King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 188

Afterlife’s Monarch is Tired 188 (187/193)

Side Story – Rebellion of the Underworld (2)

I had decided to revolt against Zeus, the king of the gods, but there were many obstacles to overcome.

First of all, Zeus is incredibly strong. Poseidon and I could win if we joined forces, but no one can defeat Zeus alone.

The Underworld’s forces, numerous as they may be, would be of no help in a battle against the three main gods, so I must find another way.

Should I negotiate with Gaia [the primordial goddess of the Earth] and get her help instead?

…No. She would surely ask me to release the Titan gods imprisoned in Tartarus [the deep abyss used as a dungeon for the Titans].

No matter how persuasive I am, I would have to concede to releasing all the Titans except Cronus [the leader of the Titans and father of Zeus].

It’s not just one or two Titans; if countless Titans are all released, I won’t be able to control them with my power.

I also can’t get the cooperation of Poseidon, who is constantly eyeing Zeus’s throne.

To take the throne of the gods and change Olympus, I must subdue all three main gods, excluding myself.

Even if I drive out Zeus, if conflict arises with Poseidon over the sky’s divinity, mortals will continue to suffer in a battle that lasts for decades.

It would be more feasible to use him and then betray him… but he wouldn’t be easily fooled.

Most of the gods belonging to the Underworld will follow me if I revolt. I have completely taken control here, just like Poseidon controls the sea.

It’s fortunate that my authority takes precedence over the king of the gods, at least in this place.

The only uncertain factor in the Underworld is the Hecatoncheires [giants with a hundred hands and fifty heads] guarding the entrance to Tartarus.

Thrown into Tartarus by Uranus [the primordial god of the sky] but rescued by Zeus, how would they react if they knew this fact?

Even though they are out of touch with the world at the entrance to Tartarus, they are still gods.

They might sense the war, or while I and most of the gods are fighting in Olympus… a god from Zeus’s side might deliver the news to seek their help.

Even if I succeed in the rebellion, their powerful strength could cause problems.

I need to persuade them or tie them down before attacking Olympus… I should find a sure way to persuade them.

So, I need to completely secure the Underworld first.

“Is anyone outside?”

“Yes! What is it, Lord Hades!”

“Summon Thanatos [god of death], Charon [ferryman of the Underworld], the goddess of discord Eris, the goddess of oblivion Lethe, and all gods above a certain level.”

“Lord Charon too?”

“Yes. He will understand if I say I have something important to tell him.”

The messenger disappeared. I closed my eyes and traced the plan for the future.

The rebellion against Zeus will not be easy, but I will do it for the sake of the world.

* * *

Some time later, the gods belonging to the Underworld gathered in the audience chamber.

Thanatos, Hypnos [god of sleep], Morpheus [god of dreams], Moros [god of doom], Keres [female death-spirits], Eris, Lethe, Styx [goddess of the River Styx], Charon, the three Erinyes [goddesses of vengeance], etc.

As numerous gods gathered in one place, a subtle aura spread through the audience chamber.

“My dear gods. Is everyone here?”

“Hades. I’m busy guiding the dead to the Underworld. Why did you call even me? Natural disasters have been happening in the mortal realm recently…”

“That’s right. Even at this moment, the dead must be piling up in the Acheron River [another river of the Underworld].”

Complaints erupted from Thanatos and Charon. They are the busiest gods in the Underworld.

But they will react differently when they hear my words.

I lightly waved my hand to dismiss the servants. The materials I had prepared in advance were delivered to the gods by the servants.

“Please take a look at these materials.”

“What is this? [Status of the Dead Coming to the Underworld] [List of Olympus God’s Misdeeds]?”

“Hmm… Certainly, the number of dead coming to the Underworld is increasing, but was it so related to Olympus?”

“[Increasing Trend of the Dead Who Do Not Lose Their Memories Even After Crossing the River of Oblivion]… Ah.”

“I think I know what you’re trying to say. The gods of Olympus are increasing our work.”

The materials I prepared in advance were a summary of the misdeeds of the gods of Olympus.

It mainly focused on how much the Underworld’s work had increased. I properly included the fact that the Underworld suffers every time a minor dispute occurs in Olympus, so it will be persuasive.

Some gods were annoyed or angry, and many sighed.

When I felt that an atmosphere of denouncing Olympus had formed, I drove in the wedge.

“And do you know? Natural disasters have been occurring in the mortal realm recently, and the number of dead coming to the Underworld has increased dramatically.”

“Certainly, the dead have increased several times. I thought it was related to Olympus, but…”

“Hephaestus [god of the forge] and Ares [god of war] fought over Aphrodite [goddess of love and beauty], and Zeus’s affair was exposed, failing even a proper mediation. So, mortals died because of the gods’ disputes.”

As soon as I finished speaking, a roar full of injustice erupted.

It was Thanatos, the slave of the Underworld who reaps death—no, the true worker.

“What?! I’ve been working without sleep these days because of those young ones’ love affair!”

Other gods, including Charon, also showed absurd reactions.

The reason why work has recently increased so much is because of the minor disputes of the gods of Olympus, which is naturally ridiculous.

“No… don’t they think about the Underworld?”

“What is Zeus doing?”

“Huh. Haha. I go to deliver sleep to the mortal realm every day, but it seems that this situation is not visible from above the clouds.”

“….Haa. I was the first to side with Olympus in the Titanomachy [the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods], but I didn’t know it would turn out like this. Is this the news Hermes [the messenger god] brought?”

The words of several gods. And the words of the goddess Styx resonate in my heart.

Have the gods changed a lot since then? No, it was a war started to survive in the first place.

“So, I am going to drive out Zeus and become the king of the gods.”

“Hmm?!”

I spoke the words I had prepared in advance, facing them as they looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

Of course, carefully checking the mood of the gods one by one.

“How long should our Underworld be controlled by Olympus? The immortals of Olympus, including Zeus, need to feel the responsibility of being gods more heavily. Of course, irresponsible actions such as being blinded by women and harming mortals should be condemned.”

Everyone nodded appropriately and seemed to agree.

No one showed discomfort or contradicted my words.

“I will wage war with Olympus, overthrow Zeus, and become the king of the gods to control their atrocities. Please lend me your strength.”

“Yes. You would be much better than Zeus.”

“I also agree. Zeus, that guy. He became the king of the gods and doesn’t even know how to respect old people like us…”

“…I’m on your side.”

“Oh my. Look at this kid. Hoho… Anyway, Lethe, do as you wish. I respect your choice.”

The words of Thanatos and Charon, the goddess Lethe and her mother, the goddess Eris.

Following them, other gods added a word each. Roughly, they support me and agree to join in overthrowing Zeus.

“Thank you, everyone. There is a high possibility that we will attack Olympus soon, so please be prepared. And so that they don’t notice, act as usual…”

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Good. Now, the next place to go is decided.

If I can’t beat Zeus in a head-on fight, then I’ll use schemes and variables.

To obtain and succeed in schemes, plans and prophecies are needed.

To obtain plans and prophecies, bold and unconventional actions are needed.

* * *

Mount Caucasus.

The place where a heinous criminal exists, who dared to disobey the command of the king of the gods and brought fire to humans.

The Titan Prometheus [a Titan known for his intelligence and foresight], who was tied to a rock wall and had to endure the terrible pain of having his liver torn out every day, let out a low groan.

“Ugh…!”

Thud.

Because the chains of Hephaestus [god of the forge] that bound his body were broken so easily.

It happened with a single attack swung by someone who was not caught at all in the Titan’s senses.

The Titan of prophecy’s brain rotates rapidly.

The only thing that allows stealth that is not caught even by the Titan’s senses is Cyneae [Hades’ helmet of invisibility], the sacred artifact symbolizing the king of the Underworld.

The power to cut the chains of the blacksmith god, one of the twelve main gods of Olympus, at once.

Then… Khahaha! Zeus! The time has come to pay back for your sins!

Even your brother, whom you should never turn into an enemy, has turned his spear upside down, so your destruction is not far off!

“Heh heh heh. I will also participate.”

Prometheus, who quickly finished calculating, opened his mouth as he loosened his body.

Then, a low voice is heard from the empty air where nothing exists.

“…Did you perhaps know in advance through prophecy?”

“No? But there is only one action that a person who uses Cyneae, comes to the ground, and cuts my chains would take.”

Whoooo-

After a moment of silence, Zeus’s sacred beast, the eagle, flew in from the sky to tear out his liver.

As befits the name of the sacred beast, the fiercely flying beast… Ah. How much pain did I have to endure from that damn beast!

But Prometheus, who cut Hephaestus’s chains and regained his power, is a great Titan.