The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 125: The One Who Covets the Queen of the Underworld – (1)

Heracles clearly felt the change in how people looked at him.

When he had defeated the Nemean lion, people had praised him as a hero, but now their reactions were far more varied.

"Isn’t that him...?"

"The lion’s skin... the golden sword at his waist. That’s Heracles."

"Could it be that he exaggerated his feats with lies? How could a mere human...?"

"Shh! Shh! There’s a rumor that he might be a god manifested on earth."

"Sure, he looks strong, but did he really fight the Hydra, Chrysaor, and Lamia all at once and win?"

Because his achievements were so unreal, all sorts of reactions could be seen.

Some viewed the hero with jealousy, some with doubt. Some believed he was a god in disguise.

The crowd’s gaze was full of reverence and admiration, envy and suspicion.

"Are you Heracles? Hmph. I can’t believe that thing draped over you is really from the Nemean lion."

Yes, there were always people like this.

Eyes filled with the desire to challenge him. The urge to defeat a well-known hero.

Heracles ignored the man who blocked his way and grabbed his shoulder, continuing on his path.

After all, he was on his way to report to Hera’s temple, and he had considered the teaching that he learned from his teacher, Chiron.

"Heracles, you shouldn’t mistreat the weak."

"Teacher Chiron, but if they attack me first, I have no choice but to..."

"Even then, keep it within reason."

"Why should I?"

"If you aim to be a hero, then having great strength may be enough. But from what I’ve heard from Lord Hades, your goal is to become a god, right? If you harshly treat mortals just because they irritate you, even if you do become a god, you'll never receive genuine reverence. Well, not that you’re likely to become a god anyway."

In truth, Heracles just found it all a hassle.

The man who had grabbed Heracles was easily pushed aside by his strength, and he stood there, bewildered, looking at his hand and back at Hercules.

Heracles still didn’t fully understand.

What did becoming a god have to do with the genuine reverence of mortals?

All he ever received from people, aside from a few monster slayings or simple tasks, were praises.

"Look at that... the guy who won the pankration competition got pushed aside like nothing..."

"My God. He doesn’t even come close in terms of strength."

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From the time of his birth until now... he was always accustomed to receiving praise and admiration.

Did he really need it? He didn’t even feel particularly good about it.

However, he had a feeling that just completing his tasks wouldn’t be enough to achieve his goal.

There was something else. Something he needed... but wasn’t becoming a god about being the best in a particular field?

"Today, we offer our thanks to Lord Zeus for the clear skies..."

"To Pluto, the god of justice..."

Heracles briefly watched as praises were offered to his father and uncle before continuing on his way.

He still didn’t really get it.

* * *

Pirithous.

He, the king of Thessaly, was a close friend of Theseus, the renowned hero of wisdom from Athens.

After Pirithous’ wife died while giving birth to his son, he decided to remarry.

He sought help from his close friend, Theseus, who had killed the Minotaur, a half-human, half-bull monster from Crete, and was living a happy life with the Cretan princess, Ariadne.

"Pirithous, you need my help with something?"

"Yes, Theseus. You’ve already married, haven’t you? My wife has passed, and I was hoping you could help me find a new bride."

"If it’s a request from you, I can’t refuse. Tell me more."

Theseus gladly accepted. Being close to the king of Thessaly was already a great advantage, and Pirithous was a dear friend.

But the woman Pirithous had set his sights on was a bit special.

"I want to marry the goddess of spring, famed for her beauty. Can you help me?"

"What...?"

"I’ve heard that the goddess born to Demeter and Zeus is famed for her beauty, even in the mortal world."

Theseus could hardly believe his ears.

Not only was his friend after a goddess, but it was also the wife of Pluto, the ruler of the Underworld. He was speechless.

"...Just give up on that."

"What are you talking about? I’m the king of Thessaly. There’s no reason I can’t be connected to a goddess."

"You’re aiming for the Queen of the Underworld? Are you out of your mind? Change your plans, while you still can."

"I didn’t know you were such a coward."

"No, it’s not fear. If you’ll listen to my story, you’ll understand."

With a sigh, Theseus began to tell his tale.

He was in the midst of fleeing with the Cretan princess Ariadne, after killing countless villains, monsters, and the Minotaur.

To be precise, they were on their way to Athens by ship, but they decided to stay on an island...

“You there, lowly human.”

“Wh-who... who are you?”

“I am Dionysus. The wine you drink every day is my gift.”

In the dead of night, while Ariadne slept and Theseus kept watch over the fire, a god appeared before him.

It was none other than Dionysus, one of the twelve Olympians, the god of wine and madness.

“That Cretan princess, Ariadne... her beauty is truly exceptional.”

“What? But...”

“She has been chosen to be my wife.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that...?!”

“You’re not very bright, are you? I’m telling you, I’ve claimed her, so you need to leave this island and never come back.”

No matter how great a hero Theseus was, having killed the Minotaur... his opponent was a god.

And not just any god, but one of the twelve Olympians, the god of madness.

He couldn’t possibly defy him. Was he truly about to lose Ariadne?

Just as despair was sinking in, salvation appeared for the human.

A woman with her eyes blindfolded, holding a sword and scales, stepped out from behind Dionysus.

“You’re the one who should leave.”

“What?! Who dares... Dike?!”

“…This is a message from Lord Hades. He says that if you covet another mortal with a lover, he will personally bring you to the underworld.”

“Gah! Damn it... tch.”

From the conversation between the gods, Theseus understood the situation.

He had nearly lost his wife to Dionysus, but the goddess of justice, Dike, had appeared and saved him.

And the one who had sent her was none other than the ruler of the underworld, known for his fairness and mercy.

The goddess of justice, having driven off Dionysus, smiled at Theseus.

Relieved by her merciful smile, the hero bowed his head and asked a question.

“Did... did Lord Pluto really send you, goddess?”

“The lord of the underworld is busy. I merely borrowed his name.”

“I see...! Thank you so much, Lady Dike!”

“However, the only reason I was able to send Lord Dionysus away is thanks to Lord Hades. If something like this happens again, seek help at Hades’ temple.”

“I must thank Lord Pluto as well...”

Indeed, that was the truth. No matter how powerful the goddess of justice was, her opponent had been one of the twelve Olympians.

Without the protection of the ruler of the underworld, the god of madness would not have retreated so easily.

Upon safely returning to his homeland of Athens with Ariadne, Theseus became king.

Immediately, he built statues honoring both Pluto and the goddess Dike.

Although Athens was a city that only worshipped the goddess of wisdom...

He was able to explain his situation to the temple of Athena and receive permission.

From that point on, Theseus’ faith extended not only to the goddess of wisdom but also to the ruler of the underworld and the goddess of justice.

* * *

King Theseus of Athens explained all of this to Pirithous.

Believing that his close friend, who owed such a great debt to Pluto, would not covet Pluto’s wife.

But Pirithous didn’t care in the slightest.

“Tch... so you’re saying you won’t help me? I’m quite disappointed that you’re such a coward.”

“It’s not cowardice, it’s just...! Ha...”

“Enough. Even without your help, I’ll find a way to make Persephone my wife.”

Theseus clutched his chest in frustration.

How could a human possibly covet a goddess, especially the Queen of the Underworld?

Even if Pirithous somehow succeeded in having relations with Persephone, her father was Zeus, her mother Demeter...

And when Pirithous died, he would be going to the underworld ruled by her husband!

Despite Theseus’ continued attempts to dissuade him, Pirithous remained unmoved.

His eyes were filled with ambition to make Persephone his wife, no matter the cost.

Realizing he could no longer persuade him, Theseus rubbed his forehead and asked,

“So, what exactly is your plan to marry the goddess Persephone?”

“It’s simple.”

Pirithous answered confidently, his voice full of self-assurance.

Theseus looked at his friend—no, at the delusional madman—with a blank expression.

“I’ll go to the underworld and tell Hades, ‘I’m planning a banquet in my kingdom, and I’d like to invite the renowned beauty, Lady Persephone.’ Once Persephone falls for my trick and I bring her to the mortal world, I’ll immediately seize her and hold a wedding ceremony...”

Schwing—

“You madman!”

Theseus drew his sword from his waist without hesitation.