Chapter 255: Chapter 61 Awakening

The Sun Chariot had already reached the west, and the afterglow of the sunset painted the earth with a layer of golden varnish. The Afterthinker’s residence wasn’t far from the human tribes, yet it was separated by a wide river.

This river had been born at the turn of an era, as a result of the residual effects of two Ancient Gods clashing; hence, it had no River God. Instead, a double-headed beast tainted with the blood of the Sea God occupied it.

Under the intimidation of the beast, there were no traces of human activity in this place, even though it was only separated by one river.

But today, three distinct-looking but splendidly dressed goddesses arrived here. They were clad in gemstone-studded gowns, crowns of flowers on their heads, and holding bouquets, radiating an aura of beauty and joy.

When they stood together, even the deserted riverbank seemed like the site of a winding streamside feast, eliciting a sense of heartfelt pleasure.

“Aglaea, why did Father God make us visit a mortal?”

With a slightly arrogant expression, Thalia complained to her youngest sister.

“She is not a mortal, Thalia, she is Pandora, blessed by all the gods.”

With a serene smile, Aglaea quietly explained.

“What’s the difference? She was created by gods, and so were humans. Does being blessed by the gods make her divine?”

Feeling unconvinced, Thalia, the oldest and most mature-looking among them, actually knew that Pandora was not just any mortal, but regardless, she could not be considered a god’s equal.

Yet such a person had received a blessing from all the gods, something she had never enjoyed.

“Let it go, Thalia. Regardless, she has married a deity. Perhaps Father God wants us to express his benevolence, especially since both the foolish god’s brothers have been punished by the Divine Court sequentially.”

Euphrosyne stopped Thalia’s complaints.

The three Graces, daughters of the Oceanide Eurynome, were respectively in charge of elegance and splendor, mirth and festivity, encouragement and enjoyment. From a certain perspective, they seemed to represent the beauty of different female age stages.

The youngest, Aglaea, was graceful and quiet, often preferring solitude to admire the beauty of mountains and rivers; Euphrosyne, the second, enjoyed a more lively atmosphere, frequently bringing smiles to those around her; Thalia, the eldest, was no longer satisfied with ordinary pleasures. She presided over indulgence and feasting, bringing more thrilling enjoyment to everyone.

Perhaps for this reason, the eldest one appeared somewhat fond of comparison, while the youngest was much more polite.

“Hmph.”

With a huff, Thalia accepted Euphrosyne’s reasoning. Despite her disdain for Epimetheus, he was at least a descendant of the Titans, and both his brothers were renowned among the gods for their wisdom and strength, and he himself possessed considerable Divine Power.

Though this ‘considerable’ was only so when compared to the three of them, in the current age, true gods with lesser Divine Power were indeed rare.

Ending their brief spat, the three goddesses walked towards the distant garden. This garden, built by Epimetheus for Pandora, surrounded their dwelling.

“Oh, you are—”

Approaching unconcealed, the Graces startled the lady at home, Pandora, who was wearing a spacious robe. She looked up from the flowerbed and gazed into the distance.

As embodiments of beauty, the three goddesses embodied different forms of ‘beauty’ despite their dissimilar appearances, and in this respect, Pandora, blessed by the true Goddess of Beauty, was not inferior. But compared to their lavish attire, her dress was much plainer.

As Athena had not yet been born, the ‘bright-eyed maiden’, victorious in battles and skilled in crafts, naturally had no chance to cloak Pandora in a feathered dress. Thus, as the first mortal woman in the world, a sense of envy rose in Pandora’s heart, which she quickly suppressed.

She was a life blessed by the gods; a mere dress was not worth concerning herself with.

“I am Aglaea, and these are my two sisters. We have come to visit the brother of the Forethinker.”

Aglaea said with a polite smile.

“Then please come in, ladies. I have heard of your names. Unfortunately, Epimetheus left not long ago, saying he would be gone for quite some time.”

Stepping forward, Pandora opened the gate to the garden and spoke.

“Is that so… That is indeed unfortunate.”

With a slight smile, Aglaea pulled her somewhat reluctant sister into the garden.

Bright, vibrant flowers bloomed unseasonably along the sides of the path paved with fine stones, courtesy of Demeter’s blessing, making Pandora’s surroundings perpetually flourish with flowers, eternal like spring.

Entering the garden, Aglaea casually started a conversation while observing the environment and layout.

“On a daily basis, is it just you and Prince Epimetheus living here? It must feel a bit lonely.”

“Not just us, there’s also my daughter Pitha, who was recently born. Furthermore, Deucalion often visits us.”

Pandora spoke of Deucalion with a hint of regret.

“He did not inherit his parents’ powers, and his divinity is almost nonexistent. As a completely ordinary demigod, he also lives with us in the Mortal Realm.”