After the Titanomachy - (1)

Whimper! Whine! Yelp!

What should I do with this creature? The three-headed dog, Cerberus, was desperately wagging its tail and exposing its belly. It looked somewhat cute, but...

"Hades, it's a monster seed. Shouldn't we eliminate it? It's already quite strong."

Given that it could withstand Pan's casual attack, it seemed like a potential future threat. However, based on Pan's interpretation, it appeared to prioritize survival over ferocity.

"Fine, follow me to the underworld."

Whimper! Whine!

As soon as I spoke, the creature foamed at the mouth and thrashed about wildly. Its tiny tail spun like a windmill, and tears streamed from its three sets of eyes.

"I am Hades, king of the underworld. I don't mean I'll kill you and take you there..."

Yap! Yap!

"It says it will serve you with all its loyalty..."

The tears vanished, and the creature began circling me, wagging its tail. Pan, looking incredulous, cautiously translated its words.

It seemed like a monster prone to betrayal.

Taking the three-headed dog I named Cerberus, I headed to the underworld. I worried it might try to escape, but it followed obediently.

Thinking of what tasks to assign it, guarding the gates of the underworld seemed fitting. There were always souls attempting to escape back to the mortal world.

"Any soul trying to sneak out, bite them. I don't care if you eat them."

Grrr...

Cerberus nodded its heads, understanding my command. Its dark body, fearsome appearance, and strong physique with venomous fangs made it a suitable guardian for the underworld.

"I'll show you around the underworld first. Follow me."

Pant! Pant!

The three heads eagerly surveyed the surroundings, apparently unfazed by the underworld's atmosphere. Crossing the River Lethe and the River Styx, I would soon return to my fortress.

"Hades is coming... not coming... coming..."

What was this voice? Who was sitting by the sacred River Lethe, mumbling? The goddess Lethe?

"Hades..."

The goddess of forgetfulness, who had been crouching and muttering by the river, saw me and ran over.

"Here, I've been waiting... You're not dead, are you?"

Soft skin pressed against my chest. Such a sudden embrace... cough!

"I might die now."

"Oh, sorry!"

Being a god, I am immortal, just a bit bruised from Typhon. Especially my chest, it hurts... ack!

"There's ichor coming from your mouth!"

Returning to the fortress of the underworld, I sat on my throne, receiving reports about what had happened during the battle with Typhon.

The vicinity of Olympus was completely devastated by the battle, resulting in many mortal casualties. Consequently, the workload in the underworld temporarily increased.

With more work but the supreme decision-maker absent, the gods grew increasingly fatigued, leading to the stern confrontation with the goddess Styx.

"The lord of the underworld personally going to the battlefield is..."

Couldn’t the gods of Olympus handle their own affairs? Did I have to participate in such a dangerous battle, coughing up ichor? Even helping retrieve Zeus's sinews should have been enough... Despite being brothers, have we ensured proper compensation?

Ah, I appreciate your concern, but...

The endless nagging made my head throb. Yes, yes, I’m sorry. Everything is my fault.

"...Sigh."

Finally, she stopped.

"Still, I'm glad you're safe. Do you know how worried I was? Sob."

Styx's face turned red as she covered her mouth and looked away. Clear, transparent tears ran down her cheeks.

Why are you crying now? Unable to bear the stinging gazes around me, I stood up to console the goddess Styx.

"Sigh... Hades, making your wife worry like that is unwise." "You truly have the guts befitting a chief god, angering the mistress of the underworld. I couldn’t manage such a feat." "Perhaps you should also look at the other side..."

Never mind the goddess Lethe's pouting eyes, everyone should just be quiet. I am a god without even a consort, let alone a wife. Why are they so interested in others' affairs?

And Thanatos, you don't have any close goddesses either, do you?

"What is that look? It feels rather unpleasant."

Nothing.

"More importantly, Hades, why did you bring that monster?"

Morpheus pointed to where Cerberus was sitting obediently, awaiting my command.

Hmm... Let's see. It would be best to have him guard the entrance to the underworld. Now no soul would escape the underworld.

"But it's a monster. It could betray you once it feels strong enough..."

"There's no need to worry about that."

I infused Cerberus with some of the underworld's power, transforming him into a divine beast rather than a mere monster. While he retained his ferocity, he wouldn’t escape or disobey me.

"What happened to Typhon?"

The goddess Lethe, arms crossed, inquired.

Zeus personally sealed Typhon's body beneath Mount Etna, while I cast his severed head into Tartarus.

"Hades! You wretched rat! Where is my body?" "At the bottom of Mount Etna." "Aargh! Reattach my head to my body immediately... Ahh!"

There was concern that Typhon's body might wreak havoc, but with occasional patrols to the mortal realm, it was manageable.

The gods of Olympus were also vigilant over Typhon's sealed location, ensuring his body would never be freed. Any disruption he caused would be minor.

"His body buried under a mountain, and his head in Tartarus..." "You truly are the god of the underworld. But sometimes..."

Sometimes what...?

As our eyes met, Thanatos averted his gaze.

"Ahem. Hermes has recovered and wishes to return to Olympus. He wants to express his gratitude. Perhaps you should visit him?"

Right, Hermes.

Entering the place where Hermes had been recovering, I saw the messenger god smiling with all limbs intact.

As expected of a god, he had recovered and had been waiting for me.

"Uncle Hades, I heard you defeated Typhon!" "Seems you’ve recovered."

Holding the Caduceus staff with entwined serpents and wearing his winged sandals, Hermes was now the god I knew.

When he had arrived, covered in blood...

"Thank you for helping Olympus. My father will surely reward you!" "Forget the reward. Just take this Scythe."

I accidentally brought the Scythe to the underworld. It needs to go back to Zeus.

"Ah... the Scythe. I've never seen it before." "Zeus will know what to do with it."

Hermes took the Scythe, examining it with curiosity. Being a young god, he had likely never seen Olympus’s most powerful weapon.

"Why don't you use it yourself, Uncle?" "It’s not mine to wield."

Unfortunately, the Scythe didn’t suit me. I could wield any weapon from my battles with the Titans, but swords and spears felt more fitting.

A weapon’s power relies on the wielder's proficiency. It’s best for Zeus to use it. With a slight nod, I motioned for Hermes to leave the underworld.

"Well, as the messenger of all gods, I’ll return to Olympus. Next time, I'll bring you a gift, Uncle..."

Alright, go on. Your son was worried too. As I watched Hermes ascend, a soul guard ran up to me.

"Lord Hades, the goddess Iris, messenger of Olympus, is at the underworld’s entrance!"

Lately, Iris had been visiting often. With Hermes recovering in the underworld, Zeus had no choice but to send her.

Waiting briefly, the beautiful, winged goddess of the rainbow entered.

"Greetings again, Lord of the Underworld. Zeus wishes to invite you to Olympus to reward you for your role in defeating Typhon."

They want me to go to Olympus? I wish they wouldn’t trouble me with such requests. I am not Zeus's subordinate.

Frowning, Iris hastily added details, her forehead glistening with sweat.

"Hephaestus mentioned that a special weapon would need to be crafted in his forge. Also, a victory banquet will be held in Olympus to celebrate Typhon's defeat. Your presence would honor us greatly."

Zeus ordered Hephaestus to make a weapon for me? But I already have the Styx sword.

And a banquet in Olympus... That sounds appealing. Attending a feast among the gods might not be bad. There might be some intrigue at such a gathering.

Though concerned about the underworld’s affairs, the system had stabilized since the Great Flood. I could afford to leave briefly.

"Fine, let's go now." "Then allow me to escort you, Lord Hades."

Iris created a rainbow, forming a bridge to Olympus.

It truly was an enviable power.