'Divine Artifacts and calendars.'
Facing Laine's request, Mother Earth did not immediately respond, but she had already agreed in her heart.
Unlike divine oracles, those were Artifacts born of the world, which could be transferred and handed over. However, the Vessel of Life, as Mother Earth's accompanying object, could not truly be taken from her by anyone.
As for allowing the Moon's changes to guide plants and climate, Mother Earth was similarly agreeable. After all, the land was her fundamental Godhood, and the God of Meteorology would certainly be willing to dedicate himself to this.
"Cronus," Gaia called in her heart, she wanted to ask the opinion of her brave child.
"I can agree to his request, but what about your three promises?"
At that moment, Mother Earth's belly was not at peace; when Laine spoke of 'an undoubted new king,' both the Lord of the Oceans and the God of Sun could no longer hold back.
If they had known this outcome earlier, they would have stepped forward before anyone else. But now, they realized that the matter was settled. Cronus's power was not weaker than theirs, and unbound by oaths, he was the most suitable to hold the knife, and Mother Earth would not choose another.
"I agree," Cronus said to Mother Earth, his voice also transmitting outside his body. He had already gained an absolute advantage but also attracted his brothers' discontent. Now, he just wanted to obtain a more certain prophecy, ascend the throne, instead of bickering with his own brothers inside their mother's belly.
"I am willing to agree to your three conditions, Prince Laine. As long as it does not affect my sovereignty, I will do my best."
Nodding, Laine was not surprised by Cronus's answer. For him, if he could become the Divine King, any price was acceptable. If he could only be trapped in the Mother Goddess's belly, then the smallest price was still just a worthless promise.
"Very well," he said with a smile, voicing his first requirement: "First, I want the origin of space-time."
The scene fell into silence for a moment, evidently neither Mother Earth nor the Titans had anticipated Laine's demand.
It wasn't overly demanding, just quite strange.
After a short pause, Cronus's voice came through. He was not angry, but somewhat puzzled and confused.
"The origin of a deity can indeed be transferred, Your Highness, but the recipient can never truly own it. Unless you intend to become my Sub-God, even if I give you much of the origin, it will return to me over time."
Cronus was not lying; unless divested by the world, the rights of natural deities could not be transferred; otherwise, the godly powers of the twelve Titans would have already been taken by the Divine King. Sub-God status is the only way to transfer powers for an extended period, but no one would think that the Foreseer would serve under another.
"That is my affair. Like the Vessel of Life, at least I need it for now."
Laine did not respond directly, simply reiterating his demand.
"Very well, I agree to your request. As the God of Chronology, the departure of the origin will not severely impact my power; I will give you as much as I possibly can," Cronus promised.
Pleased, Laine nodded and began to state his second condition.
"All right, my next demand involves the future of the land beneath our feet."
"In an incidental Prophecy, I saw that one day, a new moon will rise in the sky. It will be a celestial body with substance, just like the Sun; more suitable to hang there than the Moon I created. Therefore, I want to find a new home for my creation."
"So, you have chosen the Underworld?"
"Yes," Laine nodded in acknowledgment.
"Cronus, the future Divine King, I want you to make the following promises: the celestial bodies above the earth have substance; those below, do not. Therefore, the substantive Sun and Moon shall be above the earth; the insubstantial Sun and Moon, in the Underworld. The Sun symbolizes the masculine, so the Sun above is stronger than the Sun of the Underworld; the Moon symbolizes the feminine, so the Moon of the Underworld is stronger than the Moon above. The substantive Sun was born first, so all concepts of 'Sun' originate from it; the insubstantial Moon was born first, so all concepts of 'Moon' begin with it. Above and below, corresponding to each other, this will also be your accomplishment as the Divine King."
"I agree."
Cronus didn't hesitate, after all, the Sun and Moon had nothing to do with him, and he could use this to alleviate his brother's jealousy toward him.
"Please state your third request, you are always so full of wisdom."
Cronus really couldn't fault Laine's thinking. Just like the previous matter of Chronology, though no gods had taken on the godhood of 'year, month, quarter,' all the gods recognized the respect it accorded them. Now the Foreseer was making a request for his own creations, but Hyperion also benefited from it.
"Mother Earth, and the rest of you listening at this moment."
Laine's smile became even more sincere. He was thankful for this still ignorant era.
"I'm not sure if any of you have noticed, but between heaven and earth, amongst all things in the world, there exists a variety of special particles. They exist yet they do not exist; they can influence the material reality, and they can shape both Darkness and Light. They are chaotically scattered between heaven and earth, even close at hand."
"Yes, I can feel it." Mother Earth said, "Earth, water, wind, fire, light, darkness, thunder, and lightning, they are special particles with distinct powers."
"But in the face of divine power, they are as fragile as a sheet of paper. Apart from rhythmically following when the gods exercise their authority, I don't know what other value they have."
Laine simply smiled in response to Gaia's disparagement, neither confirming nor denying. What she said was not without reason, in the presence of divine power, the strength of elements was indeed negligible.
But he had never intended to use them to oppose divine power.
"There will be," Laine said, "At least controlling them would allow me, who lacks the godhood of water, to stir the waves, would allow me, who lacks the Godhood of Meteorology, to create wind and rain."
Gaia offered a polite smile, and the gods within her womb laughed more outright.
With Gaia's protection, they were not afraid of being noticed by Laine. They had been led by the nose by Laine all day, and rage brewed in their hearts. But now, the other party's request finally helped them regain some confidence.
Indeed, the God of Prophecy might be able to see the fate, but his own power was a glaring weakness.
"Weak power," Oceanus commented, "From Chronology and Moon, to his ideas today, he has always been using alternative means to gain power."
"Yes, he even dares to influence meteorology."
Crius sneered, unhappy with Laine's attempt to use a 'calendar' to control the climate, "But godhood is fundamental, those ridiculous trinkets are meaningless."
"You can't say that, it's at least an attempt, isn't it. Everyone knows the destructive power of prophetic divine power is a joke."
Because of Laine's plans for the Sun and Moon, Hyperion now harbored a bit less animosity towards him, but just a bit.
After all, Laine's prophecies had only brought him hardship, and the throne of the Divine King had slipped through his fingers.
"So what will you do?" Unlike his brothers, at this most crucial moment, Cronus wasn't as wilful as his older siblings.
His voice was gentle and sincere, as if genuinely considering Laine's interests, "If you're interested in them, once I ascend the throne, I will, in the name of Divine King, grant you the authority to control them. As long as I remain Divine King, you will command them as if they were your own limbs."
Laine smiled inwardly. He understood the underlying meaning of Cronus's words. With an unchanged expression, he gently shook his head to refuse.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, but I have other plans."
"I intend to weave a net, to constrain these disorderly particles. When I need them, I will activate the pre-set structure, letting the strings of the net resonate and intermingle. That way, I will be able to control them."
Having said this, Laine also extended an invitation to the gods:
"When that time comes, if any of you present wishes to use this net, you are most welcome to do so."