King of Underworld

Chapter 64 Underworld Banquet – (1)

Today was one of those days spent in the office, racking my brain alongside Mente, trying to solve a problem.

The issue at hand was dealing with Charon’s grievance about the overwhelming mint scent that accompanied most of the souls arriving from the mortal world.

“Oh. Hades, you’re finally asking about that… My nose has been…”

“I see. I’m sorry. You should have mentioned it sooner…”

“Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that your symbol has an unpleasant smell or that I dislike it… It’s just, well…”

“…I’ll discuss it with Mente and find a solution as soon as possible.”

Athena had mentioned something similar before, that too much mint was being harvested before the Acheron River.

After inspecting the entrance to the underworld and consulting Charon, the conclusion was clear…

“The mint scent was stronger than I expected. It’s understandable that some might find it unpleasant.”

“But Lord Hades, if mint becomes popular as food, won’t it actually increase its use in funerals?”

“Even so, humans are unlikely to waste a plant used for food by simply throwing it away at funerals…”

Mint is a plant with exceptional growth and survival abilities.

Perhaps it’s because it was born from the power of Mente, who was once a nymph?

However, in my past life, there were no nymphs…

While talking with Mente and gazing at the mint leaves on the desk, I suddenly craved a refreshing mint tea.

“Lord Hades?”

“Hold on…”

I stood up briefly and retrieved the Cornucopia.

Placing my hand inside the broken horn, I envisioned a lemon with a yellowish hue.

Plop.

“Wow… This is the Cornucopia… It’s my first time seeing it.”

“There’s no real need to eat food, but it’s useful when you occasionally want a taste.”

I peeled the lemon that emerged from the Cornucopia, suspended it in mid-air, and combined it with mint leaves.

“Do you enjoy something sweet?”

“Of course! I absolutely love honey. The bees near Mount Etna, blessed by Pan, produce the best…”

I turned the Cornucopia upside down and thought of honey, and a golden liquid slowly flowed out.

I captured just the right amount in mid-air, mixed it well, and poured it into a golden goblet…

Soon, the lemon honey mint tea was ready.

“This… is mint tea made by Lord Hades himself!”

The delicate yellow tea in the golden goblet was complete.

I offered it to Mente, who was staring at it with sparkling eyes, and took a few sips myself.

Ssssip—

The perfectly ripened lemon blended with the refreshing scent of mint,

The sweetness of the finest honey I had imagined created an exquisite flavor.

“Wow… This is incredibly delicious. I’m sure mortals would love it.”

“If there are any gods who are free right now, we should invite them over to share this.”

“I’ll go! The goddess Styx was resting in her room earlier…”

Mente, who had already finished her tea and was licking her lips, left the office.

* * *

I waited for her to return, sipping my tea.

Encouraging mortals to consume mint in various foods might help reduce its use at funerals…

And perhaps issuing an edict that those who dislike the mint scent shouldn’t be forced to endure it could also work?

Since personal taste in food varies greatly, it might be acceptable for my followers who dislike mint to keep their distance…

Click.

“Hades. Mente called, so I’m here.”

“What are you handing out this time?”

“A reward for all our hard work…”

“Mint tea? Isn’t mint a plant typically used at human funerals?”

Entering the office with Mente were the goddess Styx, as well as Moros and Keres, who symbolize destructive and inevitable death.

I invited them to sit and prepared another round of the lemon & mint & honey tea I had just made.

A delicate and sweet aroma filled the office, tickling everyone’s noses.

“This is the mint tea we plan to spread among mortals. Please, try it.”

“Are you promoting this as a food item because of the overwhelming mint scent coming from the souls, as we discussed?”

“Hmm… It’s reminiscent of Dionysus’ wine.”

“Mixing honey, mint, and lemon… How about adding some other spices?”

“It’s really delicious!”

As the pale yellow tea was placed before the gods,

I used the Cornucopia to pull out a dish of roasted lamb that would pair well with the mint tea.

The lamb was well-cooked, seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices.

Juice slowly oozed from the meat as I offered it to everyone.

“Mm… Chew, chew… The lamb pairs well with the mint.”

“Mortals make bread from grains blessed by Demeter. This mint tea would go perfectly with hard bread…”

“Mint would also complement fish dishes, don’t you think? It could be used as a seasoning.”

As they enjoyed the mortal food, I pulled out various other dishes from the Cornucopia.

Roasted rodents with beans and figs, salads with tomatoes and cucumbers…

With so much food laid out, a sumptuous feast quickly took shape.

“Mm… While it doesn’t compare to ambrosia, it’s still quite enjoyable.”

“…Shall we invite the other gods as well?”

“Om. Gulp. I saw Hypnos earlier…”

The gathering to discuss the mint tea quickly turned into a meal.

It can’t be helped. I’ll have to discuss the mint issue with Mente separately later.

“In that case, why don’t we hold a banquet? Everyone’s been working hard lately.”

“Oh! That’s a great idea!”

“A day off should be fine.”

“The work in the underworld has lightened up a bit…”

“After eating nothing but ambrosia and nectar all the time, this is a nice change.”

I might as well invite all the gods.

Let’s also extend an invitation to the judges, the three brothers Minos, who manage the underworld.

“Messenger! Inform the goddess Lethe, who is working in the soul’s dwelling quarters, that I seek her, and summon those guiding souls on the River Styx…”

* * *

The gods who had gathered in my office moved to the underworld’s banquet hall.

Soon, the gods I had summoned from various places began to arrive, and I turned the Cornucopia over once more.

Skewers of roasted birds with herbs, salads of bread and vegetables wrapped in cheese and olive oil…

Although not made by Dionysus himself, the beautifully hued, aged wine stood out.

“Wow… The underworld’s banquet is quite splendid.”

“Hehe. Mente, while it may not rival Olympus, it certainly doesn’t fall behind the feasts in the palaces under the sea.”

“Besides, how could the food from Lord Hades’ Cornucopia be anything but delicious…”

Cheese, well-aged, mixed with tomatoes and peppers, cooked dishes.

Stuffed cabbage rolls with meat and peppers, stuffed tomatoes and zucchini known as Yemista…

An array of dishes filled the banquet hall, and the gods sipped wine in anticipation of the feast to come.

Screeeech—

Entering the banquet hall were the three Erinyes sisters, goddesses of vengeance, not Nemesis.

With their bronze wings and snake-like hair, they entered hesitantly, looking around.

“Ahem… Are we really allowed to join this feast?”

“Hello! I’m Mente, the new goddess of mint!”

“Ah. So you’re the new goddess. You’re the nymph who created mint?”

“Hey there, Tisiphone, long time no see. Have you noticed a decrease in the number of adulterers in the mortal world lately?”

“…Thanatos.”

Fortunately, it seemed they were fitting in well.

I felt a sense of pride, as if my efforts were finally bearing fruit.

I was glad I had occasionally brought other gods to their dark cave on the outskirts of the underworld.

Spending time with someone can gradually diminish any aversion to their terrifying appearance.

“…Lesser god Medusa greets Lady Alecto (Unceasing Anger).”

“I was actually considering paying you a visit.”

“Were you…?”

“If your rage still lingers even in the underworld, I would have judged even the gods responsible.”

“Even those two gods…?”

I was a bit surprised by the conversation between Medusa and Alecto.

After all, the Furies rarely appear before powerful gods.

Just as Hera, the goddess who governs marriage, couldn’t punish Zeus despite killing a woman who was raped…

Alecto sighed and continued speaking to Medusa, who had her head bowed.

“Poseidon and Athena treated you unfairly. I’m sure you harbor much resentment toward the gods…”

“Yes…”

“But I hope you understand that not all gods are like that.”

Sensing the two goddesses glancing in my direction, I turned my head.

Ahem… It’s not that I’m a benevolent god, it’s just that the others are all a bit too flawed…

Fortunately, Medusa and Mente, who had newly ascended to godhood, were fitting in well.

My efforts in giving them proper guidance had paid off.

I had worked hard to ensure that there would be as little discrimination as possible, even against those of lower status.

“When do you think we should start?”

“Oh? Charon? How did you manage to get here?”

“Hmph… Tsk, tsk. Am I not allowed to come? I left a part of my power in a clone to cover for me. But I’ll have to return soon.”

“Morpheus. Why did you send the dream before I fully put him to sleep?”

“I think I had a dream too…”

“You’re confusing the people of Athens into thinking it was an oracle. Be more careful next time.”

“Oh… Hades, let’s get started already. I think everyone’s here…”

The goddess Styx, already intoxicated on nectar before the banquet had even begun, called out to me.

But, Goddess, no matter how stressful your work is, don’t you think you’re drinking too much nectar?

Everyone’s eyes were on me as I slowly surveyed the room.

Goddess Lethe, Goddess Styx, Medusa and Mente looking a bit awkward, Thanatos still hard at work…

And many other gods and administrators of the underworld… All those who always support and assist me.

I hope tonight’s banquet serves as a small token of my appreciation.

Ahem. Ahem.

I stood up from my seat, slowly raising the golden goblet filled with nectar, and began to speak.

The other gods followed my lead, raising their goblets of nectar.

“Then, from this moment, let the banquet of the underworld begin! It may be modest compared to Olympus, but I hope everyone enjoys themselves tonight!”

Ahem… Speaking so formally feels awkward.

Unlike Zeus, who governs Olympus with great authority,

The underworld tends to operate more on an even level…

When I finished speaking, one of the eldest gods present, Thanatos, took the floor.

“Glory to… the underworld!”

“””Glory to the underworld!”””

And so began the uncertain banquet that might end at any moment…