The Expedition to Mount Athos - (1)

This place is the Underworld connected to Thebes, a training ground for heroes. Today, as usual, Chiron and the deceased instructors were teaching the aspiring heroes.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell echoed throughout the area.

Ding—ding—ding—

"Isn't that the signal to gather in the building?" "Looks like we'll be postponing training for a bit."

At the call of the centaur sage, the heroes began to set down their weapons and gather at the building nestled within the gorge. They all appeared to have just finished intense training, as they panted and sweated profusely.

"Everyone, gather around! Today, a very special guest is visiting us!"

"Chiron, when you say a special guest..." "Who could it be? We already have all these great heroes here..."

At Chiron's words, the aspiring heroes glanced at the deceased instructors nearby. After all, great heroes like Perseus, Cadmus, and Bellerophon were already teaching them.

Someone even more special than these legendary heroes? Could it possibly be... a god?! No way, a god wouldn’t visit this place directly... right?

As the thought of a deity started to form in their minds, someone entered the gathering place.

A towering figure, with massive muscles and clad in shining armor, strode in confidently, attracting all eyes. He walked up to Chiron on the platform and spoke boldly.

"Are these the ones gathered here to become heroes, Chiron?" "That’s right, Lord Ares. Lord Hades informed us in advance that you would be assisting us for the next two months."

...?! Who? Did Chiron just say Ares?

Wait, is that really a god? And not just any god, but Ares?!
The god of war, one of the twelve Olympians and son of Zeus?!

No wonder the overwhelming presence. The sheer power emanating from him...

"O-Oh! I-I’m honored to meet Lord Ares! I am from Sparta..." "Greetings, Lord of War. Your blessings on the battlefield have always been appreciated..." "Golden-helmeted Lord Ares! It’s an honor to meet you in person!"

Realizing who they were facing, the aspiring heroes hurriedly bowed or prostrated themselves, reacting like any other mortal in the presence of a god.

Yet Ares paid no mind to them. He continued his conversation with Chiron, as if the only one here worthy of his attention was the centaur.

"Indeed, it seems I’ve found myself working in the Underworld once more, though it’s only for two months." "Have you worked in the Underworld before?" "Ah, yes. During the great flood, I was caught up in Athena’s treachery and, well..." "Hahaha! I’d love to hear the full story someday."

The aspiring heroes pricked up their ears at the casual conversation between the centaur sage and the god of war. Hidden within their exchange might be secrets of the gods.

"Teaching mortals how to slay a few monsters must be hard work." "Even so, they’re all excellent students. It’s quite rewarding." "Well, since I’m here, I might as well gauge their abilities. Let’s see..."

Ares glanced around as he conversed with Chiron. The mortals, unable to meet his gaze, lowered their heads in submission. But one boy mustered the courage to briefly lock eyes with the god of war.

"Hah...!" "Oh... what’s your name?"

Although the boy quickly dropped his gaze, unable to withstand the pressure, Ares saw enough courage in him to warrant a response.

"M-Me? It’s an honor! My name is Peleus, Lord of War!" "Quite bold for a mortal. Very well, you’ll start."

At the same time Ares was conversing with the heroes in the training grounds, the Lord of the Underworld, Hades, was receiving new information from the messenger god Hermes, who had just arrived at his fortress.

"Hermes, you seem to visit the Underworld quite frequently these days." "Haha, my father told me to keep a close watch on the Gigantes since the prophetic hero has been born."

Hermes scratched his head awkwardly at my question. So, the prophetic hero... I had my suspicions about Heracles, but I wondered what the other gods thought.

"Do the other Olympian gods believe Zeus’s claim?" "Not really. Especially Lady Hera, she’s been furious and shouted so loudly that all of Olympus is in an uproar. As far as I know, she yelled something like, ‘That scoundrel Zeus had another illegitimate child and is now using this prophecy as an excuse!’" "Given Zeus’s past behavior, it's no wonder few believe him." "Rumor has it that Lady Hera is scanning the mortal world with fire in her eyes, determined to kill this Heracles."

Does Hera know that I hid Heracles for a month? She probably does. Which means I can’t keep him hidden in the Underworld for much longer. Hera’s anger is justified, after all... especially since Zeus secretly had Heracles suckle her milk. That would only enrage her more.

But Heracles is indeed the prophetic hero. How could I convince her? To prepare for this, I had Heracles bathed in the River Styx, though there are still uncertainties.

No matter how much Heracles grows, if Hera herself directs divine punishment at him, he might not survive. Which means...

"Hermes. Convey this message to Hera." "To Lady Hera?" "Tell her that killing a mere infant will only stain the hands of the queen of the gods. Wouldn’t it be better to set a task for him once he has grown?"

If the queen of the gods, who is furious at her husband’s illegitimate child, calms down and listens to my advice... barring sudden encounters with the Gigantes or the direct wrath of Gaia, no one will pose a serious threat to Heracles. And following Hera’s tasks could serve as valuable experience for him as a great hero.

"Understood. I’ll deliver the message when I return to Olympus."

Perhaps this is a cruel thing to ask of my nephew... Training him for battle to defeat the Gigantes is no different from tempering a blade in fire.

No matter how much mortals call me a god of mercy...

I am, after all, the god who rules the Underworld.

After discussing Heracles and hearing the thoughts of Olympus, it was time to move on to the main reason Hermes was here.

"Let’s get to the point. You’ve come to the Underworld to report on the Gigantes’ movements, haven’t you? Speak." "Yes. Recently, something strange has been happening. The monsters that the heroes are supposed to defeat have been disappearing from Thebes." "Disappearing monsters?" "Yes. Perhaps Lady Gaia is trying to ensure that the heroes fail in their quests. The Gigantes remain bound to the Fields of Phlegra..."

So now Gaia is actively obstructing the heroes? It seems her prophetic abilities are starting to take shape.
She must have grown more certain that the mortal heroes are connected to the Gigantes.

If that’s the case, raising Heracles into a great hero might become more difficult. The monsters he was destined to slay might be moved or killed by other heroes...

"So Apollo and I scoured the mortal world and found that, unexpectedly, the monsters were much closer than we thought." "Closer? Where?" "Near Mount Athos in northern Greece, in the region of Macedonia. If all the monsters are gathered in one place, isn’t this a perfect opportunity for many heroes to gain renown?"

Gaia likely moved the monsters to prevent the heroes from accomplishing their tasks. The earth goddess influencing creatures born and raised on her domain would not be difficult.

"So Lady Athena plans to issue an oracle and organize an expedition. Heroes will be gathered in Macedonia, and we’ll provide them with support." "But that may be exactly what Gaia wants. The heroes could be annihilated."

A large-scale expedition of heroes...
But if the monsters that Gaia gathered ambush the heroes, it could lead to their destruction. This is likely Gaia’s ploy. However, I’m sure Olympus is aware of this possibility...

At my remark, Hermes smirked and replied.

"But wouldn’t only a hero who can overcome such trials prove themselves to be truly exceptional?"

In other words, only those who can survive Gaia’s trap will emerge as the greatest heroes. If Athena issues an oracle, heroes from all over Greece will flock to join the expedition.

More mortals will undoubtedly die.

"...That’s true. So, who will lead this expedition?" "The hero leading the expedition to conquer Mount Athos is an interesting one. Lady Artemis seems quite taken with him... Ah! I remember now."

Olympus must have already chosen a hero to lead the expedition. Supporting someone with the potential to become a great hero is, after all, the best strategy.

"It’s Orion, the son of Uncle Poseidon."