King of Underworld

Chapter 18

After the Titanomachy - (2)

Crossing Iris's rainbow, I found myself transported to Olympus. It had been a while since I felt the soft yet firm footing on these clouds.

In a world filled with white clouds, the distant sight of Olympus's temple appeared. It looked as if it was made of white marble, but in reality, it was a structure forged from metals by Hephaestus and the Cyclopes.

The grand temple, no, the palace, stretching up to the Milky Way in the sky...

"Why does it look so intact?"

It should be half-destroyed and in ruins from Typhon's attack. My muttering was answered by Iris with a sigh.

"Zeus ordered Hephaestus to spearhead the swift reconstruction of the palace."

I could almost see the valiant warrior summoning flames against Typhon, Hephaestus, the greatest blacksmith of Olympus, being ground to the bone in the process. Iris didn't look too pleased either... Ah, you must have had a hard time too.@@@@

I threw a sympathetic glance at the goddess of the rainbow and walked towards the gates of Olympus. The gates were unmistakably more splendid than those of the underworld where I resided.

Covered in gold, with dragon and lightning motifs engraved on the pillars and handles made of some strangely luminous metal. From a distance, the Milky Way flowed softly, adding to the grandeur.

"Oh, that decoration was devised by Apollo and Hephaestus after much thought..."

While admiring the aesthetically pleasing design, Iris began to explain. I listened half-heartedly and then opened the gate.

Srrrk—

The floor of Olympus's palace was made of clouds. Hence, the gate opened smoothly without any unpleasant creaking sounds.

In the lavish hall, numerous gods and servants moved about. Ornate tables and chairs were arranged, and ambrosia, the food of the gods, was served on plates.

"Black hair and black eyes with that cold aura..." "The Lord of the Underworld really came to Olympus..." "I heard Zeus invited him, but still..."

Ignoring the whispering lower gods and servants, I looked around.

Ting-ting-ting~

"Wow..." "Shh..! I can't hear the music."

The sight of Apollo, the god of music, sitting and playing the lyre with a golden goblet of nectar beside him, was the first to catch my eye. The surrounding goddesses and female servants were enraptured, listening to his performance.

"Here, pour some nectar." "Yes! Right away!"

When the gods extended their goblets, servants in chitons ran across the clouds, pouring nectar from pitchers. They were the attendants of Hebe, the goddess of youth, who managed the nectar and ambrosia at every godly banquet.

As the daughter of Zeus and Hera, she was always busy directing her attendants during such events.

"Hebe." "Oh! Lord Hades, you've arrived!"

She greeted me with a radiant smile and a bow. It had been a while since I'd seen my niece. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I reached for a nearby golden goblet.

Or at least, I tried. The blue-haired god of the sea reached for it first.

"Hey, Hades. I didn't think you'd actually come to Olympus." "Poseidon."

The god of the sea grinned and downed the nectar in one go. In his other hand, he held his signature trident, the Trident of Poseidon.

"So, what do you think of the Olympus banquet?" "Nothing special, just another gathering."

The youthful Hermes, holding his Caduceus, walked forward and bowed. Zeus patted his shoulder, said something, and then raised his voice again.

"This Hermes, despite being grievously injured by Typhon, managed to request aid from the underworld. If not for Hermes, Olympus might have fallen! As a reward, he shall receive greaves forged by Hephaestus..."

"Ooh..." "As expected of the messenger god..." "Hermes indeed did well." "If Hades hadn’t retrieved the Scythe, it would have been dangerous..."

Watching Zeus praise his son, Hermes, I observed quietly. Hermes wore an awkward smile, feeling the praise was a bit much.

"Next, the goddess of wisdom and my daughter, Athena, step forward!"

Fully armored, Athena confidently strode forward and knelt before Zeus. During the battle with Typhon, her strategy had indeed proven effective.

"The plan to deceive Typhon came from your mind, truly befitting the goddess of wisdom..."

Zeus mentioned recognizing and praising the gods. This was a celebration, and praising means acknowledging the accomplishments of those beneath him.

Hence, neither Poseidon's nor my names were mentioned by Zeus. Although Zeus is acknowledged as the strongest and king of the gods, we, the three principal gods, are nearly equal.

"...Ares! You fought valiantly, like the god of war..."

And well, there's no need to spoil the celebration for Zeus’s children. Sipping nectar, I watched Zeus praise the gods.

Hmm... Does Olympus nectar taste different? Why does it seem sweeter than when I drink it in the underworld?

"...This concludes the commendation for those who bravely faced Typhon! I, Zeus, shall now take my leave, so please continue to enjoy the banquet!"

Thunder echoed as Zeus vanished from the hall. It seemed he left to ensure the lower gods could enjoy themselves without his imposing presence.

Though he could have simply walked out, must he always depart with thunder? It's quite noisy.

"Hermes! I'd like to hear more about how you escaped from Typhon!" "I wasn't here at the time, but was the monster truly that strong?" "As expected of the goddess of wisdom, Athena!" "Ares, let's ride chariots together later..."

The main figures of today, those who shone in the battle against Typhon, were surrounded by numerous gods. They wanted to hear tales of valor or seize the opportunity to build connections with the Olympian gods.

"Lord Poseidon! Though Zeus didn't mention it, your role..." "Yes, which god's son are you?"

Meanwhile, I sat in a corner, sipping nectar with Demeter, with no one approaching me. Even Poseidon had gods speaking to him... Why...

Demeter, noticing this, chuckled and spoke.

"Of course. Who would dare approach you? Annoy you and they might end up in Tartarus, or please you and they get dragged to the underworld."

"Did I voice my thoughts aloud?"

"...It’s all written on your face, Hades."

I could understand. Apart from the twelve Olympian gods, many others revered and feared me.

The underworld, the realm of the dead, is deep, dark, terrifying, gloomy, and melancholic... Still, it’s a banquet, and finding someone to converse with is challenging, making it somewhat dull.

At least I made acquaintances with a few newly born gods. They nervously introduced themselves, and I sent them off casually.

"Relax your expression; it looks even more menacing. You look ready to drag someone to Tartarus..." "I'm not."

Demeter sipped her nectar, commenting on my demeanor.

Is this not outright underworld prejudice?