King Of Underworld [EN]: Chapter 78

The King of the Underworld is Tired 78

The Story of Bellerophon – (1)

As aspiring heroes underwent training in the Underworld, the number of those becoming my followers gradually increased.

Perhaps it was because they were constantly exposed to the energy of the Underworld, even though Persephone’s power neutralized it…

“God Pluto, if you’re watching, please grant me a sliver of mercyyyyyy!!! Kaaaaaack!!”

Thwaaaack!

“No, Iaritus! Are you alright!”

“This guy’s eyes are completely flipped! Hey, wake up!”

Hmm. The human whose voice I just heard has become a new follower.

Actually, it might not be strange for heroes, who are constantly tormented by mythological monsters, to call out to me.

When facing monsters that are hard to overcome with mortal strength, it’s only natural to seek the gods nearby.

However, no matter how desperately they called out to me, I didn’t help them.

Unless they called me from the mortal realm, the trials of the Underworld were merely training.

“Pluto… Today, another who passed the trial comes to the Underworld…”

“Thank you for your grace…”

And the priests of the mortal realm, connected to the outskirts of the Underworld, were also fulfilling their roles.

Occasionally, spies consumed by the madness sent by Gaia [the primordial goddess of the Earth in Greek mythology] were discovered, but they were filtered out well with stones containing Dionysus’s [the Greek god of wine, fertility, theatre, and religious ecstasy] power.

I was watching the heroes’ training from my throne with my eyes closed when I heard a soft voice.

This is the voice of the goddess Styx [a Titan goddess of the river Styx in the Underworld], whom I always hear.

“Hades, are you perhaps free?”

“Goddess Styx…? There’s no one in the audience chamber, but what’s the matter?”

The goddess slightly opened the door to the audience chamber, looked around, and then came in.

“Have you heard the story that a new hero is trying to kill the Chimera [a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature of Lycia in Anatolia, composed of different animal parts]?”

“Chimera… You mean the child of Typhon [a monstrous giant and one of the deadliest creatures in Greek mythology] and Echidna [a half-woman, half-snake monster in Greek mythology].”

The beast Chimera.

One of the children of Typhon and Echidna, a monster with a mix of three animals.

A powerful beast with a normal lion’s body, a goat’s head attached to its back, and a snake on its tail…

The lion’s head spews fire, the goat’s head possesses cunning, and the snake’s teeth are famous for dripping venom.

Come to think of it, Typhon’s children are quite powerful.

Cerberus [the multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld] is the divine beast of the Underworld and serves as a gatekeeper, and there’s also the lion that lives in the valley of Nemea [a mythical lion that lived in Nemea, Greece]…

The Sphinx [a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion], who was taken in by Hera [the queen of the Olympian gods in Greek mythology] and died at the hands of Oedipus [a tragic hero of Greek mythology] before coming to the Underworld, is also one of them.

“Since a hero is killing Typhon’s child, many gods must be watching.”

“I received a message from Olympus [the home of the Olympian gods in Greek mythology] asking if it would be a good idea to lend Pegasus [one of the best known mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color], who was born from the severed head of Medusa, to the hero.”

Pegasus.

A pure white horse with wings, born from the blood when the hero Perseus [the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty] cut off Medusa’s head.

Unlike ordinary horses, it has the ability to fly in the sky using the wings on its back.

Last time, Medusa, who became a lower god of the Underworld, went up to the mortal realm and brought the horse back to the Underworld…

To be exact, when the goddess Medusa approached, it recognized her as its mother and quietly followed her.

Thus, Pegasus is currently living leisurely with her mother in the Elysian Fields [a conception of the afterlife that developed over time and was maintained by some Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults].

“Then let’s call Medusa and ask for her opinion. After all, Pegasus was born from her.”

“I think she’s with the goddess Mente [a nymph associated with the river Cocytus in the Underworld] right now, should I call her?”

“There’s no need to do that. I’ll go and see her myself, and see Pegasus after a long time.”

“I know she’s in the Elysian Fields to feed Pegasus right now.”

Pegasus has been eating the food of the Underworld for a long time, so it has belonged to the Underworld for a long time.

However, depending on what Medusa thinks, it is possible to lend it to the hero for a while.

* * *

I arrived at the Elysian Fields, a place with a warmth more comforting than the goddess of spring and more cozy than the goddess of the hearth.

In the vast plain that stretches out of sight, there is a gentle breeze and the sound of insects.

The Elysian Fields, which seem almost no different from the fields of the mortal realm.

But there was a man lying on a high hill, enjoying the scenery.

As I got closer, he stood up with a happy expression.

Cadmus [the founder and first king of Thebes], the great hero of Thebes who tricked Typhon and resides in Elysium.

He looked at me and said.

“Oh, isn’t it Lord Hades? What brings you to Elysium?”

“It’s been a while, Cadmus. Have you seen two goddesses and a winged horse here?”

“If you mean those people, they just passed by over there.”

Cadmus pointed in one direction.

The Pegasus that the goddesses took with them must be grazing in the field now.

Since they have to leave Elysium when they finish eating the grass, they will come back this way.

While waiting for them, should I have a chat with Cadmus…

I casually asked Cadmus about his life here.

It’s a paradise that I’ve put a lot of effort into, but I still need to get feedback from the residents.

“How is life in Elysium? Are you satisfied?”

“Hahaha! The smile never leaves my wife Harmonia’s [the immortal goddess of harmony and concord] face. Even these days. More than in the mortal realm…”

Cadmus smiled, showing his teeth.

He seems to be on good terms with his wife, the goddess of harmony, Harmonia.

A mortal who lives in a harmonious relationship even after death…

“Even after so many years, you and Harmonia are still very close.”

“I’m not Aphrodite [the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation]… but isn’t that what love is all about?”

He must have died a long time ago, but their love has not changed.

I see. If this is truly love… maybe I too…

“But Lord Hades, what brings you all the way here?”

“I came to meet Medusa to lend Pegasus to a hero in the mortal realm.”

“The mortal realm still doesn’t seem to have a peaceful day… Perhaps the snake monsters I mentioned before…?”

I told him about the Gigas [a race of great strength and aggression, though ultimately defeated by the Olympian gods in the Gigantomachy] and that I was training heroes in the Underworld.

Also, the recent events of his descendants and the residents of Thebes who remained in the mortal realm.

“Oh… is that so… Then, may I ask you for a favor?”

“Is there something you want to ask of me? Tell me.”

“Aren’t my junior heroes training on the outskirts of the Underworld right now? I want to lend them my strength too.”

“…I can’t disturb someone resting in Elysium.”

I refused outright, but Cadmus smiled heartily again and opened his mouth.

This place is paradise, a peaceful space that everyone dreams of…

“Lord Hades. Leading the next generation on the right path is a hero’s duty and pride. Sometimes, helping them can be more rewarding than living in this Elysium.”

“But you have already completed your given tasks and duties, and all ties with the mortal realm…”

“Ask the other heroes besides me. If they are true heroes, they will give a similar answer to mine.”

The first hero who stole Typhon’s sinews and saved Olympus had unwavering eyes even after a long time.

If that is what a hero is, if that is their wish…

“…I will recommend it to others as well.”

“Haha! Please call me anytime. I want to pass on my meager experience to future generations.”

As I was talking to him, I heard a goddess’s voice from afar.

“Cadmus~ Where are you?!”

“This voice is…! Harmonia seems to be looking for me.”

“Okay. I have to go pick up Pegasus. Then have a happy time with your wife.”

“Please come again next time! I’ll prepare something then!”

* * *

Not long after turning around, I was able to meet the goddesses and Pegasus.

Pegasus, with its white and beautiful wings, fluttered and hid behind Medusa when it saw me.

Flutter!

“Ah! Lord Hades! Did you come to see me?”

“Did you come all the way to Elysium?”

I nodded at Mente and Medusa, who greeted me with bright smiles.

By the way, Pegasus is still afraid of me.

“Medusa, I came to discuss with you about lending Pegasus to a hero in the mortal realm.”

“Yes? That is… just order me…”

I remained silent at Medusa’s question.

She was beheaded by a hero… and Pegasus was born as a result…

After a moment of silence, Medusa lowered her head as if she had realized something.

“Ah… you don’t have to worry about me. Pegasus can be borrowed as the master of the Underworld wishes.”

“…Thank you. Once the hero kills Typhon’s child, I’ll return it to your arms.”

Flutter!

The clever animal, Pegasus, acted as if it understood this,

But it became quiet again when Medusa stroked its back a few times.

“Does it still follow you around and bother you wherever you go these days?”

“Hehe… that was when he was a foal. He’s all grown up now, so he doesn’t do that. Right?”

Flutter!

“For some reason, he’s only afraid of Lord Hades. Is it because he’s a flying horse?”

Mente’s words might be right…

Pegasus, who has the attributes of the sky or the sea, belongs to the Underworld, so it must not be easy to adapt.

Still, it seems to be slowly getting used to the energy of the Underworld, but it still shies away from me…

When I gestured to Pegasus, the clever animal moved next to me, even though it was afraid.

“Well, I’ll take Pegasus for now.”

“Yes. See you later!”

“I understand. Lord Hades.”

Now it’s time to put this horse in the hands of the hero.

Who should I have it delivered to… Hermes [an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology], Athena [the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare]?”