King of Underworld

Chapter 128: The Fourth Task – Triton’s Conch (1)

Heracles quickly realized that the prince who had just entered was the son of a nymph.

The handsome face and smooth skin were traits rarely seen unless one had divine or fae lineage.

The king’s remark about not inviting him to the banquet made it even more believable.

The king’s heir was sitting off to the side drinking, so this young man must be the son of a concubine, the nymph.

“Greetings, Lord Heracles! My name is Hylas!”

“Hylas…?”

“Yes. Since I’m much younger, please feel free to call me by my name!”

It was easy to understand why the king hadn’t invited him.

The admiring gaze, the curious questions, the straightforward approach.

He was clearly a young man unfamiliar with the ways of the world, deeply admiring the hero.

Perhaps the king had worried he might embarrass himself in front of a hero.

“Lamia? Yes, her claws were quite sharp, just as they say.”

“Oh… I see.”

King Teiodamas, who had considered sending Hylas away, held his tongue as he saw Heracles talking to him.

If Heracles grew close to Hylas, it would make it easier to recruit the hero into the kingdom.

Thus, Heracles enjoyed the banquet in moderation, despite being the main guest of honor.

The great hero’s body could handle any amount of alcohol, but there was something to be said about getting caught up in the festive atmosphere.

“Now that the banquet is over, I will introduce you to Menodice. Hylas! Escort this hero to your mother.”

“You wish to meet my mother? Please follow me.”

And so, Heracles met Hylas’s mother, the nymph Menodice.

Without hesitation, he asked her about Triton.

“I need to meet Lord Triton for one of my labors. Since you’re a nymph, I wondered if you might know something.”

“Hmm… Unfortunately, I don’t have any ties to Lord Triton. I am a Naiad, a nymph of freshwater springs.”

Even though nymphs were beings of water, they didn’t all live in the same places.

Oceanids lived in the seas, and Pegaeae were nymphs of springs—each had their own domains.

Hylas’s mother, Menodice, was a Naiad who resided in lakes and ponds, so she had no connection to Triton, who lived in the deep sea palace.

Seeing Heracles’s face fall with disappointment, Menodice hesitated, then spoke cautiously.

“However, I do know of a beach where the sea nymphs, the Nereids, sometimes play at night. If you ask them, they might be able to help.”

The sea nymphs, or Nereids, were the daughters of the Titan Nereus and the goddess Doris.

With over fifty nymph sisters living in the sea, they were likely familiar with Triton.

“Please tell me the location. I will surely repay you.”

“No need for repayment. Instead, please take my son, Hylas, as your attendant.”

Surprisingly, the one who was startled wasn’t Heracles, but Hylas himself.

It seemed he hadn’t been informed beforehand.

“Mother?!”

“Haha. You’ve always hated life in the palace, haven’t you? Now that you have a chance to follow the hero you admire, go with him and see the world.”

“…! Thank you…”

Heracles glanced between them, then nodded.

Having an attendant wouldn’t be much of a burden.

Since Hylas wasn’t the king’s heir but the son of a concubine, the king would likely permit it.

The next day, Heracles received the king’s blessing and took Hylas as his attendant.

It seemed Menodice had influenced the king’s decision, as he agreed rather easily.

With Hylas by his side, Heracles set off for the beach that Menodice had mentioned, where the Nereids were known to appear.

* * *

The quiet beach.

Heracles and Hylas hid in the rocks, waiting for the nymphs to appear.

But even when it was time for the goddess Selene to ride her moon chariot across the sky, the nymphs were nowhere to be seen.

They had been staying in a nearby village and staking out the beach for several days now…

“Hylas, are you sure your mother gave us the right location?”

“Hmm. Should I scout the area?”

Just as they were growing restless from waiting, a faint song floated over from the sea.

In the dark night, no humans were visible, and the song seemed to come from the empty ocean.

Could it be… the nymphs?

“Hey, what should we play today?”

“Anelnoi, let’s look for some shells! Since humans haven’t come around here much, there should be plenty left.”

“I bet all the humans are fast asleep by now.”

“Ugh, I’m tired of seaweed dishes. I want to eat human food!”

“Human food? Should we sneak into the nearby village and grab some?”

From the ocean, seven or eight wet figures stepped onto the beach. They weren’t human but nymphs—beautiful, youthful women.

Hylas, captivated by their beauty, stood in awe.

Heracles, however, waited for them to come closer before he slowly stepped out from behind the rocks.

Raising his hands to show he meant no harm, he spoke in a calm voice.

“Excuse me, are you the sea nymphs, the Nereids? Could I speak with you for a moment…?”

“Kyaaa!!!”

“A monster! A human! Help!”

“Father Nereus! Save us!”

Despite Heracles’s careful approach, the Nereids screamed in terror and scattered in all directions.

Many of them shouted for their parents, Nereus and Doris, as they dove back into the sea.

“What the…?”

How had things gone so wrong?

In truth, Nereids weren’t typically afraid of humans.

Their parents were Titans and goddesses, and the Nereids themselves wielded some mystical power.

They often teased handsome young fishermen or saved drowning humans.

But right now, Heracles was wearing the Nemean Lion’s pelt.

Not to mention the golden sword at his waist and the iron club he had specially ordered after his battle with the Hydra.

To anyone who saw him, he looked like a fully armed hunter or hero.

Even more, his massive frame and bulging muscles added to the intimidating image. The Nereids were well aware of how rough Greek men could be.

If they were captured, they might have to fear for their purity or even their lives.

In the dark of night, Heracles’s raised hands must have looked like he was reaching out to grab them.

And when he emerged from behind the rocks, it seemed like he was ambushing them.

“Kyaa!!!”

“Help!”

“A hunter! A hunter is after us!”

That’s how the situation spiraled out of control.

* * *

The hero’s dilemma didn’t last long, and his instincts were quick.

Heracles’s body moved like lightning, grabbing the nearest Nereid’s arm.

“Kyahhhh—!! Mmph!!”

“You’re too loud. Calm down for a moment.”

“N-No! Let go of me, you brute!”

“Anelnoi!!!”

“Let’s go tell Lord Triton! Hurry!”

In an instant, Heracles had subdued the nymph they called Anelnoi.

The other Nereids’ screams faded into the sea, leaving only the frightened nymph looking up at him.

‘Damn, Teacher Chiron said not to hurt the weak. Now I’ve gone and scared her.’

Feeling slightly guilty, Heracles released his grip on the trembling nymph.

Though she didn’t run, knowing it would be futile, she rubbed her arm and glared at him with resentment.

“I’m Heracles, a mortal carrying out Lady Hera’s labor. If you answer my questions, I won’t harm you.”

“Liar!”

“What?”

“There are so many fakes claiming to be the great hero Heracles! You must be one of them!”

She doesn’t believe I’m the real Heracles, despite the lion’s pelt and the golden sword?

It wasn’t completely unreasonable, though. By now, Heracles had become quite famous throughout Greece.

The tales of his labors for Lady Hera had spread far and wide.

The strongest hero in the world, Heracles!

Monsters trembled in fear at the mere sight of his iron club!

He killed Chrysaor and took his golden sword!

He slew the Nemean Lion and wore its pelt!

He smashed the Hydra to pieces, leaving nothing behind!

Even though he had only completed three labors, his journey was already one for the ages.

In a world where entertainment was scarce, the saga of the great hero was a source of great fascination for the Greeks.

Lion pelts were selling like hotcakes, blacksmiths were flooded with requests to make iron clubs, and many people had taken to wearing gold-plated swords.

“Wait, I’m the real Heracles…”

“Liar! Heracles is a great hero who never lays a hand on women! You’re just a brute trying to grab me!”

“Do you not think I only grabbed you because you all suddenly ran away?!”

The real Heracles was on the verge of losing his mind after being mistaken for a fake.

He needed to somehow convince her to help him connect with Triton, but she wouldn’t believe he was the real deal…

As they argued, Hylas approached them.

“Lord Heracles!”

“Ah, Hylas.”

“Is there a problem?”

“This nymph doesn’t believe I’m the real Heracles.”

“Hmph! I heard Heracles always travels alone! You brutes!”

Hylas and Heracles were at a loss for words at the nymph’s stubbornness.

Heracles realized that the only way to clear up this misunderstanding might be to swear an oath by the River Styx.

Just as he was about to speak and make the oath…!

Splash!!!

“Which human dares… to kidnap the Nereids under my protection?!”

“Ah, Lord Triton!”

A massive wave surged toward them, separating Heracles and the nymphs.