The Tale of Bellerophon - (1)
As the aspiring heroes trained in the underworld, the number of those who would become my followers gradually increased.
Perhaps it was due to Persephone's power that they were able to endure, but being constantly exposed to the energy of the underworld seemed to have an effect...
"Lord Pluto, if you are watching now, please grant me a ray of mercy!!! Khaaaak!!"
Kwaaaang!
"No, Iarutos! Are you alright!"
"This friend. His eyes are completely rolled back? Hey, get a grip!"
Hmm.
The voice I just heard belongs to a new follower.
In truth, it may not be strange for heroes, who are always tormented by mythical monsters, to chant my name.
When facing monsters that are hard to overcome with the power of mortals, it is only natural to seek out a nearby god.
However, no matter how desperately they sought me, I did not offer help.
Unless they called for me from the world of the living, the trials of the underworld were merely training.
"Lord Pluto... Today, another has passed the test and is coming to the underworld..."
"Thank you for your grace..."
And the priests of the living world, connected to the outskirts of the underworld, were also fulfilling their roles.
Occasionally, a crazed spy sent by Gaia was discovered, but they were filtered out well with stones imbued with Dionysus's power.
As I watched the training of the heroes from my throne with my eyes closed, a gentle voice reached my ears.
It was the familiar voice of the goddess Styx.
"Hades. Are you free by any chance?"
"Goddess Styx...? There is no one in the audience chamber, but what brings you here?"
The goddess stepped in, peeking through the door of the audience chamber.
"Have you heard that a new hero is trying to kill the Chimera?"
"The Chimera... The child of Typhon and Echidna, you mean."
The beast Chimera, or Chimaera.
One of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, it is a monster with the form of three mixed animals.
It has the body of a regular lion, but with a goat's head on its back and a snake for a tail...
The lion's head breathes fire, the goat's head possesses cunning, and the snake's fangs are known for their deadly poison.
Thinking about it, Typhon's children are indeed very powerful.
Right away, Cerberus is a divine beast of the underworld and serves as a gatekeeper, and the lion that lives in the Nemean Valley...
The Sphinx, who was taken in by Hera and later killed by Oedipus, is also one of them.
"The hero killing the child of Typhon will surely be watched by many gods."
"I received word from Olympus, suggesting that we lend the hero the Pegasus born from the severed head of Medusa."
Pegasus.
A pure white horse with wings, born from the blood of Medusa when the hero Perseus severed her head.
Unlike ordinary horses, it has the ability to fly through the sky using the two wings on its back.
Last time, the lowly goddess Medusa, who became a minor deity of the underworld, had gone up to the living world and brought that horse to the underworld...
To be precise, when the goddess Medusa approached, it seemed to recognize her as its mother and followed her obediently.
Thus, Pegasus must currently be living leisurely with her mother in the underworld.
"Then let’s call Medusa and ask for her opinion. After all, Pegasus was born from her."
"I believe she is with the goddess Mente right now. Should I call her?"
"There’s no need for that. I’ll go see her myself, as it’s been a while since I last saw Pegasus."
"I understand she is feeding Pegasus in the Elysian Fields."
Pegasus has been eating the food of the underworld for a long time, so he belongs to the underworld now.
However, depending on Medusa's thoughts, it is possible to lend him to the hero for a short time.
Arriving at the Elysian Fields, a place warmer than the goddess of spring and more comfortable than the goddess of the hearth, I felt a gentle energy surrounding me.
In the vast, endless plain, the sound of a gentle breeze and chirping insects filled the air.
The Elysian Fields seemed almost indistinguishable from the fields of the living world.
Yet, on a high hill, there was a man lying down, savoring the scenery.
As I approached, he stood up with a joyful expression.
He was Cadmus, the great hero of Thebes who had outsmarted Typhon and now resided in Elysium.
He looked at me and said, "Is that you, Lord Hades? What brings you to Elysium?"
"It’s been a while, Cadmus. Have you seen two goddesses and a winged horse around here?"
"If you mean those ladies, they just passed by over there."
Cadmus pointed in one direction with his finger.
The Pegasus that the goddesses took with them must be grazing in the fields by now.
Since they would have to leave the Elysian Fields once the grass is all eaten, they would surely return this way.
While waiting for them, perhaps I could chat with Cadmus...
I casually asked him about life here.
Though it was a paradise made with great care, it still needed the evaluation of its inhabitants.
"How is life in Elysium? Are you satisfied?"
"Hahaha! My wife, Harmonia, always has a smile on her face. Even these days, more than in the living world..."
Cadmus laughed, showing his teeth.
It seemed he had a good relationship with his wife, the goddess of harmony, Harmonia.
Even in death, they lived in harmony as mortals...
"Even after all these years, you and Harmonia are still very close."
"I may not be like Lady Aphrodite, but isn’t that what love is?"
It had been quite a long time since their deaths, yet their love remained unchanged.
Is this truly love? Perhaps I too...
"But what brings you here, Lord Hades?"
"I came to meet Medusa to lend Pegasus to the hero of the living world."
"It seems the living world still has no peaceful days... Are those snake monsters I mentioned before...?"
I told him about the Gigantes and that I was training heroes in the underworld.
I also shared news about his descendants who remained in the living world and the residents of Thebes.
"Oh... Is that so... Then may I ask one favor?"
"Do you have a request for me? Speak."
"Currently, my junior heroes are training on the outskirts of the underworld, right? I would like to lend my strength there as well."
"... I cannot disturb someone who is resting in Elysium."
I flatly refused, but Cadmus opened his mouth again with a hearty laugh.
This place is a paradise, a peaceful space that everyone dreams of...
"Lord Hades, guiding the next generation on the right path is the duty and pride of a hero. Sometimes, helping them can be more rewarding than living in Elysium."
"But you have already completed your given tasks and duties, and severed all ties with the living world..."
"Ask the other heroes as well. If they are true heroes, they will likely give a similar answer to mine."
The first hero who stole Typhon's tendons and saved Olympus still had a steadfast gaze even after all this time.
If that is what it means to be a hero, and if that is their wish...
"... I will consider encouraging others as well."
"Haha! Please call on me anytime. I wish to pass on even my meager experiences to the next generation."
As I conversed with him, a goddess's voice echoed from afar.
"Cadmus~ Where are you?!"
"This voice...! It seems Harmonia is looking for me."
"Yes. I must go to fetch Pegasus. Then, enjoy your time with your wife."
"Come again next time! I will prepare something for you then!"
Not long after turning my steps, I was able to meet the goddesses and Pegasus.
The white and beautiful-winged Pegasus saw me and fluttered, hiding behind Medusa.
Flap!
"Oh! Lord Hades! Did you come to see me?"
"You came all the way to Elysium?"
I nodded at Mente and Medusa, who greeted me with bright smiles.
However, it seemed Pegasus still feared me.
"Medusa, I came to discuss lending Pegasus to the hero of the living world."
"Yes? That... you can just command me..."
I remained silent at Medusa's question.
She too had been beheaded by a hero... and as a result, Pegasus was born...
After a moment of silence, Medusa seemed to realize something and lowered her head.
"Ah... You don’t need to worry about me. Please lend Pegasus as you wish, Lord of the Underworld."
"... Thank you. Once the hero kills Typhon's child, I will return him to you."
Flap!
The clever Pegasus acted as if he understood, but when Medusa gently stroked his back a few times, he quieted down again.
"Does he still follow you around and annoy you everywhere you go?"
"Hehe... That was when he was a foal. Now he has grown up and doesn’t do that anymore. Right?"
Flap!
"For some reason, he only seems to be afraid of you. Is it because he is a flying horse?"
Mente's words might be true...
Since Pegasus, who possesses the attributes of the sky and sea, has belonged to the underworld for a long time, it must be hard for him to adapt.
Still, he seemed to be getting used to the energy of the underworld, but he still hesitated around me...
As I gestured to Pegasus, the clever creature moved toward me, albeit fearfully.
"Well, for now, I will take Pegasus with me."
"Yes. See you later!"
"Understood, Lord Hades."
Now it was time to hand this horse over to the hero.
Who should I deliver him to...
Hermes? Athena?