King of Underworld

Chapter 167 – A Strange Trojan War (1)

A Strange Trojan War (1)

The Greek allied forces were launched to bring about the downfall of Troy.

Most of those gathered were the next generation of heroes, who had not experienced the voyage of the Argo or the Calydonian boar hunt.

However, what they had grown up hearing from their parents were the chronicles of the great heroes.

Cadmus. Perseus. Bellerophon. Asclepius. Orpheus… and finally, the tale of the greatest hero, Heracles.

These were warriors who trained while nurturing dreams of making a name for themselves, just like the legendary heroes of myth.

They harbored hopes that through this invasion of Troy, they too could spread their renown, just like the great heroes of old.

“For Helen, who was abducted by that wicked prince of Troy!”

“We don’t know what cunning scheme they used to take Helen, but surely they will face the consequences…”

“We should seek an oracle regarding this war. If the gods reveal their guidance about this war, surely…”

The participants included Menelaus, the man whose wife had been taken by Paris, and his brother, Agamemnon, the King of Mycenae.

There was also Ajax, the prince of Salamis, and Diomedes, who was known for his exceptional valor despite his young age.

Notably absent were heroes like Theseus and Jason, who had already achieved remarkable feats.

They had not been suitors of Helen and, having already earned enough glory, saw no need to participate.

“They’re talking about a war? Not against monsters, but against people? Ha! Truly, the world has become a better place.”

“Indeed. Back in our day, monsters lurked everywhere, and you’d get attacked the moment you stepped outside the city.”

“Isn’t it because you lot hunted down too many monsters in the name of achieving greatness?”

“And yet, didn’t you follow us with your spear, claiming it was fun? What nonsense are you spouting now, Idas?”

Even previous-generation heroes who had trained in the Underworld’s training grounds showed little interest in the war, despite its promise of glory.

There were only two veterans participating in this war.

“I thought this was a war for the young ones, but it’s nice to see a familiar face.”

One was Nestor, the King of Pylos.

“I have no real interest in the war. I just came to persuade my sister and take her back. Aren’t you just here for some amusement?”

The other was Pollux, one of Helen’s two older brothers and a master of pankration.

Having joined the war at the request of his sister’s husband, Menelaus, he stretched his body leisurely, his expression calm.

Of course, since this was a war involving countless Greek states, oracles from the gods were inevitable.

But the content of the oracle they all heard together was rather strange.

The outcome of the war had already left the hands of humans.

“What on earth does this mean?”

“Are the gods saying they will decide the outcome? If that’s the case, then surely we have the advantage, don’t we?”

“Of course. There’s no way the gods would leave that vile Paris alone.”

“But doesn’t Troy worship Apollo? The Sun God…”

Because of the peculiar oracle, they decided to consult Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, who was reputed to be the wisest man in Greece.

Since he was the one who had proposed the oath among Helen’s suitors, they naturally assumed he would be present.

“Where is King Odysseus?”

“He hasn’t been here from the beginning.”

“…?”

King Odysseus was nowhere to be seen.

* * *

Odysseus, the King of the small island nation of Ithaca, understood his circumstances very well.

There were several examples that showcased Odysseus’s cunning.

Originally, as one of Helen’s suitors, Odysseus had headed to Sparta.

However, upon observing the influential contenders among the other suitors, he concluded that he had no chance of success.

He instead proposed a deal to marry Helen’s cousin, Penelope, in exchange for providing a solution.

“Your daughter must be causing you quite the headache with all these suitors.”

“…?”

“If you give me Penelope’s hand in marriage, I’ll provide a way to resolve this. An oath requiring everyone to unite against any who oppose…”

This advice to Tyndareus, Helen’s foster father, led to the suitors swearing an oath.

And that wasn’t the end of his scheming.

Being the king of a small nation, Odysseus had to be meticulous even in choosing which god to serve as the state religion.

Just as Troy worshiped Apollo, Thebes honored Pluto, and Athens revered Athena, the choice of patron deity could determine a nation’s rise or fall.

‘We need to choose a god who is appropriately authoritative yet merciful, one who would care for a small nation like ours while not being overshadowed by other gods.’

After much deliberation, Odysseus came to a decision.

‘Years ago, an Arcadian princess and a Calydonian prince held their wedding in Thebes. Their connection stemmed from the hero training grounds in Thebes. Sharing a devotion to Pluto, Thebes, Arcadia, and Calydon effectively formed a tri-nation alliance. Even the island of Seriphos… If that’s the case, why don’t we worship Pluto as well?’

The mind of Greece’s greatest strategist, admired even by Athena, spun rapidly.

Though the association with the Underworld was rather ominous,

Pluto, as the god of wealth, mercy, and justice, was unlikely to punish them for choosing him.

While his people might dislike the decision, if Ithaca could quietly join the tri-nation alliance, then…!

“Summon the court!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Our nation of Ithaca will worship Pluto, the god of wealth and mercy. Begin constructing a temple immediately and appoint priests…”

“…and ensure the ceremonies are properly conducted to honor Pluto’s grace and justice!”

Odysseus gave his orders with confidence, his voice filled with determination.

Despite its small size, Ithaca had a ruler who knew how to maneuver wisely amidst the gods’ intricate politics and the ambitions of larger states.

Meanwhile, back on the plains where the Greek allied forces were gathering,

The absence of Odysseus became a topic of suspicion among the war councils.

“Is it possible King Odysseus is avoiding his responsibilities? Surely he remembers his oath as a suitor of Helen.”

“Perhaps he has a different plan in mind. A man like Odysseus doesn’t act without reason.”

“But he’s not here, and that’s a fact. We’ll have to manage without him for now.”

Despite murmurs about his absence, the Greeks moved forward with their preparations for the war.

However, no one could deny the strange feeling lingering from the oracle and the unease about the gods’ intervention.

Back in Ithaca, Odysseus was silently overseeing the construction of Pluto’s temple,

Uninterested in the Trojan War that was about to shape the fate of heroes, nations, and gods.

He knew better than anyone that war often claimed the lives of the ambitious and left behind sorrow and ruin.

Instead of seeking fleeting glory on the battlefield,

Odysseus decided to protect his kingdom and his family, cleverly avoiding a path of uncertainty.

Thus, Ithaca came to serve the god of the Underworld.

Odysseus wisely utilized his cunning and ultimately succeeded in securing a foothold in the Triple Alliance.

He cultivated friendly relations with Thebes and was praised by his people as a wise king.

And now, when a letter arrived from Menelaus requesting participation in the war,

Odysseus sought an oracle about the war at the Temple of Hades. Naturally, the King of the Underworld was strongly opposed to the idea of war.

Determining that he shouldn’t go against the will of his patron god, King Odysseus responded:

“Odysseus, Lord Menelaus has sent me. Please lend your aid in attacking Troy.”

“I’m sorry, but Pluto, the patron god of Ithaca, does not approve of my participation in the war.”

“What? But you were the one who proposed the Oath of the Suitors…”

“Regardless, I cannot go. How could I do something my patron god disapproves of?”

He flatly rejected the envoy’s proposal sent by Menelaus.

“Instead of me, why don’t you take that Achilles fellow? The son of the hero Peleus and the goddess Thetis.”

“We’ve already persuaded him. Although he was in hiding disguised as a woman, we identified him by observing who showed the most interest when we mentioned the great hero Heracles.”

“Well then, since you have him, why do you still need me? There hasn’t been any prophecy saying that victory depends on my presence…”

“Hmm…”

Of course, the envoy persistently tried to convince him, but Odysseus, who had a foothold in the Triple Alliance, wasn’t particularly afraid of retaliation from the coalition.

Thus, he continued to refuse, using the excuse of Pluto’s disapproval.

“Tch. I will report this to Lord Menelaus!”

“Do as you please.”

Odysseus: declined participation.

Achilles: discovered in disguise, joined the war.

* * *

Meanwhile, in Troy.

When King Priam heard the news that the Greek coalition forces had been assembled and were approaching Troy,

his face was clouded with unease from the growing pressure he felt each day.

“Last night, Pluto sent the god Morpheus to me again. They say the Underworld belongs to the goddess of justice—what could this mean?”

“Pluto is the god of fairness and mercy. Perhaps he intends to lend his power to the side that is more just.”

“But we’ve built a temple for Pluto, and he said he would support Troy…”

“To gain the support of a deity of fairness and mercy, don’t we first need to be just ourselves?”

Once again, the court officials began offering their own interpretations of the matter.

Their opinions quickly converged on one conclusion: that the current state of Troy was far from being just.

“Your Majesty, the cause of this war lies with us. Perhaps Pluto is pointing out this very fact…”

“Because of that scoundrel Paris and the woman he brought back? Then what do you expect me to do about it?”

“If the Greek coalition sets foot on Trojan soil, you must send back the woman the prince brought.”

“…But that would essentially mean submitting to their army.”

In truth, returning Helen, the cause of the problem, seemed like the logical solution, but it was far from a simple matter.

There was the prince’s honor, the dignity of Troy, and the political implications of appearing to yield in the face of foreign military pressure.

Handing over the woman chosen by the prince out of fear of a foreign army?

No matter how illegitimate the love may have been, it would signal Troy’s weakness.

Moreover, according to Paris, the woman was no less than a gift from the goddess Aphrodite herself…

“Your Majesty, Pluto has already issued two oracles. It’s clear that the god of fairness is deeply invested in this matter.”

“Your Majesty! If we weigh the goddess Aphrodite against the god Pluto, surely the patron god must take precedence!”

“At the end of mortality awaits fair judgment. Please remember this, Your Majesty.”

The aging king furrowed his brows and held his head in his hands.

Surely, when his time comes to enter the Underworld, his son Paris would also face the consequences of his sins. Wouldn’t returning Helen now help lessen that judgment?

If a war is significant enough for Pluto to intervene in the mortal realm… But the god Apollo has yet to say anything… Sigh…

After much deliberation, King Priam finally spoke.

“…Send away the woman who has brought calamity upon Troy. Immediately.”

Yes, the prince was in the wrong, after all.