King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 53

The King of the Underworld is Tired – (1)

The Prophet Prometheus

The Underworld, the land of the dead.

The massive gate leading to Hades’ fortress.

“Hek. Hek.” “Creak…”

I stared at the dog performing all sorts of tricks in front of me.

The demonic beast with three heads and venomous saliva dripping from its mouth was wagging its tail, acting cute.

I looked at Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld, who had grown quite a bit, and took out the Cornucopia [horn of plenty, capable of producing endless food and drink].

Thinking of a thick piece of meat, I reached into the broken horn and soon grabbed a large chunk of meat.

Crunch. Tear.

I grabbed it and threw it in front of Cerberus, and the three heads lunged at it, devouring it ravenously.

The fresh meat quickly disappeared into the beast’s stomach.

“Hek hek hek.”

Looking at Cerberus wagging its tail, looking at me again as if asking for more food…
Morpheus, the god of dreams, approached.

“Lord Hades. You’re personally feeding Cerberus today. Is something bothering you?”

“No, it’s nothing special.”

“Isn’t that the face you make when you’re worried about something? Are you perhaps still concerned about Gaia?”

Gaia has been quiet lately.

At first, she used the Gigantes [giants born of Gaia and Uranus] to set various traps and wear down our forces…

When the gods successfully defended against the attacks, she tried to diminish our influence in the mortal realm by using human heroes like Oedipus.

What could her next move be…

“I suspect she’ll be up to something soon.”

“Wouldn’t she either use human heroes again, like last time, or prepare to move the Gigantes, taking advantage of her one remaining opportunity?”

“The problem is, I can’t be sure.”

Like Morpheus said, it’s true that she’s preparing something, but I can’t be sure what means she’ll use.

The power of the first-generation god, Protogenoi [primordial deities], the master of the earth who influences all things.

She has priority over Demeter in the dominion over the earth, and even…

“Gaia also has the power of prophecy.”

“Indeed, her prophetic abilities, surpassing even Apollo, are the problem.”

The Earth Mother Gaia is the personification of the earth, seasons, and ecosystem.

And also a god with powerful prophetic abilities.

When she fell out with Cronus, the god of time and agriculture,

Her prophecy that he too would be deprived of his throne by his own children is famous.

The only one in the world whose power of foresight can be compared to hers is Prometheus.

That prophetic ability, which even Apollo can’t match, poses a great danger to us…

“Wait, if we could somehow persuade Prometheus, couldn’t we get his help?”

“But he’s full of resentment towards Lord Zeus. Do you think he would help Olympus?”

Prometheus is chained to a rocky mountain for enraging Zeus by giving fire to humans.

He’s even being punished by having his liver eaten by an eagle every day, so he must harbor considerable resentment.

“But I’ve never seen a Titan who cares for humans as much as he does. The Gigantes eat humans, so if we exploit that point and persuade him…”

“Shouldn’t we release him from the rocky mountain first?”

“I’ll go to Olympus and try to persuade Zeus.”

Somehow, I need to persuade Zeus to cancel the punishment on the rocky mountain,

And then get help from Prometheus’s prophetic abilities.

One thing that bothers me is… will Zeus forgive him for stealing fire?

* * *

“No matter what you say, brother, that’s impossible.”

Damn it, he’s doing this again.

As soon as I came to Olympus, I met Zeus, but he refused with a stiff face.

“Originally, I was only going to end it by chaining him to the rocky mountain, but Prometheus himself chose that punishment.”

“Are you talking about that statement that provoked you?”

When Prometheus was chained to the rocky mountain,

He asked Hephaestus to tell Zeus, ‘Zeus will one day meet the same fate as Cronus and Uranus.’

Zeus was enraged by the high-level provocation sent to the king of the gods and had an eagle eat his liver every day.

In fact, since it was a statement made by Prometheus, who is capable of perfect prophecy, no one knows whether it was just a provocation or a prophecy.

Prometheus’s provocation, using the fact that Zeus knew about his prophetic abilities.

That statement must always be stuck in Zeus’s heart like a thorn.

“I’m concerned about what he said back then. If you show leniency, won’t he tell you a way out?”

“That nonsense that might be a prophecy…”

Zeus had a troubled expression for a moment.

Even though it’s about releasing Prometheus, who offended the king of the gods,

He must have kept the words Hephaestus conveyed in his heart.

Zeus, who was tapping the handle of the golden throne, opened his mouth.

“What if Prometheus can’t be persuaded by you, brother? I sent Hermes to tell him the prophecy in detail and persuade him to stop the punishment, but only ridicule came back.”

“That’s because you sent Hermes. It’ll be a little different if I go myself. And if he’s not persuaded by me…”

Prometheus surpasses Apollo and is a god of perfect prophecy comparable to Gaia.

He gave fire to humans even though he knew what consequences stealing it from the gods would bring…

He threw ridicule even though he knew what punishment would follow if he provoked Zeus.

Isn’t he the real god of madness, surpassing Dionysus?

If Prometheus is not persuaded by me and I have thoughts of retaliating, such as chaining him to the rocky mountain again,

The god of prophecy will surely laugh at me and sneer.

“He has already received enough punishment… I’m not going to do anything.”

“…So you’re just going to let him go?”

“Yes, and that’s the only way.”

To persuade someone like that, you have to approach him with sincerity, not a whip.

Stop the punishment of being tortured every day just for stealing fire and giving it to humans…

“Because humans can offer us burnt offerings because he gave them fire.”

“But I can’t forgive him for ignoring my orders, the king of the gods, and acting as he pleased.”

“So I also overlooked the punishment you gave. But I think this is enough.”

Prometheus has already suffered for a very long time.

The king of the gods needs a certain amount of authority, but this is enough time for punishment that other gods can accept.

“Someone call Athena and tell her I’m looking for her!”

“Understood, Lord Zeus.”

Zeus ordered a servant to call Athena.

He’s thinking of hearing the opinion of the goddess of wisdom he trusts.

* * *

Soon, Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, arrived, fully armed as always.

After hearing the story that Zeus and I had shared, her face turned serious.

“I am sorry, but hasn’t Father already calmed down?”

“What?”

“The very fact that you called me to ask for my opinion suggests that you think Prometheus has received enough punishment.”

“Hmm… Bring your mother, Metis [Titan goddess of wisdom and Zeus’ first wife].”

Soon after, Metis arrived riding on a cloud.

She gave birth to the goddess of wisdom from Zeus’s head, and came out with Athena when Athena was born.

Although Zeus was wary of prophecy and ate Metis,

When a goddess, not a god, was born between him and her, he no longer held her back.

Metis, who was considered to have the greatest wisdom in Olympus until Athena was born.

She seemed to have already heard Athena’s words, and smiled softly as soon as she arrived.

“Zeus, Prometheus’s power is needed to counter Gaia’s prophetic abilities.”

“But I don’t know if I should forgive him so easily.”

“Why don’t you show some leniency as the king of the gods? Embracing even those who defy you if they can be helpful…”

When the opinions of the wisest gods in Olympus were unified,

Zeus frowned and waved his hand.

“Ah, ah, okay… I understand. Metis, you may leave now.”

“Hehe. I trust you will make a wise decision, as you have done so far.”

Zeus, holding his head, seemed a little uncomfortable.

He was contemplating whether he should release Prometheus, who had offended him, and ask for help.

I didn’t rush him and waited for a while.

Because I thought that my brother, who had led Olympus well so far, would make the right decision.

“Umm…”

Quite a long time passed, and Zeus opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“I wasn’t even thinking of getting help from Prometheus… You are truly merciful, brother, to think of releasing him. Is it because you’ve been revered as the god of mercy since recently?”

Is he indirectly saying that I’m too soft?

But he seemed to have already been persuaded, and his tone was more of a grumble than a strong rebuke.

Realizing that this was a sign of acceptance, I smiled and said to Zeus.

“The god of mercy can’t condone excessive punishment. Especially if the prisoner holds the key in the fight against Gaia…”

“Well, it’s not bad to have at least one generous god like you, brother…”

The king of the gods, who had risen from his throne, met my eyes.

“The Prometheus matter… you can do as you wish, brother. But I have to get an apology from him.”

“I’ll try to persuade him somehow if it’s just that much.”

I got Zeus’s permission, and now it’s time to go to the rocky mountain where Prometheus is.

But I can’t just go there without preparation… Should I prepare a little more?

If I persuade ‘her’ in the underworld…

I will be able to get help from Prometheus.