The One Who Targets the Queen of the Underworld – (1)
Heracles could feel the change in the way people looked at him.
When he had slain the Nemean Lion, people had worshipped him as a hero. But now, their reactions were much more diverse.
"Isn't that him...?" "That lion hide... the golden sword at his waist. It’s Heracles." "Could he have exaggerated his deeds? How could a mere mortal...?" "Shh! There are rumors that he’s a god manifested on Earth." "He certainly looks strong, but did he really fight and kill the Hydra, Chrysaor, and Lamia all at once?"
His accomplishments seemed so impossible that people had begun to take all sorts of different stances. Some looked at him with suspicion, jealous of the hero’s feats. Others believed he was a god walking among mortals. Their gazes were filled with awe, admiration, jealousy, and doubt.
"You're Heracles, right? Hah, I just can’t believe that thing you’re wearing is really from the Nemean Lion."
Yes, there were often people like this. Their eyes burned with ambition, wanting to defeat a famous hero and claim glory for themselves.
Heracles ignored the man blocking his path, who had placed a hand on his shoulder. He had more important things to do—he was on his way to report to Hera’s temple, and he also remembered the teachings of his mentor, Chiron.
"Heracles, you mustn’t torment the weak." "But, Master Chiron, if they attack me first, then I’ll have no choice but to..." "Even so, resolve it without going too far." "Why should I?" "If you only wish to be a hero, strength alone will suffice. But I’ve heard from Hades that your goal is to become a god, is it not? If you treat mortals harshly over minor grievances, you will never be truly worshipped, even if you do ascend. Though, becoming a god is another matter entirely."
Truthfully, Heracles simply found it bothersome.
The man who had grabbed his shoulder was easily brushed aside by Heracles’ strength, stumbling backward in disbelief, staring at his own hand and at Heracles.
Heracles still didn’t fully understand. What did becoming a god have to do with the sincere worship of humans? The praise and admiration of others were things one could easily gain by slaying monsters or completing simple tasks.
"Did you see that? The champion from the pankration tournament was just pushed aside like a child..." "My gods, his strength is beyond compare."
From birth until now, Heracles had always been accustomed to praise and admiration. Did he really need it? It didn’t even make him feel particularly good.
Yet, he had a sense that merely completing his labors wouldn’t be enough to achieve his ultimate goal. Something was missing. But wasn’t a god simply the best in their field?
"To Zeus, who grants us this clear sky today..." "To Pluto, god of justice..."
Heracles briefly watched as people offered praise to his father and uncle. Then, he continued on his way.
Still, it didn’t make sense.
Pirithous, king of Thessaly, was widely known as a close friend of the Athenian hero Theseus, renowned for his wisdom.
When Pirithous’ wife died while giving birth to their son, he decided to remarry.
His close friend Theseus, the hero who had slain the Minotaur, half-man and half-bull, and was now happily married to the princess of Crete, Ariadne, was the one he turned to for help.
"Pirithous, you said you needed my help?" "Indeed, Theseus. You’ve already married, haven’t you? My wife has passed, and I’m looking to marry again. I was hoping you could assist me." "For a request from you, how could I refuse? Tell me what you need."
Theseus gladly accepted. Being friends with the king of Thessaly was beneficial, and it was a request from his dear friend. However, the woman Pirithous had set his sights on was rather... unique.
"I want to marry the goddess of spring, who is said to be so beautiful. Can you help me?"
"What...?"
"The goddess born of Demeter and Zeus is known far and wide for her beauty, even in the mortal realm."
Theseus could hardly believe what he was hearing.
His friend was aiming not for a mortal, but for a goddess—and not just any goddess, but the wife of Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.
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"...Just give up." "What? Why should I?" "I’m the king of Thessaly. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to marry a goddess." "You’re seriously considering targeting the wife of the ruler of the underworld? Have you lost your mind? Change your mind now, while you still can." "I didn’t know you were so cowardly." "It’s not that I’m afraid—listen to me, and you’ll understand."
Theseus sighed and began to tell his story.
When Theseus had completed his training in the underworld and returned to the world of the living, he had defeated countless villains and monsters, including the Minotaur. He was on his way back to Athens with Ariadne, the princess of Crete. While traveling by ship, they stopped at an island.
"Hey, you. Lowly human." "Who... who are you?" "I am Dionysus. The wine you drink every day is my gift."
One night, as Theseus kept watch over the campfire while Ariadne slept, a god appeared before him. It was none other than Dionysus, the Olympian god of wine and madness.
"The beauty of that princess from Crete, Ariadne, is truly exceptional." "What? But..." "That woman is destined to be my wife." "What...?! What do you mean by that...?" "You don’t understand? I have chosen her as my bride. Now, leave this island and disappear."
Though Theseus had slain the Minotaur and was a great hero, he was still facing a god—the god of madness, no less.
He had no choice but to obey. Would he really have to lose Ariadne?
But then, salvation arrived for the despairing mortal.
A woman appeared behind Dionysus, her eyes blindfolded, holding a sword and scales.
"Be gone." "What?! Who dares... Dicē?!" "...Hades sends his regards. He also said that if you dare to covet another man's lover again, he’ll take you to the underworld."
"Curses! Damn it...!"
Theseus quickly understood the situation.
He had almost lost his wife to Dionysus, but the goddess of justice, Dicē, had saved him. And it was Hades himself, the fair and merciful ruler of the underworld, who had sent her.
The goddess of justice had driven away Dionysus and smiled at Theseus. Relieved, the hero bowed his head and asked her a question.
"Did Pluto really send you to help me?" "The lord of the underworld is busy. I merely used his name." "Even so... thank you, Lady Dicē." "But remember, I was only able to drive Dionysus away because of Hades. If such a thing happens again, seek help from his temple." "Pluto, too, has my deepest gratitude..."
Theseus knew it to be true. No matter how just Dicē was, she would not have been able to so easily repel one of the Twelve Olympians without the backing of the lord of the underworld.
Theseus returned to Athens safely with Ariadne and became king. As soon as he did, he built temples to Pluto and Dicē.
The city of Athens had always worshipped only the goddess of wisdom, but Theseus went to her temple, explained his situation, and gained her permission to build shrines to both the ruler of the underworld and the goddess of justice.
From that point on, Theseus' devotion was not only to the goddess of wisdom but also to the lord of the underworld and the goddess of justice.
King Theseus of Athens explained all of this to Pirithous, thinking that his friend wouldn’t dare to target the wife of Pluto after hearing about the great favor Theseus owed to her.
However, Pirithous remained unfazed.
"Tsk... So you’re saying you won’t help me? I’m quite disappointed to see how cowardly you’ve become." "It’s not that I’m a coward...! Ugh..." "Enough. I don’t need your help anyway. I’ll find my own way to make Persephone my wife."
Theseus pounded his chest in frustration. How could a mortal dream of marrying a goddess, let alone the queen of the underworld?
And even if Pirithous somehow succeeded in bedding Persephone, her father was Zeus, her mother was Demeter, and her husband was Hades, the very ruler of the underworld to which Pirithous would one day descend.
Despite Theseus’ continued attempts to persuade him, Pirithous was unshaken. His eyes were filled with ambition, determined to make Persephone his bride no matter the cost.
Realizing that there was no more convincing his friend, Theseus sighed and asked him one final question.
"Alright then, what’s your plan? How exactly do you intend to make Persephone your wife?"
"It’s simple."
With a voice full of confidence, the king of Thessaly replied.
Theseus looked at his friend—no, at this madman trapped in his delusions—with a baffled expression.
"I’ll go down to the underworld, tell Hades that I’m holding a grand feast in my kingdom, and that I’d like to invite the beautiful and famous Persephone. Once I trick her into coming to the mortal world, I’ll seize her, marry her on the spot, and... well, you get the idea."
Srrring—
"You mad fool!"
Theseus immediately drew his sword.