King of Underworld

Chapter 139 The Argonauts – Epilogue

The Argo Expedition returned to Iolcos to a rapturous welcome.

The cheers were due to the radiant Golden Fleece glistening on Jason’s shoulders as he disembarked.

“Is that the Golden Fleece? It’s as golden as the rumors say!”

“They really brought back the treasure that promises prosperity for the land…”

“Who is that beautiful woman following behind?”

“Does this mean Jason will become king now?”

Drawn by the sight of the magnificent Golden Fleece and the heroic figures, the people chanted Jason’s name.

Walking proudly down the grand avenue, Jason was followed by Hercules, Medea, Meleager, Atalanta, and other heroes.

The heroes had already discussed things on the Argo, deciding to help their friend Jason secure the throne.

After all, if Pelias refused to relinquish the throne despite their efforts to bring back the Golden Fleece, the accomplishments of the heroes might be belittled or diminished.

But it didn’t come to that.

“…Fine. Tsk. I’ll step down.”

“…?”

“What are you staring at? Did you think I wouldn’t yield so easily?”

With a face scrunched up as though he’d swallowed something bitter, Pelias relinquished the throne to Jason without resistance.

Jason felt a sense of disbelief at how anticlimactic it was. If Pelias intended to give up so readily, why hadn’t he done so before they retrieved the Golden Fleece?

“Considering Pelias’s lust for power, I thought reclaiming the throne wouldn’t be easy.”

“It’s likely because of Hercules standing behind you, Jason.”

“And word has spread that the princess of Colchis has followed you.”

“Isn’t Pelias a son of Poseidon? Could it be, like when we met the goddess Rhoea who scolded King Amycus during the expedition…”

“The power gap between heroes and ordinary soldiers is huge. Maybe he stepped down out of fear you’d revolt?”

Various speculations circulated, and eventually, the prevailing theory was that Pelias had been pressured to yield due to the combined factors of the heroes’ power, fear of Poseidon’s punishment, and the legitimacy they’d gained by returning with the Golden Fleece.

Upon reclaiming the throne, Jason sought out his father, Aeson.

After Pelias had seized the throne, Aeson had been exiled to a cave…

“Father? I thought you were still in the cave.”

“That wretch Pelias released me. He suddenly started trembling, saying he had to earn my forgiveness to survive…”

“…What?”

“From the dark circles under his eyes, it looked like… he had encountered a god in a dream.”

Freed by Pelias’s inexplicable fear, Aeson was enjoying a peaceful life.

Though Jason was puzzled, he took it in stride and escorted his father back to the palace.

On the day of his official coronation as King of Iolcos,

the beautiful princess of Colchis, Medea, stood beside him.

* * *

High above, on Olympus.

In the palace of the gods above the clouds, Zeus was speaking to Hera.

“My dear.”

“…I am aware.”

“Please, set aside your grudge against Hercules. I truly regret the pain I’ve caused you, but it was unavoidable.”

The deeds Hercules accomplished in Colchis were known to all the gods.

Who could have imagined he’d defeat the dragon that had received Gaia’s divinity and ascend to godhood on his own?

The sleepless dragon of Colchis had originally been a divine beast bestowed by Ares.

But that powerful creature had been corrupted by Gaia, and through this corruption, it had even gained divine status.

Although it hadn’t achieved immortality… it wielded the power of the earth, a dragon comparable to a god.

Many were stunned and urged Zeus to take decisive action, even Hera, who held resentment toward Hercules.

Yet, the king of the gods sat with a heavy expression, deep in thought.

“Father, if this prophesied hero perishes…”

“Stay silent, Ares.”

“Hmph! Don’t you care for your son at all?”

“It’s not that I don’t care. But if he can’t overcome even this…”

And when the fallen dragon was defeated and a new god was born, pleas were continuously raised, urging the goddess Hera to calm her excessive wrath.

“Oh Queen of the Gods, Goddess Hera, please set aside your anger. The hero who will save Olympus is none other than Hercules…”

“We understand your fury as the goddess of the household. However…”

“He has already completed nine labors, has he not? Perhaps slaying that dragon could substitute as the final labor…”

Among those advocating for Hercules’s case, the goddess of youth, Hebe—Hera’s daughter who had previously tested his patience—was especially fervent.

It seemed that Hebe had developed feelings for Hercules.

“I swear on the River Styx. I will never engage in an affair without your permission again.”

“What?!”

“Ahem… I’ve always told you, haven’t I? While my actions in creating heroes may have been improper, you are my utmost priority.”

At Zeus’s unexpected oath, the Queen of the Gods looked at him, her eyes trembling.

Ah. How long she had yearned for him to make this vow!

“…Truthfully, I was already planning to accept Hercules as he is.”

“But I imagine there would still be some lingering resentment. I wish for you to make peace with my flawed child. Consider that moment when Hercules knelt before your temple… and direct your blame at me instead.”

“Hmph.”

…Yes. This would do.

* * *

Meanwhile, Hercules had left Iolcos and was on his way to the temple of the goddess Hera to receive his final labor.

He had completed nine labors. If he accomplished this last one, surely even the goddess Hera would acknowledge him.

And so, he arrived at Hera’s temple…

“Welcome, Lord Hercules!”

“Priest?”

“Please, there is no need for formality. The goddess Hera has delivered an oracle. Please, come this way…”

Priests came forward to greet him warmly at the temple entrance.

Their attitude was entirely different from when he’d joined the Argo expedition.

Guided by the priests, Hercules entered the deepest part of the temple.

As though they’d received instructions, the priests quickly departed, leaving him alone.

Then…

Flare—

The Queen of the Gods.

The goddess of marriage and family.

The pinnacle of goddesses.

The divine presence filled the vast temple, elegant and beautiful, with an aura that was both cold and graceful.

Hera, wife of Zeus, had descended to this place.

Hercules recognized her at once and bowed deeply.

For some reason, he felt there was no need to kneel this time.

But Hera did not rebuke him for failing to show the proper reverence.

After a brief, complex gaze, she spoke in a calm tone.

“Hercules, you have completed my nine labors magnificently.”

“Thank you, Goddess Hera.”

“Your feat of slaying the dragon infused with Gaia’s power during the expedition for the Golden Fleece is also a great achievement.”

Hercules bowed his head as Hera, Queen of the Gods, continued.

“The sleepless dragon you killed was originally Ares’s divine beast… but it was sent by our grandmother, Gaia, to end your life.”

“……”

“Chrysaor and Lamia, who approached you previously, were the same. The reason is that you are the prophesied hero meant to aid us.”

“……”

“The Gigantes who caused havoc throughout Greece… They were created by the primordial goddess Gaia. And the prophecy foretold that for us gods to overcome the Gigas, we would need the aid of a human hero. That’s why Zeus brought you, an infant, to nurse on my milk.”

Hera’s calm tone.

Yet, the content of her words revealed the secrets of the gods.

“…At first, I couldn’t believe what Zeus said about you being the hero of prophecy. But now, I must acknowledge it.”

“Thank you. I owe it all to the labors you bestowed upon me, Goddess.”

“To rise to divinity on your own power… The only other to do so was Dionysus.”

Until now, Dionysus was the only god among the Olympian Twelve who had ascended to godhood through faith and achievements alone.

He traveled the world, spreading the art of winemaking and gaining immense devotion.

Even apart from being Zeus’s son, it was that accomplishment which secured him a place among the Twelve.

“The god of strength and struggle, Hercules.”

“Yes, Goddess Hera.”

“I shall give you my daughter, Hebe, goddess of youth. Ascend to Olympus.”

Though it was a stunning offer, Hercules did not seem surprised.

Having obtained the divine power of strength, Hercules felt he could challenge any god except the Big Three.

Even if that god were the Queen of the Gods.

He closed his eyes briefly, recalling his journey.

His experiences in the underworld, his first labor, the Argo, his heroic companions, the dragon…

With a faint smile on his lips, he spoke his desire.

“Oh Queen of the Gods.”

“…?”

“I wish to continue with my labor. Please grant me your permission.”