The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 128: The Fourth Task – Triton’s Conch (1)

Heracles quickly realized that the prince who had just entered was a child of a nymph.

A handsome face and flawless skin were traits rarely seen unless there was divine or magical blood mixed in.

The king’s comment that he hadn’t invited this prince added credibility to this assumption.

The king’s heir was off in the corner drinking, so this must be the child of a concubine nymph.

"Greetings, Lord Heracles! My name is Hylas!"

"Hylas...?"

"Yes. I’m much younger than you, so please feel free to speak casually to me!"

It was easy to see why the king hadn’t invited him.

A gaze full of admiration, curious questions, and an unhesitating approach.

He was clearly a young man unfamiliar with the ways of the world, who admired heroes.

The king must have avoided inviting him out of concern that he might embarrass himself in front of a hero.

"Lamia? Her claws were indeed as sharp as they say."

"Oh... as expected."

King Theiodamas almost expelled Hylas, but upon seeing Heracles conversing with him, he said nothing.

If Heracles formed a friendship with Hylas, it would be easier to incorporate him into the kingdom.

Thus, Heracles spent an enjoyable time at the banquet where he was the guest of honor.

Though the great hero’s body hardly ever got drunk no matter how much he drank, there was something to be said about getting intoxicated by the atmosphere.

“Now that the banquet is over, let me introduce you to Menodice. Hylas! Escort this hero to your mother.”

“You wish to meet my mother? Please, follow me.”

Thus, Heracles met Menodice, Hylas' mother, who was a nymph.

Without hesitation, he got straight to the point and asked about Triton.

“I need to meet Lord Triton for my task. As you are a nymph, might you know something…?”

“Hmm... Unfortunately, I don’t have any connection with Lord Triton. I am a Naiad who lives in freshwater springs.”

Even water nymphs lived in different places.

Ocean-dwelling nymphs were known as Oceanids, while nymphs of springs were called Pegaeae, each named after their dwelling places.

Hylas' mother, Menodice, was a Naiad living in ponds or lakes.

It was no surprise that she wouldn’t know someone like Triton, who resided in a deep ocean palace.

Seeing the disappointment on Heracles’ face, Menodice hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“But I do know of a beach where sea nymphs, the Nereids, come to play at night. If you ask them, they might know something.”

The sea nymphs, the Nereids, were the daughters of the sea Titan Nereus and the goddess Doris.

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There were more than 50 of those nymph sisters, and since they lived in the sea, they must know Triton.

"Please tell me the location. I will repay you."

"I’ve already been repaid. Instead, would you accept my son, Hylas, as your squire?"

The one surprised wasn’t Heracles but Hylas.

It didn’t seem like they had discussed this beforehand.

"Mother?!"

"Hehe. You’ve always disliked the stifling life in the palace, haven’t you? Now, the hero you admire has appeared, so go with him and experience the world."

"...! Thank you..."

Heracles looked at them for a moment and then nodded.

One squire wouldn’t make much difference.

Since Hylas wasn’t the king’s heir but the child of a concubine, the king would likely grant permission…

The next day, Heracles received permission from King Theiodamas to take Hylas as his squire.

It seemed Menodice’s influence from the previous night had worked, as the king readily agreed.

Thus, Hylas and Hercules set off for the beach where the Nereids were said to frequent, as Menodice had told them.

* * * 

A quiet beach.

Hiding in a suitable crevice between rocks, Heracles and Hylas waited for the nymphs to appear.

But even though the goddess Selene had begun driving her moon chariot across the sky, the nymphs were nowhere to be seen.

They had been staying in a nearby village for several days, taking turns lying in wait here...

“Hylas. Are you sure your mother didn’t give us the wrong information?”

“Hmm. Should I scout the area?”

As their patience wore thin, a faint singing sound came from the beach.

It was dark enough that no humans were visible, and the singing came from an empty sea.

That meant... it was the nymphs!

“Hey, what should we play today?”

“Anelnoi, let’s look for some shells! There should be plenty left since no humans have been around.”

“Are the humans all asleep by now?”

“Oh~ I’m tired of seaweed dishes. I want to eat human food!”

“Human food? Should we sneak into the nearby village and take some?”

Seven or eight nymphs, wet from the sea, stepped out onto the shore.

Not humans, but the mysterious sea nymphs. Hylas was mesmerized by the sight of these young, beautiful maidens.

Meanwhile, Heracles waited for them to come closer, then slowly stepped out from behind the rocks.

He raised his hands and spoke calmly, making it clear he meant no harm.

“Excuse me. Are you the sea nymphs, the Nereids? I was wondering if I could have a word with you...”

"Kyyaaa!!!"

"Monster! It's a human! Help!"

"Father Nereus, save us!"

Despite Heracles efforts, the Nereids screamed in terror and fled in all directions.

Many of them jumped into the sea, calling out the names of their parents, Nereus and Doris.

"What the…"

Why had things escalated like this?

In truth, Nereids were not usually afraid of humans.

After all, their parents were a Titan and a goddess, and they themselves possessed a certain amount of mystical power.

They often played pranks on handsome young fishermen or saved drowning humans.

However... at the moment, Heracles was wearing the Nemean Lion’s skin.

On his belt hung a golden sword, and on his back was a newly forged iron club, made after his battle with the Hydra.

To any observer, he looked like a heavily armed hunter or hero.

On top of that, his massive physique and muscular arms were unmistakable. The Nereids were well aware of the rough nature of Greek men.

If they were caught, they’d have to worry about both their chastity and their lives.

In the dark of night, Heracles' raised hands looked like they were trying to grab them, and his emergence from the rocks seemed like an ambush by a bandit.

"Kyyaaa!!!"

"Save meee!"

"Eek! A hunter! It's a hunter!"

And thus, the situation unfolded as it did.

* * *

The hero's worry was brief, and his judgment swift.

In a flash, Heracles moved and grabbed the arm of the closest Nereid.

Grab!

"Kyyaaaaa—!! Mmmph!!"

"You're being loud, so be quiet for a moment."

"No! Let me go! You scoundrel!"

"Anelnoi!!!"

"We must tell Lord Triton! Quickly!"

In an instant, Heracles had subdued one of the Nereids, who was called Anelnoi.

The sound of their screams faded as they disappeared into the sea, and the trembling Nereid looked up at him in fear.

‘Damn, Chiron told me not to harm the weak, but I’ve ended up frightening them.’

With a troubled look, Heracles released the Nereid he had tightly gripped.

She knew that trying to escape would only result in her being captured again, so she rubbed her arm and glared at him resentfully.

"...I am Heracles, a human on a task for Lady Hera. If you answer my questions, I will not harm you."

"You're lying!"

"What?"

"There are tons of people out there who pretend to be the great hero Heracles! You’re one of them, aren’t you?"

What? Even after seeing the lion's skin and the golden sword at his waist?

But it made sense. Heracles had already become quite famous in Greece by now.

The story of the great hero completing Lady Hera’s tasks had spread far and wide.

The strongest hero in the world, Heracles!

Monsters trembled in fear at the sight of his iron club!

He obtained the golden sword by killing Chrysaor!

He earned the lion's skin by slaying the Nemean Lion!

And he smashed the Hydra so thoroughly that he didn’t even get anything from it!

Though he had only completed three of his labors so far, his journey was already legendary.

In Greece, where there were few forms of entertainment, the tale of the great hero was the most exciting thing.

As a result, lion skins were flying off the shelves, blacksmiths were flooded with requests for iron clubs, and many people were even carrying golden-dipped swords at their waists.

"No, I am the real Heracles..."

"Liar! Heracles is a great hero who never lays a hand on women! You scoundrel, grabbing a maiden's arm like that!"

"Don’t you think I grabbed you because you suddenly tried to run?!"

To the real Heracles, being mistaken for an imposter was enough to drive him mad.

He had to persuade them somehow to establish a connection to Triton, but they refused to believe he was genuine...

Hylas, watching the argument unfold, approached them.

"Lord Heracles!"

"Ah, Hylas."

"Is something the matter?"

"This Nereid doesn’t believe that I am the real Heracles."

"Hmph! I heard that Heracles always travels alone! You scoundrels!"

Her bold response even after seeing Hylas left them speechless.

Heracles thought that this misunderstanding wouldn’t be resolved unless he swore an oath upon the River Styx.

Just as he was about to speak and swear the oath...!

Swoooosh!!!

"Which human dares attempt to kidnap the Nereids under my protection?!"

"Ah, Lord Triton!"

A huge spray of water erupted, separating them from the Nereid.