King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 176

The time of mortals flows by so quickly.

Even for the gods who live for eternity. Before they know it, the high priest of their temple has changed several times, or they become aware of the emergence of new nations.

After the Trojan War, the age of heroes gradually waned.

Mythical monsters were no longer seen. It wasn’t just that the gods didn’t feel the need to nurture heroes anymore…

The decisive reason was Achilleia [a collection of stories and legends about Achilles].

The story of the hero Achilles, a desperate struggle of humans surviving in the midst of war and monsters, became widely known.

“Most of the heroes who participated in the war for honor and glory never returned.”

“Come to think of it, King Agamemnon of Mycenae also didn’t return. Could it be that he was eaten by a monster somewhere…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to focus on working for the family and the country rather than chasing fleeting dreams?”

Before participating in the Trojan War, they went to the battlefield shouting for honor and glory… but the heroes realized the reality.

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Numerous soldiers who couldn’t return to their families, and the horrors of war spoken by those who did, painted a grim picture.

And to add to all of this, the story of Achilles being stranded on a monster island circulated widely.

Those who recalled the age of heroes and pursued the values of honor and glory realized the harsh reality.

Those who went out to find monsters disappeared, and the power of the collective became more valued than individual prowess.

Achilleia, popularized under the guidance of Patroclus, gained a lot of recognition, and Achilles’ name became comparable to Hercules.

Of course, in terms of actual martial prowess, he would be far behind Hercules…

“Mom! I want to be active on the battlefield like Achilles!”

“You’re completely engrossed [The original text ‘빠져있구나’ implies being deeply absorbed or immersed in something] in that heroic tale again.”

“But it’s fun! More than the stories about Hercules or Perseus!”

“Then you must also know that Achilles realized that life is more important than honor and glory. Come in and eat your dinner.”

This also had aspects that Achilles’ heroic tales were gradually exaggerated and embellished as they were passed down to later generations.

The giant wolf or snake that came out of Monster Island was portrayed as a descendant of Typhon [a monstrous giant in Greek mythology], and the desperate struggles of Achilles and Patroclus also became entertaining stories.

Their names, which imparted life lessons to many people, were on everyone’s lips.

“Achilles… Heh heh.”

To the point where the goddess Thetis, reminiscing about her son who lived a mortal life and descended to the underworld, wore a faint smile.

In the past, the goddess Thetis had come to her child to grant him immortal life, but…

Achilles, who had endured all sorts of trials and tribulations, refused.

“Why? Why are you refusing? I can persuade Zeus to let you live an immortal life, too…”

“I know, Mother. That’s why Father also received immortal life.”

“Then why… when this is the path for our family to be happy forever!”

“If I receive immortal life and become a god, my name will be remembered as a legend. But I want to strive for something more, for future generations.”

Achilles looked at his mother.

The goddess, the heavenly being who always seemed so lofty, flickered as if she could be grasped.

Of course, reaching the great sea goddess is no small feat. Still, a god of lower status is not an unreachable goal.

If I follow the will of my beloved mother, I will surely be happy.

My name, which is gradually spreading, will become a myth beyond legend. But…

“I want to remain human. To be buried in the ground, to journey to Pluto’s realm [Pluto is the Roman name for Hades, god of the underworld], and to remain in people’s memories and history.”

“Ah…”

“That is something that cannot be achieved by becoming an immortal being. Please understand my intentions.”

In fact, Achilles’ words came true.

As time passed, Achilles, who grew old, was buried in the ground, and met his death, was certainly praised as a true hero and a master of martial arts.

* * *

As time passed and human abilities developed, belief in the gods also weakened considerably.

Now that they understand all kinds of natural phenomena with their own science, there are not as many who truly believe that we are omniscient and omnipotent gods as before.

Zeus’s current policy is to intervene in the mortal world through dreams or minor blessings, rather than directly interfering with humans.

Perhaps it is because there are not many descendants of the gods who have continued to this day, so they are not very interested. They are living well on their own without gods…

Monsters have now become extinct or have retreated into deep caves or the sea, where they are hidden from humans.

Humans understand the realms ruled by the Olympian gods one by one in their own way.

Medicine, the sky, the earth, fire… Now, many humans rely on the knowledge they have accumulated so far rather than praying to God.

But…

“Pluto, god of wealth! Please have mercy on me…”

“There must be death for life to exist. Lord Hades, thank you so much for providing our daily bread today.”

“If you believe in Lord Hades, you can go to Elysium [the afterlife paradise in Greek mythology] after death. Hades…”

“Oh, I don’t believe! I’m Buddhist.”

Why is it that my following alone has grown so much?

It has been a long time since those who worship me outnumbered those who believe in Zeus, the king of the gods.

Is it because no one understands the afterlife, unlike the sky or other fields that are somewhat understandable with the development of technology?

Or is it because the era of pursuing practical benefits over honor has arrived, raising my status as the god of wealth?

In the distant past, a nation that worshiped the Olympian gods was created on the site where Troy once stood.

Based on the time when that nation, which conquered everything around it and formed an empire, was created… mortals divided the era into BC and AD [Anno Domini, ‘in the year of our Lord’].

Was it the year the empire’s first emperor was born that served as the origin? I remember because he was quite a zealous believer. He diligently built some grand temple or something.

Anyway, perhaps because the empire’s emperor was my believer, my following remained even after the empire collapsed.

First of all, there was a prophet who showed mercy and led people, and was revered as my incarnation.

In front of the courthouse of one country, a statue was made of me sitting on the throne and looking down.

Slightly below, there were statues of the goddess of justice, Dike [the Greek goddess of justice and moral order], and my lovely wives, and statues modeled after the children born between me and them were lined up.

Zagreus, who is reliable enough to be entrusted with the affairs of the underworld, Makaria, who has the blessed divinity of death, Melinoe, the goddess of nightmares who has been suspiciously close to Orpheus lately, etc… Like Zeus or Poseidon, I also had many descendants.

Also, every time witnesses in court swear in my name, I get this feeling.

These days, humans are not very afraid of the names of gods, so they often tell lies.

“From now on, everything I say in court is the truth under the name of Hades, the god of fairness…”

Hmm. That human is lying.

With faith in the Olympian gods weakened, if I were to deliver oracles or intervene in this world, it would be a complete disaster, so I’m holding back for now.

Even if medicine has developed and the lifespan of humans has increased… no mortal can avoid death.

If they come to the underworld later, all of this will be their karma.

* * *

After a long time, I crossed the rivers of the underworld one by one and arrived at the Acheron River [one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology].

The ferryman of the Acheron River, old man Charon, is still driving the boat. Fortunately, thanks to the changing times and technologies…

Woo-oong-

The engine sound of the black boat, decorated with all sorts of ornaments, tickles the ears.

The old man was on a boat floating on the Acheron River [one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology]. Charon, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, waved with a smile.

“Yo, Hades!”

“Grandpa Charon, what’s got you in such a good mood?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Thanks to Hephaestus [the Greek god of blacksmiths, metalworking, carpenters, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metallurgy, fire, and volcanoes], who rebuilt this thing, I don’t have to row anymore. Hahaha!”

Even though he still has to steer the boat and carry the dead…

He seems to like the fact that he doesn’t have to row anymore after all this time.

“Do you know that Thanatos [the personification of death in Greek mythology] is carrying a scythe these days? Humans who saw him are calling him the Grim Reaper or something…”

“It seems there are still humans left with divine blood or the power of prophecy.”

As I was talking to Charon, I saw the dead rushing towards the Acheron River.

The doppelgangers of Thanatos, carrying scythes and wearing hoods, began dragging the dead.

“Ah, I’ll go prepare for the judgment of the dead.”

“Alright. Ah! Tell your wife, the goddess Minthe, to refrain from that mint chocolate stuff… whatever that weird food is.”

“…?”

What is he talking about?

Isn’t mint chocolate, which is also recommended by my cult on Earth, a food loved by everyone?

Anyway, I went back to the throne to judge the dead as usual.

Usually, they are filtered out by Minos [a king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa, who after death became one of the three judges in the underworld], but will there be a special human worthy of being judged by me?

Thump.

Looks like one has come.

An old man came in, looking around anxiously at the unfamiliar scenery.

The servant who led him here bowed to me and left, leaving only me and the dead man in the audience chamber.

“Yo. Where is this…?”

“Welcome to the underworld.”

The old man looked around and met my eyes as I sat on the throne.

His eyes and voice trembled relentlessly.

“Who… who are you? I clearly drowned and was guided by the Grim Reaper…”

“I am Hades, the god of the underworld. And also the one who will judge you from now on.”

“N-No way! Greek mythology was real?! Th-This…”

Seeing the old man gaping in astonishment, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Unlike before, many people consider the existence of us Olympian gods as fiction, so these reactions happen from time to time.

No matter how much human science develops, it cannot explain the afterlife…

“Let’s see. You bravely jumped into the river to save a drowning girl, but eventually ran out of strength and ended up here.”

“This is… Oh my god… But I don’t believe in God…”

“You never committed murder or any serious crimes in your life, and despite your difficult family circumstances, you grew up upright… After retirement, you donated half of your property to charity. It’s been a while since I’ve encountered such a virtuous person.”

“…Ah. Ugh. Hngh…!”

Thump.

The dead cannot shed tears, but the old man knelt down, trembling and sobbing.

I waved my hand, using divine power to lift his body.

After raising the man who realized that an unknown strange force was acting on him and tried to prostrate himself again,

I smiled and delivered the verdict.

“You are more than qualified to go to Elysium [heaven in Greek mythology]. You suffered a lot in the world, so rest in peace here.”

“M-Mr. Hades…? May I ask you one question…?”

“What is it?”

“My wife, who died about five years ago. Can I see my wife, who was killed by a stranger, again…?”

I often receive these kinds of questions and requests. Fortunately, the name Hades has become much less feared.

Fortunately, it’s a request that I can grant without violating any principles.

“Your wife has also done many good deeds and is resting peacefully in the Elysian Fields. Both of you are going to Elysium… Your couple is truly an example for all mortals.”

“…Thank. Thank you! I’m an atheist… No. Th-Thank you, God!”

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the result of your good deeds in the world.”

Yes. Isn’t this what makes it worthwhile, and a small happiness?

To judge fairly at the end of all mortals.

That is my task, my duty, and my responsibility as the King of the Underworld.

The King of the Underworld is tired – The Main Story is Complete