Chapter 20
The underworld is expected to be very busy today as well... but
Hades' office was unexpectedly quiet.
This is because human nations have been established in various places and the world of the living has stabilized, reducing the number of deaths.
Although many still died short lives due to various monsters, accidents, and violent animals, this much was manageable.
However, I still had one concern...
"Have you still not been able to locate the Gigantes?"
"No, we couldn't find any traces of the monsters you mentioned."
These were the Gigantes, the protagonists of the prophecy that said we couldn't win without the help of human heroes.
I had planned to search for their location in advance to annihilate them or reduce their numbers, but...
'Is Lady Gaia providing them with a hiding place until their forces grow stronger?'
Zeus in Olympus doesn't know, and they don't appear even after thoroughly searching the underworld, so there's nothing we can do.
The only fortunate thing is that the day the Gigantes challenge the gods again is likely far in the future.
It takes a long time for them to increase their numbers with Gaia's power.
Gaia knows the power of the gods who even defeated Typhon, so she'll only send them when there's a certain chance of victory.
'Until then, a human hero needs to appear... Cadmus has high potential, but he's busy searching for his sister...'
As I was lost in thought, a soul soldier from outside came in and reported that a visitor had arrived.
Someone who looked half-fish and half-god at the entrance of the underworld said he was Poseidon's messenger.
I realized that the time Poseidon mentioned last time had come.
He definitely said he had something to say at the underwater feast, didn't he?
I can guess what he's going to say, but I should go and listen.
After telling the soul soldier to bring in the guest,
I unrolled a parchment scroll and examined the locations in the world of the living where the Gigantes might be hiding.
No matter where you're hiding, just get caught... I'll make you all citizens of the underworld.
As I was looking at the parchment, imagining ominous scenarios, Poseidon's messenger soon arrived at the office.
As soon as the door opened, he bowed to greet me.
"Lord of the Underworld! It's an honor to meet you. I am Triton, Lord Poseidon's only legitimate son!"
"Yes, I am Hades."
The male god who introduced himself as Triton.
His appearance was covered in scales all over his body, and he had gills and what looked like a dolphin's tail.
Although he looked like a monster in human form at first glance, I should consider his underwater birthplace.
And legitimate son... That means he's the child of Poseidon's official wife, Amphitrite.
"Is Poseidon's feast prepared? Then guide me."
"Yes! I'll escort you to my father's palace!"
He's quite brisk. Poseidon must like that.
***
This is a beach on the surface world.
Last time, when I was invited to Amphitrite and Poseidon's wedding,
A giant whale, one of Poseidon's subordinates, carried me and guided me to the golden palace under the sea.
I thought we might call a whale to go underwater this time too, but...
Triton took out a conch shell from his waist and blew it.
Pwooo-
A majestic sound spread from the black and white conch shell,
And soon, two giant seahorses appeared above the seawater.
"These are the seahorses I command. They're blessed by my father and can move quickly underwater."
"Are they a kind of divine beast? Poseidon has bestowed power on them."
Seahorses with saddles and reins as if made for someone to ride easily.
I mounted a seahorse, feeling the touch of seawater on my legs after a long time.
"Then we'll move to the palace! Let's go!"
With Triton's words, the seahorses sank into the sea.
Swoosh-
Simultaneously, something like air bubbles formed around me, pushing away the surrounding water.
Poseidon's power that allows me to breathe and keeps my body dry even underwater.
When I was invited to the sea god's wedding, I just used my own power to push away the water, but now I don't need to, so it's comfortable.
Bubble bubble-
As we entered the sea, numerous fish swam around in the blue world.
Dark blue mackerel, playful dolphins, sea turtles...
As we went down a bit further, dense seaweed was growing on the bottom, and small fish were busily moving between them.
I could also see one of Poseidon's subordinates, a half-human half-fish, going around collecting seaweed.
The seahorse carrying me descends even deeper.
It feels as if the water currents are naturally opening, guiding us somewhere.
As we descend into the deep sea where sunlight barely reaches, everything around is darkness.
However, everything was visible to a god's eyesight.
The scenery of what humans call the deep sea was quite impressive.
They fear the underwater world and always offer sacrifices to Poseidon, but...
Clear and transparent jellyfish that seemed to have intelligence were playing with their tentacles,
And Poseidon's subordinates, mixed human and fish, began to appear more and more.
"Look at this, ahaha!"
"This turtle is cute. Should we take it and raise it?"
"Oh? But over there...!"
A few beautiful nymphs, sea spirits called Nereids, were laughing while looking at a sea turtle, then turned to look this way and were startled.
Soon, recognizing Poseidon's blessing of air bubbles and my appearance, they hurriedly bowed their heads in respect.
Triton grinned and waved the hand not holding the seahorse's reins, and they blushed and moved away.
Is that considered handsome underwater? It's hard to understand with underworld sensibilities...
Bubble bubble-
We descended even further.
Probably to a place even deeper than what humans call the deep sea.
At this depth, the water pressure would be hard for even demigods born and raised on land to survive.
But Poseidon's children should have no problem.
As I was leisurely observing the surroundings, a shark-man approached me.
A human form with only the lower body covered, but with webbed feet instead of soles, shark fins, and sharp teeth.
The harpoon in his hand looked sharp enough to pierce enemies even in the deep water.
Roughly estimating his strength, he seemed to be about the level of a captain of the guard near the palace.
"I greet the lord of the underworld. I am Andrianos, who has undeservedly received Lord Poseidon's grace."
I nodded and raised one hand, and he bowed his head to Triton as well.
"Lord Triton."
"Yes, the feast preparations are all done, right?"
"Yes, the preparations are perfect."
They talked for a moment, and then the seahorse started moving again.
As if pulled by some force, the ocean currents naturally take us to the bottom.
After moving for some time, we finally saw Poseidon's palace.
A brilliantly shining golden palace under the sea.
Although it should be a deep sea where sunlight doesn't reach, it was brightly illuminated.
Majestically built palace buildings and white pillars.
Colorful corals surrounded the area, and a translucent membrane could be seen covering the entire palace.
That membrane seems to be a similar type of power to Poseidon's blessing bestowed on the seahorse I'm riding.
"Hades! Welcome to my palace!"
Finally, there was the blue-haired sea god, Poseidon, spreading his arms in front of the palace's magnificent door.
***
The feast prepared by Poseidon was no less than the feasts in Olympus.
Pwooo-
Being underwater, there were quite a few seaweed dishes,
And a merman with a fish lower body created sweet melodies using a conch shell.
I exchanged greetings and got acquainted with Poseidon's sons and subordinate lesser gods.
Many new gods have been born underwater too. Triton is... playing with the sharks.
It wasn't bad to watch the antics of underwater clowns while chewing seaweed dishes along with ambrosia.
The octopus that could speak juggling several seashells in the air was quite a sight to see...
Aaaaah-!
What's this sound now?
From somewhere far away, deep in the sea, comes the sound of an angry woman.
This divine power that stirs up ocean currents and summons fierce waves is?
"Ahem... It seems Amphitrite is at it again."
"Is there some problem with your wife?"
"Well... She gets like this when she finds out I've spent a night elsewhere occasionally."
Poseidon said with a bitter smile.
So your wife is angry because she found out you've been unfaithful?
What's the difference between you and Zeus...
Hera and Amphitrite both seem to have a really hard time.
No wonder the lady of the sea didn't show up at the feast.
Poseidon, holding a blue cup filled with nectar, strokes his beard and says,
"Sigh... I wonder how I should appease her this time. At least I don't have to worry about the lady of the sea changing..."
"Shouldn't you be worrying about her being angry because you're unfaithful, not about the lady of the sea changing?"
He seems no better than Zeus.
Which of the two will end up with the divine status of adultery?
I sighed and took a sip of nectar.
It's definitely true that nectar changes depending on where you eat it.
How can the taste of nectar be so refreshing here?
It feels like drinking Ci...da? Cider from my past life.
It wouldn't be bad to keep enjoying the feast here, but it's time to get to the main point.
I put down the blue cup and met Poseidon's eyes.
"Well... I already guess, but tell me the reason you invited me."
"Why ask if you already know? Your guess is correct, Hades."
He grins with an ambitious smile.
"Of course, it's nothing but talking about joining forces to overthrow Zeus, right?"
I knew it.