"I'm talking about Zeus," Pandora said firmly.
Linley was momentarily speechless. After all, even in Greek mythology, Zeus's image wasn't always glorious. Early in his rise, his methods were less than righteous. After becoming the King of Gods, he shared power with his two younger brothers, Hades and Poseidon, and even used deceitful methods to gain control of the earth.
As for his promiscuity and numerous affairs after becoming the King of Gods, there were countless incidents. Zeus not only fathered numerous illegitimate children but often couldn't protect them because of his fear of his wife, Hera. Ultimately, he was even defeated by his own daughter Athena, which was a great disgrace for the King of Gods.
"Zeus, I wonder how he's doing now," Linley tried to change the subject.
However, Pandora wasn't done. She continued, "Atlantis originally worshipped the sea god Poseidon. Later, Zeus came and used various means to suppress Poseidon's faith, eventually making our country worship him instead."
Atlantis was a marine country, and its inhabitants were merfolk. The fact that Zeus could seize faith here clearly showed he wasn't as incompetent as the myths suggested. As the King of Gods, he indeed had some methods, although they weren't necessarily righteous, they were effective nonetheless.
"Our country is located in the sea. After being taken over by Zeus, it became the frontline of the struggle between Poseidon and Zeus. What could we do? We couldn't afford to offend either side, so we had to try to please both, worshipping Zeus on one hand and appeasing Poseidon on the other... Ugh, it's distressing to think about," Pandora sighed.
"Your situation is really tough," Linley responded.
Small countries caught between two powerful forces are in the most difficult position. Either side had the power to destroy Atlantis, so they had to please both. The Olympian gods, although relatives, fought each other fiercely, with bloodshed. Zeus became the King of Gods by defeating his father and sealing his brothers, so he naturally would not show mercy to other relatives either.
As for Poseidon, he often caused tsunamis, destroying coastal city-states, which was a common occurrence. Capsizing fishing boats, sinking merchant ships, and destroying fleets were routine, so almost all coastal fishing villages were Poseidon's followers.
Considering these factors, it's no wonder the Olympian gods were defeated by Holiness. Although the Olympian gods seemed lively on the surface, they were riddled with internal conflicts and could not form a united front, often undermining each other. Holiness, on the other hand, had a single supreme god, concentrating power. As for Holiness's own later split, that was another matter.
"Although our country generally worships Zeus, some people secretly contact Poseidon, acting as his secret followers, making Poseidon believe that we merfolk are forced to worship Zeus. Once the time is right, we would rebel against Zeus, allowing Poseidon to regain control of Atlantis without a fight, preventing Poseidon from suddenly attacking and completely destroying Atlantis," Pandora explained.
Linley suddenly recalled the scene when he found Pandora. She was tied up in a water tank, which was clearly not the treatment of an ordinary sacrifice, especially since Pandora was the princess of Atlantis.
Offerings, when presented to the gods, are usually elaborately decorated. Whether cattle, sheep, or humans, they must be dressed up beautifully.
Athenian slaves, before being sacrificed, were fattened up and adorned with gold and silver jewelry. Before their death, they would enjoy a lavish feast and then be smothered with wool pillows while drunk to ensure a dignified death.
However, Atlantis seems to disregard these details. The princess was sent bound to the Temple of Zeus, appearing extremely rough. Even if Atlantis didn't care, the priests of the Temple of Zeus shouldn't have been so negligent.
"Are you a secret follower of Poseidon? Is that why you were sent to the Temple of Zeus as a sacrifice?" Linley gradually understood.
This offering was not just a sacrifice but more like a trophy. The higher the status of the trophy, the more torment it endured and the more miserable its death, the less decoration it needed.
"No, actually, I'm not. I just drew the short straw," Pandora explained.
"Drew the short straw?" Linley asked, puzzled.
"Zeus knows that Atlantis has always harbored secret followers of Poseidon, so we regularly have to hand over some merfolk. Recently, our offerings have been too few, and my father blamed it on sabotage by Poseidon's followers. Zeus was very displeased. So, we had to hand over a royal member... and I drew the short straw," Pandora said.
"So you don't want to go back to Atlantis," Linley finally understood.
"Yes," Pandora replied, "I was already a sacrificial victim; going back is meaningless. Staying with you lets me live one more day."
"Maybe Zeus is already dead," Linley suggested.
"Lord, you can't say that," Pandora whispered, "If he isn't dead, you are committing blasphemy. Even if he is dead, his successors won't let you go. It doesn't matter if it's Athena or anyone else; killing you would be easy."
"Don't you understand?" Linley said, "The entire Olympian pantheon is finished. They will be replaced by Holiness. Soon, everyone, including Greeks, Romans, Latins, Germans, Anatolians, Persians, will become followers of Holiness."
"How is that possible... The Olympian pantheon has gone through so many challenges, how could it just disappear?" Pandora said in disbelief.
"Yes," Linley answered.
Not only the Olympian pantheon, but also the Druid beliefs of the Latins, the Odin beliefs of the Germans, and various forest nymph and dwarf beliefs, will all disappear, leaving only Holiness. It will take hundreds or thousands of years before people grow tired of Holiness, and these beliefs will be revived in novels, comics, movies, and games.
"What about you?" Pandora looked at Linley worriedly.
"Me? I will stay here and guard the faith of Dionysus, waiting for the right time," Linley said.
"What if we are discovered?" Pandora asked.
"Then we fight," Linley answered, "If that doesn't work, I'll flee to the East."
"Didn't you just say that the Persians will also become followers of Holiness? What's the use of fleeing to the East?" Pandora asked.
"Even further East," Linley said.
"You mean India? That's a wild land, full of savages," Pandora said.
"Even further," Linley said.
"Isn't that the edge of the world?" Pandora exclaimed.