King of Underworld

Chapter 151: Gigantomachia – Prelude

Today was another busy day, no different from usual. Life in the underworld continued in its monotonous, wheel-like repetition.

However, amidst the peaceful routine, I received an unexpected visitor.

It was Hypnos, the god of sleep, who roams the world spreading slumber to all beings.

“Hades, have you heard the news?”

“What news are you referring to?”

“There’s a rumor going around that the goddess Thetis has been meeting with a mortal man.”

I paused to look at Hypnos, who chuckled mischievously, finding amusement in the tale, before responding.

“The goddess had been searching for a husband through contests held in the mortal world, but none had ever met her standards, hadn’t they?”

Although Thetis herself wished to marry, it would have been hard for a mere mortal, let alone a demigod, to meet the lofty standards of the beautiful sea goddess.

Especially with Zeus’s coercive interference, given his sensitivity to political alliances.

“Of course! None of them were gods or even demigods. But who would’ve guessed that someone could barely meet the demanding goddess’s standards?”

“…?”

“In a recent hunting competition, a mortal hero won by capturing more than half of the released prey.”

“Even so, I doubt that alone would capture the goddess’s interest.”

Thetis, considered the most beautiful among the Nereids,

Was rumored to surpass even Amphitrite, Poseidon’s queen, in beauty. Such a goddess would undoubtedly have very high standards.

With the abundance of handsome men and women among the gods, no mortal could likely measure up.

“He was granted the chance to propose to the goddess for winning the competition, naturally…”

“But do you know what that mortal said when he met Thetis in private? He asked if she could give him even greater challenges! Hahaha!”

“…?!”

“Naturally, Thetis couldn’t ignore a mortal so unimpressed by her beauty. She assigned him to hunt down all kinds of sea monsters… and, unbelievably, he slew them all and asked for more feats! Hahaha!”

A memory of the heroes who had recently slain the Calydonian boar surfaced in my mind.

Could this mortal, so driven by feats and challenges, be one of the heroes trained in the underworld?

“When this kept happening, Thetis ran out of tasks to assign. Do you know what she finally said to him?”

“How do you know this in such detail? Surely you’re not neglecting your duties to spy on the mortal world like Thanatos…”

“Ahem! I’m nothing like Thanatos. I merely heard it from another god. Anyway, here’s what they reportedly said.”

Curious about how this mortal had won the goddess’s heart, I listened to Hypnos’s chatter.

“I’ve returned with the monster you mentioned, one of Ceto’s descendants. Please assign me another challenge!”

“…There are no more tasks I can give you.”

“What?”

“Except for one, a feat even the greatest heroes have struggled to achieve.”

“Hmm…! Whatever it is, I’ll do it. Tell me! Don’t tell me it’s slaying a dragon…”

“Marrying me, Thetis, goddess of the sea. Taking a goddess as a wife is a feat worthy only of the greatest heroes. You should be proud.”

“…!!!”

So that’s how it happened…

Thetis, who wasn’t swayed by her own beauty, had fallen for a mortal hero who boldly completed her challenges.

It seemed he’d picked up something peculiar from the underworld, but well, it worked out for the best.

“What’s the name of this hero?”

“I heard his name is Peleus. Their wedding is to take place after the Gigantes are dealt with.”

A familiar name…

—

Not long ago, Zeus had sent a message to the underworld.

He warned us to ensure that neither Gaia nor the Gigantes noticed anything, as the time for war with the Gigantes was drawing near.

It seemed he planned to ambush the Phlegraean Plains while they were off guard.

However, because Gaia’s powers of prophecy were a concern, a full-scale battle was also being considered.

“Heracles will have a short-lived honeymoon, it seems.”

“Having the god of strength ensures victory, so it can’t be helped. Still, he and the goddess of youth should make a good couple.”

“Hypnos, continue monitoring the Phlegraean Plains. If the Gigantes move, we must respond immediately.”

I nodded as Hypnos left, but something tugged at my senses.

Voices praising my name from the mortal world, the offerings of devout worshippers…

Was there a mint festival happening in Thebes? I closed my eyes and focused on the mortal realm, and soon the sounds of the faithful filled my ears.

It was indeed Thebes, but what could be happening now?

Today, the streets were packed with people.

The festive atmosphere was unmistakable, but this wasn’t the regular mint festival held periodically.

“Is today the wedding day of the Arcadian princess and the Calydonian prince?”

“Why are they holding the wedding in Thebes? Why not in their own kingdoms?”

“It’s obviously an excuse to form an alliance with Thebes. The king supports the idea of a three-nation pact, but I…”

“That’s not it. I heard they trained together at Pluto’s temple in Thebes. Maybe that’s the reason.”

“Princess Atalanta of Arcadia serves Artemis, doesn’t she?”

“Haha! Whatever the reason, it’s good for us. The tourists from other cities are flooding in!”

“Any merchant worth their salt should seize this opportunity!”

“Famous names, aren’t they? Aren’t they also close to the kings of Athens and Iolcos?”

“By the way, I’m from Arcadia. Could you tell me about this mint tea I’ve heard of…”

“I’m from Calydon. The scenery in Thebes isn’t bad at all.”

Perhaps the decision to hold the wedding in Thebes was influenced by the heroes’ training together at my temple.

Thebes, Arcadia, and Calydon—their alliance was symbolized by this union.

Traveling from such distant lands to Thebes… No, these heroes would relish any excuse for feats.

I only hoped they wouldn’t bring monster hides as wedding gifts…

“Look! That’s Prince Meleager of Calydon! He’s approaching with his soldiers!”

“Wow, is that huge man the prince? Wait, what are the soldiers carrying on their shoulders?”

“A monster carcass! Is that a harpy? I can’t quite see from here.”

…They really did slay a monster on their way here.

—

The wedding in Thebes wasn’t a typical political marriage.

It symbolized a union among three nations, drawing the attention of some gods and many surrounding states.

The name of the king of the underworld, whispered in fear and reverence,

And the abilities of those trained at Pluto’s temple, reputed to far exceed ordinary heroes, were already well-known across Greece.

Even the great Heracles, who had mysteriously vanished, was rumored to have trained at the Theban temple.

—

“Look! It’s Princess Atalanta! They said she’s fierce, but she’s stunningly beautiful!”

“Not quite on the level of Aphrodite, but she rivals the celestial goddesses.”

The famed archer Princess Atalanta of Arcadia and the spear-throwing prodigy Prince Meleager of Calydon were to wed.

This union led many rulers and heroes to sense the changing times.

There were even rumors that the Theban king himself suggested holding the wedding in Thebes.

It was clearly an opportunity to forge a firm alliance among the three nations.

Already a mint trade hub, Thebes stood to gain a strong alliance through this union.

—

“Look, there comes Prince Meleager!”

“The spear master! The prince of Calydon!”

“Wowww!”

As the ceremony concluded, the blind prophet Tiresias approached the newlyweds.

Tiresias, known for siding with Zeus during a quarrel with Hera and losing his sight as punishment, had gained the gift of prophecy and a long lifespan.

Recognizing him, Meleager and Atalanta addressed him.

“Lord Tiresias, what do you think of our marriage?”

“Hmm…”

All eyes turned to Greece’s most renowned mortal prophet.

What would he say?

After clearing his throat, Tiresias spoke calmly.

“I see you having children and raising them well. Your future will be bright.”

“Thank you so much, Lord Tiresias!”

“Truly, we are grateful.”

Accepting their gratitude, the blind prophet set off on another journey.

However, a faint intuition lingered in his heart—a sense that their future would not be as smooth as it seemed.

Meleager, fated to die at his mother’s hands for killing his uncles; Atalanta, cursed by a goddess and doomed to become a lion after her marriage…

Tiresias dismissed the fleeting vision as a mere illusion, smiling as he walked.

After all, the future he now saw was of them happily cradling their children.

Perhaps he had misunderstood something. Prophecies often worked that way.

Then again, if not a mistake, perhaps divine intervention had shifted their fate.

‘Heh… Could some merciful god have chosen to bless these heroes?’

The world moves forward, driven by heroes.

And now was truly the age of heroes.