King of Underworld

Chapter 87

Love and Fire - (2)

I quickly called out to Hephaestus, who was about to leave with Eros to the torture chamber.

"...Hephaestus." "Yes?"

The blacksmith god paused and turned around.

Yes... this nephew of mine gave me the bident, repaired my armor many times, and even built Charon's boat. It would only be fair for me to help him resolve his marital problems.

"Do you still have feelings for Aphrodite? Think carefully and answer wisely." "...Hmm." "If you wish, I could help you find another goddess who doesn’t pale in comparison to Aphrodite in beauty."

Hephaestus thought deeply, his eyes clouded with confusion, sadness, love, and regret.

"Aphrodite has been with not only Ares but several other gods. She’s had many children..." "But I..." "Yes, I know you’re still attached to her. But a marriage cannot survive on one-sided affection. Even though Zeus forced the two of you together, you’re aware of the truth, aren’t you?" "......" "What you’ve done recently has surely reached Aphrodite’s ears as well."

Hephaestus hung his head low, unmoving for a long time. Then, as if his thoughts had frozen over, Eros’s voice interrupted.

"Um... Lord Hephaestus." "What is it, Eros?" "Well, as the God of Love, I know... My mother’s heart has already drifted away..." "Haa..."

Letting out a sigh deep enough to shake the Underworld, Hephaestus finally spoke. With a bitter laugh, the words that came out were full of resignation.

"Haha... Uncle, it seems Aphrodite and I were never meant to be." "...Indeed."

Now that Hephaestus had finally given up on his marriage to Aphrodite, I began thinking of ways to persuade Zeus.

Aphrodite and Hephaestus’s marriage was a decision made by Zeus, the King of the Gods. He feared that the gods would fight over the incredibly beautiful Goddess of Beauty.

"I won’t hear another word! From this moment forward, the husband of the Goddess of Beauty will be Hephaestus!"

Zeus had proclaimed this with all his authority, and overturning such a decision would not be easy. I’d need a proper reason, solid evidence, and the support of other gods.

To persuade Zeus, I’d need to find a way to prevent any further conflicts... and I’d need Poseidon’s cooperation. But if Hephaestus’s official marriage is dissolved, it’s likely that other gods will swoop in to pursue Aphrodite...

Wait, if I consider this from a different angle, I might have the leverage I need. And I’ve heard that Poseidon is currently in Olympus...

I need to head to the palace above the clouds and start convincing the gods right away.

The Palace of Olympus. The serene atmosphere of the clouds stirred when they saw me approaching.

"Wait... isn’t that the King of the Underworld...?" "Lord Hades?! Is he here because of the incident when Lady Demeter’s daughter was taken to the Underworld?" "Maybe he’s come about that business with the lower goddess, Medusa, from long ago..."

It still irritates me, though. This god stirred up trouble for his nephew and now pretends to be uninvolved?

"...Then let me persuade you another way. Most don’t believe it was you who provoked Hephaestus, but if I confirm it as true, how would that play out? And what if I were to invite Medusa, who now curses your name in the Underworld, to come here and expose what you did to her? I also have countless victims of yours in the Underworld—what if I let them haunt the living heroes as they return from training?"

In truth, these are mostly empty threats. I would never violate the will of the dead, especially not for petty squabbles. I also don’t have a reason to turn Poseidon into a true enemy.

But... after dealing with so many of Poseidon’s victims in the Underworld, I can’t help but be a bit annoyed. It would be nice to give him a small scare.

At my words, Poseidon’s face reddened with anger, and he slammed his hand down on the table as he stood up. Luckily, he didn’t realize the bluff I’d thrown at him.

He might figure it out later, but for now...

"W-what?! Hades, are you threatening me?!"

His eyes flickered with blue divine energy, and the surrounding gods turned to watch us. Now that I’ve shown the stick, it’s time for the carrot. Calm down, Poseidon.

"...I wouldn’t do this unless necessary. But if you help me now, I’ll let you meet the dead." "Meet the dead...?" "Your illegitimate children, and even the mortal women you once loved." "Hmph."

Poseidon sat back down, staring at me intently. Even Zeus cannot interfere with my authority over the dead.

Even Zeus had asked me once to meet Semele, the mortal woman he accidentally killed and the mother of Dionysus, but I had refused.

Other than a few rare cases, like Phaethon and Helios, reuniting the living with the dead is a matter of world balance, forbidden to even the gods.

Poseidon has always cared deeply for his children, so this offer should appeal to him. He grumbled as he sat, drinking his nectar again.

"For a god who is praised by mortals for his mercy, you sure are ruthless to your own brother." "Think of it as the price of your deeds. Your victims keep coming to the Underworld regularly." "Hmph... those pesky mortals..." "Hephaestus has given up on Aphrodite. If we arrange his divorce and find him a new wife, you’ll benefit as well, won’t you?"

Poseidon’s eyes shifted, clearly calculating the benefits and risks of siding with me.

"...Let Hephaestus know I helped him. I wouldn’t want to earn his grudge, after all." "Good. I’m off to persuade Hera next."

All I needed was a hint of agreement. Just having Poseidon on my side would be enough to sway Zeus’s decision.

I recalled that Poseidon had once courted Aphrodite when she first appeared. But perhaps after she had Ares’s child, he gave up—or maybe it was because of Amphitrite...

With Poseidon’s cooperation secured, we moved to speak with the queen of the gods, Hera. Inside the spacious hall, Hera, her beauty radiating as she applied olive oil to her face, gasped when she saw us.

"Hades and Poseidon...? Could it be... rebellion?!" "...It’s not what you think."

Of course, that’s the first conclusion she’d jump to.