Episode 191: The King of the Underworld is Tired

Side Story – Rebellion of the Underworld (5)

Athena and Iris, bowing their heads in greeting, gazed at Prometheus, who was bound in chains.

Athena, armed and armored, stepped forward and spoke first.

"You’ve captured Prometheus."

"Yes. I couldn’t find Epimetheus, but I discovered Prometheus while he was fleeing and captured him."

"I see."

“Kehehehe…”

Prometheus’s chuckling laughter prompted Iris to glance around nervously before continuing.

"Atlas, who carried the celestial sphere, has disappeared, Zeus’s divine beast is dead, and Prometheus’s whereabouts were unknown. Thus, a meeting was held in Olympus. Of the major gods who govern the world, only Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades were absent. That’s why we’ve come here in person…"

The fact that Poseidon wasn’t in Olympus was a significant advantage. He had always been a god who moved between Olympus and the seas, so his absence from Olympus was understandable.

But in this situation… If he’s clashing with Zeus or perhaps, like me, preparing for a rebellion…

He, who had always coveted the throne of the king of the gods, wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this when Zeus’s authority is faltering.

It feels as if the Moirai, the Fates, are favoring my rebellion.

"Poseidon is just staying in the sea? Tch. He once tried to overturn Olympus; it’s suspicious. What do you think, Athena?"

"…Dionysus has headed toward the sea."

I probed Athena for her thoughts, and I gleaned a small amount of information.

It’s hard to discern her intentions, but it’s certain that Zeus is wary of Poseidon.

Instead of Hermes, the messenger, they sent Dionysus, the weakest among the Twelve Olympians, to the sea?

Perhaps the plan is for Hermes to monitor Poseidon and report back to Olympus in case Dionysus doesn’t return, or Poseidon launches a rebellion.

They did say a meeting was held. Then the gods left in Olympus now are Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares, and others.

The strong gods are all remaining… Athena’s choice to come here armed may mean she harbors even the slightest suspicion of me.

Tolerating her disrespect too much might also seem strange, so I should probe her a little further.

"Athena, why did you come to the Underworld armed? While only sending Dionysus to Poseidon, you—a war goddess—came armed to face me, who captured Prometheus... I now understand how Zeus views me."

"…I volunteered to come here."

"You voluntarily increased your workload? How commendable. You’ve grown up quite a bit since I last saw you. I still vividly remember how distressed you were during the Great Flood."

Despite my questioning, Athena remained silent, offering no response.

Athena remained silent at my questioning. She either saw no need to answer, or...

"Well, no matter. For now, I need to return Prometheus to Zeus. Iris, open the Rainbow Bridge."

Iris, bowing her head slightly toward me, glanced at Athena.

"Iris. Wait."

Athena stopped her and stepped forward, speaking directly to me.

"Are you perhaps planning to rebel against my father?"

Oh-ho.

When Athena said that to me, I looked at Iris first, not her.

But the goddess of the rainbow showed no significant reaction to Athena’s words. Had they discussed this beforehand, before coming to the Underworld?

If the goddess of wisdom truly regarded me as a traitor and was on guard, she wouldn’t have come to the Underworld in the first place or made such a statement.

Even Zeus himself wouldn’t dare challenge me here in the Underworld. She wouldn’t have thought she could escape from me either.

So Athena coming here armed… could it be?

"Why do you think so?"

"A messenger arrived at Olympus shortly after Mount Caucasus collapsed, as if it had been sent immediately after the mountain fell."

"Oh?"

"Prometheus, who is here, is a seer far superior to Apollo. If he had truly tried to flee from your grasp with all his strength, he wouldn’t have been subdued and captured so quickly."

"Is that all?"

"When Hermes visited the Underworld recently, he mentioned that the Lord of the Underworld was greatly angered. And finally…"

Athena turned her head toward Prometheus, who was bound tightly in chains.

Her voice carried unwavering conviction as she spoke.

"My father suspects that the one who freed you was the Lord of the Sea, but Lord Poseidon is incapable of persuading you."

"Heh heh heh! Poseidon, oh Poseidon. For a niece to deliver such a sharp criticism!"

"It’s not criticism; it’s an objective assessment of his abilities."

Poseidon does have a fiery temper. Thinking about it, Prometheus and Poseidon never got along well.

Still, Athena had pieced this together rather quickly on her way down to the Underworld.

As expected of the goddess of wisdom.

At that moment, Prometheus shook off his chains and stepped forward.

"What if I am? If I intend to overthrow Zeus and become the king of gods, what will you do?"

"If you attack Olympus right now, you'll surely succeed. On Olympus, my father is only wary of Poseidon. I also heard that Astrape was left behind during the meeting. Lady Hera has been secluding herself in her room ever since a big fight with my father a few days ago."

"I thought you'd side with Zeus. Why are you saying this?"

Judging from her actions so far, it was clear she had already spoken with Iris before coming down to the Underworld.

Perhaps Iris guessed I might betray Zeus and suggested pointing our weapons toward Olympus if that happened.

As for Iris, it makes sense given the number of advances she’s received from Zeus.

But why was Athena behaving this way? Isn't she the daughter Zeus trusted the most?

When I asked my question, Athena lowered her head slightly and spoke.

“Olympus as it stands now would never be able to fend off the Gigantes if they invaded. I am merely thinking of the gods’ future.”

Well, the goddess of wisdom might have her reasons for thinking this way.

Olympus, hated by Gaia, is in no position to afford division.

Then there’s Poseidon and Hera, who had once staged rebellions.

Add to that Epimetheus, Prometheus, and Atlas, who have already betrayed Zeus to join me. It makes sense Athena might think this way.

She probably believes that siding with me increases her chances of victory.

If Zeus remains the king of gods, there’s no chance of withstanding the wrath of the Protogenoi.

She must be placing her hopes on me.

"Did you come to the Underworld armed because you intend to fight alongside us?"

"Yes. If you permit it, I will join you."

"No. You stay here in the Underworld. Iris, create a passage to Olympus."

Even though I doubt Athena will betray us if she goes to Olympus, the rebellion hasn’t succeeded yet. It’s too early to let my guard down.

"Understood, Lord Hades."

The goddess of rainbows, who holds the power to connect spaces.

“If the rebellion succeeds, I will ensure Hera is left unharmed.”

“Thank you… truly.”

“Consider it a reward for your cooperation with the Underworld.”

If Zeus had made fewer advances toward Iris, perhaps her loyalty would have been stronger.

* * *

A shimmering sound echoed.

At this very moment, a rainbow passage connecting Olympus and the Underworld was formed.

Just as Iris had mentioned earlier, the passage led directly in front of Olympus' meeting hall.

Swoosh.

With a smooth motion, I donned the Helm of Invisibility, the Kynee, and summoned my bident.

The divine weapon fits perfectly in my hand as always. This is the spear that will pierce Zeus.

"I'll go first, strike Zeus with a decisive blow, and then you all will follow immediately to subdue the other gods.

Epimetheus! If Poseidon shows up, stop him first. Atlas, you assist me in subduing Zeus. Prometheus, Styx, Lethe, Thanatos, and Hypnos, focus on the Twelve Olympians…”

If we stick to the plan, there’s no way we’ll lose.

May the Moirai grant their blessings to us, who seek to dethrone the king of gods.

Clunk.

As I stepped through the passage Iris created, Olympus came into view.

The divine palace built upon the clouds, the resting place of immortals, and a symbol of their grandeur—a dazzling array of structures.

"Ha-ha. Hera’s not here... Come closer, won’t you?"

"L-Lord Zeus. I have sworn an oath of chastity…"

"Come closer, I said!"

Wearing the Kynee, I could see it all: the vast council chamber filled with the gods of Olympus, and Zeus chatting and flirting with a beautiful nymph by his side.

The other gods—Apollo, Hephaestus, Ares, Demeter—were present, but Hera was nowhere to be seen.

I strengthened my legs, readying for a high leap. The cloud beneath me compressed and scattered, revealing my presence, but it didn’t matter.

By the time they realized someone invisible was there, it would already be too late.

Whoosh—THUD!

"Huu—urghhh!!!"

A sickening burst rang out as my bident, swung with full force, crushed Zeus' groin.

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