The King of the Underworld is Tired

The Underworld was peaceful today as usual.

There wasn't much time left until the return of the goddess of spring, who had gone to the world of the living.

Persephone... also had deep feelings for me.

As my thoughts flowed to the goddess of spring, Demeter naturally came to mind.

“I don’t know if you two will eventually marry. But if that day comes, please take good care of Kore.”

Demeter had asked me to take care of her daughter.

Though she’s my niece... it seems I still don't have the luxury to think about Persephone.

Especially when the goddess approaching me now, with a resolute look, is Lethe.

“Hades! Come to the mortal realm with me!”

“What?”

I stopped my thoughts and looked at her, her silver hair flowing behind her.

The Goddess of Forgetfulness, who seemed to be in an especially determined mood, was clenching her fist as if heading into battle.

“Oh, wait... that’s not it... There’s a festival being held in Olympia to honor Zeus! I thought it would be nice if we went out together, maybe to get a sense of the mortals’ condition...”

The festival held in Olympia is a part of the rituals dedicated to Zeus, the highest god.

It takes place once every four years and lasts for five days, with many gods watching the festivities.

During the Olympia Festival, all wars or conflicts are prohibited, and even Ares ceases his battles.

If there are any mortals who disobey this rule, they will face appropriate divine punishment.

Since it is a ritual offered to Zeus by the mortals, it’s only natural.

“My apologies. I should have suggested it first. I will prepare and head out shortly.”

“What? Hades suggesting it first...?!”

“I’ve been wanting to spend time with you, Goddess.”

I approached the frozen Goddess of Forgetfulness, who seemed utterly shocked as if she hadn’t expected this.

Looking straight into her blue eyes, filled with curiosity, bewilderment, and anticipation, I placed my hand on her shoulder.

“I realize I’ve been quite neglectful, but... I intend to change that now.”

“R-really...?”

Could I learn what love is, just a little more through this experience?

* * *

We emerged into the mortal world and headed toward Olympia, where the festival dedicated to Zeus was being held.

This place is completely within Zeus's domain, so I should pay my respects since I’m passing through.

Zeus wouldn’t appreciate it if a disguised god wandered around the city unnoticed.

“We should first head to the temple of Zeus.”

“Are you planning to chat with him since we’re already here?”

Concealing ourselves from the mortals' sight, we entered the interior of Zeus's temple.

As expected of the temple of the highest god, Zeus, it was a massive building filled with countless people.

How would it compare to my temple in Thebes?

Considering that it’s nearly time for the Olympia Festival, which draws many tourists, merchants, and athletes...

“O Great Lord of the Sky, may your grace...”

“The cows here are healthy ones that I raised well. I wish to donate them to the temple of Zeus...”

“A sculpture of Zeus's symbol, the eagle...”

We passed the long lines, the mortal guards, and the priests, moving further inside.

Past the devotees washing their hands and moving censers... until we came out into a large area.

Finally, the colossal statue of Zeus revealed itself.

The statue of Zeus, seated on a throne and holding a lightning bolt in one hand, was as immense as if it were made of dozens of people combined.

Past the marble columns on either side, we approached the statue of Zeus.

The wooden structure was covered with ivory and gold, with the enormous throne made of cedar and gold.

The followers of Zeus did a decent job representing the throne on Olympus.

With a soft touch, I placed my hand on the throne of the statue and focused my mind.

This is one of the places where Zeus’s power is most strongly felt, so this method of communication will suffice.

“...Zeus.”

“This voice... Brother Hades?! What brings you to my temple in Olympia?”

“I’ve come out for a bit to watch the festival the mortals are holding in your honor.”

“Ah... I see. I will tell my priests to give you a proper welcome...”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I plan to quietly observe and then return.”

After chatting with Zeus for a bit, I withdrew my hand from the throne.

With no need to worry about the threat of the Gigantes, Zeus said he would attend the festival himself this time.

He also mentioned Persephone.

Though she is his daughter, he asked me to take good care of her... even asking when the wedding would be...

He also told me that Demeter had been walking around Olympus looking less stern lately, among other bits of news.

It was probably because it had been a while since we’d had a conversation, and Zeus seemed to have been quite idle recently.

At that moment, the goddess Lethe, who had been linking arms with me, called out.

Was it because of that mortal who had been watching us curiously for some time?

White hair, a wooden staff, and a censer in hand—a mortal who looked like he wouldn’t have much time left before coming to the Underworld.

But more importantly, he was one of Zeus’s favored high priests.

Tap.

“By any chance... are you... a g-god?!”

“Shh.”

Thanks to Zeus’s blessing, the old man, who clearly sensed something was amiss, spoke.

Not wanting things to get noisy, I brought my finger to my lips, and the priest hastily nodded.

I nodded back and concealed myself again.

In the old man’s eyes, it would seem as if the goddess Lethe and I had simply disappeared.

Will there be talk about another god visiting the temple of Zeus again?

* * *

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Greetings, everyone! I am the one leading this festival...”

The Goddess Lethe and I were inside a large, circular arena.

More precisely, we were seated in one of the spectator stands of the stadium where the Olympia Festival was being held.

“First, we will conduct a ritual to honor the great god Zeus! The offerings for Olympus this time are over a hundred lambs, and...”

The circular stadium was packed with people, and the announcer was speaking without rest.

The Goddess Lethe and I watched while nibbling on a pie filled with nuts and some dried fruits.

“Mm...”

The Goddess Lethe, munching on a dried fruit, seemed to be dissatisfied with something.

Perhaps it was because the surroundings were too noisy?

“Goddess.”

“Don't hand it over like that...”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“...Ah.”

As I handed her a piece of cheese, the Goddess of Forgetfulness closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

Like a baby bird receiving food, she waited, so I placed the cheese in her mouth.

But it might be better if she released my finger after eating the cheese, wouldn’t it?

“Mm... Hades, you too... ahh.”

The goddess, who had eaten the cheese, opened her mouth slightly, as if not quite done... then handed me a piece of pie.

Though her face turned red, and her hand trembled, her eyes remained unfocused.

The Goddess of Forgetfulness, ruler of one of the five rivers that wind through the Underworld, and granddaughter of Nyx, seldom showed much emotion.

That's just how the power of forgetfulness works.

Desperate sorrow, fierce rage, even love that seemed eternal...

Once the memories containing all those emotions are lost, they fade away like an extinguished fire.

Perhaps that’s why the emotions were faint on the face of the Goddess of Forgetfulness.

“What are you doing... hurry... ahh~.”

But that’s only on the surface.

Having spent so long with her, I’ve come to realize that she has the heart of a young maiden, almost like spring itself.

She treats everyone equally with her vacant tone and expressionless words...

When did I realize that she was a bit different with me?

Was it when we gods held dominion over the world, and I still bowed my head to greet her?

Or was it because, unlike my unruly brothers, I didn’t covet the goddesses?

Or was it the time I first handed down a verdict to a human involved with a god, offering them a fair trial?

Or perhaps...

“Ugh... my arm hurts.”

“I remember when we first met.”

“...?”

“It was not long after I had become the ruler of the Underworld. Back then...”

I closed my eyes and recalled the past for a moment.

A very old memory — I was inspecting the five rivers that surrounded the Underworld.

Having won the war against the Titans, I needed to become familiar with the realm I was to rule.

It was then that I met a goddess at the River of Forgetfulness.

A silver-haired goddess sitting by the riverside, her head buried in her knees.

As I approached her, I could sense the power of forgetfulness radiating out from her.

“Greetings. I am Hades. By any chance, are you the Goddess of Forgetfulness...”

“...Please, leave.”

Though our first encounter didn’t go well, my continued visits allowed me to have many conversations with her.

Creatures that would forget even her existence if left alone. The forgetfulness that devours the history of mortals.

Limos, the goddess of hunger, would drive every creature to starvation just by her presence.

Though gods could resist it, it would continually drain their energy.

Similarly, the Goddess of Forgetfulness evoked fear in mortals and was not particularly welcomed among immortals.

To be more precise, it seemed that she herself was caught in despair.

Still, when I kept visiting, she responded...

“Are we gods not capable of resisting the power of forgetfulness? Perhaps it would be better for you to stay in the Underworld...”

“...Why do you keep doing this?”

“Because I am troubled seeing you always alone here.”

“A busy ruler like you visiting me like this...”

What did I say then...

Oh. I just spoke frankly out of frustration, didn’t I?

“This is part of my duty.”

“What...?”

“Helping a goddess saddened by her shunned power is a duty that befits the ruler of the Underworld.”

For the first time, she lifted her head and showed a hint of emotion.

“No living being likes forgetfulness. Just leave me alone...”

“...I like you.”

“What did you say?...”

Since that day, the Goddess of Forgetfulness has resided in the fortress of the Underworld.

Returning to the present, I quietly looked at the Goddess Lethe.

I could tell that my feelings were reflected in the smile that naturally appeared on my face.

“Why... why are you smiling, Hades?”

I could also see that her face, too, seemed to brighten just a little.

A significant change in expression compared to before. Perhaps thanks to having worked in the Underworld for so long...

No, that's not it. Let’s not avoid it.

I know why she behaves this way.

Even Aphrodite would find it hard to define... it must be because of love.

“...I just smile when I look at you, Goddess.”

“Ugh... eat this too.”