Chapter 53
The underworld, the realm of the dead.
The massive door leading into Hades' fortress.
"Huff. Huff." "Whine..."
I watched the dog performing all sorts of antics in front of me.
The beast with three heads and venomous drool dripping from its tongues was trying to act cute.
Looking at Cerberus, the now slightly grown gatekeeper of the underworld, I took out the Horn of Plenty (Cornucopia).
Thinking of thick meat, I put my hand into the broken horn and soon grasped a large chunk of meat.
Crunch. Rip.
I threw it in front of Cerberus, and all three heads pounced on it, tearing it apart frantically.
The fresh meat disappeared into the beast's stomach in an instant.
"Pant pant pant."
As I watched Cerberus wagging its tail, seemingly asking for the next treat...
Morpheus, the god of dreams, approached.
"Lord Hades. You're personally feeding Cerberus today. Is something bothering you?"
"No, it's... nothing."
"That expression is the one you make when you're worried about something. Are you perhaps concerned about Gaia again?"
Gaia has been quiet lately.
At first, she used the Gigantes to set various traps and wear down our forces...
When the gods successfully fended off the attacks, she tried to reduce our influence in the mortal world by using human heroes like Oedipus.
The next move she might make...
"I think it's about time she tries something."
"Won't she use human heroes again like last time, or prepare to move the Gigantes using her one remaining chance?"
"The problem is that we can't be certain."
As Morpheus says, she's probably preparing something, but we can't be sure what means she'll use.
The ability of the first-generation god Protogenoi, the master of the earth affecting all things.
She who has priority over the dominion of the earth even over Demeter, even...
"Gaia also has the power of prophecy."
"Indeed, her prophetic ability surpassing even the god Apollo is a problem."
Mother Earth Gaia is the personification of the earth, seasons, and ecosystem.
She's also a god with powerful precognitive abilities.
When she fell out with Cronos, the god of time and agriculture,
It's famous that she prophesied that he too would be overthrown by his children.
The only one in the world with comparable foresight is Prometheus.
That prophetic ability, which even Apollo can't match, is a great danger to us...
"Wait, if we could somehow persuade Prometheus, couldn't we get his help?"
"But won't he be full of resentment towards Lord Zeus? Would he really be willing to help Olympus?"
Prometheus is bound to a rocky mountain as punishment for giving fire to humans, incurring Zeus's wrath.
Moreover, he's being punished by having his liver pecked by an eagle every day, so he must harbor considerable resentment.
"But I've never seen a Titan who cares for humans as much as he does. The Gigantes eat humans, so if we dig into that point to persuade him..."
"Shouldn't we first release him from the rocky mountain?"
"I'll go to Olympus and try to persuade Zeus."
Somehow, I need to convince Zeus to cancel the punishment on the rocky mountain,
Then get help from Prometheus's prophetic abilities.
One thing that bothers me... will Zeus forgive him for stealing fire?
***
"No matter what you say, brother, that's impossible."
Damn, as expected, he's like this.
As soon as I arrived at Olympus and met Zeus, he refused with a stern face.
"Originally, I was going to end it with just binding him to the rocky mountain, but Prometheus himself chose that punishment."
"You mean that provocative statement he made?"
When Prometheus was being bound to the rocky mountain,
He asked Hephaestus to tell Zeus, 'Zeus will one day meet the same fate as Cronos and Uranus.'
Enraged by this high-level provocation sent to the King of Gods, Zeus had an eagle tear out his liver daily.
In fact, since it was said by Prometheus, who is capable of perfect prophecy, no one knows if it was just provocation or a prophecy.
Prometheus's provocation using the fact that Zeus knows about his prophetic abilities.
That statement must always be stuck like a thorn in Zeus's heart.
"I'm concerned about what he said then. If you show mercy, won't he tell you the way out?"
"That nonsense that might be a prophecy..."
Zeus wore a contemplative expression for a moment.
Even though it's about releasing Prometheus, who offended the King of Gods' feelings,
It seems he too has been keeping in mind the words Hephaestus delivered.
Zeus, tapping the armrest of his golden throne, opens his mouth.
"What do you plan to do if Prometheus isn't persuaded by you? Even when I sent Hermes to persuade him, saying I'd stop the punishment if he explained the prophecy in detail, he only laughed in scorn."
"That's because you sent Hermes. It might be different if I go personally. And if he's not persuaded by me..."
Prometheus is the god of perfect prophecy, surpassing Apollo and comparable to Gaia.
He gave fire to humans knowing what consequences stealing fire from the gods would bring...
He mocked Zeus knowing what punishment would follow for provoking him.
Isn't he the true god of madness, surpassing even Dionysus?
If I think about retaliating by binding him to the rocky mountain again if Prometheus isn't persuaded by me,
He, being the god of prophecy, would surely laugh and sneer at me.
"He has already been punished enough... I don't plan to do anything."
"...So you're saying you'll just release him?"
"Yes, and that's the only way."
To persuade someone like him, we need to approach with sincerity, not with a whip.
It's time to stop the punishment of suffering daily just for stealing fire and giving it to humans...
"It's because of him giving fire that humans can offer burnt sacrifices to us."
"But I can't forgive him for acting on his own, ignoring the orders of me, the King of Gods."
"That's why I too overlooked the punishment you gave. But I think this much is enough."
Prometheus has already suffered for an incredibly long time.
The King of Gods needs some authority, but this much punishment time is enough for other gods to understand.
"You there, tell Athena I'm looking for her!"
"Yes, Lord Zeus."
Zeus sent a servant to call Athena.
It seems he wants to hear the opinion of the goddess of wisdom whom he trusts.
***
Soon, Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, arrived fully armed as always.
After hearing the conversation between Zeus and me, her face turned serious.
"Forgive me, but hasn't Father's anger already subsided?"
"What?"
"The very fact that you've called me to ask for my opinion seems to indicate that you think Prometheus has been punished enough."
"Hmm... Call your mother, Metis."
A moment later, Metis arrived riding on a cloud.
She came out along with Athena when the goddess of wisdom was born from Zeus's head.
Although Zeus swallowed Metis out of caution for prophecies,
When a goddess, not a male god, was born from their union, he no longer kept her confined.
Metis, who was considered to have the highest wisdom in Olympus until Athena was born.
She seemed to have already heard Athena's words, as she smiled gently and spoke as soon as she arrived.
"Zeus, we need Prometheus's power to counter Lady Gaia's prophetic abilities."
"But I'm not sure if we should forgive him so easily."
"How about showing a little leniency as the King of Gods? Embracing those who can help even if they defy you..."
As the opinions of the wisest gods in Olympus unified,
Zeus frowned and waved his hand.
"Ah. Ah. Alright... I understand. Metis, you may withdraw now."
"Hehe. I'll believe you'll make a wise decision, as you always have."
Zeus, holding his head, seems a bit uncomfortable.
He appears to be contemplating whether he really needs to release Prometheus, who offended him, and ask for his help.
I didn't rush him and waited for a while.
I believed my brother, who has led Olympus well so far, would make the right decision.
"Hmm..."
After quite a long time, Zeus opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.
"I hadn't even thought about getting help from Prometheus... You're truly merciful to think of releasing him, brother. Is it because you've been revered as the god of mercy recently?"
Is he indirectly saying I'm too soft?
But he seems to have already been persuaded, as his tone was more of grumbling rather than strongly criticizing me.
Realizing this was a sign of agreement, I grinned and said to Zeus.
"The god of mercy can't advocate for excessive punishment. Especially if the criminal holds the key in the fight against Gaia..."
"Well, I suppose it's not bad to have at least one generous god like you..."
The King of Gods rises from his throne and meets my eyes.
"About Prometheus... you can do as you wish. But I must receive an apology from him."
"If that's all, I'll try my best to persuade him."
Now that I have Zeus's permission, it's time to visit the rocky mountain where Prometheus is.
But I can't just go there unprepared... I should prepare a bit more.
If I can persuade 'her' in the underworld...
I should be able to get help from Prometheus.