I Am Hades, Lord of the Underworld!

Underworld!

Hestia staggered back to the Underworld, feeling like a victorious general returning to the slopes of Yomi.

The Hades Armor was gone.

The 108 Demon Stars had returned to the Astral Realm.

In their place, Garon remained, sighing as he spoke, "Miss Hestia, this operation was truly dangerous!"

"Wasn't it?" Hestia retorted, "If Mother Goddess hadn't insisted on this, I wouldn't have gone! It was too dangerous. If Lord Hades hadn't helped, if we were just a bit later, it would've been terrifying!"

"My apologies," Garon bowed slightly. "Father God and Mother Goddess were also involved."

"I understand," Hestia waved her hand dismissively. "That's the strict limit imposed by the Mythical World; no Ancient God can defy it. Even that Earth Goddess was forcibly involved."

"Alright!" Hestia clapped her hands. "Let's not dwell on these things. The most important thing now is Aether."

"Indeed," Garon nodded in agreement.

In an instant, Hestia and Garon disappeared and reappeared in Aether's home.

At that moment, Aether was quietly waiting there. Beside him stood Hemera, both siblings smiling at Hestia and Garon.

"Aether."

"Hemera."

Hestia greeted them with a smile and then, as if pulling out her own heart, she extracted the Heart of Space.

"Aether," Hestia said, "From now on, it's up to you. According to the plan, there shouldn't be any issues, but if you fail, it'll be embarrassing."

"Haha," Aether chuckled as he took the Heart of Space, suppressing the excitement within him. "Yes, it would be really embarrassing if I failed."

"However!"

"I thought Mephisto and Moriah would be the first to walk this path. I never expected to be the one to take the lead."

"It's not surprising," Hestia waved her hand. "In Mother Goddess's plan, Mephisto and Moriah are minor concerns. The real challenges are Hypnos and Thanatos. After all, the Underworld offers a visible path, but you and Ceres carry hope."

"In fact!"

"The biggest trouble is Hypnos and Thanatos. Sleep and Death are two of the most fundamental laws of the Underworld, yet they are the hardest to ascend to the level of God-King. Mother Goddess is studying ways to help them advance."

Rhea hoped Hestia would claim all the credit, but Hestia truly didn't care. She preferred to leave it all to her mother.

Aether bowed and said, "Miss Hestia, please convey my thanks to Lady Rhea!"

Hestia waved her hand. "Alright, let's begin. A new era has arrived! In this Silver Age, our Underworld is destined to be the ruler of this era!"

Hestia's face was filled with confidence.

After all!

Compared to the Heavenly Realm and the Sea Realm, the Underworld's foundation was solid. Mephisto and Moriah's ascension to God-King was just a matter of time. And now, Aether's chances of ascending to God-King were also very high.

Besides!

Rhea had many other preparations, and combined with the situation in Sparta, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Underworld had already gained a significant lead in this post-Titan War Golden Age, which was yet to fully conclude.

It's not surprising, though.

The Golden Age was a fixed era, and in this time, it was already incredibly difficult for Cronus to become the ninth Ancient God.

However, the Silver Age! Truthfully speaking, this era is the weakest and most chaotic under the control of the Mythical World—a time when gods fall and heroes rise.

In this era, anything is possible; no one knows what the future will bring.

But!

Everyone knows that in this era, perhaps anything they aspire to might come true. That is the core truth.

Hades, Poseidon, Zeus—if they want to advance further, they need to take that step in the Silver Age or break the balance. Otherwise, once the Bronze Age begins, things will truly get difficult.

"Let's begin!"

"Yes!"

Aether nodded deeply, beginning to absorb the Heart of Space before him.

Hestia, Hemera, Garon, and the newly arrived Hypnos, Thanatos, along with Baal leading the seventy-two Demon Gods, all gathered to witness this moment.

At this moment!

All the Underworld gods present were there, quietly watching Aether. Each was filled with joy, without any envy or jealousy.

It was genuine joy. They were confident about their future, a confidence bestowed by Lord Hades. Aether's advancement was the best outcome.

Similarly!

Aside from all the Underworld gods, even the Sin Witches arrived, silently observing Aether as he absorbed the Heart of Space.

As Aether absorbed the Heart of Space, the laws within him seemed to spin wildly. In no time, his divine power surged, surpassing all the Underworld gods present, reaching Mephisto's level.

However!

After reaching this level, Aether seemed to hit a barrier, unable to advance further.

But!

At that moment, the 365 stars of the Astral Realm began to shine brightly. Rays of light fell upon Aether, illuminating him, making his body appear like a radiant starry sky.

Aether's body began to float, merging with the Astral Realm as the light from the 365 stars grew even more dazzling, shining upon him.

"The God of Space, Aether, is now the Lord of the Astral Realm."

As this voice, filled with endless majesty, echoed throughout the Underworld.

In an instant!

Aether seemed to undergo a transformation. The barrier that had been impossible to cross was shattered, and he fully merged into the Astral Realm.

Regardless, Aether had succeeded in truly reaching that realm!

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