King of Underworld-Chapter 176

Grrrr!

"It’s a monster wolf! Arrows just bounce off it!"

"Achilles! Isn’t your armor forged by the god of blacksmiths? Use it...!"

"I know. Patroclus! Haaah!"

One week later:

As the soldiers began cutting down trees to repair their ship, they were confronted by nymphs. Achilles revealed his divine heritage in an attempt to placate them, but it was too late. Some soldiers had already fallen victim to the nymphs' mischief, further demoralizing the men and exhausting the heroes.

"Mortals! Don’t touch these trees! They’re our friends!"

"Yeah! Leave, unless you want to face the wrath of Goddess Demeter!"

"Wait. My mother is the goddess Thetis. We must return home. Please, allow us to use these trees..."

After a year on the island:

Achilles, the greatest talent of the Greeks, had grown significantly from his battles with monsters. His body was soaked in the blood of the creatures that once inhabited the island, and the surviving soldiers had also adapted somewhat to their monstrous adversaries.

One day, after fighting a colossal serpent, Patroclus, tearing into the meat of their hunt, sat scribbling something in his journal. Achilles, observing him, asked:

"Patroclus, what are you writing?"

"Everything we’ve experienced."

"...Do as you will. Not that it matters. We might never leave this place alive, anyway."

Shaking dark red fluid off his spear, Achilles continued:

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"I think I finally understand why Nestor and Polydeuces seemed uninterested in the war."

"Hmm?"

"They must have fought beings far stronger than the ones we’re facing now. Fighting for their lives against creatures like these."

"That’s true. I heard they encountered dragons during the Argonaut expedition."

"No wonder mortal wars felt trivial to them. Hah… I wanted to achieve great glory in the Trojan War and make my father proud. That seems impossible now."

The youthful ambition that had burned so brightly during the Trojan War was now nowhere to be found in Achilles’ demeanor. Yet without his leadership, the Greek soldiers wouldn’t have survived a week on the island.

"Hahaha! Why? Does King Peleus seem all the more extraordinary to you now?"

"Yes."

"Hoo... Achilles, you’ve done a lot of thinking while battling these monsters. It’s like I’m looking at someone completely different from the man you once were."

"Don’t you feel the same, Patroclus?"

After what felt like an eternity, the heroes finally repaired their ship and returned to their homeland. Few soldiers survived the horrors of the monstrous island, and those who did bore scars all over their bodies.

"Father."

"Achilles! My son...! What happened in the war?"

"The war ended uneventfully. It was what came after..."

"Come inside. Tell me everything."

Upon their return, the survivors reunited with their families and shared their harrowing experiences. Patroclus’ detailed records of their journey proved invaluable.

Patroclus gathered scholars and storytellers, sharing their tales: the fierce Trojan War, the battles of gods and heroes, and their ordeal on the monstrous island.

"Even when we set sail again, we were driven back to the island dozens of times by sea monsters..."

"Is that true?"

"Of course! Eventually, Achilles killed them all."

Thus, a legendary chronicle was born. Centered around Achilles, it recounted the Trojan War, the gods, and their battles with monsters.

"Even the god of arts, Apollo, would marvel at this tale!"

"Fascinating! Surely, bards and poets will sing of this for generations..."

"I must memorize every detail of this heroic tale..."

Though stories of monsters like Typhon and Hydra were already well-known, the firsthand accounts of Patroclus, backed by his meticulous records, added a sense of authenticity and vividness.

The tale of Achilles’ experiences—Axilleia—began to spread across all of Greece.

* * *

At the Behest of Gaia and Zeus' Scheme

The war of Troy, heavily influenced by the meddling of the Olympian gods, finally came to an end.

"At last. At long last, the war is over. I almost lost every feather from my wings."

"...Thank you for your hard work, Thanatos."

"Can’t you take over the role of God of Death, Hades?"

"......"

Thanatos remained as irreverent as ever. Even after all these centuries, he hadn’t changed a bit. Well, I suppose the unchanging nature of the gods is a given.

Finally, perhaps, I can take a well-earned rest. Zeus' war to thin the ranks of heroes has concluded, and the gods, wary of my watchful gaze, have reduced their mischief significantly. I can finally feel the satisfaction of my efforts—the countless times I ventured to the living world, even though it’s not my domain, seem worth it now.

Clunk.

The door to the audience chamber, where only Thanatos and I stood, opened as someone entered. Flowing golden hair and an aura of soft, refreshing divinity—my wife, Persephone.

"Hades!"

"Kore. What brings you here this time...?"

"I’m with child!"

What did she just say? The goddess of spring and seeds, smiling radiantly before me, just said she’s carrying my child? Rising from my seat, I approached her cautiously and placed a hand on her stomach.

Swish.

A faint yet undeniable sensation of life. She was truly pregnant—with my child. The ruler of the Underworld, long distanced from the concept of life, was about to become a parent.

I embraced her, a smile spreading across my face. What an unexpected gift. An overwhelming joy surged within me.

"Haha... Inside me, there’s a child of Hades and me..."

"Kore, thank you. From today until the child is born, you will rest."

"Ah, right! It’s not just me—other goddesses, too..."

Clunk.

The audience chamber doors opened again. Approaching were Lethe, Styx, and Menthe.

"Hehe..."

"Hades!"

Like Persephone, they approached with cheerful smiles, as if they were harboring joyous news.

"Don’t tell me..."

"Oh my, has Persephone already told you? That’s right—we’re all expecting your child."

For a moment, I was speechless, unable to even close my gaping mouth. Menthe avoided my gaze, Styx puffed her chest proudly, and Lethe gently caressed her flushed cheeks while offering a graceful smile.

All of them were carrying my children. Is this an unprecedented celebration in the Underworld—or a divine blessing?

Questions flooded my mind. What would we name the children? What divine aspects would they inherit? Would they be strong sons or adorable daughters? Yet, none of these thoughts weighed on me unpleasantly.

To have children with those I love, to become a father—it was an indescribable honor. For centuries, I had thought my emotions dulled from living as a god, but...

"This is the best news I’ve heard in centuries."

"Oh? What did you say...?"

"Our children’s names will be..."

As we began discussing names, Thanatos quietly excused himself, leaving us alone. I would need to spread this news—to Zeus in the halls of Olympus and to those I’ve maintained close ties with over the years.

"As I said to Persephone, all of you should rest until the children are born."

"Oh, really?"

"Of course, Menthe. Even a goddess needs rest when she’s expecting."

"Oh my. Hehe."

"...I love you so much..."

Wait. If four goddesses rest for an entire year, doesn’t that mean I’ll have to handle all the duties of the Underworld by myself? No, what am I even thinking? My wives are carrying my children—how could I assign them work?

Anyway, things have calmed down lately, so I should manage. With the Olympian gods preoccupied and behaving themselves, there shouldn’t be any disasters to deal with.

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

Knock, knock.

A herald’s voice came from outside the chamber doors.

Surely not again?

"Lord Hades! A grave matter! Lord Zeus believes there are too many heroes in Troy and has proposed reducing their numbers..."

"Tell him not to bother me with such nonsense!"

The King of the Underworld, it seems, will remain busy even today.