Confidence is born from strength.
When your power is sufficient, everything else falls into place. This truth applies equally to gods.
The Sanctuary, once subservient to the will of the Mythic World, no longer bows to it.
This change stems from a simple fact: Athena, having ascended as the Trinity Earth Mother Goddess, has elevated the Sanctuary beyond dependence on any external force. Even the Mythic World holds little sway over her now.
Athena's voice was calm as she addressed Prometheus.
"Creation… It is unnecessary to rush. The urgency lies with the Mythic World, not the Sanctuary."
Prometheus bowed deeply.
"Yes, Lady Athena."
He understood. The Sanctuary's position was no longer one of weakness or desperation. The era of submission to the Mythic World was over.
Among the five God-Kings, Athena was indisputably in the top three, vying for the second position.
Hades was unquestionably the strongest, a fact rooted in his vast accumulation of power and the recent birth of the human evil, Love and Desire.
The Mythic World, despite its outrage, could do little but endure the aftermath and attempt to mend its wounds.
Meanwhile, Athena's power, as the Trinity Earth Mother, placed her above most other gods. While her Black and Earth aspects had reached perfection, her Dragon Serpent aspect remained incomplete. Once this was resolved, she would rival Hades, potentially surpassing him.
Prometheus, fully aware of this, quietly marveled at the transformation of the Sanctuary.
Once, the Sanctuary relied entirely on the Mythic World for survival. Now, it could stand alone, untouchable even if the Mythic World itself collapsed.
"Prometheus," Athena said softly, bringing his thoughts back to the present. "What is the status of the 88 Saints? Have they all been selected?"
In the past, Athena left the management of such matters to Metis and Prometheus. Although the 88 Saints were integral to the Sanctuary, she had rarely involved herself directly in their selection or training.
Prometheus nodded seriously.
"Yes, Lady Athena. All 88 Saints have been selected. Each one is a hero of the Heroic Era, chosen with great care to perfectly match the constellations they represent."
Athena's gaze remained calm.
"Good," she said. "The next step is to accelerate their training. The new era is on the horizon, and its arrival is uncertain. If the Sanctuary cannot fully prepare its Saints, we risk falling behind in the coming struggle."
Prometheus bowed again, acknowledging the gravity of her words.
Athena's demeanor was composed, but the weight of her statement was undeniable. The Saints were not mere soldiers; they were crucial to the Sanctuary's strength and influence.
Yet, the Sanctuary faced a significant disadvantage.
Unlike the Underworld and the Sea Realm, it lacked the depth of divine resources and reinforcements to bolster its ranks.
This forced Athena to turn to humanity.
During the Heroic Era, Athena had systematically gathered and cultivated heroes, preparing them for roles as Saints. These heroes, forged in the fires of the Era's brutal wars, possessed unparalleled potential.
"Prometheus," Athena continued, "focus all efforts on nurturing the Saints. Their potential is vast, but they must be honed quickly. There is no time to waste."
Prometheus hesitated before speaking.
"Lady Athena," he said cautiously, "while the Saints' potential is undeniable, their growth will take time. Even the most rigorous training may not suffice to make them competitive in the new era."
He paused before adding, "In this new age, only those at the level of God-King or higher will have the right to compete. Without such power, the Saints may struggle to participate meaningfully."
Athena nodded thoughtfully.
"Your concerns are valid, Prometheus," she replied. "But the Saints' value extends beyond direct power. They are a symbol of the Sanctuary's strength and a foundation for its future.
"In the short term, their development may fall behind. But in the long term, they will be indispensable."
Prometheus bowed again, recognizing the wisdom in her words.
Athena knew that the Sanctuary could not rely on its Saints alone to secure its place in the new era. The age that lay ahead would be defined by the titanic struggles of God-Kings and entities even greater.
But the Saints represented something more profound: the Sanctuary's enduring legacy and the embodiment of humanity's potential.
In this, Athena placed her faith.
Prometheus, however, remained pragmatic.
"Lady Athena," he said, "if the Saints are to play a role in this era, we must explore additional methods to accelerate their growth. Conventional training alone may not suffice."
Athena's gaze sharpened.
"What do you propose?" she asked.
Prometheus hesitated briefly before responding.
"There are ways to enhance their power, Lady Athena. Ancient techniques, artifacts, and the potential guidance of divine beings. By combining these methods, we may achieve results far beyond ordinary means."
Athena considered his words carefully.
"Very well," she said after a moment. "Pursue these methods with caution. The Saints are not tools to be recklessly expended. Ensure their development remains aligned with the Sanctuary's principles."
"Understood," Prometheus replied, his tone resolute.
With that, Athena dismissed him, her mind already turning to the challenges ahead.
The Sanctuary's Saints were not merely warriors; they were the embodiment of her divine vision. In them, Athena saw the future of her realm, a future in which humanity and divinity stood united against the trials of the new age.
The road to that future, however, was fraught with peril.
As Athena gazed into the distance, her thoughts drifted briefly to Metis, her mother, whose sacrifice had set the stage for the Sanctuary's rise.
One day, perhaps, Athena would attain the power to bring Metis back. But for now, her focus remained firmly on the present.
The era of the Saints had only just begun.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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