King of Underworld-Chapter 177

Of course, in terms of raw feats, Achilles fell short of Heracles.

"Mom! I want to be like Achilles and fight on the battlefield!"

"Oh dear, you’re obsessed with that story again."

"But it’s so exciting! More than the tales of Heracles or Perseus!"

"Then you must also know that Achilles realized life is more important than honor or glory. Now come inside and eat."

As Axilleia was passed down, the story became exaggerated. The giant wolves and serpents from the island were reimagined as Typhon’s descendants, and the desperate struggles of Achilles and Patroclus became engaging tales of bravery.

Their story taught countless people the value of life, and their names were spoken on everyone’s lips.

Even Thetis, the goddess of the sea, smiled faintly as she remembered her mortal son who now resided in the Underworld.

Long ago, Thetis had once sought to grant her son immortality. But Achilles, who had endured countless trials and reflected deeply, declined.

"Why? Why are you refusing? I even persuaded Zeus to grant you eternal life..."

"I know, Mother. That’s why Father also received immortality."

"Then why...? This could bring eternal happiness to our family!"

"If I become immortal and a god, my name may be preserved in legend, but I wish to devote myself to the future of humanity."

Achilles gazed at his mother. She was a goddess—a lofty, celestial being who seemed just out of reach. Though she was far beyond him, Achilles could imagine himself among the lesser gods, climbing that unattainable tree.

He could have followed his beloved mother’s wishes and achieved happiness. His name could have transcended legends and become myth. But...

"I wish to remain human. To be buried in the earth, to journey to Pluto’s realm, and to live on in the memories and histories of humankind."

"Ah..."

"That is something an immortal being cannot achieve. Please, respect my wishes."

True to his words, Achilles’ legacy unfolded just as he predicted.

With the passage of time, he aged and eventually passed away, buried in the earth as a mortal. Yet his name lived on as a real hero and a master of martial prowess, celebrated in both memory and history.

* * *

As time passed, humanity's abilities advanced, and their faith in the gods significantly weakened.

With their own science to explain all manner of natural phenomena, there were far fewer who truly believed we were omnipotent beings compared to the past.

Zeus’s current policy is to influence the mortal realm indirectly, through dreams or subtle blessings, rather than intervening directly.

Perhaps it's because there are so few descendants of the gods left to care about, or maybe because humans seem to be getting along fine without us...

Even the monsters have either gone extinct or retreated to deep caves or the depths of the ocean, completely out of human sight.

Humans, gradually deciphering the domains ruled by the Olympian gods in their own ways.

Medicine, the skies, the earth, fire... These days, many humans rely more on the knowledge they've accumulated than on praying to the gods.

And yet...

"Lord Pluto, god of wealth! Please take pity on me..."

"Life exists because of death. Lord Hades, thank you for providing our daily sustenance once again."

"If you believe in Lord Hades, you can go to Elysium after death. Hades..."

"Ah, I don't believe! I'm Buddhist, thank you very much."

Why is it that only my faith has grown so much?

It’s been a long time since those who worship me outnumbered those who believe in Zeus, the king of the gods.

Is it because, as technology advanced, humans could comprehend the sky and other domains to some extent, but the afterlife remains beyond understanding?

Or is it because we've entered an era that values practicality over honor, raising the status of me, the god of wealth?

In the distant past, where Troy once stood, a nation was formed to worship the Olympian gods.

Having conquered everything around it to become an empire, this nation divided time into "Before the Empire" and "After the Empire."

Was it based on the year the empire's first emperor was born? I remember it because he was an unusually devout follower. They even built some grand temple or something in dedication.

Anyway, since the emperor himself was one of my devotees, my faith remained strong even after the empire fell.

A prophet once appeared, extending mercy and guiding people, being revered as my incarnation.

In one country, a statue of me seated on a throne overlooked their courtrooms.

Below it, statues of Dike, the goddess of justice, my beloved wives, and our children stood in a row.

The formidable Zagreus, strong enough to take on the duties of the Underworld.

Makaria, blessed with the divine aspect of peaceful death.

Melinoe, the goddess of nightmares, who has suspiciously grown closer to Orpheus lately.

Like Zeus and Poseidon, I too had many descendants.

When witnesses in court swear by my name, I can feel something stir within me.

But modern humans, who no longer deeply fear the names of gods, often speak falsehoods.

"I solemnly swear that everything I say in this court will be the truth under the name of Hades, god of fairness..."

Hmm. That human is lying.

Even now, as faith in the Olympian gods wanes, I know that if I were to issue an oracle or intervene in the mortal realm, it would cause utter chaos. So, I refrain for now.

No matter how much medical science extends human life... no mortal can escape death.

When they eventually arrive in the Underworld, all of this will simply become their karma.

* * *

For the first time in ages, I crossed the rivers of the Underworld one by one and arrived at the Acheron.

The ferryman of the Acheron, old Charon, was still steering his boat. Fortunately, thanks to the changes in technology over time...

Vroooom—

The hum of the engine from a black boat, adorned with intricate decorations, tickled my ears.

On the boat floating on the Acheron was an old man. Charon, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, waved at me with a grin.

"Hey there, Hades!"

"Charon, my old friend. What’s put you in such a good mood?"

"Why wouldn’t I be? Thanks to this new creation by Hephaestus, I no longer need to row! Haha!"

Though he still ferries souls across the river, he seems pleased not to have to row after all these years.

"By the way, did you know Thanatos has been carrying a scythe lately? Humans who see him now call him the Grim Reaper or something like that..."

"There must still be humans who carry the blood of gods or possess prophetic powers."

As we chatted, I noticed a surge of souls gathering on the banks of the Acheron.

Thanatos’s avatars, hooded and wielding scythes, were rounding up the newly dead and guiding them to the river.

"Ah, I must take my leave to prepare for the judgment of these souls."

"Understood. Oh, and could you tell your wife, the goddess Minthe, to tone it down with that mint chocolate... whatever it’s called? It’s a bit much."

"...?"

What was he talking about?

Even in my mortal cults above, mint chocolate was promoted as a universally beloved treat, wasn’t it?

Returning to my throne as usual, I prepared to judge the dead.

While the Minos brothers typically handle the initial screenings, occasionally, someone special comes before me.

Clunk.

And here comes one now.

An old man, looking uneasy, glanced around nervously as he entered.

The attendant who brought him here bowed to me and left, leaving only the two of us in the hall.

"Wh-Where is this...?"

"Welcome to the Underworld."

The old man scanned his surroundings before his eyes met mine, seated on the throne.

His trembling pupils and quivering voice betrayed his terror.

"You... Who are you? I drowned, and then I was led here by some... being of death..."

"I am Hades, the god of the Underworld. And the one who will now judge you."

"Th-That can’t be! Greek mythology is real? This is..."

The sight of the man gaping in disbelief made me chuckle.

These days, many mortals think of the Olympian gods as fictional, so reactions like his are not uncommon.

No matter how advanced mortal science becomes, the afterlife remains beyond explanation.

"Let’s see. You died trying to save a drowning girl by jumping into the river. You succeeded in saving her, but lost your own strength and passed away in the process."

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"This... Oh my god... But I didn’t even believe in gods..."

"You never committed murder or a grave crime. Despite a troubled upbringing, you grew up righteous and, after retirement, donated half your wealth to charity. It has been a long time since I’ve seen such a virtuous soul."

"...Ah... Uh... Hngh...!"

Thud.

Though the dead cannot shed tears, the old man collapsed, his body trembling, and his voice choking with emotion.

I waved my hand, lifting him with divine power.

Realizing some incomprehensible force had acted upon him, he tried to bow again, but I stopped him.

Finally, with a smile, I delivered my judgment.

"You are fully worthy of Elysium, the realm of eternal paradise. Though you faced hardships in life, find peace here."

"Lord Hades... May I ask one question?"

"What is it?"

"My wife... My wife, who died five years ago—killed by a criminal... Will I see her again?"

Such requests are common. Fortunately, this one didn’t violate the rules and could be granted.

"Your wife, too, performed many good deeds and resides peacefully in the Elysian Fields. Both of you shall reunite there. You and your wife are a true model for all mortals."

"...Thank you! Thank you, my lord... God... Thank you!"

"You need not thank me. This is the result of the good you achieved in life."

Yes, moments like this are what make it all worthwhile—a small but meaningful joy.

To judge all mortals fairly at the end of their lives.

That is my task, my duty, and my responsibility as the Lord of the Underworld.

King of Underworld - The main story is finished.

The next episode will be updated on December 10 at 8 PM.