King of Underworld

Chapter 60 The Story of Perseus – (2)

“Use that famous wisdom you’re known for in Olympus to come up with an excuse.”

As I said that while looking at Athena, I noticed her body flinch.

Then, the goddess of wisdom bowed her head deeply and opened her mouth.

“No matter what I say to you, Uncle, it will probably sound like a lie to escape the situation.”

“So, you’re not going to make any excuses?”

“…I will make sure to reflect on your words the next time I consider punishing humans.”

I suppose one could argue that her actions were necessary to protect her vow of chastity, which she had sworn by the River Styx… but still. Tch.

It reminds me of Artemis, who cursed Actaeon.

“If something like this happens again, it might be better to speak to me or Zeus. At the very least, I could give a warning.”

“Yes, thank you…”

“And I’ll remember that you sacrificed a poor priestess who was raped by Poseidon. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“I will keep that in mind, Uncle.”

Athena’s expression of relief, as if she was glad this conversation was over, didn’t sit well with me.

But for now, that’s all I had to say about Medusa.

Medusa is not one of the deceased but a living being of the Earth, and she was also a priestess under Athena.

I couldn’t interfere too much in this matter. Though, if Medusa does end up in the Underworld, I might offer her some comfort…

“…Now, tell me why I should lend you my Kynee.”

“As you know, Perseus is destined to become a hero by slaying the monster that Medusa has become.”

“And?”

“But he is merely a powerless human. If he doesn’t receive the divine artifact from you, Great Uncle, he will never be able to defeat Medusa, who is a demigod.”

Honestly, whether Perseus was destined to be a hero or not,

I simply couldn’t stomach the circumstances that led to the birth of the monster he was meant to kill.

“So, why should I lend my Kynee to a mere powerless human?”

“…How about you meet Perseus yourself, Uncle, and see if he is worthy of receiving the Kynee?”

Athena’s voice was confident as she proposed this to me.

Test him myself?

Only a human who truly possesses the qualities of a hero could warrant such confidence from the goddess of wisdom.

Her unwavering belief in Perseus piqued my curiosity.

What kind of human could inspire such faith in her…?

“Very well. But in return, while I’m visiting this Perseus, you’ll have to take care of things in the Underworld for me.”

“…Understood.”

Even though she had shown composure when I questioned her earlier about Medusa,

I noticed a cold sweat trickling down Athena’s forehead.

* * *

The peaceful island of Seriphos.

Perseus, who was on the brink of death due to the schemes of King Polydectes, who coveted his mother, was brooding in silence.

To think that among those who were approaching his mother for her beauty, there was even a king.

‘Damn it… Medusa, isn’t she that monster with snakes for hair that can turn people to stone with just a look?’

His anger toward King Polydectes continued to grow.

What kind of trash king would use a monster’s hand to kill a woman’s son just to possess her?

“Perseus, by order of His Majesty, you are to bring back the head of Medusa.”

“If you refuse, you will be executed for defying the king’s command. What will you do?”

Young Perseus gritted his teeth and gathered his sword.

Since the king of Seriphos had issued the order, he had no choice but to kill the monster somehow.

He had considered fleeing with his mother,

but the king’s men were watching the area, and all the ships were under the king’s control.

He couldn’t even use the excuse of killing Medusa to escape.

If Perseus fled alone, it was obvious that his mother, Danaë, would be dragged off by the king.

‘Is there really no other way…?’

Perseus armed himself and was about to head to where Medusa was.

But at that moment,

Whooosh!

A sudden unnatural gust of wind blew, and before he knew it, a man with a gloomy expression and black hair was standing there.

The man’s sunken eyes slowly examined him.

Even as an ordinary human, Perseus could feel the man’s overwhelming presence, as if this was some sort of magical phenomenon… a subtle, oppressive force… He was a god!

Thud.

“…Are you a god?”

Perseus immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the unknown god.

Could it be that an Olympian god had come to help him?

Just as a sense of faith, which he had never felt before, began to well up inside him,

the god spoke to him.

“Are you Perseus?”

“Yes! I am Perseus, my lord!”

Perseus responded in a loud voice to the question.

But the god’s words were cold.

“I’ve come to see which human is voluntarily walking toward their own death.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that…”

“I am Pluto, the god of the Underworld. Are you the human who is going to commit suicide by confronting Medusa?”

That this man was Pluto, one of the three supreme gods, was shocking enough, but…

Did he mean that I’m going to die soon? At the hands of Medusa?

“Medusa is a demigod with the power to turn those who see her to stone. She is a monster you cannot defeat.”

“….”

“Your death is inevitable. Your name is already on the register of the dead in the Underworld. I was curious to see what kind of human would dare approach Medusa, so I came to meet you.”

Damn it! So I’m destined to die at Medusa’s hands?

Perseus’s body trembled slightly. To think he was walking into his own death…

“However, there is one way for you to survive.”

“There’s a way I can survive?”

“The king desires your mother and plans to kill you. If you approve of the marriage between your mother and the king, you will not have to face death at Medusa’s hands.”

“…?!”

“Your mother will become queen, and you will be generously rewarded. Isn’t that a good solution?”

The words of Pluto, god of the Underworld, were cold, but they made sense.

King Polydectes was trying to kill Perseus through Medusa because Perseus strongly opposed the marriage between the king and his mother.

If Perseus changed his mind, he could save his life.

His mother disliked the king, but if Perseus somehow persuaded her…

He wouldn’t have to throw his life away.

But Perseus couldn’t bring himself to abandon his mother to a forced marriage with the king,

and it was impossible to escape the island with her.

But if he followed the king’s order to kill Medusa, he would die.

This was the fate that had been confirmed by Pluto, the god of the Underworld.

‘Damn it… Damn it…! Don’t make me laugh, I, Perseus, will…’

Perseus bit his lip hard.

* * *

I watched as Perseus trembled, his head bowed to the ground.

A young man, torn between despair and rage against the king, his emotions in turmoil.

For a while, Perseus remained with his head bowed, shaking, but then his body stilled.

Then he slowly raised his head.

The first thing I noticed was his lips, torn and bleeding from where he had bitten them.

“That cannot be, Lord Hades!”

The look in his eyes as he faced me was burning with determination.

Where have I seen that fierce gaze before? Yes…

“I will behead Medusa and save my life, no matter what!”

That’s right. It was the same kind of courage that Cadmus, the great hero who founded Thebes, had shown me.

Perhaps… I should test him a little further.

“Thanatos has already inscribed your name on his list. You will soon come to the Underworld and meet me again.”

“To meet the great lord of the Underworld once more would surely be an honor, but…”

A death sentence declared by the god of the Underworld.

If he were to meet Medusa, an invincible monster, he would undoubtedly die.

“But I will somehow slay the monster and survive, and I will make King Polydectes pay for what he has done!”

“Medusa is no ordinary monster. Strictly speaking, she is a demigod.”

“Even if death is my destiny, I cannot give up! I will accomplish this, no matter what!”

Perseus spoke with a deep breath.

Even though I disguised it as fate, he did not succumb to despair.

He didn’t even realize that my words were a lie, and he simply accepted the trial with calm resolve.

Perseus, who faced the certainty of death with courage… He truly was a hero.

“…You remind me of Cadmus.”

“Pardon?”

As Perseus looked at me with a puzzled expression, I extended a finger toward him.

A human who challenges fate… Quite impressive.

“Have confidence in yourself and go forward. You shall have the blessing of me, Hades.”

“…?!”

Though your hero’s tale may end in tragedy, at least in this moment, I shall support you.

* * *

I quickly returned to the Underworld and approached Athena, who was busy at work.

The goddess of war and wisdom, who was overseeing the souls, noticed me and clanked her armor as she approached.

“How was it, Uncle?”

“As expected, he is a human worthy of your confidence. He reminded me of Cadmus, who tricked Typhon.”

Athena’s expression brightened.

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, I will lend you my Kynee. Take it.”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

I handed the black, worn, invisible helmet, the Kynee, to Athena.

With this, I’ve now played my part in helping to kill Medusa… Hmm.

“I will now go to deliver the armor and weapons to Perseus.”

“Armor and weapons?”

“Yes, I plan to give him my shield, Aegis, Hermes’ winged sandals, Hera’s magical pouch, and Ares’ sword as well.”

So, the plan is to use my Kynee to approach unnoticed, then reflect Medusa’s location on the surface of Aegis, quickly close in with the winged sandals, and finish her with Ares’ sword.

And with Hera’s magical pouch, the Kibisis, he would be able to safely store Medusa’s head…

“Then I shall take my leave, Uncle.”

As I watched Athena turn and leave the Underworld, a strange sense of bitterness welled up within me.

Fate is something that not even Zeus can change,

but I wonder if this was really the best course of action. I’m not sure…

I’ll have to prepare a suitable compensation for the inevitable victim of fate who will soon arrive in the Underworld.