King of Underworld

Chapter 143 The Story of Orpheus – 2

“Just once… please, listen to my song.”

“What did you say?”

“I will play the finest music to move your heart! Please, I beg you, bring Eurydice back to life!”

I, Hades, watched the mortal who had dared to step into the Underworld.

Did he think that if he played close enough, he could change my mind?

His skill was indeed extraordinary—remarkable enough to challenge Apollo’s place as the god of music.

But to request the resurrection of the dead…

Her death was not due to the whims of the gods, nor was it unjust; it was simply fate.

Sympathetic as I might feel, I could not grant this mortal’s wish.

Glancing at Persephone beside me, I noticed she was gazing at Orpheus in awe, too captivated even to pick up the object she had dropped.

Tears welled in her eyes, clearly moved by his music.

But if he thought I would be as easily swayed as the goddess of spring…

Ting… ♬ ♪

As I heard that note up close, ancient memories stirred, drawing me into reminiscences.

His lyre summoned past sorrows to the surface, reminding me of the grief of loss…

The mournful melody spread throughout the heart of my fortress.

Once again, all of the Underworld fell still to listen.

Not even storms, nor Sirens, nor the rivers of the Underworld could resist the power of his lyre.

Even I felt a pang of compassion and was momentarily tempted to grant his request to reunite with his wife.

~ ♪

Yet it wasn’t the music that moved me, but his heart.

Orpheus, tears streaming, played his lyre with all his strength. Here was a mortal with no divine aid or power, trying to move the god of the Underworld with the greatest performance of his life.

A mortal surpassing human limits with sheer talent.

When the song finally came to an end, Orpheus was left gasping for breath.

Tears were streaming down Persephone’s face, and the souls of the Underworld were weeping as well.

The song had touched all parts of the Underworld, save Tartarus.

“Even so… I cannot grant it.”

“…!”

“Though your feat is remarkable, it’s not enough to break the laws of the Underworld.”

Thud.

Orpheus’s lyre slipped from his hands, no longer the heavenly instrument it had been moments before.

Despite my sympathy for his bowed head and despairing expression… my answer remained firm.

As I prepared to dismiss him back to the world of the living, Persephone turned to me.

“Hades…”

“…?”

“Is there no way we could grant him mercy… for his wife?”

I almost refused outright but paused when I saw the wet shimmer in her eyes.

Her voice quivered slightly, carrying a sincere plea.

* * *

I could feel my resolve wavering as I listened to the goddess of spring and seeds.

Especially since I had planned to propose to her just before Orpheus had arrived.

Having just been on the verge of asking for her hand… I could hardly bear to see her look at me with disappointment.

“Persephone…”

“If your judgment as the ruler of the Underworld is final, would your decision as a god of mercy not be slightly different?”

“My duty to the Underworld must come first. This is a rule of the Underworld, necessary to maintain the world’s balance.”

“But… his love must be deep to venture here with only a lyre…”

“No matter what you say, I cannot allow it…”

Thud!

Hearing our exchange, Orpheus prostrated himself, banging his head against the ground.

Blood trickled from his head, seeping into the floor.

“Lord Pluto! If I cannot take her with me, let me stay in the Underworld with her!”

“Hah…”

Is this what they mean by a man mad with love? To ask for death if he could not be with her.

Still, it seemed he had neither been unfaithful nor kept concubines, so I could overlook this small act of disrespect.

He seemed sincere… but perhaps I should test him a bit.

Show me your resolve.

“You would rather die than return without her? Do you think I would feel pity and return her to you?”

“…!”

“Did you truly think that by risking your life to save your wife, I would be moved enough to grant your wish?”

Persephone looked startled, but I deliberately maintained a harsh tone. Let’s see how he responds.

Orpheus remained motionless on the ground, his voice trembling as he answered.

“No, I swear by the River Styx, that was not my intent.”

“…”

“I am guilty of failing to protect the one I loved… so if you will not revive Eurydice, please take my life instead. I am willing to endure any punishment.”

With that, he fell silent.

“Hah…”

I sighed and ran a hand over my brow.

Yes, this is the problem.

As ruler of the Underworld, the most troublesome cases are often like this.

If a mortal has sinned, I punish them. If they have been good, they find peace here.

But when someone deserving of mercy seeks to break our laws, it complicates the decision.

Even the gods, as powerful as we are, have emotions, biases, and can err in judgment.

My hesitation at this hero’s plea was an example of this very weakness.

“Hades… please…”

“…Persephone.”

To be fair, exceptions should not be granted in cases like this. Yet, I couldn’t bear to display such unyielding cruelty in front of Kore…

Ha. You’re fortunate, Orpheus… just this once.

This decision has absolutely nothing to do with not wanting Persephone to be disappointed in me.

“Very well. Take her.”

“…!”

The hero looked up, a spark of hope in his eyes.

“However, no one must ever learn that you retrieved your wife from the Underworld. Such a precedent cannot exist. Should even a whisper of this reach anyone, you will suffer eternal torment.”

“Thank… thank you! Oh, merciful Pluto! I will change my name and live in seclusion with my wife!”

“Remember that promise. If you value avoiding Tartarus… do not forget it.”

It was done.

* * *

Orpheus, having bowed and thanked me repeatedly, departed with his wife’s soul in tow.

As I folded my arms, Persephone approached me, her eyes full of gratitude.

“Hades… thank you…”

“I didn’t do it because you asked. It was simply the appropriate reward for his achievement.”

“Yes, yes, I understand! Hehe!”

She didn’t seem to believe me in the slightest, but… oh, well.

“Is anyone outside? Come in.”

“Yes, my lord! How may I serve you?”

A tear-streaked attendant, still moved by Orpheus’s music, entered the hall.

“Send word to Olympus. I wish to nominate a candidate for a lesser god of music.”

“Understood!”

“The candidate is the mortal hero who just left, Orpheus. Inform them that if there are no objections, I will send him to Olympus upon his death. And tell Charon I wish to speak with him later.”

Once again, the hall grew quiet.

With Orpheus’s music fading, a profound silence filled the Underworld.

Many mortals may lay down their lives for love.

But a man who came to the Underworld to plead with me for his deceased wife’s return… his courage and audacity showed me why he deserved to be called a hero.

Although, he had arrived at a rather inconvenient moment…

Of course, I could excuse his grief over his wife and the unfortunate timing with my proposal…

‘But still… just wait until you die. We’ll meet again.’

Though I shouldn’t let personal feelings sway my decisions, once he becomes a god, I’ll make sure he’s put to good use at every occasion, starting with the songs for my wedding.

“Aha! Hades, there’s something I almost forgot…”

“A gift for me?”

“Yes… here!”

She had mentioned a gift before Orpheus’s interruption, saying she’d prepared it since she’d be returning to the mortal world tomorrow.

When I took the box she offered and opened it, I found something unexpected inside.

I had assumed it might be flowers or some small treasure…

“Tada! A one-time wish from Persephone!”

“…?”

“I’ll grant any wish! You can hold onto it for whenever you’d like!”

I watched Persephone, who stood with her hands on her hips, emphasizing a certain confidence.

A gift entirely beyond my expectations…

She may be young for a goddess, barely 500 years old, but her cheerful nature… ha.

On the parchment inside, written in her beautiful handwriting, was a promise:

Ως θεά της άνοιξης και των σπόρων, δεσμεύομαι να εκπληρώσω τις επιθυμίες οποιουδήποτε το έχει.

The letters shimmered faintly with golden light, a testament to the power she must have imbued into it.

A vow, guaranteeing one wish from the goddess of spring and seeds.

With a soft chuckle, I held out the wish back to her.

“Thank you, Persephone. I’ll use this wish… right now.”

“Right now…?” She tilted her head. “Um, alright! Name anything!”

With her puzzled face watching, I took out a box I’d prepared earlier.

I opened it, and, showing her the contents, I spoke my wish.

“My wish… is for you to accept this.”

“Huh…?”

“I love you, Kore. Will you marry me?”

“Ah… A… If that’s what you wanted, you didn’t need to use a wish…”

What I offered her was a golden apple.

Taken from the golden apple tree that Gaia had gifted to Hera at her wedding long ago, before Gaia and we gods had fallen into discord.

Its surface bore an inscription written in black by my hand:

To the beautiful goddess of spring and seeds.

“Is this… Hera’s golden apple? Such a precious thing… for me!”

“I am the god of wealth. While I don’t possess many of these, nothing is beyond my reach.”

She accepted the glittering apple, her face showing astonished delight, and I leaned forward to brush a kiss across her forehead.

“So, what is your answer?”

“Yes, of course! I… I’ve already accepted, so you can’t take it back…!”

“I swear by the River Styx… our love shall know an endless spring.”

“H-hngh!”

She made a soft sound as she buried her face in my chest, her arms wrapping tightly around me.

We remained like that, holding each other close until an attendant arrived to inform me of Olympus’s response.

With her by my side… winter would never come.