King of Underworld-Chapter 172

Paris’ crimes were so severe that he bypassed the Minos brothers and was sent directly to me.

"Your crime lies in exploiting the blessing of the goddess Aphrodite to steal another man’s wife, ultimately igniting the flames of war."

"...!"

"Because of this war, tens of thousands of mortals will perish. You will bear the full weight of that sin."

"B-but I… I didn’t mean—"

"Silence. You will not be given the chance to make excuses."

Paris opened his mouth wordlessly, unable to speak, as I pronounced his sentence.

Fearing the punishment I might impose, he clasped his hands together and begged for mercy. But as the god of the Underworld and the arbiter of fairness, I could not be swayed.

"Your actions led to the theft of another man’s wife. But beyond that, your choices resulted in a catastrophic war, leaving countless dead. The burden of those sins lies solely on you."

"...!!!"

"Thus, I sentence you to carry stones in the Underworld for 100 years, your memory erased."

"Guards! Take this sinner away!"

For lusting after a woman who already had a husband, for inciting a war that plunged countless lives into despair—

Paris would pay the price for a long, long time.

Meanwhile, back in the Greek camp, King Menelaus returned, declaring his intention to take Helen back to Sparta.

Having avenged the theft of his wife, his expression alternated between relief and exhaustion.

"Menelaus. You could have consulted me first. Shouldn’t we seize this opportunity to destroy Troy completely?"

"Brother Agamemnon, forgive me. Too many soldiers have died or been injured. While I still harbor resentment toward Troy for raising that wretch Paris, I now wish to end this and return home with Helen."

"What? That’s preposterous."

"We’ve received sufficient reparations from Troy, Hector has formally apologized, and I’ve taken Paris’ head. I think it’s time to be content and withdraw."

The other commanders immediately began to voice their objections.

With Menelaus, the “wronged victim,” among their ranks, the Greek coalition had a moral justification for their war.

If Menelaus forgave Troy and left, wouldn’t the Greeks simply appear as marauding invaders? The gods themselves might frown upon it.

Moreover, Menelaus had claimed all the compensation from Troy, including Helen, for himself.

"King Menelaus! Are you really going to leave it at this? You’ve taken the compensation, killed Paris, and retrieved Helen, but what about the rest of us?"

"We’ve gained nothing, despite being dragged into this war on your behalf…"

"Why did you swear upon the River Styx without consulting us?"

"Was it fear of the gods siding with Troy? I didn’t take you for a coward, but now I see I was mistaken!"

"...Mind your tongue."

Menelaus glared at the last man who dared call him a coward before speaking.

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In his eyes, there was an unwavering determination, as if he had already made up his mind.

"This was a misguided war from the start."

With those words, Menelaus left the tent.

Helen’s brother, Polydeuces, and the elder Nestor turned to Agamemnon.

"Agamemnon, if Menelaus and Helen return to Sparta, I too will leave."

"I’m of the same mind. This is a war among mortals, not monsters. And besides, we know Troy has been supported by the temple of Pluto. It feels wrong to continue opposing his will."

...!!!

"I joined this war only to bring back my sister. But perhaps…"

"Wait, Polydeuces. Even if Menelaus returns, can’t you at least join us for one final battle? Nestor, you too."

"Hmm."

"You two are seasoned heroes who’ve faced countless challenges. I know human warfare might not interest you, but surely you can fight one last time? Let’s not leave here empty-handed. I beg of you."

Agamemnon bowed his head in earnest.

He had entered this war not only out of sympathy for Menelaus but also to gain fame, glory, and wealth through the destruction of Troy.

Avenging a cuckolded brother was one thing, but to add the annihilation of Troy to his legacy? That would be an unparalleled achievement.

After exchanging glances, Polydeuces and Nestor reluctantly nodded, their expressions grim.

"...Just one battle, and then we leave."

"I’ll do the same. If we can’t take the city with our strength, then it’s clear the gods don’t will Troy’s destruction."

Polydeuces and Nestor agreed to fight.

Even with King Menelaus and Helen gone, the morale of the Greek coalition remained surprisingly high.

Agamemnon, Menelaus’ elder brother, still remained, emboldened by Poseidon’s oracle:

"Hades may support Troy, but worry not—take the city."

"My brother, Menelaus, chose to forgive Troy, but I cannot tolerate their insolence! Poseidon’s blessing is upon us!"

The encouragement and blessings of Athena further fueled their resolve:

"Diomedes, my strength will be with you. Slay Troy’s commanders without mercy."

"All for the glory of the battlefield, my goddess! It will be done!"

And then, the decisive factor arrived.

Step, step.

"The son of Zeus, Polydeuces!"

"Even the heroes of the Argo are taking the field. This is the end for Troy."

"Finally, we’ll witness Nestor’s legendary skill."

"No matter how great Aeneas or Hector are, they’re nothing compared to those two…!"

Two men stepped forward, one appearing unarmed and the other a weathered elder.

Though their appearances seemed unassuming, those who recognized them erupted into cheers.

Trained in the renowned temple of Pluto, known for producing formidable heroes.

They had slain countless monsters and villains,

participated in the famous voyage of the Argo, survived battles with dragons,

and even defeated giants said to rival the gods themselves.

As these legendary figures prepared to join the fray, the Greeks’ morale soared to unparalleled heights.

Compared to the monsters they had vanquished, Troy’s warriors were nothing but fodder.

Shing!

Agamemnon, the Greek coalition’s supreme commander, drew his sword and shouted.

"Warriors of Greece! Let us end this war today and return home victorious!!!"

"Uwaaaaah!"

"Long live King Agamemnon!"

"Destroy Troy and take everything!"

"The goddess of war favors us!"

The vanguard of the legendary heroes led the charge,

and the army, their spirits sky-high, surged toward Troy.

The Olympian gods supporting the Greeks smiled in satisfaction.

Though only two of the legendary heroes of old had joined the fight, their participation all but guaranteed Troy’s fall.

"...It’s over. The Greeks will win."

"Polydeuces, the son of Zeus, is a master of pankration, isn’t he?"

"Hector is a remarkable human, but even he won’t stand a chance."

Only Zeus, who sought to prolong the war, stroked his chin in contemplation.

If a mere handful of such heroes could defeat giants, what chance did Troy’s finest warrior, Hector, have?

Even if the gods supporting Troy intervened, the Greek-aligned gods wouldn’t stand idly by.

Should he send a message to Polydeuces to withdraw? Or summon Athena?

Ultimately, Zeus, who had pledged neutrality, decided it wasn’t his place to intervene.

As he pondered how to extend the war, his gaze fell upon something.

"...Interesting."

With a calm smile, he reclined upon his throne once more.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld.

Though swamped by the endless influx of souls, I occasionally glanced at the battlefield.

Specifically, at Polydeuces and Nestor, who now stood at the forefront of the Greek army.

Really? After I trained them in the Underworld to fight monsters, they intend to destroy Troy?

When I visited the battlefield earlier to restrain Aphrodite, they had seemed intent on staying out of mortal conflicts. So I left them be.

Let’s see… there’s someone on Troy’s side, a devout follower I can possess.

It seems the shadow of death looming over the battlefield has increased my number of devotees.

"I’ll need to borrow your body for a moment."

"W-who are you? Could it be…!"

Swish…

As I closed my eyes, a cold aura enveloped my form.

The god of the Underworld began descending upon the battlefield, where death reigned supreme.