King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 158

Hades’ Wedding – (1)

After the long, drawn-out Gigantomachy [the war between the Olympian gods and the Giants], the gods began to gather in the Underworld.

The reason was that I, the King of the Underworld, had announced that I would hold my wedding here.

Rumors spread that we were able to win the Gigantomachy because Lady Nyx [the primordial goddess of the night] had joined the battle, and Zeus declared that my contribution was the greatest.

Which was only natural. Although Heracles [also known as Hercules, a divine hero] killed the most Gigantes in the Gigantomachy, I was the one who persuaded Prometheus [a Titan known for his intelligence and foresight], defended Mount Etna where Typhon [a monstrous giant] was buried, and brought in Lady Nyx.

Anyway, the Olympian gods scattered all over the world flocked to the Underworld, causing a minor commotion.

On the Acheron River [one of the rivers of the Underworld], divinities and souls gathered to board Charon’s boat to the Underworld…

“Is this the Underworld? It’s my first time here…”

“You Olympian lot, hurry up and move along. I’m busy enough ferrying souls.”

“Oh! Lord Charon!”

“My, my. In the time I haven’t seen it, the ferry has changed a lot… a lot.”

“Isn’t that a steel ship, not a ferry?”

Of course, Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld, worked very hard.

It couldn’t be helped, since the victory banquet for the Gigantomachy and my wedding were both being held in the Underworld.

Naturally, the ambrosia and nectar [the food and drink of the gods] to be eaten and drunk were to be brought in from Olympus.

Ganymede [Zeus’ cupbearer], who took over the management of ambrosia and nectar from Hebe [goddess of youth] after she married Heracles, would have a hard time.

I ordered that this place be decorated splendidly so that it would not feel like the Underworld, which all mortals fear, at least for today.

There were so many jewels piled up in the treasure vault that they were overflowing.

I, as the groom, was busy changing into all sorts of clothes.

I had already had all the clothes fitted a few days ago, but why was I still doing this?

In the end, I sat on a chair wearing a black gown with all sorts of decorations and a crown.

Feeling the sensation of the Bident [Hades’ two-pronged spear] in my right hand, I relaxed my slightly tense body when…

“Wow. Lord Hades! You look so handsome dressed up!”

“Wow…”

“A little more embellishment on the shoulders…”

Gods often came in, talked to me, and gave me words of blessing.

Many gods who were hard to find came, and Eris [goddess of discord], in particular, was ignored by many gods, but I invited her anyway.

How could I leave out the mother of Lethe [goddess of forgetfulness, one of Hades’ brides], the goddess I was going to marry?

She was such a kind person that she told me not to worry too much because she would just take a peek and leave.

She didn’t want to cause any trouble at her daughter’s wedding…

Or was it? If I hadn’t invited her… Hmm.

In addition to her, I also called all the gods that others shunned, such as Limos [goddess of hunger], and the three goddesses of revenge, the Erinyes [also known as the Furies].

It wouldn’t be fair if I discriminated against them. I have a horn of plenty [the Cornucopia], so I can satisfy the hunger of the goddess Limos even for a short time.

I also adjusted the seating so that those who were awkward, like Athena [goddess of wisdom and warfare] and Medusa [a Gorgon with snakes for hair], would not have to face each other, and I had told them in advance. Ah. Someone’s coming.

“Hades. Congratulations on your wedding.”

“Ah. Everyone’s here… Isn’t Lady Alecto [one of the Erinyes] with you?”

“…Alecto is crying because of you.”

It was an incomprehensible sound, but I decided to visit Lady Alecto after the wedding.

Click.

The door opened and another divinity came in with a gift.

Was it Aphrodite [goddess of love and beauty] this time?

“Heh… Ha. Hades. You always wear drab clothes… Slurp. You look very… 흡!”

“Oh, Mother! Please don’t do this!”

“Oh, come on. Just a little eye candy…”

“…?”

Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, came in and stared blankly at me, drooling, and was dragged out by Eros [god of love], who was horrified.

“Hades! Long time no see!”

“Is there anything you want us to get you as a gift? We can fix your weapon.”

“Please take a look at my Kynee [Hades’ helmet of invisibility].”

“…What did you hit it with?”

“Poseidon [god of the sea] also has a dent in his trident, so he’ll probably ask you to fix it.”

“Didn’t you run into Scylla [a sea monster] again?”

The Cyclopes [one-eyed giants], who are not immortal but have the power of youth, also came in.

In addition, I spent some time receiving blessings and gifts from countless gods.

* * *

After a long wait, it was finally time for the ceremony to begin.

With the voice telling me to come in, I walked into the garden of the Underworld.

With Hymenaios [god of marriage], the god of marriage who was in charge of the ceremony, looking at me and grinning, I could see her beautifully adorned.

Persephone [goddess of spring and queen of the Underworld], waving her hand with a bright smile as our eyes met, Styx [goddess of the River Styx and oaths], stroking the ring on her finger with a smile, Mente [a nymph associated with the river Cocytus], bowing her head as if she felt awkward wearing a decorated dress in front of so many divinities, and Lady Lethe, wearing a pure white chiton [a type of Greek tunic] and putting her hand on her waist.

They were smiling, wearing red, ornate veils and wreaths made of unfading flowers.

As I stepped forward, stepping on the flowers on the floor, I could hear the voices of the gods standing on either side.

“They’re finally getting married. Are those four the mistresses of the Underworld?”

“I heard that Mente, a lower god, is a concubine. But to accept them all… Lord Hades is something else.”

“Isn’t it because he’s the god of fairness?”

“We were betting on when Lord Hades would get married…”

“To think that the beauty of the goddess of spring, whom Demeter [goddess of agriculture] cherishes so much, was at this level.”

“Uncle Hades. Congratulations.”

In the garden, which glowed faintly in the darkness, the jewels of the underworld shone like stars.

Translucent spirits who were musicians in the mortal world floated around and sang sacred songs. A song praising the festival of the gods echoed through the underworld.

“Hehe.”

“It’s like I’m dreaming…”

When I reached Hymenaios and her and met their eyes, I could see that their faces were flushed red.

“Ahem. Ahem! In the name of the Styx River. Here at the end of mortals. You will be one forever.”

Perhaps because my eyes were fixed on the four beautiful goddesses looking at me, I could hardly hear Hymenaios’ voice.

At this moment, it was as if only she and I existed.

“Then… will the King of the Underworld spend his life with these four beautiful goddesses?”

“Of course.”

“Will the goddesses swear to share their fate forever with the master of the Underworld, even in this darkness?”

The four goddesses, not taking their eyes off me, answered willingly. Looking into each of their eyes, I recalled the past.

Goddess Styx and Goddess Lethe, whom I met not long after being reincarnated in ancient Greece. Mente, who helped me find some of my precious memories from my previous life. Persephone, whose first meeting was embarrassing, but I realized that she was not a bad goddess.

These people are so precious to me.

The grateful goddesses who liked me, who was unworthy of them, and waited for me.

“Under the declaration of Hymenaios, the god of marriage, I announce to the world that you have become one.”

A ding-dong sound rang out…

As I kissed each of them one last time and felt their soft touch, the gods applauded.

A thunderous roar erupted from all directions. Iris [goddess of the rainbow] waved her hand to create a beautiful rainbow, and Apollo [god of music, poetry, and light] gently plucked his lyre.

“Whee! Congratulations! Lord Hades!”

“Now that the Gigantomachy is over, have a happy honeymoon!”

“I’ll go down to the Underworld from time to time and help you with your work!”

“…What? Are you crazy?”

“Keuheuhut! Keuheut! That’s it! Eheheut!”

“Euros? Please don’t make that laughter that plots something…”

“As the goddess of the home, I hope you have a happy home.”

Zeus smirked and drank nectar. Poseidon looked at this place with Amphitrite [Poseidon’s wife and queen of the sea] and smiled.

Hephaestus [god of the forge], who was somehow more swollen and colorful than usual, applauded… The Muses [goddesses of the arts and sciences] began to show off their talents.

A slightly sulky Aphrodite. Demeter wiping away tears as she looked at Persephone.

Apart from these, countless lesser gods, nymphs, servants, and souls chattered.

And a small word from the lower divinities.

“Wait, today is the day the mistress of the Underworld is decided. So maybe we can rest?”

“Is that… so?”

“Please, just for a month…!”

Indeed. I didn’t understand their feelings.

It’s not good for the person in charge to be too obsessed with work. Of course, maintaining the balance of the world is important, but.

There’s no excuse for working on your wedding day, even if you get cursed behind your back.

“Ah. Listen well, gods belonging to the Underworld! Today is a joyous day, so by my authority…”

I could see the faces of the gods filled with anticipation.

While Charon and Thanatos’ [god of death] pupils gradually widened, revealing suspicion and expectation, I opened my mouth and declared.

“…I will suspend the work of the Underworld for four days.”

I’ve conceded a lot with this.

* * *

For some reason, the gods were drooping their shoulders even at the good news, but they were still happily chatting and enjoying the banquet.

Some of the gods seemed a little strange… I hope nothing happens.

“Ugh… Lord Hades is talking about work, so my head suddenly hurts.”

“Ares [god of war]. Are you too? I feel like…”

“Kheuheuk. Still, where else can you rest for four days? Wait a minute, I’m… not in the Underworld right now?”

“No documents… no documents.”

I ignored the countless gods who were complaining of an unknown cause and looked at Zeus, who approached me.

He was with Hera [Zeus’ wife and queen of the gods], holding nectar and looking around the scenery of the Underworld.

“Hades, brother. It seems that the Underworld has changed a lot in the time I haven’t seen it.”

“You haven’t been here much since the Great Flood. I’ve done some reforms in my own way.”

“I didn’t know there were so many things to see in the Underworld.”

After saying this and that for a while, Zeus opened his mouth in a serious tone.

“It’s not something to talk about at a wedding, but… I’m thinking of discussing reducing the number of heroes. If you send a messenger to the Underworld later, can you visit Olympus?”

It’s not another Great Flood, is it?