King of Underworld

Chapter 140 The Final Task – When Brains Are Lacking, Effort Pays

“I wish to complete the task. Please grant me permission.”

“…What did you say?”

The words that left Hercules’s mouth weren’t about glory or gratitude. He wanted to complete his final, tenth labor.

Though he enjoyed fame, wealth, and a distinguished name, who would willingly seek trials and suffering?

Especially one of Hera’s challenging tasks, which often involved slaying powerful monsters or achieving difficult feats.

“It was thanks to your labors, Goddess Hera, that I was able to ascend to godhood. The task holds great meaning for me, so I wish to see it through to the end.”

“…Delaying your ascent to Olympus to choose hardship… You are truly hard to understand.”

Hera studied Hercules’s calm face and soon accepted it.

Indeed, only a human like him could have ascended on his own to a place equal to the Twelve Olympians.

It reminded her again of why Zeus secretly nursed him with her milk and why Hades submerged him in the River Styx.

But what task should she give him?

Slay a powerful monster?

—For Hercules, now stronger than any god except the Big Three, monsters were meaningless. The only creatures on Earth who might be stronger were the Gigantes trapped on the Plains of Plesura.

Perhaps a difficult task requiring cleverness?

—Using wit to solve difficult tasks was something only for the weak.

Maybe she could have him retrieve a golden apple as originally planned?

—But she’d already forgiven her grudge and was even planning to marry him to her daughter.

What would be fitting as a final task, something both challenging and worthy of divine grandeur?

After some thought, Hera recalled a recent incident involving Apollo’s misadventures in the Underworld.

“If that is truly your will, I will give you a final task.”

“Thank you.”

“Your tenth task is to work for a month in the busiest part of the Underworld.”

“Work…you mean? Is that truly my task?”

Hercules looked up at her, startled.

“Yes.”

“Ah, so you wish for me to make acquaintances with those in the Underworld. However, I hoped this would be a real task…”

“Do not underestimate it.”

“Pardon?”

Hera smiled at Hercules with a confidence he had rarely seen.

Though her grudge had faded, she seemed to relish the idea of teasing him a bit.

“Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Eros, Hephaestus…”

“They’re all Olympian gods. But why…”

“These are gods who could not withstand this task.”

“…?”

Hercules was utterly perplexed.

So, with a look of confusion, he left Hera’s temple and made his way to the Underworld.

* * *

“…And that’s how it happened. So, I’ve brought the youngest along, Uncle!”

I looked at Hermes and Hercules, who had arrived in the Underworld.

Hermes finished his explanation with a mischievous grin, as though something amusing was about to happen, while Hercules seemed indifferent.

“It’s been a while, Hercules. I’ve observed your feats from here in the Underworld.”

“Yes! As you advised last time, I have returned as a god!”

“Well done. Your name will be remembered forever among humans.”

The man born a mortal, who ascended to godhood, the great hero Hercules.

I looked at him with satisfaction.

He now held one of the highest ranks among the Twelve Olympians, only rivaled by Zeus, Poseidon, and myself.

Since he hadn’t been born a god but had instead ascended through heroism, he wouldn’t contradict the prophecy.

“So, Hera sent you to the Underworld…”

“Yes. When I sought help at the temple of Lord Hermes here, he readily agreed to assist.”

“Well, with Father’s favor on his side and such incredible strength, I had to stay on his good side. Hahaha!”

But “the busiest part” of the Underworld would mean he’d be doing paperwork like a low-ranking deity…

What if Hercules inadvertently worsened things or disrupted the routine by clashing with other gods?

As I pondered this with my hand on my chin, Hercules spoke up confidently.

“Do not worry, Uncle! Whatever the task, I will accomplish it!”

“Worry…? Hmm. I am worried, indeed…”

Even the versatile Apollo was struggling with Underworld duties, so if I put Hercules to work…

“My task isn’t finished yet. Whatever it is, I will work hard and see it through to completion!”

“In that case…do you know how to handle paperwork?”

“Paper…work?”

Judging by his puzzled expression, he must have thought he’d be fighting some monster, lifting something heavy, or vanquishing a wicked deity.

Disappointingly, the busiest work in the Underworld was that of low-ranking gods.

Of course, there were exceptions like Charon and Thanatos, but…

“Gods don’t always have the luxury of idly watching over humans. Although, as the god of strength, you may be different. Hera’s intent is likely for you to gain various experiences.”

“…Understood.”

With that, Hercules nodded and left, following the messenger I summoned.

I could see Hermes struggling to keep a straight face, his facial muscles twitching.

As soon as Hercules left the audience hall, Hermes burst into laughter, clutching his sides.

“…Pfft. Hahaha! Un…Uncle, why didn’t you tell him that the Underworld is the most dreaded workplace… Ha…”

“Is that so? It might be hard for Hercules, I suppose.”

“More than hard! He may find this the most challenging of all his trials! Even Brother Apollo…”

That wretch… Knowing full well how demanding the Underworld is, and he still doesn’t come to help voluntarily?

Watching Hermes laugh twisted my insides.

“Then perhaps we could use one more god to help Hercules.”

“…Hahaha. What?”

“Good. While Hercules gets settled over the next week, you can join him here.”

“Uncle? I have to travel the world as the messenger god…”

“I’ll tell Zeus to grant you a leave of absence. Don’t worry and rest here in the Underworld.”

After wandering the world, your legs must be weary, so now it’s time to exercise your brain.

* * *

A few days after Hercules started working in the Underworld…

I enjoyed a moment of quiet, savoring some nectar.

My guidance of the great hero Hercules had concluded, and now, I could finally end things for good.

It was time to eliminate the Gigantes and shift the mind of the primordial earth goddess.

To be prepared for any unexpected circumstances, I had also secured the cooperation of Lady Nyx…

It seemed I could now let go of some burdens and rest a bit.

Since Hera had accepted Hercules and arranged for him to marry her daughter, Hebe, I’d send him to Olympus after a month.

He was more than qualified to marry the goddess of youth, a bride coveted by all.

Marriage…marriage. It dawned on me that I could no longer postpone it myself.

Now that all urgent matters were settled, it was time to secure the foundation.

I couldn’t continue leaving the role of Underworld’s queen unfilled…

And recently, I’d come to realize something. Frankly, I also felt a bit lonely.

I’d been fortunate to receive affection from many goddesses, so choosing only one seemed unfair.

To take a primary spouse would be unjust to the other goddesses.

I had already planned whom I’d approach first and how I’d propose.

Swiftly, I opened a small compartment in my desk and took out a dark-hued ring.

Though it appeared rough at first glance, it bore complex and beautiful engravings along its surface.

This ring…was crafted from the Stygian sword that the goddess Styx had gifted me.

It was deeply meaningful to me, so I had Hephaestus forge it especially.

Gathering a few other items, I set out for the River Styx.

The river was as I remembered it when I first descended to the Underworld after drawing lots ages ago.

Today was Thanatos’s day, so there were no souls crossing the Styx.

As I stepped closer to the river, just as before, the water took form, coalescing into the shape of the goddess.

I had suspected she’d be here; she often rested in her river.

“Hmm? Hades? Why do you look so serious… Has Thanatos fled again? Or did Charon’s boat…”

“I have something to tell you.”

The goddess spoke with a sleepy expression, as if I had woken her from a nap.

But this time, it wasn’t about Thanatos or Charon. I had come to propose.

Though I’d come this far, the words were unexpectedly difficult to say.

Since when had saying a single phrase become so hard?

“…Hades?”

As I stood there silently, just gazing at her, the goddess’s voice, sensing something strange, called out to me.

Her long black hair cascaded down to her waist, and her alluring figure and soft lips…

I reaffirmed my feelings, steadied my barely-moving hands, and held out the ring.

Looking into her dark eyes, I parted my lips to speak.

“I swear on the River Styx.”

“What are you…”

“I love you. Will you marry me, Goddess Styx?”

“Wh-what? What…?!”

Splash!

Blushing furiously, the goddess flailed and promptly fell back into the water.