The Banquet of the Underworld - (1)
Today is a day of deep contemplation, as I sit in my office, pulling my hair in frustration alongside Menthe.
It is the day to resolve the troubles of Charon, who has been burdened by the overwhelming mint scent wafting from the souls arriving from the mortal realm.
"Ah. Hades, you finally ask about that... My nose is already..."
"I see. My apologies. You should have mentioned it sooner..."
"Don't misunderstand. It's not that I dislike the scent associated with you... It's just, um..."
"... I will discuss it with Menthe and find a solution shortly."
Last time, Athena mentioned that there was an excessive amount of mint being harvested up to the Acheron River.
So, I decided to check from the entrance of the underworld and asked Charon about it as well...
"The mint scent is stronger than I expected. It's no wonder some might dislike it."
"Hades, but if mint spreads through food, wouldn't that increase the amount of mint used in funerals?"
"Even so, humans wouldn't waste a plant that is edible during funerals..."
Mint is a plant with remarkable reproductive and survival abilities.
Perhaps it is because it was born from the power of Menthe, who was originally a nymph? However, a long time ago, in my past life, there were no nymphs...
While I was conversing with Menthe, looking at the mint leaves on the desk, I suddenly craved a refreshing mint tea.
"Hades?"
"Just a moment..."
I stood up briefly and fetched the Cornucopia.
As I reached inside the broken horn, I envisioned yellow fruits, particularly lemons.
Thud.
"Wow... This is the Cornucopia... I've never seen it before."
"There's no need to eat, but it's a useful item when I want a little something to refresh my palate."
I took a lemon that popped out of the Cornucopia, peeled it in mid-air, and combined it with the mint leaves...
"Would something sweet suit your taste?"
"Of course! I love honey. The bees blessed by the goddess near Mount Etna..."
Flipping the Cornucopia, I summoned honey, and the golden liquid slowly flowed out.
I caught a suitable amount in the air, mixed it well, and poured it into a golden goblet...
Soon, the lemon honey mint tea was complete.
"This is the mint tea personally made by Hades...!"
The gentle yellow tea in the golden goblet was ready.
I offered it to the sparkling-eyed Menthe and took a few sips myself.
Slurp—
The ripe lemon blended with the right amount of tartness and the refreshing mint scent, combined with the sweetness of the finest honey I had imagined, created an exquisite flavor.
"Wow... This is incredibly delicious. It's a taste that humans would surely enjoy."
"If there are any idle gods around, I should call them over to share this."
"I'll go. I saw the goddess Styx resting in her room earlier..."
By the time Menthe returned after finishing her tea and licking her lips, she had left the office.
I waited a moment for her return while sipping my tea.
It might be a good idea to encourage humans to consume various foods by increasing the types of mint...
Ah, but there are many who dislike the mint scent, so perhaps I should tell them not to persecute those individuals? Personal preferences in food can vary greatly, so it would be wise to issue a decree that those among my followers who dislike it can avoid it...
Clunk.
"Hades. Menthe called for me."
"What is it this time? What are you going to share?"
"Perhaps a reward for all the hard work so far..."
"A tea made from mint? Isn't that a plant typically used during human funerals?"
As the door to my office opened, in walked the goddess Styx, accompanied by Moros, who symbolizes destructive death, and Ceres.
I offered them seats and prepared the lemon, mint, and honey tea once more.
A gentle and sweet aroma filled the office, tickling everyone's noses.
"This is a mint tea made to spread among the living. Please, everyone, have a taste."
"As I mentioned before, is this to spread the dreadful mint scent of souls as ingredients to the living?"
"Um... It feels like seeing Dionysus's wine."
"Mixing honey, mint, and lemon... What if we add other spices?"
"This is incredibly delicious!"
Soon, a yellowish tea was placed before the gods, and I pulled out a roasted lamb dish that pairs well with mint from the Cornucopia.
The well-cooked lamb, sprinkled with herbs and spices, slowly released its juices as I offered it to everyone.
"Um... Mmm... The meat and mint go well together."
"Humans make bread from grains blessed by Demeter, and this mint tea would pair perfectly with hard bread..."
"Wouldn't mint also go well with fish dishes? It could serve as a spice."
Watching them enjoy the food, I retrieved various dishes from the Cornucopia.
Roasted dishes with rodents, beans, and figs, salads with tomatoes and cucumbers...
As I laid everything out, a feast was soon prepared.
"Um... It may not compare to ambrosia, but it's still quite enjoyable."
"... Should we call other gods?"
"Hmm. Gulp. I saw Hypnos earlier..."
The gathering to discuss impressions of the mint tea quickly transformed into a dining occasion.
It seems I will have to discuss the mint matter separately with Menthe later.
"Since it has come to this, let’s just hold a banquet. Everyone has been working hard lately, right?"
"Oh! That sounds good!"
"We can take a day off."
"Since the work in the underworld has decreased a lot..."
"It’s not bad to eat something different after always having ambrosia or nectar."
I should invite all the gods.
I will also invite the relatively idle administrators and the three judges, Minos.
"Herald! Go tell the goddess Lethe, who is working in the souls' residence, that I am looking for her, and also..."
The gods gathered in my office moved to the banquet hall of the underworld.
Just then, the gods I had sent heralds to summon began to arrive, and I flipped the Cornucopia.
Skewered and sprinkled with herbs, new roasts, salads rolled with bread and vegetables accompanied by cheese and olive oil...
Though it may not be as exquisite as what Dionysus himself would make, the aged wine with its beautiful colors stood out.
"Wow... The banquet of the underworld is splendid."
"Hehe. Menthe. This place may not be Olympus, but it certainly doesn't fall short of the palace banquets beneath the sea."
"Food from Hades's Cornucopia cannot possibly taste bad..."
Well-aged cheese mixed with tomatoes and peppers, stir-fried dishes.
Wraps made with meat and peppers in cabbage leaves, stuffed vegetables like tomatoes or zucchini...
Numerous dishes were laid out in the banquet hall, and the gods eagerly sipped wine in anticipation of the upcoming feast.
Creak—
Into the banquet hall walked not Nemesis, but the goddesses of vengeance, the three Erinyes.
With bronze wings and snake heads, they entered with a somewhat awkward demeanor, glancing around...
"Ahem... Are we really allowed to join the banquet?"
"Hello! I am Menthe, the newly appointed goddess of mint!"
"Oh. A newly born goddess. The nymph who created mint?"
"Hey there, Tisiphone, it's been a while. Has the number of adulterers in the mortal realm decreased lately?"
"... Thanatos."
Fortunately, they seemed to blend in well.
It feels rewarding to see my efforts finally bear fruit.
I had often brought the gods to the dark caves on the outskirts of the underworld where they reside.
The initial reluctance due to their terrifying appearances tends to fade over time.
"... I meet the lesser goddess Medusa and Alecto (Endless Anger)."
"Actually, I was considering visiting you."
"Is that so..."
"If you still harbor that anger in the underworld, I would have held the gods accountable as well."
"Those two gods... you mean?"
I was a bit surprised by the conversation between Medusa and Alecto.
In truth, the goddesses of vengeance rarely appear before strong gods.
No matter how much Hera governs family matters, she would kill a woman who was raped but could not harm Zeus.
Alecto sighed and continued speaking to the bowed Medusa.
"Poseidon and Athena have wronged you terribly. While many gods may resent them..."
"Yes..."
"I hope you understand that not all gods are like that."
As the two goddesses conversed, I sensed their gazes shifting toward me, so I turned my head.
Ahem...
This is not about me being the leading god; rather, it seems that everyone else has something odd about them...
Fortunately, Medusa and Menthe, who have recently ascended to godhood, were getting along well.
It seems my efforts to educate the other gods have paid off.
I hoped to minimize any discrimination based on low rank or humble status, and my efforts...
"When shall we begin?"
"Oh? Charon? What brings you here?"
"Eh... Tsk. Am I not allowed to come? I left my duties with a clone empowered by my strength. But I must return soon."
"Morpheus. What if you send dreams just before I fall into a deep sleep?"
"I think I had a dream myself..."
"An inhabitant of Athena might mistake it for a prophecy. Be careful next time."
"Ugh... Hades, let’s get started. It seems everyone has arrived..."
The goddess Styx called out to me, already tipsy on nectar before the banquet had even begun.
No, even if your work is tough, isn't it a bit too much nectar?
All eyes turned to me, and I slowly surveyed the crowd.
Goddess Lethe, goddess Styx, the somewhat awkward Medusa and Menthe, and the still struggling Thanatos...
Along with many other gods and administrators of the underworld... all those who always help and support me.
I hope today's banquet serves as a small repayment to them.
"Hmm. Ahem."
Standing up, I slowly raised the golden goblet filled with nectar and spoke.
The other gods followed suit, lifting their goblets filled with nectar.
"Then, let us begin the banquet of the underworld! Though it may be modest compared to Olympus, I hope everyone enjoys themselves today!"
Hmm...
The formal speech feels quite awkward.
Zeus of Olympus rules with great authority, so he must be accustomed to it, but...
After my words ended, Thanatos, one of the oldest among us, began.
"To Olympus... Glory to the underworld!"
"""Glory to the underworld!"
""
Thus began the uncertain banquet, which could end at any moment...