King of Underworld

Chapter 21

"Of course, it's about joining forces to overthrow Zeus."

Even with Poseidon's bold statement, I wasn't surprised. Poseidon picked up his goblet again.

"Do you covet the throne of the king of the gods that much?" "Oh... it's not that."

The sea god shook his head and began to speak slowly. When Poseidon raised his hand, his attendants quickly moved away from us.

"Zeus is no longer fit to stand above us. Think about the matter with Typhon..." "Nevertheless, he emerged victorious, didn't he?" "But he was defeated once, had his tendons cut, and was shamefully holed up in a cave, even though he fought with the aegis."

Poseidon had always been ambitious. When we drew lots for the dominion of the world, I drew the Underworld, which everyone avoided, while Poseidon always regretted not getting dominion over the sky.

I hadn't thought he'd start a rebellion so soon, but he must have been disappointed that I helped Zeus during the battle with Typhon.

"A god who rules the heavens and is defeated? That's unthinkable. Hades, Zeus, who asked for your help, won't be able to win the upcoming fight against the Gigantes."

He must be referring to Zeus asking for my help through Hermes. But I'm not inclined to overthrow Zeus just because he lost once.

"Such things happen when dominion is decided by drawing lots. Seeing him struggle against Typhon despite his overwhelming power was hard to watch." "So you want to draw me into this?" "Of course. You may not be interested, but if you help me overthrow Zeus, I'll promise you a very satisfying reward."

I don't need any reward. I don't particularly want anything.

"Do you think we have a chance if I help? No, I asked the wrong question..." "Hahaha! Of course! If the Underworld helps, we have enough chances."

Zeus is immensely powerful. The king of the gods, the lord of lightning, the ruler of the heavens.

They say all the gods combined can't defeat Zeus alone, but that's excluding me and Poseidon.

If two of the three prime gods join forces, there's a decent chance. But why should I participate in a rebellion? Zeus is better than you.

"No, I oppose this rebellion." "Even if I promise to grant you anything except the dominion of the sky?" "No matter what you offer, I think it's better to stay as it is."

Poseidon frowned slightly, contemplating. He couldn't understand why I wasn't swayed by power, much like Zeus.

"But... being unlucky and ending up in the Underworld..." "If I hadn't gone to the Underworld, one of you would have fought to the death over it." "Huh... I didn't expect this from you, Hades..."

After pondering for a moment, Poseidon crossed his arms.

"Then, would showing proof that Zeus is unfit as a king do? Hera!" "What...?!"

As Poseidon spoke, the door behind us opened. Out walked the goddess Hera, the queen of the gods, with a chilling beauty.

She spoke in a cold tone.

"Hades, I can no longer stand by and watch Zeus's atrocities."

I was a bit surprised when Hera walked through the door. No wonder Poseidon brought up rebellion.

"Surely Zeus knows you're here..." "Zeus disregards me, his wife and the goddess of home, and constantly commits infidelities. Right now, he's having fun with another goddess."

She could have just said that comfortably; I don't need her formal tone. Just like before she had the title of queen of the gods...

"He has already been with dozens of goddesses. And those I haven't identified..."

Hera complained angrily about Zeus. You have every right to be angry.

"Athena, Zeus swallowed Metis to avoid you being born. Have you forgotten?" "...I don't have no grievances, but defeating Father requires at least two of the three prime gods." "Bring Hades in?" "But Uncle Hades isn't interested in power struggles, so the result is obvious."

Despite Hera's persistent persuasion, Athena agreed to join only if they could bring in Hades. But things turned out this way.

"Zeus can be defeated if Apollo and I join forces!" "We have no choice. We'll have to surprise him when he least expects it..."

A few days after Poseidon's invitation, I was working in the Underworld. I was sifting through parchment, exhausted from the usual workload...

"Lord Hades! A goddess named Thetis has come to the entrance of the Underworld!" "Thetis? Let her in."

Thetis, sister of Poseidon's wife Amphitrite and a sea goddess. I remember the prophecy by Prometheus that her son would surpass his father.

She managed to avoid the advances of both Zeus and Poseidon due to that prophecy. Why has she come to the Underworld?

The door opened, and the beautiful goddess, reminiscent of blue waves, entered my office. She seemed urgent and had a request.

"Huff... Hades! Gods have rebelled against Zeus on Olympus!" "Does this include Poseidon?"

As expected. They will fail anyway.

"How did you know..? Hera, Apollo, and Poseidon ambushed Zeus while he was asleep, seized his lightning, and subdued him."

Unexpected. So, she's here for help.

Ambushing Zeus and seizing his lightning while he slept... Zeus might have suspected Poseidon but not the betrayal of Hera or Apollo.

Excluding Poseidon, there were no gods who posed a significant threat, so it's understandable. I should have warned Zeus to be wary of Hera, even if it meant drawing his suspicion.

No, it wouldn't have worked. He would have suspected me instead, thinking I was trying to undermine his wife and son.

"Please summon one of the Hecatoncheires! We need to save Zeus!"

Thetis pleaded urgently. But Tartarus is unstable with Cronus occasionally causing trouble and Typhon's head in there.

Summoning one of the Hecatoncheires would indeed quell the rebellion, but we need to be prepared for emergencies in Tartarus.

"I can't summon the Hecatoncheires. Cronus has been causing trouble in Tartarus lately." "Still... But the rebellion on Olympus..." "There's no need to worry."

Thetis looked despondent, but I wasn't finished.

Zeus is more suited as the king of the gods than Poseidon. Both are authoritative, boastful of their power, and notorious for their infidelities, but...

"Brother is already a true king, hence he's not coveting the throne." "Let's take this moment to commend the gods who distinguished themselves in the battle against Typhon."

At least Zeus has the awareness of being a king.

I summoned the bident Hephaestus made for me and grabbed the old helmet placed beside the throne of the Underworld.

Facing Poseidon, one of the three prime gods, I too must wear my helmet and fight with all my might.

Thetis seemed to understand my intention and murmured in awe.

"I'll go to Olympus myself."

Another troublesome task awaits.