King of Underworld-Chapter 171

Yet, because he had called upon my name and entrusted the fate of both himself and Helen to me,

the falling spear now lay within my sphere of influence. I could redirect it, allow it to miss entirely, or even let it pierce only one of them.

Whoosh!

There was no need for hesitation. I extended my hand and interfered with the falling spear.

The spear, falling from the highest heavens, plunged toward the earth like a beam of light.

The weapon, destined to decide their fate, descended with a terrifying whistle.

Slash! Thud!

"Aaaaah!"

Blood splattered on the ground, and Helen shut her eyes tightly, letting out a scream.

Had the gods punished mortals?

Menelaus, touching the trickle of blood running down his cheek, spoke.

"...Let’s kill Paris and return to Sparta together."

Only then did Helen notice the blood running down Menelaus’ cheek and the spear embedded in the ground.

The crimson droplets that had splashed just now were from the spear grazing his face.

Holding the trembling Helen tightly in his arms, Menelaus whispered into her ear.

"If this is the answer from the god of fairness… perhaps your decision to follow Paris wasn’t entirely your own."

"Sniff… sniffle… I felt as if I was bewitched…"

"You needn’t say any more. Let’s end all of this now."

Oh, just and fair Pluto.

The next day, Sparta’s finest warrior, armed with only a spear and shield, walked toward the Trojan army.

Hector, the supreme commander of Troy, raised his hand to halt his soldiers momentarily.

"King Menelaus of Sparta? Do you have something to say?"

Menelaus stopped briefly, clearing his throat.

The sharp gleam of his spear caught the sunlight, and his icy gaze was as piercing as its edge.

"Paris! Come out at once and face me in a duel!"

"...!"

As his voice rang out, even the advancing Greek coalition forces paused.

The king of Sparta, challenging Paris, the prince of Troy, to single combat?

"If you accept this duel, regardless of the outcome, the Spartan forces will cease their attack on Troy and withdraw!"

"Hmm!"

New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.

"But if you continue to hide behind your walls and soldiers…"

Menelaus’ final roar echoed like a lion’s bellow.

The king of Sparta, whose commanding presence rivaled that of the legendary heroes of old, aimed his spear toward the walls of Troy.

"I swear upon the River Styx! I will mobilize all of Sparta’s forces to burn Troy to the ground!"

Menelaus’ declaration caused an uproar.

Messengers hurriedly relayed his words to the Greek leadership, while Hector rubbed his temples in frustration.

"Madness…"

Swearing upon the River Styx ensured that his promise to withdraw after a duel was true.

But if Paris refused to face him, the threat to annihilate Troy was equally genuine.

From a strategic perspective, sacrificing Paris to save the city was a simple calculation.

Trading one life for the retreat of the mighty Spartan forces seemed logical.

But as an older brother who cherished his sibling…

"Paris!!! Come out here immediately!!!"

…there was no way Hector could send Paris to his death.

Of course, Paris had some skill. His archery prowess was widely acknowledged.

But looking at Menelaus’ current state, even Hector himself would struggle against him.

No matter how much he despised Paris, he couldn’t abandon his brother to die.

As Hector prepared to order an attack to protect Paris…

"Hector, brother."

"No, Paris! I told you to stay inside the walls! Why have you come here?"

Paris emerged, fully armed.

Clad in armor, Paris spoke to Hector.

For some reason, Paris appeared to have summoned every ounce of courage he possessed.

Whether he had resolved this on his own or received help from another, it was unclear.

"Brother."

"You fool! Staying inside the walls is the best way to help us! Go back now and…"

"Let me duel Menelaus."

"This imbecile! You wish to…"

"As a prince of Troy, I will take responsibility for starting this war."

Hector stared at Paris, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

Even he would have to risk his life to face Menelaus in single combat. Had Paris completely lost his mind?

"Do you wish to die so badly? Menelaus is the greatest warrior in Sparta. You cannot…"

"Goddess Hera appeared to me and filled me with courage."

"What did you say?"

"I can defeat Menelaus now. Trust me and let me face him."

If Hera’s blessing were genuine, then Paris might stand a chance.

After confirming a measure of determination in his otherwise incompetent brother, Hector slowly nodded.

"If it becomes too dangerous, flee to our side immediately."

"Do not worry, brother. It will be Menelaus who flees today."

With those words, Paris strode forward, leaving Hector watching his back.

Worry for his brother churned in Hector’s mind.

"Menelaus is strong. If things turn dire, he must flee. I’ll issue a command to prepare for an attack, just in case… even with the goddess’ blessing…"

Suddenly, a thought crossed Hector’s mind.

"Wait. Did Paris say Hera blessed him? Hera is the goddess of marriage and family. Why would she bless Paris?

Has she ever supported Troy before? Paris destroyed Menelaus’ household—how could she side with us? No… this is a trap! I must stop this duel immediately!"

"Menelaus! I trust you will honor your promise, even if you die!"

"You filthy scum, you’ve finally shown yourself! Fine, I’ll take your head and return to Sparta!"

But the duel had already begun.

As the duel began, Paris raised his spear high and shouted.

"Die, Menelaus!"

Whoosh!

The spear flew with precision, enhanced by the blessing of Hera, aiming directly at Menelaus’ torso.

However, Menelaus was Sparta’s greatest warrior.

Thud!

With a single motion, he raised his shield to block the spear. Menelaus then unsheathed his sword and began walking deliberately toward Paris.

Paris, in turn, drew his own sword, but as Menelaus swung down with ferocious power, the blessing of Hera that surrounded Paris suddenly vanished.

"H-Huh?!"

The confidence and bravery that had filled Paris moments earlier evaporated.

The courage that had surged in his heart disappeared completely, leaving him empty.

The blade of Menelaus’ sword closed in on his head.

The sword in Paris’ hand fell to the ground long before he could even react.

Clang!

Menelaus’ sword struck Paris’ helmet, shattering it completely.

The force of the blow caused Paris to collapse to the ground, but the duel did not end there.

The Spartan king, moving swiftly, grabbed Paris’ helmet crest and yanked it forcefully.

"Guh…ack!"

"Today, I’ll drag you to Pluto’s judgment seat myself!"

The strap of Paris’ helmet tightened around his neck, choking him as Menelaus, displaying immense strength, began dragging him toward the Greek camp.

At this rate, Paris would meet his end as Menelaus retrieved a soldier’s sword to finish him off.

Watching Paris being dragged, Aphrodite, who could no longer bear the sight, attempted to intervene by cutting the helmet strap.

Though she wasn’t particularly fond of him, she couldn’t abandon the man who had awarded her the golden apple.

But before she could act—

Grab.

"Aphrodite. Don’t save him."

A dark-haired male god, shrouded by clouds, seized Aphrodite’s wrist.

Her eyes widened as she recognized the god of the Underworld, Hades, looking down coldly at Paris.

"H-Hades? Aren’t you busy with the affairs of the Underworld? When did you arrive here?"

"I had a moment to spare."

"I thought you supported Troy. If Paris dies…"

"I support Troy, but not Paris. As the god of the Underworld, I should avoid prematurely ending mortal lives, but that one… he must come below now."

While Aphrodite remained immobilized by Hades’ grip, Menelaus borrowed a sword from a Greek soldier and struck Paris’ neck.

Slash!

With a sickening sound, Paris’ head rolled across the ground.

Thud.

"Uwaaaah! Paris is dead!"

"King Menelaus has won!"

The man blinded by love, whose actions had ignited a war, had finally met his end.

Even in death, peace would not come easily to him.