King of Underworld

Chapter 53 Prometheus the Prophet – (1)

The Underworld, the Realm of the Dead.

A massive gate leading into Hades’ fortress.

“Huff. Huff.” “Screech…”

I stood there, watching the dog that was performing all sorts of tricks in front of me.

With three heads and venom dripping from its maw, the beastly creature wagged its tongue in an attempt to appear playful.

Looking at Cerberus, the gatekeeper of the Underworld, who had grown a bit larger now, I pulled out the Cornucopia.

Thinking of thick slabs of meat, I reached into the broken horn, and soon grabbed hold of a large chunk of meat.

Crunch. Sizzle.

As I threw the meat in front of Cerberus, its three heads pounced on it, devouring it ravenously.

The fresh meat quickly disappeared into the beast’s stomach.

“Huff, huff.”

Watching Cerberus wagging its tail as if asking for more food…

The god of dreams, Morpheus, approached me.

“Lord Hades, you’re personally feeding Cerberus today. Is something troubling you?”

“No, it’s nothing… Just a thought.”

“That expression is the one you wear when something is weighing on your mind. Are you perhaps troubled by Gaia again?”

Gaia has been quiet lately.

At first, she used the Gigantes to set all sorts of traps, weakening our forces…

When the gods managed to fend off her attacks, she attempted to diminish her influence in the mortal world by using human heroes like Oedipus.

Her next move…

“I suspect it’s about time she tries something again.”

“Do you think she’ll use human heroes again, or perhaps she’ll use her last opportunity to move the Gigantes?”

“The problem is that we can’t be certain.”

As Morpheus suggested, she is likely preparing something, but I can’t be sure of what methods she’ll use.

Gaia, a first-generation deity, the Protogenoi, has the power to influence all things and is the ruler of the earth.

She even possesses…

“Gaia also has the power of prophecy.”

“Indeed, her prophetic abilities, surpassing even those of Apollo, are a significant concern.”

Gaia, the Earth Mother, is the personification of the earth, seasons, and ecosystems.

She is also a god with powerful foresight.

When she fell out with Cronus, the god of time and agriculture,

It’s well known that she prophesied that he too would be overthrown by his children.

The only one who can match her prophetic abilities is Prometheus.

His foresight, greater even than Apollo’s, poses a great danger to us…

“Wait, if we could somehow persuade Prometheus, perhaps he could help us?”

“But he likely harbors deep resentment towards Lord Zeus. Do you think he’d be willing to assist Olympus?”

Prometheus incurred Zeus’s wrath by giving fire to humanity, and as punishment, he’s bound to a mountainside.

He’s even subjected to having his liver eaten daily by an eagle, so his resentment must be considerable.

“But I’ve never seen a Titan as devoted to humanity as he is. The Gigantes devour humans, so if we appeal to that, we might persuade him…”

“Wouldn’t we first need to free him from the mountain?”

“I’ll go to Olympus and try to persuade Zeus.”

Somehow, I would convince Zeus to lift Prometheus’s punishment on the mountain,

And then use Prometheus’s prophetic abilities to assist us.

One thing that worries me… Would Zeus forgive him for stealing fire?

* * *

“No matter what you say, Brother, that’s an impossible task.”

Damn it, I knew it would be like this.

As soon as I arrived at Olympus and met with Zeus, he refused with a hardened expression.

“I originally intended to end it with just binding him to the mountain, but it was Prometheus himself who chose that punishment.”

“You’re referring to the remark he made that provoked you?”

When Prometheus was bound to the mountain,

He told Hephaestus to relay the message, ‘Zeus will one day meet the same fate as Cronus and Uranus.’

Zeus, enraged by this bold provocation directed at the king of the gods, sentenced him to have his liver eaten daily by an eagle.

Considering that Prometheus was capable of perfect prophecy, no one knows whether that was a mere taunt or a true prophecy.

Prometheus used Zeus’s knowledge of his prophetic ability to provoke him.

That statement likely still lingers in Zeus’s mind like a thorn.

“If those words weigh on your mind, perhaps if you show mercy, he’ll reveal a way out?”

“Nonsense that might be a prophecy…”

Zeus appeared lost in thought.

Even though freeing Prometheus, who had provoked the king of the gods, was a difficult task,

It seemed that he, too, had been pondering the words Hephaestus had delivered to him.

As Zeus tapped the armrest of his golden throne, he spoke.

“What will you do if Prometheus refuses to be persuaded by you? Even when Hermes was sent to offer to stop the punishment in exchange for detailed prophecy, all he received was scornful laughter.”

“That’s because it was Hermes who was sent. If I go in person, it might be different. And if he doesn’t agree…”

Prometheus is a god of perfect prophecy, surpassing Apollo and rivaling Gaia.

Despite knowing what consequences stealing fire from the gods would bring, he still gave fire to humanity…

Despite knowing what punishment would follow, he still taunted Zeus.

Isn’t he essentially the true god of madness, surpassing even Dionysus?

If Prometheus refuses to be persuaded and Zeus plans to retaliate by binding him to the mountain again,

The god of prophecy would surely laugh and scoff at me.

“He’s already been sufficiently punished… I have no intention of doing anything further.”

“…So you’re just going to release him?”

“Yes, and it’s the only way.”

To persuade him, I must approach him sincerely, not with a whip.

The punishment of daily suffering for merely giving fire to humanity should come to an end…

“Because it was through the fire he gave that humans could offer sacrifices to us.”

“But I cannot forgive him for defying the king of the gods and acting on his own.”

“And that’s why I didn’t interfere with the punishment you imposed. But I think this is enough.”

Prometheus has already endured immense suffering for a long time.

As the king of the gods, Zeus needs to maintain his authority, but the duration of this punishment should be enough to satisfy the other gods.

“Send word to Athena that I want to see her!”

“Yes, Lord Zeus.”

Zeus had a servant summon Athena.

It seems he wants to hear the opinion of the goddess of wisdom, whom he trusts.

* * *

Soon, the goddess of war and wisdom, Athena, arrived, fully armed as always.

After hearing the conversation Zeus and I had, her expression became thoughtful.

“With all due respect, hasn’t your anger already subsided, Father?”

“What?”

“The fact that you summoned me to ask for my opinion suggests that you already think Prometheus has been punished enough.”

“Hmm… Fetch your mother, Metis.”

Soon after, Metis arrived, riding on a cloud.

She had emerged from Zeus’s head alongside Athena after giving birth to the goddess of wisdom.

Although Zeus had swallowed Metis, fearing her prophecy,

When a goddess, not a god, was born from their union, he no longer held her captive.

Before Athena was born, Metis was considered to possess the greatest wisdom on Olympus.

It seemed she had already heard Athena’s words, as she arrived with a gentle smile.

“Zeus, to counter Gaia’s prophetic abilities, we need Prometheus’s power.”

“But can we really afford to forgive him so easily?”

“How about showing a bit of mercy as the king of the gods? Even if someone defies you, if they can be of help, wouldn’t it be wise to embrace them…”

As the wisest gods on Olympus reached a consensus,

Zeus frowned and waved his hand.

“Ah. Ah. Alright… I understand. Metis, you may go now.”

“Hehe. I trust that you’ll make the right decision, as you always have.”

Zeus, rubbing his temple, appeared slightly troubled.

He seemed to be contemplating whether to release Prometheus, who had provoked him, and ask for his help.

I decided to wait a moment, not pushing him.

Given that my brother had successfully led Olympus so far, I believed he would make the right decision.

“Hmm…”

After a long pause, Zeus, having made up his mind, spoke.

“I never thought of seeking Prometheus’s help, but… you’re remarkably merciful, Brother. You’ve recently been praised as the god of mercy—perhaps that’s why?”

Is he indirectly saying that I’m too soft?

But since it seemed he was already persuaded, his tone was more of a grumble than a harsh criticism.

Realizing that this was his way of agreeing, I grinned at Zeus and replied.

“The god of mercy can’t endorse excessive punishment. Especially when the criminal holds the key to our battle against Gaia…”

“Well, I suppose it’s not bad to have a merciful god like you around…”

The king of the gods stood from his throne and met my gaze.

“As for Prometheus… You may do as you see fit. But I’ll need an apology from him.”

“If that’s all, I’ll manage to persuade him.”

With Zeus’s permission granted, it was time to visit Prometheus on the mountainside.

But I couldn’t just rush off… I should prepare a bit more.

If I can convince ‘her’ in the Underworld…

Then I’ll be able to gain Prometheus’s help.