King of Underworld

Chapter 75

A Slightly Different Story of Thebes - Chapter 1

Several months after the oracles regarding Thebes had spread across the mortal world, a strong man entered the city. This was Philatos, who had made a name for himself in Sparta due to his incredible strength.

So, this is Thebes. It’s a much larger city than I imagined.

As soon as he crossed the city walls, he was greeted by the sounds of merchants hawking their wares and children laughing. The faces of those passing by were full and healthy, and a pleasant, fresh scent wafted from the bodies of the people brushing past him.

A little further from the main street, there were rows of modest houses made from well-baked bricks, and he could also spot the grand homes of wealthy nobles, complete with gardens, as well as the largest structure in Thebes—the royal palace.

“Selling high-quality olives blessed by the goddess Demeter!” “How much is this?” “We have fish left from the offerings to the Olympian gods! Only a few coins per fish...” “Phoebus must have blessed you with good fortune, hahaha!”

The scent of mint is everywhere, as expected in Pluto’s city... Hmm?

Thump.

While standing in the middle of the road, looking around in awe, someone bumped into Philatos and continued on. Although the road was wide, the crowd was thick, so he had inadvertently become an obstacle.

“Hey, what are you doing, blocking the way? You look like an outsider who came to Thebes to become a hero. Why don’t you head over to the Agora?” “...Apologies.” “Eh, whatever... So many clueless outsiders these days...”

The merchant who had brushed past him was clad in a tunic made of animal fur and wore sandals made from cowhide. With a string of servants trailing behind him, it was clear he had made a fortune in trade.

As Philatos continued to walk and take in his surroundings, a group of children ran by, heading somewhere in a hurry.

“Kyaa! So that’s why there was thunder yesterday—because Lord Zeus...” “Today, let’s sneak up the mountain again! We’ll bring back loads of wild berries!” “You’ll get in trouble again. The guards will stop you, as always.” “Let’s just go pray at the statue of Hypnos at Pluto’s temple. I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately!”

Why would there be a statue of Hypnos, the god of sleep, in Pluto’s temple?

Curious about what he had overheard from the children, Philatos decided to visit Pluto’s temple. Though it was located on the outskirts of the city, the temple was grand and imposing, as if it were a palace, and it was packed with people.

The priests and attendants of Pluto, representing his dual aspects of wealth and the Underworld, were all dressed in black, somber robes.

“Ugh... There are so many people today.” “I’ve brought a few eggs from the chickens at home to offer as a sacrifice.” “Do you think the god will be angry at such a meager offering?” “You must not know much. Lord Pluto is the god of wealth and mercy, so he is not swayed by the value of offerings.” “Yes, it’s the thought that counts.”

After finally making his way inside, Philatos saw the priests and attendants managing the crowd, and the people bringing offerings of honey, grain, and animal skins were no small number.

As he waited in line, a beautiful priestess in black approached him. She looked to be in her early thirties, and she clasped her hands together as she addressed him.

“May Pluto’s blessing be upon you. I am Philona, a low-ranking priestess. What brings you here?” “I’m just visiting out of curiosity. I heard there are statues of other gods here...” “Ah! If you’re interested in seeing the statues of other deities from the Underworld, please follow that direction.”

The priestess pointed toward a section of the temple.

Following the direction indicated by the priestess, Philatos wandered through the temple and soon came upon a large number of statues with long lines of people waiting in front of them.

The statues, carved from marble, were guarded by heavily armed soldiers. Judging by their attire, they were likely royal guards.

The middle-aged priest placed a small, glowing stone on the table. The object exuded an aura of mystery, and the participants began to step forward to touch it one by one.

Flash.

“Hmm, it glows. Stand over here.”

...

“No reaction. Unfortunately, you’re not chosen.” “What?! You’re telling me that a mere stone is deciding this...?”

If the stone emitted a light, it meant that the person had the potential to become a hero. The man who had failed to elicit a reaction was furious, but Philatos could feel it. The stone radiated a divine presence, as if a god had directly imbued it with power.

“What do you mean this stone is supposed to decide? I didn’t come all the way to Thebes to play these childish games...” “...It seems we have a problem here.”

Thud!

“This is what happens to those who cause trouble. Remember that.”

The man who had grabbed a soldier by the collar was swiftly struck in the neck by a spear and collapsed. The reason the priest had brought so many soldiers and attendants became clear.

Without even glancing at the unconscious man being dragged away by two soldiers, the middle-aged priest continued the selection process.

“Next, step forward.” “Is it my turn?”

The next in line was a scholar who looked like he couldn’t even handle a chicken. However, he passed.

Flash—

“That makes two. Stand over here.”

It seemed that even a fragile-looking scholar could be chosen as a hero by the gods.

“Next.”

Now, only a muscular, bald man and Philatos were left. The muscular man brushed past him and placed his hand on the stone, and soon a reaction occurred.

Flash—

But... something was off. The stone, which had been emitting a white light, now glowed a deep, ominous red.

The bald man, confused as to why this was happening, suddenly drew a knife from his belt. Saliva dripped from his mouth, and his eyes began to turn red.

“Ugh... Ugh...!”

“He’s a spy consumed by madness! Kill him!”

At the words of the middle-aged priest, soldiers charged at him.