King of Underworld

Chapter 97

The Prophetic Hero, Heracles

"Is that really true, Hermes?" "Yes. Fortunately, Uncle Poseidon rejected Gaia's proposal, but..." "Now he intends to sway the gods."

Two days after returning to the Underworld, Hermes came to visit. The news he brought was that Gaia had attempted to sway Poseidon.

With a slightly anxious look, Hermes spoke to me.

"Is there a possibility that Uncle Poseidon might waver?" "Hermes, you still don’t know Poseidon well."

Though he has a somewhat proud and violent nature, he would never betray us. After all, Kronos's children, including myself...

"But after the big fight with Ares, there was even a trial, wasn’t there? If his feelings were hurt..." "Of course, he wouldn’t be pleased. Ares's punishment was also considered with Poseidon’s position in mind."

For immortal gods, the concept of time differs from that of humans. For gods, even a year feels like a fleeting moment, so a two-month punishment is extremely light.

Poseidon knows this. Yet, he probably accepted it moderately because he felt that his son’s actions were wrong, and I was aware that he sent Ares to keep Athena in check.

Though nominally, Ares has been punished, Poseidon might feel some satisfaction in that.

"But even if he glances at Ares with disdain, Poseidon would never ally with an external enemy." "That's true." "You informed Zeus of this as well, didn’t you? What did your father say?" "...He simply told me to send a messenger to thank Uncle Poseidon for not being swayed by Gaia’s persuasion. The king of the gods, who is usually so sensitive about his throne, didn’t even doubt it..."

See, Zeus isn’t a fool; he knows Poseidon won’t betray him. Even if he were to incite a rebellion, Poseidon wouldn’t drag in external enemies.

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" "Oh, there’s one more thing. Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, will be arriving here shortly..." "Why is Iris coming here?" "I’m not sure? Perhaps she’s trying to invite Uncle Hades to Olympus again?"

I doubted that but nodded to send him off. Both Iris and Hermes are coming to the Underworld? Usually, if they had something to say, wouldn’t they send just one?

As Hermes said, after a while, a messenger entered the audience chamber.

"My Lord Hades, the goddess of the rainbow has arrived at the entrance of the Underworld." "Let her in." "However... she was holding a human infant."

"...?"

The goddess of the rainbow, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, wore a rather awkward expression. It was likely due to the infant cradled in her arms.

"Greetings, Lord Hades. Lord Zeus asked me to deliver this letter." "Yes, but what about the infant you’re holding?" "That... first, the letter..."

Iris rummaged through her robes and pulled out a piece of parchment.

What did Zeus use to persuade the goddess of the rainbow? Did he vow never to lay eyes on Iris again and swore by the River Styx?

"Yes... I understand." "Good. Be sure to tell the goddess of the Styx to fully immerse the child. Remember that."

Just in case something might happen where the child isn’t completely submerged, I made sure to emphasize it. Watching Iris depart with a reluctant expression toward the goddess of the Styx made me smile involuntarily.

One of the worries threatening our gods has been partially resolved. If I can raise this Heracles well to become a great hero... the Gigantes will all meet their doom.

Soon, the goddess of the Styx entered the audience chamber. The child in her arms was enveloped in the aura of the Styx, visibly changing in form.

As expected of Zeus's son, he was enduring the power of the River Styx well.

The goddess of the Styx, having handed Heracles to one of the handmaidens, spoke with a worried expression.

"Hades. Since he is Zeus’s son and destined to be a hero, I immersed him in the water. However, if I keep releasing humans who have gained the strength of the river into the mortal realm..." "Hmm. I understand. If heroes imbued with the power of the Styx roam the mortal realm, it will disrupt the balance there."

This child, once he grows up, will likely join Chiron’s tutelage when he ascends back to the living realm, right? If Heracles comes to the Underworld's training ground, I should tell Chiron to ensure he receives proper character education.

Having grown into a powerful hero fully immersed in the River Styx, he must be trained well not to harm others carelessly.

"Of course, I plan to ensure he receives proper education under Chiron later. Naturally, I won’t be raising a multitude of heroes who have been immersed in the River Styx." "That’s a relief. By the way, why are you treating this child with special care despite having seen so many heroes?"

Of course, I can’t say that I know from past experiences that Heracles will defeat the Gigantes.

"Looking at the letter Zeus sent... it states that he nursed on Hera’s milk and killed two poisonous snakes immediately after birth." "Poisonous snakes...? How did that happen..." "I suspect Hera sent them. He is an illegitimate child, after all." "Ah..."

The black-haired goddess nodded in understanding. I added a bit more explanation to her, who clicked her tongue at the sight of Heracles.

"The one who brought this child is Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, and Zeus asked me through a letter infused with lightning." "She probably nursed him while Hera was asleep. Her wrath will pierce the heavens." "Right. He may not live an easy life. Filled with the corpses of monsters and human jealousy..."

I turned my gaze toward the child held in the handmaiden's arms.

Heracles was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the events to come.

In truth... the child born deliberately by Zeus for the gods’ victory is none other than Heracles.

It’s certain that from birth he was nourished by Hera’s milk and had the strength to kill poisonous snakes...

But I worry that he may be thrust into a difficult fate. Still, having been immersed in the River Styx, I hope it will aid him in overcoming that fate.

"Uwaah! Waaah!" "No...!" "Ah! Hades! Look away for a moment. He can’t withstand the power of your gaze and is crying!"

At the goddess of the Styx's flustered voice, I hurriedly averted my gaze and looked elsewhere. Had I been staring too intently? Sometimes I make such mistakes...

I can't feed him the food of the Underworld for a month, so I need to find a wet nurse or figure out a way to bring food from the mortal realm.