Chapter 152

Baal and Thetis returned only by the next evening.

Perhaps even for a god, going into the deep sea isn’t easy; Baal’s complexion had darkened considerably.

Darker than Nyx’s hair resting on my knee.

“Alright, I’ve passed this test. I’ve been to the depths of the ocean now, so there’s nowhere this small young god can’t go, right?”

“Hmm. Your complexion doesn’t look good. Should we postpone the next test a bit?”

At my words, Baal’s face twitched in surprise before slowly shaking his head.

“I’m fine… There’s just one left anyway…”

“Hmm. The last one was Sagarmatha, wasn’t it?”

Sagarmatha silently stared at Baal without saying a word.

He’s the child I raised like my own… but sometimes it’s hard to know what he’s thinking.

What kind of test will that kid come up with?

“Yeah. It’s decided.”

Sagarmatha slowly opened his mouth.

“You’ve passed my test.”

“Hmm?”

All of a sudden? What is he talking about? That kid?

“I originally prepared another test, but it seems unnecessary now. I’ll count this as passing.”

Hmm… I don’t know what change of heart he had, but does this mean Baal can become the King of Gods?

Since I can delegate tasks to Baal now, I should be happy, but I still don’t understand why Sagarmatha let him pass.

“By the way, what was the original test you planned?”

“Yeah. Treasure retrieval.”

“Treasure? What kind of treasure?”

“Without using divine powers, while in human form, retrieve treasures created and blessed by Mom.”

Treasures created and blessed by me… Hmm… There are quite a few, but most are in the hands of powerful people. Retrieving them without divine powers would be tough.

This would have been no easy test. And inevitably, conflicts with humans or other races could arise.

Well, lucky we skipped it.

I set Nyx down from my lap and stood up, saying:

“Though the final test feels a bit anticlimactic, dragging things out too long isn’t good either, so maybe this is appropriate… Now everyone’s approval has been obtained.”

With my inclusion, seven in total. The seven strongest gods in this world have approved the Sky God, who will rule over countless gods.

A temple, divine throne, and symbols of authority must be prepared for him.

“Then, let’s prepare the location for Baal’s coronation ceremony and the world where the gods will reside. It’ll take a few days, so once preparations are done, everyone should rest well. Especially Baal.”

Seeing Baal’s still pale complexion after Tethys’ test, I said worriedly:

“Ah, yeah… I’ll rest for a while…”

“Good. Everyone else, rest well too.”

With that, I moved through space, leaving Baal and the kids behind.

Alright, time to create the world where the gods will gather.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“But Sagarmatha, is it really okay to pass him?”

“Hm? What’s the problem?”

Sylphid asked the expressionless Sagarmata.

“You were determined not to let anything slide. But now you’re letting him pass without doing anything…”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

After Tethys’ test ended, Baal’s complexion improved slightly upon returning, though he still didn’t look completely recovered.

Looking at such Baal, Sagarmata coolly stated:

“It seems Tethys’ story had enough effect.”

“Tethys? What did Tethys say?”

“I don’t know exactly. And Sylphid doesn’t need to know either.”

Cutting off the conversation coldly, as if it wasn’t necessary for her to know, Sylphid pouted slightly and said:

“Pfft! Fine! Since the tests are all done, I’m going back! Being free to wander is best for me anyway!”

“Then I’ll head back too. The desert should be calm now. I can rest peacefully for a while.”

“Now we’re dispersing? I should return too! I’m worried about the vegetarian habits of the elf children.”

That way, the gathered gods gradually returned to their respective places.

Except for the silent Sagarmata and the exhausted Baal.

“Hmm. They’re all gone.”

After the others left, Sagarmata quietly stood up and approached Baal.

“…?”

Baal tilted his head at Sagarmata, wondering if there was anything left for him since the tests were over.

Such thoughts were interrupted when…

“I have one last thing to say.”

And with that, Sagarmata disappeared.

“If you touch Mom, I’ll kill you.”

A statement devoid of any emotion.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Leaving those cold words behind, Sagarmata quietly left the scene.

Thus, in the temporary space created for Baal’s trials, only the weary Baal remained.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I lightly transferred through space and emerged into the vast sky.

Good. Let’s create the world for the gods now.

Having some experience creating paradises and other worlds, I’ll use that knowledge to make a place for the gods to reside.

The reason for creating a separate world for the gods is to isolate them so they don’t disturb the human world with their immense power, and also to manage the many gods more efficiently.

Even if conflicts arise among the gods, it’s better if it doesn’t affect the human world. Isolation is indeed the right choice.

Hmm, let’s start by naming it.

A space where countless gods will reside… A temple… Hmm, a place gathering numerous temples… Pantheon, perhaps?

Since countless gods will gather here, it should be grand, splendid, and magnificent.

“Excuse me…”

“Hmm?”

Though I moved to the sky where no one else should be, a voice came from behind.

“Where… Where are we?”

A faint voice that seemed ready to fade away. Turning around, I saw…

“Somehow… I followed you…”

Nyx was clinging to my back.

“When did you attach yourself?”

“Right after you put me down… It just felt comfortable somehow…”

Ah, this child is the Goddess of Shadows.

Even though I was lost in thought, not noticing her clinging to my back… Truly worthy of being called the Goddess of Shadows.

“I see. Well then, hmm… I have work to do, so could you step aside?”

“Ah, um… If it’s alright, could I stay like this?”

Stay like this? On my back?

“It doesn’t particularly bother me, but wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“Yes, yes! As long as I don’t fall, I think I can stick here! I’ll stay quiet.”

Hmm… If it won’t interfere with my work… Staying attached might be fine.

“Then, I’ll begin my work. Stay quiet while attached.”

“Yes!”

Thus, with Nyx clinging to my back, I began creating the world for the gods.

Let’s see, different from the paradise where humans go after passing the Underworld’s trials, this is a space for the gods… How about a world high above the clouds? Olympus or Asgard-like feeling?

A world distinctly different from the lower human world would suit gods.

What concept would work best? A world on clouds? A world entered via a rainbow bridge? Or a mountain rising into the sky… No, that’s Sagarmata. Won’t work.

Hmm, let’s go with the main concept of a world on clouds.

What’s that? Like a floating island from some boy’s manga. A world made of clouds solid enough to walk on.

Ah, the entrance should be difficult to access, opening briefly… Twice a day perhaps. Yes! Only during the moments when day and night alternate.

An invisible gate that opens during dawn and dusk, connecting the world of gods and humans. Hmm, sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

And the gate location will be very high in the sky.

Hardly any human would try flying into the world of gods. Dragons might be possible, but they listen to me well, so control shouldn’t be an issue.

Speaking of which, newly born gods versus dragons… Which side is stronger? While dragon individuals seem to have slight advantage in power…

Meh, gods and dragons aren’t going to war anyway, so no need to worry about it.

With these random thoughts, the world above the clouds was completed. At its center stands a massive marble temple. Let’s base the architecture on Greek temples initially.

A clean white marble temple. Giant pillars first, then walls inside forming the grand temple.

The snow-white marble temple shines brilliantly under the heavenly light.

With a triangular roof added, the building is complete. Modeled after the Parthenon temple in Greece.

Even without additional sculptures or reliefs outside, this already looks impressive.

Inside, just the audience chamber facing the divine throne upon entering should suffice.

Several rooms added casually… Hmm, the two-story structure might work given the height?

No, except for the audience chamber with the divine throne, let Baal decide the rest. Just keep the large divine throne for now.

Thus, the first temple of the Pantheon, the Temple of the Sky God, was completed without any additional rooms beyond the audience chamber.

The rest of the construction should follow Baal’s preferences! Let him handle it!

By the way, should I build a temple in the Pantheon too? Hmm… Feels troublesome…

Still, having a temple prepared wouldn’t hurt. Let’s make one smaller than Baal’s.

I won’t be residing there anyway. Just something basic for show.

Can always expand later if needed. For now, let’s keep it small.