The King of the Underworld is Tired

Bellerophon, tasked with experiencing the duties of a lesser deity, followed the suggestion of Hades, the King of the Underworld.

After slaying Typhon's offspring in the living world and boldly challenging the gods before the King of the Underworld...

“Hah... hah... Hey! Hurry up and bring me the arrows! Why is Lord Hades using such a sluggish mortal...”

“I’m... I'm sorry!”

His mind was about to snap.

The winged god, Eros, showered arrows at the sinners at a speed so fast they couldn't even be seen.

The God of Love scowled and kept firing arrows non-stop...

The many quivers of arrows placed beside him were quickly emptied.

It naturally fell to Bellerophon, who carried these quivers, to be scolded by Eros.

“If the sinners get a break because of you, the overseers will report it to Lord Hades!”

Whack!

“I’m sorry... urgh!”

Eros, irritated, struck Bellerophon’s head with his bow.

But Bellerophon dared not retaliate.

First of all, the fact that Eros, who had just hit him, was continuing to shoot arrows without even looking his way was one thing...

“Still, that human is adjusting quite well, considering he hasn't been here long.”

“He did say he wanted to experience the work of a lesser deity. I should report well to Lord Hades about this.”

“Hmm. If he stays here, it might lessen our workload.”

Some lesser deities, who were overseeing or managing something from a distance, were giving favorable evaluations of him.

The fact that this was not a punishment or a malicious prank shook Bellerophon to his core.

Getting yelled at by higher gods and dealing with non-stop labor all day...

And this wasn’t something unusual—it was the normal workload for a lesser deity?

Weren’t gods supposed to leisurely help mortals from time to time?

Fwoosh—Thud.

“Argh!”

“Please... have mercy...”

Although the Underworld was a lot harsher compared to other places, and there were difficult tasks like torturing major sinners...

Bellerophon, who was experiencing the Underworld for the first time, didn't notice this.

How much time had passed like this...

“Hey, human. It's my turn now.”

“Sh... shift change?”

A minor god with two small horns on his forehead and a red body approached him.

With words of thanks, Bellerophon collapsed onto the ground.

Even if they were deceased souls, mental exhaustion was inevitable.

Especially if he had to hear Eros’ sharp complaints periodically.

“You did well. I will make sure to speak highly of you to Lord Hades.”

“Huh...? About what...”

“You said you wanted to experience the work of lesser deities to become one of us, right? If you become a god, you'd be pretty reliable.”

Hearing the minor god, who nodded in satisfaction toward him, Bellerophon thought blankly.

No... Even if gods weren’t just lazing about, there had to be some perks, surely?

“I’ve heard gods enjoy nectar and ambrosia; could I perhaps see it too...?”

“Oh, now that I think of it, since you’re experiencing the work of a lesser deity, you should also try the food. Follow me.”

“I get to try the food of the gods...!”

Bellerophon’s face lit up.

To think I’d get to taste the food of the gods—truly, the King of the Underworld is merciful!

* * *

The minor god led Bellerophon to a far-off place.

A massive structure, like the castles built by mortals in the living world—where is this place?

“Um... my lord, where are we?”

“This is the 1,253rd warehouse of the Underworld. And this is the third-largest warehouse where we store nectar and ambrosia...”

Bellerophon was busy looking around, bewildered.

The castle made of black bricks and unknown black stone, the souls busily moving about, carrying something.

After passing the strict inspections of the spirits guarding the area, there were literal mountains of nectar and ambrosia piled up...

Yet despite this, everything was systematically organized.

‘The King of the Underworld is also the God of Wealth; for him to have thousands of warehouses like this...’

While he was lost in thought, the minor god handed him something.

“Here, this is ambrosia and nectar. Consider it an honor and eat, human.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

Munch, munch...

The ambrosia and nectar he tasted for the first time in his life were truly heavenly.

Truly food fit for gods—so ecstatic that no earthly food could compare, even to the pleasures of embracing a lover...

“Okay. Now that you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, get up.”

“...?”

“What are you staring at? Part of a lesser deity’s duty is also managing nectar and ambrosia.”

Bellerophon started working again.

“Nectar and ambrosia may render mortals immortal while consumed, but it’s something a human normally cannot even touch, let alone see.”

“Ah... I am truly grateful to Lord Pluto.”

“Though you ate and drank... if you even think of harboring any wrong thoughts...”

The minor god’s face twisted grotesquely. No matter how lowly a god managing the Underworld’s chores may be, a god is still a god.

The eerie aura swirled around Bellerophon, and horrifying hallucinations overwhelmed him.

The only reason he didn’t collapse in a faint then and there was because he was a hero who hadn’t backed down from the Chimera.

Seeing Bellerophon’s face turn pale, the minor god shrugged as if nothing had happened.

“Well, you seem like a pretty diligent human, so I don’t think that will be a concern, right?”

“Of... of course!”

Bellerophon began taking ambrosia out of numerous crates, transporting and stacking them according to orders. 

Next, he carefully handled the bottles of nectar to ensure they wouldn't break, organizing them as directed...

He also counted the number of foods in the warehouse and recorded them on parchment.

Of course, this was possible thanks to the help of the minor deity beside him, who assisted him skillfully.

But wasn't this sort of trivial task something that warehouse keepers, scribes, or laborers would do?

Why should a god have to do such work?

After being absorbed in the task for quite some time, he finally got a chance to rest.

Then he began to ask the question he'd been curious about all along: why did gods have to do work that seemed fit for mere servants?

“You’ve worked hard. As expected of someone from a heroic background, you’re quite strong.”

“But why do gods do this sort of work?”

“How could we leave such an important task to mortals? If it were ordinary treasures or gold, maybe—but the task of managing divine food?”

The minor deity showed even more confusion in response to Bellerophon's question.

“But still, for the great gods to continuously engage in such menial labor…”

“Do you think souls could do this kind of work for long? It’s only because we are immortal that we can endure it.”

Gods are unchanging not only in body but also in spirit.

If an ordinary human lived for thousands of years, they would probably go insane.

But because the gods possess immortality and divine power, they can maintain their mental stability.

Elder gods, who have lived for tens of thousands of years, do not always display solemnity.

At times, they are more innocent than a child, and at other times, they seem as conservative as old men...

Sometimes, they act more on emotion than reason, and more on desire than duty.

But this, too, is a manifestation of divine power to maintain mental stability.

The proof of being a god might not be the great power or the eternal, undying body, but rather an unyielding spirit.

“But don’t worry too much. Doing a little work as a god won't break your body or spirit.”

‘This... is just a little?’

Bellerophon began to seriously reconsider becoming a god.

* * *

About 30 days had passed since Bellerophon left the audience hall.

To be honest, I had nearly forgotten about him, until a messenger came to deliver news of Bellerophon.

“Lord Hades, the hero who killed the Chimera wishes to see you again.”

“Bring him in.”

He approached me unsteadily, his eyes hollow and his face vacant.

The souls of the dead no longer experience fatigue like they did in life, but that appearance...

The hero, who had collapsed before the throne, spoke in a weak voice.

“I have realized that the position of a god is far beyond my reach, O Lord of the Underworld...”

“So, you want to give up?”

“Yes... Please, assign me something else...”

I waved my hand and picked out one of the parchments piled to the side.

The report detailing his supervision floated over naturally.

“Everyone praises you highly. They say, ‘He is worthy of becoming a lesser deity...’”

“W-what?! How could I...?!”

“With an evaluation like this... even Zeus would consider you a capable mortal.”

The parchment contained nothing but good evaluations.

Uncommonly diligent for a mortal, persistent, probably due to being a hero, and requests to send him again...

“But... but! The work the gods do is...!”

“Did you think it was no big deal?”

“That’s not it! It’s just...”

The blue-faced Bellerophon tried to make excuses, but it all came down to not wanting to work too much.

Still, it was true that I intended for him to experience the duties of a god.

Bellerophon was not the only mortal who thought like that.

I nodded appropriately and looked at him.

“...Alright. Then...”

“I wish to help the Underworld even without becoming a god! Please assign me another task!”

“...? Don’t you want a reward for slaying the Chimera?”

“No! Just forgive my rudeness!”

The hero trembled, pressing his forehead to the ground.

Ah... He must think he insulted the divine right in front of me.

Even if I show that I don't particularly care, he won’t be reassured.

Greek gods are quite capricious, after all.

“I forgive your rudene

ss. Then... how about sharing your experiences with future generations?”

“I will do anything you command!”

“You can quit whenever you want, there’s no need to be overly burdened. The heroes from Thebes...”

Chiron did mention needing an instructor for training.

If he’s the hero who killed the Chimera, he would be more than sufficient.

Still, I do feel a bit sorry for making a hero, who should be resting, continue to work...

Perhaps I should arrange for him to reconcile with the brother he accidentally killed.