King of Underworld

Chapter 149: The Story of Asclepius – (3)

This is Calydon.

Until recently, a monstrous boar had appeared here, ruining the farmland, but it was defeated thanks to the efforts of heroes.

Perhaps because the boar hunt ended too anticlimactically,

The heroes who had gathered here did not return to their countries immediately and held feasts for several days.

“Krr…! Where did you get this venison?”

“Idas, tell us that story of yours. The one about your contest with Apollo…”

“A contest, you say? How could I possibly face the sun god? If Pluto hadn’t intervened…”

“The lord of the underworld is said to be merciful to the living; it seems that’s true.”

The heroes, gathered around a campfire after a hunt in the nearby forest, tore into the meat and shared stories.

Most of the lively conversation revolved around the boar they had recently slain.

“That rather large boar we caught recently… Do you think it had a parent?”

“I thought so too. Maybe that’s why we’ve stayed here so long.”

“By the way, when we caught that young boar, didn’t a mist rise and its body disappear? What was that all about?”

“Well, maybe the local nymphs were playing a prank. What would they even do with something like that boar?”

“Nymphs are pranksters by nature.”

They reminisced about the past and enjoyed their time together.

Meleager, a master spear-thrower, smiled as he cut meat for Atalanta.

The skilled archer accepted it without much complaint, seemingly unbothered.

“Ahem, Atalanta. You’re the princess of Arcadia and well-known for your deeds aboard the Argo, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then why haven’t you married yet? Is there some prophecy involved?”

“There’s no prophecy regarding my marriage. I just haven’t found anyone who suits me… And I serve the goddess of chastity.”

“Mmhm! But if you haven’t sworn a vow of chastity, perhaps you could meet someone suitable? Say… a prince of Calydon who’s good with a spear.”

“I’ve spent my youth in the underworld, so I haven’t taken a vow of chastity… Hm.”

As Atalanta and Meleager enjoyed their growing rapport,

Elsewhere, Jason was bragging to those who hadn’t participated in the Golden Fleece expedition.

“And so, Heracles punched the dragon to death with his bare hands…!”

“That’s Heracles for you. But I haven’t heard any news of him recently.”

“Could he have become a god, perhaps?”

“But Jason, you’re a king. Why aren’t you handling affairs of state instead of being here?”

“For now, Medea is ruling in my stead! She’s a wise and brilliant woman! And what about you, Theseus? You’re a king too…”

“Ahem! My queen, Ariadne, is managing things for now…”

As night deepened, a soldier suddenly ran in to deliver news to them.

Judging by his attire, he was from Calydon. He stopped in front of Meleager.

“Prince! A monster even larger than the boar from a few days ago has appeared!”

“What did you say?”

“It’s three times as massive as the previous one, its hooves spew fire, and meeting its gaze disrupts the human mind…!”

Before the soldier could finish, the heroes abandoned their meals and leapt to their feet.

In their hands were already drawn, sharp weapons.

“See? I told you it might have a parent!”

“Ha! Good thing we’ve been biding our time here!”

“This is it! A true feat awaits us!”

Despite the horrifying news, the heroes’ eyes gleamed with bloodthirsty excitement.

The soldier, tasked with delivering the king’s message, took a step back in alarm.

“Hey, soldier! Where did the monster appear?”

“Upstream of the Achelous River…”

“Let’s go! At last, we’ll have the chance to test our ultimate battle formation in a real fight!”

Is this how people usually react to news of a monster’s appearance?

Are they heroes… or just lunatics obsessed with slaying beasts…?

—

The heroes raced toward the Achelous River, where the monster was said to have appeared.

It didn’t take long for them to spot the fearsome creature.

*Kweeeeeek!!!*

The monster’s body was enormous—three times larger than the house-sized boar they’d encountered before.

Flames continually erupted from its hooves, scorching everything nearby.

Its gaze radiated madness, shaking the minds of those who dared to meet its eyes.

The monster, empowered by the goddess Artemis herself, looked incredibly strong.

It didn’t seem like a creature that could die so easily under a combined assault from heroes.

Perhaps it wasn’t on the level of Typhon’s children, like Chimera or Cerberus,

But it seemed to be a monster of a lower yet still terrifying tier.

The sight was truly dreadful, but the heroes grinned with exhilaration, their fighting spirits ablaze.

“Yes! This is it! Finally, a worthy opponent has appeared!”

“Theseus, Jason! You’re precious figures, so step back!”

“Nonsense! If you’re scared, then you retreat, Castor!”

Just as the powerful monster and the feat-hungry heroes were about to clash,

A shadowy figure invisible to human eyes, a clone of Thanatos, yawned and quietly waved his hand.

*Swoosh—*

A chilling aura spread briefly, and the terrifying monster suddenly collapsed.

Without any warning, as though it had merely reached the end of its lifespan.

*Boom!*

“Huh? What just happened?”

“Is it dead?”

The heroes were visibly perplexed when the monster, exuding such immense power moments ago, suddenly fell lifeless.

“It really seems dead, doesn’t it?”

“There’s no visible injury. Did someone use a special ability?”

“This could only mean one thing… a god, perhaps?”

“Hmm. It’s unwise to meddle in the affairs of gods. Let’s leave it at this and return.”

“Could it really have been divine intervention? Surely not Lord Thanatos?”

Their expectations for a great feat crushed, the heroes dispersed with disheartened expressions.

No matter how strong they became, they knew well that, unlike Heracles, they couldn’t possibly challenge the gods.

—

I observed Artemis as she arrived in the underworld, responding to my summons.

She didn’t appear particularly remorseful…

“Artemis.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you resurrect the dead divine beast and send it back to the mortal realm? That is beyond your authority.”

“…I never imagined that the son of Apollo would truly be able to revive a divine beast.”

Her words seemed only half-true.

“Don’t make excuses. I’m asking why you coerced a mortal into reviving the dead in the first place. I saw through your memories—you even invoked an oath on the River Styx.”

Artemis lowered her head, remaining silent.

Naturally, she had no justification for infringing upon the jurisdiction of the lord of the underworld.

Of course, had she tried to offer endless excuses, my wrath would have been severe.

“As punishment for encroaching upon my domain, you will work in the underworld for the time being. I will inform Zeus of this, of course. Do you have any objections?”

“No. Thank you for your leniency. From now on, I will never…”

“Leniency? I don’t show mercy in matters like this.”

“…?”

New gods who entered the underworld for the first time often had a misconception.

No matter how fearsome the rumors about me among the Olympians,

They assumed it was better than losing their divinity or becoming servants under mortals.

Apollo, Hermes, Ares… They all thought the same at first.

After Artemis left the audience chamber, I immediately summoned a messenger.

“Assign Artemis, who just left, to oversee the major excavation project in the underground veins.”

“But, Lord Hades, even Lady Lethe found that task too difficult…”

“Of course, it’ll be arduous. If she refuses, inform Styx or Hypnos—they’ll handle it appropriately.”

The messenger nodded, seemingly understanding, as I gave further instructions.

To go to Olympus and report Artemis’s wrongdoing and her temporary stay in the underworld,

To recommend Asclepius, who resurrected the dead, as a subordinate god of medicine,

And finally, to schedule a meeting regarding the upcoming battle with the Gigantes.

Once the date was set for the attack on the Phlegraean Plains, where the Gigantes were gathering,

I would visit Nyx again to confirm her support.

Even though creating Typhon, birthing the Gigantes, and influencing monsters like the Colchian dragon likely drained Gaia’s power significantly,

She was still likely stronger than us.

—

Meanwhile, Artemis, heading to her assigned workplace under the impression her time in the underworld would be brief,

Was dumbfounded by the mountain of paperwork on her desk.

Staring at the documents for a moment, she suddenly rose, glaring coldly at her attendant.

Though she seemed ready to mete out divine punishment, she barely restrained herself, considering

the location.

“Move aside. Lord Hades must have made a mistake. I’ll speak with him again.”

“Ah… If it’s about that matter, please wait a moment!”

The attendant hurriedly left under Artemis’s gaze and soon returned with someone.

A figure with long black hair and divine power befitting one of the Twelve Olympians… Wait, that face?

“…Artemis greets Lady Styx.”

“Hmm. I’m not fond of goddesses who shirk work and take it out on innocent attendants… That wouldn’t be you, would it?”

“……”

“Neither Apollo nor Ares behaved like this in their younger days. Tsk, tsk.”

As the vein in Lady Styx’s forehead pulsed, the moon goddess, who had been on the verge of causing a commotion, lowered her head again.

Lady Styx, the first to aid Olympus during the Titan War,

Was an ancient and powerful goddess whose feats and contributions were beyond measure.

“You’ll handle this well on your own, won’t you…? I trust I won’t need to return.”

“…Of course.”

“Oh, and this is just one day’s worth of work.”

“…?!”

The moon goddess finally understood why her brother, Apollo, trembled at the mere mention of the underworld.