King of Underworld

Chapter 168: A Strange Trojan War- (2)

After a long voyage, the allied forces decided to deal with Troy’s allies first.

They invaded nearby small nations, obtaining abundant spoils of war—gold, treasures, land, and even… beautiful women.

The hero Achilles, the child of Peleus, who married the goddess Thetis.

In accordance with the prophecy that he would surpass his father, he grew to become a hero greater than Peleus.

When the allied forces invaded Troy’s allied nations, he led the charge and earned many accolades.

“Agamemnon. I have acquired two beautiful women named Briseis and Chryseis. I will give Chryseis to you.”

“Oh. That’s wonderful. Such a stunning beauty…”

Achilles handed over Chryseis, one of the two women he had taken from Troy’s allies, to Agamemnon, the supreme commander.

However, a problem arose when Chryseis’ father, Chryses, a priest of Apollo, begged Agamemnon to return his daughter, only to be driven away.

Chryses, harboring resentment, prayed to Apollo, asking for punishment upon the Greek army.

Apollo, already on Troy’s side, promptly unleashed a plague.

The Greeks, struck down by divine punishment, forced Agamemnon to return Chryseis to her father along with great wealth.

Angered, Agamemnon then took Briseis from Achilles.

“Agamemnon! Why are you taking Briseis from me?”

“Silence, Achilles! Didn’t you deliberately offer me the daughter of a priest of Apollo? The finest spoils rightfully belong to the supreme commander!”

“What? Nonsense! Hmph. If that’s how it is, I will no longer fight!”

Furious, Achilles stormed back to his tent.

Naturally, the generals tried to persuade Agamemnon. Having witnessed Achilles’ unparalleled prowess, they knew his importance.

Polydoros, a respected hero from the previous generation, was the first to speak.

“Listen, Nestor. Why don’t you try persuading that angry young man? And Agamemnon, let’s talk.”

“Hmm?”

“A mere woman’s beauty hardly compares to honor. That young Achilles appears far more capable than Peleus was in his youth. Opposing someone like him is no way to win this war.”

“I agree, brother. We can capture Troy and claim more beautiful women.”

“I concur as well.”

“Let’s not fight over spoils of war.”

The other generals agreed with Polydoros, not wanting the expedition for honor and riches to end in failure.

Eventually, Agamemnon, unable to withstand the generals’ persuasion, promised to return Briseis.

“Achilles.”

“Nestor? What do you want from me?”

“Your father, Peleus, was truly remarkable.”

Nestor began persuading Achilles, who had returned in anger.

Achilles, though frustrated, listened to the words of the respected elder hero.

“Do you know of the Theban training grounds?”

“How many in Greece don’t know of it?”

“Heroes like Jason and Heracles were outstanding, but your father Peleus wasn’t far behind. Winning the hunting contest held by the goddess Thetis and slaying formidable sea monsters for even greater glory—that was true heroism.”

Achilles knew well of his father’s legacy.

Graduating from the Theban training grounds, joining the Argonauts’ expedition, participating in the Calydonian Boar Hunt, and ultimately overcoming the trials of a goddess to marry an immortal—he was a hero of legend.

Achilles, too, had come to the Trojan War, desiring to become great like his father.

“I heard you disguised yourself as a woman and hid, following your mother, the goddess Thetis’ advice. But instead of escaping after being exposed, you came here…”

“…That’s correct. I came here because I, too, want to be a hero like all of you.”

“Then why are you so hung up on a mere woman? Peleus achieved his glory and married a goddess, yet his son refuses to fight because of an ordinary human woman.”

“Th-that’s not it! This is because of Agamemnon…!”

“Agamemnon was wrong, no doubt. But he’ll soon realize his error and seek reconciliation. Don’t you want to make your name known? Set aside petty feelings for now.”

“……”

Shortly after, an envoy from Agamemnon arrived, bringing Briseis and much wealth.

Achilles headed to Agamemnon’s tent and reconciled with him.

“I admit, I was narrow-minded. I want to apologize now—will you accept it?”

“No. I, too, am at fault for not offering appropriate spoils to the supreme commander.”

Thanks to the elder heroes’ skilled persuasion, the conflict within the allied forces was temporarily resolved.

* * *

In the cloudy halls of Olympus.

Zeus, the king of the gods, summoned all the Olympian deities.

“Those of you interested in mortal affairs may already know, but a great war is underway.”

The gods, filled with excitement, curiosity, and concern, turned their eyes to Zeus.

Some, like Athena, suspected that Zeus was behind the war.

“Troy and the Greek alliance… Gaia had mentioned there were too many human heroes before. Now’s the time to reduce their numbers. All gods may support whichever side they wish.”

“Hector, whom you cherish, is a prince of Troy, is he not?”

Hera questioned curiously, pointing out that if Zeus intervened, the gods opposing him would lose significance.

“Hmph. Hector is indeed a fine mortal, but I will remain neutral. Do as you wish.”

“Hmm. Really? So you won’t care if Troy falls?”

“Of course, Poseidon. You may support Troy if you want.”

Zeus responded to Poseidon’s grudge against Troy with ease.

Though he would be saddened if Hector died, Zeus wasn’t worried, as many gods supported Troy.

‘I suspect Hades, who despises war, will side with Troy.’

Even with Poseidon’s involvement, balance wouldn’t be broken.

* * *

Finally, the Greek alliance set foot on Trojan soil.

Oddly, the Trojan forces merely stationed themselves in front of the city, refraining from attacking even as the Greeks disembarked.

The Greek forces cautiously advanced, keeping an eye on Troy’s movements.

They swiftly disembarked, set up camp, and began observing the Trojans.

Agamemnon, sensing something amiss, approached Menelaus.

“Hector, Troy’s commander, isn’t one to be ignorant of war.”

“I’ve heard he’s the finest hero in Troy. Something feels off.”

“Since they’ve allowed us to land, let’s declare war.”

“Good idea. Bring me my sword and spear! Let’s go confront Paris!”

The purpose was to remind the soldiers of the war’s justification—reclaiming the wife stolen by Paris—and boost their morale.

This would also diminish the Trojans’ spirit and justify their actions before the Olympian gods.

Clop, clop.

Menelaus gripped his spear and rode toward the Trojan camp.

Before the grand fortress, bathed in sunlight, a figure wearing a gleaming helmet stood atop a horse.

“Hear me! I am Menelaus, king of Sparta! Where is the scoundrel Paris who dared steal my wife?”

Even as he shouted this challenge, Menelaus did not expect Paris to show himself.

After all, international conflicts and political interests were never governed by mere justice.

No matter how immoral the actions of a prince, it was unthinkable that they would simply return Helen and… wait, what?

Menelaus froze on the spot.

What unfolded before him was completely unexpected.

The figure in the gleaming helmet spurred his horse forward and spoke.

Clop, clop.

“You must be the famed Menelaus, king of Sparta. I am Hector, commander of Troy.”

Menelaus had guessed that the figure in the gleaming helmet might be Hector or a high-ranking officer.

But the two figures limping weakly behind him…!

“I admit that the war’s cause lies with us. My father, King Podarces, has commanded the immediate return of Helen.”

Hector bowed respectfully, but his words barely registered in Menelaus’ ears.

What he saw was…

“……”

“…Ah.”

The face of his enemy, Paris, beaten black and blue, limping as if his legs were broken.

And his beloved wife, Helen, tearfully gazing at Menelaus.

“Are you mocking me right now, Hector?”