King of Underworld

Chapter 52

The Story of Hephaestus - (3)

Hephaestus had told the Olympian gods that he would be spending a few days on Lemnos Island, only to suddenly appear at the festival? Something about this seems suspicious...

I observed Hephaestus as he stood on the podium.

“If you all follow me for just a moment, you’ll be able to witness my masterpiece!”

“A masterpiece? Made by the god of blacksmithing...?” “Hephaestus is good at crafting weapons, but art?” “Is it something large in scale?”

As the gods whispered curiously, Zeus, who was enjoying his ambrosia, addressed him.

“Hephaestus, you seem so confident—should I expect something great?” “Of course, Father. Even Apollo won’t be able to surpass this work of mine!”

What exactly did you make, nephew? Surely it’s not a weapon like my bident...

Hephaestus’s boast, saying his work could surpass even that of the god of the arts, was so self-assured that it bordered on arrogance. The murmurs among the gods grew louder, but Apollo only smiled with curiosity.@@@@

“Very well, since you speak so confidently, let’s see it. Lead the way.” “Yes, Father. Anyone who wishes to see it, please follow me!”

Zeus stood up, and Poseidon, intrigued, also began to walk forward.

Although Hephaestus is renowned as a blacksmith, he’s never shown much interest in creating something in the field of art...

As I hesitated, Styx whispered to me.

“Hades, Hephaestus seems serious. Let’s go see what he’s made.” “Something feels off... Yes, let’s go.”

The gods who followed Hephaestus arrived at his residence in Olympus. Was his artwork inside his chambers?

Hephaestus, standing before his quarters, turned to face us. He cleared his throat and grasped the door handle, preparing to speak.

“This is a modern masterpiece, or rather, a true Greek art piece. The title is Love and War!”

With those words, he flung the door wide open...

And the artwork was revealed.

Inside Hephaestus’s chamber, behind the opened door...

Were two figures entwined on a bed, seemingly caught in the aftermath of passionate lovemaking. It was Aphrodite and Ares.

“What... What is this?!” “Hephaestus...?! Didn’t you say you were going to Lemnos...?”

The two, naked and tangled in bed, tried to escape upon seeing Hephaestus, but they couldn’t. A fine bronze net was cast around their bodies, preventing their retreat.

“W-Why can’t this be broken...?” “Ugh...”

“What do you think of my masterpiece? Doesn’t it surpass even Apollo’s art?”

Everyone was stunned, left speechless by the scene before them.

Even more astonishing than the fact that Ares, the god of war, couldn’t break free from the bronze net was the sight of Aphrodite’s breathtaking form, caught in the act.

The goddess of beauty, entangled naked with Ares, displayed an incredible elegance. Her smooth, flawless skin, her attempts to escape the net, the subtle blush on her face from the shame of being caught committing adultery in front of so many gods—all of it highlighted her unparalleled beauty.

Clap, clap, clap.

The sound of clapping suddenly echoed, and when I looked, I saw Apollo standing there, absent-mindedly applauding. Golden ichor, the blood of the gods, was trickling from his nose.

Unlike mortals, we gods don’t bleed from excitement, so it seems the shock to his divine essence from seeing his artistic ideals shattered had triggered this response.

“One day... I’ll burn Ares’s face in the flames!”

This is definitely going to lead to trouble over a woman. I can’t just stand by any longer.

“Let’s go see Aphrodite together.” “What...?” “Wouldn’t it be better to hear from her directly what it is about you she dislikes so much, to make her turn to Ares?”

The only solution is to push them to have a sincere conversation.

As soon as my weapons were inspected, Hephaestus and I headed straight for the island of Cyprus.

We had one of Aphrodite’s nymph attendants inform her that we were waiting, and after a short time, the goddess of beauty emerged, having just finished her bath.

I nudged Hephaestus, urging him to speak, and he stammered as he began.

“What exactly is it that makes you so unhappy that you keep turning to Ares?” “Ha... What makes me unhappy? Isn’t it obvious? This marriage itself!”

Aphrodite’s face twisted with displeasure.

“I wanted to marry someone I loved! From the start, this marriage was against my will!” “You agreed to marry me by your father’s command, yet you had a child with Ares and still carry on like this? Isn’t that too much?” “You, on the other hand, are always so absorbed in your forge work that you rarely come home! How could I possibly develop any affection for you?”

Aphrodite’s behavior isn’t entirely justified, but... shouldn’t a husband pay more attention to his wife?

“I’m the god of blacksmiths—I can’t help it. But ever since we married, I’ve made efforts, haven’t I?” “Hmph...”

Aphrodite turned her head slightly, as if she felt a bit guilty. Even though Hephaestus is often busy with work, forging items for the Olympian gods day and night, he did try to spend time at home after marrying the goddess of beauty.

Of course, it seems this wasn’t enough for Aphrodite...

“But how can you ignore me even at official gatherings, only to seek me out to save face? Your attitude proves that you only married me for my looks!”

“What?! Is that all you have to say? And you—you only come to me when you need something crafted...!”

Their conversation grew more heated, even though I was standing right there. Their tempers were rising, and I knew that once the tension boiled over, the island of Cyprus would begin to shake.

It was time to intervene.

“That’s enough.”

I stepped between Hephaestus and Aphrodite, disrupting the growing tension.

Amidst the smell of burning and the sweet, seductive fragrance in the air, the cold aura of the underworld seeped in, chilling everything.

“Hephaestus, no matter how busy you are with your work, it’s important to pay more attention to your wife. If other gods complain, tell them to come see me in the underworld.” “Yes... Understood.”

Hephaestus calmed down, stepping back a little. Now it was time to address the goddess of beauty, who stood with a fierce expression.

With a sigh, I placed a hand on Aphrodite’s shoulder and met her eyes.

“Aphrodite, aren’t you the goddess of love? How is it that you can’t grant a simple request from a man who loves you? Even after having a child with another god, Hephaestus still loves you.”

“...I...”

Aphrodite tried to retreat, but I knew that this was the only way to truly address their issues.

“I can’t force the goddess of love to love, but at least try to act like a wife in public.”

“Ugh... Fine... I’ll try...”

With tears welling in her eyes and her face flushed, Aphrodite hurriedly left the scene. It seemed like things might finally start to improve after this conversation, so I turned back to Hephaestus...

Only to find him more heartbroken than ever, tears streaming down his face.

“Apparently... looks are all that matter in this world... Oh, Father Zeus...”