The Wanderings of the Gods - (1)
Today, the dark underworld is as it always is.
I, Hades, paused my duties and fell into deep thought.
Lately, as I sat on my throne and listened to the world of the living, I felt that something had changed significantly.
"Gracious Lord Pluto... I thank you for your blessings once again today."
"Please bestow upon me the blessing of wealth, O most affluent one..."
"Our father, who has gone to the underworld..."
For some reason, the prayers directed at me have increased recently.
Not just a little, but it feels as if the entire Thebes is calling out to me.
Not long ago, I descended near Thebes and fought in the mountains...
Could it be that the fear of death has grown, leading them to pray to me?
In another place, a wealthy noble had built an altar of wood and knelt reverently.
On the altar lay twenty dead cattle, and the noble, holding a torch, shouted as he set the altar ablaze.
"Almighty Lord Pluto! I offer you ten bulls and ten cows!"
Even Zeus could not achieve such power, and looking at the servants behind him, it seems they have been overworked to offer me sacrifices.
And the cattle offered as sacrifices are either sick or old.
Perhaps because more people believe in me, strange individuals are also gathering around.
That fellow will not receive a good evaluation from the three judges of the underworld, Minos.
As I was about to look elsewhere, a messenger rushed over to me.
I have grown accustomed to this messenger's face.
He is likely a guard near the judgment hall where Minos resides...
"Hades! Another person who has not lost their memory in the waters of Lethe has appeared!"
"Another...?"
"They are causing a scene, claiming injustice, in the presence of the judges..."
Those who died with immense grudges keep appearing.
However, it would take forever to meet all of them, so I should call upon the goddess of Lethe...
"By the way, it seems that person is the grandson of Cadmus, the hero who founded Thebes."
"Cadmus's grandson? Let’s see him, bring him here."
Thebes is a place where my faith has spread widely.
And it is the birthplace of the great hero Cadmus, who saved the world from Typhon.
Cadmus lived a glorious life, worthy of entering Elysium, yet I am curious about what his grandson has experienced to retain his memory.
After a moment, the door to the audience chamber opened, and a tall young man's spirit entered.
However, as soon as he saw me, he immediately prostrated himself and spoke in a manner that was quite amusing.
"So you are Cadmus's grandson..."
"Gracious god Pluto! I am a human named Actaeon! Please, relieve my injustice!"
I have seen many who were dragged to the underworld and called upon the god of wealth Pluto...
But why am I called the god of mercy?
"I am not a god of mercy. But what grievance do you hold that you act this way?"
"I was killed for seeing the naked body of the goddess Artemis!"
What? What are you saying?
As I was at a loss for words, Actaeon cried out in anguish.
"I did not approach with any ill intent! I had no desire to glimpse the body of the beautiful goddess!"
"... Calm down for now."
After a little while, Actaeon regained his composure.
In a gloomy tone, he slowly recounted what had happened to him.
"I was taught by the centaur sage Chiron since I was young..."
A centaur, half human and half horse.
A wild and barbaric race, but Chiron was different from other centaurs.
Born from Cronus, who transformed into a horse to violate his own nephew, Chiron was gentle and wise, skilled in martial arts, music, literature, and many other fields.
As his fame grew, it became natural for those wishing to become heroes to study under Chiron.
Thus, it seems Actaeon also received teachings under the master known as the teacher of heroes.
"Thanks to Chiron's teachings, I was able to gain some fame as an adventurer."
"I see, you were a disciple of Chiron."
"The day I died... I had just returned from a difficult adventure and was heading to the forest of Kithairon to hunt. But there..."
"Was Artemis there?"
"Yes... The goddess Artemis and the nymphs were bathing..."
When she met his gaze, Artemis became furious and cursed him.
Actaeon's body transformed into that of a deer, and ultimately, he was hunted down and met his death at the hands of his own hunting dogs.
"I am truly wronged. I knew that the goddess Artemis had sworn to remain a virgin..."
The reason Artemis was so enraged was due to the shame of showing her naked body to a mere human,
And... the situation posed a threat to her virginity.
Artemis's vow, sworn by the river Styx, was at risk of being broken by Actaeon seeing her naked form.
To prevent rumors of him having seen the goddess's body from spreading, she killed him...
"I fully understand your grievance. I will tell Minos to consider your unfortunate circumstances in the judgment."
"Yes... Thank you so much for listening. Glory to the merciful god, Pluto..."
There is no other explanation than that he was truly unfortunate.
Is this the influence of the curse that Ares placed upon the descendants of Cadmus?
Actaeon, bowing his head and sobbing,
Given the circumstances, I should grant him some leniency in the underworld...
"... That is what happened."
"Artemis is truly merciless."
"... It is pitiful."
The goddess of Styx, leaning slightly against my throne, shakes her head.
The eyes of the goddess of Lethe, sitting on the floor and looking up at me, slightly droop.
"But why are the goddesses here?"
"We also need some time to rest. We have worked so hard."
"I am not the god of death..."
I recall some god somewhere who seems like they would cry and wail, but I let it pass for now.
However, if they get too close, I keep feeling soft touches...
Both are looking at me with expectant eyes, so I forced myself to look away and change the subject.
"By the way, Actaeon called me the god of mercy. It seems the divine status among humans is misunderstood..."
"Well, there are rumors circulating in Thebes right now."
Now that I think about it, the goddess of Lethe often observed the humans of the living world in a daze.
She sometimes bestows the blessing of forgetfulness and enjoys watching the reactions of humans, so she is sensitive to the rumors that circulate on the surface.
"The rumor is that the merciful lord of the underworld has descended to save a distressed believer."
"But other gods also help their believers from time to time, don't they?"
It is quite common for gods to assist their followers or turn them into constellations.
When humans are in danger, they call upon the names of the gods they believe in for that reason.
"After all, death is something that is feared and dreaded. It is also unavoidable."
"Humans rarely speak of the underworld..."
Perhaps it is because I act in a manner that contrasts with the image known among humans.
Even now, there are not many believers seeking Hades instead of Pluto...
"But I think the title of god of mercy suits Prometheus or Hestia better."
Prometheus, who brought fire for the sake of poor humans.
Hestia, gentle and warm, who protects the hearth and home.
To be called the god of mercy over them...
As I fell into thought for a moment, the goddess of Styx gently smiled and leaned closer.
No, if the goddess of Lethe does that too...
"Hehe... Hades, your arms are really strong."
"Then perhaps here too..."
As I thought about how many souls have come to the underworld today, if I were to count the number of goddesses that Zeus and Poseidon have violated, one, two, three...
While I was frozen and unable to move, I heard the seductive whispers in my ear.
The soft hair of the goddess of Styx brushed against my shoulder.
"Hades, shall we go to the living world to cool our heads? You've been working so hard lately."
"I would like that too. For the time being, the Gigantes won't invade, so how about we go out without worry?"
"But I must remain in the underworld..."
As I desperately avoided the eager gazes of the two goddesses and thought of excuses,
I noticed the silver-haired goddess murmuring softly while looking up at me.
"I've been struggling too... Is that not allowed? Ugh..."
"Ah...!"
Her clear blue pupils, the goddess herself blushing and her cheeks and ears gradually turning red.
The heart of a goddess, transcending humanity, does not stop, but right now, I am not a god but a man.
"It... it is fine... then let us go out for a bit."
...!
After all, I had things to do in the living world, so it would be fine to go out together.
The system of the underworld had been organized enough for the two goddesses to take a short break,
And above all, it is important to escape this awkward situation.
"It just so happens that it is time to patrol near Mount Etna, where Typhon's body lies, would you like to join me?"
Upon hearing my words, the faces of the goddesses lit up with joy.
"Really? The goddess of oaths has heard, so you must not break your promise!"
"Hehe... We did it, Styx!"
Oh no...
I have fallen into the schemes of the goddesses.
Indeed, the cunning gods of the underworld, persuading me with words and... other means.
Well, still...
"Hehe... I'll change my clothes and be right back. Just wait a moment, Hades!"
"Ah! Lethe, I will go with you too!"
This kind of peace isn’t so bad.