King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 132

The King of the Underworld is Tired – Episode 132 (132/140)

Sea Monster Charybdis – (3)

Charybdis was sucking in seawater at an alarming rate, so I quickly intervened.

The Bident [Hades’ signature two-pronged spear] felt solid in my grip, responding to my intent.

My opponent is a sea deity second only to Poseidon. I’ll need to use a considerable amount of power.

It’s not ideal to cause a disturbance in another god’s domain, but I did receive permission(?) from Poseidon.

■■■■■■!!!!!

The aura of death permeated the space between the sky and the sea. More precisely, it was plummeting downwards.

I watched as sea creatures and birds, like seagulls, fell to their deaths upon touching the black pillar I had summoned.

ㅡ?! ■■!!!

Charybdis abruptly stopped her intake of water, as if surprised.

I’m not sure if the phrase ‘the whirlpool closes its mouth’ is accurate, but it was the only way to describe the phenomenon.

A wary gaze turned towards me, as if trying to discern my identity. The golden ichor [divine blood] flowing from her was dissipating into the sea…

I need to evacuate the humans first.

I stepped onto the ship, looking at Charybdis, and announced,

“I will transport you all to safety.”

I could feel the collective faith of those who recognized me, their hands clasped in prayer behind me.

Some knew who I was, others didn’t, but the emotions I sensed were uniform.

Relief. Reassurance. Joy. Gratitude.

“It’s not your time to enter the Underworld yet.”

I conjured a black barrier that enveloped the ship, propelling it towards the shore, then ascended back above the sea to face Charybdis.

Unlike before, she had ceased drawing in seawater and was gradually revealing her form.

However, still cautious of me, she only exposed her mouth and projected a telepathic message.

The voice that echoed in my mind possessed a beautiful timbre, difficult to reconcile with the image of a colossal whirlpool monster.

[Why are you interfering with me, Lord Hades?]

“Poseidon’s daughter, Charybdis. Cease your attacks on humans.”

[What are you saying… Has the Lord of the Underworld truly come all this way for mere mortals?]

“Mortals who will eventually become my subjects upon their death.”

Charybdis paused, seemingly contemplating my words.

It’s precisely as I stated… Regardless, my task is to persuade her.

“You are a sea deity second only to Poseidon. How long will you continue to exist in this state?”

[……]

“Stop preying on passing humans. Poseidon and Demeter have pledged to provide you with ample sustenance, eliminating the need to consume humans.”

[My father… said that?]

“Yes. Before arriving here, I contacted Demeter and discussed the matter with her as well.”

She consumed too much nectar and ambrosia, was struck by Zeus’s lightning, and subsequently plunged into the sea, but…

It appears she harbors no resentment towards Poseidon. That’s a relief.

It would be problematic if she were to question, ‘Why didn’t my father shield me from Zeus’s lightning…’

“What do you believe is the reason humans don’t revere your name and offer sacrifices? You are not inferior to Triton or other sea gods, are you?”

[Are you attempting to persuade me?]

“Yes, I am familiar with your history. Had you not fallen into the sea, you wouldn’t have descended to this level.”

The realm of deities is rather intricate.

Being struck by lightning by the king of the gods during a banquet and subsequently banished carries significant implications.

The significance of the god-king’s direct banishment. The reason a deity like Charybdis is unable to return to Olympus [the home of the gods].

Despite being a high-ranking goddess, she has fallen so far that she now consumes humans instead of nectar and ambrosia.

Not a single human offers faith to Charybdis. This situation is detrimental to her as well.

She’s merely perceived as a sea monster that devours people. If this perception becomes ingrained, it will be difficult to reverse.

“Sincere faith arises from the balance between fear and gratitude. You understand this, don’t you? Cease your attacks on humans.”

[Then… can I return to Olympus…?]

“As you are aware, your mother Gaia and I are currently at odds, but if we expel the Gigas [a race of giants] and earn her recognition, Zeus can be persuaded.”
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Charybdis wasn’t simply consuming humans without reason.

A yearning for Olympus, anger and resentment towards Zeus, and sorrow for the fact that she, a goddess, had fallen to such depths.

A confluence of emotions ultimately transformed her into someone who preys on mortals.

The reason she’s receptive to my persuasion is likely because she sees a path to redemption, correct?

Poseidon is already on her side, and if I lend my support, even Zeus will have to reconsider.

* * *

[I understand. I will comply with Lord Hades’ wishes.]

“You’ve made a wise decision. When Poseidon issues an oracle to sail near this area, he will instruct them to offer sacrifices to you as well. Ambrosia and nectar will also be delivered to you regularly.”

[Father…]

“…?”

[Please convey to my father… that I am sorry…]

“I will.”

Like father, like daughter. They both harbor feelings of guilt towards each other.

Now that the persuasion is complete, she won’t torment humans any longer, right?

We gods can survive without consuming ambrosia and nectar.

She’s already been struck by Zeus and cast into the sea, so she’ll exercise appropriate restraint…

Ha. That’s sufficient. Having done this much, Poseidon will handle the rest.

He seems different these days compared to his former self.

[Then, I’ll see you next time…]

I turned away from her as she submerged back into the water and was about to return to the Underworld when I noticed someone approaching, parting the waves.

Riding a dolphin. The energy I sensed was divine.

“Uncle Hades!”

“Triton, is it.”

Poseidon’s eldest son, Triton.

“You must have come to inquire about my conversation with Charybdis, as per your father’s instructions.”

“Ah… Haha. My father is concerned about his children.”

I continued, addressing Triton, who wore an awkward smile.

“Inform him that there’s no need for concern. I didn’t harm her, save for a light reprimand.”

“Heracles.”

“Yes? That human hero?”

“Do you believe he is capable of becoming a god?”

In Psyche’s case, she was merely an ordinary human… so Zeus could elevate her to a suitable lower-level deity.

In Medusa’s case, she was originally a demigod and arrived in the Underworld after her death, allowing me to appoint her as a god.

However… if the greatest hero, Heracles, were to become a god, the 12 gods of Olympus would become 13.

He must accomplish feats worthy of godhood, but Heracles, already immensely powerful, faces an exceptionally high bar.

Therefore, he must be born as a human and follow a path similar to Dionysus, who ascended to become one of the 12 gods of Olympus.

Similar to Dionysus’s ascension, he requires a divine way of thinking, spirit, and faith.

“His power is already sufficient to rival the gods… but it seems to be hindering him. As is his mindset…”

“I see. There hasn’t been a catalyst yet.”

He will realize it eventually.

* * *

Meanwhile, the sailors who were on the verge of being devoured by the sea monster were dramatically rescued by Hades, saving their lives.

Their ship was naturally propelled to the shore, allowing them to reunite with their families.

“Hic… Ugh. This voyage was incredibly perilous. The ship was about to be swallowed whole by a whirlpool monster…”

“No, a black pillar descended from the sky into the sea, I’m telling you?!”

“That was undoubtedly a god. He saved us from the sea monster.”

The memory of the male god who materialized on the deck at their moment of despair was indelibly etched in their minds.

Even sailors who exclusively worshiped Poseidon were contemplating adopting a dual faith.

“But… which god was it?”

“Black hair, and the attire… Well, it’s not Lord Poseidon.”

“Then could it be Lord Triton?!”

“I’ve heard that Lord Triton resembles a combination of a fish and a human, it’s not him either.”

“…That was the Lord of the Underworld.”

Only a select few recognized him as the god Pluto [the Roman name for Hades].

These were middle-aged sailors who had studied theology in their youth, or experienced captains.

“Black hair and black eyes. I didn’t observe wings, and the spear was a two-pronged bident. These are characteristics of the god Pluto.”

“No, what is Pluto, who should reside in the underworld, doing in this realm?”

“Did he emerge to confront that sea monster? Similar to how the god Apollo slew the serpent Python in the past.”

“Gods can conceal their appearance, but he explicitly… stated, ‘It’s not your time to enter the Underworld yet.'”

It’s not time to ‘enter’ the Underworld.

Then, were they truly rescued by Pluto, the god who dwells in the Underworld?

“I’ve heard he’s a god of mercy and fairness… Hmm.”

“It all transpired so rapidly that I couldn’t discern his identity with certainty.”

“Well. I remain uncertain. It could have been Lord Poseidon who altered his appearance and appeared.”

“The identity of the god is irrelevant. Shouldn’t we express our gratitude? How about holding a ceremony in Olympus?”

“Damn it. Yes. Let’s prioritize preparing the offerings rather than dwelling on the god’s identity.”

Of course, it’s difficult to believe that Pluto would suddenly appear on the sea.

People offered prayers and sacrifices to an unknown god.

However, some specifically prayed to the Lord of the Underworld and expressed their gratitude.

Following this day, oracles were delivered at the temples of Poseidon and the goddess Demeter…

And humans came to know the name of the goddess Charybdis.

“Dedicated to the goddess Charybdis, daughter of Lord Poseidon.”

“Please assist us in returning to our families.”

The sailors prepared high-quality offerings for her who dwelled in the sea,

And when sailing in specific regions, the custom of dropping food into the sea as an offering to Charybdis was established.

Since then, sightings of sea monsters and sudden disappearances of ships have ceased.