King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 145

The King of the Underworld is Tired 145

Herkules and Hebe’s Wedding

Styx and Lethe, Persephone and Menthe.

Now that I’ve proposed to all of them, all that’s left is to set the wedding date…

I decided to discuss it with the goddesses and set the date after defeating all the Gigantes [Giants, offspring of Gaia and Uranus].

I felt burdened to carry out such an important event with the imminent battle against the Gigantes, and because Herkules, who had become a god, was scheduled to complete his month-long journey in the Underworld and ascend to Olympus.

Once he ascends to Olympus, he will marry Hebe, the goddess of youth and Hera’s daughter…

I should naturally attend and offer my blessings.

“Hades. Have you heard the news?”

Styx, who is now my wife, though we haven’t had the wedding yet, spoke.

Of course, with a voice dripping with honey… or not?

“Ehem. It’s just that, as the goddess of oaths, I happened to hear it.”

The goddess Styx cannot hear every word sworn upon the River Styx.

However, if she were in the Underworld, especially within the river, and heard an oath from a high-ranking deity… could it be?

“You mentioned my name when you proposed to Persephone…?”

“Ah.”

“You swore on my river… that eternal spring would continue between you two. How sweet.”

“Uh. Uhhh…”

Glower.

Her lips were pouting, her eyes were sharp, and her crossed arms seemed to express her dissatisfaction with her whole body.

Is this why Zeus is always at his wife’s beck and call?

“No. That’s… you…”

“Me what? Did you think I would forgive you? Do you take me so lightly? Don’t tell me you think I’m already a done deal…”

I need to think fast.

What to say? What to say? Athena! Lend me your wisdom!

“I said it to ask for your permission, as you were the first I proposed to.”

“…?”

“I meant to ask for the permission of my first wife, even if Lady Lethe, whom I’ve been with for a long time, is understanding…”

“Hmph… And Demeter’s daughter just jumped in the middle? And Menthe is just a concubine?”

Menthe had said that she didn’t want to formally become the mistress of the Underworld.

Perhaps because she was a lower-ranking goddess and of mortal origin, she seemed burdened by being placed on equal footing with such prominent goddesses.

I wanted to treat everyone equally, but I couldn’t refuse her insistence, so I agreed,

but for some reason, she seemed very relieved… I suspected someone might have been pressuring her.

The goddess Styx, who had been pondering for a moment, unfolded her arms and smiled.

Thank goodness.

“Hmph. You should have told me sooner.”

“Ahem… More importantly, Herkules and Hebe are getting married in two days. How about we go together and check out the atmosphere?”

“Just you and me?”

“Well… Lady Lethe too…”

The goddess’s eyes turned cold again.

Oops. I messed up again.

* * *

Anyway, I came to Olympus with Lethe and Styx. The wedding of the goddess of youth, who rejected the advances of many gods, and Herkules, who ascended to godhood from being a human, was quite lively.

“Ugh… Lady Hebe coldly rejected my proposal…”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Do you even have the looks to match the goddess of youth?”

“Is this guy crazy? I’ll let it slide since it’s a joyous day… Ugh.”

“The goddess Iris went to the Underworld and brought back the god of strength and struggle.”

“I heard that story too. They say the god of strength was utterly exhausted even before the wedding…”

“He apparently told Hera that he wanted to take on tasks in the Underworld himself. His ambition is admirable, but he seems a bit out of it…”

“Shh! Shh! He’s Zeus’s son, and Zeus said to treat him as equal to the Twelve Olympians…”

“Ares. The time to fight the Gigantes is approaching soon.”

“Just don’t hold me back, Athena.”

“I’m reminded of a certain boar who charged in a chariot during the battle with Typhon… and got knocked out in one hit.”

“What?! You… you…!”

There were many who envied Herkules for marrying the goddess of youth, who was like a princess among the gods,

and there were those who talked about Herkules voluntarily entering the Underworld… Hmm. They met my eyes and shut their mouths.

Is Athena still teasing Ares about what happened with Typhon?

The god of war is getting angry about it… and Ares’s children, Phobos [god of fear] and Deimos [god of terror], are having a hard time stopping him.

As I was looking around, Herkules, with muscles that seemed about to burst out of his clothes, approached me.

Hebe was beside him, wearing a faint smile. They didn’t seem to be on bad terms.

“Lord Hades!”

“Herkules. You look much better now that you’ve taken off that lion skin.”

“I’m actually still a bit awkward. I’ve been wearing it for so long, after all…”

“Hahaha! But you can’t wear it on your wedding night, can you? Try to adjust.”

Herkules looked at the goddess of youth with an embarrassed smile at my words.

His face was a bit shy, but it clearly showed affection. Hebe felt the same way.

“Ahem… I understand.”

“Hehe…”

As far as I know, the two of them first met at Hera’s temple. Did they both have feelings for each other?

“Wedding night… He. Hehe…”

“Wedding night, huh…”

The gazes of the goddesses Lethe and Styx on either side of me were piercing.

I felt a strangely hot heat being conveyed to my cheeks through their gazes. Was it just my imagination?

No, come to think of it, I’ve had four wedding nights… Hmm.

“Anyway, how do you feel about coming up to Olympus?”

“I think it’s a good place. It’s incomparable to the scenery of the mortal realm. However…”

“However?”

Herkules smiled awkwardly and trailed off.

“The gods are a bit… a bit too friendly, I think. Haha…”

“Ah. That’s the problem.”

Many mortals think that gods are always dignified and have a sense of decorum.

There are also many who believe that every word they say has power or that every action has meaning.

But once you become a god, you realize.

Gods are not much different from humans.

“Gods are immortal not only in body but also in mind, so it’s only natural. When you get older, you won’t become an old man’s mind, but you will maintain your current mind.”

“Ah… I see.”

“It’s the effect of the divine power that wraps around your body. That’s why the capriciousness and immature behavior of gods cause a lot of damage.”

“……”

“That’s what I’ve been emphasizing to you all along. Not just someone who is strong and has achieved great things…”

I deliberately trailed off and looked into Herkules’s eyes.

I think you became a god because you found the answer, but I want to hear the answer you realized.

“You can only become a god if you fulfill the wishes of mortals and become one of the pillars that make up the world, right?”

“Yes. That’s correct. Dionysus chose the aspect of wine and madness, and you dug into the aspect of strength and struggle to become a god.”

“It’s all thanks to my big uncle. If you ever need my strength, please call me anytime!”

“…Really?”

Herkules is not good at paperwork, but he is good at managing souls and using his strength…

Should I call him back to the Underworld again?

Suddenly, he made a face as if he had made a mistake and lowered his head.

“…I’m sorry. Just not the Underworld… It was the hardest of the ten tasks.”

“Ha. Haha.”

This. This guy… He couldn’t even say it was easy as a formality…!

Hebe, who was next to him, covered her mouth and laughed at her husband’s disgrace, but he was sweating bullets.

No, even with Hermes helping him and giving him some convenience, he’s still like this. Do I really need to do a major reform…

“Now, let’s begin the wedding of the god of strength, Herkules, and the goddess of youth, Hebe!”

With Zeus’s shout, the wedding finally began.

* * *

“Bride. Hebe, do you take Herkules as your husband…”

The officiant is not Zeus, but Hymenaios [god of marriage], the god of marriage.

Bright light emanated from his white wings and torch, illuminating the surroundings.

“Now then. Groom and bride! Kiss each other now!”

“Hmm. Hmm… Mph?!”

♡

“Hahaha! The goddess of youth took the initiative! Youth is good after all!”

“I used to be like that too… Alas!”

“Euros, what are you doing since earlier?”

“Can’t you tell, Notos? I’m creating a suitable breeze and sending it to the bride and groom.”

“…Why are you doing that?”

Having received the blessing of Hymenaios, who appears at blessed weddings… they will both live happily ever after.

With the gods’ kiss as the finale, the two were officially married.

Now, those who are curious about the newly born god of strength are flocking to him.

Hmm. Zeus is patting Herkules on the shoulder and congratulating him. Hera is standing next to him…

“Live happily with my daughter. Hebe, you take care too.”

“Of course! Goddess Hera!”

“I know. Mother. Hehe…”

“Yo. Herkules. Let’s talk for a bit.”

“Ah, Lord Ares. Of course.”

“Hmm. I could replace that iron club of yours, you know.”

“If the blacksmith god would do that for me, it would be a great honor…!”

So many are gathering. Well, Zeus did say that he would treat him as equal to the Twelve Olympians.

Strength, fame, achievements, and lineage. Hebe must have readily agreed because he was the perfect husband material?

Seeing them together like that and receiving everyone’s attention makes me think differently.

My goddesses next to me, Kore [Persephone’s maiden name], Menthe… We will be able to live happily once the battle with the Gigantes is over.

Tuk tuk.

“Lethe?”

“Why are you staring blankly… Are you feeling lonely? I’m here…”

“It’s not that. I just want to see the future where we are in that place soon.”

The goddesses Styx and Lethe, who heard my words, smiled brightly.

If we kill all the Gigantes and receive Gaia’s recognition, a hopeful future will be waiting for us too.

Kiss.

“Ah. Hahaha! Hades, do you know how funny your expression is right now?”

“Stop thinking about other things…”

I touched the cheeks that had been kissed by the goddesses and hugged them.