Ever since Lorne proposed the suggestion of jointly compiling written laws, Themis had been somewhat dazed and distracted for several consecutive days.
She even cast aside her original plan of closing the door and sending off the guests.
During the time he stayed on the island, Lorne sensibly did not bring up the old matter again.
Instead, he used chess as an excuse to invite this heavy-hearted goddess of justice to play a couple of games every day for recreation.
Of course, playing chess was only the means.
His real purpose was to take the opportunity of spending time alone with Themis every day.
In the posture of a seeker of knowledge, he would ask this goddess of justice some questions related to justice and law.
Along the way, he would throw out some difficult cases, and through the method of joint discussion and contemplation, he would gradually introduce the concept of natural law that Greece would have in the future.
For example, from Solon's reform statement of "formulating laws without distinction between noble and commoner, treating all equally, acting with justice, and letting everyone get what they deserve," he proposed "written laws" and "judicial equality."
From Plato's "philosopher king" and "rule by the virtuous," he turned to discussing the pros and cons of "cultivating professional legal talents" and "emotional public referendums by the entire populace."
From Aristotle's view that "rule of law" is superior to "rule by man," he explained where exactly the superiority of the rule of law lay...
In order to successfully arouse Themis's interest, Lorne had put in a lot of effort.
He had almost dug out all the knowledge related to ancient Greek law that was in his head.
This approach of catering to her preferences produced immediate results.
Almost every day, even before Lorne could take the initiative to speak, this goddess of justice would voluntarily sit in front of the chessboard, waiting for the recreation of "playing a couple of games."
Seeing that Themis had already begun to truly enjoy it, Lorne took the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot.
During their daily chess games and casual conversations, he would cite relevant difficult cases and cooperate with this goddess of justice to conduct court simulations.
Using the case law method, they would derive legal provisions and sentencing.
Basically, the scene often involved Lorne throwing out half of a question, while Themis completed the other half and filled in the loopholes.
However, taking real historical factors into consideration, the selected prototypes of legal provisions naturally would not be too advanced.
Athens' "Draconian Code," ancient Rome's "Twelve Tables," ancient Babylon's "Code of Hammurabi"... and other early written laws in history all became topics of discussion between the two under Lorne's guidance.
As a result, the three goddesses Astraea, Thetis, and Hecate often saw Lorne and Themis playing chess in a casual manner, while at the same time acting as prosecution and defense respectively, engaging in intense legal debates with sharp words and heated arguments.
Themis had the advantage in talent and sharpness, but Lorne also possessed knowledge that surpassed the era.
Moreover, he was no novice in ancient law.
He had the experience of serving as a clerk on Crete and had handled quite a few difficult cases during the time when King Minos was bedridden.
Therefore, their exchanges could be described as back and forth, wonderful and brilliant.
And after every daily "couple of games," dozens of sheepskin scrolls filled with writing would often appear on Themis's table.
There was no need to guess.
Lorne also knew that those were most likely the trial records and insights on legal provisions that this goddess of justice had secretly written down.
As the days passed one by one, these two would come every day in high spirits and return fully satisfied, living quite fulfilling lives.
But the other three goddesses, on the contrary, felt somewhat superfluous.
They could only huddle together for warmth, often gathering to chat, which indirectly cultivated quite a good relationship between them.
~~
On the chessboard, as the black king's piece was pushed over, one game came to an end.
Themis looked at the black king piece in her hand and the distinct black-and-white chessboard, and could not help but speak with emotion.
"If everything in the world was as simple and clear as playing chess, with rules to follow and regulations to obey, perhaps there would not be so many disputes."
"The premise is that one needs to find someone who can set the rules for the world."
Lorne helped up the fallen queen piece and looked meaningfully at the person opposite him.
That goddess of justice remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.
"Even if rules are formulated, what if someone is unwilling to obey them?"
Lorne answered without thinking, "Then find a way to eliminate the interfering factors and achieve fairness as much as possible."
Themis seriously looked at the young god in front of her and asked faintly, "What if this interfering factor is the gods themselves?"
"The gods belong to the gods, and humans belong to humans." Lorne's answer remained straightforward as he explained in a seemingly respectful manner, "Since the laws are formulated for humans, they should naturally apply to human groups.
The gods reside high in the heavens. How could they be bound by the rules of the mortal world?
It would be better for them to peacefully enjoy sacrifices and glory, and let this order belong to the earth."
Upon hearing this, Themis slightly raised her eyebrows.
For some reason, she always felt that the little guy in front of her had hidden meanings in his words, as if he was plotting some unknown scheme.
However, before this goddess of justice could think about it seriously,
Lorne opposite her had already smiled and stood up, bowing deeply.
"Your Highness Themis, the discussions I have had with you in recent days have benefited me greatly. I am very honored to have you as a good teacher guiding me in my study of law.
However, all good things must come to an end. Now that my companion's injuries have fully healed, it is inconvenient for me to continue disturbing you. It is time for me to formally bid you farewell."
"You are leaving?"
Hearing these words, Themis could not help but stand up abruptly.
Her expression subconsciously tensed up a little, and a sense of loss rose in her heart.
"Yes!"
Lorne nodded seriously and answered truthfully.
"Just as you said, laws that cannot truly be put into practice will ultimately only be empty words on paper.
Therefore, I plan to return to Athens and suggest to King Aegeus and the goddess of wisdom Athena that we establish a court on the Areopagus to trial judicial arbitrations.
At the same time, I will organize manpower to advance the compilation of written laws."
In the age of myths, the Areopagus already had the prototype of a court because of the trial against Ares.
After the divine era, it even more openly shouldered the function of guarding the laws of the Athenian city-state, governing most of the most important affairs in the city-state and directly trying and punishing all those who disturbed public order.
With this foundation, using this place as a testing ground was the most suitable.
"Is that so? Not a bad idea."
Themis nodded and gave an objective evaluation.
However, she then glanced at the sacred mountain that faintly appeared and disappeared among the stars, and murmured in a low voice.
"But in the end, it is only an idea..."
"Yes, there is indeed a distance from idea to actual implementation."
Lorne nodded slightly in agreement, with the smile on his face still brilliant.
"But to cross this distance and put fairness and justice into practice is not by waiting, but by striving for it!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Themis felt as if she had been struck by lightning and could not help but be moved.
Beneath the black veil, her eyes gazed deeply at the young god before her for a very long time.
On him, there seemed to be something she had once lost.
Sensing that Themis's gaze sizing him up carried a trace of unusual emotion, Lorne's heart stirred before he spoke in a deep voice. "Actually, before leaving, I still have one presumptuous request. I would like to invite you, the primordial goddess of justice, to jointly participate in the formulation of the first written code of laws."
However, Themis still shook her head.
"We once swore upon the River Styx that we would not casually step out of our own domain to interfere with the order of the mortal world."
Sigh, after working so hard for so long, it still did not work.
Just as Lorne was feeling quite disappointed, Themis waved her hand toward the door.
"Astraea!"
"Teacher, did you call for me?"
The other goddess of justice curiously poked her head in.
"Athens is preparing to compile a written code of laws.
This is an excellent opportunity for learning and tempering. You should accompany him there."
Themis pointed at Lorne and gave serious instructions to her disciple.
'Losing in one place but gaining in another.
Well, whatever.... that would do too.
It was still better than returning empty-handed.'
Seeing that the matter was already settled, Lorne could only comfort himself this way.
Upon receiving the order, Astraea immediately broke into a wide smile as she patted her chest toward the young male god beside her whom she quite liked, looking as if she was saying "Big sis has got your back."
"Relax, I am very familiar with Athens! If there is anything you do not understand, you can ask me for guidance."
Lorne squeezed out a stiff smile on his face, but in his heart he could not help but secretly grumble.
'Did you not understand what your teacher meant?
She wants you to assist me, right?
Moreover, once we reach Athens, it is not certain who will be protecting whom.'
At this moment, Themis saw her disciple's carefree and straightforward behavior and could not help but press her forehead and sigh.
This child is good in every way, except that she is too straightforward.
She really should not have learned law from her and become the new goddess of justice.
After a moment of silence, Themis seemed to have made up her mind as she raised her head to look at Astraea, pointed to the bedroom in the rear hall, and gave a solemn command.
"You, come into the room with me!"
"W-what is wrong?"
Facing her teacher's sudden sternness, Astraea instinctively shrank her neck.
"There is something I need to give you..."
Themis answered lightly, then pulled Astraea toward her bedroom, closed the door, set up layer upon layer of barriers, and under her disciple's astonished gaze, removed the black veil covering her eyes, revealing a pair of bright eyes as deep and boundless as the starry sky.
~~
The next day.
Departure was imminent.
Anyway he couldn't stay at the same place forever, right.
After all, there were many things he wanted to do.
Although Themis didn't agree to come, someone was still better than no one.
Lorne and Thetis arrived early in front of the starlight curtain and waited quietly.
A quarter of an hour later, two figures walked over side by side in the morning light.
Lorne looked from afar and could not help but feel joy in his heart.
Could it be?
However, as the two figures drew closer, his expression darkened a few shades.
"It is you?"
"Is it necessary to show such disgust?"
Hecate immediately covered her chest with a resentful look and put on a dejected and heartbroken expression.
"How could that be? You, my venerable grandmaster, are busy with ten thousand affairs every day.
There is no need for you to trouble yourself with something trivial like seeing us off."
While Lorne was perfunctorily replying with a smile that did not reach his eyes, he secretly grumbled in his heart.
Just now, he really thought Themis had changed her mind, but it turned out he was happy for nothing.
Instead of Themis it's this Nemesis.
How utterly infuriating.
"Seeing us off? No, I am going to set off together with all of you."
"Huh?" However, Hecate's answer caught Lorne somewhat off guard.
"What? You are going too?"
"That is right. I happen to have some matters that I need to personally attend to in Athens."
"What matters?"
"It is confidential..."
Hecate raised her index finger in front of her lips, made a "shh" gesture, smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more.
Hearing this answer, Lorne could not help but frown, and at the same time, a faint ominous premonition couldn't help but rise in his heart.
Could it be that something has happened in Athens?
Thinking of this, his heart tightened and he took the initiative to speak.
"Everyone, it is getting late. Let us set off now."
"Good!"
Astraea nodded readily, then turned the golden scales on both sides of the Sword of Judgment, opening the starlight curtain that enveloped the island.
Lorne walked to the seaside, traced several lines of Hermes script with his fingers, and summoned his bronze war chariot along with two immortal divine horses.
Although they had suffered considerable damage in the previous battle, after a period of recuperation in the sea and thanks to their immortal nature, the two divine steeds had already recovered completely.
As soon as they saw their master, the divine horses that had been pent up for so long snorted loudly and trotted around Lorne in excitement.
"Alright, I will let you run to your heart's content in a moment!"
Lorne scolded with a laugh as he patted the heads of the two divine horses, then grabbed the reins, stabilized the chariot, and first helped the three goddesses board it.
Moments later, accompanied by the surging waves, the two immortal divine horses galloped freely across the water.
But soon, a familiar blood-red light spread from the clouds ahead, and thick scarlet filled the sky.
She really refuses to leave!
Seeing the goddess of calamity ahead, who held dark red twin swords, had red hair draped over her shoulders, and carried black wings on her back, Lorne could not help but curse in his heart.
It had already been several months, yet Eris was still squatting nearby waiting in ambush.
One had to admit that this woman's desire for revenge was ridiculously strong.
Seeing the three ducks that had originally escaped once again falling back into the palm of her hand,
Eris could not help but reveal a triumphant smile on her face as she waved her swords and shouted.
"Let's see who can save you this time!"
At the same time, three beautiful women dressed in black veils with pale faces appeared on a desolate island to the side.
Their sinister aura brought a strange sense of familiarity.
The three Furies?
As his gaze swept across the faces of the three beautiful women, Lorne hesitated for a moment before finally confirming their original identities.
It wasn't that his memory had some problem or something, it's just that they looked so different from the witches he saw in their previous encounter.
Strange, where were the snake hair on their heads and the black wings behind them?
Hecate swept her gaze over the three Furies blocking the way and could not help but click her tongue in praise as a trace of schadenfreude flashed in her eyes.
"They actually digested the beast form and are gradually transforming toward the original Titan appearance.
It seems that after not seeing them for some time, your friends have become quite a bit stronger."
"The original Titan appearance?"
Lorne was somewhat puzzled.
As his master ancestor,
Hecate smiled and gave an explanation to her grand-disciple.
In the far ancient divine era, reproduction was a symbol of power.
Therefore, those early Titan gods, whether through sexual union or asexual creation, gave birth to a large number of mixed-blood Titan descendants.
They often possessed all kinds of strange shapes.
However, inherited memories would cause them to gradually converge toward the unified appearance of one head, two arms, and two legs.
This appearance was generally regarded as a way to hide and protect themselves while allowing normal interaction.
Once they had dissolved the remnants of the beast form, it meant that both their intellect and their authorities had undergone a qualitative leap.
Clearly, in the previous chase battle, the three Furies had harvested quite a lot of the concepts of "hatred" and "revenge," and had now become much stronger.
"Then what if they reveal the beast parts again?"
"If gods, monsters, and Titans reveal their true forms, it means they have entered an attack state.
They need to display their strongest power in their original form to fight their opponents."
"Oh, so that is how it is."
Lorne looked at the three Furies on the island, whose long hair had turned into venomous snakes, blood tears flowing from their eyes, faces gradually becoming hideous and suddenly understood.
Immediately afterward, he pressed down on Hecate's shoulder, grinned wickedly, and without hesitation threw this master ancestor from the war chariot toward the island where the three Furies were.
Then, under the dumbfounded expressions of the other two goddesses, Lorne decisively urged the bronze war chariot to accelerate forward, charging out of the blood-cloud encirclement and speeding away into the distance.
(End of this chapter)