fate."