Epilogue – 21st Century Olympus [End]
The Underworld.
Not the kind of underground humans dig into for oil or minerals, but a realm detached from the living world.
Here, a goddess and a god were bowing their heads respectfully before someone.
Naturally, they were none other than Melinoe, the goddess of nightmares, and Morpheus, the god of dreams.
The one sitting before them, leaning his chin on his throne, was Hades, the god of the Underworld.
"So, let me get this straight. The human I saw unconscious collapsed because you kept approaching them, and... you decided the underworld was so boring and tedious that you went up to the mortal world for fun?"
“Y-yes… I only planned to rest for a single day before coming back!”
How is it that this excuse sounds exactly like the one Thanatos gave me?
A long time ago, Thanatos made the same excuse when he took a break in the living world, claiming he had been tricked by a mortal named Sisyphus.
“Well, with how advanced humans are nowadays, wouldn’t it be fine…? There are hardly any monsters left…”
“Hm. Hm. Lord Hades, Melinoe makes a good point. Perhaps just this once, you could forgive her…”
//What? Morpheus, you insolent brat!
When Melinoe shirks her duties and shows negligence, shouldn’t you, as an elder god, be the one to keep her in check?
And yet, not only did you seduce my innocent daughter, but now you’re also defending her laziness?
“Thanatos! Are you outside?”
Thunk.
The door to the audience chamber opened, and Thanatos, with his black wings, stepped inside.
These days, humans don’t die much unless it’s due to old age. The occasional deaths are caused by accidents or wars.
Still, with the number of mortals increasing, the task of bringing the dead to the Underworld keeps him quite busy.
“You called for me?”
“Yes. Take Morpheus here with you. For the next year, assign him to the task of harvesting souls!”
"Oho! I’ve been a bit short-handed despite your daughter’s help... This will give me the chance to take a much-needed vacation to Olympus! Ha-ha!"
Thud.
“W-wait, Lord Hades! I was wrong…”
Morpheus was dragged away by Thanatos, no matter how much he struggled.
It was pointless to resist. As the personification of death, Thanatos had the greatest physical strength in the Underworld.
Once Morpheus was gone, I turned to Melinoe, who was trembling in fear. In as gentle a tone as I could muster, I began to speak.
Hmm. Did I go too hard on her earlier?
“Melinoe.”
“Y-yes, Father!”
“No matter how advanced human civilization becomes, to the point where they hardly need the gods anymore, we are still the ones who maintain the balance of the world.”
“Yes…”
“Especially for gods like us, who preside over domains that cannot be fully explained by human science.”
The gods of Olympus revel in endless banquets, their domains—wine, blacksmithing, hearths, and messengers—well understood by human logic and science.
Even the minor gods of mountains and rivers have become less visible for the same reason.
But the Underworld is different.
No human can ever hope to observe the afterlife, nor can they be certain of what happens after death—the reincarnation, the judgment.
That’s why, even as human science advances, our work continues to be necessary.
“Unlike the past, we no longer receive faith from mortals. I understand that might make it hard for you to feel like a goddess, but you should try to act with a bit more responsibility.”
“…I understand, Father.”
“Good. Now, there’s something I need you to take care of.”
As for that insolent human I met earlier… He deserves a little punishment.
Of course, I’ve already prepared a plan for dealing with him.
No matter how little humans believe in gods, it’s hard to overlook someone using a god’s name to wreak havoc in the living world.
* * *
With the advancement of civilization, Olympus had become semi-mechanized.
I was discussing what I saw in the mortal realm earlier with Zeus.
“So, you’re saying humans are going around using our names?”
“That’s right. Even though we now live in an era with minimal divine intervention, shouldn’t we still impose some indirect restrictions?”
“I’ve also heard reports from Hermes and have a rough idea of what’s happening in the mortal world.”
Of course, you’d know.
It seems that over the centuries, Zeus’s temper has mellowed significantly.
Back in the day, when that King Salmoneus dared to imitate you, you became furious and struck him down with lightning, didn’t you?
“Hmm…! If it were the old days, I would’ve sent down lightning bolts immediately. But given the times, I let it slide… So, what’s your plan?”
“I’ve already told Melinoe to deliver terrifying nightmares to those mortals. I’d like to borrow some of Tyche’s powers as well.”
“You want to send Tyche to the mortal world?”
“Just a touch of misfortune should be enough as a warning. Humans no longer fear the judgment awaiting them after death, which would make even the goddess of justice lament.”
Though I embody the divine aspect of mercy, I also represent the underworld and fairness.
Those who audaciously exploit the gods’ names, enforce false faiths, and live indulgently must be warned to some extent.
“Hmm, alright. But don’t impose curses or misfortunes that have too severe an impact.”
“That will suffice.”
If they don’t come to their senses even after this, there’s no saving them.
They’ll all simply face judgment in the afterlife.
* * *
The Next Day, Mortal Realm
In South Korea, members of the infamous cult Elysion Church were proselytizing on the streets when, all at once, they were struck by bird droppings.
But their misfortunes didn’t end there. Their leader tripped over a rock, breaking a bone, and was hospitalized, marking the start of a series of calamities.
“Members of Elysion Church in Seoul rushed to the hospital after suffering unexplained mass food poisoning during a prayer meeting...”
"Interviews reveal cult followers visiting psychiatrists, citing recurring nightmares..."
"Authorities investigate the recent string of accidents plaguing the religious group but find no evidence of foul play..."
"Is this divine punishment from Hades for the continued misfortunes of the cult?"
"Judgment befalls Elysion Church, a cult that exploited the gods’ names to deceive and recruit followers."
With their leader incapacitated, members tormented by nightmares and misfortunes, and media outlets extensively reporting their plight, the cult suffered devastating losses.
The group, which had expanded its influence through the leader’s cunning manipulation and promises of salvation in the afterlife, eventually disbanded and disappeared entirely.
Of course, it was only natural that the intervention of Tyche, the goddess of fortune, and other gods was behind the events that followed.
“Oh, merciful Lord Hades! Please bless this unworthy son who has spent his entire life taking care of his old mother so that he may finally find some blessings in the other world!”
“If you live virtuously starting now, you might end up in Elysium after death...”
“Should I start going to the temple now? Just in case, I’d better buy some mint leaves to offer.”
There was a minor incident where my worshippers temporarily surged in numbers…
But mortals’ lives are fleeting. In time, they’ll forget.
Since it’s been a while since I meddled in the mortal realm, perhaps I should leave things alone until it quiets down.
As long as another sudden world war doesn’t break out like last time, the underworld won’t be too busy.
Unlike the Olympian gods, who have completely withdrawn from mortal affairs, I’m not quite ready to do that.
Ah, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped intervening altogether.
Heracles occasionally grants blessings to humans who exercise, and Orpheus, now a god, bestows genius upon mortal musicians.
Even Dike, the goddess of justice, has appeared somber for some time now. She laments that humanity became wicked when they stopped truly believing in the existence of gods.
Still, I think this level of involvement is just right.
Too much interference in the mortal world would only prevent humans from developing their independence.
* * *
Click.
The door to the audience chamber opened again, and Lethe, the goddess of forgetfulness and one of my wives, entered.
Her beauty brought a natural smile to my face, but why did she look so dejected?
“…Hades…”
“Lethe?”
The goddess hurried over and plopped herself onto my lap as I sat on the throne.
As she leaned her back against me, I gently wrapped my arms around her and stroked her hair. Her silver locks were as lovely as ever.
“Humans keep praying to my statues. They’re begging me to cure Alzheimer’s disease… I feel so sorry for them. Should I help them, just a little?”
“Ah.”
Since ancient times, temples had been places where humans prayed and offered sacrifices to gods, and such practices persisted even in this era.
Although many are now grand structures equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, some mortals burn currency as offerings to the gods.
Naturally, my temples also housed statues of my wives and other gods of the underworld.
It seemed humans, seeking the grace of Lethe, the goddess of forgetfulness, had been praying at her statues.
Lethe wasn’t the only one facing this. Many humans swore oaths before the statues of Styx as well.
Of course, humans who dared to swear by the River Styx and break their oaths...
Taking into account the weakening of faith in this era, I merely assigned them minor labor in the underworld instead of banishing them to Tartarus.
“Hmm. Apollo and Asclepius are occasionally inspiring researchers working on diseases. Wouldn’t it be better to wait until they discover a cure themselves?”
“Really… I suppose that’s true. Even Hephaestus has been grumbling about humans still not utilizing metals properly. Sigh.”
“More importantly, my dear, you look especially beautiful today. I don’t have any tasks to attend to today…”
Lethe leaned her head back against me, turning to meet my gaze. I leaned in and kissed her.
As long as I have my beloved wives and children, this happiness I enjoy will last forever.