King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 104

The King of the Underworld is Tired 104 (104/140)

The Story of Eros and Psyche – (3)

The Sun God, having rushed over upon receiving Morpheus’s message, wore an expression that seemed unjustly accused.

“Well, judging by that face, you must be involved.”

“Apollo, tell me the truth. Why did you deliver such an oracle?”

“Grandfather, that is…”

“As far as I know, there is no human woman in this era destined to marry a monster. You, as the god of prophecy, should know better.”

“……”

“Do you know what rumors are circulating among the humans in various cities? They say the gods, jealous of Psyche’s beauty, are trying to force her to marry a monster, and there’s a great deal of sympathy for this human named Psyche. Isn’t this an act that diminishes the dignity of the gods?”

After a moment of silence, Apollo spoke.

“That’s… this whole thing is Eros’s fault.”

“…? Why Eros?”

I thought he would reflect on his actions after working in the Underworld?

“Eros is the one who coveted that human woman, Psyche, and caused all this.”

“Explain in detail.”

“As Grandfather knows, I, as the god of prophecy, have some insight. But from that human Psyche’s mouth, I smell a bitter fragrance, and from her hair, a sweet scent. Isn’t this the bitter and sweet water from Aphrodite’s spring? Aphrodite hasn’t moved from Olympus, so… it must be Eros, that cruel one, who coveted Psyche and caused this. That’s why I delivered such an oracle.”

So, the reason Apollo delivered that oracle was revealed.

Having been struck by a golden arrow and fallen in love with the nymph Daphne, Apollo wouldn’t have liked Eros.

So, he must have interfered with Eros’s love by saying she would marry a wicked monster or something.

But Eros has the appearance of a young god uninterested in goddesses… why would he covet Psyche?

Eros’s mother is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty… did she order Eros to do this?

But there’s no reason to torment a single human… wait a minute.

“I heard she’s an incredibly beautiful daughter…”

Lady Lethe said so. There’s a rumor that Psyche is incredibly beautiful.

And the goddess in charge of beauty happens to be Aphrodite. Hmm.

“This is a matter I can’t resolve just by talking to you. I’ll have to summon Eros and Aphrodite as well.”

“Yes…”

* * *

The three people, no, three gods, gathered in the Underworld.

Having summoned them all, it seemed they all knew the whole story to some extent, and they started arguing.

I tried to stop them, but…

“Eros. Isn’t this another incident caused by your hideous golden arrows!”

“What?! You should have just told Psyche that she was destined to marry me!”

“Hmph… why would I do you any favors? Well, how does it feel to receive the karma of having made me hit by a golden arrow?”

Their behavior was quite a sight, so I just watched. Let’s see how far they go.

“Eros, didn’t I tell you… you should have quietly shot that detestable human with a lead arrow?! I have to come to the Underworld again because of you, ugh…”

“No. Mother, you didn’t do well either! Being jealous of a human who can’t even live for more than 100 years!”

“Even though your body has grown, that childish personality is exactly the same. Manipulating other people’s emotions at will…”

“Lord Apollo, do you want to be hit by my golden arrow again? Was it so hard for you to just give a favorable oracle?”

“Try shooting me. I’ll show you the taste of my solar arrows.”

Look at these guys… not a single one of them did well.

Aphrodite, jealous of a human, trying to punish her through Eros; Eros, who fell for the human’s beauty and sprinkled magical bitter water on her; Even Apollo, who couldn’t forget past grudges and interfered with the human Eros fell for.

“Quiet. All of you, shut your mouths.”

“But Hades!”

“Aphrodite. Do I have to say it twice?”

It’s just a complete mess. Why is everyone’s personality like this?

Well, they’ve quieted down a bit. Now, how do I fix this?

If the whole story spreads, the faith of humans will plummet to the ground, so to resolve it amicably…

“Eros. Do you love that human, Psyche?”

“Yes… I can never give up.”

“If that human also likes you, take responsibility. But give each other enough time to get to know each other.”

“Ah…! Yes! Thank you!”

“Still, it wasn’t good to pour bitter water on a perfectly fine human. I’ll talk to you about that later…”

The young god’s face was sour, as if recalling the pleasant days in the Underworld.

No, the god of love, who has now taken on the appearance of a young man after realizing love, slowly nodded.

“Aphrodite. I won’t stop you from punishing that human. I might get angry if faith drops so much that dust accumulates in the temple.”

“Hmph… I understand.”

“But do it moderately. You know what I mean, right? Don’t push it too far, beyond testing your son’s wife.”

“But… because of that detestable girl…”

“Aphrodite. Was your beauty, the greatest in Olympus, so shallow that it depends on the perceptions of mere humans? In my opinion, no matter how beautiful Psyche is, she can never match you. Show some tolerance as the goddess of beauty and love.”

“Th… that’s right?! Even in Hades’s opinion, I’m better than that girl…!”

I barely managed to persuade Aphrodite… but why is she blushing?

She’s so embarrassed. Isn’t it obvious that you’re the most beautiful since you’re the goddess of beauty?

Lastly… I turned my head towards Apollo.

“Don’t keep using oracles for your personal feelings. Humans know that your oracles are law and nothing short of absolute commands…”

“I understand. Grandfather. But because Eros keeps misusing his golden arrows…”

“The reason I shot Apollo with an arrow is because Apollo provoked me first!”

I had certainly heard about what happened on Olympus.

When Apollo teased Eros with his small bow and arrows,

Eros got angry and shot Apollo with a golden arrow… and shot Daphne, the nymph Apollo liked, with a lead arrow, right?

In the end, Apollo’s love fell apart, and Daphne turned into a laurel tree to avoid Apollo.

“Eros. If you have a problem with Apollo, shouldn’t you two resolve it? Why drag an innocent nymph into it…”

“Hmph… as Grandfather said. Playing with people’s hearts, that golden arrow of yours…”

“Apollo. You didn’t do very well either.”

[You are very narrow-minded. Surely Orion’s death last time was also your doing?]

[Um, Grandfather, that’s…]

The incident that occurred was a result of all sorts of events, grudges, and the pride of the gods being intertwined.

Unless the three main gods like me, Poseidon, and Zeus resolve it with a single stroke… the problem could continue to grow.

Not only this incident, but a vicious cycle of grudges begetting grudges might have continued.

Should I make them all work in the Underworld? If they get severely punished once, they might improve a little.

No. How long do I have to keep scolding them? I can’t keep doing this in the Underworld every time, so I should leave it to Zeus.

“How long do I, who am in the Underworld, have to clean up your messes? I’ll tell Zeus about this incident as well.”

“Yes…”

“I understand. Hades…”

“…I’m sorry. Grandfather.”

“I’ll tell Zeus to punish all three of you severely, so be prepared.”

I looked at the three gods who seemed dejected and gestured for them to move to another place.

Should I continue to ponder in the nearby office instead of the audience chamber…

I can’t undo what has already happened, but I need to think about what the best solution would be, considering the king and queen who are still praying, and the human named Psyche…

Apollo is supposed to be the god of reason… tsk. I should tell them to punish him properly.

“Lord Hades. A messenger has arrived from Olympus.”

“What brings them here?”

“Lord Poseidon in Olympus is looking for the god Apollo… what should we do?”

“…Tell them I’ll send him back to Olympus when the matter in the Underworld is finished.”

Poseidon found out about his son Orion’s death.

As soon as I heard the news, I clicked my tongue, seeing Apollo’s face turn pale. Why did you do that…

* * *

The next day, Psyche’s parents, who had been kneeling and begging in front of Pluto’s temple, beamed with joy as if they had met a savior.

Because Pluto’s high priest himself approached them and invited them into the temple, saying there was an oracle.

“Lord Pluto says that in order to avoid a future of marrying a monster, Psyche must live on the mountain for 100 days without seeing her husband’s face even once.”

“If… if we do that… can my daughter really have a normal married life with a normal husband, not a monster?”

“Of course. He said that if you do, she will live a happier life than anyone else.”

Psyche’s parents were greatly relieved, prayed to all the deities in the temple, and…

Thankful that their daughter, who was to marry a monster, had been given a way to avoid her fate, they rushed back to the kingdom.

“He’ll come to the mountain… and for 100 days?”

“Yes, Psyche. Lord Pluto himself has given an oracle, so you must do as he says… *sob*.”

“…Don’t cry, Mother. I’ll be fine wherever I am.”

Psyche left the palace and climbed to the top of a nearby mountain.

But even when she looked around, she couldn’t see anything? Is her husband near here?

Whoosh-

“…?! Kyaa!”

A gust of wind blew, and Psyche lost her balance.