King of Underworld

Chapter 125: One Who Covets the Queen of the Underworld – (1)

Heracles felt the distinct change in how people viewed him.

When he had captured the Nemean Lion, people had revered him as a hero…

But now, the reactions were much more varied.

“That’s him…”

“The lion pelt… the golden sword at his waist. That’s Heracles.”

“Isn’t he exaggerating his accomplishments? How could a mere human…”

“Shh! Shh! There are even rumors he’s a god incarnate on Earth.”

“He does look like he’s strong, but did he really kill the Hydra, Chrysaor, and Lamia all at once?”

It seemed that because his achievements were too extraordinary, he was attracting all sorts of people.

Some looked at the hero with eyes filled with envy, even suspicion. Others believed him to be a god descended to Earth.

Respect, admiration, jealousy, and doubt filled the eyes of the public.

“Are you Heracles? Hmph. I can’t believe that thing you’re wearing is really from the Nemean Lion.”

Yes, there were also people like this.

Eyes filled with defiance. The desire to defeat a well-known hero.

Heracles ignored the man who blocked his path and grabbed his shoulder.

After all, he was on his way to report to Hera’s temple, and thanks to the teachings of his mentor Chiron…

“Heracles, you must not harm the weak recklessly.”

“Teacher Chiron, but if such fools provoke me first, I have no choice but to…”

“Even then, resolve it within reasonable limits.”

“Why must I do that?”

“If you intend to become a hero, strength alone is enough. But, from what I’ve heard from Lord Hades, your goal is to become a god, correct? If you harshly treat mortals just because they irritate you, even if you become a god, you’ll never earn their genuine worship. Well, not that you’ll become a god anyway.”

Honestly, he mostly just found it annoying.

The man who had grabbed Heracles was lightly pushed aside by his strength, left staring in shock at his own hand and the hero walking away.

Heracles still couldn’t fully understand.

What did becoming a god have to do with earning humans’ sincere reverence?

In any case, isn’t it easy enough to receive praise by slaying a few monsters and accomplishing some minor feats in front of other mortals?

“Look at that… the guy who won the pankration tournament last time was just pushed away like nothing…”

“My god. He couldn’t even compare in terms of strength.”

From birth until now… praise and admiration had always been familiar to him.

Was this really necessary? It didn’t particularly make him feel good or anything.

However, he had a feeling that merely completing the labors wouldn’t be enough to achieve his goal.

Something. Something was needed… But isn’t a god supposed to be the best in one field, anyway?

“Praise to Zeus, who has blessed us with another clear sky today…”

“Pluto, god of justice…”

Heracles glanced briefly at the praise given to his father and uncle before resuming his steps.

Still, I don’t really understand.

* * *

Pirithous.

The king of Thessaly, he was widely known in Athens as a close friend of the wise hero Theseus.

After his wife died giving birth to his son, Pirithous decided to remarry.

And so, he sought the help of his dear friend Theseus, who had slain the Minotaur—half-man, half-bull monster of Crete—and was happily married to the Cretan princess Ariadne.

“Pirithous, you’ve come to me for help?”

“Yes, Theseus. You’re already married, aren’t you? My wife has passed away, and I was hoping you could help me find a new bride.”

“Since it’s a favor from you, I have no reason to refuse. Tell me more.”

Theseus readily agreed.

Being close to the king of Thessaly itself was a great advantage, and Pirithous was his dear friend, after all.

But the woman Pirithous desired was rather special.

“I want to marry the goddess of spring, who is said to be incredibly beautiful. Can you help me?”

“What…?”

“The beauty of the goddess born to Demeter and Zeus is said to be renowned even in this world.”

Theseus momentarily doubted his ears.

He was dumbfounded that his friend was aiming for not just any woman, but a goddess.

And he was even more shocked when he realized that the goddess in question was Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, and wife of Pluto.

“…Just give it up.”

“What kind of talk is that? I’m the king of Thessaly. Why shouldn’t I be able to marry a goddess?”

“Are you out of your mind? You’re talking about targeting the Queen of the Underworld. Change your mind before it’s too late.”

“I didn’t know you were so timid.”

“It’s not about being scared! Listen to me, and you’ll understand.”

With a sigh, Theseus began to tell his story.

Having trained in the Underworld’s training grounds, Theseus…

He had slain countless villains and monsters, including the Minotaur, and was fleeing with the Cretan princess Ariadne, heading for home.

To be precise, they were sailing towards Athens, but had stopped on an island when…

“Hey, lowly human.”

“Who… Who are you…?”

“I am Dionysus. The wine you drink daily is my blessing.”

In the dead of night, while Ariadne slept, Theseus had been keeping watch over the campfire when a god appeared before him.

No less than one of the twelve Olympian gods, Dionysus, the god of wine and madness.

“The beauty of that Cretan princess, Ariadne, is truly remarkable.”

“Uh… Yes, but…”

“That woman has been chosen as my wife.”

“What…?! What do you mean by that…?!”

“You don’t understand, do you? I’ve chosen her as my bride, so leave this island and get lost.”

No matter how great a hero Theseus was for killing the Minotaur, he was still just a human.

His opponent was a god.

A god who ruled over madness, no less.

He couldn’t possibly go against him. Would he really have to give up Ariadne?

Just as he was sinking into despair, salvation arrived.

A woman with her eyes covered by a blindfold, carrying a sword and scales, walked out from behind Dionysus.

“You’re the one who should leave.”

“What?! Who dares… Dike?!”

“…Lord Hades told me to pass this message. If you covet another person’s lover again, he will bring you to the Underworld.”

“Ugh! Damn it…!”

Hearing the conversation between the gods, Theseus quickly understood the situation.

He had almost lost his wife to Dionysus just now, but the goddess of justice, Dike, had intervened and saved him.

And the one who had sent her was none other than Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld, known for his fairness and mercy.

After driving away Dionysus, the goddess of justice smiled kindly at Theseus.

Relieved by that compassionate smile, the hero bowed his head and asked a question.

“Did… Did Lord Pluto really send you, goddess?”

“The Lord of the Underworld is quite busy. I simply borrowed his name.”

“Is that so…! Truly, thank you so much, Lady Dike!”

“However, I was only able to turn away Lord Dionysus because of Lord Hades. If this happens again, seek help at Hades’ temple.”

“Thank you so much to Lord Pluto as well…”

Indeed, that made sense. Even though Dike was the goddess of justice, her opponent had been one of the twelve Olympian gods.

Without the protection of the Lord of the Underworld, the god of madness wouldn’t have backed down so easily.

Theseus safely returned to his home city of Athens with Ariadne, became king, and immediately built statues in honor of Pluto and the goddess Dike.

Even though Athens was a city that primarily worshiped only the goddess of wisdom…

Theseus had explained his situation to the temple of Athena and received permission to also worship the Lord of the Underworld and the goddess of justice.

From that point on, Theseus’s faith extended not only to the goddess of wisdom but also to the Lord of the Underworld and the goddess of justice.

* * *

Theseus explained all of this to Pirithous.

He was confident that his friend, who owed so much to Pluto’s wife, wouldn’t dare covet her.

But Pirithous wasn’t concerned at all.

“Tch… So you’re saying you won’t help me? I’m greatly disappointed to see you’re such a coward.”

“No, it’s not cowardice…! Ugh…”

“Enough, enough. Even if you won’t help, I’ll find a way to make the goddess Persephone my bride.”

Theseus, frustrated, pounded his chest.

How could a mere human desire a goddess—especially the Queen of the Underworld?

And even if Persephone were to marry him, her father was Zeus, her mother was Demeter…

And when Pirithous died, he would go to the Underworld, where Persephone’s husband ruled as its king!

Despite Theseus’s repeated attempts at persuasion, Pirithous remained unmoved.

His eyes were filled with an ambition to marry Persephone, no matter what it took.

Realizing that he could no longer persuade his friend, Theseus rubbed his forehead and asked him,

“So, what exactly is your plan to marry the goddess Persephone?”

“It’s simple.”

In a voice brimming with confidence, the king of Thessaly replied.

Theseus, wearing a blank expression, stared at his friend, no—this delusional madman.

“I’ll go down to the Underworld, and I’ll tell Hades, ‘I’m planning to hold a grand feast in my kingdom, and I’d like to invite the famously beautiful Lady Persephone.’ Once Persephone falls for my story and comes to the surface, I’ll immediately seize her, marry her, and…”

Shing—

“What an insane fool you are!”

Theseus immediately drew his sword.