King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 140

The King of the Underworld is Tired 140 (140/179)

The Last Task – If the Head Lacks, the Head Suffers

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“I wish to complete the remaining task. Please allow me.”

“…What did you say?”

The words came from Hercules’ mouth.

It wasn’t about glory or gratitude, but a desire to carry out the remaining tenth task.

Who would enjoy trials, even if they loved glory, wealth, and fame?

Especially if it involved killing powerful monsters or accomplishing Hera’s challenging tasks.

“I was able to ascend to the position of a god thanks to Hera’s tasks. It holds great meaning for me, so I sincerely wish to finish it.”

“…Postponing ascending to Olympus and choosing hardship. You are truly incomprehensible.”

Hera, after examining Hercules’ indifferent face for a moment, soon understood.

Indeed, only such a human could rise to a position equal to the Twelve Olympians on his own.

She once again considered the reasons why Zeus secretly fed him her milk and Hades made him immerse himself in the River Styx.

But… what task should I give him?

Killing a powerful monster?

– What use is a monster to Hercules, who is already stronger than any god except the three chief gods? Currently, the only monsters in the mortal realm that might be stronger than him are… the Gigantes [Giants, offspring of Gaia and Tartarus] who cannot leave the Plesra Plains.

Then, something difficult or requiring the use of his brain?

– Contending with difficult problems is for those who lack strength.

Should I have him fetch the golden apples as originally planned?

– But now I’ve forgotten my grudge, and I’m thinking of marrying him to my daughter?

No, then what task should I give him… something befitting a god’s dignity, yet difficult even for a god?

Hera pondered for a moment, then recalled the incident where Apollo had been dragged into the Underworld not long ago.

“If that is truly your wish, I shall grant you the final task.”

“Thank you.”

“The tenth task is to work in the busiest place in the Underworld for a month.”

“Work… are you saying? Is that truly the task?”

Herkules looked up at her, bewildered.

“Yes.”

“Ah, you mean to become acquainted with those in the Underworld. But I truly want to complete a task…”

“Do not underestimate it.”

“Yes?”

Hera smiled more confidently than ever before as she spoke to Hercules.

It was a wicked smile, suggesting that although she had forgotten her grudge against him, she could still tease him a little.

“Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Eros, Hephaestus…”

“Aren’t those the Twelve Olympians? But why…”

“These are the names of the gods who could not endure this task.”

“…?”

Herkules couldn’t understand at all.

In the end, he left Hera’s temple with a puzzled expression and headed to the Underworld.

* * *

“…That’s what happened. So, I brought the youngest one. Uncle!”

I looked at Hermes and Hercules, who had come to the Underworld.

Hermes, having finished his explanation, was grinning as if something amusing had happened, while Hercules remained indifferent.

“Anyway, it’s been a while, Hercules. I’ve been watching your exploits well from the Underworld.”

“Yes! I’ve become a god as you mentioned last time!”

“Excellent. Your name will be spoken among humans forever.”

Born as a human and rising to the position of a god, the great hero Hercules, that is.

I looked at him with a pleased expression.

His power now ranks among the top of the Twelve Olympians. Excluding Zeus, myself, and Poseidon, there would be no god who could dare to oppose him.

Not born a god from the start… but a human hero who grew through tasks and rose to the position of a god, so it wouldn’t contradict the prophecy.

“So, Hera sent you to the Underworld, you say…”

“Yes. When I asked Lord Hermes here for help at his temple, he gladly agreed.”

“What? You’re favored by Father and look incredibly strong, so of course, I have to be nice to you. Haha!”

But the busiest place… then it’s probably the work of a lower god doing paperwork…

Wouldn’t sending Hercules there cause more problems or make him clash with the other gods?

As I stroked my chin and pondered, Hercules said in a confident voice.

“Don’t worry, Uncle! I will accomplish any task!”

“Worry…? Well. It is a worry, but…”

Even the versatile Apollo is suffering now, so if Hercules is put into the work…

“My task is not yet finished. Please give me any task, and I will work hard!”

“In that case… paperwork. Can you do it?”

“Paper… work?”

Looking at his bewildered expression, he must have been thinking of catching monsters… or using his strength, or punishing evil gods.

Unfortunately, the busiest place in the Underworld is the work of the lower gods.

Of course, excluding exceptions like Charon [ferryman of the Underworld] or Thanatos [god of death]…

“Gods don’t always leisurely care for humans. Of course, you, the god of strength, might be different. Perhaps Hera’s intention is to give you various experiences.”

“…? I understand.”

Herkules bowed his head and followed the herald I called.

Hermes’ facial muscles twitched as he watched the newly appointed god. That face is barely holding back laughter…

As soon as Hercules left the audience chamber, Hermes burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

“…Cough. Hahahaha! Cough. Uncle. Why didn’t you tell him that the Underworld is the most avoided workplace… Pfft…”

“Is that so? It seems difficult for Hercules, after all?”

“It’s beyond difficult! He might think this trial is the most challenging of the ten trials! Even Apollo is…”

You wicked fellow… knowing that the work in the Underworld is so difficult, why don’t you voluntarily come to help?

Somehow, looking at Hermes’ laughter, my stomach twisted.

“Then it would be good to have another god to help Hercules.”

“…Hahaha. Yes?”

“Good. You can work here with him for at least a week while Hercules adjusts.”

“Cough. Uncle? I have to travel the world as a herald…”

“I’ll tell Zeus to give you a vacation. Don’t worry and rest in the Underworld.”

Your legs must have suffered a lot from traveling the world until now, so now your head can suffer.

* * *

A few days after Hercules started working in the Underworld…

I enjoyed the silence and took out nectar to drink.

The nurturing of the great hero Hercules is over, and now I can truly end everything.

To kill all the Gigantes and change the Earth Mother’s mind.

I’ve also obtained the cooperation of the goddess Nyx [goddess of the night] in preparation for any possible situation…

Now I could relax a little.

Hera acknowledged Hercules and said she would marry him to her daughter, Hebe [goddess of youth], so I should send him to Olympus after a month.

He is more than qualified for the right to marry the goddess of youth, whom everyone envies.

Marriage… I also felt that I could no longer postpone it.

Now that all the urgent fires have been put out, it’s time to strengthen the interior.

The position of the mistress of the Underworld could not be left vacant any longer…

And I’ve only recently realized this, but to be honest, my side was cold.

There were many goddesses who loved me excessively, so I couldn’t accept just one.

Having a formal wife would be unfair to the other goddesses.

I had already thought about who to propose to first and in what way.

Squeak.

I slightly opened the desk and took out a dark ring.

It looks rough at first glance, but complex and beautiful patterns are engraved along the surface of the ring.

This ring… was made by melting down the Styx sword that the goddess Styx had given me as a gift.

It was a meaningful object to me, so I specially asked Hephaestus to make it.

I took out a few other items besides this and headed straight to the River Styx.

The River Styx, with the same scenery as when I first came down to the underground after drawing the Underworld in the lottery a long time ago.

Today was Thanatos’ day, so there were no souls crossing the River Styx.

As I moved my steps and slowly approached the river, the water formed a shape and transformed into the appearance of a goddess, just like then.

I thought she would be here as expected. She always rested in her river.

“Hmm? Hades? What’s with that serious face… Did Thanatos run away again? Or did Charon’s boat…”

“I have something to say.”

The goddess spoke with a sleepy face, as if she had been sleeping in the river.

But this time, it’s not for that kind of business. I came with the intention of proposing.

I’ve come this far smoothly, but it’s hard to spit it out.

Has it ever been so difficult to say just one word?

“…Hades?”

The goddess’s voice was heard as she felt something strange as I stood still and stared at her face.

Black hair that comes down to her waist. An attractive body and soft lips.

I checked my heart once again, and with a stiff hand that didn’t move well, I held out the ring and…

I looked into her black eyes and moved my lips.

“I swear on the River Styx.”

“What is it this time…”

“I love you. Please marry me. Goddess Styx.”

“Yes. Yes? Yes…?!”

Splash!

The goddess, who was restless with her ears reddened… suddenly fell into the water.