"This is really no small trouble."
Although it was he who had done it, Laine still felt a hint of fear.
It was one thing when it came to Iapetus, who had no idea he originally possessed a soul's godhood, but Mnemosyne was a different story.
The godhood of Memory had already been born, but instead of crowning her, it had scattered across the world, waiting for him, the source of Spirituality, to absorb it.
If she discovered Laine's identity in the future, she was unlikely to let things slide.
However, even with that said, Laine did not regret his actions.
Joking aside, with the Spiritual Authority already so weakened, if it were to be divided among others, he feared he might become a joke among the gods, the first one unable to maintain his deity status.
As for serving as a Sub-God, that was even less likely.
Once a dog's leash is put on, it's difficult to take it off—Laine had not yet enjoyed the life of a god and had no intention of prematurely experiencing the life of a dog.
"But although I have provoked a potential enemy, this is not entirely a bad thing."
Sensing the godhood of Memory that had been born but scattered across the world, Laine smiled slightly.
The godhood of Memory was not strong, but it was enough to take his Spiritual Authority a step further.
After all, the strength of the godhood determines the upper limit of Divine Power. The deity of the Fountain could never become Intermediate Divine Power through "Fountain" alone, no matter how much it enhances its Divine Power.
At this time, one requires either to acquire more powerful godhoods or to 'expand' the capacity of the original one.
Using "Spirituality" to absorb "Memory," a lower godhood, is one way to expand. It increases the depth and breadth of the original godhood, making the related concepts stronger.
Of course, this absorption is not something that can be achieved at will; one must be able to encompass another.
Spirituality is quite suitable in this regard, as it can be linked to many godhoods.
Shaking his head, Laine thought no further.
Although the godhood of Memory currently had no master, he would still need a lengthy period to absorb it.
After all, to the world, the origin of Spirituality is not controlled—once "Memory" is absorbed by "Spirituality," it means that Chaos will also lose control over "Memory."
So even though the world is without will, it would still instinctively prevent him, making the time he needs to spend multiply tenfold.
"Hum—"
Another hum resounded, and while it seemed that Laine had been in deep contemplation for a long time, only a brief moment had actually passed.
After the birth of the two deities, the gestation of new gods continued.
Having so many powerful deities born in one day could only happen at the beginning of the creation of the heavens and earth.
Following the vibrations of the Law, the two deities who had emerged successively declared their existence to the world.
One breath was just and meticulous, like the everlasting laws; the other signified the unalterable passage of time, seemingly close at hand yet untouchable.
Themis, the deity of Justice and Law!
Rhea, the deity of the Flow of Time!
The feeble authority of Chronology quivered with the birth of the two deities, but ultimately there was no reaction.
Authority is only the nascent form of power, not yet eligible to be divided.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Laine felt the rhythm of the Law subside, signaling that the birth of the deities this time around was complete.
But he knew the most critical one had yet to appear.
Complete time and space will not have masters; this is not permitted by the world. Yet, one being will receive a portion from each of them and become destined to rule over the world.
He is Uranus's youngest, yet in the future, he will become the eldest. Under his rule, the first humans will be born upon the earth. After their passing, the second generation of humans will also be born because of him.
If it wasn't for his oppression of his own offspring, Cronus would in fact be considered a competent ruler. He didn't treat his wife as the Heavenly Father treated Mother Earth, nor did he flaunt his authority in the Mortal World arbitrarily.
It's just that his divine fate wasn't all that great. While Zeus's brothers fought alongside him, Cronus's turned against him.
"Clang—!"
The Chains of Law fell silent for a moment, before resuming with an even more intense clangor.
The very fabric of time and space throughout the world began to destabilize, yet it seemed to be constructing a new structure.
Maybe it was an instant; maybe it lasted an age. With the disordered fluctuations of time and space, Laine couldn't determine how much time had actually passed.
But at a certain moment, time and space suddenly found the rules that suited them, and all changes came to a sudden halt.
Cronus, King of Time and Space!
The name of the new god resonated throughout the world, carried to every corner of Chaos by the strings of space. The lengthy divine birth had finally come to an end.
The sky grew higher, the sea deeper, the world more complete.
The already boundless earth expanded rapidly. Soon, Laine could no longer gauge the size of the land.
The newly born twelve deities were not the source of the changes; they were merely a primer, allowing the world's accumulated power to vent.
But none of this mattered to Laine at that moment, for all his energy was focused on sorting the power within himself.
Divine Power Level, 4.
Godhood, "Prophecy."
After a long while, a slight smile formed on his lips. When he felt that expected Godhood, Laine still felt overwhelming joy.
Yet it was but a momentary emotion. The deity in white quickly contained his feelings and turned to look outside his dwelling cave.
His senses told him there was nothing there, but Laine knew that with the new gods' birth concluded, the honored Mother Goddess would surely seek him out.
So, as if expecting her, he spoke:
"Respected Mother Earth, what do you think of this outcome?"
In a moment of bewilderment, a young woman in a green dress appeared before him out of thin air.
The aura emanating from the woman was vast and profound, but a sense of irremediable vacancy still rendered her face somewhat pale.
The Mother Earth before him was not the aged woman of later times; her body was youthful and vibrant, her Origin still brimming.
Having birthed twelve deities in succession had drained her Vital Essence, but she still ranked a notch above the "Powerful Divine Force" as a Primordial Ancient God.
"Prince Laine, it was I who was impertinent before," she said.
"Regarding our wager, I am willing to concede defeat."
Speaking thus, the still young Mother Earth smiled apologetically. The storm in the sky moved away, and everything became joyous around them.
"I must admit, your precise prophecy made me ashamed of my earlier skepticism. Even the King of All Gods is astonished by your power to glimpse fate," she said.
"It doesn't matter," Laine replied with a smile, accepting the Ancient God's apology and expressing his own doubts:
"Then, honored Mother Earth, what brings you here, right after the birth of the Divine Child?"
Meeting Laine's calm gaze, Gaia eventually uttered the words he had long been expecting:
"I've come to invite you to Mount Othrys to attend the Divine King's banquet."
With a gentle smile, Gaia extended the formal invitation:
"Prince Laine, on this day, on this special day, my first son, my husband, my sovereign, the ruler of the sky, Uranus wishes for you to visit the Mount of the Gods to meet with him and celebrate this significant day."
"If you would honor us with your presence, that would be the best gift we could receive."
Visibly moved, Laine couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Merely a prophecy had earned him such esteem from Mother Earth.
'It's just for a new prophecy,' Laine thought to himself.
Nevertheless, when faced with an invitation from a Primordial God, Laine naturally accepted with a bow.
His expression was excited by the invitation of the Divine King, and his heart was equally stirred. Only he knew how many years he had been waiting for this day.
"You flatter me, Lady Gaia," said Laine with a smile.
"To witness the birth of Chaos's very first King of All Gods is an immense honor for me."