King of Underworld

Chapter 159: Hades’ Wedding – Part 1

After the long and arduous **Gigantomachia** came to an end, the gods began gathering in the Underworld.

The reason was that I, the King of the Underworld, had announced my intention to hold my wedding here.

Rumors had spread that our victory in the Gigantomachia was largely thanks to Nyx’s intervention.

And with Zeus’ declaration, I was credited with the greatest contributions to the war.

It was only natural. While Heracles slew the most Gigantes, it was I who persuaded Prometheus, defended Mount Etna where Typhon was buried, and convinced Nyx to join us.

In any case, the Olympian gods, scattered across the world, converged in the Underworld, causing a minor commotion.

At the Acheron River, gods and souls crowded to board Charon’s ferry to enter the Underworld.

“Is this the Underworld? It’s my first time here…”

“Those from Olympus, move along quickly! I’m already busy ferrying souls.”

“Gah! Lord Charon!”

“Whoa… Your ferry has changed a lot since I last saw it.”

“Isn’t it more of a steel ship now than a simple ferry?”

Naturally, Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld, had his hands full.

Since both the victory banquet for the Gigantomachia and my wedding were being held here, it couldn’t be helped.

Of course, the ambrosia and nectar for the feast were supplied from Olympus.

Ganymede, who took over managing ambrosia and nectar after Hebe married Heracles, must be having a hard time as well.

I gave strict orders to decorate the Underworld so grandly that it wouldn’t even feel like the feared realm of mortals today.

There were more than enough jewels stocked in the treasury to make it dazzling.

As the groom, I was preoccupied with trying on and adjusting various outfits.

Even though the attire had been finalized days ago, why was this taking so long?

Eventually, I ended up in a black robe adorned with countless decorations, wearing a crown as I sat on my throne.

Holding the **Bident** in my right hand, I tried to relax my slightly tense body when—

“Wow, Lord Hades! You look incredible all dressed up!”

“Whoa…”

“Maybe a little more decoration on the shoulders?”

Occasionally, gods would enter, offer their congratulations, and share kind words before leaving.

Many rare visitors attended, including Lady Eris, the goddess of discord, whom most gods avoided but I had invited without hesitation.

How could I exclude the mother of Lethe, the goddess I was marrying?

Lady Eris, who was surprisingly kind-hearted, reassured me not to worry and said she would quietly attend without causing trouble.

She didn’t want to create chaos at her daughter’s wedding… or did she? If I hadn’t invited her, would she have reacted differently? Hmm.

I also invited gods whom others avoided, such as Limus, the goddess of starvation, and the three goddesses of vengeance.

It would’ve been unfair to discriminate. Besides, with the **Horn of Plenty**, I could temporarily satisfy even Lady Limus’ hunger.

Seating arrangements were adjusted to keep uneasy pairs, like Athena and Medusa, apart.

After coordinating everything, someone arrived.

“Hades, congratulations on your wedding.”

“Ah, you’ve arrived… Didn’t Lady Alecto come with you?”

“…Alecto is crying because of you.”

Though I didn’t understand what that meant, I decided to visit Lady Alecto after the ceremony.

**Creak.**

The door opened again, and another deity entered with a gift.

Was it Aphrodite this time?

“Oh… Lord Hades! You usually wear such dull clothes, but… *slurp*… You look so… *gulp*!”

“Mother! Please stop this!”

“Ah, I was just admiring…”

“…?”

The goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, stared at me dreamily, drooling slightly, only to be dragged out by her flustered son, Eros.

“Hades! It’s been a while!”

“Do you want anything specific as a gift? I was thinking of refining a weapon for you.”

“Maybe you could take a look at my **Kynee**?”

“…What did you clash it against?”

“Poseidon mentioned his trident got scratched too. He might ask for repairs as well.”

“You didn’t hit it against the **Scythe** again, did you?”

Even the Cyclopes, who were not immortal but possessed ageless power, came to congratulate me.

Many other gods also offered kind words and gifts during this time.

* * *

After the long wait, the ceremony finally began.

At the sound of a voice calling me, I walked into the Underworld’s garden.

The god of marriage, Hymenaeus, stood at the front, smiling at me.

As I approached, I saw them.

Persephone, waving brightly with a radiant smile; Styx, gently smiling and fiddling with the ring on her finger; Menthe, lowering her head shyly in her adorned attire; and Lethe, in a pure white chiton, standing confidently with her hand on her hip.

Each wore vibrant red veils and wreaths of ever-blooming flowers, their laughter filling the air.

As I stepped forward, the flowers strewn across the path crunched softly beneath my feet.

From both sides came murmurs of gods.

“So, he’s finally marrying. Are those four the queens of the Underworld?”

“I heard Menthe is just a concubine. But accepting them all… Hades is truly something.”

“Perhaps it’s because he’s the god of fairness?”

“We even placed bets on when Hades would marry. Who knew the spring goddess Demeter cherishes was this beautiful?”

“Uncle Hades, congratulations!”

In the dimly lit garden, gemstones from the Underworld glittered like stars.

Transparent spirits, once musicians in the mortal world, floated and sang holy hymns, praising the divine festivities.

“Hehe.”

“This feels like a dream…”

As I stood before Hymenaeus and the four goddesses, our gazes locked.

Their faces, slightly flushed and radiant, reflected my own nervous anticipation.

“Ahem. Under the name of the River Styx, the final resting place of mortals, you are bound for eternity.”

Though Hymenaeus spoke, my attention was entirely on the four goddesses before me.

In this moment, it felt as though only they and I existed in the world.

“Now, King of the Underworld, do you vow to spend your eternity with these four beautiful goddesses?”

“Of course.”

“And you goddesses, do you swear to share your fate with the ruler of this realm, even in the depths of darkness?”

Without hesitation, the four goddesses replied, their unwavering gazes meeting mine.

Each of their eyes evoked memories of our pasts.

Styx and Lethe, whom I met shortly after my reincarnation in ancient Greece. Menthe, who helped me reclaim fragments of my precious past life. Persephone, whose initial awkwardness turned into warmth and admiration.

These were the goddesses who meant the world to me.

Women far beyond what I deserved, who cherished and waited for me.

“Under the declaration of Hymenaeus, the god of marriage, I now pronounce you united.”

As soft music played, I sealed the ceremony with a kiss for each goddess, feeling their warmth.

Cheers erupted, thunderous applause resounding from all directions.

Iris waved her hand, creating a magnificent rainbow, while Apollo gently strummed his lyre.

“Whoohoo! Congratulations, Lord Hades!”

“With Gigantomachia over, enjoy your newlywed life!”

“I’ll come to help out in the Underworld every now and then!”

“…What? Are you crazy?”

“Ha! Ha-ha-ha! Yes, this is the life!”

“…Eurus, what kind of scheme are you plotting this time?”

“As the goddess of family, I wish you a blissful home.”

Zeus chuckled as he sipped nectar, while Poseidon and Amphitrite watched with smiles.

Even Hephaestus, with his swollen, colorful face, joined the applause.

The Muses began showcasing their talents, while Aphrodite pouted slightly, and Demeter dabbed her tears as she looked at Persephone.

Lower deities, nymphs, attendants, and spirits also chattered noisily.

Among them, I overheard a conversation between minor deities.

“Wait, now that the Underworld has a mistress, does that mean we might get a break?”

“Could we…?”

“Just for a month, please…!”

Ah, I hadn’t considered that.

Overworking even the higher-ups isn’t good. While maintaining balance is important, working during one’s wedding day might earn some grumbles.

“Attention, all deities of the Underworld! In honor of this joyous occasion, by my authority…”

Faces filled with anticipation turned toward me.

Charon and Thanatos’ pupils dilated with curiosity as I made my declaration.

“…I grant a four-day suspension of all Underworld duties.”

That should suffice as a generous concession.

* * *

Despite their initial disappointment at the short break, the gods soon enjoyed themselves and reveled in the festivities.

Though some gods’ expressions seemed odd… it was probably nothing.

“Ugh… Just hearing Lord Hades mention work gives me a headache.”

“Ares, you too? I’m starting to feel it as well…”

“Argh. Still, four days off is something… Wait, but I’m not technically part of the Underworld right now?”

“Not paperwork… anything but paperwork.”

Ignoring their complaints, I turned to Zeus

, who approached me with Hera, nectar in hand, and surveyed the surroundings.

“Brother Hades, it seems the Underworld has changed a lot since I last saw it.”

“You haven’t been here much since the Great Flood. I’ve made a few reforms.”

“I didn’t realize there was so much to see here.”

After some casual conversation, Zeus spoke in a more serious tone.

“This isn’t wedding talk, but… I’m thinking about reducing the number of heroes. When I send a messenger, could you visit Olympus?”

This wouldn’t be another Great Flood, would it?