King of Underworld

Chapter 134 The Argonauts – (1)

“…Please, give me guidance.”

Hercules had already completed eight of his labors.

He had slain countless monsters, and his name was known throughout all of Greece.

Surely these accomplishments were enough to become a god, weren’t they?

Then why couldn’t I become a god yet? What was I missing?

Triton, observing Hercules as he bowed his head in deep thought, appeared momentarily speechless, then burst into hearty laughter.

“Ah… hahaha! A mortal seeking advice on how to become a god! Hahaha! You are truly amusing, Hercules!”

“…?”

“If it were an ordinary mortal, they’d struggle just to become a hero or a king, let alone a god. Hahaha!”

As Hercules’s face filled with puzzlement, Triton’s laughter grew louder.

“Isn’t it natural to look up to higher things?”

“Hahaha! True, you’ve long surpassed the realm of ordinary heroes.”

After laughing for a while, Triton suddenly stopped and looked at Hercules with a serious expression.

“Are you curious about the difference between gods and mortals, and why you cannot become a god?”

“I am.”

“Here, we have Antaeus, Python—the kingly serpent slain by the sun god—and Ismenios the Dragon, son of the war god.”

Names flowed from the mouth of the god who ruled over the waves.

“Do you know what they all have in common?”

“…Despite having gods as parents, they lack divinity?”

“Correct. Being a god is not so simple.”

Hercules listened more intently than ever.

Triton’s words had a weight to them, as though he were about to reveal the secrets of godhood. He couldn’t afford to miss a single word.

“Lesser gods with little influence on the world can be appointed by the major gods. But… you are different.”

“I am different? How so?”

The god began to speak.

With each word, waves swirled in his eyes, shaking Hercules’s very spirit.

The voice… was it truly a voice? It felt more like it reverberated directly into his soul, not simply heard with his ears but received with his heart.

Because you, in a mortal’s body, are able to rival the gods.

Because you have achieved multiple feats that would earn others the title of great hero with just one.

Because your threshold for hardship far surpasses others.

Because you are…

More. You need… something more.

If you cannot realize it yourself, you will never become a god.

“Ah…”

“In fact, you might need to spend time among mortals. There’s a man named Jason, assembling a band of adventurers… After finishing this labor, why not join them?”

Jason’s expedition…

* * *

Jason.

The son of Aeson, the former king of Iolcos, who was exiled when his stepbrother Pelias seized the throne.

Drifting from place to place, Jason eventually arrived at the Hero’s Training Grounds in Thebes.

Alongside heroes like Hercules and Asclepius, he studied under the sage Chiron before returning to the mortal world.

Now, he was heading to the city ruled by Pelias, intending to reclaim his rightful throne.

On his way to Iolcos, he encountered an old, shabby woman and carried her across a river, losing one of his leather sandals in the process.

“Hey, look… that man’s missing a sandal.”

“If the prophecy’s true, that man could be the next king…”

“Come on, would King Pelias really give up the throne just like that?”

A prophecy had been issued in Iolcos, saying that a youth wearing only one sandal would claim the throne.

Thus, Jason became the subject of much whispering as he headed toward the palace.

“Hmm… so you say you’re Aeson’s son?”

“Yes, I am Jason, rightful prince of Iolcos, and I have come to claim what is mine!”

“Hmph…”

Naturally, Pelias had no intention of giving up the throne.

But there was also Hera’s prophecy to consider, and he feared the judgment he might face in the Underworld if he simply killed Jason.

Besides, there were rumors that Poseidon’s other children, like himself, were behaving strangely… more compassionate.

‘There’s Hera’s prophecy, Pluto’s watchful eye in the Underworld, and strange news about Father Poseidon’s other offspring…’

Pelias briefly considered surrendering the throne but was unable to quell his desire for power, so he devised a scheme.

As long as he didn’t kill Jason himself, he would be safe.

“Jason. I could hand over the throne, but don’t you think you should prove yourself worthy to rule this land?”

“What do you mean by ‘worthy’?”

“There’s a treasure called the Golden Fleece in a land to the east called Colchis. It’s said that the fleece has the power to bring prosperity to a kingdom… Retrieve it, and I will gladly cede the throne to you.”

Jason doubted that simply ascending the throne would earn the people’s support.

As Pelias pointed out, he had yet to prove himself worthy.

He readily accepted the challenge of retrieving the Golden Fleece and, after leaving the palace, raised his voice in the town square to rally support.

“I am Jason, rightful heir to the throne of Iolcos! I seek heroes to join me on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Applications are open until the next Day of Thanatos!”

“The Golden Fleece from Colchis? That priceless treasure?”

“If he brings it to our land, he could really become king.”

“But I heard it’s guarded by a fierce dragon.”

“Which is why he’s gathering heroes to form an expedition. Just like Orion once did.”

“The expedition to Mount Athos was a half-failure… could this one succeed?”

News of Jason’s expedition for the Golden Fleece quickly spread across Greece.

The idea of slaying monsters, retrieving treasures, and achieving fame was a primal instinct for heroes.

Before long, many people with various aspirations gathered in Iolcos.

* * *

This was Iolcos.

Crowds had gathered at the news of Jason’s expedition, though not all could join.

“Everyone, pay attention! Not all of us can board the Argo! We will select members carefully!”

“The Argo? That ship’s name is the Argo?”

“I heard that the goddess Athena designed it herself, and the craftsman Argus built it…”

“But there are hundreds of people here. How will he assemble the expedition?”

“Jason will probably make the final selection himself. It’s well-known that Theban heroes are among the best, so he’ll likely choose them first.”

At Jason’s announcement, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Jason cleared his throat and began carefully selecting his crew.

“I’m from Sparta, and my name is Tri—”

“Rejected. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been killing people…”

“Jason, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, Peleus! Good to see you. I heard you’ve been hunting a lot lately.”

“Orpheus? You’re here too? Having someone to play music on board would be wonderful…”

“I’ve heard the sound of sirens in the sea is enchanting. I want to see if it rivals my lyre.”

“Anyone who’s heard you play would definitely favor you.”

Slowly, Jason assembled the members of his expedition.

Among them were Atalanta, renowned as Greece’s best archer despite being a woman; Meleager, famous for his spear-throwing skills; and the Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus.

“Long time no see. I think the last time was back in Thebes.”

“Jason, I never expected you to form an expedition.”

“Exactly. You’ve always had charisma, but leading an expedition is something else.”

Following Jason’s criteria, he selected people who had all trained in Thebes.

It was a group bound by shared experiences, with most knowing one another from their past endeavors.

After preparing offerings to the gods for a safe voyage, they were about to set sail when the crowd parted, making way for someone’s arrival.

Footsteps approached.

“Wait… isn’t that…”

“Just as the rumors said. Look at the size of him. They say he killed the Nemean lion with his bare hands…”

“This expedition is sure to succeed now.”

A lion skin draped over his head, a golden sword at his waist, and a club on his back.

And most of all, the unmistakable, towering muscles.

There was no one in Greece who didn’t know that name.

The great hero, Hercules, who was currently fulfilling the labors set by Hera.

“Oh, Hercules! I didn’t expect you here, considering how busy you are with Lady Hera’s labors!”

“Jason. It’s been a while.”

At the appearance of Greece’s most famous hero, some cheered, others felt relieved, while a few revealed their jealousy, fearing their own achievements might be overshadowed.

“I wasn’t originally planning to come, but Lord Triton advised me to.”

“Triton, the god who commands the waves? You met the son of the sea god?”

“He said joining this expedition could help me achieve my goal.”

Everyone there knew that Hercules’s goal was to become a god.

It was something he often talked about during their training in the Underworld.

“Aren’t you concerned? With me here, your accomplishments might pale in comparison.”

It was a statement that could easily be mistaken for a taunt.

But with Hercules, it was purely an honest observation.

Hercules’s reputation might indeed overshadow the deeds of the other Argonauts.

But Jason simply laughed and clapped Hercules on the back.

“Hahaha! You’re concerned for me? We’re walking different paths, so it doesn’t matter!”

“Different paths?”

“Yes, your goal is to become a god. Mine is to become the king of Iolcos.”

Even back in the Underworld… Jason had always been steadfast.

His aim was not to become a hero, but to reclaim the throne of Iolcos.

“Really? For the record, I won’t be taking center stage. I won’t steal all your glory.”
“Oh, that’s good news for the other heroes! Hahaha!”

Hercules looked at the jovial man in front of him.

He didn’t know how this expedition would end, but it was good to meet a friend.

“Hahaha! Hercules, let’s have a rematch later!”

“I’ll give you a challenge here on earth before you reach Olympus!”

“Enough talk! Just get on board already!”

“Hey, Hercules! Achieved a few labors, and now you’re practically glowing with pride, huh? Hah!”

Other heroes welcomed Hercules, who climbed aboard the Argo with a faint smile.

The Argonauts.

Departed.