The Day of Rest in the Underworld - (1)

Having received a clear answer from Lady Nyx, I slumped back onto the throne within the citadel, letting out a sigh. I had known it wouldn’t be easy to persuade those who had long withdrawn from the world, but I hadn’t anticipated she would send me to retrieve a token from Uranus.

The feather resting against my chest felt heavy. Some gods might question whether it was even necessary to persuade Lady Nyx at all…

We had already imprisoned the Titan gods in Tartarus, severed Typhon’s head and body and confined him, and slain countless Gigantes born of Gaia. Then, just recently, Hephaestus had even impregnated Gaia.

Hmm. Gaia’s wrath must surely be piercing the heavens. Indeed, persuading Lady Nyx is necessary.

"Hades, Lord Hermes and the Horae from Olympus have arrived." "Have they come to see Dike, now that she’s joined the Underworld? Show them in."

The Horae, three sisters, are daughters of Zeus and Lady Themis. Aside from Dike, I believe it was Eunomia, the goddess of Order, and Eirene, the goddess of Peace. True to their kinship with Dike, their dispositions were similar. Eunomia lamented the disorder of the mortal world, and Eirene was not particularly fond of Ares, if I remember correctly.

"Uncle Hades! Greetings. This time, I’ve brought all of the Horae sisters with me!" "Greetings, Lord Hades..." "It’s been a while, Ruler of the Underworld."

After exchanging greetings with them, we moved straight to the matter at hand.

"Could you tell us where Dike is? I wonder what hardships she’s facing…" "I tried to dissuade her, but she insisted on upholding justice in the Underworld…"

"Guards, escort them to where Dike resides."

"Thank you so much, Lord Hades!" "Do you think Dike is faring well?"

I had a messenger guide them to meet Dike. They left immediately, proving how deep their sisterly bond ran.

Turning my gaze, I addressed the messenger god who had remained standing nearby.

"Hermes, deliver this message to Olympus. To counter Gaia, Lady Nyx will assist us, but we must first obtain a token from Uranus." "What?! You mean Lady Nyx, the Goddess of the Night? And Uranus? I... I don’t understand!"

Hermes’ pupils widened with shock, and as I continued, his expression grew increasingly horrified.

"It happened in the course of things. I persuaded her over time, secured a private audience, and obtained her agreement." "And the condition is to retrieve a token from Uranus..." "Indeed. Inform Zeus that we must now seek out the exiled Uranus." "Understood! I’ll deliver this news to Father immediately."

Having dispatched Hermes and the Horae, who had come to see Dike, I thought I might as well check on how she was adjusting to life in the Underworld. I knew she would likely manage, given her tireless pursuit of justice in the mortal realm...

"Hades, Lord. The workload here is far from just." "...Of course."

"I implore the god of Justice to recognize that even the Underworld needs fair rest, just as Olympus does."

In the Underworld’s office, I found Dike, visibly worn and weary. When she had asked to come here, I understood that she didn’t know what she was getting into.

"Sniff... Dike, you look like you’re half-dead..." "I told you not to go to the Underworld."

Beside her, Eunomia and Eirene wept softly, casting occasional resentful glances my way.

"Lord Hades… No, dear Uncle, please have mercy on our Dike." "Hic... She looks as if she’s just returned from Tartarus..."

A little distance away stood the other Underworld deities, with expressions ranging from curiosity to indifference. The Goddess Styx, Medusa, and especially Thanatos—his face was a sight to behold.

"Hm. This is what it’s always been like for us. I wonder how much leisure they must’ve enjoyed in Olympus." "...I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never been there. Is it really that comfortable?"

"The Underworld is not Olympus…"

"If Dike lasted only a month of harvesting souls, she might very well faint. Tch. These young gods nowadays…"

Whenever a deity from elsewhere in Olympus arrives in the Underworld, they always react the same way. I had hoped Dike, who came here for justice, might be different, but she is not.

"Eunomia, Eirene, if you’re so concerned about Dike, why don’t you join her here in the Underworld? Order and Peace might just fit in." "Ah. Ah, no! This place is far from peaceful… I mean—" "And I find it difficult to spot any semblance of order in the office... excuse me."

What was that? They think the Underworld lacks peace and order? I must have frowned without realizing it, as they flinched and looked away.

Sigh. It’s true that from Olympus’ perspective, the Underworld seems harsh. Dike’s exhausted appearance, not to mention the ongoing complaints about the workload, has been a consistent issue.

"...It seems a day of rest is needed."

"A rest day? But, Hades, if we stop working even for a day, it could cause severe problems…" "While rest is necessary, won’t the management of souls become chaotic for that day?"

No sooner had I murmured to myself than the deities immediately raised objections. This reluctance to put down their tasks stems from the reality of the Underworld’s responsibilities.

Souls, death, reincarnation, and judgment—could we truly pause these duties for a day?

The world’s cycle would fall into disarray, Olympus would surely protest, newborns would be left soulless, and the dead would queue endlessly before the Acheron River.

Thus...

"Thanatos, wouldn’t it ease your burden a little if fewer humans were dying for a day?" "I suppose so, but..." "Let’s discuss with Olympus the possibility of establishing a universal day of rest. The war gods would cease battle temporarily, and any who commit murder on that day would face severe consequences in the Underworld. What do you think?"

"Hmm… Do you think Olympus would accept such a proposal?"

"Eirene, you, as the goddess of Peace, could help us push for this."

Though we may not be able to rest entirely, a light workload just once a month could provide some relief. Old Charon, the ferryman of the Acheron, would surely be delighted.

"First, we’ll reach out to Olympus. We could ask Poseidon to avoid stirring up any storms that day so fewer souls are caught in the waves…"

Letters were sent to various places to establish this day of rest, and soon, replies began to arrive. Zeus’s response called for a meeting on Olympus to discuss this matter of global significance.

As I prepared to depart for Olympus, I was met with words of encouragement.

"We’re counting on you, Hades. Make sure to secure that rest day from Zeus!" "O merciful and just god!" "If they refuse our demand, we’re prepared for the worst." "...The fate of the Underworld lies in Hades’ hands."

It filled me with warmth and brought tears to my eyes to feel such genuine support.

"...Even if I have to resort to threats, I will persuade them all."

If it comes to it, I’ll threaten to unleash Tartarus.

Shortly thereafter, in the grand halls of Olympus…

The gods, summoned by my message, gathered to discuss the proposal to establish a day of rest. They entered, each drawing in a tense breath as they felt the weight of the air.

"Ahem..." "Oh..."

The king of the Underworld, who had sent the letter, was making his intent unmistakably clear. Seated at the grand table of the vast conference hall, my hands clasped, resting my face upon them, my gaze fixed ominously. Though I used no divine power to exert pressure, the chilling atmosphere caused everyone to hold their tongues. Hera glanced sharply at Zeus, prompting him to start the meeting.

"Ahem! Then let us begin our discussion on the day of rest proposed by the Underworld."

"The sea doesn’t concern me, Zeus. As long as there are no massive waves, I see no issue." "I understand how difficult the work in the Underworld can be. I’m in favor. Even the smiths deserve a break…"

Poseidon and Hephaestus readily voiced their support. But the god of war seemed somewhat reluctant…

"Uncle Hades. But to halt a war in progress would be..." "Then will you come to the Underworld and lend a hand? Thanatos would be thrilled." "Gah...! No, thank you."

…He was promptly silenced.

"A rest day… would that mean canceling my festival as well?" "The dead flood into the Underworld every time your madness festival is held. Old Charon has been grinding his teeth over it." "...I’ll issue an oracle to postpone the festivities around the rest day."

Dionysus, the god of madness, had raised a tentative question only to find himself quickly silenced.

Finally, Zeus, the king of the gods, exchanged a glance with Hera before surveying the others and speaking.

"So, what frequency do you think is appropriate for this rest day? Once or twice a year?" "Once or twice a year is unacceptable. You’re aware of how overworked the Underworld is, aren’t you, Zeus? We need at least one day of rest every month."

"Uncle Hades is right. I’ve been to the Underworld recently, and I saw that regular rest would indeed be necessary." "Athena, then, what timing do you suggest for the rest day?"

"But someone must still watch over the Gigantes. Perhaps we could take turns…" "So, would that mean I could rest on that day too?" "Hermes, stick to your duties as a messenger."

The gods of Olympus deliberated for quite some time, striving to reach a consensus. Would the gods of the Underworld finally see a glimmer of light? Only time would tell.