The Final Task - "If You Lack the Brains, Your Brain Will Suffer"
"I wish to complete the last of my labors. Please, grant me this."
"...What did you say?"
It wasn’t words of glory or gratitude that came from Heracles’ mouth, but a request to fulfill the remaining tenth labor. While many desire fame and fortune, who in their right mind would long for hardship? Especially trials set by Hera, notorious for their deadly and difficult nature.
"All that I have achieved, even my ascent to godhood, I owe to your labors, Lady Hera. This task holds great significance to me, so I humbly ask to see it through to the end."
"Postponing your ascent to Olympus for further suffering... you truly are an enigma."
Hera studied Heracles’ impassive face and, with a sigh, understood. Of course, a man like him could only reach a place among the Twelve Olympians through sheer perseverance and strength. Zeus secretly fed him her milk, and Hades ensured he bathed in the River Styx, as if preparing him for such greatness.
But... what sort of task should she assign?
Killing a powerful monster?
A task requiring wit or mental acumen?
Perhaps sending him to fetch the Golden Apples, as she once intended?
Hera pondered this deeply, recalling a recent incident involving Apollo’s misadventures in the underworld.
"If you truly wish it, then I shall give you your final task."
"Thank you."
"Your tenth labor is to work in the busiest part of the underworld for one month."
"...Work, you say? Is this truly my final labor?"
Heracles raised his head, taken aback, meeting her gaze.
"Indeed."
"Ah, you mean to have me become acquainted with the denizens of the underworld. Yet I truly did desire a labor..."
"Do not underestimate it."
"...Pardon?"
Hera’s expression turned mischievous, a smirk of almost devilish amusement crossing her face. Though her resentment had faded, she saw this as a unique opportunity to test him one last time.
"Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Eros, Hephaestus..."
"The Twelve Olympians? But why would they..."
"These are the gods who failed to endure this task."
"...?"
Heracles, bewildered, could not comprehend her words. Nonetheless, with a mixture of puzzlement and resolve, he left Hera’s temple and made his way to the underworld.
"...And that’s how it happened, Uncle, so I brought the newbie with me."
I looked from Hermes to Heracles, who stood quietly beside him. Hermes seemed immensely entertained by this situation, while Heracles remained impassive.
"In any case, it’s been a while, Heracles. I’ve kept an eye on your feats, even from the underworld."
"Yes! I’ve come just as you advised, as a god!"
"Impressive. Your name will echo among mortals for eternity."
To be born a human and rise to divinity was a feat achieved only by the greatest heroes, such as Heracles. I regarded him with pride. Now, his strength placed him in the upper echelons among the Twelve Olympians. Excluding Zeus, Poseidon, and myself, few would dare challenge him.
"So, Hera sent you to the underworld..."
"Yes. When I sought Lord Hermes’s guidance, he graciously agreed to help me."
"Well, of course! I have Father’s favor to consider, and he looks strong enough. It’s only polite to be helpful, don’t you think?"
The busiest part of the underworld likely meant paperwork for minor gods. But would Heracles handle this well, or would it create even more chaos?
As I pondered, Heracles, brimming with confidence, spoke up.
"Do not worry, Uncle! Whatever the work may be, I shall see it through!"
"Concern...? Well, yes, I do have some... concerns..."
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Even Apollo had struggled with the duties here. Assigning Heracles to the underworld’s operations might just...
"My labor isn’t yet complete. I am ready to work hard, whatever the task!"
"...Very well. Do you know how to do paperwork?"
"Paperwork, my lord?"
From his bewildered look, it was clear he had imagined battling monsters or sentencing malevolent gods. Disappointing as it may be, the busiest part of the underworld involved administrative duties performed by minor gods.
Well, except for Charon and Thanatos, of course...
"Gods do not spend all their time in leisure or watching over mortals. Perhaps for you, as the god of strength, it is different. But I suspect Hera’s intent is for you to gain a wide range of experiences."
"...I understand."
With a bow, Heracles departed, following a messenger I’d summoned. Watching him leave, I saw Hermes struggling to suppress laughter, his face twitching.
The moment Heracles was out of earshot, Hermes burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
“...Pfft. Hahaha! Uncle, why didn’t you tell him that working in the underworld is the most dreaded assignment of all... hahaha...”
"Is it that bad? I suppose it might be a challenge for Heracles?"
"A challenge? He’ll think this is the hardest of his ten labors! Even Apollo...”
This rascal... knowing full well the challenges of the underworld’s tasks, yet never volunteering to help. Watching Hermes’ laughter stirred something in me.
"Perhaps Heracles could use a helping hand."
"...Haha. Pardon?"
"Yes. While he’s getting accustomed during his first week, you can join him here."
"W-Wait, Uncle? But I am the messenger god, I must traverse the realms..."
"I’ll tell Zeus to grant you a leave of absence. You can rest here in the underworld, don’t worry."
You’ve made your legs suffer enough traveling around the world. Now, let your mind have its turn.
A few days after Heracles began working in the underworld...
I enjoyed a moment of peace, sipping nectar in solitude. With Heracles’ tutelage complete, all that remained was the final confrontation with the Gigas, followed by persuading the Great Mother to reconsider her course.
In preparation, I had secured the support of Lady Nyx. Now, I could allow myself a small respite.
Once the month passed, I would send Heracles to Olympus, where Hera had arranged his marriage to her daughter, Hebe. A match with the goddess of youth—a deserving partner indeed.
Marriage... the thought weighed on my mind as well. With the immediate crises resolved, it was time to strengthen the foundations.
Leaving the underworld’s throne unoccupied indefinitely was no longer tenable. And, truthfully, I’d felt a certain solitude in recent times.
I had the good fortune of being loved by several goddesses. Choosing one over the others would be unfair, especially to the one chosen.
I already knew whom I would approach first and how.
Sliding open a drawer, I took out a dark, unassuming ring. It appeared plain, yet intricately engraved with a beautiful, complex design.
This ring was crafted from the Stygian blade gifted to me by Lady Styx. It held deep meaning for me, and I had entrusted Hephaestus with its creation.
Gathering my belongings, I made my way to the River Styx.
The Styx, looking as it had long ago when I first descended to the underworld after drawing the lot, stretched before me. Today was Thanatos’ day, so no souls were crossing the river.
As I approached the water, it began to shift, forming into the familiar shape of a goddess. As always, she was here, resting in her river.
“Hmm? Hades? Why do you look so serious... did Thanatos run off again? Or has Charon’s boat...”
"I have something to tell you."
Her drowsy tone suggested she’d been resting in her waters, but this was not the time for such trivial matters. I had come here with the intent to propose.
Though the approach had been smooth, actually voicing it now felt unexpectedly challenging. Since when was a simple declaration so difficult?
"...Hades?"
She looked at me curiously, sensing something unusual. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, her form as captivating as ever, with gentle lips I remembered well.
Reconfirming my resolve, I reached out with a slightly trembling hand to present the ring, meeting her dark gaze with my own.
"By the River Styx, I swear..."
"Another oath?"
"I love you. Will you marry me, Lady Styx?"
“W-What? What did you just say...?!”
Splash!
Red to the tips of her ears, the goddess vanished with a splash into the waters.