King of Underworld

Chapter 91

The Goddess of Mint and Thebes – (1)

“Hades, shall we leave now?”

I could almost see a dog's tail wagging behind Mente as she tugged at me.

She seemed very disappointed that our last walk had been interrupted by the Gigas attack.

“I’m sorry for not paying more attention to you. If you had told me, I would have taken you out sooner.” “Well... I wanted to, but...”

The Goddess of Mint blushed in embarrassment.

“You wanted to, but...?” “Oh no, it’s a curse... I’ll be cursed... I’ll be trampled...”

Suddenly, she clasped her hands together and started muttering nonsense. What was she talking about, a curse? What kind of nonsense is this?

“Anyway, let’s go straight to Thebes, past the hero training grounds. I need to refresh myself and get away from this world.” “Yes, Nae... I’ll make sure to look pretty enough for Hades, and I’ll...”@@@@

Mente, who had been happily anticipating the trip, suddenly froze in her tracks and spoke in a small voice. With her back turned to me, I couldn’t see her face, but her ears were redder than ever.

“Hades... I think you looked best in that gold-threaded chiton you wore when we first met. It’s not my personal taste, but...” “If that’s what you prefer, then so be it.”

Was that what Mente liked last time we met?

Smirking at her cheeky comment, I changed my outfit accordingly.

I’ve always been aware of my good looks and popularity.

However, due to my high position as the King of the Underworld, it’s rare to find someone who treats me with such affection.

Most mortals fear even the name Hades, referring to me as Pluto. But Mente, the Goddess of Mint, was different.

“Wow...! Hades, you’re so handsome right now, hehe... I’ll be back in a minute!”

When she first met me, she was not a lesser god but a Naiad, a water nymph... An unusual nymph, whose curiosity and excitement outweighed her fear.

Perhaps that’s why she was able to become my priestess, and eventually, a goddess.

Mente and I passed by the training grounds of Persephone's powerful heroes and soon found Chiron.

The centaur sage was busy lecturing the aspiring heroes, looking more content than ever.

“When you shoot your bow, your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and your back foot...”

Chiron strung his bow and took aim at the bullseye. The heroes sat in a wide circle in the clearing, carefully watching his demonstration.

After Chiron’s explanation, they scattered to practice their archery. Chiron walked among them, observing the clumsily drawn bows of the less skilled.

He must have noticed us, for he stopped just far enough from the heroes to address us.

“When did you arrive, Hades? I see the Goddess Mente has come along as well.” “Chiron, I see you’re doing a fine job training these heroes.” “Ah, yes, of course. Didn’t you send many heroes here not long ago? Thanks to them...”

Chiron trailed off, turning his head toward a clearing nearby, where heroes were sparring, their weapons raised.

I recognized some of the faces... Bellerophon... Perseus...

Kwadang-tang!

“The Goddess of Mint was originally a nymph, then became a lesser god. Clearly, it’s a sign of Pluto’s affection for her!” “No, she simply made mint, a symbol of Pluto! It doesn’t mean love!”

It seems that Mente’s story has made the rounds. I wonder if it was really love that turned her into a lesser goddess... or just a reward?

Cao Cao.

At the same time, I felt a small hand gently grab mine. I turned to find Mente’s gentle touch shyly holding my right hand.

“Hades... I... I’ve been wondering, too.” “Mente.” “What do you think of me...?”

It was a question she asked as soon as we stepped out into this world. Mente’s face was flushed red, but she looked me straight in the eyes as she spoke.

There was a hint of anxiety in her gaze, as if she was asking a question she had always wanted to ask. Surely, it was Zeus, not me, who made Mente a lesser god.

But as for the question of whether or not I love Mente...

“...Hades?”

Her shining turquoise hair and clear eyes. Even as a water nymph, she boasted a beauty that rivaled the goddesses, and now, as a lesser god, she was even more radiant.

Sensing my hesitation, Mente quickly spoke again.

“I... I don’t expect to be your consort, not even your concubine...” “Mente.”

I raised my hand slowly, gently stroking her hair, and she stopped talking. In the past, I might have avoided this situation, but not anymore.

From the moment I first met Mente as a nymph...

to the day she became a priestess in my temple...

to when she fell in love with me and entered the Underworld as a goddess.

Through all her trials, she never lost her smile, her cheerfulness shining through even in the afterlife. Somehow, the Goddess of Mint had found her way into my heart.

“...You don’t have to beg. I don’t hate you.” “Oh...”

Mente’s eyes widened, and then she embraced me tightly. Her fresh, minty scent filled my nostrils.

I savored the softness of her turquoise hair, but something caught my eye behind her.

“I love you, Meledipos.” “I love you too, Alkeios.”

Two men, both in their twenties or thirties, were embracing each other. Even the other Theban citizens seemed to find nothing unusual about it.

“That’s true love.” “Love with a woman is not a pure form of affection—it’s only for procreation.”

I was taken aback by the sight and quickly glanced around... Hundreds of men, all similarly dressed, were making love in the middle of the street.

Who dares poison my Thebes with this madness?

“...ha. Hades?”