Chapter 585: Zeus in Danger!

In the Throne Room of the Gods.

Facing the kindly smiling Zeus, the valiant Athena maintained her composure, her eyes flickering as she spoke, "Guarding Mount Olympus is our duty as gods. Father, your approval is the best reward for me."

Zeus shook his head.

He chuckled and said, "All the gods have received rewards. If you don't, it will seem like I don't care for my own child. Speak, what do you want?"

Athena was silent for a while before calmly responding, "Then please, Father, grant me a golden apple."

The golden apples were magical fruits borne by the tree gifted to Zeus and Hera by Gaia, the Mother of the Gods, at their wedding. A mortal who eats a golden apple gains immortality, no longer troubled by birth, aging, sickness, or death.

Golden apples are supreme divine items for mortals.

However, for Athena, an Olympian deity, the golden apple held little value beyond a refreshing taste. It had no significant effect on her extraordinary divine power, and all the main gods had partaken of golden apples during Zeus and Hera's wedding.

Hearing Athena's request, Zeus smiled and shook his head, saying, "My proud daughter, Athena, you are being too modest."

"How could a single golden apple match your bravery?"

First, Zeus insisted on giving a reward when Athena declined. Now, when she clearly asked for a golden apple, Zeus wanted her to ask for something else.

For a moment, the extraordinarily wise Athena furrowed her delicate brows, thinking quietly without making another request.

"Father, let me think it over."

She said this and then fell silent.

At this moment, the silent and imposing Poseidon suddenly spoke, interrupting Athena's contemplation.

"We all witnessed Athena's performance."

"She deserves the best reward."

After a pause, Poseidon's deep eyes and steady face showed as he spoke in a low voice, "King of the Gods, I suggest granting Athena the position of ruler of the Underworld."

"Hades is being punished and sealed, and the Underworld currently lacks a deity in charge. It would be fitting for the goddess of wisdom to take over."

Athena looked up in surprise, meeting Poseidon's gaze for a moment.

She felt as if Poseidon's eyes contained a stormy ocean.

Giving Athena the position of ruler of the Underworld drew various reactions from the gods.

Athena was already a powerful Olympian deity. If she became the ruler of the Underworld, her powers would increase further, reaching unimaginable levels.

Hades did not want to be the ruler of the Underworld, not because the position was burdensome.

On the contrary, an ordinary deity would be ecstatic to become the ruler of the Underworld.

It was a position of immense power.

Mainly, compared to Poseidon and Zeus, the ruler of the Underworld had a poor reputation and treatment. Additionally, the ruler of the Underworld lacked the status of an Olympian god, confined to the Underworld most of the time.

"To give me the position of ruler of the Underworld?"

"Even if it's temporary, all the gods know that once I take it, it won't be easy for Hades to reclaim it."

Athena averted her gaze, no longer looking directly at Poseidon, contemplating internally.

Meanwhile, Zeus smiled and said, "It's a good idea."

"Athena as the ruler of the Underworld, taking charge temporarily, will surely put the gods at ease."

Zeus looked down at Athena.

"My daughter, this reward will certainly please you."

Athena relaxed her brows but resolutely shook her head, not swayed by Zeus's words, and said, "I don't think I am qualified to govern the Underworld."

"Although the Underworld is currently without a ruler, it can be managed by judges and death gods collectively."

She felt that either Poseidon or her father had ulterior motives.

With Hades just sealed under Mount Olympus, if she took over the Underworld, what would happen if there were more issues with Tartarus?

She couldn't stay in the Underworld indefinitely.

Athena preferred bright environments, finding the gloomy and desolate Underworld repulsive.

At this point, Zeus's expression darkened slightly.

"Athena, you should not refuse a gift from the king of the gods."

He smiled without mirth, thunder flashing in his eyes.

Zeus's attitude made the hall fall silent, the atmosphere becoming heavy.

He was clearly angry, lightning flashing in the air.

Zeus was notoriously stubborn and did not tolerate refusal, even from gods.

At this moment, the previously silent Apollo spoke, "Father, please calm down. The position of ruler of the Underworld is important, and Athena indeed may not be suitable."

The text was modified to show Apollo not declaring allegiance to the king of the gods, remaining hidden among the gods, with Poseidon both overt and covert.

Zeus's thunderous anger gradually subsided.

Apollo, coming to Athena's rescue, said, "Athena, if you don't know what you want, I can offer a suggestion."

Athena wanted nothing.

She had asked for a golden apple earlier, but Zeus had rejected it.

Now, hearing Apollo's words, her eyes flickered, and she said softly, "Please, go ahead."

Apollo nodded, a bright smile of youthful vitality on his handsome face, saying, "You are the goddess of wisdom and war, as well as the goddess of purity and protector of women's labor and childbirth, beloved and revered by wise women everywhere."

Most of Athena's followers were women.

"Why not ask the king of the gods to issue a decree to further elevate women's status?"

Athena pondered.

Apollo continued, "The light of the sun shines impartially on all creatures, regardless of their rank. I believe all beings under the gods should be equal, and women should have the same status as men."

Elevating the status of women would mean raising her followers' status.

I could gain more influence, and my divine power should increase, Athena thought.

This sounded like a good idea.

Moreover, even without considering self-interest, the kind and wise Athena did not wish to see the oppression of many women.

In the Olympus multiverse, due to the weakness of mortals and the various rules set by the gods, there were no numerous diverse civilizations, with society mainly male-dominated.

This injustice even reflected in laws that should embody fairness.

After careful consideration, Athena looked up at the nearly expressionless Zeus and said, "Father, as Apollo suggested."

"I wish for gender equality."

"What specific equality?"

Zeus asked, accepting Athena's request.

The gods found the topic interesting and began discussing it, ultimately deciding on some changes to try.

For example:

Men must not go against women's wishes or force them into childbirth.

Due to women's natural physiological disadvantages, they should be given special treatment, with no discrimination in labor, and should not be required to perform heavy labor.

In divorce, regardless of circumstances, women should receive more compensation.

Laws should consider the natural differences between genders, treating women more leniently, and not being overly harsh.

And so on.

During the discussions, Hephaestus worriedly said, "So much special treatment isn't equality, but giving women privileges. Such drastic changes might not be good."

Hera, who had endured Zeus's infidelities while being bound by various constraints, coldly retorted, "Men have enjoyed privileges for countless years. What's the harm in giving women some privileges?"

Zeus did not stop Hera.

Hephaestus fell silent.

"Increased status for women could lead to more productive labor and childbirth, thus bringing prosperity and more population, benefiting the gods with more belief resources."

"This is good for all the gods."

"Athena, I commend your wise decision."

Apollo said.

Seeing potential benefits from Athena's request, the gods gradually expressed their thanks to her.

The gods were very efficient.

Immediately, they began guiding the intelligent beings of the Olympus multiverse, especially humans, to make societal changes as decided in the Throne Room.

With the gods' combined efforts, women's status greatly improved in just a few years.

As a result, Athena received more sincere belief, with her long-stagnant divine power increasing.

With some rights achieved, the term "feminism" emerged.

Countless women revered Athena as the protector of feminism, following her with fervent belief.

Receiving benefits and praise, Athena became more committed to promoting gender equality—despite years of accumulated history, the gods' guidance had only raised women's status somewhat, but true equality had not been achieved.

"Brother, is this really effective?"

"Athena's followers are increasing, her divine power growing daily. This seems like a bad idea."

In the Golden Sea Temple, a clone of Zeus, sent by the king of the gods, spoke with a somber expression, communicating with Poseidon.

Could Poseidon be deceiving me?

Zeus's naturally suspicious nature made him doubt Poseidon again.

"Zeus, trust me."

"The situation will soon turn around. Athena is enjoying the moment, but she will soon pay the price."

Zeus calmed his restless mind.

Poseidon had orchestrated many schemes; he should be trustworthy in this matter... Zeus remained doubtful.

As time passed, with Athena's promotion, feminism continued to grow.

However, within just ten years, things began to go wrong.

During this time, Athena noticed something amiss.

She advised her followers, using wisdom to guide them, emphasizing that the gods were granting equal rights, not privileges.

But the effect was minimal. The already extreme and radical feminists even doubted Athena's instructions.

Although Athena was brave and wise, she was inherently kind and compassionate towards her followers, unwilling to unleash her wrath, making them even more arrogant.

She believed her wisdom could steer feminism back on track.

But she failed to realize an important point—wise women seeking equal rights were also

 resisting radical feminism, but their voices were drowned in the mad tide.

Until one day, a feminist leader made a shocking declaration.

"Why should the nation's rulers be male? Women can be emperors too!"

More feminist leaders echoed, seeking higher positions of power, demanding the empire provide women with more influential positions and opportunities to become emperors.

This thoroughly angered the ruling class of the empire.

Divine inspiration?

Gender equality?

The empire's nobles, nearly driven to desperation, finally decided to disregard divine guidance and launched a bloody crackdown, heads rolling, blood flowing, and retracted previously established laws and rules, even starting more severe oppression.

During this process, the gods did not intervene.

Noticing the decline in belief, they no longer supported gender equality.

Because the root cause was Athena's request to Zeus, the disgusted males developed severe dissatisfaction and hatred towards Athena, with her belief among males plummeting. Many rulers even ordered the destruction of Athena's temples.

Meanwhile, for many women, the rise in rights and status seemed like a dream.

When they awoke, they faced deeper oppression.

They paid a heavy price for their past unreasonable demands.

However, they did not blame their excessive demands but began to resent, blame, and curse the goddess of wisdom, Athena, who had once granted them rights, believing she caused it all.

Thus.

Even among women, Athena's belief plummeted.

"How could this happen?"

In the heavens of Olympus, Athena's face was gloomy, with a crack in her forehead leaking divine light.

This plummet in belief was an unprecedented blow to her.

Mentally, Athena also struggled to accept this outcome. She had intended to elevate women's status, but it backfired, leading to this result.

"Was it my father, Poseidon, or Apollo's deliberate design?"

"No matter, my original intent was genuine. It's no longer important who designed it."

Disheartened and with her divine core damaged, Athena chose to sleep, sealing her mind and body.

"Poseidon, your wisdom is truly impressive."

"Even Athena's wisdom couldn't see this trap."

In the Golden Sea Temple, Zeus smiled, praising Poseidon.

But deep down, he became even more wary and cautious of Poseidon.

"No, I merely saw the future, not wisdom."

Poseidon chuckled.

"Zeus, now Athena and Hades, who could threaten your throne, pose no threat."

"For a long time, you can rest easy."

Poseidon shifted the topic.

"Yes, brother, thanks to you."

"When the time is right, the position of ruler of the Underworld will be yours."

Zeus patted Poseidon's shoulder, while internally pondering how to remove his last obstacle—Poseidon.

Zeus was never a saint. He never fully trusted the brotherly affection.

After using Poseidon to weaken and suppress Hades and Athena, Poseidon became his final significant concern.

Poseidon, Athena, Hades.

This was Zeus's internal ranking of threats to his position.

Poseidon was at the top.

Now, having witnessed Poseidon's abilities firsthand, Zeus could no longer tolerate this brother, seeing him as a major instability.

"I need to find a way to weaken, if not eliminate, Poseidon!"

Zeus thought.

Poseidon nodded, agreeing, "I am satisfied to rule the Underworld and the mortal seas."

Meanwhile, 'Poseidon' internally whispered, "My foolish brother, after using you to remove two troublesome ones, it's time to deal with you."

"And I have long planned how to do it!"

_________________________

[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] 

[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]

[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]