King of Underworld

Chapter 63 The Story of Perseus – (5)

After killing Medusa, as Perseus was passing by Ethiopia, he discovered a woman who had been offered as a sacrifice to a sea monster.

That woman’s name was Andromeda. Perseus turned the sea monster to stone and rescued her, and she became his wife, making him the son-in-law of Cepheus, the king of Ethiopia.

However, just as Perseus and Princess Andromeda were about to hold their wedding, someone barged in with soldiers.

“Who is this upstart who dares to take my place! I am Andromeda’s original betrothed!”

“Father-in-law…? What do you mean by this? An original betrothed?”

“Ha! Pay him no mind, Perseus. That man agreed to sacrifice my daughter to the sea monster.”

“Is that so? A coward who fled from the sea monster’s threat and now returns to seek power?”

With that, Perseus grasped Medusa’s head within his bag, ready to reveal it at any moment, and shouted.

“Those who are on my side, close your eyes!!!”

“Hahaha! What nonsense…”

“What the…?!”

When Medusa’s head, which could petrify any mortal who hadn’t reached divine status, was revealed, everyone who hadn’t closed their eyes was turned to stone.

However…

“Ah… Father! Mother…”

“My father-in-law and mother-in-law… Damn… I’m sorry…”

The king and queen of Ethiopia, who had closed their eyes too late, were turned to stone and met their deaths. Overcome with grief, Perseus returned to Seriphos Island, where he found King Polydectes, who had been threatening his mother, Danaë.

When Perseus, whom he thought had perished to Medusa, returned, King Polydectes was terrified.

“What…! You returned alive from Medusa? Don’t lie to me!”

“Whether I’m lying or not, see for yourself!”

When the lustful king was turned to stone and met his end, Perseus brought his mother, Danaë, to him.

“Perseus… Although your grandfather abandoned you due to the oracle, he still longs for you.”

“Yes, Mother. I will send a letter to Argos and meet with him.”

However, his grandfather Acrisius fled Argos in the dead of night, abandoning his throne.

Perseus, with Andromeda as his queen, became the king of both Ethiopia and Argos.

As his first act as king, after returning the weapons he had borrowed from the gods…

“I will support the temples of the Olympian gods who aided me, in the name of the royal family. To Athena, Hermes, and…”

“Your Majesty. However, there is no temple to the god Pluto in Argos.”

“In that case, we shall build one, shall we not?”

This was his way of repaying the gods who had lent him their divine weapons.

* * *

This place is the underworld, ruled by me, Hades.

With Medusa having become a new god of the underworld, I commanded my followers to create a new idol for her.

And a few days later, when I turned my ear to the mortal world…

“I thought Medusa was a monster, but the priests of Pluto are saying something different.”

“She was originally human but became a monster due to an unfortunate fate…?”

“Is that really true? I always thought she was just a monster.”

“I don’t fully understand it either, but the god Pluto isn’t just any god. He must have uncovered the truth and restored her honor.”

“Indeed… There’s no reason for the god of the underworld to speak falsely.”

“Is it possible that the sad and unfortunate are compensated even in the underworld… O merciful god…”

It seemed that Medusa had slightly altered her story before sharing it with the mortal world. Did she avoid directly cursing Athena and Poseidon, perhaps to prevent trouble from coming my way?

Regardless, my followers, though somewhat doubtful, had begun occasionally offering prayers to Medusa’s idol.

At times like this, being one of the Three Great Gods has its advantages.

Though I received a response from Olympus questioning the decision to make Medusa a god…

I made sure to convey my stance through Hermes, the messenger god. Hopefully.

“Tell Zeus to mind his own business and stop committing rapes.”

“Uh… Uncle Hades… Do I have to deliver it exactly like that?”

“…Do as you see fit.”

Anyway, as Medusa’s matter was coming to a close,

I heard a voice calling for me, not from Thebes, but from the mortal world.

“..O Lord Pluto…”

There aren’t many ways for mortals to communicate with me when I’m not paying attention to the mortal world…

Is it coming from Argos? Is it Perseus?

Now a king, Perseus had built a grand altar and was offering sacrifices to me, while speaking in prayer.

As the king of two nations, the quantity of burning offerings was immense.

“O Lord Pluto! In gratitude for the Kynee you lent me, I have constructed a temple in your honor. Please, send your priest to us!”

Perseus personally presided over the sacrifice from atop the high wooden platform.

Although he had many servants at his disposal, the hero conducted the ritual himself.

“Your Majesty. We can…”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll handle it myself.”

While observing the humility of the newly crowned king, I suddenly remembered the prophecy about Perseus.

The grim prophecy that he would kill his grandfather,

But the vague nature of prophecies often leaves many loopholes. If I could soften his destined tragedy…

Perhaps a small piece of advice would do.

“Tell Hypnos and Morpheus that I seek them.”

“Yes! Understood!”

* * *

As Perseus offered sacrifices to the god Pluto in the underworld, he felt something strange.

For a moment, his mind grew hazy, and before his eyes stood a young man with wings.

“I am Morpheus, the god of dreams. I will now convey a message from Lord Hades.”

“…!! It is an honor!”

Kneeling, Perseus listened as the god before him spoke with an aura of mystery.

“While you cannot change the prophecy, you may choose the path that leads to its fulfillment.”

“…?”

Morpheus disappeared, leaving behind these cryptic words.

While the prophecy could not be changed, the path to its fulfillment could be chosen…

What could this mean? Isn’t a prophecy an absolute fate that even the gods cannot alter?

What exactly was Lord Pluto trying to tell him?

Could it be… related to the prophecy that he would kill his grandfather?

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Are you alright?”

“Hmm?! What’s going on?”

“Uh? Your Majesty, you just fell asleep standing up!”

As Perseus looked around, the citizens and servants watching the sacrifice were in a stir.

They seemed confused about what had just happened to their king.

Perseus quickly composed himself.

The hero’s sharp mind worked quickly, and,

Watching from Olympus, Zeus called upon Tyche, the goddess of fortune, to bestow a small blessing on him.

The goddess of wisdom, Athena, also understood the situation and shared a bit of her wisdom with him.

“…People of Argos!”

Then, finally, after standing still and pondering, the hero spoke.

He sought to soften the blow of the tragic fate that had been foretold.

“You all know why King Acrisius abdicated the throne!”

The many gathered citizens murmured amongst themselves.

The prophecy linking Perseus and Acrisius was well-known, so many were aware.

“As you know, there is an oracle that I will kill my grandfather, but I have just received another oracle from the Lord of the Underworld, Pluto!”

“So, His Majesty was sleeping because…”

“Did… Did Lord Pluto bless him for building the temple?”

“About that terrible prophecy…?”

The hall grew more chaotic, but the king continued to speak without concern.

“While the prophecy is unavoidable, the path leading to it can be changed by the will of the gods!”

Everyone listened intently to the king’s words.

“I will… until my grandfather, King Acrisius, meets his end by natural causes, treat him with the utmost respect. And when the time comes for him to pass, I swear on the River Styx that I will ensure he meets a peaceful end by my hand!”

!!!!

It was as if divine judgment had been passed, and the people erupted into noisy chatter.

For King Perseus, so newly crowned, to swear such an oath!

Even the gods of Olympus cannot break an oath made upon the River Styx.

If he fails to keep this vow, a mortal will be dragged into Tartarus after death.

Could this be enough to alter the prophecy?

Wait… But if the king fails to keep his vow…?!

“W-wait! No! This is not right!”

Someone emerged from the chaotic crowd.

He was a shabby old man, but his face was somehow familiar.

“To swear on the River Styx so recklessly…! What will you do if you cannot fulfill the vow…”

“Wait? Perseus! That man is your grandfather…!”

“Mother, is that really true?”

“Hold on… Is that…?”

“The former king… His Majesty Acrisius?!”

Acrisius had secretly returned to catch a glimpse of his grandson’s face, and upon hearing his grandson swear on the River Styx, he stepped forward.

“Are you truly my grandfather?”

“…You look so much like Danaë, who made a mistake… The prophecy… No, why did you swear on the River Styx so recklessly…”

“Given my mother’s words and seeing how concerned you are for me… I will bring you with me. Grandfather.”

“I’m sorry… Perseus…”

They embraced each other, relishing in the joy of their reunion.

Watching this, Danaë burst into tears, and the citizens, witnessing the scene, offered prayers.

“Nothing has happened despite the reunion of the two… Could it be?!”

“Has the absolute prophecy… slightly altered by the power of the River Styx?”

“Oh… The gods are merciful. To witness such a sight…”

While it was certain that Acrisius would die by Perseus’ hand,

He would now live out his full life in peace before being guided into Hades’ embrace.