King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 20

The King of the Underworld is Tired 20 (20/82)

The Story of Poseidon – (1)

I expected the Underworld to be extremely busy today… but Hades’ office was surprisingly quiet.

This was because human nations were being established everywhere, and the mortal realm was stabilizing, leading to fewer deaths.

Many still met their end due to various monsters, accidents, or violent animals, but it was manageable.

However, there was still one concern for me…

“You still haven’t located the Gigantes [Giants born of Gaia and Uranus, known for challenging the Olympian gods]?”

“No, we couldn’t find any traces of the monsters you mentioned.”

They were the Gigantes, the subjects of the prophecy that they could only be defeated with the help of a human hero.

I tried to search for their location in advance to eliminate them or reduce their numbers, but…

‘Is Gaia [Earth goddess in Greek mythology] providing them with hideouts until their power grows strong enough?’

Even Zeus of Olympus doesn’t know, and I can’t find them even after searching the entire Underworld. There’s nothing I can do.

The only good thing is that the day the Gigantes challenge the gods again is likely far in the future.

It takes a lot of time for them to receive Gaia’s power and increase their strength.

Gaia knows the power of the gods who even defeated Typhon [A monstrous giant and one of Gaia’s offspring], so she will only send them when there is a sure chance of victory.

‘A human hero needs to appear before that… Cadmus [A legendary hero, founder, and first king of Thebes] is the most likely, but he’s too busy searching for his sister…’

As I was lost in thought, a soul soldier from outside came in to tell me that a guest had arrived.

Someone at the entrance to the Underworld, half fish and half god, claimed to be Poseidon’s messenger.

I realized that the time Poseidon mentioned before had come.

He clearly said he had something to say at the underwater banquet.

I can guess what he wants to say, but I should go and listen.

I told the soul soldier to bring the guest in, then unfolded a scroll of parchment to examine the locations in the mortal realm where the Gigantes might be hiding.

Wherever you’re hiding, just get caught… I’ll turn you all into citizens of the Underworld.

As I was having grim thoughts and looking at the parchment, Poseidon’s messenger soon arrived at the office.

He bent over and greeted me as soon as the door opened.

“Ruler of the Underworld! It’s an honor to meet you. I am Triton, the only direct son of Poseidon!”

“Yes, I am Hades.”

The god who introduced himself as Triton.

His body was covered in scales, and he had gills and something that looked like a dolphin’s tail.

He looked like a monster in human form, but I had to consider his birthplace in the sea.

And a direct son… that means he’s the child of Poseidon’s official wife, Amphitrite [Sea goddess and wife of Poseidon].

“Is Poseidon’s banquet ready? Then lead the way.”

“Yes! I will guide you to my father’s palace!”

He’s quick. Poseidon must like that.

* * *

This is a beach on land.

When I was invited to Amphitrite and Poseidon’s wedding last time,

a giant whale, one of Poseidon’s servants, took me to the golden palace in the sea.

I wondered if I should call a whale again to go into the sea, but…

Triton took out a conch shell from his waist and blew it.

Boo-ooo-

A magnificent sound spread from the black and white conch shell,

and soon two giant seahorses appeared above the sea.

“These are the seahorses I command. They are also blessed by my father, so they can move quickly in the sea.”

“A type of divine beast, Poseidon has given it power.”

The seahorses had saddles and reins as if they were made for someone to ride easily.

I got on the seahorse, feeling the touch of seawater on my legs for the first time in a while.

“Then we will move to the palace! Let’s go!”

With Triton’s words, the seahorses sank into the sea.

Swoosh-

At the same time, a bubble-like thing formed around me, pushing away the surrounding water.

Poseidon’s power allows me to not get wet and breathe underwater.

When I was invited to the sea god’s wedding, I just used my power to push away the water, but now I don’t have to, so it’s convenient.

Gluglugluglu-

As I entered the sea, countless fish swam through the blue world.

Dark blue mackerel, playful dolphins, sea turtles…

As I went further down, seaweed grew densely on the bottom, and small fish were busily moving through it.

A merman, who appeared to be Poseidon’s subordinate, was also seen collecting seaweed.

The seahorse carrying me goes a little deeper.

It felt like the waterway naturally opened and guided us somewhere.

As I went down to the deep sea where sunlight didn’t reach well, the surroundings were all dark.

But the eyes of a god could see everything.

The scenery of what humans call the deep sea was worth seeing.

They fear the sea and always offer sacrifices to Poseidon, but…

Clear and transparent jellyfish, seemingly intelligent, were playing with their tentacles,

and more and more of Poseidon’s subordinates, a mix of humans and fish, began to appear.

“Look at this, ahahaha!”

“This turtle is cute. Should I take it and raise it?”

“Oh? But over there…!”

Some of the beautiful nymphs, the sea fairies Nereids [Sea nymphs in Greek mythology], were giggling as they looked at the sea turtle, then looked this way and were startled.

Soon, they seemed to recognize Poseidon’s blessing, the air bubbles, and my appearance, and quickly bowed their heads and paid their respects.

Triton smiled and waved the hand that wasn’t holding the seahorse’s reins, and they blushed and moved away.

Is that considered handsome in the sea? It’s hard to understand with my Underworld sensibilities, but…

Gluglugluglu-

I went further down.

Probably deeper than what humans call the deep sea.

The water pressure at this depth would make it difficult for even a demigod born and raised on land to survive.

But it wouldn’t be a problem for Poseidon’s children.

A shark-man approached me as I leisurely looked around.

He had the shape of a human with only his lower body covered, but instead of feet, he had flippers, a shark fin, and sharp teeth.

The harpoon in his hand looked sharp enough to pierce an enemy even in the deep water.

Judging by his strength, he seemed to be the captain of the guard near the palace.

“I greet the lord of the Underworld. I am Andrius, who has been fortunate enough to receive Poseidon’s grace.”

As I nodded and raised one hand, he bowed to Triton as well.

“Triton.”

“Yes, is the banquet preparation all done?”

“Yes, the preparations are perfect.”

They talked for a while, and the seahorse started again.

As if drawn by some force, the sea current naturally took us to the bottom.

How long had we moved? Finally, Poseidon’s palace came into view.

The golden palace in the sea shone brilliantly.

Even though it was in the deep sea where sunlight shouldn’t reach, it was brightly lit.

The magnificent palace buildings and white pillars.

Colorful corals surrounded the area, and a translucent barrier was seen around the entire palace.

That barrier seems to be the same type of Poseidon’s power given to the seahorse I’m riding.

“Hades! Welcome to my palace!”

Finally, Poseidon, the blue-haired sea god, stood in front of the palace’s ornate door, spreading his arms.

* * *

The banquet prepared by Poseidon was as good as the banquets of Olympus.

Boo-ooo-

There were a lot of seaweed dishes because it was in the sea,

and a merman with a fish lower body created a sweet melody using a conch shell.

I appropriately accepted the greetings of Poseidon’s sons and the lower gods under his command and became acquainted with them.

Many new gods were born in the sea. Triton is… playing with the sharks.

It wasn’t bad to chew on seaweed dishes and ambrosia [The food of the gods in Greek mythology] while watching the antics of the sea clowns.

A talking octopus throwing several seashells into the air and spinning them around was also worth watching…

Ahhhhhh-!

What is that sound again?

From somewhere far away, deep in the sea, I hear the voice of a woman filled with anger.

This divine power that stirs up sea currents and brings forth violent waves?

“Ahem… it seems Amphitrite is acting up again.”

“Is there something wrong with your wife?”

“Well… she does that when she finds out I’ve spent the night elsewhere.”

Poseidon said with a bitter smile.

So, your wife found out you were having an affair and is angry like this?

What’s the difference between you and Zeus?

Hera [Queen of the Gods and Zeus’s wife] and Amphitrite seem to be having a really hard time.

No wonder the mistress of the sea didn’t show up at the banquet.

Poseidon, holding a blue glass of nectar [The drink of the gods in Greek mythology] in his hand, strokes his beard and says.

“Sigh… how am I going to appease her this time? But at least I don’t have to worry about the mistress of the sea changing…”

“Isn’t she angry because you’re having an affair, not because you’re worried about the mistress of the sea changing?”

He seems to be as bad as Zeus.

Which of the two will have the divine title of adultery?

I sighed and poured nectar into my mouth.

The nectar definitely tastes different depending on where you eat it.

How can the nectar taste so refreshing here?

A cider from my past life.

It wouldn’t be bad to keep enjoying the banquet here, but it’s time to get to the point.

I put down the blue glass and made eye contact with Poseidon.

“Well… I’m already guessing, but tell me why you invited me.”

“Why are you asking when you already know? The reason you’re thinking of is correct, Hades.”

He smiles and gives an ambitious smile.

“Of course, there’s no other reason than to join forces and overthrow Zeus, right?”

I knew it.