King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 143

The King of the Underworld is Tired – 143 (143/179)

The Story of Orpheus – (2)

“Just once… please listen to my performance.”

“What did you say?”

“I will show you the ultimate performance that will resonate with your heart! Please, save Eurydice!”

I, Hades, stared at the living mortal who dared to set foot in the Underworld.

*Does he think performing up close will change my mind?*

His outstanding skill is enough to covet the seat of the god of music, which Apollo already occupies…

But he asks me to revive someone who is already dead.

Not a death caused by the tyranny of the gods, but an unavoidable one.

Though it is regrettable, I cannot grant his wish.

I glanced sideways at Persephone, who hadn’t even thought of picking up the fallen object. She was staring blankly at Orpheus with her hands clasped together. Seeing tears welling up again, the music must have been truly impressive.

*But does she think I’ll be as easily swayed as the goddess of spring…*

*Diring~♬♪*

The moment I heard that sound up close, old memories flooded back, and I was lost in reminiscence.

The lyre performance reminded me of all the sad things I had experienced. The sorrow of losing a wife…

The heart-wrenching music spread from the center of the fortress.

Once again, everyone in the Underworld stopped what they were doing and listened.

His lyre performance, which overcame even storms, sirens, and the rivers of the Underworld, was truly amazing.

Even I was momentarily filled with sympathy… and almost allowed him to take his wife.

~♪

But what moved my heart was not the music, but his heart itself.

Orpheus, with tears streaming down his face, moved his fingers with all his might. A human with no power or backing.

The best performance of his life, shown to persuade me, who rules the Underworld, and to evoke sympathy.

A skill that far surpassed the limits of humanity.

The performance, which lasted for a while, ended… and Orpheus gasped for breath.

Tears were constantly flowing from both of Persephone’s eyes, and the dead of the Underworld sighed and stopped working.

*Did it affect the entire Underworld except for Tartarus [the deepest abyss of the Underworld]?*

“Still, I cannot allow it.”

“…!”

“That feat. It is amazing, but that is all. It does not provide grounds, benefits, or just cause to break the laws of the Underworld.”

*Thud.*

At my words, the lyre fell from Orpheus’s hand.

The instrument, which had been boasting heavenly melodies until just now, lay sprawled out in a pathetic state.

Seeing that bowed expression, my heart aches… but it still cannot be done.

Just as I was about to send him back to the land of the living, Persephone looked at me.

“Lord Hades.”

“…?”

“Could you please save that human’s wife?”

I was about to refuse immediately, but I closed my mouth at the sight of her tearful eyes.

A slightly trembling voice, but a gaze filled with earnest hope.

* * *

I could feel my heart wavering at the words of the goddess who governs spring and seeds.

Even more so because I was about to propose to Persephone before this human named Orpheus came.

Because I was about to propose to her just now… I don’t want to see her disappointed.

“Persephone…”

“If that is the judgment you have made as the master of the Underworld, wouldn’t the judgment you make as the god of mercy be a little different?”

“The Underworld comes first to me. This is strictly a rule of the Underworld, and it is a matter of maintaining the balance of the world.”

“Still… it’s such a desperate love that he came to the Underworld with only a lyre…”

“No matter what you say, I cannot allow it…”

*Thud!*

Orpheus, who had been listening to my conversation with Persephone, slammed his head on the floor.

Red blood flowed from the hero’s head and soaked into the ground.

“Pluto! If I cannot take my wife, I want to be with her even in the Underworld!”

“Haa…”

*Is this what it means to be madly in love? To ask to be killed if he cannot be with his wife.*

Still, according to what I’ve heard, he hasn’t had affairs or mistresses… so this much minor rudeness is bearable.

He seems sincere, but should I test him a little?

*Show me your will.*

“You don’t care if you die if you can’t take your wife? Are you looking down on me right now?”

“…!”

“If you were going to risk death to save your wife, did you think I would feel sorry for you and revive her?”

Persephone opened her mouth and made a flustered expression.

I deliberately ended my words in a firm tone. Now, what will you do?

Orpheus seemed to be unmoving while lying on the floor, but soon made a creeping sound.

“That’s really not it. I swear on the River Styx [a river in the Underworld on which gods swear unbreakable oaths], I had no such intention.”

“……”

“I am a sinner who failed to protect my beloved wife… so if you do not save Eurydice, please take my life. I will endure any punishment.”

He was silent after these words.

“Haa…”

I let out a small sigh and rubbed my forehead.

Yes, this is exactly the problem.

As the one who rules the Underworld, the most troublesome things are these.

If someone commits a sin in the land of the living, they should be punished, and if they do good deeds, they should be rewarded in the Underworld.

But if someone who begs for something that violates the law like this is a good person or a hero, or if there is a good reason to be, then.

It is even more difficult to judge correctly.

Even the absolute gods have emotions, subjectivity, and make mistakes.

I am wavering at this hero’s plea, and that is probably the case.

“Lord Hades. Please.”

“…Persephone.”

To make a fair judgment, I shouldn’t allow these exceptions, but I also don’t want to show Kore [Persephone’s maiden name] a merciless side that doesn’t show mercy…

Ha. You’re lucky… this is only once.

It’s definitely not because I don’t want to see Persephone disappointed in me.

“Okay. Take her.”

“…!”

The hero raises his head and beams.

“However, no one should know that you brought your wife from the Underworld. There should never be such a precedent again, so if even a little bit of today’s events leaks out, you will suffer even in death.”

“Thank… Thank you!! Merciful Pluto! I will change my name and live in seclusion with my wife in a secluded place!”

“That oath. If you don’t want to fall into Tartarus [the deepest abyss of the Underworld]… you better remember it properly.”

That’s it.

* * *

Orpheus, who bowed his head several times and thanked me, took his wife’s soul and left the Underworld…

I looked at Persephone, who crossed her arms and approached me from the side.

“Lord Hades. Thank you…”

“It’s not that I granted it because you asked. It was just a reward befitting his achievements.”

“Yesss. I know! Hehe!”

She doesn’t seem to believe me at all. Oh well…

“Is anyone outside? Come in!”

“Yes! What’s the matter?”

Perhaps because the aftermath of Orpheus’s performance still lingered, the servant who had been waiting outside the audience chamber was also shedding tears.

“Convey this to Olympus [home of the gods]. I would like to recommend a candidate for a lower-ranking deity of music.”

“I understand!”

“Tell them that the human hero who just left is the target. Unless there are other opinions, when Orpheus’s lifespan is over, send that soul to Olympus. And tell Charon [ferryman of the Underworld] that I will see him separately later.”

The audience chamber became quiet again.

When the music that had filled the Underworld disappeared, only a silent stillness remained.

There are more humans than you think who risk their lives or take risks for love.

But to come all the way to the Underworld for his dead wife and persuade me, that boldness and courage made me realize why he is a hero.

Still, why did he have to come at such an important moment and interrupt?

Of course, I will take into account the sorrow of losing his wife and the unfortunate coincidence that my proposal overlapped with the timing…

*‘Still, it’s annoying. I’ll see you after you die…’*

You shouldn’t put personal feelings into things like this.

But first, I’ll make him a god. Then, I’ll make him work at every event. It just so happens that I needed someone to be in charge of the congratulatory song at the wedding.

“Ah! Lord Hades. I forgot to say something earlier…”

“The gift you were going to give me?”

“Yes… that. Here!”

Before Orpheus came to the Underworld, she said she had prepared a gift because it was time to go back to the land of the living tomorrow.

I took the box she shyly handed me and opened it, and inside was something I hadn’t expected.

I thought it would be a flower or a suitable treasure at best…

“Hehe! It’s a Persephone One-Time Wish Ticket!”

“……?”

“I’ll grant you anything! You can keep it and use it whenever you want!”

I stared blankly at Persephone’s face, who put her hands on her hips and emphasized a certain area.

It’s really a gift that completely exceeds my expectations.

It’s like the vivacity of a young goddess who is not even 500 years old. Huh.

On the parchment placed at the bottom of the box, there was writing written in the goddess’s beautiful handwriting.

Ως θεά της άνοιξης και των σπόρων, δεσμεύομαι να εκπληρώσω τις επιθυμίες οποιουδήποτε το έχει.

Whether she put a lot of divine power into writing it, the letters glowed faintly with a golden light.

Roughly, it says that as the goddess of spring and seeds, she guarantees the wish ticket.

I chuckled and handed the wish ticket back to her.

“Thank you. Persephone. I will use this wish ticket right now.”

“Right now…? Hmm! Yes. Tell me anything!”

Leaving behind her bewildered expression, I also took out a box that I had prepared in advance.

Then, I took out the contents and held them out, opening my mouth.

“My wish is for you to accept this.”

“Eh…?”

“I love you. Kore. Marry me.”

“Ah. Ah… If it was something like this, you didn’t have to use the wish ticket…”

What I handed to Kore was a golden apple.

Before Gaia [primordial goddess of the Earth] had a falling out with us, when Zeus and Hera had just gotten married.

The golden apple tree that she gave to Hera as a gift… a golden apple taken from there.

On the outer surface of the apple, there were black letters engraved with the power of the Underworld.

*To the beautiful goddess of spring and seeds.*

“Isn’t this… Hera’s golden apple? To give me something so precious…!”

“My epithet is the god of wealth. I don’t have many either, but it’s not an item I can’t get.”

I reached over and kissed Kore’s forehead, who was at a loss for what to do after receiving the golden apple that sparkled with gold.

“So. What’s your answer?”

“Of course, I like it! Since… since you’ve already said it, you can never take it back later…!”

“I swear on the River Styx. That the spring between you and me will continue forever.”

“Heueueut!”

*Pooh.*

Kore, who made a somewhat seductive sound, buried her face in my chest, and we remained in a hugging position.

Until a messenger arrived from outside and brought the answer from Olympus.

Winter will not come.