Chapter 104: The Story of Eros and Psyche - (3)

The Sun God, who came running after receiving Morpheus's message, had a somewhat wronged expression for some reason.

Oh, seeing that face, there's no doubt you're involved.

"Apollo, tell me the truth. Why did you give such an oracle?"

"Great Uncle, that's..."

"As far as I know, there are no human women destined to marry monsters in this era. You, the god of prophecy, should know this better."

"......"

"Do you know what rumors are circulating among humans in various cities? There's talk that gods jealous of Psyche's beauty are trying to marry her to a monster, and there's a great wave of sympathy for this human called Psyche. Isn't this an act that diminishes the dignity of gods?"

After a moment of silence, Apollo opened his mouth.

"Well... This incident is Eros's fault."

"...? Why Eros?"

I thought he would behave after working in the Underworld and returning?

"Eros coveted that human woman, Psyche, and that's how this happened."

"Explain in detail."

"As you know, Great Uncle, I, as the god of prophecy, know a bit more. But from this human Psyche's mouth, I sense a bitter scent, and from her hair wafts a sweet fragrance. Isn't this the bitter and sweet water from Aphrodite's fountain? Since Aphrodite didn't move from Olympus... It must be that cruel Eros coveting Psyche. That's why I gave such an oracle."

At least the reason why Apollo gave such an oracle has been revealed.

Apollo, who had been struck by the golden arrow and loved the nymph Daphne, probably didn't like Eros.

So he must have interfered with Eros's love by saying she would marry an evil monster and such.

But Eros is a male god with the appearance of a boy uninterested in goddesses... Why would he covet Psyche?

Eros's mother is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty... Did she order Eros to do this?

But there's no reason to torment just one human... Wait.

"I heard she's an incredibly beautiful daughter..."

That's what Goddess Lethe said. That there are rumors Psyche is incredibly beautiful.

And the goddess in charge of beauty is Aphrodite. Hmm.

"This isn't an issue I can discuss with just you. I should call Eros and Aphrodite too."

"Yes..."

***

Three people, no, three gods gathered in the Underworld.

As soon as I called them, it seemed they all knew something about this matter, and they started arguing.

I tried to stop them, but...

"Eros. Isn't this happening again because of your ugly golden arrow!"

"What?! You could have just told Psyche she was destined to marry me!"

"Hmph... Why should I do that for your sake? Well, how does it feel to receive the karma of shooting me with your golden arrow?"

It was quite a spectacle, so I just watched quietly. Let's see how far this goes.

"Eros, what did I tell you... Couldn't you have just quietly shot that detestable human with a lead arrow?! Because of you, I have to come to the Underworld again, oh..."

"No. You haven't done anything right either, Mother! Being jealous of a human who won't even live 100 years!"

"Your body may have grown, but that immature personality is exactly the same. Manipulating others' emotions as you please..."

"Lord Apollo, do you want to be hit by my golden arrow again? Was it that hard to just give a favorable oracle?"

"Go ahead and shoot. I'll show you the taste of my sun arrow."

Look at them... Not a single one has done anything right.

Aphrodite, who tried to inflict divine punishment out of jealousy towards a human by sending Eros, Eros who sprinkled magic bitter water to claim the human he fell for due to her beauty,

and Apollo who still hasn't forgotten past grudges and interferes so Eros can't be with the human he fell for.

"Quiet. All of you, shut your mouths."

"But Hades!"

"Aphrodite. Do I need to say it twice?"

It's a total mess. Why are all their personalities like this?

At least it's gotten a bit quieter. Now, how do I resolve this?

If the full story of this incident spreads, humans' faith will plummet, so to resolve it smoothly...

"Eros. You say you love this human called Psyche?"

"Yes... I absolutely can't give her up."

"If that human likes you too, then take responsibility. However, give yourselves enough time to get to know each other."

"Ah...! Yes! Thank you!"

"But pouring bitter water on an innocent human wasn't right. We'll talk about that later..."

The young god's face seemed to rot as he recalled the joyful days in the Underworld.

No, the god of love who now has the appearance of a young man after realizing love, slowly nodded his head.

"Aphrodite. I won't stop you from inflicting divine punishment on that human. You might be angry if faith drops so much that dust gathers in your temple."

"Hmph... I understand."

"But do it in moderation. You know what I mean? Don't push too hard beyond testing your son's wife."

"But... Because of that detestable girl..."

"Aphrodite. Was your supreme beauty in Olympus such a shallow thing that changes according to humans' perceptions? In my opinion, no matter how beautiful this human Psyche is, she can never match you. Show some tolerance as the goddess of beauty and love."

"Th-That's... right?! Even in Hades' opinion, I'm still better than that girl...!"

I barely managed to persuade Aphrodite, but... why is she blushing?

She's incredibly embarrassed, isn't it natural that you're the most beautiful since you're the goddess of beauty?

Lastly... I turned my head towards Apollo.

"Stop using oracles for your personal feelings. You know that for humans, your oracles are law, almost absolute commands..."

"I understand, Great Uncle. But because that Eros keeps using his golden arrows recklessly..."

"I shot Lord Apollo with an arrow because he provoked me first!"

I certainly heard about what happened in Olympus.

When Apollo mocked Eros's small bow and arrows,

Eros got angry and shot Apollo with a golden arrow... and shot a lead arrow at a nymph named Daphne that Apollo saw?

In the end, Apollo's love was ruined, and Daphne turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo.

"Eros. If you had a problem with Apollo, couldn't you two have resolved it yourselves? Why involve an innocent nymph..."

"Hmph... As Great Uncle says. Playing with people's hearts, your golden arrow..."

"Apollo. You haven't done much better either."

[You're very narrow-minded. I heard Orion's death last time was your doing too?]

[Umm. Great Uncle, that's...]

This incident occurred due to all sorts of events, bad blood, and entangled divine pride.

Unless one of the Big Three like me, Poseidon, or Zeus resolves it decisively... it could continue to grow into a bigger problem.

Not just this incident, but it might have led to a vicious cycle of grudges breeding more grudges.

Should I make them all work in the Underworld? They might improve a bit if they get scolded severely once.

No. How long should I keep scolding them? I can't keep doing this in the Underworld every time, so I'll have to leave it to Zeus.

"How long should I, who stays in the Underworld, keep cleaning up after your mistakes? I'll tell Zeus about this incident for now."

"Yes..."

"Alright, Hades..."

"...I'm sorry, Great Uncle."

"I'll tell Zeus to scold all three of you severely, so be prepared."

Looking at the three dejected gods, I made a gesture signaling to move to another place.

Should we continue to ponder in the nearby office, not the audience chamber...

We can't do anything about what's already happened, but including the king and queen who are still praying, and even the human called Psyche...

I need to think about what the best solution would be.

Apollo being the god of reason... Tsk. I should say it would be good to punish him properly.

"Lord Hades. A messenger has arrived from Olympus."

"What's the matter?"

"Lord Poseidon in Olympus is looking for God Apollo... What should we do?"

"...Tell him I'll send Apollo back to Olympus after he's done with his business in the Underworld."

So Poseidon found out about his son Orion's death.

I clicked my tongue as I saw Apollo's face turn pale upon hearing the news. Why did you do it...

***

The next day, Psyche's parents, who had been prostrating themselves and pleading in front of Pluto's temple, beamed as if they had met a savior.

This was because Pluto's high priest personally approached them, saying there was an oracle, and invited them into the temple.

"Lord Pluto says that to avoid the future of marrying a monster, Psyche must spend 100 days on top of a mountain without seeing her husband's face even once."

"If... if she does that... can my daughter really marry a normal husband, not a monster?"

"Of course. He said to tell you that if she does so, she will live a happier life than anyone else."

Psyche's parents were greatly relieved for now, and after praying to all the divine statues in the temple...

Grateful that their daughter, who was to marry a monster, had been given a way to avoid her fate, they ran back to the kingdom in one breath.

"If I stay on the mountain, my husband will come... for 100 days?"

"Yes, Psyche. Since God Pluto himself gave the oracle, you must do so for you to... sob."

"...Don't cry, Mother. I'll be fine wherever I am."

Psyche left the palace and climbed to the top of a nearby mountain.

But looking around, she couldn't see anything? Is her husband somewhere nearby?

Whoosh-

"...?! Kyaaah!"

Psyche lost her balance as the wind blew.

However, instead of falling down the mountain, she was blown away somewhere by the strong wind.

It wasn't just being caught in the wind, but as if a mysterious force was enveloping her and pushing her to a distant place...

"I don't know why Lord Hades asked Eurus instead of another wind god, but..."

"Hehehe... So I just need to bring the new bride to the new groom. I'm an expert at this kind of thing. Eros."

"Lord Eurus? What do you mean by expert..."

"Kehehehe... Don't worry and wait at the mansion."

...Let's skip the gods' circumstances for now.

Psyche closed her eyes tightly at the rapidly changing scenery.

A moment later, her feet touched the ground. Has she finally come down to earth?

Psyche, who was feeling relieved, had no time to think about the mysterious wind that had just happened to her.

"Wow..."

Because right in front of her was an incredibly luxurious mansion where she would spend 100 days with her husband from now on.