King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 60

The Story of Perseus – (2)

“Use your renowned wisdom from Olympus to offer an excuse.”

As I said that, looking at Athena, I could see her flinch.

And the goddess of wisdom immediately lowered her head and opened her mouth.

“I know that whatever I say to my great-uncle will sound like a lie to avoid the situation.”

“So you won’t bother making excuses?”

“…In the future, when punishing humans, I will review my great-uncle’s words once again.”

I suppose she had no choice since her virginity, sworn on the River Styx [a river in the Underworld on which the gods swore oaths], was almost threatened… Tsk.

It reminds me of Artemis cursing Actaeon [in Greek mythology, a hunter who was turned into a stag by Artemis after he saw her bathing].

“If something like that happens again, tell me or Zeus instead. We can at least give a warning.”

“Yes, thank you…”

“And I will remember that you sacrificed a poor priestess who was raped by Poseidon. Make sure this never happens again.”

“I will keep that in mind, great-uncle.”

Athena’s relieved expression, as if she’s glad it ended here, doesn’t please me.

But for now, that’s all I have to say about Medusa.

Medusa is not a deceased person in the underworld but a living being on earth, and also a priestess belonging to Athena.

I can’t interfere too much. Although I plan to give her convenience if she comes to the underworld…

“…Now, tell me. Why should I lend you my Kynee [Hades’ helmet of invisibility]?”

“As you know, Perseus is destined to become a hero by killing the monstrous Medusa.”

“So?”

“But he is just a human without any power. Unless he receives a divine artifact from Hades, his great-uncle, he can never defeat the demigod Medusa.”

To be honest, I don’t care about Perseus being destined to become a hero.

I just don’t like the reason why the monster he’s going to kill was born.

“Then, conversely, why should I lend my Kynee to a human without any power?”

“…How about you meet Perseus yourself and test whether he is worthy of receiving the Kynee?”

Athena said to me with a confident voice.

She wouldn’t have said that unless Perseus possessed the qualities of a hero.

The goddess of wisdom is so confident, so I’m getting curious.

I wonder what kind of human he is…

“Alright. But while I’m gone to see this Perseus, you’ll have to work in the underworld.”

“…Understood.”

Athena, who had been composed even when I questioned her about Medusa just now,

Cold sweat was dripping from her forehead.

* * *

The peaceful island of Seriphos.

Perseus, who was in danger of dying because of King Polydectes’ scheme to target his mother, was groaning.

Who knew that among the men approaching his mother, Danae, captivated by her beauty, there would be a king.

‘Damn it… Medusa is a monster with snakes instead of hair, and anyone who looks at her turns to stone, right?’

His anger towards King Polydectes grew stronger in his heart.

That trashy king, trying to use a monster’s hand to kill her son in order to take the woman.

“Perseus. This is His Majesty’s order. Bring Medusa’s head.”

“If you refuse, you will be executed for disobeying the royal command. What will you do?”

The young man, Perseus, gritted his teeth and grabbed his sword.

Now that the order of the king who rules Seriphos Island has been issued, he must somehow kill that monster.

He had thought about secretly escaping with his mother…

But the king’s men are watching this place, and all the ships are in the king’s hands.

He can’t even run away under the pretext of killing Medusa.

If Perseus escapes alone, it is obvious that his mother, Danae, will be dragged away by the king.

‘Is there no other way…’

Perseus, who was about to head to where Medusa was after arming himself.

But at that moment,

Whoosh-

Just as an unnatural gust of wind blew, a black-haired man with a gloomy impression was standing there.

The man’s eyes, slowly examining him with a sunken gaze.

A presence that even an ordinary human like Perseus could feel,

This miraculous event, like magic… a subtle sense of pressure and this power… a god!

Thud.

“…Are you perhaps a god?”

Perseus immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the unknown god.

Could it be that an Olympian god has come to help me?

Just as a non-existent faith was about to suddenly spring up,

The god spoke to him.

“Are you Perseus?”

“Yes! I am Perseus, god!”

He answered the question with a loud voice.

But the god’s words were cold.

“I came to see who the human who will voluntarily become my subject is.”

“Yes? What do you mean…”

“I am Pluto [Roman name for Hades]. The god of the underworld. Are you the human who is going to commit suicide by going to Medusa?”

Putting aside the fact that the man in front of him is one of the three main gods, Pluto…

Are you saying I’m going to die soon? By Medusa?

“Medusa is a demigod with the power to turn those who look at her into stone, a monster you cannot defeat.”

“…”

“Your death is inevitable. Your name is already on the underworld’s register, and I was curious to see what kind of human is heading to Medusa, so I came to meet you.”

Damn it! Am I destined to die by Medusa?

Perseus’s body trembled slightly. To have to walk into a place to die on his own…

“However, there is only one way for you to live.”

“Is there a way for me to live…?”

“It is clear that the king is coveting your mother and trying to kill you, so if you agree to your mother’s marriage to the king, you won’t have to die by Medusa.”

“…?!”

“Your mother will become the queen, and you will receive a generous reward, wouldn’t that be a good solution?”

Pluto’s words, spoken in a cold tone, are correct.

The reason why King Polydectes is trying to kill him with Medusa’s hand is because he vehemently opposes his mother’s marriage to the king.

If he changes his mind, he can save his life.

His mother hates the king, but if I somehow persuade her…

There’s no need to throw away his life.

However, he couldn’t abandon his mother, who would have to marry the king against her will,

And it is impossible to escape the island with his mother.

But if he goes to kill Medusa as the king ordered, he will die.

A fate confirmed by Pluto, the god who rules the underworld.

‘Damn it… Damn it…! Don’t make me laugh, I, Perseus, here…’

Perseus bit his lip hard.

* * *

I watched Perseus, who was trembling with his head buried on the ground.

A young human with all sorts of emotions fluctuating based on the despair of having no way out and anger towards the king.

Perseus’s body, which had been bowing his head and trembling for a while, stopped as it was.

And he slowly raised his head.

His roughly torn and bleeding lips were the first thing I saw.

“I can’t do that. Hades!”

His eyes, directed at me, were burning fiercely.

Where have I seen those blazing eyes before. Surely…

“I will definitely cut off Medusa’s head and save my life!”

That’s right. It’s similar to the courage that Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, the great hero, showed me.

Should I test him a little… just a little more?

“Your name is already written in Thanatos’s [the personification of death] register. You will soon come to the underworld and meet me again.”

“It is certainly an honor to see the great master of the underworld again, but…”

A death sentence confirmed by the god of the underworld.

If he is destined to meet the invincible monster Medusa and die…

“Even if it is my fate to die, I cannot give up like this! I will definitely do it!”

Perseus took a deep breath and said.

I spoke in the guise of fate, but he did not despair.

He didn’t even notice that my words were false, he just calmly accepted the ordeal.

Perseus, who bravely walks forward despite the confirmed future of death… was definitely a hero.

“…Cadmus comes to mind.”

“Pardon?”

I pointed my finger, looking at Perseus with a puzzled face.

A human challenging fate… quite impressive.

“Go forward with confidence in yourself. May my blessing, Hades, be with you.”

“…?!”

Although it will be a heroic tale that ends in tragedy, I will support you at this moment.

* * *

I immediately returned to the underworld and headed to Athena, who was working busily.

The goddess of war and wisdom, who was commanding the souls, walked towards me, rattling her armor as she saw me.

“How was it, great-uncle?”

“Indeed, he was a human you could be confident in. It was like seeing Cadmus, who tricked Typhon [a monstrous giant and one of the deadliest creatures in Greek mythology].”

Athena’s face brightened.

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, I will lend you my Kynee. Take it.”

“Thank you, great-uncle!”

I handed the black and old transparent helmet, Kynee, into Athena’s hand.

With this, I have also lent a hand in killing Medusa… Hmm.

“Then I will go and deliver the weapons to Perseus.”

“Weapons?”

“Yes, I plan to give him my shield, Aegis [a shield or breastplate associated with Zeus and Athena], Hermes’ winged shoes, Hera’s magic pouch, and Ares’ sword.”

So, her plan is to secretly approach using my Kynee, then reflect Medusa’s location on the surface of the Aegis,

Approach quickly with the winged shoes, and finish her off with Ares’ sword.

And with Hera’s magic pouch, Kibisis [a magical bag], he will be able to safely store Medusa’s head…

“Then I will be on my way. Great-uncle.”

Looking at Athena’s back as she turned around and left the underworld, a sense of bitterness washed over me.

Predestined fate is something even Zeus cannot change,

But was this the best course of action? I don’t know, but…

I should prepare an appropriate compensation plan for the victim of fate who will soon come to the underworld.