The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 135: The Argo Expedition – (2)

A multitude of heroes gathered for the expedition aboard the Argo.

The citizens began talking, keenly observing the heroes' movements.

Who would lead this expedition of about fifty heroes?

Jason, who gathered the crew? Or maybe Meleager?

No, surely... it had to be the great hero, Heracles, right?

"There might be a fight over who gets to be the leader."

"Then it's likely Heracles will lead the Argo."

But contrary to the citizens’ expectations… the decision on their captain was made very simply.

They were comrades who had faced life and death together in Thebes—or rather, even in the Underworld.

No one knew each other better.

"Jason, you should take the captain’s role."

"I have no complaints. Isn't this a journey for you to claim your throne as king?"

"As a physician, I agree. If anyone gets injured, just send them to me."

"And you, Heracles?"

"Of course, I think it’s best for Jason to take charge. I’m not one to stand out, anyway."

The training they received in the Underworld wasn't just about fighting monsters.

It included cultivating knowledge, learning various manners, and engaging in mock battles with fellow trainees.

Naturally, the invincible Heracles always knocked everyone down, but when he didn’t participate in the mock battles…

"Ha ha ha! Alright, then while you’re on my ship, you’re all my subjects!"

It was always the side led by Jason that emerged victorious.

* * *

Two days had passed since the Argo departed from Iolcus.

The night brought harsh sea winds, and the cold air seeped through the heroes' clothes as they prepared to rest, each taking a spot on the Argo.

As Orpheus, the hero of music, plucked his lyre, tickling their ears, Heracles approached Jason.

Jason, looking at a map with a serious face, sensed someone’s presence and looked up.

"Heracles? Why aren’t you resting under the comfort of Hypnos’ gift? Unless you’ve already become a god and no longer need sleep…"

"Becoming a god isn’t that simple."

“…Of course, it’s not," Jason responded with a look of disbelief, as if Heracles had been too naive.

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"Well… being a hero is hard enough, let alone becoming king. Look at me—going through all this trouble just to reclaim the throne my uncle stole from me."

"When you obtain the Golden Fleece and become king of Iolcus, what will you do then?"

"What do you mean… I’ll govern the people, of course. Why do you ask, because of your goal to become a god?"

Heracles nodded slightly, his steady gaze fixed on Jason.

"Well, at least you have a good head for things like this."

"Ahem! Indeed. Listening to the troubles of my crew is part of my duty as captain. But I’m a bit surprised—such a famous hero across Greece, struggling with how to become a god!"

"...Don’t tease me. Be serious."

Jason, who had been laughing while patting Heracles on the back, stopped.

"Hmm… but how could I solve your problem?"

"What?!"

"I mean, think about it. You’re the one closest to godhood on the Argo, and if you don’t know how, how would I?"

Heracles, feeling a tinge of disappointment, was about to give up, but Jason wasn’t finished.

"Heracles, what does it take to become a hero?"

"…? Obviously, by slaying monsters or gaining fame with one's skills."

"Then what does it take to become a king?"

"Like you, by gathering the people's support through great deeds or by inheriting it through bloodline…"

"Then to become a god, wouldn’t you need something different from what I just mentioned?"

"…!"

With Jason’s offhand remark, Heracles suddenly realized.

Everything he had been doing until now… had been leading him down the path of a hero, not a god.

To become a god, one must walk the path of the divine, not that of a hero.

Certainly, achievements and strength would help, but the crucial step to godhood was to tread the path meant for gods.

"A god exists to maintain the balance of the world. Merely thinking this way and achieving great feats… would never be enough to become a god."

"You may actually need to spend more time among humans."

The great hero’s mind flashed back to advice from the lord of the Underworld and the ruler of the seas.

Simply smashing enemies and achieving astonishing feats would never make him a god.

"Thank you, Jason. That was a big help."

"Hmm? So are you going to become a god now? Oh, mighty Heracles! Please make me king!"

"...Stop joking."

The serious atmosphere faded like the wind, and Jason turned back into his usual mischievous self, grinning.

After sharing a brief chat, Heracles returned to his quarters.

* * *

The Next Day

As they watched the seagulls flying around, a competition of archery took place.

The only female hero on the Argo, Atalanta, displayed incredible skill by shooting a dozen arrows in quick succession, winning the contest…

“Atalanta, your archery skills are as sharp as ever.”

“Heh. I am Greece's greatest archer.”

“But look, there’s an island over there. Let’s restock our supplies there!”

They soon arrived at an island.

It seemed fairly large, with many inhabitants, or so it seemed.

However, as the Argo drew closer, there wasn’t a person in sight.

“It’s a big island… Are there really no people living here?”

“That can’t be, there are houses over there…”

Curious, they ventured deeper into the island.

What awaited them was a remarkable sight…

In front of a mysterious woman with shimmering sea-blue hair, a man, looking thoroughly beaten, was bowing in submission.

Others around him were trembling with fear, bowing their heads to the woman as well.

“Are you going to keep killing those who pass through here?”

“N-No! I’m sorry! Please forgive me, Lady Rhode!”

“If I hear even one more rumor about you from beneath the sea… I don’t care what my father says; I’ll send you straight to the Underworld.”

Jason and the heroes of the Argo were momentarily puzzled but quickly grasped the situation from the words of this mysterious woman.

“Are you the heroes seeking the Golden Fleece? I’ve only punished this man for dishonoring the name of the sea, so there’s no need for concern.”

“W-Wait! Are you… are you a goddess? Which one might you be…?”

“I am Rhode, daughter of Lord Poseidon.”

The goddess with sea-colored hair vanished in an instant, and the man who had been bowing slowly rose.

With a hesitant voice and a weary gaze, he approached the expedition.

“Do you… need anything? Whatever you need, please, just ask.”

“…Why were you receiving punishment from the goddess?”

At Jason’s question, the man looked embarrassed and introduced himself as King Amycus.

He explained that he was a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and that he had attacked passing travelers, which led to Lady Rhode coming to punish him.

Feeling uneasy, the expedition gathered their supplies on the island and set off again.

* * *

As they continued their journey, the Argo expedition encountered a king named Phineus on another island.

He had incurred Zeus’s wrath, leaving him blind, and whenever he tried to eat, harpies would swoop in and devour his food, leaving him on the brink of starvation.

“Zetes! Calais! You two can fly, so drive the harpies away!”

“Understood, Jason!”

Fortunately, the North Wind’s twin sons, Zetes and Calais, were part of the expedition, allowing them to chase away the harpies.

“Since you drove away the harpies, I’ll tell you of the dangers that lie ahead.”

The king offered them various pieces of advice and shared knowledge on how to navigate the clashing rocks, as well as other valuable information.

And so, the journey continued for the heroes from across Greece.

On one of the islands, however, an incident occurred when Heracles’ squire, Hylas, suddenly went missing…

“Damn it. Let’s keep going for now, and we’ll come back here later to search for Hylas.”

“Hmm? Is that alright with you, Heracles?”

“There’s no other choice. We need to hurry and retrieve the Golden Fleece.”

“Huh… I thought you two shared some deeper bond…”

At Telamon’s question, Heracles looked at him with an exasperated expression.

Heracles was from Thebes, where they worship Pluto as the chief deity, and his values were different from the Greeks.

“The people of Thebes aren’t fond of such relationships.”

“Oh… ah, right. Ahem! My apologies.”

To their surprise, the voyage of the Argo expedition was progressing smoothly.

The monsters they encountered along the way were no match for the heroes who had trained in the Underworld, and they had the blessings of various gods.

However, there was one who did not look upon this journey kindly.

A god whom heroes revered and feared—one of the Protogenoi at the very peak of divinity.

The Earth herself contemplated.

This was her last chance.

No monster could kill Heracles, not unless she sent a Gigantes.

Certainly, here’s a more refined version:

She had sou

ght the aid of other gods, attempted assassination with poison, and orchestrated ambushes using Chrysaor and Lamia, but nothing worked…

That hero of prophecy was undoubtedly the gods’ weapon to defeat her and the Gigantes.

If she couldn’t kill the great hero Heracles, she would lose.

Driven to the edge, she decided to bear the cost of some sacrifices.

Despite being the mother goddess of life itself… her grudge against Olympus was no less potent.