The King of the Underworld is Tired

With aspiring heroes starting their training in the Underworld, the number of those becoming my followers gradually increased.

Perhaps it was due to being constantly exposed to the energy of the Underworld, even though Persephone’s power had somewhat neutralized it...

"Oh Pluto, if you’re watching, please have mercy on meeee!!! Aaaahh!"

Boom!

"No, Iarytos! Are you alright?"

"This guy. His eyes are completely rolled back. Hey, snap out of it!"

Hmm. The one whose voice I just heard became a new follower.

In fact, it wasn't strange for heroes, often tormented by mythical monsters, to call out to me.

When facing monsters almost impossible to defeat with mortal strength, it's natural to turn to any nearby god.

However, no matter how desperately they called for me, I never helped them.

Maybe if they called from the world above, but here in the Underworld, the trials are merely training.

"Oh, Pluto... another has passed the test and gone to the Underworld..."

"Thank you for your grace..."

And the priests in the mortal realm, connected to the outskirts of the Underworld, were doing their part well.

Occasionally, there were agents sent by Gaia, tainted by madness, but the stone imbued with Dionysus’ power filtered them out well.

As I observed the heroes' training from my throne with my eyes closed, a soft voice called out.

It was the voice of Lady Styx, one I always recognized.

"Hades. Are you free by any chance?"

"Lady Styx...? There’s no one in the audience chamber at the moment. What’s the matter?"

Gently opening the door of the audience chamber and looking around before entering was the goddess.

"Have you heard that a new hero is trying to slay the Chimera?"

"Chimera... you mean the child of Typhon and Echidna."

The beast Chimera (or Chimaera).

One of the children of Typhon and Echidna, it was a monstrous creature with parts of three animals.

It had the body of a lion, with a goat's head on its back, and a snake for a tail, making it a formidable beast.

The lion’s head breathed fire, the goat’s head possessed cunning, and the snake’s fangs dripped venom.

Now that I think about it, Typhon's children were all quite powerful.

Cerberus, who acted as the guardian and sentinel of the Underworld, was also Typhon’s child, as was the Nemean Lion in the valley of Nemea…

Even the Sphinx, once taken in by Hera and later killed by Oedipus, had come to the Underworld.

"The child of Typhon being killed by a hero—many gods must be watching."

"Olympus contacted us, suggesting we lend Pegasus, who was born from Medusa’s severed head, to the hero."

Pegasus.

The white, winged horse born when the hero Perseus severed Medusa’s head.

Unlike ordinary horses, Pegasus could use its wings to soar through the skies.

Last time, after Medusa became a minor deity of the Underworld, she had gone to the mortal realm and brought Pegasus down to the Underworld…

To be precise, as she approached, Pegasus seemed to recognize its mother and quietly followed her back.

Thus, Pegasus had been residing in the Underworld, peacefully spending time with his mother.

"Then I should summon Medusa and ask her opinion. After all, Pegasus was born from her."

"Would you like me to bring her here? She’s likely with Lady Mente right now."

"There's no need. I'll go see Pegasus myself—it’s been a while anyway."

"Last I heard, they were in the Elysian Fields to feed Pegasus."

Since Pegasus had eaten the food of the Underworld, it now belonged here.

However, depending on Medusa's thoughts, lending it to the hero for a time might be possible.

* * *

I arrived at the Elysian Fields, a place warmer than even the goddess of spring and more comfortable than even the goddess of the hearth.

In the vast plains that seemed to stretch endlessly, a gentle breeze carried the sounds of insects.

The Elysian Fields looked almost no different from the fields of the mortal world.

There, on a high hill, was a man lying down, basking in the atmosphere.

As I approached, he rose with a happy expression.

The great hero of Thebes, Cadmus, who had once tricked Typhon, now resided in the Elysian Fields.

Seeing me, Cadmus spoke.

"Well, if it isn’t Lord Hades. What brings you to Elysium?"

"It’s been a while, Cadmus. Have you seen two goddesses and a winged horse around here?"

"They passed by a while ago, over that way."

He pointed in a direction with his finger.

The goddesses must have taken Pegasus, and it was likely grazing in the fields by now.

Once it had eaten its fill and finished, it would return here.

While waiting for them, I thought I’d share a conversation with Cadmus…

I decided to ask him about life in this place.

It's a paradise I had carefully crafted, but any dwelling should be reviewed by its residents.

"How’s life in Elysium? Are you satisfied?"

"Hahaha! My wife Harmonia can’t stop smiling. Compared to the mortal world these days..." 

Cadmus spoke with a wide smile, showing his teeth.

It seems his wife, the goddess of harmony, Harmonia, and he get along very well.

Even in death, to live in harmony as a mortal...

"Even after all these years, you seem very close with Harmonia."

"I'm not Lady Aphrodite, but... isn't that what love is?"

They've been dead for quite a long time, yet their love remained unchanged.

I see. If this is truly love... perhaps I too...

"But what brings you to Elysium, Lord Hades?"

"I came to meet Medusa, to lend Pegasus to a hero in the mortal realm."

"It seems the mortal world still knows no peace... By any chance, are those snake monsters I told you about involved...?"

I shared with him the details about the Gigantes and also the fact that I was training heroes in the Underworld.

I also told him about the current state of his descendants and the people of Thebes.

"Oh… Is that so... Then may I ask one favor?"

"You have a request for me? Speak your mind."

"Aren’t my fellow heroes training at the outskirts of the Underworld? I would like to lend my strength to them as well."

"I cannot disturb one who is supposed to be resting in Elysium."

I refused outright, but Cadmus, with a hearty laugh, spoke again.

This place is a paradise, a peaceful space that everyone dreams of...

"Lord Hades. Leading the next generation on the right path is both the duty and pride of a hero. At times, helping them can be more fulfilling than staying here in Elysium."

"But you’ve already completed the tasks and duties given to you, and all connections to the mortal realm have been severed..."

"Ask the other heroes as well. If they are true heroes, they would give you a similar answer as I have."

The first hero, who stole Zeus tendons from Typhon to save Olympus, still had an unwavering gaze despite all the time that had passed.

If that is what being a hero is, if that is truly their wish...

"I will suggest it to the others as well."

"Haha! Summon me anytime. I'd love to pass on whatever little experience I have to the next generation."

As we conversed, a voice called out from afar.

"Cadmus~ Where are you?!"

"This voice...! It seems Harmonia is looking for me."

"I must go and fetch Pegasus. Go and enjoy your time with your wife."

"Please come again next time! I’ll prepare something for your visit!"

* * *

Not long after I turned away, I encountered the goddesses and Pegasus.

Seeing me, the beautiful white-winged Pegasus snorted and tried to hide behind Medusa.

Snort!

"Oh! Lord Hades! Have you come to see me?"

"You came all the way to Elysium?"

Seeing Mente and Medusa greet me with bright smiles, I nodded.

But still, Pegasus is afraid of me.

"Medusa. I’ve come to discuss lending Pegasus to a hero in the mortal world."

"Excuse me? You can just command me..."

I remained silent at her question.

She too was once beheaded by a hero… and it was from that event that Pegasus was born…

After a moment of silence, Medusa seemed to realize something, and bowed her head.

"Ah... You don’t need to be considerate of me. Please feel free to lend Pegasus as you wish, my lord."

"…Thank you. Once the hero slays Typhon's offspring, I'll return him to you."

Snort!

Pegasus, an intelligent creature, seemed to understand what was being said.

Medusa patted his back a few times to calm him down again.

"Does he still follow you around and bother you wherever you go?"

"Fufu... That was back when he was a foal. He's grown now and doesn’t do that anymore. Right?"

Snort!

"For some reason, he’s only scared of Lord Hades. Maybe it’s because he’s a flying horse?" Mente mused.

She might be right...

Since Pegasus, with the attributes of the sky and the sea, now belonged to the Underworld, adapting couldn't have been easy.

He seemed to be getting used to the Underworld’s energy by now, though he still seemed wary of me…

When I gestured to Pegasus, the intelligent creature moved toward me, albeit hesitantly.

"Well, I’ll be taking Pegasus with me now."

"Alright. See you later!"

"Understood, Lord Hades."

Now, it was time to entrust this horse to a hero.

"Who should deliver it... Hermes? Athena?"