King of Underworld

Chapter 160: Hades’ Wedding – Part 2

“Though it’s not a topic suited for a wedding… I was thinking of discussing reducing the number of heroes. If I send a messenger to the Underworld later, could you visit Olympus?”

Of all times, during a wedding, he brings this up.

I would have preferred to hear such an important matter at a later time, but on the other hand, it meant Zeus considered this issue immensely significant.

“I think it’ll be fine for now. Many have come to the Underworld, so out of fear, they won’t dare do anything reckless.”

“Hmm…”

“Even if there are those who rival gods, they’re still mortal. It’s not yet something we need to worry about.”

Zeus stroked his beard and slowly nodded.

“Ah, I’m not saying I’d annihilate humans right now or strike them with lightning. It’s just that someday, I feel like problems will arise because of the heroes.”

“I understand your position as the ruler of Olympus, but it’s premature. If you’re really concerned, there’s always the option of letting them know about the judgment they’ll face in the Underworld after death.”

Even though I was a mortal in my previous life and am now called the god of mercy and justice, favorable to mortals.

It’s not like I completely fail to understand Zeus’ worries.

The Gigantes, or Gigas, were monstrous weapons created by the Protogenoi… specifically to annihilate gods.

However, the fact that mere humans could defeat even minor ones implies they could rival gods.

A ruler who lacks suspicion and doesn’t prepare for the future cannot maintain power.

Zeus’ doubts were, to some extent, reasonable. But in my judgment, the current generation of heroes wasn’t much of a concern.

“Hmm, sorry for bringing this up during the wedding. If something arises later, I’ll send a messenger again then.”

“Alright. Let’s talk in detail next time.”

“Take a look at the wedding gift I brought. It’s a fan made of eagle feathers, capable of stopping rain…”

After chatting with Zeus, who smiled, I returned to my wives.

Hmm. Menthe went off to the nymphs… Why can’t I see Lethe? Persephone is speaking with her mother, Demeter, and Styx is surrounded by a group of goddesses.

“Wow… Is that really true, Lady Styx? So you were riding Pegasus in the skies and…”

“Kyaaah! My goodness!”

“It’s not like Eros hit you with a golden arrow of love or anything…”

“How did you, known as the most unapproachable god in the divine realm, end up marrying Hades?”

I interjected into the secretive conversation as they whispered with flushed faces.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Eek…!”

“Lord Hades! Is it true you saved Persephone from the Gigantes?”

“Ah… Wait a moment! Let me finish asking!”

Despite the flood of questions that left me flustered, I managed to extract Styx.

It reminded me of a similar incident at Heracles and Hebe’s wedding last time… Well, in the idle Olympus palace, gossip was one of their few entertainments.

My beautiful wife with her dark hair approached with a subtle smile of relief.

By now, physical affection had become entirely natural between us. I tucked her hair behind her ear as she leaned toward me.

“Phew… Erato, the Muse of Love Poetry, kept bombarding me with questions, saying she needed inspiration for her verses…”

“Well, we are the stars of the day.”

She smiled gently at my words and rested her head on me. Somehow, it reminded me of the incident with Phaethon.

The faint weight against my chest and the pleasant scent.

With the soft breeze blowing now, I found this tender atmosphere quite agreeable.

No, wait. We’re officially married now, aren’t we?

“…Indeed, it’s a wonderful day.”

The Goddess Styx also seemed eager to maintain this serene mood.

As our gazes met, we could tell what the other was thinking.

I kissed the Goddess of Oaths as she quietly closed her eyes and whispered words of love…

—

As I wandered around the wedding hall, checking on the other goddesses, I headed toward Lethe.

I didn’t want to disturb Demeter and Persephone, who were holding hands and talking seriously, or Menthe, proudly boasting to the other goddesses.

“So, you weren’t the first, you say? I’m just going to—ugh!”

“Mother, I told you, I’m really fine…”

Lethe, who seemed to have disappeared earlier, was speaking with her mother.

Her mother, who appeared to know she wasn’t warmly received, was observing the hall from the outskirts where gods rarely ventured.

“It’s great that you found a son-in-law who invited me to the wedding, but how could you lose to Styx! What about your beauty or your connection is lacking? Fine. I’ll throw my golden apple to create a scene…”

The conversation between Lethe and her mother sounded somewhat dangerous.

Feeling that I’d deeply regret it if I ignored this, I stepped in and revealed my presence.

“Oh…? Hades…!”

“Ahem. Eris! Thank you so much for attending!”

“Oh? I had something to discuss. I heard you proposed to Lethe second—”

Despite Lethe’s attempts to stop her, the Goddess of Discord began to reach for something in her bosom, but at the sight of me, she lowered her hand.

Please, dear mother-in-law. Not that. Let’s calm down first.

“Ah. Haha!”

I laughed it off.

“I overheard what you were saying earlier. I think there’s a slight misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“I did not propose to Styx because I love her more than Lethe. Nor did I intend for Styx to become the primary wife of the Underworld.”

Eris looked at me with a suspicious expression for a moment.

“Hmm. Are you not lying just to avoid this situation?”

“Absolutely not. Although I first encountered Styx while proposing to the goddesses, it was unintentional. My divine nature as the God of Justice prevents me from treating the goddesses I love unfairly!”

“Is that so…?”

Though I didn’t know why I had to go to such lengths, I fervently used my divine intuition to keep talking.

May the Goddess of Persuasion bless me.

“Now that I think about it, while other male gods might, you wouldn’t. But make sure you take good care of Lethe.”

“Of course.”

“Ah, Hades…”

I swiftly drew Lethe into my embrace.

The Goddess of Discord, my mother-in-law, watched our harmonious display as newlyweds before bursting into laughter.

She seemed to be in a better mood now.

I reached into my pocket and discreetly handed her a small trinket.

Good. I didn’t have time to carefully pick it, but is Dike helping me?

“Also, as a token of appreciation for attending my and Lethe’s wedding, I wanted to offer a small gift.”

“Oh… What’s this?”

“A piece of jewelry made with gems found deep underground, crafted by Hephaestus himself. I thought it would suit you well…”

“My goodness. I almost ruined everything, not knowing you’d gift me something like this! Oh-ho-ho!”

What a relief. Disaster narrowly averted.

—

“Please take care, Lady Eris.”

“Yes, yes. Next time, give me grandchildren, won’t you? Hoho!”

“Ahaha…”

I waved goodbye to the Goddess of Discord.

She walked away with a pleased expression, seemingly fond of the trinket I’d given her.

“Phew…”

What’s the point of being the ruler of the Underworld?

When it comes to my mother-in-law, I have no choice but to stay in her good graces.

“Hades… Is that true?”

“Hmm? What’s true?”

“That you love Styx and me equally?”

“…”

“Of course. I don’t believe in making distinctions in matters like this.”

As I stroked Lethe’s soft silver hair to console her, she tugged at my ear.

Was she trying to say something?

When I leaned closer to her hand pulling me gently, Lethe—her face flushed like an apple blessed by Demeter—whispered.

She avoided my gaze, muffled her voice with divine power, and stammered a single sentence.

“Th-then… prove it to me right now.”

What? Did I hear that wrong?

When I looked at her in disbelief, Lethe shyly turned her head.

“You proposed to Styx first. So… for the first time, I should…”

Her light chiton, adorned with elaborate jewelry for the wedding.

And most of all, her beauty that shone brighter than ever in this moment.

Anyone who dared lay a hand on someone else’s spouse faced severe punishment in the Underworld.

When the gods of Olympus abducted mortals they fancied, I ensured Dike stopped them.

That’s why they called me the God of Mercy and Justice.

But… wasn’t Lethe now my wife?

Even if other goddesses… doing this at the wedding venue wasn’t quite… right.

Yet when the wife I loved

so dearly made such a request.

It wouldn’t be proper to coldly reject her.

Summoning my divine power, I instantly relocated us.

Shadows engulfed us, and we moved far from the wedding venue.

I am the ruler of the Underworld.

Here, even Zeus would struggle to find me.

“…You seduced me first, Lethe.”

I couldn’t resist her any longer.